News Briefs: Sister begins Fr. Marquette Lecture Series MONTELLO -- St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello and Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield announce the third Fr. Marquette Lecture Series. Like the previous series, this year's presentations will take place on the first Thursday of each month, beginning Sept. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fr. Marquette Spiritual Life Center located in St. John Parish. Sr. Francis Clare, a School Sister of Notre Dame from Milwaukee, will kick off this year's series on Sept. 4 with her presentation titled "Thirsting for the God of Awesome Glory." An author, teacher, speaker, and counselor, she is known for her sense of humor and stories of God. She has been delighting audiences internationally since 1970. Her first book, Wow God, has over 200,000 copies in print in English with translations in five other languages. The public is invited to this presentation. St. John the Baptist Parish is located at 277 E. Montello St., at the junction of Hwy. 22 and 23 east in Montello. For information on childcare or on this lecture or upcoming lectures, call the St. John the Baptist parish office, 608-297-7423. Parish offers Grief Group MADISON -- The fall session of the Grief Group at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish will be held on Mondays for six weeks beginning Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish center, 401 S. Owen Dr. The Grief Group offers a place for those who have lost a loved one to share and learn about their grief in a spiritual environment. This fall session is open to anyone who is grieving a loss and needs spiritual support. Advance registration is requested so adequate materials can be prepared. To register, call the pastoral care office at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 608-231-4617, and leave your name and phone number or e-mail information to spevacek@qops.k12.wi.us. Reservations will be confirmed prior to the start of the meetings. Madison Diocesan Choir seeks singers MADISON -- Starting Sept. 9, the Madison Diocesan Choir will begin rehearsals. The choir especially needs tenors and basses. There are limited openings for sopranos and altos, but depending on choral balance there may be a short waiting list. The choir rehearses every Tuesday (7 to 9:30 p.m.) at the Bishop O'Connor Pastoral Center in Madison. In addition to major diocesan liturgies, the choir sings about once a month from September through May. Contact Director Pat Gorman (608-821-3081). More information is also available at the Diocesan Choir Web site: www.straphael.org/~diocesanchoir Diabetes group meets at hospital BARABOO -- The use of herbal medications to treat diabetes is the subject of the September Diabetes Support Group meeting scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Clare Hospital here. Heather Gjerseth, a pharmacist at St. Clare Hospital, will discuss the risks and benefits of using herbal medications for diabetes treatment. The support group for people with diabetes and their families meets the first Thursday of each month at St. Clare. There is no fee and no registration is required. For more information, call 608-356-1510. Post-abortion support group MADISON -- Whole Heart, a post-abortion ministry of the Care Net Pregnancy Center, will offer a 14-week bible study and support group for women beginning Sept. 8. The support group uses the workbook, Forgiven and Set Free, which offers scripture reflections and journal exercises. The group provides a compassionate, safe, and confidential setting. Facilitators have received training from Project Rachel and PACE (Post-Abortion Counseling and Education). Register by Sept. 2 for the 14-week group by calling Cassie at 608-259-1605.

Bishop leads rosary:
Outside abortion clinic in Madison

By Julianne Nornberg and Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino encouraged Catholics to pray for unborn babies, their mothers, and even those who perform abortions.

"Even though we may not agree with people who are promoting error, we must still treat them with loving respect," he said in his homily during a 12 noon Mass at St. Raphael Cathedral Friday, Aug. 22.

After Mass, nearly 250 people walked with Bishop Morlino to pray the rosary in front of an abortion clinic across the street from the cathedral.

Respect every person

"When someone is promoting error, that error has to be corrected of course," said Bishop Morlino. "But the person promoting that error never loses that dignity, that sacredness of the human person."

The challenge for Catholics: is to correct error while maintaining loving respect for the person, he said. "We have to treat every human being as a sister and brother for whom Christ died. If everyone went about correcting error that way, there would be peace.

"So today after Mass we will express our love and respect for the most innocent, for those preborn babies who don't get to see the light of day. Also we want to express love and respect for those women who make the decision that it's better for a baby not to be born. We can never agree with that decision, but we owe the person loving respect."

We also owe loving respect even to those who perform abortions because the love of Jesus is limitless, he said.

Praying for neighbors

"When we go out to pray, we're praying for our neighbors whom we love and respect, but who are promoting a terrible error with which we don't agree," said Bishop Morlino.

"It's easy to be hostile and hateful, but the love of Christ never gives way to hatred or hostility no matter the justification. Nothing is impossible with God."

The best thing we can do is pray for them, he said. "It should be clear to all that we're praying for our neighbors," he said.

Bishop appreciated

Catholics from various areas of the Diocese of Madison and beyond joined the bishop to pray the rosary.

"It's wonderful he took the time to come here and show support for the pro-life movement and people who have been coming here a long time," said Cecile McManus, member of St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff.

Among the families who joined the bishop were Pat and Sarah Schloss of Holy Redeemer Parish, Madison, who prayed the rosary with their two-year-old daughter, Mary, and three-month-old son, Patrick.

"He seems to be a great leader and a holy man," said Pat.

"We're excited to have him here," said Sarah.

A member of the Knights of Columbus, John Daniel of St. Francis Parish, Cross Plains, said Bishop Morlino set a good example. "He's a man of vision and courage," he said. "He's a real leader providing an example for all Catholics."

"It was absolutely beautiful," said Irene Kroken, member of St. Peter Parish, Beaver Dam. "We thank him and hope he comes again."

Marty Schmitz, Plain, said this has been a "wonderful demonstration to the faithful from our new bishop. I came to participate in this effort to end abortion and support our bishop."

Said Peggy Mullee of Madison, "This is a tremendous first step. It's a strong and forceful statement for the side of life. It's really unifying for the pro-life movement. We really need to be led."

Continue to pray

Josephine Cowen, Barneveld, said "The bishop gave a testimony to the faithful by standing up for life. It's good to see all the people here."

Cowen said she has prayed at the abortion clinic before with just a handful of people. "Hopefully this will be an inspiration to all Catholics."

Elise Rose of Madison's Holy Redeemer Parish had asked Bishop Morlino to come and pray at the clinic. "I pray here almost every day," she said, noting that a few days earlier she "saved a baby" by persuading a young woman not to have an abortion.

"We need more people to come and pray here," said Rose.

Bishop Morlino plans to lead the rosary at the abortion clinic about once a month.

'Believe, Achieve':
Edgewood High School kicks off capital campaign

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Approximately 75 people attended Edgewood High School's "Believe, Achieve" capital campaign kick-off at the Edgewater Hotel here Aug. 20.

The program began with a video by John Roach Productions, which included comments from students, parents, and faculty at Edgewood High School.

"Throughout this year, we have been focusing on the future," said K. Michele Clarke, president of Edgewood High School. "Many of you helped us in interviews and focus groups."

She noted that 200 parents, alumni, staff, and students gave information to the Board of Trustees to consider.

"We are ready to step forward," she said, noting that for the short term, the $2,500,000 campaign will focus on four key areas:

• Faculty - $750,000 will be raised to attract, retain, and reward exceptional faculty, improve benefits and salaries, and provide funds for professional development.

• Technology - $250,000 will be raised to connect all remaining classrooms to a network, provide access for all faculty to in-house and online resources, and provide three wireless mobile computer labs.

• Students - $250,000 will be raised to increase the availability of financial aid and maintain support for a diverse student body. Clarke pointed out that 40 percent of students receive financial aid. "Our goal is to keep Edgewood High School accessible," she said.

• Facilities - $1,250,000 will be raised to renovate the auditorium, remodel and upgrade 20 classrooms, refurbish and remodel the commons/kitchen area, and finance a five-year maintenance plan.

Funds have been raised for the auditorium, so work on the auditorium will begin this fall.

Campaign plans

The campaign will last for 18 months, with pledges being paid over a five-year period, said David LeDuc, director of institutional advancement at Edgewood High.

"'Believe, Achieve' will be successful because we have great leadership and support," said Clarke.

Joe Boucher, past chairman of the Edgewood High School Board of Trustees, also spoke. "My kids are better people because of Edgewood High School," he said, noting that ethics and communication are two key factors at the school.

Bishop Morlino speaks

Bishop Robert C. Morlino, spoke before giving the final blessing at the kick-off. "I am a schools person," he said. "I am very pro-Catholic schools. I come with a predisposition that Catholic schools are a high priority.

"We need to be awakened to the objective truth in Christ," he said. "He's the final truth for everyone. If anyone is saved, they're saved through Jesus Christ. That's who we are as Catholics. We believe that.

"Believe right. Believe in Christ as the way, the truth, and the life - not just one way, but the way, the truth, the life," he emphasized.

Bishop Morlino said he is very much committed to Catholic schools as an extremely wise investment in the future.

"I'm sent to serve you, to love you, to teach you. You are sent to serve, to love, and to teach the world. Future generations have to take that up and that's what we do in Catholic schools," he said.

In prayer, the bishop said, "Give success to our campaign. It's all about our precious young women and men and your gift of grace to them."

For more information on the campaign, contact David LeDuc, 608-257-1023, ext. 168, or e-mail: ledudav@edgewood.k12.wi.us