News Briefs: Training: For parish councils and commissions MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison's Office of Pastoral Services is sponsoring training sessions for pastoral and finance council members, commission members, staff, and clergy. Each session includes norms and guidelines for councils and commissions; relationships between pastoral and finance councils; relationships between councils and commissions; relationships between consultative bodies and parish staff; setting an agenda; conducting productive meetings; suggestions for effective commissions and councils. All sessions will be held at the following locations from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the dates listed: • Tuesday, Aug. 24, at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison. • Tuesday, Aug. 31, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison. • Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison. Cost is $5 per participant. For registration forms or more information, call the Office of Pastoral Services at 608-821-3083. Walk for Life: To support The Elizabeth House MADISON -- The Elizabeth House will sponsor its first annual Walk for Life on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Vilas Park. The Elizabeth House provides a safe, loving, and supportive Christian home for pregnant women and new mothers ages 18 to 30 who would otherwise be homeless or struggling without needed resources and support. The Walk for Life is an easy-to-stroll two-mile walk around the perimeter of the park, including the scenic drive behind the Edgewood campus. Registration is from 9 to 9:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 10 a.m. A T-shirt will be given to walkers with $150 in pledges. Prizes will be awarded for the top team (two to eight walkers), the top family, and the top individual walker. There will be face painting and treats for children. For brochures with registration information and pledge sheets, call 608-258-9473. Reclaiming Your Life: Program for divorced, separated MADISON -- "Reclaiming Your Life . . . The Journey Ahead After a Separation, Divorce, or Love Relationship Break-up" is a program that offers help to those suffering a loss of a relationship. This series of three eight-week programs focuses on different aspects of recovering, rebuilding, and reclaiming life after loss. People may attend one or several of the programs. The fall 2004 program begins Thursday, Sept. 30, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison. Each session begins at 7 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. This program deals with rebuilding self-esteem, self-care (including recognizing physical responses of grief), and the psychological grieving process. Each program is $135 and includes all materials. For the fall program, a $25 discount is available to those who pay the entire fee by Sept. 16. A $30 non-refundable reservation fee is required. Some partial scholarships are available. Registration, open to people of all faiths, is limited to 15 participants in each session. For more information, call Cheri McKently at 608-271-6359 or 608-225-3482. Tours of historic church: Offered on Sundays through October NEW DIGGINGS -- The Mazzuchelli Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will conduct tours of the historic St. Augustine Church here each Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. through October. The assembly has established a fund to accept tax deductible donations for the restoration and preservation of this church built in 1844 by the Dominican missionary Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli. Donations to the St. Augustine Chapel Fund, Inc. may be mailed to George Burns, 150 W. Church St., Shullsburg, WI 53586. Presentation at Sinsinawa Mound SINSINAWA -- Phil Jones, an Australian sound therapist, will lead an interactive presentation, "Sacredness of Breath and Sound," at the Sinsinawa Mound on Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Jones will teach participants how to play the didgeridoo, an ancient and sacred Australian Aboriginal wind instrument made from the eucalyptus tree and decorated with symbolic dream time art. Program fee is $20. Registration deadline is Aug. 25. For information, call 608-748-4411 or visit www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter
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Perpetual Adoration: Marks eighth year in Fennimore

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

FENNIMORE -- Members of St. Mary Parish here filled the church Aug. 8 for a Mass marking the eighth anniversary of the parish's Chapel of Perpetual Adoration.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino presided at the Mass.

"My warm congratulations and gratitude to you on behalf of the whole church as we observe eight years of Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist," said Bishop Morlino. "What a wonderful gift the Lord has given to your parish family and what a wonderful gift you are."

Trust the Lord

The church has long called Abraham our father in the faith, said Bishop Morlino during his homily. Not in good health, Abraham was called by God to leave his native land. "So he was asked to leave his native land without knowing where he was going and he was as good as dead," said the bishop. "Why did he go? He trusted the Lord to fulfill his promise."

The second reason was because he had hopes of a better homeland in heaven - he knew what his final destiny was, he said. "That's why he's our father in the faith."

We can look at our own lives and say we don't know where we're going, or we can look at the church, which has fallen on tough times with scandal and the shortage of priests, he said. "In some ways, we're as good as dead."

The world is supposed to look saved because of Christ's work in us, but with issues such as abortion and euthanasia, the world looks as though the church is as good as dead, said the bishop.

"We've got to capture our direction, our energy, our health as church. We can do that the way Abraham did: Trust the Lord to fulfill his promise," he said. "Even if we don't know where we're going in this world, we know we'll reach heaven and so we're full of hope."

Eucharistic Adoration

When we kneel before the Blessed Sacrament and pray, that is the perfect place to say, "I trust you to fulfill your promises," said Bishop Morlino. Before the Blessed Sacrament, we're present to the crucifixion, the communion of the church today, and the communion of saints in heaven, he said. "That's why Eucharistic Adoration is so powerful."

Even outside of Mass, that Eucharistic presence remains so that we can be in spiritual communion with Jesus Christ, with our brothers and sisters, and with the communion of angels and saints.

It's that faith that will save us - that will direct us - when we're as good as dead, said the bishop.

"That's just one reason Eucharistic Adoration is so powerful," said Bishop Morlino. "It's a beautiful service you render to the church and the diocese. The only greater thing you can do is Mass."

The bishop thanked Fr. George Horath, pastor, for his leadership. He also encouraged parishioners to feel free to teach young people how important Eucharistic Adoration is.

"The only way you can find yourself is in Jesus Christ," he said. Even when you feel like you don't know where you're going or as if you're as good as dead, you don't lose hope because you can't lose Jesus Christ, he said.

After Communion Father Horath thanked Bishop Morlino for coming to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration.

"God has been very good to us," he said.

The bishop noted that there is a connection between Eucharistic Adoration and religious vocations. "Use this opportunity to beg the Lord for sisters and priests for this diocese," he said.

Commitment to chapel

Carol Rogers was one of the seven people who helped to get the chapel started. She explained that Father Horath prayed for 25 years to have a parish with a Chapel of Perpetual Adoration.

Eight years ago, a small group of parishioners discussed the possibility of having a chapel. Mass was offered every day for one year for the special intention of having the chapel.

Father Horath gave homilies about Perpetual Adoration and information about signing up for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration was sent to parishioners six weeks before it began. A downstairs classroom was converted into the chapel and Perpetual Adoration began on the Feast of the Assumption.

Since then, someone has been praying before the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People choose one of the 168 hours in a week and can call a special phone number if a substitute is needed.

Those involved in starting and maintaining the chapel include Father Horath, Phyllis Doan, Alice Hrubes, Jeff Jackson, Alma Moris, Carol and Dick Rogers, and Betty Winters. The parish consists of about 300 families.

People come from places such as Mount Hope, Platteville, Boscobel, Lancaster, and Dubuque to take part in Perpetual Adoration in the chapel, said Rogers. "It's a real commitment by the people."

Jeff Jackson was also involved in starting the chapel. At a meal in the parish hall after Mass, he thanked everyone who participates in the Perpetual Adoration. "We couldn't do it without you," he said. He noted that there have been 69,000 hours of Adoration since the chapel began.

When we started the chapel, we didn't want it to be an extra burden on Father Horath, but since the chapel began, there has been an increased number of daily Mass participants, more conversions, and an increased number of confessions, said Jackson. "None of this would have started without Father Horath praying for this 25 years ago."

Glen Haven parish: Celebrates 100 years of faith

By Dorothy Lepeska
CATHOLIC HERALD CORRESPONDENT

GLEN HAVEN -- "We are here today to celebrate 100 years of faith in this beautiful church in this scenic place."

So began Bishop Robert C. Morlino in his homily at St. Mary Help of Christians Parish here recently.

"However, we now must look forward to the next 100," continued Bishop Morlino.

We need priests

"We need to keep our community, our parish, but in order to do so we need priests: priests to come from here."

He asked, "Where do priests come from? They come from good families, but in the world today there is a shortage of good families.

"We have to build up good families, have to make the home a holy place. We do not hear that couples have a holy marriage. From a holy marriage will come forth priests."

Take time for God

Commenting on the Sunday readings, Bishop Morlino said that Abraham was not too busy to offer hospitality; to honor and worship the presence of God. He was rewarded with a son a year later. "What would have happened if he said he was too busy?"

Referring to the Gospel, Bishop Morlino said while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, Martha complained that Mary was not helping her. "Mary was not too busy to worship in the presence of Jesus. Martha did not understand what Mary was doing.

"So, too, we can be too busy to worship in his presence. Jesus left town after the visit with Mary and Martha. Jesus never leaves town here. We are tempted to take things for granted. Jesus is always available for us. Do you have the time to sit in the presence of the King of Kings? That is what will build holy families. The strong foundation upon which to build is here."

Special celebration

Concelebrating with Bishop Morlino was Fr. John Norder, Cassville, host pastor. Master of ceremonies was Fr. Jim Bartylla, Madison. The fourth degree Knights of Columbus served as the honor guard.

Outside lining the street were six vintage cars to add to the celebration.

Honored at the close of the Mass were parishioners who were over 75 years of age. They included Dorothy Johnson, 94 years; Annie Wagner, 92 years; Alberta Wagner, 80 years; Mark Blum, 80 years; Jerry Rausch, 78 years; Ralph Ploessl, 78 years; and Verna Fralick, 78 years.

Two churches

Since St. Mary Help of Christians Parish was created in 1864, services have been housed in two different churches.

Work on the current "stylish" brick church seating 275 began in 1901 and cost $8,611.07 to build. The statue of the Blessed Virgin holding the infant Jesus was moved from the "Old Rock Church" and anchors the Gothic style altar. The first Mass in the new church was offered May 31, 1904.

The Stations of the Cross were installed in 1905 as well as a furnace and the former pulpit. Recently, the parish replaced the roof with metal.

German ancestors

A book on the Catholic Church in Wisconsin published in 1896 stated that the congregation consisted of 52 almost entirely German families.

It was a mission served once a month by the resident pastor from Cassville. At that time the book listed one Catholic organization connected with this parish -- an altar society of married ladies.

Parish today

At present the church served by Father Norder of Cassville remains active with 70 families who stop and chat with neighbors after the Saturday night Mass.

There was a potluck lunch and picnic after the centennial Mass as well as a memory walk displaying pictures from the last century of the church.