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News Briefs:
Services at Sinsinawa
SINSINAWA -- The public is invited to pray and worship with the Sinsinawa Mound community during Holy Week services in Queen of the Rosary Chapel: Palm Sunday - procession of palms at 10:15 a.m. March 20; Holy Thursday Mass at 6:15 p.m. March 24; Good Friday at 2 p.m. March 25 and meditative evening prayer at 7 p.m.; Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 7 p.m. March 26; Easter Sunday: morning prayer at 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. on March 27; Solemn Easter Vespers at 4:45 p.m.
Living Stations
SINSINAWA -- The Living Stations of the Cross will be presented in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Mound from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. The actors, the Young Christian Players, originated in Dickeyville but now open their group to interested youth from area parishes. There is no cost for admission, but donations to help offset costs are appreciated.
Labyrinth at parish
MADISON -- A labyrinth (a spiritual tool for prayer and meditation) will be available for walking at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish during Holy Week. Schedule in the Queen of Peace auditorium is: Thursday, March 24 - 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with introductory programs at 8:30 and 5:30; Friday, March 25 - 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and after the Good Friday Service until 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 26 - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mothers to meet
STOUGHTON -- Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) at Night will meet on Thursday, March 17, at 7 p.m. in the gathering area of St. Ann Parish, 323 N. Van Buren St.
The topic will be "Finding and Creating Opportunities for Quality Time Between Parents Amidst Family Life, Work Life, etc." It will be presented by Bird and Peter Bahnson.
Preparation has begun on the Mother's Day box service project. At the April meeting, shoeboxes will be filled with small gift items to be distributed to single moms in the area. There will be a collection box at the meeting for shoeboxes or small gift items.
There is a $2 fee per meeting and scholarships are available. For more information, call Mona Beckham at 608-877-0017.
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Firefighters work
to control blaze
By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
(See also front page photo.)
MADISON -- Smoke billowed out of the roof, spire, and bell tower at the 150-year-old St. Raphael Cathedral early March 14 after a fire broke out there, only a few months after the new spire was raised.
The fire began at 5:32 a.m. and the Madison Fire Department was on the scene by 5:39 a.m., where they worked defensively to control the two-alarm fire, shooting water at it from the hoses of four ladder trucks.
The fire destroyed the roof, which collapsed into the church.
Msgr. Paul J. Swain, rector of the cathedral, said March 15 that from what he could see, the pews were not burned and the altar, walls, mosaic, and sacristy were not substantially damaged, but structural engineers will have to evaluate everything.
Monsignor Swain said that other than effects of smoke, the rectory, where all parish records are stored, was "in good shape."
There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Around 8:30 a.m. March 14 Fire Chief Debra Amesqua said the fire was under control, but firefighters would go into the tower to try to put out spot fires.
When structural engineers from J.H. Findorff and Sons, Inc., Madison, did an evaluation of the steeple in the morning March 14, they determined that the steeple would have to be taken down to ensure that it would not collapse, she said. But late afternoon reports indicated that the steeple was stable and would not have to be taken down.
According to Monsignor Swain, it was still being determined March 15 whether or not the bells in the bell tower would need to be taken down. They were stabilized later that day.
The new spire was raised on top of the cathedral's steeple in late November of 2004 as part of a $1 million project, the first step in what was anticipated to be a multimillion-dollar refurbishment of the cathedral.
Reactions to fire
Smoke could be seen for miles around the cathedral early March 14 and many people gathered to watch. Police blocked off local streets around the cathedral to traffic as the fire department worked to control the fire.
Monsignor Swain was in the rectory when he heard about the fire on the radio. He left the rectory unharmed.
"We have a significant loss here," said Monsignor Swain, noting the 150-year history of the cathedral. "But our faith is more than a building." During Lent there is the theme of light coming from the darkness, he said, noting that they now look forward to the light yet
to come.
Parishioners and priests of the diocese came to greet him at the scene and offer words of comfort.
St. Raphael Cathedral parishioner Charles Scott was one of the many who came to see if he could do anything to help.
"This is so painful to see," he said. "So many people had been giving compliments on the new steeple."
'Shock and prayer'
Bishop Morlino reacted in prayer when awakened with the news of the cathedral fire March 14.
"People know that I have appreciation for the cathedral," said Bishop Morlino who regularly celebrates Sunday morning Mass at the historic church. "I am in a state of prayer and a state of shock."
At a 2 p.m. press conference March 14 near the cathedral, the bishop said he'd gone "from shock to serenity. In the end I trust God. I'm grateful everyone remains safe," he said.
Bishop Morlino and Monsignor Swain expressed deep gratitude to the fire department, firefighters, police department, and other civil servants involved.
Firefighters went into the cathedral and cut through debris to remove the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle. The Blessed Sacrament was then taken to St. Patrick Church, Madison.
At a press conference March 15 after the bishop met with the diocesan consultors, Monsignor Swain said the first step is to investigate what happened at the cathedral. That limits the amount of cleanup that can be done at this point, he said.
Gathering all the facts - about the condition of the remains of the present building and prospects of rebuilding at that location, for example - and listening to people are important keys Bishop Morlino said he has to consider before making any decisions.
"We need the facts on what happened before we can run to first base," he said.
Prayer Mile: Held March 20 in Pine Bluff
By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
PINE BLUFF -- In response to an adult entertainment club that has opened on the corner of Mineral Point Rd. and Hwy. P here, St. Mary Parish is holding a "Prayer Mile" Stations Walk that will begin at noon on Palm Sunday, March 20.
"We will have the Stations of the Cross as a way for us to petition the Lord to bless this community," said Fr. Rick Heilman, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff, linked with St. Ignatius, Mt. Horeb.
Palm Sunday was chosen as the day to begin the Prayer Mile because it is a day to welcome the Lord to the city, he said.
Town devastated
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"The town of Pine Bluff is devastated" by the opening of the adult entertainment club, he said. "This is a community that has been immersed in wonderful tradition, family values, and a really rich Catholic Christian upbringing."
To have an establishment like this brought into the community was "a shock and obviously something that no member of that community welcomes," he said. "While pornography doesn't belong anywhere, this would be one of the least likely places for a club.
"We don't want to get into fingerpointing and namecalling and harassing, but we want to walk as the Lord directs," he said. "We believe that the Lord is calling us to go the extra mile in our prayer and that's what we'll do literally."
Prayer Mile
The Stations of the Cross of the Prayer Mile, which Father Heilman said he hopes will eventually be called the "Miracle Mile," will begin in a one-mile loop at St. Mary Church, 3673 County Hwy. P, where participants can pick up a prayer pamphlet and a white ribbon, a symbol of purity and anti-pornography.
They will then pray at each Station of the Cross that is placed along Hwy. S up to the intersection of Mineral Point Rd. Looping back to the parish cemetery, participants will tie their white ribbons to the 12th Station crucifix.
We invite people to walk this Prayer Mile for Pine Bluff and for their own intentions, said Father Heilman.
Walk at any time
"People can walk this at any time," said Elizabeth Jacobs, parishioner involved with publicity for the Prayer Mile. "It will continue on as long as necessary."
"We're trusting God will answer our prayer to cleanse our community of this unwelcome element and also will respond to the many prayers that will be offered by this beautiful prayer form," said Father Heilman.
All persons are invited to participate. For more information, call St. Mary Parish at 608-798-2111.
Priest in wheelchair: To preside
and preach at Spring Day for Handicapped
MONROE -- The Apostolate to the Handicapped announces its 38th annual Spring Day for the Handicapped to be held on Saturday, April 16, at Monroe Senior High School.
The theme of the day is "We Place Our Faith in You." The day celebrates the new life of Easter and springtime.
This year's Spring Day will feature Fr. Ted Borger, 49, who is a priest in a wheelchair. Father Borger was a United States Navy chaplain in the Desert Storm conflict. After returning to his home base in San Diego, Calif., he was seriously injured in a car accident 10 years ago, which put him in a wheelchair permanently. He will be the principal celebrant and preacher at the 10:45 a.m. Mass on April 16.
"This will be an outstanding event. He is truly one of us, a genuine part of the disabled community. He is an inspiration in every way," said Msgr. Tom Campion, director of the Apostolate.
Father Borger will be joined at the altar for Mass by Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus, and other priests concelebrating. The lectors and acolytes will be from the Channel Three television Mass. There will be special music for the liturgy.
Hugo and Heidi will begin the day's entertainment at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass at 10:45 a.m. A dinner will follow the Mass and again Hugo and Heidi will play and sing. Everyone attending will receive a special edition of the "Campion's Champions" T-shirts to commemorate this event.
To make a reservation, write Monsignor Campion at Box 443, Monroe, WI 53566. Transportation will be furnished whenever possible to those who need a ride. There will be no cost to guests; expenses are paid by friends of the Apostolate to the Handicapped.
Commented Monsignor Campion, "This day will again focus on what the Apostolate to the Handicapped is all about - the presence of the disabled among us; their worth and dignity; and their great value as witnesses of faith, courage, and overcoming obstacles."
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