News Briefs: Openings on diocesan pilgrimage MADISON -- There are still openings on the Diocese of Madison 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. The pilgrims will attend daily Mass in Rome's key basilicas, including 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. The Madison group will travel to Assisi for a day trip. Tours of the Catacombs and other sacred and historic sites in Rome are also on the itinerary. To request a comprehensive brochure or for more information, call 608-821-3080 or e-mail worship@straphael.org Concert, workshop on Spanish music MADISON -- People in the Diocese of Madison are invited to attend a concert featuring composer Lourdes Montgomery, the Estudiantina Hispanic Choir, and the Madison Diocesan Choir. The concert will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. The free concert will feature Lenten music from Montgomery's CD, De la Cruz a la Gloria. All are welcome. Montgomery will also present a workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the O'Connor Center. Registration begins at 8 a.m. She will teach music for Lent and Holy Week and will have suggestions on Lenten themes and liturgical plans. Participants are encouraged to bring instruments. Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m., with lunch to follow. Cost is $5. Born in Havana, Cuba, Montgomery came to the U.S. at age five. She has been music director at Mother of Christ Parish in Miami, Fla., since 1986 and also serves as youth choir director at St. Kevin Parish. She composes music for English and Spanish Masses. Several of her Spanish-language settings for the psalms have been published in Flor Y Canto, Segunda Edición. For more information, contact the diocesan Office of Worship, 608-821-3080. Young adults invited to join small groups MADISON -- Young adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to join small faith-sharing groups in the Diocese of Madison. Weekly gatherings take place in a relaxed, informal setting and generally include Scripture, prayer, and discussing how your life relates to the given topic. Small group options include: • "Study of the Catechism" Monday nights at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison. For more information or to sign up, contact Mark Nornberg at mdnornberg@wisc.edu. • "Studies in Catholic Life" Thursday nights at St. Joseph Parish, Madison. For more information or to sign up, contact Audrey Klingele at audreyjcarl@yahoo.com or Jennifer Wagner at nuwags@yahoo.com. • "Studies in Catholic Life" Thursday nights beginning Jan. 29 in the second floor library at St. James School, Madison. For more information or to sign up, contact Chris Speece at speecex2@hotmail.com or Margie Duwe at mcduwe@students.wisc.edu St. Paul University Catholic Center in Madison also has Bible studies for graduate students and young professionals on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. For more information, visit www.stpaulscc.org/root/ pagedraw.asp?pagename=smallgroup For more information on young adult ministry in the Diocese of Madison, visit www.madisonfaithandfamily.org/ young_adults.htm Parish stewardship exchange MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison's Office of Stewardship and Development will host a parish stewardship exchange from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. Priests, parish staff, or any stewardship representatives are welcome to attend the informal gathering. Whether parishes are at the beginning stages of their stewardship effort or need new ideas to keep their existing program vibrant, the gathering offers a way to learn from others' experiences. To register, call Daun Maier, 608-821-3046. For information, call Jay Conzemius, 608-821-3040. Parish sponsors retreat on prayer MADISON -- "Prayer: Finding Your Unique Way" is the theme of a retreat to be held Saturday, Feb. 7, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 401 S. Owen Dr. Facilitator will be Kate Wiskus, director of the diocesan Office of Pastoral Service. The day begins with registration at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2:45 p.m. Cost is $10 per person, including lunch. To register, send check payable to Our Lady Queen of Peace to 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison 53711-1544, by Feb. 2. Catholics With Disabilities to meet MADISON -- Catholics With Disabilities will meet Sunday, Feb. 1, at St. Raphael Cathedral, 222 W. Main St., at 2:30 p.m. for a card party, lively discussion on Catholic topics, friendship, and refreshments. They will adjourn for the 5 p.m. Mass in the cathedral.

Camp Gray 101:
Take some time to measure your Camp Gray IQ

By Joe Van Tassel
CAMP GRAY OPERATIONS
AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

(See also front page photo.)

Are you a Camp Gray expert or novice? Ever find yourself wondering how much you know about this incredible asset of our diocese? Haven't we all!

Find out definitively with the first ever Camp Gray Awareness Self-Assessment (or CGASA). We here at the Camp Gray Trivia Department have been working tirelessly to develop a test that accurately measures your knowledge and love of Camp Gray.

So without further ado, get those sharpened number two pencils ready, and begin!

1. Camp Gray is best described as:

A) a Catholic summer camp and retreat center located between Baraboo and the Wisconsin Dells.

B) a safe place where children feel free to be themselves, have fun, and learn more about their faith.

C) a little slice of heaven on earth.

D) All of the above

2. Which of the following items are true?

A) At Camp Gray, campers have the opportunity to do fun, new activities like canoeing, tower climbing, and horseback riding.

B) Camp Gray is a great place to meet new friends.

C) There are still spaces available at camp for this summer.

D) All of the above

3. The staff members at Camp Gray are best described as:

A) caring, compassionate, and conscientious

B) exciting, encouraging, and entertaining

C) fabulous, fun, and faith-filled

D) All of the above

Have you made your selections? Good. Now, it's time to reveal those anxiously awaited answers. (Cue the drum roll.) The answer for each question is . . . D - All of the above!

Regardless of whether you answered all the questions correctly or missed a few, the important thing is that we all continue to improve in our knowledge and love of camp. Take this opportunity to find out more about what makes Camp Gray such a special, fun, and holy place.

Combining faith and fun

Camp Gray is dedicated to teaching children the emotional and spiritual skills they need in order to mature, make good decisions, and grow closer to God. Combine this with some rip-roaring, foot-stomping, plain-old good times and Camp Gray is the perfect mix of faith and fun.

As one camper parent writes, "I was impressed with the great mix of fun and spirituality - it shows kids that you can be faith-filled and still have a good time."

Campers participate in activities such as mountain biking, archery, climbing, and arts-'n-crafts, all in the context of exploring themselves and their faith.

Camp programs

Camp offers many different programs for campers of all ages. According to Director Phil DeLong, "A big strength of programs at Camp Gray is that they have been designed with the developmental needs of children in mind. As campers grow and mature, the programs grow with them. Programs for older campers have new challenges, more responsibility, and more flexibility."

The high-energy, fun-filled traditional Settler and Trailblazer programs are offered for campers from second through eighth grades. Campers take part in morning program areas such as canoeing, fishing, performance, or outdoor living skills, and they spend their evenings at such events as the water carnival, talent show, or a cookout and Capture the Flag extravaganza.

The Pathfinder program, available for eighth through 10th graders, focuses on having the campers discover themselves as individuals through activities such as the low-ropes adventure course and more in-depth devotions.

Offered to 10th and 11th graders, the Explorer program gives campers the opportunity to cook, sleep, play, and pray with their counselors on their own in the woods of Explorer village. They focus on developing community and leadership.

More camp programs

For those who love horses, they can earn their spurs at Ranch camp, which is offered for campers in grades seven through 11. Ranchers spend their week learning to ride and care for horses all while living a more rustic cowboy and cowgirl life.

In the Voyageur program, available for eighth through 12th graders, campers bring the spirit of Camp Gray with them as they travel off camp for a week of backpacking or canoeing coupled with outdoor survival and powerful community building. A new 10-day trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness is being offered this summer. Single-gender backpacking trips for seventh and eighth graders are also new this year.

There is also a Pioneer program, which is a half-week taste of camp, for the youngest campers in first and second grades. The Counselor-in-Training program is designed for 12th graders looking to learn and practice the skills it takes to be a great camp counselor.

Safe environment

Camp Gray is unique because of its commitment to faith formation and to the training of young leaders. Spiritual and emotional growth is fostered in campers through the creation of a safe and supportive environment in which kids feel comfortable to be themselves. In the words of one camper, "I love Camp Gray! It is the only place I know that doesn't judge me."

A parent writes, "At least for our daughter, the way you present ideas [on faith and values] reaches her in ways we can't at home or at church."

Faith is an integral part of the daily life at camp. Praising God and growing in faith are practiced in many ways throughout the day. There are morning praises with modern praise and worship songs, fun graces, nightly devotions, and Mass at the end of the week.

It doesn't stop there though. Christian values are incorporated into all the activities that go on at camp. From praying before Capture the Flag, to service projects, to the way the staff and the campers themselves interact with one another, faith is brought to life through actions.

Recognizing this wonderful aspect of Camp Gray, a parent writes, "I appreciate the fact that my kids are going to be safe and surrounded by people who care and listen to them. I appreciate the spiritual messages incorporated into their everyday activities."

Model staff

There is no mystery about how all these great things happen at camp according to DeLong.

"Without question, it's the amazing staff that makes Camp Gray the extraordinary place that it is," he said. "On our summer evaluations, parents are asked what impressed them most about camp. Overwhelmingly, parents respond that the staff and their contagious enthusiasm impress them most. Camp Gray staff is composed of dedicated young adults who are great models of faith, excitement, and responsibility who have a passion for working with kids."

Capital campaign: Reaches halfway point BARABOO -- Camp Gray, the diocesan summer camp and retreat center located between Baraboo and the Wisconsin Dells, recently reached the $1 million mark for its $2 million Live out Loud Capital Campaign. The Live out Loud Capital Campaign is being conducted to replace and repair the older buildings on the camp's property, including the dining hall, office, chapel, and retreat center. "Camp Gray celebrated its 50th anniversary this past summer," said camp director Phil DeLong, "and, unfortunately, some of our buildings are beginning to show their age. "These improvements will make our facilities safer, more efficient, and better able to accommodate our growing demand. They will allow Camp Gray to continue to minister to youth and to train the new leaders of the church for the next 50 years." This important milestone for Camp Gray's capital campaign was reached through the generous donations of many individuals, foundations, and businesses throughout the Diocese of Madison. "We are thrilled with the progress we've made so far and excited to charge on and reach our goal," said DeLong. Those interested in learning more about how to help Camp Gray achieve its goal of raising $2 million may call 1-800-711-4729. Camp Gray serves over 1,300 campers each summer and over 125 groups throughout the year. It is owned and operated by the Diocese of Madison and is fully accredited by the American Camping Association. Visit www.campgray.com for more information about Camp Gray's programs and the Live out Loud Capital Campaign.

This sentiment is echoed by parents as well. One writes, "The staff are genuine and good role models. They are the reason kids are at this camp. They are cool adults and show kids how to have God in their lives."

Another parent describes the staff as, "Wonderful and trustworthy. I have no hesitation entrusting my child to the camp counselors," while a camper asserts that the staff are "amazing times 10!"

How to sign up

There are still spaces available this summer, but don't wait too long as sessions are filling up fast. Visit www.campgray.com to read more detailed information on the summer programs, to view an updated session chart, or to print out an application. Call 1-800-711-4729 or e-mail bigfun@campgray.com with any questions or to receive a brochure and application by mail.

Camp Gray, located between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells, is owned and operated by the Diocese of Madison. It is also fully accredited by the American Camping Association.

Camp Gray is also currently conducting the Live out Loud Capital Campaign [see sidebar] in order to make some much-needed improvements to its buildings and facilities. Through the generosity of many donors, the campaign is over halfway toward completion of the goal of raising $2 million. Contact camp to learn more about how to help support this Catholic ministry for the youth of the diocese.

Finally, we here at the Camp Gray Trivia Department want to thank you for taking the time to learn more about what makes Camp Gray such a special place. We encourage you to visit us this summer to receive some on-site training for the next Camp Gray Awareness Self-Assessment (CGASA II). Good luck and have fun.

Lecture: Fr. Hehir to speak on Catholic social teaching, ministry

MADISON -- Fr. J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Boston and former president of Catholic Charities U.S.A., will deliver the next address in the St. Thérèse of Lisieux Lecture Series on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.

The title of Father Hehir's lecture is "Catholic Social Teaching and Social Ministry: A Time of Challenge and Change."

Regarded as one of the leading Catholic experts on the theory of just war, Father Hehir was educated at St. John's Seminary in Boston and ordained in 1966. From 1973 to 1992 he served the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) as counselor to social policy, director of the Office of International Affairs, and secretary of the Department of Social Development and World Peace. He was a major contributor to the bishops' 1982 pastoral letter on nuclear weapons.

While serving on the NCCB staff in Washington, D.C., Father Hehir taught at Georgetown University from 1984 to 1992.

Returning to Boston in 1993, he served as professor of the practice of religion and society at Harvard Divinity School. From 1998 to 2001, he served as the first Catholic priest to lead Harvard Divinity School, but he refused to take the title of dean or to live in the dean's mansion to demonstrate that he considered his first duty to the church.

Father Hehir became president of Catholic Charities U.S.A. on Sept. 9, 2001, just two days before 9/11. He was instrumental in developing the Catholic Charities response to the tragedy that hit the United States.

Effective Jan. 1, 2004, he was recalled to the Archdiocese of Boston by Archbishop Sean O'Malley to serve as cabinet secretary for social services, president of Catholic Charities, and director of social services.

Father Hehir's teaching, research, and policy work in the church has focused on Catholic social teaching, the role of religion in American society and in world politics, and the issues of social policy and foreign policy.

Admission to the lecture is by ticket only. For a free ticket, contact the Diocese of Madison's Office of Pastoral Services at 608-821-3089 or e-mail pastoral@straphael.org