News Briefs: Donkey Project fundraiser in Janesville JANESVILLE -- Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville is supporting The Donkey Project, a partnership involvement between the Diocese of Madison and the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in Ghana, Africa. The main goal of The Donkey Project is to promote soybean production in Ghana. The two dioceses have designed this project so the women in the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga would receive donkeys, donkey carts, plows, and cultivators to help improve household food production. To assist in funding The Donkey Project, the Janesville parish is organizing Donkey Baseball at the Rock County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Aug. 7. Four teams will ride the donkeys and "play ball!" Gates open at 5 p.m. and the games begin at 6 p.m. Food is available on the grounds. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the gate. The fairground is located at 1301 Craig Ave. From outside Janesville heading south on I-90, take the Racine St. exit off I-90 and turn right onto Randall Ave. at the stoplight by Craig High School. Continue on Randall Ave. to the fairgrounds, one block north of Milwaukee St. on the corner of Randall and Craig Aves. For further information or to purchase advance tickets, contact Nativity of Mary Parish office at 608-752-7861. Quilt raffle at St. Joe's Family Fair FORT ATKINSON -- When parishioners entered the gathering space of the new St. Joseph Church for the first time, two familiar sights assured them that they were in the right place: the beautiful mosaic of St. Joseph recycled from the old church and the sight of Srs. Jean and Mary Ann Belland selling raffle tickets for their newest quilt. As they have done for the past 25 years, the sale of quilt raffle tickets will give a hefty boost to the Family Fair. Janet Miller helped with the basket handles. Sister Jean is quick to say that she did not help with the quilt this year. Rather, it was Terry Borchardt and Shari Kontny who purchased the fabric (at a cost of $250) and cut and sewed all of the pieces together. The two women put 45 hours into the project. Then they turned it over to Sister Mary Ann to do the delicate hand quilting. She spent more than 200 hours on the quilt. Borchardt explains that they used a pattern by Karla Menaugh from her book, Butternut and Blue - Threads of the Civil War. Raffle tickets are being sold for $1 a piece or six for $5. Tickets may be purchased by mail by sending a check to Srs. Jean and Mary Ann Belland, 517 Nadig Ct., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538, before the Family Fair, scheduled for Aug. 12, 13, and 14. New community relations director for Society of St. Vincent de Paul MADISON -- The local district council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul announced its recent appointment of Ernie Stetenfeld as director of community relations. Ralph Middlecamp, executive director for the society's District Council of Madison, said that in the new position, Stetenfeld will interact with newspapers, television and radio stations, and other media outlets to provide news and information of local public interest regarding the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Stetenfeld will also serve as a liaison to organizations and individuals interested in advancing the local charity's mission. Stetenfeld had worked as corporate relations vice president for Madison-based AAA Wisconsin, where he was employed for nearly 18 years. During most of that time, he also performed volunteer committee work for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. In addition to going to work for the society part time, he recently formed Stetenfeld Associates, LLC, a public relations, communications, and public affairs consulting business. Stetenfeld is also president of the Safe Community Coalition of Madison and Dane County. He resides in McFarland with his wife, Elizabeth, and two children, Dan and Rachel. Presentation on pilgrimage to Italy MADISON -- There will be a free presentation on a pilgrimage to Italy led by Fr. Rick Heilman, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff and St. Ignatius in Mt. Horeb. The presentation will be given at All Saints Neighborhood Retirement Community on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 1:30 p.m. All Saints is located on the corner of Watts Rd. and Commerce Dr. (across from the Princeton Club on the west side). Refreshments will be served. For more information on the free presentation call Relevant Journeys at 608-849-4359.
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Two priests:
Named 'monsignor'

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front-page photos and Bishop's statement.)

MADISON -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino announced that Pope Benedict XVI has named two priests of the Diocese of Madison "monsignor": Fr. Felix G. Oehrlein, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Wisconsin Dells, and Fr. O. Charles Schluter, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Platteville, and St. Augustine Parish, Platteville.

Msgr. Felix G. Oehrlein

"It's a great honor because it's wonderful being associated with the Holy Father," said Monsignor Oehrlein. He noted that this is a great honor for the people of the parishes as well because they are so supportive and make so many sacrifices.

"We appreciate the trust, confidence, and friendship of Bishop Morlino," he said. "Being named a monsignor is certainly helpful to the local community to know that our bishop and church is personally supporting the efforts of not only us but all pastors."

Son of Florence and Felix Oehrlein of Sauk City, he attended St. Aloysius School in Sauk City, Queen of Apostles High School in Madison, St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, and Aquinas School of Theology in Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained a priest May 29, 1965 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison, by Bishop William P. O'Connor.

He served as associate pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison, and St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo. He was pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Seymour, with the mission of St. Peter Parish, Elk Grove; St. Augustine University Parish, Platteville; St. Francis Xavier Parish, Cross Plains; Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Sun Prairie; St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff; and St. Cecilia Parish, Wisconsin Dells, where he has served since 1999.

He was dean of Grant Deanery; chair of the diocesan golden jubilee committee; has served on the Presbyteral Council, Camp Gray Board, and Catholic Herald Advisory Committee; and is a current member of the board of directors of St. Clare Hospital, Baraboo. He is a long-time member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and has been chaplain to several councils, among other chaplaincies.

Msgr. O. Charles Schluter

"I'm just extraordinarily grateful and honored and I know that it's as much for the people I work with as it is for me," said Monsignor Schluter. "It's the support, collaboration, and involvement of the active people of my parishes that make it possible for me to do what I do. It's their spirit of cooperation and support that make it possible."

Son of Frances and Charles Schluter, he was raised in Baraboo. He attended St. Joseph School in Baraboo; Baraboo High School; Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa; St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee; and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

He was ordained a priest May 26, 1978 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison, by Bishop Cletus F. O'Donnell.

He served as associate pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison, and St. Paul University Center Parish, Madison; instructor at Holy Name Seminary, Madison; administrator of St. Philomena Parish, Belmont, with the missions of St. Michael Parish, Calamine, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Truman; pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, Mazomanie, with the mission of St. John the Baptist Parish, Mill Creek and current pastor of St. Mary Parish, Platteville; and St. Augustine Parish, Platteville.

In addition, Monsignor Schluter served as chairman of the Presbyteral Council and diocesan archivist. He is currently director of the diocesan Office of Continuing Education for Priests. He also served on the diocesan golden jubilee committee.

Parishioners comment

Members of each parish of Monsignor Oehrlein and Monsignor Schluter were overjoyed to hear the announcements.

At St. Cecilia Parish in Wisconsin Dells, John C. Van Wie, co-chair of the parish Millennium Committee, said when the bishop made the surprise announcement at Monsignor Oehrlein's 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, many were crying and everyone stood up immediately to give a standing ovation for five to seven minutes.

"It was something so well deserved," said Van Wie, who has known Monsignor Oehrlein for many years. "It was a wonderful moment and we are so very happy for him - the whole parish is."

There is no one more deserving of the honor than Monsignor Oehrlein, he said.

Bob Bodden, a member of St. Mary Parish in Platteville since 1955 and president of the Southwest Vocations Club, said when Monsignor Schluter made the announcement at weekend Masses, "People just stood automatically and applauded and applauded."

It was "thunderous applause" even when Monsignor Schluter gave the sign for everyone to stop, he said.

"Everyone is so pleased here," said Bodden. "The feeling is here that he's certainly most deserving."

Monsignor Schluter was very humble about receiving the honor, remarking that it was an honor for the parishioners, Bodden said. "We know he deserves the honor. He's so well-liked by our people down here."

Bishop: Visits camp, blesses new buildings

BARABOO -- On Wednesday, June 29, Bishop Robert C. Morlino visited Camp Gray to dedicate three new buildings, visit with campers, and experience all the faith, friends, and fun found at Camp Gray.

The bishop was joined by diocesan seminarians, Camp Gray donors, camp alumni, board members, and other supporters for the special evening.

Bishop tours Camp Gray

The staff was excited to host the bishop in the middle of their third camp session of the summer. Camp Gray is an especially spirit-filled, vibrant place when campers are present and as Bishop Morlino toured camp he was able to meet and speak with campers of all ages. Shouts of "Welcome to camp, Bishop Morlino!" from many different cabin groups were heard throughout the afternoon.

The bishop was also able to dedicate the new maintenance building and the new staff home, the Gorman House.

A leisurely dinner in Helen Hall was followed by a ceremony to dedicate the new Chapel of St. Francis, nestled in the woods of camp. Phil DeLong, camp director, recognized the extraordinary service of the camp's volunteers of the year with the Luke 22:26 Award. The Luke 22:26 Award recipients for 2003 included Gene Kussart, Chris Van Wagner, Joe Krantz, and Scott Truehl for their service on the board of camp's "Live out Loud" capital campaign. The recipient of the 2004 award was Fr. Larry Bakke, who served for many years as the director of Camp Gray and continues to serve camp as a board member and as spiritual director.

A special Mass

A Mass followed the recognition to officially dedicate the new chapel.

During the Mass, Bishop Morlino recognized and thanked the donors to the "Live out Loud" campaign whose generosity made these buildings possible. "These donors have shown a pattern of generosity in their lives. This is because they have been taught by Christ how to live," said the bishop in his homily. He also reminded, "We are just as close to heaven here in the woods at Camp Gray as we are in Rome because of the mystery of the Eucharist."

"We were honored to host Bishop Morlino and all our special guests here at Camp Gray in the middle of the summer," said DeLong. "We hope we have shared a small taste of all the energy, all the fun, and all the life-changing ministry that happens here."