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	News Briefs: Walk for Life for Elizabeth House MADISON -- The third annual Walk for Life is a fundraiser for the Elizabeth House residential maternity program, a division of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County. This two-mile fundraising walk will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, beginning at the Vilas Park picnic shelter. The event begins with registration at 9 a.m. and walk at 10 a.m. Prizes, T-shirts, area mascots, fun for kids and families, and stories from Elizabeth House residents will be part of the event. Event registration fee is $15 per person or $30 per family and is waived if pledges are raised. For more information visit www.carenetdane.org/ upcomingevents.htm or call 608-259-1606. Private College Week: Open houses and tours, application fees waived MADISON -- Selecting a college is a big decision for students of all ages. Wisconsin Private College Week, scheduled for Monday, July 10, through Saturday, July 15, is designed to make the job a little easier. For the 10th straight year, all of Wisconsin's 20 private colleges and universities will hold "open house" throughout the week-long event, offering guided campus tours and giving students and their families a chance to meet with staff from the admissions and financial aid departments and to visit classrooms, residence halls, and other facilities. And there is an added benefit for students - a waiver of application fees at each campus they visit. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has issued a proclamation declaring July 10 to 15 as Wisconsin Private College Week. He notes that the state's private colleges and universities have provided "quality higher education to Wisconsin citizens" for over 150 years. To arrange campus visits, contact any private college or university. To learn more about Wisconsin Private College Week, contact WAICU at 1-800-4-DEGREE (800-433-4733). Visit www.goindependent.org for access to individual college home pages and online applications. 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.

Three seminarians:
Looking forward to study in Rome

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front-page photo.)

MADISON -- In July, three seminarians from the Diocese of Madison will be embarking on an exciting - and challenging - adventure.

Vocation director wishes them well Fr. Jim Bartylla, vocation director for the Diocese of Madison, commented on the three seminarians going to Rome. "As a seminarian, I had the great privilege of studying in Rome from 1998 to 2001 at the Pontifical North American College. Many of our readers are probably familiar with the many benefits and blessings of studying in Rome: seeing the Holy Father, visiting the sites and Churches of Rome and Europe, engaging a new culture, and even enjoying wonderful Italian cuisine. These are many of the great moments that I will never forget - especially meeting Pope John Paul II. In fact, as a seminarian I had the privilege to serve at Mass for Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict XVI is one of the kindest, gentlest, humblest persons I've ever met. "Yet there are also the challenges of Rome," added Father Bartylla. "For Ben, David, and Greg, this will include a bit of homesickness in the first months, trying to learn a new culture and language, and studying in a new academic system. Thus, I ask the readers of the Catholic Herald for their prayers for our men as they meet these challenges. However, our men will eventually leave Rome with a world-class education and a connection to the heart of the Church that will make them faithful priests for Holy Mother Church. May God bless our men and reward them with a wonderful Roman experience."

They will begin four years of study for the priesthood in Rome after completing two months of Italian language studies and orientation.

The three seminarians - David Carrano, Greg Ihm, and Ben Kessler - are recent college graduates and good friends. Carrano and Kessler graduated from St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., this spring, while Ihm completed his college studies at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn.

In an interview at the recent summer seminarian gathering held at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison, the three discussed their feelings about going to Rome.

Bishop talks with them

They noted that last year, Bishop Robert C. Morlino had asked each of them individually about the possibility of studying in Rome.

Ihm said, "Bishop Morlino asked me to consider it about a year ago. I thought about it a little bit and said yes." Carrano, too, agreed to study in Rome after being invited by the bishop.

Kessler said he was considering going on to the seminary or pursuing graduate school in business and philosophy. "The bishop and I sat down and talked. He said the best place to find out if you have a vocation is in the seminary. He said, 'I'd like you to go to Rome.'

"It took me until last August to make a decision," said Kessler. "Prior to football camp I said yes. I said yes because the best place to discern (a vocation) is in the seminary."

(Kessler played football for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, where St. John Vianney Seminary is located. He earned Academic All American status and was a team captain in his senior year.)

Study plans

The three will be leaving for Italy July 16 for four weeks of Italian language school in Assisi. Ihm and Kessler have previously visited Assisi, the home of St. Francis and St. Clare. "It's beautiful there," Ihm recalled.

Carrano travelled to Germany in 2005 to attend World Youth Day, but this will be his first time in Italy.

The seminarians will then go to Rome for four more weeks of language study and orientation at the North American College (NAC) in Rome. School starts in late September.

They will live at the NAC with about 150 other English-speaking seminarians from the United States and Australia. They will study at one of the two major universities in Rome: the Angelicum run by the Dominicans in English and the Gregorian run by the Jesuits in Italian.

"If we pass the Italian language exam, we'll be going to the Gregorian," said Carrano. "The language exam is new this year. It's required so that credits can be accepted at universities throughout Europe."

The three will earn an STB degree in Sacred Theology after three years of study in Rome. They will then be ordained transitional deacons in Rome. They will continue for another year of study in Rome in the fourth year and then be ordained to the priesthood in Madison.

They could go back to Rome for a fifth year of advanced studies.

Language challenges

All three have some foreign language background but little to no Italian. Ihm studied Latin and French; Carrano and Kessler both have studied Spanish and Latin. "I had a few months of Italian. I think we'll be okay," said Kessler.

"None of us has talked to each other in Italian yet," said Carrano, "but I'm sure we will when we start studying in Italy."

Ihm has visited Rome twice, once for Bishop Morlino's ad limina visit in 2004 and again on a trip with his seminary rector in 2005. On his second trip he stayed at the NAC.

Kessler, too, went to Rome in 2004 and spent another week there in 2005 at the NAC. "I did look into the program then and realized I met the requirements," he said. "I know the daily routine. It won't be so foreign to us."

Seminary program

The seminary program in Rome will be very similar to what they experienced in college. This will include morning prayer, daily Mass, and evening prayer. "It's very community based," said Ihm. Kessler added, "Lunch there is very big - more formal."

Kessler said they will each have a formation director and a spiritual director. "We'll all have service opportunities at the NAC, such as leading tours to the tomb of St. Peter and working with the Missionaries of Charity."

The Madison seminarians won't be able to return to the United States for two years. Besides studying in Rome, they may have a summer assignment in Italy or even another country. "It depends on the bishop's request and NAC," said Kessler. "We could be learning more Italian or doing pastoral or parish work. We can also take some vacation time there."

Of course, they will have access to the Internet. "We can make long distance calls over the Internet, so we'll be able to keep in touch with people," noted Kessler.

Excited, apprehensive

As the time approaches for their departure, they are excited and apprehensive. "At first I was more scared and hesitant," said Ihm, "but as the time draws closer, I'm more at peace and looking forward to it."

Carrano says, "I know I will miss my family. That will be the most difficult part. But it will be an opportunity to dive deeper into the reality of the priesthood. It's a greater grace than I could have asked for."

Said Kessler, "I was real nervous at first. I asked myself, 'Am I doing this because it's Rome or the seminary?' I asked my rector and he said, 'This is the package your bishop has laid in front of you. Be excited that you're gifted with this. This is God's will for you.'

"It's been bitter-sweet," Kessler added. "I'm trying to eat steak as much as I can! I'm spending time with family and friends. When July 16 comes and I fly over there, I'll be excited."

Carrano spoke for the three saying, "We'd like to thank all the people who've prayed for us and supported us: the people, priests, the bishop."

Happy to be together

The three are happy to be going to Rome together. "That's what gives us the most consolation," said Carrano.

"It's an opportunity to grow as brothers," agreed Ihm.

"Dave has kept me honest for the past two years," admitted Kessler. "We lived with each other the last year of college. Of the three guys, I'm the farthest from holiness. These guys make me strive for holiness. I look forward to being with them."

"We have plenty to learn from each other," added Carrano.

"Finally I can study with Greg," said Kessler with a smile.

Rome will never be the same!

Catholic women told:
'We are pilgrims on a journey'

By Dorothy Lepeska
CATHOLIC HERALD CORRESPONDENT

LODI -- In his keynote address at the recent Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) convention here, Auxiliary Bishop Robert Morneau of the Green Bay Diocese spoke on "Our Human Journey - Sowing and Reaping - What's It all About."

He stated, "We are pilgrims on a journey; we are to help one another and walk the mile."

He asked what are the most important questions in life? Who am I? Where am I going? How do I get there?

He explained that many people find life meaningless. Philosophers have wrestled with these questions for centuries.

Whose am I?

He stressed that it is not just who am I but whose am I? "To whom do we give ourselves? Is it money, power; who has possession of me? The main thing is to know the main thing and to keep the main thing the main thing. It is not money in the bank; not a big house, but relationships. What is the priority in our lives?

"There are many ways to look at oneself. We can be an accidental tourist just passing through with no involvement. None here are that. All have been wounded. We all have scars so we are to heal one another. All are trusted gardeners in that we all have big responsibilities.

"This is not home on earth. We are here for just a short stay. We are sometimes troubled guests - dying daily but rising again. Thus we are involved in the Paschal mystery. In the Hail Mary what does full of grace mean? It means that you have been loved for a long time. Millions do not believe that we are lovable. That is poor self image. You are precious in the sight of God."

Burdens and longings

He asked the women to read daily Isaiah 43 - at least the first eight verses - and pass that message onto others. "Be not afraid; I have called you by name; you are precious in my sight."

Bishop Morneau said he is convinced that all are pilgrims on a journey; all have burdens. "That gives us compassion. We are to hold hands together and carry one another's burdens."

He asked, "Who really are we? Since we are made for God, we hunger for knowledge, for love. We have to reach out to others. We have infinite longings. There never seems to be enough; we always want more. We do have two choices - gratitude or perpetual dissatisfaction. Some are never happy.

Shaping hearts and minds

"Who are the most important characters in your life? Who has shaped your hearts and minds? What are the key decisions made in your life? They define who you are. What are the symbols in your life? They define your life. These lead to attitudes and attitudes lead to behavior. Tell me what your images are and I will tell you who you are.

"By age 50 Americans have watched seven years of television. Images on television have led to attitudes and these have led to behavior. Kids have been exposed to so much stuff on television - violence, pornography. If we think we have problems now, just hang on to your hats in the next few years."

"One third of our people come on Sundays for 50 minutes to get their religious images activated against how many hours of TV during the week. What controls the imagination controls the culture. That is why poetry, music, and art are so important.

"In between the lines of characters and actions is an atmosphere that we call the mysterious personality on a journey of self knowledge that leads to self acceptance and self revelation. We cannot love someone if we do not know him. We cannot love God if we do not know him. To know who God is we have to know who we are.

On this journey God is giver, given, and giving. We are on this journey. God is lover, beloved, and loving surrounded by light and love. We are surrounded by light, love, and life every single moment of our lives. We have to be agents of light by helping one another.

Workshops

There were three workshops presented at the convention hosted by Columbia Deanery

International Concerns and Legislation - "Human Trafficking in the United States" as given by Srs. Marion Etzel and Mary Frost, Salvatorian Sisters, in a power point presentation. Men, women, and children are in forced labor, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and slavery. Women suffer in war due to war "tactics" and to government tolerated policies for troop "R and R." According to UNICEF the state of the world's children is excluded and invisible.

Community and Family Concerns - "Community Concerns for Families in Need" There were four speakers who spoke, answered questions from those in attendance, and distributed handouts.

They were: Clair Culbertson, area Dane County person on Family Givers National Program; Carol Olson, Baraboo, Alzheimers and Care Giver Program; Kathy Schmalee, Stoughton, Elder Care of Wisconsin and Geriatric Service Work; Mary Holtz, ABC Connection in Portage and Hospice Care and Support Groups.

Church and Organization - "Building a Positive Image for Your Council" and "Is Image Important to NCCW?" Women were divided into groups to address these questions. It is time for a change not only in leadership but also in goals, procedures, and priorities.

Newly elected officers were installed after the concelebrated liturgy. They are Rita Macewicz, Beloit, president; Sandra Hull, Patch Grove, president elect; Lucy Kippley, Sauk City, vice president; Linda Rosiekka, Helenville, secretary, and Janice Schiro, Neshkoro, treasurer.

Daun Maier, Waunakee, was presented the Alice Krystofiak Madonna for being the youngest member attending the convention.

Dorene Shuda, Jefferson, diocesan organization chairman, presented the Image Award to Dorothy Lepeska, Stitzer, for her many years of editing the MDCCW newsletter and for serving as publicity chairman.