News Briefs: Catholic women to meet MADISON -- The 50th annual convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, June 8-9, at the Bishop O'Connor Center here. Bishop William H. Bullock, Bishop Emeritus, will be the keynote speaker. He will talk on the theme, "Catching the Spirit." On Wednesday, the day begins with rosary at 7:15 a.m. inside the center's garden. Registration begins at 7:30 with a continental breakfast. The annual meeting will be held at 9 followed by the keynote address at 10:15. A concelebrated Mass will be offered at 11 which will include installation of the newly elected officers. A luncheon will be served at 12:15 p.m. The afternoon program will feature a speaker from the National Council of Catholic Women on "Children and a Safe Environment." A workshop on the subject will follow. There will be convention registration on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. The MDCCW board meeting will be held at 2:30 followed by the rosary in the chapel at 4:30. A social hour at 5 will precede the annual banquet at 6. The entertainment will feature past MDCCW Presidents on Parade. Jefferson Deanery is hosting the convention with Linda Rosiejka as chairman and Dorene Shuda and Helen Ann Arndt as co-chairmen. Costs include $20 for convention day which includes the breakfast and luncheon; $18 for the banquet; overnight at the center - $40 for room with double bed; $30 for dorm room with two twin beds. Reservations should be made by Friday, May 28, with Linda Rosiejka, W3399 Gruennert St., Helenville, WI 53137. Make checks payable to Jefferson Deanery CCW. St. James to celebrate 100 years MADISON -- St. James Parish here celebrates its centennial in 2005. Many activities are planned to mark this occasion. The kick-off event is the parish picnic on Sunday, June 6, 2004. An outside Mass is planned, along with a picnic lunch and games for the children. Other events in 2004 include: • Organ concert Sept. 24. • Fall festival on Nov. 14. • St. James School Christmas program in December. In 2005, events include: • Card party on Jan. 23. • Pork Hock Fest on Feb. 20. • St. James Spaghetti Dinner in March. • Parish Centennial Mass and reception in April. • Parish and Alumni Centennial Dinner and Dance May 21. • Mass and reception May 22. Parishioners are also working on a centennial history as well as collecting pictures and other memorabilia. To contribute, contact Tom Karls at 608-249-2531 or Sharon Barry at 608-256-3095. For information on the centennial celebration, contact Chairperson Pat Doran at 608-256-7262. Priests to celebrate silver jubilees PLAIN/SPRING GREEN -- Fr. Michael A. Resop will celebrate his silver jubilee on Sunday, May 30, at a 2 p.m. Mass at St. Luke Parish in Plain. Main celebrant will be Bishop William H. Bullock with brother priests of the diocese concelebrating. Homilist will be Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl. Reception will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. John Parish in Spring Green. Following, a dinner will be served at Wintergreen in Spring Green for family and invited guests. Father Resop is currently pastor at St. Luke, Plain; St. John, Spring Green; and St. Malachy, Clyde. MONROE -- Fr. Michael Klarer, pastor of St. Victor Parish in Monroe, will celebrate his silver jubilee on Sunday, June 6, at a 3 p.m. Liturgy at St. Victor Church. Reception will be held at St. Victor School Gym and parish grounds with a buffet dinner beginning at 5 p.m. and Parish Old Time Dance following. RSVP by calling 608-325-9506. Seminar on heart issues MADISON -- "Heart of the Matter - Women Only Seminar" will be held Wednesday, June 2, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Marys Hospital Assembly Hall, Bay 6. Dr. Maureen Mays, new director of preventive cardiology at the Dean/St. Marys Cardiac Center, will talk about current tests and risk factors assessments that are most useful in predicting future heart disease risk. She will also provide details on a prevention plan for women. The presentation is free, but space is limited. For reservations, call the St. Marys Foundation registration line at 608-259-5560. Complimentary parking is available in the hospital ramp. The seminar is sponsored by St. Marys Hospital and Care Center Foundation. Retreat for women with cancer SINSINAWA -- "Choose Life: In All Seasons," a retreat for women who have experienced or are experiencing cancer, will be held Friday, June 18, through Sunday, June 20, at Sinsinawa Mound. Registration deadline is June 14. There is a fee. Friends, spouses, or caregivers are also invited to attend; they will be offered some time on their own for reflection or other activities. Leading the retreat will be Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Ellen Grady, who has experienced cancer. She will be assisted by Sr. Marie Louise Seckar, who will offer a body energy session. Contact Sheila Heim, 608-748-4411, ext. 869, or visit www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter CPR courses offered MADISON -- CPR courses are being offered by Dean/St. Marys Health Works, a training center of the American Heart Association. • "Teen CPR: Infant and Child CPR Course" is for teens wanting CPR training for babysitting. It will be held Friday, June 25, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Dean West Clinic, lower level Health Works, 752 N. High Point Rd., Madison. Course fee is $25. • "Heartsaver: Infant and Child CPR Course" is for CPR certification for individuals needing/wanting certification for job or personal reasons. It will be held Wednesday, June 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Dean East Clinic, lower level Health Works, 1821 S. Stoughton Rd., Madison. Course fee is $36. Pre-registration is required for both courses. Call 608-824-4400 or 1-800-368-5596.
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Sandy Zweifel honored:
For over 41 years of service

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- Sandy Zweifel has worked for over 41 years as an administrative assistant in the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Madison.

She has served under all four bishops and two auxiliary bishops in the 58-year history of the diocese. Currently she is believed to be the longest-serving lay person in a diocesan position.

This summer Zweifel will retire from her work. She was honored at a retirement celebration on Friday, May 21. The event was hosted by the Office of Catholic Schools and the diocesan Principals' Association.

Three of her five superintendent-bosses were there. Current superintendent, Jim Silver, thanked Sandy for her service to the office, pastors, principals, teachers, and students. "You're the heart and the soul of the Office of Schools," he said, praising her friendliness, loyalty, and efficiency.

Former Superintendent Msgr. Jim Kramer, who hired Sandy as a "temporary" helper in 1959, agreed that Sandy has been the mainstay in the office. In those days before computers, "Sandy had a mind sharper than a computer," he said.

Monsignor Kramer became friends with Zweifel's family, including her husband, Dave; children Daniel and Kristin; and three grandchildren.

Former superintendent, Sr. Mary Montgomery, said Zweifel had a "special gift" to deal with people who contacted the office. She said Zweifel was one of the first persons in what has been a "growing ministry in the diocese, the laity" and said she's "set a model for others to follow."

Msgr. Paul Swain, vicar general, brought greetings and appreciation from Bishop Robert C. Morlino and diocesan priests.

Principals Jeff Allen, Watertown, and Arlene McMorran, Beloit, gave appreciation and gifts from Catholic school principals along with messages from the University of Wisconsin's Pat Richter and Barry Alvarez.

Echoing Bob Hope, Zweifel said, "Thanks for the memories and I'll miss you all."

Castle Rock parish:
Celebrates 125th anniversary

By Dorothy Lepeska
CATHOLIC HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CASTLE ROCK RIDGE -- On a beautiful spring Sunday morning people came from various distances to celebrate the 125th anniversary of St. John Nepomucene Parish located in a rural setting called Castle Rock Ridge.

These were people who had grown up in the parish or whose parents had been members there.

Special Mass

A concelebrated Mass was offered by Fr. Robert Butz, pastor, who gave the homily, and Fr. Daniel Finnane, Westport, former pastor.

The Offertory procession included a rock from the old church, a Czech flag, a Bible, soil and seeds, a Castle Rock cookbook, and a red rose. Then two altar servers went up the aisle presenting a red rose to all the women in the pews.

Reader was Pat Shemak. Petitions were presented by Barb Kohout. Connie Shemak served as organist. Mass servers were Victoria Kohout, Kelsey Kohout, and John C. Yanna.

Jim Fitzpatrick, Gratiot, offered a tribute to the people of the parish in the name of his brother, Fr. Jerold Fitzpatrick, former pastor, recently deceased. He stated that his brother had a great love for the people of Castle Rock.

A tree, a sunburst locust, was planted and blessed in memory of the day. People then walked to the adjoining cemetery to pray for those buried there.

A buffet dinner was served to the 180 in attendance at the Castle Rock Inn across the road. Members stressed, "Our numbers are small; our faith is strong. Our life is a shining example of our faith in God. In faith, hope, and love we celebrate 125 years at St. John Nepomucene."

Started by Bohemian immigrants

It was in the mid-1880's that Bohemian immigrants went west and settled on a windy ridge in the Castle Rock Ridge area. They assembled to pray and worship in the old Rock School House, for it was too far to travel to any Catholic church.

The biggest obstacle to going to church elsewhere was that they traveled on foot in those pioneer days. There were only a few horse teams then. Most farmers tilled their farms with a yoke of oxen.

After meeting at the school for many years, the people finally decided to build a church. It was quite an undertaking since times were hard and money was scarce.

Building church

About 1875 they started building. Several of the men were masons by trade, so they decided to build a rock church - 34 by 50 feet. All the work was donated. In 1879 the cornerstone was laid.

The work was stopped once but in 1882 the walls were completed up to the gables. The walls stood until 1890 when the gables and roof were finally completed.

To serve their new church a priest came from Muscoda about 10 miles away. This continued for many years. At that time the church was in the La Crosse Diocese before the Madison Diocese was formed.

Continued to grow

The congregation continued to grow each year. By 1925 the parish consisted of 80 families. Also, in 1925 the parish became the mission of St. Thomas Parish, Montfort, about 10 miles away. The pastor of both parishes was Fr. James Mlsna, a newly ordained priest of Bohemian heritage.

When the Madison Diocese was formed in 1946, the parish located in Grant County became a part of that diocese. Father Mlsna was pastor for 27 years.

After he was transferred, through the years 10 priests have served the parish. With the merging of parishes in 2000, St. John Parish became a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish, Boscobel.

The children from first through eighth grades were instructed in their faith by Father Mlsna every Saturday morning starting with Mass. The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration from La Crosse conducted two weeks of summer school.

New church

In 1930 there was a discussion about whether to build a new church or spend a lot of money to repair the old one. There was much opposition to building a new one.

But in 1939 the decision was made to build a new church. Families were assessed a specific amount of money to be paid annually for a period of three years to fund the building project.

In 1941 work was begun on the new church - a brick and tile structure 38 by 82 feet with a seating capacity of 265. It was bid out for $16,889.99.

Sand was hauled by the men from the Wisconsin River in Muscoda and brick and gravel from the lumberyard in Montfort.

During the time of construction Mass was offered in the Castle Rock Ballroom across the road. The old church was torn down and the new church was completed Dec. 6,1941. The first Mass was celebrated in the new church on Christmas Day, 1941. By 1944 the new church was paid for.

Improvements

The grotto at the entrance to the cemetery was erected in 1927. The crucifix portion was replaced in 1997 with a granite one donated by the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Muscoda.

Included among the present 367 graves are 22 war veterans, the oldest being a Civil War veteran.

In 1972 new indoor restrooms were added and in 1974 the church interior was redecorated. Other improvements continued through the years. The most recent redecoration was completed in 2001.

Chicken noodle soup

In 1939 the tradition of serving a chicken noodle soup dinner was begun. It is still served the third Sunday in August.

People come from miles around to partake of the soup with the homemade noodles, the poppy seed biscuits, and the homemade pies.

As many as 1000 people have been served at different times through the years. Men, women, and children all help but it is getting harder since the parish roll shows 47 envelope holders.

The oldest parishioner had been Emma Washa, who died at the age of 105 in 2001. The oldest parishioner at the Mass was William Biba.