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News Briefs:
Fish & Philosophy series
MADISON -- Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish will sponsor its Fish & Philosophy series on three Fridays during Lent with dinner at 6 p.m. followed by a speaker at 7 p.m. in the church gathering space. The dates, speakers, and topics include:
• Friday, March 10 -- Msgr. Ken Fiedler, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, on "No More Grocery List of Sins," an adult perspective on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Friday, March 24 -- Ed Emmenegger, pastoral associate at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison and president of the Madison District Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, on "Almsgiving: Giving from the Heart."
• Friday April 7 -- Sr. Clare Wagner, a Dominican Sister who ministers as a spiritual guide, teacher of spirituality, and retreat leader, on "Salvation: Another Look at Saving Grace."
Those coming to the dinner should send a check for $10 per person payable to Our Lady Queen of Peace and return to 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison 53711, by the Monday before each event. Indicate names of persons covered by the check for each date. All are welcome to attend the talks, whether they eat dinner or not.
Day of reflection for women
MADISON -- A day of reflection for women with Sr. Joyce Rupp, noted author and international retreat leader, on the theme, "Embracing the Darkness-Welcoming the Light," will be held on Saturday, March 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Peter Parish, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., Madison.
This retreat is sponsored by East Madison Catholic Parishes. The $35 fee includes lunch and retreat. There will be no refunds. Space is limited. Registrations are due by March 10. Mail a check for $35 payable to EMCA to: Peg Miller, St. Peter Parish, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, WI 53704.
Lenten series at Sinsinawa Mound
SINSINAWA -- "Sharing Lenten Graces," informal evenings of study, prayer, and conversation, will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Sinsinawa Mound every Monday during Lent, March 6, 13, 20, 27, and April 3. Each week different presenters will introduce participants to a spiritual method and offer the opportunity to experience its prayer form. The sessions are free and everyone is welcome.
Beginning the series on March 6, Franciscan Sister Marie Therese Kalb introduces the ecumenical musical prayer form of Taize ('Tah-zay). This sung prayer is both simple and sophisticated in its repetitive mantra form. For more information, call 608-748-4411 or visit www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter
'Gift of Scripture' program
in Waunakee
WAUNAKEE -- "The Gift of Scripture," a Lenten program, will be offered Tuesdays from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4 at St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee.
This is a FOREM credit opportunity offered by Msgr. James Gunn and St. John the Baptist Parish in conjunction with The Great Adventure: A Journey Through the Bible; Bible Timeline. The five sessions are "Hearing the Word of God," "Understanding the Word of God," "Reading the Old Testament," "Reading the New Testament," and "Living the Word of God."
Sessions will be held in the Gathering Room of St. John the Baptist Parish, next to the church at 211 South St. Call 608-849-5121 or e-mail stjohnparishwau@straphael.org for
more information.
Prayer vigil held on Wednesdays during Lent
MADISON -- Every Wednesday during Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 1, there will be a peaceful pro-life prayer vigil from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in front of Planned Parenthood, 3706 Orin Rd. on Madison's east side. All are welcome.
Workshop deals with 'Clearing
the Clutter'
MADISON -- A two-part workshop, "Clear the Clutter," will be presented at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish.
Participants will discover ways to clear the clutter from their lives, making room for harmony, balance, and serenity. Presenter is Franciscan Sister Mary Jeanne Michels.
Sessions take place on Monday, March 13 and 20, in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Center, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $30 for two sessions. Pre-registration is necessary by March 10. Call Heather Crade to register at 608-663-2996.
Program on lay minister
as employee
SUN PRAIRIE -- The Madison Diocese Religious Educator's Organization (MDREO) and the Madison Diocese Pastoral Ministries Association (MDPMA) will be sponsoring a program
day on the "Lay Minister as Employee: Rights and Responsibilities" Thursday, March 9, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at St. Albert the Great Parish, 2420 St. Albert Dr.
The program will explore employment issues and legal rights such as contracts, unemployment and other benefits, and non-renewals, in regards to being a parish employee. Participants will work with the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers, which will be available for purchase for $15. Copies of Co-workers in the Vineyard will also be available for $10.
The presenters will be Human Resources Director John Miller and Office of Finance Director Greg Keller of the Diocese of Madison and Susan Perrault, consultant for special education to the Diocese of Green Bay.
The program is free for MDREO and MDPMA members and $20 for non-members. Registration is due March 3. Contact Jennifer Ludtke at 920-674-5433 or drejenny@jefnet.com
or Kevin Laufenberg at 608-325-9506 or liturgy@stvictormonroe.org
Knights of Columbus charity raffle
MADISON -- The Wisconsin State Council of the Knights of Columbus is currently selling raffle tickets for its annual charity raffle.
The prize list consists of $135,000 being paid to 40 winners with a first prize of $50,000. The drawing will take place at the state convention on April 22.
Tickets can be obtained from any Knight in the state at a cost of $5 each. In the Madison area they can also be obtained by calling Mel Feit at 608-241-0800 or Dan Stratman at 920-261-0565.
Proceeds from this raffle are used to alleviate sorrow, ease financial burdens, and restore hope to families and victims of accidents and illness. This past year, the Knights made charitable donations from their local councils to needy persons in their communities in an amount slightly in excess of $318,000. In addition, the state council issued grants to 207
families throughout Wisconsin in an amount of $225,000. These raffle proceeds are also the source of funding for vocations.
Since Knights are volunteers, the cost of running this raffle last year was $12,408 or less than two percent of the gross income.
Journal workshop at Divine Savior
PORTAGE -- Everywoman's Journal Workshop will be held on Saturday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Divine Savior Healthcare, Suite 100, 2817 New Pinery Rd., Portage.
The Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation (WWHF) offers this workshop through its Rural Women's Health Programs. It is an education outreach and referral program to teach women how to use proactive health journaling techniques to increase individual awareness of their mental, physical, and emotional health and guide them towards positive, effective action.
In the workshop, participants will learn proactive journal writing techniques and receive a folder with information about mental health conditions, prevention, and resources and information about local healthcare providers and services. A professional from the WWHF will present the program.
There is no cost, but registration is necessary as class size is limited. For more information about the workshop, or to register, call 608-745-6405.
Natural Family Planning
classes held
RICHLAND CENTER -- Marquette Model II Natural Family Planning classes are being offered at the Richland Hospital.
Couples seeking to achieve pregnancy, delay pregnancy, or simply learn more about their fertility are encouraged to attend. The fee for the course is $50, plus the cost of the monitor.
The course will be offered on March 25 and April 22 at 2 p.m. and April 22 and May 25 at 10 a.m. For more information, or to sign up for any of these sessions, call the Diocese of Madison NFP Office at 608-273-2236 or e-mail jwkrause@execpc.com
HospiceCare offers grief support groups in March
MADISON -- HospiceCare Inc. will begin support groups in March for those grieving the death of a loved one. They are open to the public and there is no charge for the groups.
"Journey Through Grief" will be held March 30 through May 11, Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m. This is a multiple-week series for those grieving the death of someone important in their lives. This group will be held at Meriter Campus in McConnell Hall, classroom 3, 1010 Mound St., Madison. Pre-registration for all sessions is required.
For more information about the groups or to register, call HospiceCare at 608-276-4660 and ask to speak with any bereavement counselor.
HospiceCare Inc. is a non-profit, community-based hospice dedicated to providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and families dealing with life-limiting illnesses. With offices in Madison and Janesville, HospiceCare serves residents in Dane, Rock, and parts of Walworth, Green, and Jefferson counties.
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for "Profiles from the pew"
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Diocesan
Services Appeal:
Changes implemented this year
By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
MADISON -- Changes have been implemented in the annual Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA), which began on Ash Wednesday, March 1, and will continue through Palm Sunday, April 9, with a goal of $3 million.
The DSA is the primary funding source for diocesan-sponsored ministries that assist parishes. In his letter to parishioners, Bishop Robert C. Morlino noted that Catholics in the Diocese of Madison have responded with generosity to help those affected by natural disasters in local communities, the country, and the world. "I am grateful to each of you for your generous support of so many worthy causes," he said.
Living out our faith
Each year, people of the diocese are called upon to support diocesan programs, too. "The Diocesan Services Appeal provides us with an exceptional opportunity to live out our faith in a very real sense," said Bishop Morlino. "Supporting your parish in meeting the goals of our appeal establishes a firm, united base where we may more effectively feed the poor, shelter the homeless, and assist the suffering and afflicted."
He pointed out that the administrative offices of the diocese provide services which many individual parishes could not support on their own. "Consider what generosity God has shared with each of us when answering this call to support the diocese and the good works we seek to provide," urged Bishop Morlino.
Parish assessments
This year's DSA goal reflects a five percent increase over the 2005 goal. The Diocesan Finance Office determines the dollar amounts assessed to each parish to support the appeal. "This total assessment amount is proportionally distributed among the parishes based on the financial condition of the parish," said Gregory J. Keller, director of the Finance Office.
In the past, he said reporting procedures for individual parishes have not been standardized and the question of just representation of income was posed. "Due to variances on how parishes reported or not reported certain income streams and expenses, there was not a solid baseline from which to develop the assessment in the past," he said.
During the past several months, a taskforce was developed to address concerns of the assessment methodology and DSA intent. The group included pastors from various geographic and demographic make-ups with sizes ranging from less than 200 to well over a thousand households. Some pastors had parish schools while others did not.
"I am deeply grateful for their expertise, insights, and support during this review process," Keller said.
The taskforce discussed such issues as establishment of standardized parish reporting and a more just formula for determining assessment amounts. This resulted in changes in parish assessments for the DSA this year, some of which were significant.
While changes have been established for 2006, the process review will remain active over the next year.
"While the new adjustments have resulted in some significant changes in how the DSA goal is shared, it is the belief of the committee that it more accurately reflects the parish's financial position and available financial resources," said Keller.
Parish promotion
The taskforce also deliberated on the DSA mailing from Bishop Morlino to individual households within the diocese. The diocesan mailing to households had been done in the past four years.
"The decision was made to eliminate the mailing to each household and have the informational brochure and pledge envelope be distributed from the pastors," said Daun Maier, associate director of the diocesan Office for Stewardship and Development.
'Pilot' program
Maier also noted that three parishes in the diocese were selected to be part of a "pilot" program offering supporters in these parishes the opportunity to select ministry segments to which to direct their support. This test program was established to investigate the response to more targeted funding, she said.
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Beloit, and St. Barnabas Parish in Mazomanie will participate in this new program.
Web site information
Maier said the diocesan Web site (www.madisondiocese.org/stewardship/dsa/) also has more information on the DSA changes and rationale, as well as information on the various offices and programs funded by the Diocesan Services Appeal in the areas of social action, justice, and pastoral outreach; education, evangelization, and catechesis; diocesan parish services; diocesan administration; and other continuing commitments. All parish assessments will also be included on the Web site.
Maier joined Bishop Morlino in encouraging parishioners to support the Diocesan Services Appeal. "Many areas of parish life are supported through diocesan administrative offices designed to eliminate the need for duplicated services throughout the diocese," she said. "Your DSA also supports the mission of the church on local, state, national, and international levels in upholding the teachings of the Universal Church."
For more information about the Diocesan Services Appeal campaign, contact the Office for Stewardship and Development, Attention Daun Maier, P.O. Box 44983, Madison, WI 53744, or visit the diocesan Web site at www.madisondiocese.org/stewardship/dsa/
Rites for catechumens, candidates:
To be held March 5
SUN PRAIRIE -- The Rite of Election of catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion for candidates for full communion in the Catholic Church will be celebrated by the parishes of the Diocese of Madison on Sunday, March 5, at 3 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie.
Over 50 parishes from the diocese will send over 200 people who will celebrate the sacraments of initiation this Easter, as well as their sponsors, families, and friends. About 1,000 people are expected. Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside.
Ancient practice
The celebration comes from an ancient Christian practice in which those who were to celebrate the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) come forward at the beginning of Lent to show their intent. The people of the church, in turn, promise their support, guidance, and prayers.
The celebration is one part of a long process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), which encompasses many facets of initiation.
Three parts
The service includes three distinct parts. First, all listen to the reading of Scripture which recalls that Christ has called each person by name. Following the readings and a brief homily, the catechumens - all those who are seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist - are called by name to come forward.
The bishop offers a brief instruction and asks the assembled group a few questions. He asks their sponsors and family and friends if they will continue to support the catechumens with their prayers. Then the catechumens sign their name in the Book of the Elect.
After the catechumens have signed the Book of the Elect, the candidates - those who were baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to be welcomed into the Catholic Church - are each called by name. The bishop speaks to candidates and once again asks their sponsors and the assembly if they will support them with their prayers.
St. Albert the Great Parish is wheelchair accessible. There will be a sign-language interpreter present and assistive listening devices for those who are hard of hearing. Large-print worship aids are available upon request.
For more information, visit www.madisondiocese.org/worship or call the Office of Worship at 608-821-3080.
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