News Briefs: Quilt raffle benefit for African mission WAUNAKEE -- Fr. Paul Fagan is a missionary who grew up near Prairie du Chien, the second son of farmers Everett and Carolyn Fagan. After his ordination in 1960, he was assigned to Old Maswa parish in Tanzania, Africa. Now for over 40 years he has worked with the Sukuma people, initiating human development projects, building churches and health care facilities, educating youth and believers. Each summer, Father Paul returns to Wisconsin, where he visits parishes throughout the state informing the congregation of the work and progress he is making. It was during one of his visits to the Lodi, Waunakee, and Sun Prairie areas that local women decided to help out by making a donation from the sale of some quilts. The idea to raffle a quilt grew. And so a fund raising benefit was put together to help the people of Old Maswa, Africa. The benefit is the cooperative effort of supporters from five area parishes: St. Patrick in Lodi, St. John in Waunakee, St. Norbert in Roxbury, Sacred Hearts in Sun Prairie, and St. Albert in Sun Prairie. It will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at St. John School in Waunakee beginning with cocktail hour at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and dance at 8 p.m. A separate dessert buffet is also being offered for those unable to commit to a full dinner. Another feature of the benefit is a raffle offering a handmade quilt using African fabric and cash awards. Organizers are hoping to accommodate 200 dinner guests and 50 dessert guests. Tickets are currently on sale for the event and raffle at all parishes or by calling Kate Robbins at 608-592-5746. Deanery meeting DURWARD'S GLEN -- The Columbia Deanery Council of Catholic Women will hold a fall retreat here hosted by St. Andrew Parish, Buffalo, Thursday, Sept. 8. Registration is at 9 a.m. Mass will be offered in the chapel at 11 a.m. with Fr. Lorin Bowens, Lime Ridge, diocesan moderator, as homilist. A luncheon will follow. First Lieutenant Josi Jerome will be the featured speaker during the afternoon session. Having just completed a tour of duty in Iraq, she will tell about the people there and how the war has changed their lives. Donations will be taken for the Pregnancy Center. Day of Reflection MADISON -- "Married Life as a Way to Holiness" is the theme of a Day of Reflection for Young Mothers to be held on Friday, Sept. 16, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Schoenstatt Heights, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd. Young mothers are invited to take a morning off to regroup and refocus on their marriage covenant. The morning will include presentations by Fr. Gerold Langsch, time for reflection, and prayer in the Marian Shrine. Child care is provided. Cost is $5 plus a donation for Father Langsch. For reservations, call 608-222-7208 or e-mail srelizabeth@shsrsmary.org by September 13. Driver Safety MADISON -- AARP Driver Safety Program will be offered at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 401 S. Owen Dr., and is a refresher course for adults. The course is conducted by certified instructor, Helen Zander. Sessions will take place on Wednesdays, Sept. 14 and 21, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the parish center. Course fee is $10, payable to AARP. Call Heather Crade, parish nurse, to register at 608-663-2996. Catholic Spirit Club in Janesville JANESVILLE -- The Adult Catholic Spirit Club announces programs for the coming season in 2005-2006. Each local meeting includes a potluck dinner at 12 noon, followed by program at 1 p.m. in Marian Hall, St. John Vianney Parish, Janesville. • September 14 - Debbie Del Ciello, "Catholic Customs and Practices" • October 12 - Jerry Cox, Magician Show • October 18 - Trip to Holy Name Cathedral, St. James, and Baha'i Temple, Chicago • November 9 - Bishop Robert C. Morlino, "End of Life Decisions" • December 14 - Helen Graham and The Senior Choristers • January 11 - W.A.G.S. Program, "Aid to Those With Disabilities" • February 8 - Deacon John Houseman, "A Look at the Beatitudes" • March 8 - Sue Gruen, director of the Elizabeth House, Madison • April 12 - Trip to St. Peter and Vatican Exhibit, Milwaukee • May 10 - Mary Vogrinc, "Walking with the Blessed Mother."
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Tornado aftermath: Helping each other pick up the pieces

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front-page photo.)

STOUGHTON -- Two weeks after the August 18 tornado left a path of destruction through Stoughton, families are still picking up the pieces - with the help of many hands.

Volunteers from St. Ann Parish here are among the many hands that have been helping, cleaning, cooking, sorting, and comforting those who have suffered losses from the tornado.

	Related articles: August 25, 2005 edition: • Editorial -- Helping others: Not just a nice thing to do Posted August 19, 2005: • Tornado in Stoughton

"The people of St. Ann's are phenomenal," said parishioner Shaun Kleitsch, who has been helping to coordinate volunteer efforts.

Adopt-a-family

About 30 families from St. Ann Parish are among the tornado victims. In an adopt-a-family fashion, each family able to help is paired up with a tornado victim family. The tornado victim family then calls the aiding family when they need help, whether it is help with finding housing, brush removal, getting school supplies, cleaning supplies, or meals, for example. The aiding family then either fulfills those needs themselves or contacts a coordinator - Tom Allcox, Laura McCormick, or Kleitsch - who contacts people from a list of over 100 parish volunteers for their help.

We got to the point where everyone wanted to do something to help, but we hated to keep calling the victims to ask them what their needs are - they have enough work to do right now, said Kleitsch. This way, they have one contact family from the parish who can help fulfill their needs.

"Everyone has different gifts," said Kleitsch. She noted that Msgr. Gerard Healy, pastor, and Sr. Gertrude Hennessey, principal of St. Ann School, have been such a wonderful support, out there every day checking on families. Parish secretary Connie Weiss has also been instrumental in coordinating the volunteer efforts, said Kleitsch.

"To me this is what being God's hands and feet on earth are about," she said.

Helping each other

"It's just amazing how people are helping each other," said Karin Yelk, a parishioner whose home sustained a hole in the roof and damage to gutters, siding, and windows. She and her family have also been helping neighbors who lost their homes. "We lost 15 trees in one day and 20 people helped clear them away, so we returned the favor and helped others with their removal. Everyone is working together. People have been coming from all over to help."

Parishioner Brenda Schultz and her husband, Daniel, and two sons, Andres, 15, and David, 12, are a volunteer family who has helped pick up the pieces in various ways. They have been helping many with the cleanup process and check in every day with their "adopted" family and coordinate what they can.

Seeing people help each other has been really healing for everyone, she said. "So many of us wanted to help but did not know how." So the "adopt-a-family" idea helped coordinate that. "It's helped a lot of families to know others are looking out for them."

Families affected by the tornado are really grateful for others' help, she said, and yet some families don't want to take anything because they want to save it for someone else who may need it more than they. Even people who lost everything are still worried about their neighbor, she said.

It's really heartwrenching to see people going through their things and it's really hard for them, but it's helped them to see other people helping, said Schultz.

"It's been hard but most are really upbeat and thankful," she said.

"With tragedy comes good," said Kleitsch. "Our parish is more full of community than if this hadn't happened."

Collecting donations

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is still collecting donations. "We'd like to express thanks to those who have already donated," said Ernie Stetenfeld, director of community relations for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The items St. Vincent de Paul receives replenishes the Thrift Stores from which St. Vincent draws to aid tornado victims.

Financial donations for tornado victims are still very appreciated and needed and are funneled through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference at St. Ann Parish in Stoughton, he explained.

Financial contributions may be made payable to "Society of St. Vincent de Paul" and sent to 1109 Jonathon Dr., Madison, WI 53713-3230. "Stoughton tornado relief" should be written on a donation check's subject line.

Kleitsch also said those wishing to contribute monetary donations to families in need at St. Ann Parish may earmark checks for tornado assistance and send them to Msgr. Gerard Healy's attention at St. Ann Parish, 320 N. Harrison St., Stoughton, WI 53589.

Serving Diocese of Madison: Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach

By Susanna Herro
OFFICE OF JUSTICE AND PASTORAL OUTREACH

(See also front-page contact list for more information.)

The new Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach is sparking interest.

Fresh perspective on programs has been created by bringing Beverly Hartberg of Family Ministry and Ben Weisse of Youth and Young Adult Ministry into closer union with Hispanic Ministry, Rural Life, and Respect Life programs. All the Family Ministry programs are encompassed in the new office, but a new voice, Gloria Brockman's, will be greeting people. Ben Weisse will continue with all his former programs, and during this transition period, he has also taken on Social Ministry Interns and Global Solidarity.

In addition, with Andy Russell as administrator of the Catholic Multicultural Center putting additional energy into rejuvenating programs at the Center, an expansion of the Food Pantry, headed by Steve Maurice, is underway. Our parish nurse, Betsy Knight, will have a new office, closer to the people who access the on-going meal program at St. Martin House. It is our hope to provide translators to help better serve our Hispanic community with their health concerns. English as a Second Language classes at various times in the week are succeeding in helping people adjust to the Madison area.

As the new director of this vibrant group, I am seeking people to be involved in all our ministries. Specifically, I am looking for people interested in Rural Life to attend the Rural Life Day of the La Crosse Diocese on September 28 and the National Rural Life Conference in Des Moines on November 4 and 5.

	Related articles: May 12, 2005 edition: • Susanna Herro: To direct justice and pastoral outreach • Andy Russell: New administrator of Multicultural Center Nov. 28, 2002 edition: • New Catholic Multicultural Center: Home to offices serving people of various cultures

Many volunteers from the Diocesan Women's Retreat helped the office by hand-delivering the Respect Life Packets to their home parishes, thus saving one-third of the postage costs, but more importantly, offering their assistance. The remaining packets will be mailed, now that Emily Way, the new administrative assistant for the office, is on board.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino will speak on the UW-Madison campus on October 21 with a special message for Respect Life Month (time and place to be announced). At his Installation, Bishop Morlino said he would "Badger Lovingly with the Truth." All are invited to the Badger campus to hear Truth concerning life issues. Further details will be announced to parishes and in this paper.

The Office of Justice and Pastoral Ministry also includes national and international justice issues, linking with Catholic Relief Services, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Office of Social Justice and Peace, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Black and Indian Missions, and other offices and organizations.

With a new name and an expanded outlook, we all are dedicated to making all our current programs serve the entire diocese well, while we search for ways to improve our programs and our outreach.

St. Vincent de Paul to aid those impacted by hurricane

MADISON -- The local charity that focuses on "helping neighbors in need" anticipates months of assisting many new neighbors forced to relocate because of Hurricane Katrina.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will work with other key local charitable and government agencies to help in coming days, weeks, and months to meet the needs of Gulf evacuees in Dane County.

	More on Hurricane Katrina: • National/World News page • Prayer for victims of Hurricane Katrina • Editorial -- After disasters: Helping our brothers and sisters in need • Bishop Morlino authorizes special collection for Hurricane Katrina victims (posted 9/1/2005; updated 9/6/2005)

"St. Vincent de Paul's charitable niche is providing person-to-person relief to people who are suffering or otherwise in need - without regard for religious affiliation," said Ralph Middlecamp, executive director for the society's District Council of Madison, which serves Dane County.

"The hundreds of evacuees we expect will be relocating here - at least temporarily - from affected Gulf states can and will turn to us for food, clothing, shoes, furniture, beds, bedding, household items, and - in some cases - housing."

Need for donations

Middlecamp said St. Vincent de Paul is appealing to the public for donations of money and non-perishable food items to help meet the needs of evacuees who will come to Dane County. He said checks for monetary donations for this local relief may be mailed to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 1109 Jonathon Dr., Madison, WI  53713-3230. Donors may note "evacuee relief" on the check's subject line. Donors should not send cash, Middlecamp said.

Non-perishable food items may be dropped off during business hours at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry & Service Center, located at 1309 Culmen St., just east of Fish Hatchery Rd. and one-half mile north of the Beltline in the town of Madison. Middlecamp said food donated will help the pantry to stock up to meet the higher level of need anticipated due to evacuee demand in weeks and months to come. The pantry's phone number is 608-257-0919.

Middlecamp said that any material goods, such as clothing, furniture, and household items, donated to St. Vincent de Paul out of concern for Gulf evacuees will help boost the charity's inventory for the purpose of meeting evacuees' needs. He said that no particular item donated, however, may be designated specifically for evacuee relief.

"We do not have the capacity in our thrift stores to segregate items that way," Middlecamp said, "but we will provide material goods to evacuees free-of-charge directly out of inventory at our five Dane County thrift stores."

In Gulf region

Middlecamp said the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is also providing much direct relief in areas impacted by Katrina. "The Society of St. Vincent de Paul did not need to go in to the Gulf region to aid hurricane victims," Middlecamp said. "We were already there. We have been serving the needs of poor people in New Orleans since 1852."

Monetary donations are also needed for the relief St. Vincent de Paul is providing in the Gulf region, Middlecamp said. Those donations, which will be used for direct relief by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the affected areas, may be mailed to: The National Council, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 58 Progress Parkway, St. Louis, MO  63043-3706. Donors should not send cash. For more information, potential donors may visit www.svdpusa.org

At this point, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is not soliciting clothing or household goods to be sent to the Gulf region. Middlecamp said that St. Vincent de Paul councils across the nation are in close touch with their fellow Vincentians in the Gulf states. He said he expected that at points in coming weeks, the need for specific material donations will be communicated by Gulf-area St. Vincent de Paul councils, and that the society's District Council of Madison and many others would respond.

"We have an especially close relationship here in Madison with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Baton Rouge," Middlecamp said. "That's now the location from which the society's New Orleans Council is operating. We will keep in close touch with staff there about what they need to help those who have suffered loss due to the hurricane."

Middlecamp said that those affected by the Hurricane Katrina and who have evacuated to the Madison area are welcome to call St. Vincent de Paul's administrative offices for Dane County at 608-278-2920 to begin the process of obtaining assistance.