News Briefs: 'Reclaiming your life' program for divorced, separated MADISON -- "Reclaiming Your Life . . . The Journey Ahead After a Separation, Divorce, or Love Relationship Break-up" is a program that offers help to those suffering a loss of a relationship. These eight-week programs focus on different aspects of recovering, rebuilding, and reclaiming life after loss. The fall 2003 program begins on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison. Each session begins at 7 p.m. and lasts until 9:30 p.m. This program deals with rebuilding self esteem, self care (including recognizing physical responses of grief), and the psychological grieving process. The second eight-week program begins in January and the third in April. People may attend one or several programs. Each program is $135 and includes all materials. For the fall program, a $25 discount is available to those who pay the entire fee by Sept. 10. A $30 reservation is required. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Registration, open to people of all faiths, is limited to 20 participants in each session. For more information,call the 24-hour number at 608-821-3170 and leave your name, phone number, and address; someone will send a brochure and return your call. Interested persons may also call Cheri McKently at 608-225-3482. Program on yoga for stress relief SINSINAWA -- Sinsinawa Mound will present a "Yoga for Stress Relief" program over eight Saturdays, Sept. 27 to Nov. 15, from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Registration deadline is Sept. 13. The cost is $50. Yoga helps join body, mind, and spirit in a way that fosters total wellness. It also encourages letting go of the anxieties of the world, allowing relaxation and reflection. Group leader is Deb May of Dubuque, a certified yoga instructor. Her classes focus on breathing, alignment, and body awareness. She encourages students to trust their own instincts to find the balance between effort and ease. For more information, call 608-748-4411 or visit the Web site www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter. Sinsinawa Mound, the motherhouse for the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, is located in southwestern Wisconsin on Cty. Rd. Z, off Hwy. 11. St. Marys Hospital president to retire MADISON -- Gerald Lefert, president of St. Marys Hospital Medical Center in Madison, announced his plans to retire from St. Marys after 32 years of service. A national search for a replacement will begin in September. Lefert will continue to serve as president until 2004, when a new president is expected to be in place. Lefert joined St. Marys as an employee in 1972, becoming president in 1985. Under his leadership, St. Marys has become a highly regarded tertiary hospital, offering a full range of health services to an 18-county area in southwestern Wisconsin.

St. Henry Parish, Watertown:
Celebrates 150 years

By Audrey Mettel Fixmer
CATHOLIC HERALD CORRESPONDENT

(See also front page photo.)

WATERTOWN -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino presided at the eucharistic celebration of the 150th anniversary of St. Henry Parish on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Pastor Fr. Bernard Rott concelebrated along with 17 other diocesan priests who had played a role in the long history of this parish. Also in attendance were numerous School Sisters of Notre Dame who were highly praised for keeping the spirit of the parish alive and nurturing the faith of the people of Watertown.

Barb Beier, minister of music, directed the same choir that performed an entire sacred concert on Friday night. Once again they raised their magnificent voices in a pre-Mass concert as well as leading the congregation in joyous hymns and responses. At communion they sang "Panis Angelicus" in Latin, reminiscent of the old church still remembered fondly by its senior citizens.

A Knights of Columbus fourth degree honor guard led the procession into the newly refurbished church. Included were acolytes KayLee Peters, Cory Peters, and Adam Quest, and a long line of priests returning to a parish they once served. This included Msgrs. Michael Burke, Elmer Dietzel, James Gunn, and Frs. Douglas Dushack, Thomas Gillespie, Richard Heilman, Philip Krogman, Thomas Marr, Michael Moon, William Nolan, Michael Richel, David Runde, Bart Timmerman, David Timmerman, and Cyril Weisensel.

Karen Till, pastoral associate, proclaimed the word of God in the first reading from Kings 8:22 and 27-30. Father Rott read the gospel according to Matthew 16:13-19, in which Jesus asks the famous question, "Who do you say I am?" When Peter gives the correct response, Jesus praises him and tells him, "Peter, you are the rock upon which I will build my church."

This reference to the rock was in keeping with the entire celebration, since the well-touted history of St. Henry Parish, written by parishioner Ken Riedl, is entitled The Church Built on the Rock, a reference to both the words of Christ and the Rock River which flows through Watertown.

Bishop's homily

This rock reference also provided the lead-in for Bishop Morlino's homily. He took up the question of Christ, "Who do you say I am?" noting that people today are still confused about Christ's identity. Was he just a role model? A religious idea? Another Confucius? Mohammed? The bishop admitted that even within the church people seemed confused, but that we need to proclaim from the deepest spark within us in the words of Peter, "You are the Messiah, the Lord God." Peter got it right.

The bishop reminded us that we too are rocks. "You are the living stones. You are the church." We need to go forth and bring God's love and mercy into the world. Peter was not perfect even after God so ordained him. He went out and denied Christ three times, but knowing that he would do this Christ still turned his church over to this "rock."

We need to pray for the gift of discernment in order to increase religious vocations, Bishop Morlino said. "Discernment is not like a math problem that we can work on a little bit at a time . . . We need people to look him in the eye and say, 'I give it all to you. Take my whole life, Jesus. I give it all to you.'"

The bishop raised a few chuckles when he said that some boys are afraid they don't have the calling because they like girls. "We want men who like girls. Like them a lot! Then there's more to give up for Christ."

He concluded by saying that God looks down on this 150 years of living faith and says that's good, "But you can do better. Don't rest your love now. Give whole-heartedly just like Peter did. You are the living stones."

Dinner, program

More than 300 parishioners, priests, sisters, and friends of St. Henry Parish continued the festivities as they gathered at Turner Hall for a dinner and program following the Mass.

Following the grace said by Father Rott, Mayor John David served as the master of ceremonies, introducing the speakers: Bishop Morlino, Parish Council President Ken Berg, former pastor Fr. David Runde, former pastoral minister Sr. Rose Ernst, "son of the parish" Fr. David Timmerman, and "daughter of the parish" Sr. Mariel Kreuziger. In addition were a few words from Fr. Phillip Krogman, Msgr. Michael Burke, and Fr. Thomas Marr, pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Watertown.

Sr. Rose Ernst declared that the "works of God proceed slowly," telling how the first sister to come to serve Watertown was Sister Caroline who came in 1857 in a horse-drawn buggy with two to other sisters. She capped off her comments by inviting Sister Mary, the provincial of their order, to come to the stage, where she was presented with a copy of The Church Built on the Rock.

Fr. David Timmerman attributed his vocation to the spirit of St. Henry Parish as well as his family. He recalled many times when his parents came to work for the church in one capacity or another and "brought the kids along," as did other families he named. The kids were given jobs to do also. It was those "images of faith," he maintains, that nurtured vocations. "It came from my parents and it came from you! Thank you. God bless you!"

As a newly appointed bishop in our diocese, everyone was more or less taking his measure on this occasion. If first impressions are any measure, Bishop Morlino proved himself on all counts. He was inspiring in his homily, and he exuded a natural friendliness as he mixed with guests before the dinner.

Bishop Morlino pointed out that the bishop is the glue that binds us to the universal church. He raised a toast to the Holy Father, John Paul II, to the country's leaders, and to Father Bernie's parents "for the gift of Father Bernie . . . and to all the priests' and sisters' health and long life."

Pastor Bernie gave an emotional thanks to God and his excellent staff for helping him do a job that he "wondered nine years ago if I had what it takes to do it. We celebrate our past, but also our future. We look into the future where we will share our cares and sorrows and our joys. I wouldn't be able to do the work here at St. Henry's without my wonderful staff. I thank God every day for each of them and I thank God for each of you," he said.

The crowd responded to their pastor with a warm, standing ovation.

Sisters honored

Following the dinner each of the returning sisters was called by name and honored with a heartfelt applause as adults in the audience remembered their favorite teachers.

These included Srs. Mary Frances Benisch, M. Benet Begusch, Donna Marie Botz, Virginia Brunner, Ana Luisa Cespedes, Lucille Coughlin, Susan Dubec, Diane Marie Engelhart, Rose Ernst, Rita Ann Eisner, Jean Ford, Mary Lynn Heiser, Lucida Hoskens, Nerine Huser, Joan Emily Kaul, Marilyn Kesler, Mariel Kreuziger, Grace Langer, Barbara Pfarr, Helen Plum, Clara Ruesch, Madeleine Schleicher, Deb Sciano, Johnalyn Witkowski, and Immaculata Zoelle.

Committee thanked

A strong committee for the 150th anniversary was led by Pat Ebert, chairperson. It included Lurae Bohn, Teresa McConville, Ken Riedl, Karen Till, Joe Coughlin, Patty Kihslinger, and Maureen Moreno.

In addition to the committee the parish council was thanked. It consisted of: Father Rott, Karen Till, Patty Kihslinger, Ken Berg, Peter Caine, Alberto Clar, Damian Denault, Randy Neuser, Mary Christian, Ron Counsell, Pat Geoghegan, and Sue Walter.

Financial contributions came from the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Christian Mothers, Catholic Knights, Knights of Columbus, an anonymous donor, and Ken Berg.

Theology-On-Tap: For young adults

MADISON -- Theology-On-Tap is a speaker series geared toward those in their 20s and 30s. The four-week series offers young adults the opportunity to learn more about their faith through dynamic speakers and the chance to discuss faith topics with other young adults.

Theology-On-Tap will be held at two locations this fall: 7 p.m. every Tuesday evening beginning Sept. 16 at St. Augustine Parish, 135 S. Hickory St., Platteville; and 7:30 p.m. every Thursday evening beginning Sept. 18 at St. Raphael Cathedral, 222 W. Main St., Madison.

Topics and speakers at St. Augustine Parish, Platteville, include:

• Sept. 16 -- "I'm Spiritual but Not Religious, What Am I Missing" by Dee Burnhart, campus minister, St. Augustine Parish, Platteville.

• Sept. 23 -- "Why Do They Do That?" (Basics of Catholicism) by Fr. Dave Timmerman, pastor, St. Andrew Parish, Verona.

• Sept. 30 -- "Relationships: From Fast Food Thinking to Five Star Fare" by Faye Darnall, pastoral associate, St. Paul University Catholic Center, Madison.

• Oct. 7 -- "Living Faith in the Workplace" by Jeff Davis, semi-retired veterinarian and member of St. Mary Parish, Bloomington.

Topics and speakers at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison, include:

• Sept. 18 -- "It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give them" (St. Vincent de Paul) by Ralph Middlecamp, director of the Madison St. Vincent de Paul Society.

• Sept. 25 -- "Hebrew Scriptures: Jesus' Bible" by Kate Wiskus, director of pastoral planning, Diocese of Madison.

• Oct. 2 -- "Facing Uncertainty, Doubt, or Despair: Sane Advice from the Saints" by Barbara Sella, associate director for the Wisconsin Catholic Conference.

• Oct. 9 -- "101 Ways to a Pro-Life Position" by Leslie Graves, national director of retreat teams for Rachel's Vineyard Ministries.

For more information visit www.madisonfaithandfamily.org/young_adults.htm or call the Diocese of Madison's Office of Religious Education at 608-821-3164.