News Briefs: Diocesan Choir to hold Spring Concert MADISON -- The Madison Diocesan Choir, directed by Dr. Patrick Gorman, will sing its annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Pastoral Center Chapel, 702 S. High Point Road. No ticket is needed, but non-perishable food will be gratefully accepted. This will be the choir's 31st choral anniversary. Its history goes back to the first all-parish Festival Choir Concert initiated by founding director and University of Wisconsin Professor Roger Folstrom. It is with prayerful sadness and joy that the choir will dedicate this concert to the memory of long-time member, Jerry Bauer, who died unexpectedly this winter. Rosary March on May 2 MADISON -- The 55th semi-annual Rosary March will be held Sunday, May 2, at 12 noon at St. Raphael Cathedral. This year Bishop Robert C. Morlino will participate and deliver the homily. The starting time was changed from the usual 2 p.m. to 12 noon to accommodate his schedule. The theme for this Rosary March is "In Reparation for all the Blasphemies Against the Motherhood of Mary, the Mother of God." There will be a special presentation of flowers and May Crowning of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Blessed Mother. Any children may join in this presentation but should bring their own flowers. A 15-decade rosary will be prayed while people process around the St. Raphael Cathedral block. The pilgrim Virgin statue will be carried in the procession. The rosary will also be prayed simultaneously inside the church for those who prefer not to walk. In case of rain people will march in procession inside the church. Benefit cookout for Sullivan parishioner SULLIVAN -- Members of St. Mary Help of Christians Parish here are reaching out to a fellow parishioner in need. Kent Hoffman, a lifelong member of the parish, was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma (blood and bone marrow cancer). In order to help Hoffman and his family, which includes Kent's wife, Debbie, and children, Carson, 16, and Lukas, 12, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish is hosting a benefit cookout on Saturday, May 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the church, located at W856 Hwy. 18. The public is invited to come and enjoy brats, hot dogs, ice cream, beer, soda, a winery, raffles, a cake walk, games, auctions, and a bake sale. The benefit cookout planning committee is currently accepting cash donations or items for raffles and prizes for the May 22 event at St. Mary Help of Christians Church. For more information, call Jerry Herdendorf at 262-593-2562. S.O.S. Funz Night for Janesville school JANESVILLE -- A St. John Vianney School S.O.S. Funz Night will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday, May 14, in the St. John Vianney commons and gym. The school fund raiser is named S.O.S. Funz Night for "Support Our School" and includes a play on the words "fun" and "funds." It will include live music and dancing, an hors d'oeuvres buffet, and a cash bar. A raffle and silent auction with a grand prize raffle drawing for a four-day Carnival Cruise are also a part of the event. Music will be provided from 7 to 8 p.m. by parishioners Julie Dregne and Alyssa Penna. The local 70s and 80s rock band "Manberries" will entertain from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $25 per person. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25. For tickets call 608-755-1412. Marian programs at Schoenstatt Heights MADISON -- Marian programs will be held in May at Schoenstatt Heights, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd. A Marian evening will be held Tuesday, May 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. and a Marian morning is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, from 9 to 11 a.m. The same program is offered both days. It will include prayer in the Schoenstatt Marian Shrine; inspirational talk by Sr. M. Barbara Ebbe, Schoenstatt Sister of Mary; meditation/discussion; and refreshments. For more information, call 608-222-7208. Filipino-American Mass, May Crowning MADISON -- A Filipino-American Santacruzan and May Crowning will be held Sunday, May 2, at 10 a.m. at Schoenstatt Heights, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd. Mass at 10 a.m. will be followed by a procession to be led by girls and boys ages six to 10. The girls may wear white dresses and put flower wreaths on their heads. Boys may wear a white shirt and black pants. Everyone is encouraged to wear a Filipino costume. Those attending are invited to bring their favorite Filipino food, soda, and dessert to share in a potluck after the procession. Castle Rock parish 125th anniversary CASTLE ROCK -- St. John Nepomucene Parish here invites people to attend its 125th anniversary celebration on Sunday, May 16. Mass will be at 11 a.m. at the church followed by dinner at the Castle Rock Inn. Those planning to attend should RSVP to Pat Shemak, 608-943-8520, or Bill Stanek, 608-739-3365, by May 10. Tootsie Roll drive May 1 and 2 MADISON -- The Knights of Columbus throughout Wisconsin are holding their MR Drive (Tootsie Roll Campaign) and will be collecting donations at Catholic parishes during the weekend of May 1 and 2. Parishioners are encouraged to watch for the Knights in their yellow aprons collecting donations for the mentally handicapped at the exits of churches after Masses this weekend.
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Journey together:
With strength, courage, handicapped are told

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MONROE -- We must journey together with strength and courage, Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus, told those in attendance at the Apostolate to the Handicapped Spring Day April 17.

People from throughout the Diocese of Madison and beyond gathered for the annual event that included Mass, a meal, and entertainment held at Monroe High School.

Journeying together

Reflecting on the theme for the day, "Journey with Strength and Courage," Bishop Bullock said in his homily that we will one day jump for joy in the Kingdom of God, "but first we must have strength and courage and stay the course for the journey. We are on this journey together. We must never lose heart."

Commitment, support

Addressing Msgr. Tom Campion, director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, Bishop Bullock said he learned early on about the beauty and depth of commitment in the Apostolate to the Handicapped to reach out not just during two or three days of the year, but every week with a televised Mass.

Bishop Bullock assured Monsignor Campion of the tremendous support he has not only from Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop George O. Wirz, himself, and other priests, but also from the caregivers.

"Those of you who have the daily responsibility to care for the handicapped, you are unsung heroes," he said, thanking and praising the caregivers, priests, and all the volunteers who made the day possible.

After Communion, Monsignor Campion thanked Bishop Bullock for being a dear friend.

"Together we make the journey with strength and courage," said Monsignor Campion. "Thanks to everyone who joins us in our journey."

Participants comment

With smiles radiating from every face, volunteers and guests alike responded positively to the Spring Day.

It's great to see all the smiles and happy faces, said Monroe Clinic nurse Pat Gregory from St. Victor Parish, Monroe." It's a wonderful feeling. Everyone is happy to be here."

"I'm glad to be here and help in any way we can," said Peter Hellenbrand, University of Wisconsin-Madison Knights of Columbus. "A lot of people take for granted that they can walk and go to church, but here are people who don't have that privilege."

Guest Roger Nybroten from Brodhead said he has been to the Apostolate events five times before. "I like it. It's exciting," he said, noting that he especially enjoys the singing and dancing.

"Everything was beautiful," said Millie Bennin, member of St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson.

Indeed, from the smiling faces to the helping hands, it was.

Questions, answers: On clergy sexual misconduct law

MADISON -- On April 19, Governor Jim Doyle signed into law Senate Bill 207, which governs sexual misconduct toward children by members of the clergy, including brothers, sisters, and nuns.

"We supported SB 207 since its introduction and we are pleased that it is now law," said John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC).

"The bishops are well aware that Catholics, the larger public, and the legislature expect them to continue their efforts to assure that the church will deal with child abuse in a way that is open, committed to justice, and compassionate to victim-survivors. Those expectations will be met.

"This law is one more step on a long journey to make society safer for children," he said. "It marks as well another step in our journey as Catholics to restore trust in how the church addresses issues of clergy misconduct. That journey will continue until the restoration is complete."

A question and answer document about the new law was prepared by the WCC and sent to clergy, seminarians, and department heads in the Diocese of Madison. The following are some of those questions and answers:

What is a mandatory reporter?

Wisconsin law, like that in most states, requires members of certain professions to report instances where they believe a child has been abused or neglected or when a child might be at risk of such injuries. Anyone in these professions is a "mandatory reporter."

What are clergy obligated to report?

Clergy are required to report in two ways: First, persons who are defined as clergy must report actual or suspected sexual abuse of a child seen in the course of their professional duties. Second, clergy are required to report in cases where they have reasonable cause to believe, based either on observation or information received, that a member of the clergy has abused a child or threatened to abuse a child.

Does this new reporting requirement apply to information received in the confessional?

No. The bill explicitly exempts information obtained in the confessional.

Does the bill affect the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits brought by victims of sexual abuse?

Under current law, a child may bring a suit against his or her abuser up to 2 years after becoming an adult or age 20. The bill extends the statute by permitting children who suffered abuse as a minor to bring a lawsuit up to age 35, thus giving such children fifteen additional years to hold the person or persons who injured them accountable.

What about criminal prosecutions?

Under current law, abuse of a child may be prosecuted until the child turns 26 or 31 years of age, depending on the severity of the crime. The new law allows prosecutions until the child turns 45 years of age.

What does the new law say about suing a church for sexual misconduct of its clergy?

A person victimized by a clergy while the victim is under age 18 may bring an action against the religious organization that employed the offending member of the clergy for damages caused by the member of the clergy if another employee whose duties included supervising that member of the clergy knew or should have known that the offender had previously had sexual contact with a child and 1) failed to report the previous contact as per the reporting requirement and 2) failed to exercise ordinary care to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

Thus in order to be liable four elements must exist: a) Someone in the religious organization must know or should have known of the abuse; b) That person must be a supervisor of the offending clergy; c) That person must fail to report the previous abuse; d) That person must fail to prevent a repeat of that abuse.