News Briefs: Breakfast with St. Nicholas Dec. 6 MIDDLETON -- St. Bernard Parish will have a breakfast with St. Nicholas on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the parish center. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. with an Angel Choir Performance at 9:30 a.m. The morning will also include children's crafts, decorating edible delights, videos, and a visit from St. Nick. Every child attending is eligible for the door prize drawing. Children attending are asked to donate a can or box of their favorite soup to "Warm Someone's Heart This Winter" for the MOM Food Pantry. To reserve advance tickets call the parish office, 608-831-6531, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $3 for youth (ages two to 15) and $4 for adults. Cost at the door is $4 for youth and $5 for adults. Filipino tradition of novena of Masses MADISON -- All are invited to participate in the Filipino tradition of "Misa De Gallo," a novena of Masses nine days before Christmas. In the Philippines, the Mass is celebrated in the early morning. Other cultures celebrate it as "Las Posadas" and "Shelter Seeking." Masses will be held at 7 p.m. on the following dates at either the Schoenstatt Shrine, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd., or the Diocese of Madison Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld St.: • Dec. 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, Schoenstatt Shrine. • Dec. 16 and 19, Catholic Multicultural Center. Refreshments after each Mass are sponsored by the Filipino Schoenstatt Group of Madison. For more information, call 608-222-7208. Rural Life Seminar addresses farm issues MONTICELLO -- As the dairy industry evolves, modern farm families are faced with many tough decisions and in some cases they must cope with major life changes. To help them tackle these tough issues, a Rural Life Seminar will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Zwingli Church, 416 E. Lake Ave., Monticello. This event is co-sponsored by the Southwest Association of the UCC, The Monroe Clinic, and Monticello Zwingli Church. A range of presenters will address the key issues today's farm families face. The day will wrap up with lunch and a presentation by rural humorist, Jerry Gant. To register contact Zwingli Church, 608-938-4369. The cost is $5 (for lunch). Regional in-service for catechists Jan. 7 JEFFERSON -- A 2004 regional catechist in-service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at St. John the Baptist School, 324 E. North St. The theme is "Sowers of God's Peace." Registration and a social begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner prepared by Sue Strese of Jefferson at 5:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., School Sister of Notre Dame Sr. Kieran Sawyer will talk about "Growing up Catholic: Character and Faith." Sister Kieran, founder and director of TYME OUT Youth Center in Stone Bank, Wis., is nationally known for her creative work in youth ministry and adolescent catechesis. She will present many practical applications for hands-on learning techniques. The fee is $12 per person. Registration deadline is Dec. 10. To register, contact Todd Weissenborn, St. Henry Parish, 412 N. 4th St., Watertown, WI 53094; phone: 920-261-7273; e-mail: toddwe@charter.net. Workshop to address discipline problems PORTAGE -- Parents are invited to attend a workshop entitled "A Solid Plan When Discipline Problems Occur," the second in a series of workshops on "Teaching Kids to be Responsible." The workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, in the lower level Kenney Center at St. Mary Church, 309 W. Cook St. (Hwy 33). The workshop information, skills, and practical strategies offered are intended to help parents understand challenging situations. The presenter is Paul Gasser, a marriage and family therapist who teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. A former principal and classroom teacher, Gasser and his wife are the parents of four children. Child care is provided. The workshops are sponsored by the following parishes: St. Mary, Briggsville; St. Mary, Pardeeville; St. Mary, Portage; and St. Andrew, Buffalo. Future workshops will be held Jan. 8, March 18, and May 6, 2004. Lessons and Carols at Sacred Hearts SUN PRAIRIE -- A celebration of Lessons and Carols will be held at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 3:30 p.m. The Parish Choir and Handbell Choir of Sacred Hearts Parish will present carols such as the "Ukrainian Bell Carol," "A Maiden Most Gentle," and "Before the Marvel of This Night." The church is located at 221 Columbus St. in Sun Prairie. Admission is free and the event will last about an hour. For more information, call 608-837-2488. Program on Christmas customs MADISON -- Parishioners from Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish who came to the U.S. from other countries will share their cultural Christmas customs on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. in the gathering space of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 401 S. Owen Dr. A parishioner who is a storyteller will conclude with a special Christmas story. The program is part of the parish's adult enrichment series. For more information, call 608-231-4600. Musical to be performed Dec. 7 MIDDLETON -- The Legend of Old Befana will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. at St. Bernard Parish in Middleton. A free will offering is requested and donations will be used for children in need. A social will follow in the parish center. The Legend of Old Befana is a musical based on an ancient holiday story.

Fr. Wayne Turner: Diocesan priest dies

	Fr. Wayne Turner

JANESVILLE -- Fr. Wayne A. Turner, a retired priest of the Diocese of Madison, died on Monday, Nov. 24. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz on Friday, Nov. 28, at St. Patrick Parish here.

Father Turner was born May 13, 1925 in Janesville to Grace (Gillespie) and Glen Turner. He attended St. Patrick Grade School, Janesville, and St. Thomas Moore High School, Milwaukee. He completed college, philosophy, and theology studies at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William P. O'Connor on May 27, 1950.

Father Turner served as parochial vicar at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison; St. John the Baptist Parish, Waunakee; and Sacred Heart Parish, Reedsburg. He was also assistant to the chaplain at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison.

He served as pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Avoca, with the mission of St. Malachy Parish, Clyde; St. Joseph Parish, Edgerton; and St. Pius Parish, Cambridge. He retired in 1991.

He also served the Madison Diocese as chancery notary, Madison Deanery Boy Scout chaplain, Sauk Deanery director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, St. Pius X instructor, diocesan director of the Cursillo Movement, and dean of the East Dane Deanery. Father Turner was a Biblical scholar who had some of his writings on Sacred Scripture published.

He is survived by five brothers: James, Warren, Robert, Noel, all of Janesville, and Joel of Milton; and five sisters: Jean Heise, Margaret Butters, Patricia Dubanowich, Joan Olsen, all of Janesville, and Mary Theresa Coats of Milton.

Bishop Raymond L. Burke appointed to St. Louis

By Dan Rossini
CATHOLIC TIMES EDITOR

(See also front page photo.)

LA CROSSE -- Pope John Paul II has named Bishop Raymond L. Burke of the Diocese of La Crosse the new archbishop of St. Louis, Mo.

Bishop Burke, 55, succeeds Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, who was appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia July 15 and installed Oct. 7 at the city's Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. He was one of 30 bishops and priests made cardinals by the Holy Father at a consistory Oct. 21 at the Vatican.

Having been head of the Diocese of La Crosse for almost nine years, Bishop Burke will become the eighth archbishop of St. Louis and its ninth bishop. Four of St. Louis's last five archbishops have become cardinals.

Bishop Burke will begin carrying out his duties in St. Louis upon his installation in the Archdiocese Jan. 26. Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, made the Dec. 2 announcement in Washington, D.C.

In his letter to the priests of the La Crosse Diocese announcing the transfer, Bishop Burke expressed his gratitude for the time he spent as chief shepherd of Christ's flock in La Crosse.

"It has been the greatest honor and blessing for me to serve my home Diocese as bishop over the past almost nine years," he wrote. "The thought of leaving the direct service of the Diocese is sad for me, but I know that God has now given me a new mission to fulfill."

He went on to thank Pope John Paul II for having appointed him bishop of La Crosse and pledged his "loyal and generous service" in the new position he has been given. "The Diocese of La Crosse will always be in my heart and in my prayers," he added. "I count on your prayers for me."

Bishop Burke was appointed bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse on Dec. 10, 1994. He was ordained bishop at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on Jan. 6, 1995, by Pope John Paul II, and installed at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse on Feb. 22 of that year by Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, Milwaukee.

While the new appointment is effective immediately, Bishop Burke will spend most of the time prior to his installation completing his affairs in the Diocese of La Crosse. During the interim period he will possess only the rights and obligations of a diocesan administrator, taking care not to prejudice any aspect of the governance of the diocese for his successor.

As soon as Bishop Burke takes possession of his new archdiocese, the chair of the Diocese of La Crosse becomes vacant. At that time the diocesan College of Consultors will appoint a diocesan administrator, who will manage the diocese until the installation of a new bishop.

Born on June 30, 1948 in Richland Center, Bishop Burke is the youngest of six children of Thomas and Marie Burke. He attended Catholic elementary school at St. Mary School in Richland Center from 1954 to 1959 and St. Joseph School in Stratford from 1959 to 1962.

The future bishop went to high school and the first two years of college at Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse, from 1962 to 1968. He finished his undergraduate studies at the Catholic University of America, receiving his bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1970. A scholar in the School of Philosophy's Basselin program, he also received a master's degree in philosophy from Catholic University in 1971.

Upon completion of his graduate studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, he was ordained a priest by Pope Paul VI on June 29, 1975 at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

His first assignment as a priest for the Diocese of La Crosse was associate rector of the Cathedral. Two years later, he assumed the additional duties of teaching religion at Aquinas High School in La Crosse.

In 1980 he returned to the Gregorian University in Rome for studies in Canon Law. He earned a J.C.L. degree in 1982, followed by a J.C.D. with specialization in jurisprudence in 1984. As a canon lawyer, he was appointed visiting professor of canonical jurisprudence at the Gregorian University from 1985 to 1994 and in 1989 was named defender of the bond of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in the Roman Curia.

Prior to becoming bishop, he also served the Diocese of La Crosse as moderator of the curia and adjunct judicial vicar.

As chief shepherd of the Diocese of La Crosse, Bishop Burke has been a strong advocate of family farms and upholding the dignity of agricultural workers. He was elected to the board of directors of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference in 1995 and served as its president from 1996 to 2001.

A major undertaking of Bishop Burke's tenure was the Fifth Diocesan Synod, which was celebrated June 11-14, 2000. Over two years in the making, its purpose was to examine the various aspects of the life of the church in the diocese from a pastoral perspective. The acts of the synod were published in October 2003 and its legislation went into effect Nov. 30.

On Sept. 4 of this year, Bishop Burke was appointed to the Vatican's Congregation for Clergy, a body that addresses the concerns of priests and deacons, especially regarding pastoral ministry, priestly formation, and clerical life.

The transfer of Bishop Burke to St. Louis marks only the second time in which La Crosse's diocesan bishop has become bishop of another diocese. Bishop Michael Heiss was consecrated La Crosse's first bishop in 1868 and in 1880 became the coadjutor archbishop of Milwaukee. He was archbishop of Milwaukee from 1881 until his death in 1890.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis comprises 6,000 square miles in 10 counties, compared to La Crosse's 15,000 square miles in 19 counties. Catholics in St. Louis number about 555,000 in 225 parishes and missions, while La Crosse has about 215,000 Catholics in 169 parishes.

Finding hope:
In face of HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is spreading hope in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa.

That was one of the messages Abbie Shawa shared during presentations at the Diocese of Madison's Catholic Multicultural Center and St. Paul's University Catholic Center in Madison. Shawa is a Malawian CRS humanitarian aid and development worker whose brother died from AIDS in 1996.

There must be hope, he said, because without it, we can't continue.

Conditions in Malawi

Malawi, which has a total population of 11 million people and is located in eastern South Africa, is the 10th poorest country in the world. More than 80 percent of Malawians live on less than the U.S. $1 a day. The country suffered severe food shortages in 2001 and 2002. Nearly 15 percent of people in Malawi live with HIV/AIDS.

"Each and every community in Africa is affected," said Shawa, noting that CRS works with the local church to bring hope to affected communities, build solidarity with partners in the first world, and mobilize resources.

He said approximately 845,000 Malawians are HIV positive; 106,000 children are HIV positive (most die before they are five years old); 70 percent of all hospital beds are occupied by HIV/AIDS related diseases; and life expectancy has decreased from 49 years to 36 years.

Forty-six percent of all new infections occur among youth between the ages of 10 and 24. Sixty percent of all new youth infections are female youths.

Because of HIV/AIDS in Malawi, the most productive group (ages 15 to 49) is dying, said Shawa. "World Bank estimates that by 2005, up to 50 percent of professionals in the main social sectors such as health and education will die from AIDS."

There is also a 20 percent decreased productivity in agriculture, which is the main livelihood activity for most Malawians. There is an increased number of orphans and a fourfold increase in child-headed households.

Fueling factors

Cultural factors fueling the epidemic includes the following:

• The status of women, which puts them at greater risk to HIV infection. As second class citizens, it is difficult for them to say no to initiation rites that promote multiple partners, for example.

• Denial and stigmatization fuels the epidemic. People say AIDS is the result of witchcraft or they say it's because they deserve it, said Shawa.

• Resignation, particularly among the youth.

• The "macho" factor in which men can have one wife, plus many small wives.

Stories of hope

Shawa shared stories of hope. One concerned Abiti Wasi, who lost her husband and was required to go through "wife cleansing," a ritual in which the widow must sleep with a male relative of her dead husband. She refused, so she was disowned.

CRS provided a loan so she could start her own business and now she is selling secondhand clothes.

In another story, Mwai, a grandfather who is more than 60 years old, takes care of two children. The community helps him work his garden so they have enough to eat and CRS provides seed for him to plant.

"We have hope," said Shawa, because 90 percent of Malawi is HIV negative; more than 80 percent of Malawians know about the cause and prevention of HIV/AIDS; there are strong cultural, family, and community ties, so if you do get sick, someone will take care of you; and African society is resilient.

Response of church

The Catholic Church has established care programs in all seven dioceses, serves as the voice of the unseen including those affected by AIDS, provides 40 percent of all health services, and brings a message of hope, healing, and spiritual care regardless of religion, said Shawa.

CRS provides care and support to 15,000 people annually all over the country, supports 6,000 orphans, educates 2,000 orphans, provides medicine to 5,000 people, offers AIDS awareness to 500,000 people, and provides food to 470,000 people.

"There are a lot of good initiatives," he said. Education is key, he said, noting that education about HIV/AIDS takes place mainly through radio and newspapers. "This is a slow process."

For more information, visit the CRS Web site at www.CatholicRelief.org