News Briefs: Parish Leadership Day Sept. 11 MADISON -- Members of the parish staffs of the Diocese of Madison are invited to attend a Parish Leadership Day on Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center here. The schedule of the day is as follows: 9 a.m. registration and social gathering in dining room; 10 a.m. morning prayer; 11 a.m. address; noon lunch in the dining room; 1:15 p.m. workshops, Round I; 2:30 p.m. workshops, Round II. Workshop topics include: diocesan and parish governance, structures, and approvals; new liturgical documents; planning for Generations of Faith; stewardship; building a parish staff team; building a culture of life; church concerns and state legislative issues; welcoming Hispanic parishioners; and bereavement ministry. The fee is $25 per person. Registration is due by Sept. 3. For registration information, call 608-821-3083. Fountain-making retreat offered SINSINAWA -- Sinsinawa Mound will hold the "Hidden Springs: A Fountain-making Retreat." Two retreat days will be offered: Sept. 5, 1 to 4 p.m., or Sept. 6, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The $55 fee includes basic fountain-making supplies. Registration deadline is Aug. 22. While building their own fountains, participants will explore the meaning of each level of construction and gain insight into their "hidden springs" within. Group leader is Diane Kieler, ecumenical liaison for Sinsinawa Mound. For more information, call 608-748-4411 or visit the Web site www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter Faith and family potluck, presentation STOUGHTON -- St. Ann Parish here presents "Parenting Your Family in Your Faith," open to the public, on Thursday, Aug. 28. A potluck supper begins at 6 p.m. in the gym, followed by a 7 p.m. presentation in the lower level of the church. The presenter is Lee Nagel, director of total Catholic education for the Diocese of Green Bay and an international speaker. Potluck attendees are asked to bring a casserole or salad. Childcare for children six and under will be provided during the presentation. Peer support groups for divorced, separated MADISON -- Peer support groups for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship are open to all ages/faiths at two Madison parishes. Friends on a Journey will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Our Lady Queen of Peace nursery, 401 S. Owen Dr. For information, call 608-821-3170. New Directions will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. For information, call 608-821-3170. Rock Deanery meeting Oct. 9 EDGERTON -- A meeting of the Rock Deanery Council of Catholic Women will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish, Edgerton.

Welcoming Bishop Morlino: With celebrations throughout Diocese of Madison

In Platteville

PLATTEVILLE -- "I learned something today," said Bishop Robert C. Morlino in his talk at the prayer service held at St. Mary Parish here Aug. 12.

More coverage ... From 8/7/2003 Edition: • New bishop at cathedral: 'We have to hunger for the truth' • Bishop Morlino: Receives warm welcome from people in the pew 8/2/2003 Special Report: • Installation of Bishop Morlino

"It is flash mob. Two people get together on the Internet and then meet in person for 15 minutes saying and doing nothing.

"To me it makes no sense," the bishop admitted. "However, it is the best that a lot of people can do. There is nothing to fight about or disagree about. There is no conflict there.

"People have become isolated with a meaningless life. At least it is something they can do. However, in our culture, that is largely without hope or meaning, it does make sense."

'Wow' of the Eucharist

Bishop Morlino told the people assembled that if he would walk on the ceiling above, would defy gravity, they would say, "Wow."

"We have the greatest miracle of all when in the sacrifice of the Mass, bread and wine are changed into the real body and blood of Christ. No longer is the bread, bread; the wine, wine. That is where we get the real 'Wow.'

"There does not seem to be any 'wow' any more when people come late to Mass and then leave early for no real reason. If we lose the 'wow,' we will become flash mobbers.

"Jesus offers himself. Our culture offers us flash mobbing. What do we want? The problem is not solved by coming late for Mass and leaving early. We should prolong the Mass, kneel before the tabernacle with the eucharistic presence and meditate.

"The world offers so little. Jesus Christ offers so much."

Parishioners comment

In commenting on Bishop Morlino, Jane Bernhardt, Cassville, thought the bishop was most gracious in attending three prayer services and greeting all the people individually.

Bev and Lee Pelton, Belmont, had attended the installation service, but were present at the Platteville service. "We think the Bishop is just wonderful. He seems to interact well with young people."

Darlene Donavan, Cuba City, appreciates the fact that Bishop Morlino comes and talks to the people directly in his homily and makes it very meaningful.

Dee Margis, Montfort, likes the fact that Bishop Morlino seems to stress the basic tenets of our faith.

Jo and Tom McWilliams presented Bishop Morlino with a box of Wisconsin food products courtesy of Immaculate Conception Parish, Truman.

In Janesville

JANESVILLE -- On Aug. 14, Bishop Robert C. Morlino, the new Bishop of the Diocese of Madison, made his first visit to Janesville.

He celebrated a vigil Mass honoring the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the people of St. William Parish and the surrounding area. A brief concert by the parish contemporary choir preceded the Mass.

The local Knights of Columbus Honor Guard escorted Bishop Morlino into the church with Fr. John Auby, pastor of St. William. John Gordon was the master of ceremonies; servers were Tom Kennedy and Bob O'Leary.

Father Auby introduced Bishop Morlino to the congregation, welcoming him on behalf of the people of Janesville and Rock County. The congregation responded with a warm applause.

Father Auby concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Morlino. Readers were Diane Jacobson and David Mumma.

Assumption of Mary

In his homily, Bishop Morlino explained that the assumption of Mary into heaven is so important because to this very point in time Mary in her glorified body is the only human body in heaven besides the Divine Christ and his glorified body.

The human body is not just a thing, the bishop said, noting that you glorify God with your human body. He said the sacredness and reason for the human body is marriage: a father and a mother and openness to children.

A reception followed the Mass. Bishop Morlino greeted everyone personally and talked at length with many. It was easy to see both he and his flock enjoyed meeting each other.

First impressions

"He's very nice, very friendly," said Catherine Schimek, a member of the St. William contemporary choir. "I liked his sermon, very family oriented."

Diane Jacobson commented, while serving refreshments with her husband, Gary. "He's easy to talk to, very nice, very jolly."

John Nevins, an area teacher, said, "Bishop Morlino is very personable. He seems to like what he is doing and loves the people."

Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church from St. Elizabeth Nursing Home in Janesville were present. Sister Ann said, "He's holy and in tune with the Holy Father."

Sister Jacinta added, "He gives us hope for the future of the church. He brings us blessings for the church."

"He is going to be all right. He will get along very well with people," said John Urbanowski.

Cindy Riley, piano accompanist with the contemporary choir, was enthusiastic: "Wonderful! Very warm! He makes you feel welcome to the fold."

Ed Drozdowiez, a charter member of St. William, was pleased with the bishop's homily. "He's a great guy! I really appreciate what he said about a proper marriage. His sense of humor is great, too."

John Gordon, who was the bishop's master of ceremonies, has known the bishop for about four years. "Bishop Morlino is very fatherly," he said. "He shows lots of paternal care to everybody."

In Portage

PORTAGE -- People of the Diocese of Madison gathered for evening prayer with Bishop Robert C. Morlino at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish here Aug. 7.

We are called to carry the "wow" of the Eucharist to everyone in the world, said Bishop Morlino in his homily.

We find our best selves in Christ, he said, noting that with this knowledge we can be leaders in the world.

Participating in the evening prayer were Fr. John Hedrick, pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Portage, linked with St. Mary Help of Christians, Briggsville, St. Mary of the Most Holy Rosary, Pardeeville, and St. Andrew, Buffalo, and Fr. Jason Hesseling, parochial vicar.

Jeri Sutter served as cantor. Dorothy Rebholz was the organist. Kris Radke served as lector.

A reception for Bishop Morlino followed.

Central Education Institute: To be held Sept. 22

MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison's 2003 Central Education Institute will take place at the Marriott Madison West Hotel and Conference Center here on Monday, Sept. 22.

Those involved in parish ministry, Catholic schools, religious education, and all interested adults are invited to attend.

The keynote presenter is Bob McCarty, executive director for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, which provides networking, resources, and leadership for the development of youth ministry within the Catholic Church. He has been in professional youth ministry since 1973, serving in diocesan, parish, school, and community programs. He offers workshops and training programs in youth ministry skills and issues internationally. He has authored Training Adults for Youth Ministry, Meeting the Challenge: Resources for Catholic Youth Evangelization, Survival in Youth Ministry, and Teen to Teen: Responding to Peers in Crisis through St. Mary's Press and Tips for Raising Teens: A Primer for Parents through Paulist Press.

McCarty is a volunteer in his parish youth ministry and catechetical program at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, Md. He has a master's degree in religious education from LaSalle University and a doctor of ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana. His hobbies include rock climbing, caving, and cycling.

His address is titled "The Millennial Generation and the Ministry Challenge," which addresses the unique characteristics, values, and developmental needs of the Class of 2004 and beyond. Baby Boomers, Post-moderns, and the Millennial generation - it is not ministry as usual in Catholic schools and parishes. If educators are to be effective, they must understand this shifting territory, develop a new map, and identify key components of a ministry vision for this new millennium.

Workshop topics include areas such as the centrality of the role and mission of Jesus; depression in young people; enriching the curriculum with the Catholic Herald; examining the General Instruction of the Roman Missal; cooperative learning; teaching cultural arts; teaching globally; catechetically partnering with parents and students; fostering faith in adolescents; and integrating technology into curriculum.

The schedule is as follows: 7:45 a.m., exhibits and registration; 8:30 a.m., welcome and Liturgy; 10 a.m., keynote speaker's presentation and basic FOREM tract workshops begin; 11 a.m., workshops, Round I; noon, lunch; 1:15 p.m., workshops, Round II; 2:30 p.m., workshops, Round III.

Basic FOREM tract workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. They include: "Introduction to the Old Testament" by Shirley Kelter, national consultant and writer for St. Mary's Press; and "Introduction to the New Testament" by Fr. Jason Hesseling, parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish, Portage.

Registration is necessary. The fee is $45 before Sept. 5; $50 after Sept. 5. For more information, call the Office of Catholic Schools at 608-821-3180.