• Articles on St. Raphael Cathedral
	News Briefs: Adult education MADISON -- Those who work with, or would like to work with, adult education and formation in parishes are invited to an adult education gathering on Thursday, May 18, at 9 a.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. Those attending will have a chance to identify and evaluate the past year's efforts in adult formation as well as plan for the upcoming year and discuss issues and concerns. The gathering will give the opportunity to gain new insights and support one another. Part of the time will be spent reviewing a new effort in adult formation and parish renewal known as "Evangelical Catholic Ministering." Tom Zanzig will offer a presentation on a new resource for adult faith formation strategies. Registration is due by Monday, May 8. Cost for the day is $15 and includes lunch and materials. For more information contact Jen Gad at the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, phone 608-821-3181, or e-mail jgad@straphael.org The Da Vinci Code MADISON -- Catholic young adults are invited to talk about The Da Vinci Code on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m. at the Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld St., just off Park St. Deacon Jerome Buhman, St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison, will help separate the facts from the fiction in Dan Brown's best-selling novel. The event is strictly for those in their 20s and 30s and is free of charge. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Ben Weisse at bweisse@straphael.org or 608-821-3164. Choir concert MADISON -- The annual spring concert by the Madison Diocesan Choir will be presented Saturday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the O'Donnell Chapel at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. There is no admission charge. Icon presentation MADISON -- "Windows to Heaven," a presentation on icons, will be given on Thursday, May 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish. Presenters will be Drasen Dupor, owner of the St. John the Baptist Gallery in Madison, and Ruth Malsack, an iconongrapher from Fond du Lac. There will be a video, presentation, opportunity to purchase icons, and refreshments. Iowa Deanery MINERAL POINT -- "Where Are the Children?" is the theme of the Iowa Deanery spring meeting Tuesday, May 16, at St. Mary/St. Paul Parish here. Registration is at 4:30 p.m. followed by business meeting, concelebrated Mass, and dinner. The evening program will follow with Sr. Mary Frost, a Sister of the Divine Savior, speaking on human trafficking. Reservations are due May 12 to Anne Palzkil, 221 Davis St., Mineral Point, WI 53565. Cost is $6. Sauk Deanery LORETO -- Wednesday, May 17, is the date of the Sauk Deanery spring meeting at St. Patrick Parish here. Theme is "Youth Ministry." Registration is at 4 p.m. followed by business meeting, concelebrated Mass, installation of officers, and dinner. Jessie Carrano, Dead Theologians Society, will speak on youth ministry. Reservations are due May 8 to Rachael Brunner, S7694 Pine Ln., Loganville, WI 53943. Cost is $9. Benefit garage sale BARABOO -- Habitat for Humanity of Sauk and Columbia Counties will hold a community garage sale Saturday, May 6, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Life Advent Christian Church, 1919 Elizabeth St. It is being coordinated by St. Clare Hospital and Health Services' Mission Awareness Council. For more information or to donate items, contact Lisa D. Meyer at 608-356-3351. Catholic Spirit Club JANESVILLE -- The Adult Catholic Spirit Club's potluck will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, May 10, in Marian Hall at St. John Vianney Parish. The program at 1 p.m. will feature Mary Vogrinc speaking on "Walking with the Blessed Mother." All area men and women are welcome. Nominate someone for "Profiles from the pew" To nominate someone to be featured in "Profiles from the pew," download a nomination form (PDF file, 269 KB). "Profiles from the pew" runs in the Catholic Herald print edition NOTE: The nomination form is a Portable Document Format file (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.

Death penalty:
Speakers oppose referendum

By Kathleen Bushman
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Voters may soon have their say about reinstating the death penalty in Wisconsin.

In a 7-5 vote April 27, the state Assembly's Committee on Criminal Justice and Homeland Security sent to the full Assembly a resolution calling for a statewide advisory referendum. The referendum would ask whether Wisconsin should enact the death penalty in cases involving a person who is convicted of multiple first-degree intentional homicides if the conviction is supported by DNA evidence.

The committee made one amendment to the resolution, removing the requirement that the homicide be "vicious." Because of the amendment, the resolution will need to be re-approved by the state Senate if passed by the Assembly. The question would then be put to voters in a referendum that could advise the legislature.

Before the vote on the resolution, the committee held a public hearing at which dozens of concerned citizens spoke out against the death penalty and the referendum. Only one speaker, an author of the resolution, supported it.

Long history

Wisconsin is the state with the longest-standing ban against all forms of capital punishment. A law in 1853 abolished the death penalty.

In the past 153 years, many bills to re-instate the death penalty have been introduced in the state - several written by Rep. Alan J. Lasee, R-De Pere, author of the current resolution - but none succeeded.

Public opinion

At the start of the hearing, Lasee spoke strongly for the referendum. He described the anguish of families of murder victims and spoke of their need for closure. He also described several cases from Wisconsin of vicious homicides, including serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

The reason a referendum is necessary, he said, is to find out how Wisconsin voters feel. "Go to the people and ask their opinion. . . . We trust their good judgment."

Several of those who spoke against the resolution, though, said that a referendum would not really give legislators an accurate depiction of citizens' opinions. Some argued that it did not present an option between the death penalty and life without parole.

Other speakers said that the issue appealed to a passionate decision rather than a deliberate, non-emotional choice. Rev. Jerry Hancock, director of the Prison Ministry Project of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, alleged the referendum was being used for "cynical political reasons."

John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, said the referendum was unnecessary. "We can have the referendum, we can have the vote, and you can come back here knowing that it's popular," he said.

The early state legislators knew the death penalty was popular when they abolished it, seeing the crowds that showed up at public executions, Huebscher said, but they knew there had to be a better way to punish criminals.

"History has vindicated them by the kind of state Wisconsin has become," he said. "At a time when the human community is moving away from the death penalty, it would be tragic for Wisconsin to reverse its course."

Arguments against

Several speakers brought up arguments against the death penalty. Arthur Thexton, a state prosecutor who belongs to the Wisconsin Coalition Against the Death Penalty, described the resolution as "the nose of the camel." If the death penalty for first-degree intentional homicide cases is instated, "It is only a matter of time before it is expanded to other cases," he said.

Many speakers argued that the death penalty unfairly treated minorities and the poor. DNA evidence was also called into question and others discussed the high cost of capital punishment.

One of the strongest messages was that the death penalty did not respect human rights. Huebscher explained Catholic beliefs, "For us being 'pro-life' means protecting life at all stages of life from conception to natural death. We reject a selective approach that values human life only in certain circumstances."

Post-abortion ministry: Helping many victims of abortion

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

FIRST IN A TWO-PART SERIES

BARABOO -- There are over 4,000 abortions performed each day in the United States. Besides the babies killed, there are many other victims of abortion: the mother, the father, grandparents, siblings, and even those working in abortion clinics.

Those involved in abortions suffer physical, emotional, and spiritual pain - often many years after the procedure. The Catholic Church and other religious denominations have sponsored Rachel's Ministries to bring healing, mercy, and compassion to those who have experienced abortions.

Often this ministry includes an opportunity for post-abortion women and men to attend a Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreat. The weekend offers exercises to help people grieve the loss of an unborn child and to receive and accept God's forgiveness.

To educate more people about these efforts, a Rachel's Ministries Conference was held April 21 and 22 at the Ho-Chunk Convention Center in Baraboo. The conference provided education for clergy on the first day and for the public on the second day.

Sponsors included Wisconsin Right to Life and Pro-Life Wisconsin. St. Matthew Parish in Wausau also supported the conference, which was organized by Ron Faust, Cross Plains.

Speakers included nationally known experts along with Wisconsinites involved in pro-life efforts.

Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life and pastoral director of Rachel's Vineyard, spoke at the conference and celebrated two Masses at St. Cecilia Church in Wisconsin Dells.

Fostering culture of life

In his homily at St. Cecilia Church on Friday evening, Father Pavone discussed the salvation won for all people by Jesus' passion and resurrection. "Jesus Christ came, suffered, died, and rose to open the gates of heaven," he said. "Jesus' entrance into glory is the beginning of our resurrection. Jesus has taken human nature to the heights of heaven and opened the door for salvation."

Father Pavone said this same human nature is shared by the unborn child. "It's not possible to say the destiny of every human being is on the throne of God and to throw that baby on the garbage pile. There is no activity more directly opposed to the Gospel than abortion.

Resources Resources for post-abortion healing include: • Rachel's Vineyard, phone 877-467-3463, Web site: www.rachelsvineyard.org • National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation & Healing, phone 414-483-4141, e-mail: noparh@juno.com • Priests for Life, phone 888-735-3448, Web site: www.priestsforlife.org • Diocese of Madison Family Ministry (including Project Rachel and Rachel's Vineyard), phone 608-821-3175, e-mail: ofm@straphael.org

"There are many things that destroy or degrade human life. The greatest insult is to deny he or she is a person," he said.

Father Pavone encouraged people of faith to "foster a culture of life," a commission received from Jesus Christ.

Abortion decision will be reversed

In a talk that evening to conference attendees, Father Pavone urged them to be mindful of others gathered elsewhere who are involved in the pro-life movement.

He said sometimes pro-life people may feel discouraged or frustrated by lack of success. The priest said they have to remember that they are "standing in the tradition" of many others, including St. Basil who dismantled an infanticide shrine, others who began hospitals to care for the sick, and those who have stood up for the oppressed.

"We stand on the shoulders and in the spirit of the saints and Christ himself," he said.

Father Pavone feels that the pro-life movement has had success in recent years. He believes that the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion will be overturned. "The consensus with the court is that it's not a matter of if but when," he said. "Roe vs. Wade has already been reversed in the minds and hearts of the American people. It has never taken hold.

"The momentum is on our side and it will continue as more people discover it's a dead-end rule. People realize that abortion is no solution at all."

He urged the pro-lifers "to hold fast to the course and seek unity. Make room for God to bind us together."

Father Pavone is president of the National Pro-Life Religious Council. He has also ministered worldwide to the "Centurions," an international association of former abortionists seeking forgiveness and healing.

Post-abortion ministry

Also speaking at the conference and hosting the weekend was Vicki Thorn. She is founder, president, and executive director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, headquartered in Milwaukee. She is also the founder of Project Rachel, the post-abortion healing ministry in the Catholic Church.

She was inspired to begin post-abortion ministry by the U.S. Catholic bishops, who called for post-abortion healing. "It resonated with me that the church could provide care for women," she said.

She helped develop a healing network within Catholic dioceses with priests and trained mental health professions. Project Rachel started in 1984 and has grown throughout the U.S. and the world, offering retreats and support groups for women and men.

Thorn said she met Pope John Paul II and received a blessing from him for Project Rachel.

"We bought the lie that abortion is a woman's decision," said Thorn. "But women didn't get pregnant on their own. It's not just a woman's problem."

Abortion damage

In his talk at the public education day, Father Pavone discussed how abortion damages women, men, and society. "The damage has been so vast, so extensive," he said, pointing to some studies on the Web site, www.AfterAbortion.org

"The bottom line is: the more we look and dig, the more we find. This is an open wound that goes so deep," said the priest.

"Through the healing of Rachel's Vineyard and Project Rachel, women grow in strength and defend themselves against mistreatment in the abortion industry. We have seen this happen and it's going to happen more and more."

Father Pavone listed the different victims of abortion:

• The baby who loses his or her life.

• The mother who is "injured and traumatized." A woman "cannot undergo an abortion and not be," he said.

• The father.

• The extended family.

• Friends. Just as "friends don't let friends drive drunk," Father Pavone said "friends don't let friends have abortions."

• Abortionists and people who work in clinics.

• Observers. "All of us are wounded," said Father Pavone. "We live in a culture where this practice has permeated our laws and our existence. There is a core resistance to abortion. It's so contrary to human nature."

But there is hope. "Thanks be to God, you've responded with love, care, and compassion to that circle of people," he told those attending the conference, many involved in post-abortion ministries.

Next week: Dr. Theresa Burke and Kevin Burke talk about Rachel's Vineyard Ministries. Will Goodman and Amy Hying discuss their involvement in sidewalk counseling at abortion clinics.

Traveling chalice:
Brings home prayer for vocations

By Kathleen Bushman
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

A message from Fr. Jim As the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Madison, I have been impressed by parishes who have decided to institute vocation awareness programs, especially the "Chalice Program." I particularly think of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Sun Prairie and St. Joseph's in Dodgeville. Fr. Paul Arinze, pastor of St .Joseph's in Dodgeville, encountered the idea at Sacred Hearts in Sun Prairie and wisely adopted it at St. Joseph's in Dodgeville. The Chalice Program touches on two important aspects of a successful vocations awareness program: family involvement and interaction with youth. The chalice travels among the families within a parish and builds a community awareness of the need and desire for priestly vocations from a parish. Families pray for an increase in vocations, particularly to the priesthood. The chalice is a tangible sign to our youth of the essence of the priesthood - the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I invite other parishes to adopt this wonderful Chalice Program. Also, the Diocese of Madison Vocations Website at www.madisonvocations.org contains over 25 suggestions for parishes to develop vocations awareness. Simply click on "Promoting Vocations" to go to the Web page containing these suggestions. The Vocations and Prayer Magazine, a nationwide publication, recently asked for permission to publish these Suggestions on Promoting Vocations from our Web site. Please visit our Web site at your convenience to view these materials, video clips, pictures of our seminarians, audio clips of seminarian vocation stories, and numerous other items. Blessings in our Risen Lord!

DODGEVILLE -- On the day of his ordination, one priest from St. Joseph Parish will be gifted with a chalice that has been prayed over by all of the families in the parish.

That priest hasn't been found yet, but Pastor Fr. Paul U. Arinze and parish members are hoping that the continued prayers for vocations, spurred by the presence of the chalice in parishioners' homes, will make a difference.

Over the past months, families in the parish have been taking home the chalice and paten, selected by Father Arinze and purchased by the local council of Knights of Columbus in honor of knight Arnold Thule, who passed away the previous summer. It was blessed by Bishop Robert C. Morlino at a recent youth rally and will be given to the first young man from the parish to become a priest.

Until then, though, it will spend a week with each family. The family is expected to pray with the chalice as a family, and then continue praying for vocations beyond their time with it.

So far, the vessel has been with the families with last names starting with letters A and B. But Father Arinze said while the order began alphabetically, it will probably be changed occasionally. And it will be years before it gets to everyone.

John Aschliman, a member of the Knights of Columbus, built a beautiful wooden case for the chalice and paten with fellow knight Mike Seman, and Seman's wife stained the wood. Not only was this to protect the vessels, especially in transport, John said, but also to display it properly.

The engraved chalice was placed in a wooden case lined with velvet to avoid it from jostling and enclosed with a glass front. A gold plaque on the case bears the name of Arnold Thule.

Prayer for vocations Below is a prayer for vocations provided by Fr. Paul Arinze, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Dodgeville. The prayer is given to families who receive the chalice into their homes for a week to help start their prayer. Dear Jesus,     Help our families to imitate the love and unity of the Holy Family. Help us to use our gifts for service to each other, and strengthen our faith so that we may be witnesses of the Gospel.     Instill in parents a desire to offer a child to priesthood or religious life, and grant our children a desire to serve the Church.     May young men become loving priests, husbands, or fathers, and young women find joy in religious life or as wives and mothers.     Help all of us, through our vocations in family life and Church life, to grow in holiness and be worthy of eternal life with you.     We ask this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.     Amen.

Along with the chalice and case, families take home a prayer card that helps them begin praying for vocations.

John, his wife Mary, and sons Nathan, a junior in high school, and Brian, a freshman, all of whom are very active in the parish, not only had the chalice in their home during the time he was building the case but also soon after the rotation began.

Mary said that when it was their turn, they placed the chalice on the table and prayed with it at meals. "Father (Arinze) stresses to pray for vocations," she said. "We hope it helps."

Nathan said that the chalice might make an impact on the younger crowd, especially. "The younger will ask questions and get them interested," he said.

"Families need to pray for vocations at home," Father Arinze said. "I think having the chalice at home will bring their mind to it."