News Briefs: Catholic Spirit Club JANESVILLE -- The Adult Catholic Spirit Club is planning a trip to Milwaukee on Tuesday, Dec. 14, leaving at 7:30 a.m. to tour St. Joan of Arc chapel, which was originally in France and later reconstructed on the Marquette Campus; the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist; and the Basilica of St. Josaphat. Cost of $45 includes bus, lunch, and donations to the churches. For reservations call Joan Pastula, 608-752-0055. Peer support groups MADISON -- Peer support groups for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship are open to all ages/faiths at two Madison parishes. New Directions will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. For information, call 608-821-3170. Friends on a Journey will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at Our Lady Queen of Peace nursery, 401 S. Owen Dr. For information, call Paul at 608-862-3613. Defibrillation course MADISON -- "Heartsaver: Automated External Defibrillation Course (AED)," for individuals who would like training for job or personal reasons, will be offered Friday, Nov. 19, from 6 until 10 p.m. at Dean West Clinic, lower level Health Works, 752 N. High Point Rd. No prior CPR experience is required. The program is being conducted by Dean/St. Marys Health Works, a training center of the American Heart Association. Course fee is $39. Pre-registration is required by calling 608-824-4400 or 1-800-368-5596.
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Mission program: Reports on 40th year serving in Mexico

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Latin American Mission Program (LAMP), which was started in 1964 by Bishop Jerome Hastrich. He was auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Madison at that time.

The volunteers who went to Mexico this summer included Noah and Zach Chappell, Madison; Pat Crabtree, Edgerton; Joan Curtin-Peyer, Reedsburg; M. Catherine Desmond, Watertown; Mike Donahue, Stoughton; Donald Gostomski, Madison; Dennis and Rita Kehoe, East Troy; Kathy Larson, Sandwich, Ill.; Patricia Leahy, Shullsburg; Briana Montgomery, Cottage Grove; Mary Olszewski, Watertown; Theresa Racanelli, Jefferson; Mary Schaller, Verona; and Tom Scott, Beloit.

There were three teaching teams: one group worked in the Colonia Tres Rios and the Colonia Las Rusias in Matamoros; another worked with Fr. Jesus Benito Rivera Ojeda in Anahuac and San Jose; and another worked with Fr. Jose Carmelo Flores at the mission of Centenario in Villareal.

In Matamoros

At Tres Rios in Matamoros, the LAMP volunteers worked with children in catechism lessons and arts and crafts projects.

"Tres Rios was a very poor colonia," said Mary Schaller, executive secretary for LAMP, in her report. "We had our mission in a small, cement block building and we bought two small tables to take with us for working on crafts, etc. We also painted the building and had lots of young, enthusiastic people helping with the painting."

"The ladies of Tres Rios invited us to their humble homes for a tasty lunch every day. How nice!" said LAMP volunteers Rita and Dennis Kehoe.

During the second week of the mission trip, the group worked in Las Rusias.

"Instead of a few little benches, we had dozens of pews, with electricity for fans and a restroom and big tables," said the Kehoes. "After the daily siesta, a great Mexican tradition, we had our English class for beginners of all ages" at the Casa de San Martin in Matamoros.

Schaller said the Casa de San Martin really looked nice this year after the April painting work mission. Some of the cots had been replaced and the rooms looked very inviting.

"The new caretaker, Guillermina, is a very nice lady, and we enjoyed her company and help very much," said the Kehoes.

"One day we went to Mass in Brownsville at the parish of Fr. Rafael Hernandez, who was very surprised to see us," said Schaller, who had worked with Father Hernandez on a mission in Valle Hermosa when he was a seminarian in 1987.

"As usual, we were all sad to leave the people we were with but also glad to go home," she said.

In Anahuac

LAMP volunteers worked with children in Anahuac and in San Jose, located five miles away.

"The children were fun. We enjoyed religion stories, making crafts, praying, and singing with them," said LAMP volunteer Joan Curtin-Peyer, explaining that they had the same agenda for their classes at both missions. "Some of the Mexican mothers not only helped with the crafts, but wore some of the crafts we made."

The LAMP volunteers ate lunch in different homes each day and felt very welcomed, she said.

"Our two weeks went so fast," said Curtin-Peyer. "I feel truly very blessed to have had this experience and a wonderful team to share it with."

In Centenario

The LAMP teaching team in Centenario had catechism class each morning to prepare children for First Communion.

"There were about 40 grade-school age children and another group of about 15 little ones," said LAMP volunteer Pat Crabtree in her report. "The children worked very hard to learn the required prayers, Commandments, sacraments, and the basic principles of our Catholic faith."

In the afternoon the volunteers traveled to Emelio Zapata, where a catechist had a class of similar size organized for them.

"It was a task to get there through the farm fields over rough roads carrying all our stuff," said LAMP volunteer Kathy Larson. "We relied entirely on the generosity of that parish to provide rides."

The program was similar in both places, with a period of instruction, recess, more review, and a craft project.

"We had a great time and the children had fun as well as learning about their faith," said Crabtree, noting that the highlight of the mission was attending the children's First Communion.

The team also attended a quinceañera celebration in Villareal and watched the village "futbol" (soccer) team play in Centenario.

"I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in Mexico," said Larson. "Thanks to God and the gracious Mexican people, my trip turned out to be a wonderful experience."

The people at Centenario welcomed us as family, she said. "They shared everything with us and they were always there to listen to us, to encourage us, to thank us for coming. It is a humbling experience to be thanked by the people who are serving you. It was we who should have thanked them. But the Holy Spirit gave us the grace to help them and so together we thank God for the opportunity to serve."

"Our team members were great and the mission was a grand success," said Crabtree. "We returned home with warm memories and a deepened faith."

Larson said there are so many cases of hardship and suffering, but faith is strong.

"It is very important for us as Catholics to show our faith, to serve the needs of these people, to be real brothers and sisters in faith. The little note stuck in my suitcase from Deyssi, one of our students, says it all: They like us, they miss us, they wish us the best," she said.

"Thank you, LAMP, for the wonderful faith-sharing opportunity."

For more information, write to LAMP, P.O. Box 85, Madison, WI 53701-0085 or call 608-845-7028 or 608-868-7816.

Christmas party:
Sponsored by Apostolate to Handicapped Dec. 4

MONROE -- "This is the Way - Walk in It" is the theme of the 38th annual Christmas Party sponsored by the Apostolate to the Handicapped to be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Monroe Senior High School beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Popular entertainers, Hugo and Heidi, will begin the day with their music at 9:30 a.m. They will continue to be part of the day's events before, during, and after the Mass.

Special Mass

There will be a Pontifical Mass with Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus, presiding at 10:45 a.m. Fifteen other priests will join the bishop for this concelebrated Mass. The Diocesan Choir under the direction of Dr. Pat Gorman will sing for the Mass. There will be cantors and song leaders involved.

Fr. Kent Schmitt, Fr. Mike Klarer, and Fr. Bill Seipp are in charge of the liturgy. The lectors, commentators, and acolytes will be from the television Mass crew. This Mass is shown on WISC-TV on Sunday mornings. The disabled community will bring the gifts to the altar and the bishop during the Mass.

Christmas dinner

Following the Mass, there will be a traditional Christmas dinner, prepared under the direction of Michael Doyle and the Monroe High School dietary staff. Volunteers will prepare, cook, and serve the dinner.

Santa Claus will make his annual appearance with gifts for everyone. Hugo and Heidi will continue providing seasonal holiday music.

All handicapped and elderly persons are welcome to attend this beautiful occasion of the real spirit of Christmas, of joy, giving, happiness, love, and compassion.

To make a reservation, write Msgr. Thomas Campion, Box 443, Monroe, WI 53566. Transportation will be furnished for those who need a ride whenever possible.

Many volunteers

Hundreds of volunteers, benefactors, drivers, nurses, workers, set-up and take down crews, clean-up people, Monroe EMS, Monroe Fire Department, Monroe High School, Monroe Auxiliary Police, decorators, table favor makers, and countless volunteers help make the day possible. Knights of Columbus throughout the diocese are an integral part.

Monsignor Campion said, "Together we do something beautiful for God, something beautiful for ourselves, and something beautiful for others. Just being together is the biggest gift of all."