News Briefs: Thanksgiving meals to be served In Highland HIGHLAND -- All are welcome to attend the fourth annual Highland community Thanksgiving Day meal served at noon on Thursday, Nov. 27, at SS. Anthony and Philip Parish Center Gym, 726 Main St. The meal is sponsored by the Highland Area Churches. There is no cost. Rides are available. Reservations are appreciated. Call 608-929-7490 by Sunday, Nov. 23. On Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m. there will be an ecumenical prayer service at First Presbyterian Church in Highland. All are welcome. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the Iowa County Food Pantry. In Madison MADISON -- Thursday, Nov. 27, First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave., will offer its free holiday meal in Fellowship Hall from 12 to 2 p.m. for anyone alone or in need. Homebound persons may request home-delivered holiday dinners by phoning only on Wednesday, Nov. 26, between 3 and 5 p.m. to 608-256-4357. People may donate 20-pound frozen turkeys or homemade pies or cakes. Volunteers are also needed for preparing and serving the dinner, delivery, and clean-up. Call Judy Metz, 608-249-0540. Thanksgiving dinners for seniors MADISON -- The West Madison Senior Coalition has scheduled Thanksgiving dinner for two dates. The first dinner is on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the West Madison Senior Center, 602 Sawyer Ter. The accordion music of Jerry Strack, one-man orchestra, will entertain at 6:30 p.m. For supper reservations, call 608-238-0196. On Tuesday, Nov. 25, there will be a dinner at 12 noon at Mt. Olive Church, 4018 Mineral Point Rd. Greg Dahman will entertain on the German button box accordion at 1 p.m. For lunch reservations, call 608-238-7368. The cost of both meals is a donation for anyone 60 years and older. Work of Human Hands in Monroe MONROE -- St. Victor Parish and School in Monroe will sponsor the fifth annual Work of Human Hands, which features arts and crafts from over 25 countries. Handcrafted items from around the world will be on public display and available for purchase during the event held on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the St. Victor School gym. The students of St. Victor School are participating in the event. In cooperation with Catholic Relief Services, Work of Human Hands offers hope and self-reliance by purchasing handmade products crafted by men and women living in low income, Third World countries. Work of Human Hands helps individuals receive a fair wage for their work. To purchase materials from the Work of Human Hands, contact Catholic Relief Services at 1-800-685-7572 or online at www.catholicrelief.org/work Christmas dinners at senior center MADISON -- The West Madison Senior Coalition has planned two Christmas dinners. The first is on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 5:30 p.m. at the West Madison Senior Center, 602 Sawyer Ter. The Symphony Singers will present "Songs of the Season" at 6:30 p.m. For dinner reservations, call 608-238-0196. On Tuesday, Dec. 16, a 12 noon dinner will be served at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 4018 Mineral Point Rd. The Mt. Olive Preschool will present its Nativity Pageant at 1 p.m. For lunch reservations, call 608-238-7368. The cost of both meals is a donation for anyone 60 years and older. Holiday stories to be shared MADISON -- Original holiday stories from Anne Short's Reminiscence writing class will be presented at Mt. Olive Church, 4018 Mineral Point Rd., on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Lunch is available at noon at the cost of a donation for anyone 60 years and older. To make lunch reservations, call 608-238-7368. Catholics with Disabilities to meet Dec. 7 MADISON -- Catholics with Disabilities will meet at St. Raphael Cathedral, 222 W. Main St., Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2:30 p.m. Patrick Madrid's book, Papal Fiction, will be discussed. The group will adjourn for the 5 p.m. Mass in the cathedral. Refreshments are provided. Parish cookbook available BARABOO -- St. Joseph Parish's 468-page cookbook is available for purchase. Requests may be mailed with check or money order for $12.50 ($10 plus $2.50 for shipping) to St. Joseph Parish, attn: cookbook copy request, 300 2nd St., Baraboo, WI 53913. Cookbooks will be sold at the craft fair at St. Joseph on Nov. 22 and after most Masses.

To Rome: Diocese plans Pilgrimage of Prayer and Praise

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison is planning an Ad Limina Pilgrimage of Prayer and Praise to Rome May 27 to June 3, 2004.

The pilgrimage will accompany Bishop Robert C. Morlino as he travels to Rome for his visit Ad Limina Apostolorum (meaning "to the threshold of the apostles").

Accompany bishop

"Every five years bishops go to Rome for their ad limina visit," explained Dr. Patrick Gorman, director of the diocesan Office of Worship. "The bishops of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana will be going to Rome May 27 to June 3. The pilgrims from our diocese will accompany Bishop Morlino."

Fr. Tait Schroeder, parochial vicar at St. Dennis Parish in Madison, will serve as spiritual adviser for the pilgrimage. Father Schroeder recently studied in Rome at the North American College.

Gorman said the pilgrimage is open to any interested persons but will be limited to about 110 participants. Bishop Morlino has invited diocesan seminarians to participate and a small choir will also take part in the pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage highlights

The pilgrims will attend daily Mass in Rome's key basilicas. Of special note are Masses on the vigil of Pentecost in St. Peter's Square and Sunday Mass at St. John Lateran. Those participating will also attend the Wednesday general audience with the Holy Father (depending on his schedule). There will be a special private tour of the ancient burial site of St. Peter and the early Christians below St. Peter's Basilica.

A special highlight will be an opportunity to participate in a rare evening rosary procession in the Vatican Gardens exclusively for the Wisconsin pilgrims. "I'm very excited about going to the Vatican Gardens with our group," said Gorman. "The gardens are magnificent."

The Madison group will travel to Assisi for a day trip. They will have the opportunity to visit the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi there.

Tours of the Catacombs and other sacred and historic sites in Rome are also on the itinerary. The Madison contingent will join with a similar group from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for several events.

"It's a very exciting trip," said Gorman. "It gives us an opportunity to build up our faith and see things together."

Trip details

The cost of the pilgrimage is $2,345 plus a $95 departure tax. The cost includes round-trip airfare, six nights accommodations (two people per room) at a modern hotel about one mile from St. Peter's Square; breakfast daily; five dinners; one lunch; professional tour manager and escort; air-conditioned motor coach; and entrance fees to all sites.

To request a comprehensive brochure or for more information, call 608-821-3080 or e-mail worship@straphael.org

Marriage bill:
Override of governor's veto fails

MADISON -- On Nov. 12, by a one-vote margin, the State Assembly failed to override Governor Jim Doyle's veto of Assembly Bill 475, which would have modified Wisconsin law to clarify that marriage in Wisconsin is limited to one man and one woman.

AB 475 originally passed the Assembly on a vote of 68-29 and the State Senate on a vote of 22-10. While AB 475 received significant bi-partisan support in both houses of the legislature, the Assembly was unable to garner sufficient support to override the governor's action.

Support for marriage

In response to the recent activity, Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) Executive Director John Huebscher offered some reflections on the debate in Wisconsin.

"The recent veto of Assembly Bill 475, also known as the Definition of Marriage bill, does not overshadow the tremendous expressions of support for the value of marriage that this debate engendered among Wisconsin citizens and legislators," said Huebscher.

"In no way do we believe that the veto of this bill signifies a defeat for the sanctity of the institution of marriage. Wisconsin law honors the relationship of husband and wife as unique and will continue to do so," he emphasized.

"Current law does not permit recognition of other relationships as comparable; indeed we do not believe that the law can ultimately redefine marriage, an institution that transcends and precedes the civil laws that govern it. It is possible to reaffirm this truth without demeaning any group of persons or class of relationships."

Debate will continue

Huebscher said it is clear that this debate will continue at both on the state and national level. He believes such a debate offers a "teachable moment" during which we can and should reflect on the role of marriage as an institution in our society.

"The Catholic Church teaches that the union of one man to one woman gives a singularly powerful witness to the interdependence between generations and to the complementarity of the sexes," Huebscher pointed out.

"This witness is not and cannot be duplicated in other relationships. No other commitment signifies so powerfully this mutual reliance of men and women in private and public life."

Bishops' reflections

On the national level, the U.S. bishops approved a statement at their November meeting offering further reflections on the value of marriage.

The bishops said, "Marriage is a basic human and social institution. Though it is regulated by civil laws and church laws, it did not originate from either the church or state, but from God. Therefore, neither church nor state can alter the basic meaning and structure of marriage.  . . .

"In a manner unlike any other relationship, marriage makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society, especially through the procreation and education of children," said the bishops.

"The union of husband and wife becomes, over a lifetime, a great good for themselves, their family, communities, and society. Marriage is a gift to be cherished and protected.

Huebscher concluded, "Our existing state laws continue to affirm this truth and, while AB 475 failed to become law, it succeeded in providing an opportunity for Wisconsin legislators and Wisconsin citizens to recommit to cherishing and protecting this gift."