News Briefs: New judge at diocesan Tribunal MADISON -- Adela Maria Kim, J.C.L., has begun work as a judge for the Diocese of Madison's Tribunal, according to Jay Conzemius, Tribunal director. In 1997, Kim earned her Licentiate in Canon Law (ecclesiastical degree) from Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and a Master's Degree in canon law from the University of Ottawa (civil degree). She has also studied philosophy and theology. She has worked for Tribunals in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Calif., and Archdiocese of Chicago, Ill. She did an internship with the Toronto Regional Tribunal. She is a member of the Canon Law Society of America. She considers her work as a judge in the Tribunal pastoral ministry because "we are here for people in need of service, to help them with compassion and justice." A native of South Korea, Kim immigrated to Canada with her family. New housing counselor for All Saints VERONA -- The Horizon Development Group announces that Katie Roellig has joined the firm as housing counselor for the All Saints senior neighborhood on Madison's west side. Roellig brings more than five years experience in the senior services sector to her new role. She is certified as a senior real estate specialist and also possesses management experience in assisted living. As housing counselor, Roellig is prepared to explain the various housing options available at All Saints, helping ensure that housing alternatives match the preference and needs of each potential resident. The options available at All Saints include one- and two-bedroom apartment homes at All Saints Retirement Center and duplex cottages at The Cottages at All Saints. All Saints will be ready for occupancy in the summer of 2004. The development is owned by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Madison, and is being developed, built, and managed by Horizon. For more information on senior accommodations at All Saints, contact Roellig at 608-827-2222. St. Clare Hospital hosts blood drive BARABOO -- St. Clare Hospital is hosting a blood drive on Friday, Dec. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Ringling Room. According to Peg Collar, blood drive coordinator and a medical technologist in St. Clare's laboratory, the Red Cross needs nearly 900 blood donors each day in our region. "If these levels aren't maintained," she said, "hospitals can be affected in as little as two or three days. Cancer patients, accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and premature infants rely on the generosity of donors. "And during the holidays," she added, "it's particularly difficult to get people to donate blood because they are so busy." Collar says that donors need to bring two forms of identification to register and noted that the new registration process is lengthy. She recommends that donors make appointments by calling the hospital, 608-356-1419. She added that walk-ins are always welcome but may have to wait because of the new registration process. Prayer for Life to be held Dec. 8 MADISON -- Holy Redeemer Church, 120 W. Johnson St., will again be the Madison-area site for the national Night of Prayer for Life on Monday, Dec. 8. The precise starting time has not been set, but the night will begin no earlier than 8 p.m. and run until approximately midnight. During the vigil, people gathered simultaneously in churches across the nation before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will offer prayers in adoration and in reparation for sins against the lives of innocent unborn human beings. Pine Bluff parish seeks photos, artifacts PINE BLUFF -- St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in June of 2004. The parish is looking for photos of early Pine Bluff families and artifacts such as items bought at St. Mary Church auctions. If your ancestors belonged to the parish and you wish to display an item or a framed collage of family photos with a short history, contact Jake Dresen at 608-798-2853. All articles will be cared for and returned. Support for separated, divorced 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, Dec. 4, 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, Dec. 11, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. For information, call 608-821-3170.

Protecting children: Goal of diocesan training program

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- Creating safe environments for all children is the goal of a program being implemented in the Diocese of Madison and 76 other Catholic dioceses across the United States.

"The program is designed to stop those who are a risk for children from access to children," said Sharon Doty, a trainer in the VIRTUS^® program.

In fact, Doty was one of the authors of the program. A licensed attorney with training in child abuse and neglect, she has long been an advocate for run-away, abused, and neglected children.

Doty explained that the Protecting God's Children^TM program and other elements of the VIRTUS^® programs were being developed for years before the child sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church garnered media attention.

Doty is active in the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Tulsa, Okla. Her husband is a permanent deacon there.

Training sessions

Doty was in Madison to provide training for facilitators. These are diocesan leaders who will facilitate awareness sessions on protecting children throughout the diocese in the coming months.

Doty also led an awareness session for diocesan priests and members of parish and diocesan staff on protecting children.

The session included showing of two films, A Time to Protect God's Children and A Plan to Protect God's Children.

The first film looks at the nature of sexual abuse from the perspective of both children and perpetrators.

The second provides a plan to create safe environments to prevent future sexual abuse of children.

Those attending the awareness session discussed their reactions to the films and Doty answered questions from the audience.

VIRTUS programs

The VIRTUS programs were developed over the last five years by The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. (National Catholic), a not-for-profit organization that provides risk control services to approximately one-third of the Catholic dioceses across the country.

In 1998, the National Catholic board appointed an ad hoc committee to work with child sexual abuse experts to develop prevention and response programs.

The Diocese of Madison is training local program facilitators, clergy, and staff, and then will broaden the program to include others throughout the faith community. The diocese expects to provide appropriate training to everyone who has access to children in the local, Catholic faith community.

Warning signs

The Protecting God's Children^TM Program teaches diocesan and parish staff, volunteers, and parents to better understand and to recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and how to respond appropriately.

Michael Bemi, president and CEO of National Catholic, said the company is working with many dioceses and religious communities across the country to help resolve the child sexual abuse crisis - beginning at the grassroots level.

"Our awareness and training programs are based on an approach that calls on every adult in our communities to become a protector of children," Bemi said. "Our goal is to help every parish, school, and community fulfill its potential as a safe haven for children."

Upcoming sessions

Facilitator candidates in the Diocese of Madison attended a special one-day training session on Oct. 16 in Milwaukee. They completed their training on Nov. 20.

The VIRTUS program also includes ongoing education through an online component.

Training sessions for facilitators and for adults will be held in January and February at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. Other sessions will be scheduled at other locations.

As parishes and their staffs are trained as facilitators, they will provide educational sessions for employees and volunteers on the local level. It is expected that all parishes will be in total compliance for existing personnel by September of 2004.

Parishes are asked to file their plan of implementation annually by June 30. This includes a schedule of training sessions and plans to train new employees and key volunteers who work with children.

For more information about the program, contact Kate Wiskus, diocesan VIRTUS coordinator, at 608-821-3083.

Being a neighbor: Focus of 15th annual Rural Life Day

By Dorothy Lepeska
CATHOLIC HERALD CORRESPONDENT

SINSINAWA -- "Being a Neighbor" was the theme for the 15th annual Rural Life Day held here recently.

People of faith - lay people as well as clergy from seven denominations - gathered for the event, sponsored by the Churches' Center for Land and People (CCLP).

After a reading from the Gospel of Luke about the Good Samaritan, those gathered discussed good neighbors. The consensus was that times have changed. Many people no longer know their neighbor. If they do, they do not act like neighbors.

Being neighbors

A panel discussed "Neighboring: Call and Challenge." Kathleen Vinehout of Alma told how neighbors can share their talents. She described how a Town and Country Day strengthened a community.

"When people work together, great things can happen in the rural area," said Vinehout.

Tim Kautza, Des Moines, Iowa, looked at "Differences Up-Close." "We have to listen to the farmer's pain, their health concerns. We have to look at the spiritual side and acknowledge each other's needs," Kautza remarked.

Dairy cooperative

Joel Greeno, Kendall, told about their dairy cooperative - Scenic Farm Producers - a grassroots effort among farmers.

"Four years ago there were just 16 shippers. Today there are more than 150. Funds of three percent run the program while 97 percent of the funds are returned to the shippers, Greeno said.

"A mission project in South America was using powdered milk in its program. They wanted to know where that milk came from and this coop was the one to supply them with their needs. We were told that this powdered milk literally saves lives there.

"We are still able to pay a fair price to the farmers for their milk since the staff is part time and works out of their homes. Two of the family farms operate the cheese project. This cheese is sold at a fair price to the consumers yet it pays a fair price back to the farmers.

"Everyone receives their fair share, unlike the corporate world which turns out big profits but our farmers get robbed," said Greeno.

A caring church

In the "Neighboring: A Many Splendored Thing" panel, Sandra Simonson Thums, Rice Lake, talked about a caring church. "The rural church network brings together many different denominations to learn from one another and is another example of good neighboring at the national level.

"The parish nurse ministry is one of the best examples of parishes sharing their resources," said Thums.

"In the past two years many different denominations have put together a coalition that has brought a message of care to the people of North Dakota who had suffered a natural disaster several years ago.

"By working together it shows that the full church cares. This could not be accomplished with just one church working alone. It is a work of action, care, and compassion - finding a way of neighbor helping neighbor," said Thums.

"Sister Miriam (Brown), former executive director of CCLP, has been a wonderful catalyst for bringing us together to do caring - neighboring with one another. I hope we all will carry many of her caring ways and much of her teachings as we move to the next chapter of this organization," Thums remarked.

Sustainability

Greg David, Watertown, explained sustainability as a living economy for a living planet. "Twelve years ago it was defined as the ability to meet one's needs without compromising the future generation to meet their needs," said David.

It is based on the principle of viable economics, sound environmental practices, and socially just principles.

"The present one is so unfair and unjust," he said. "We have to start buying from our neighbors, working together, and keeping things local. Sustainability can be defined as the golden rule between generations. There has to be a personal involvement in our business dealings."

International neighbors

John Peck, Madison, spoke about connecting internationally He said most people do not know where their food comes from.

"In Zimbabwe most of the people are farmers. Most of the farmers of the world are young black women," Peck pointed out. "A neighbor is an everyday fact of life for them. People share in good times and bad."

New initiatives

Those attending were told that in 2004 Paulist Press will publish Sustaining Heart in the Heartland written by CCL. It will focus on rural spirituality.

With a new executive director, Tony Ends, comes a new initiative for the center. It will bring urban and suburban churches together with rural ministries to support young people in alternative, sustainable, and organic farm training and placement.

"We are pledging time and resources to help our region address the critically important need for partnerships in stewardship training," said Ends.

The program has been presented to the board of directors and has been supported in a unanimous vote of the board.

Ends, a former journalist, has been operating a small farm, Scotch Hill farms, with his wife Della and children near Brodhead.

The afternoon session featured workshops on "Prayer as Neighboring" and "Churches Dealing with Conflict."

Special gifts

The closing ceremony was conducted by Rev. Netha Brada, Iowa Falls, Iowa, new chairman of CCLP board. Individual offering were brought up: soil and water, bread, wine and oil, fruits and vegetables, milk and eggs with a commentary for each.

Reverend Brada said, "This would complete the circle of creation but of all the gifts we have received, there is one of the heart - Sister Miriam (Brown). She is the one who started this organization 15 years ago. This organization has worked due to Miriam's special talents - her ability to gather a group of people together; to be creative in this endeavor. We will always carry you in our hearts."

Sister Miriam, a Sinsinawa Dominican, was given a rural farm scene picture along with a monetary gift. Sr. Jane McGrain, a Dubuque Franciscan, was also recognized for her nine years as secretary of the organization.

At the opening of the event all sang, "They'll Know We Are Christians by our Love." At the closing the song was changed to "They'll Know We Are Neighbors by our Love." Participants held hands and recited The Lord's Prayer.