News Briefs: Workshop for RCIA Sponsors MADISON -- A workshop for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) sponsors will be held in three locations. Debby Del Ciello, RCIA director at Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville, will be the presenter at the workshop, sponsored by the Office of Religious Education and the Office of Worship. The workshop takes place from 7 to 9 p.m.: Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, 2222 Shopiere Rd., Beloit; Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison; Thursday, Nov. 3, at St. Mary Parish, 309 W. Cook St., Portage. Each location is wheelchair accessible and will have assistive-listening receivers. For a sign language interpreter, call 608-821-3080 or e-mail worship@straphael.org as soon as possible. Large-print material is available. Participants should register one week prior to the workshop at www.madisondiocese.org/worship or www.madisonfaithandfamily.org St. Jude Parish, Beloit: Gearing up for centennial activities BELOIT -- Members of the St. Jude 100th anniversary Steering Committee and several subcommittees already have the early start they need to produce a festive and enlightening array of activities to be enjoyed with parishioners, relatives, and friends of every generation in the spring and summer of 2008. They will highlight accomplishments of the parish while building a legacy for the future. St. Jude Parish began through the appointment of Fr. Joseph Hanz on April 23, 1908, by the Milwaukee archbishop. On June 24 a meeting was called to organize the new parish, to effect its incorporation, and to take steps to build a new church and a parochial school on the west side of Beloit. The planning structure to observe the centennial started with a core of volunteers who offered service in this ministry on "Parish Commitment Sunday" last year. The archives and research committee request the help of Catholic Herald readers in locating descendants of St. Jude Parish's founding families. It is hoped that former parishioners of St. Jude's, who have relocated throughout the Diocese of Madison, may have information and/or memories to share. Written information should be addressed to: Steering Committee Chair, St. Jude Church, 737 Hackett St., Beloit, WI 53511. Fr. Mazzuchelli: Dominicans observe his 200th birthday SINSINAWA -- The Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters are beginning a yearlong celebration of the anniversary of the 200th birthday of their founder, Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, born November 4, 1806. Many plans are underway beginning in November 2005 and culminating in November 2006 to commemorate the life of this extraordinary man. The following events, to which the public is invited, will take place in November 2005: • Solemn Vespers (evening prayer) will be held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel, Sinsinawa Mound, at 4:45 Saturday, Nov. 5. Sr. Toni Harris, prioress, will give a reflection. • A Mass will be held in the chapel at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, with Fr. John Gerlach, officiating and preaching about Father Mazzuchelli. • A concert, "Mazzuchelli in Words and Music," will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, in the chapel. It will feature a narrative about Fr. Mazzuchelli intertwined with music sung by the Sinsinawa Mound Civic Chorus. An exhibit on Fr. Mazzuchelli is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Groups larger than five are asked to call in advance to make arrangements. For more information, contact Sheila Heim at 608-748-4411, ext. 869, or visit the Web site at www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter Parish seeks names and addresses of military personnel MADISON -- The St. Maria Goretti Parish Military Service Project is looking for names and addresses of military personnel serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. The project committee was formed last spring by a group of St. Maria Goretti parishioners to show support for military men and women serving in those areas as well as their families back home. Names of military personnel were solicited from parishioners, a collection was held at Sunday Masses, and 28 boxes of supplies were mailed to several military personnel serving in the war-torn areas. Contributions were also donated to several family members. The committee is planning to send additional supplies and is expanding the search to include names of military men and women serving in Iraq or Afghanistan from the Diocese of Madison. Those with such information or those who wish to help with the project may contact Tracy Pajewski at 608-270-9601. Medicare workshop offered MADISON -- A workshop to help seniors navigate prescription drug coverage choices under the Medicare Part D plan will be offered at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at St. Bernard Parish, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison. The title of the workshop is "Medicare Part D: Time to Choose" and will be presented by Holin Kennen, benefit specialist for the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG), Elder Law Center. Holin will explain the new program, options available, and answer questions. A collection of resources will also be available for more information on counseling regarding specific coverage choices. To register for the workshop, call 608-249-7288, ext. 229, and leave your name and phone number. Other Medicare Part D workshops listings are available by calling CWAG at 608-224-0606. Flu and pneumonia shots at All Saints MADISON -- Flu and pneumonia shots will be given at All Saints Retirement Center, 8202 Highview Dr., on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Flu vaccinations are $23 and pneumonia vaccinations fees are $35 or Medicare B/Medicaid are accepted for both. Those receiving vaccinations will need to present a Medicare or Medicaid card. Call the Flu Hotline for more information, 608-276-7597, or go to www.homehealthunited.org
	Nominate someone for "Profiles from the pew" To nominate someone to be featured in "Profiles from the pew," download a nomination form (PDF file). "Profiles from the pew" runs in the Catholic Herald print edition NOTE: The nomination form is 269 KB in size and may take a long time to download on a dial-up Internet connection. It is a Portable Document Format file, also called a PDF, which can be viewed using the freely available Adobe® Reader® software. Many computers already have this software and will automatically open the document when you click the nomination form link, above. Adobe Reader is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

Closing Mass:
Diocese gathers to end Year of Eucharist

By Kathleen Bushman
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front-page photo.)

MONONA -- The Year of the Eucharist, which began in October 2004, was concluded in the Diocese of Madison with a closing Mass and Eucharistic procession Sunday, Oct. 16, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona.

Related articles: Oct. 20, 2005 edition: • Bishop Speaks -- Recent events: Energized by Eucharist, apostolic visit • Editorial -- Year of the Eucharist: Will continue every day Oct. 13, 2005 edition: • Bishop Speaks -- October: Marks Respect Life Month June 23, 2005 edition: • Corpus Christi: Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ May 26, 2005 edition: • Notes from the Vicar General -- Holy Eucharist: Someone to get dressed up for March 31, 2005 edition: • 'Listen hard, be changed': Bishop says at Chrism Mass March 24, 2005 edition: • Bishop Speaks -- At Easter: With eyes of hope Feb. 17, 2005 edition: • To new Catholics: Bishop emphasizes priority of Sunday Eucharist Feb. 10, 2005 edition: • Bishop Speaks -- In Year of Eucharist: Reflecting on gift of hope at Lent • Faith Alive! Feb. 3, 2005 edition: • Faith Alive! Dec. 2, 2004 edition: • Bishop Speaks -- Christmas journey: Jesus in crèche, tabernacle Nov. 4, 2004 edition: • Bishop Speaks -- Look to Eucharist: For real meaning of thanksgiving Oct. 14, 2004 edition: • Editorial -- Living the Eucharist: It is a 'great school of peace' Oct. 7, 2004 edition: • Editorial -- Year of the Eucharist: Connected with life issues

Bishop Robert C. Morlino celebrated the Mass, with concelebrants Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus; Bishop George O. Wirz, retired auxiliary bishop; Msgr. Paul J. Swain, vicar general; Fr. John Meinholz, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish; and over 40 other priests of the diocese.

Deacon Joseph Stafford of St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie and Deacon Gregory Gehred of St. Joseph Parish in Fort Atkinson served as deacons of the Mass. Seminarians and other men discerning vocations were servers.

Also present were lay representatives from nearly every parish of the diocese, as well as members of the Order of St. Gregory, members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, members of the Knights of Columbus, religious women, papal honorees, diocesan staff members, representatives of ministries to those who are sick and those who are poor, and Catholics from various ethnic backgrounds.

The music included an organ, brass, timpani, and the Madison Diocesan Choir, directed by Patrick Gorman. After Communion, the Korean Catholic Community Choir of Madison sang a setting of the Prayer of St. Francis.

Collective 'Wow'

Bishop Morlino referred to the gathering, which packed the church, as a demonstration of "our collective 'Wow'" and said he hoped all Catholics would keep growing in the love of the Eucharist.

The painting donated by artist Fr. Gary Wankerl at the recent priests' assembly sat near the front of the church. Bishop Morlino said the painting helped to remember the one who began the Year of the Eucharist, the late Pope John Paul II, and to remember the one who is now ending it, Pope Benedict XVI. The painting also shows firefighters removing the Blessed Sacrament from St. Raphael Cathedral after the tragic fire in March of this year.

In his homily, the bishop discussed the readings, especially the Gospel, in which Jesus was tested by the Pharisees with the Roman coin.

But Jesus could not be tricked, said Bishop Morlino, because "the wisdom of God, made flesh in Jesus Christ, cannot be tripped up. Any attempt to use him to compromise the truth will fail."

When, in John's Gospel, Jesus refers to himself as "the bread of life," the bishop said, "He means 'This bread will become my body.' He also means 'I am the wisdom of God made flesh.'"

The wisdom of God, the bishop said, is eternal, something that can never be updated. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and his body is the Church," he said.

"When we come to receive the Eucharist, we kneel in humble submission of our might to the wisdom of Christ," he said. "That's what it means to say 'Amen' when we receive communion."

Receiving Communion is an action of the acceptance of Christ, who draws us closer to him through the sacrament, the bishop said.

"Jesus reaches out from heaven and then he goes out with us from church, as we walk toward heaven," he said. "Whatever we're doing, we're going to symbolize that walk with Jesus, our wisdom, our truth, our life."

Eucharistic procession

The Eucharistic procession today is important because it is a metaphor for the walk with Jesus toward heaven, and we should take joy in being in his presence, the bishop said.

"We all have our troubles, but let us have no weeping here today," he said. "Let us have the joy of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist."

The procession was led by the bishop carrying the monstrance bearing the Blessed Sacrament. Those participating circled the church to an altar erected on the rear lawn. There a passage from the homily of Pope Benedict XVI at World Youth Day 2005 was read, followed by silent prayer and adoration. The procession ended in the church with Benediction.

The ciborium, monstrance, and luna used in the Eucharistic procession were from St. Raphael Cathedral. This was the first event since the fire at which they were used.

Rachel's Vineyard: Promotes post-abortive healing

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front-page sidebar: Rachel's Vineyard retreat.)

MADISON -- Jody had two abortions, one when she was 22 and one when she was 26. She chose both abortions out of fear and confusion. Never before had she felt so angry and alone.

"In my heart of hearts, I knew what I was doing was wrong. But I justified it, buried it, saying: 'it's legal, it must be okay,'" she said.

"I don't remember much after the (first) abortion, except a sense of relief at being over the crisis," she said. "My mom recently told me that in the car on the way home I had cried and said that I felt like the life had been sucked out of me. I attempted suicide a couple months later and ended up in drug and alcohol treatment."

During the second abortion, "it was as if a part of me shut down that day," she said. "I look back and wonder how anyone can experience the trauma of abortion and not shut down. Abortion goes against the very mystery of what is loving, beautiful, and sacred about being a woman. I was deeply wounded. I had no awareness of how my entire life, my entire being had been affected."

After resolving to keep the baby if she became pregnant a third time, Jody miscarried after 10 weeks.

"I began hearing an ad on the radio that said: 'Why when I wanted it, it was a baby and when I didn't, it wasn't?'" she said. "My heart broke into a billion pieces. That was the beginning of a very powerful conversion to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. God was replacing my heart of stone with a heart of flesh."

Road to healing

Jody attended her first Rachel's Vineyard retreat about four years ago, then a second retreat with her mom a couple years later. "During the retreat I was aware that I was being led by the light of Christ, the love and encouragement of the (retreat) facilitators and the other retreatants," she said.

At the first retreat, all the feelings Jody had buried for years came rushing back - guilt, regret, confusion, sorrow, anger, helplessness and hopelessness, despair. But as the retreat weekend progressed, those feelings were replaced by feelings of forgiveness, peace, acceptance, hope, and love, she said.

"I connected with my children. I recognized their humanity and uniqueness. I offered myself as their mother. I welcomed them as my children. I knew that they'd forgiven me, as Jesus had. I have never cried so much - such healing, healing tears," she said.

Rachel's Vineyard gives women and men a safe place to grieve and to begin the journey to wholeness after abortion, Jody said. "I encourage grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, and siblings of aborted children to attend a retreat," she said. "I want to encourage women and men to 'be not afraid,' as our beloved John Paul II said.

"Let us not linger, but go forth with the light of Christ and the love and support of so many into the darkness of our pasts. We can be forgiven and set free, free to help others who are struggling, too."

Sarah's story

Sarah's (not her real name) abortion took place 26 years ago in January, 1979. She was a sophomore in college and dating a young man she thought she would marry after college.

When her fears about being pregnant were confirmed, Sarah was very afraid, she said, and felt as though she couldn't admit to her parents her mistake of becoming sexually active and still have their love.

She did not share the news of her pregnancy with her parents but instead turned to her boyfriend for support and protection.

"I still remember being shocked at the suggestion my boyfriend made that an abortion was the solution, as he was not ready to be a father," she said. "I felt hurt and rejected and just checked out emotionally at that point."

Sarah's boyfriend made all the arrangements, paid for the procedure, and accompanied her to the abortion clinic. Blocking the abortion from her mind, Sarah said it seemed like a vague, bad dream from her past.

"From my present vantage point, it is clear to me that I lived in deep denial for the next 23 years of the trauma my abortion was to my body, my mind, and my soul," she said. "I was able to function well in my life as a wife and mother to four beautiful, healthy children; however I see clearly now how my relationships with those closest to me suffered from the heavy but unnamed guilt, unworthiness, and shame I was carrying all those years."

Sarah attended a Rachel's Vineyard retreat in November of 2002 in Madison at the urging of her husband, with whom she was finally able to share her past after 21 years of marriage.

"The retreat weekend was the perfect setting I needed to pour out this long-held grief, regret, anger at myself and others, and to replace that with the unconditional love our merciful and forgiving Father offers us through His Son, Jesus.

"I can never undo the horrible damage that was done that day to my innocent child, to myself and my boyfriend, but most of all to the relationship I had with my God, but I do understand now, through the gift of this weekend that Jesus does want to forgive me, and he wants me to forgive myself and others for what occurred," said Sarah. "To a large part I have accepted these gifts of forgiveness for myself and others, something I would never have allowed for myself without experiencing a Rachel's Vineyard retreat.

"Rachel's Vineyard restores hope in lives that feel at times hopeless," she said. "It restores life - not the life of the child, who is at peace now with Jesus, but the life of the mother or father who have been lost, sometimes for years, in the lies surrounding abortion."

Eric Schiedermayer:
Named executive secretary for religious education

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front-page photo.)

MADISON -- Eric Schiedermayer has been hired as the executive secretary for Religious Education in the Diocese of Madison, which means implementing the will of Bishop Robert C. Morlino as chief catechist.

He began the new position October 3.

Schiedermayer has a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Montana. He served as executive director of the Montana Catholic Conference in Helena, Mont., since December 2004 and worked as the director of communications for the Diocese of Helena from 2002 to 2004.

He has been involved in high school youth ministry for 20 years, serving 17 years as parish youth minister and catechist and several years as parish director of religious education and youth ministry. He also owned software companies in Montana and Georgia.

Schiedermayer said the Office of Religious Education has a two-fold role: to be a resource to parishes and to lead in the sense of being the liaison for the bishop to lead the parish religious education programs. He noted that teaching is Bishop Morlino's gift, so it makes sense to structure the office around that gift.

The three-fold mission of the bishop is to teach, to govern, and to sanctify, said Schiedermayer. "This office, like every office, is here to help the bishop accomplish his mission."

Solutions to problems in society lie in the formation of people, in helping people become all they can be, he said. "Solutions to problems lie in the kind of work this department is engaged in."

Schiedermayer and his wife, Koena, married 25 years, have eight living children and one deceased child. Two of their children are married and living in Montana. Six will live in Madison.