• Articles on St. Raphael Cathedral
	News Briefs: Project Now Benefit Series events HIGHLAND -- SS. Anthony and Philip Parish is holding a series of events to raise funds for the rebuilding of their church. The Project Now Benefit Event Series includes: • Tuesday, Sept. 12: Car Show and Homemade Spaghetti Supper and half-pot drawing. • Sunday, Oct. 15: Oktoberfest at the Red Zone, with the Mike Schneider polka band and a Florida vacation silent auction. • Saturday, Nov. 18: take-and-bake pie making. • Saturday, Dec. 2: holiday home tour and children's Mass. All proceeds from the events go toward the building project. For more information on these events, contact the SS. Anthony and Philip Parish office at 608-929-7490. Dead Theologians Society: Entrusted to Our Lady Queen of All Saints MADISON -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino recently entrusted the Dead Theologians Society (DTS) to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title, Our Lady Queen of All Saints. The entrustment took place at the O'Connor Center in Madison. The Dead Theologians Society is a national apostolate for high school teens and college age young adults. Through the saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow. The society currently has 180 chapters in 34 states with an active membership of approximately 4,500 youth and young adults. During the entrustment ceremony, an original icon of Our Lady Queen of All Saints by artist Elizabeth Stefanick was blessed by the bishop. The icon will be displayed in the DTS National Office in Black Earth in the Diocese of Madison. Present at the entrustment was Bishop Morlino, DTS Executive Director Eddie Cotter, Jr., DTS Development Director Rhett Young, DTS Chapter Leader and seminarian from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Ryan Phil Ruiz, and DTS teens from St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff, Ben Emmel and Anna Schiedermayer. Blood drive: At Divine Savior PORTAGE -- BloodCenter of Wisconsin and Divine Savior Healthcare urge Columbia County residents to reach out to their community by donating blood during summer when shortages of all blood types can occur. Divine Savior is sponsoring a community blood drive to benefit hospital patients on Friday, Aug. 25, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. in Suite 100, 2817 New Pinery Rd. (use the northeast entrance, also accessible from Eastridge Rd.). For an appointment, call 608-745-6405. Appointments will be accepted through August 23. Walk-ins are also welcome the day of the drive. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, weighs a minimum of 110 pounds, and is in generally good health can donate blood. All blood types are needed. Donors should bring a photo ID. For more information about the blood donation process, call toll-free at 1-888-310-7555 or visit www.bloodcenter.com Catholic Spirit Club: Plans tour to Chicago churches Oct. 5 JANESVILLE -- The Adult Catholic Spirit Club is sponsoring a "Polish Spires and Steeples Tour" to Chicago on Thursday, Oct. 5. The tour includes: transportation, overview of Chicago, tour of St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. Mary of the Angels Churches, shopping, lunch, and a local step-on guide. The price is $68 per person. Deadline for payment is September 4. Mail check to Adel Gaydos, 1227 Bingham Ave., Janesville, WI 53546. Make check payable to Adult Catholic Spirit Club. Father Mazzuchelli: Sisters lead 'Steeplechase tour' SINSINAWA -- The Sinsinawa Dominicans invite people to celebrate the 200th birth of Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, their founder and pioneer priest, by joining them on a "Steeplechase Tour." The tour from Friday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 27, will travel the Mississippi River valley to the churches and buildings built and designed by Father Mazzuchelli in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Srs. Laura Goedken and Dorothy Gabel will lead the tour. Father Mazzuchelli, born in 1806, is known in the tri-state area for establishing more than 35 parish communities, designing and building more than 24 churches, and founding the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters. He was declared "Venerable" by Pope John Paul II, the first step to sainthood. To register or for more information, call 608-748-4411 or visit www.sinsinawa.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, 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.

New superintendent: His first priority is to ensure Catholic identity in all schools

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front-page photo.)

	Related article: April 20, 2006 edition: • New superintendent of Catholic schools: Bishop announces appointment of Michael Lancaster to post (includes photo)

MADISON -- As the new superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Madison, Michael J. Lancaster said his first priority is "to ensure an undeniable, firmly rooted Catholic identity in all of our schools."

In an interview, he said, "The people I've talked with so far are extremely dedicated. Catholic educators are really dedicated, committed, and wonderful people. I'm very much looking forward to working with the principals. They're just fantastic."

He said a secondary goal is to ensure the intellectual/academic formation of students in Catholic schools, which he says, though it is critical, it is secondary to faith formation and Catholic identity.

Visited most schools

The new superintendent said he has already visited most of the 47 Catholic schools in the diocese. "I will try to get to all five geographic areas of the diocese for teacher in-services in late August. I really want to be visible for the principals and teachers. That's an important opportunity to make a statement about the work they do."

Lancaster will be meeting with new principals on August 16; principals and teachers who mentor new teachers on August 18; and all principals on September 22. He will also be attending the Central Education Institute on September 29 at the Marriott Hotel.

Planning process

In addition, Lancaster will be involved in the planning process currently undertaken by the diocese. "I will be extremely involved in that process," said Lancaster.

The planning process will be looking at the future of parishes and this will involve some parishes with schools. Lancaster said he would encourage schools to be looking for ways to share resources, something that is already happening in some areas of the diocese.

His goal, he said, is "to promote the idea of the diocese as a team, to promote unity among schools and parishes. We are on the same team and working towards the same goal, purpose, and vision."

Family background

Lancaster grew up in Denver, Colo., in a family that emphasized the importance of a Catholic school education. In fact, his mother has been teaching for over 25 years at St. Vincent de Paul School in Denver. Lancaster and his three siblings all attended that school from pre-school through eighth grade. He and his siblings also attended Catholic high schools in Denver.

Lancaster's mother, in a recent conversation, told him that, "she couldn't envision being happy in heaven if her children weren't there with her," said Lancaster. "That applies to teachers, principals and everyone in Catholic schools and the larger Catholic community. Our ultimate goal is to help our students and each other to get to heaven. That's the priority.

"My parents felt it was important to integrate faith into every aspect of our lives and link academics to faith. They wanted to show us in a very visible way that our faith is worth sacrifice. It was important enough for them to make the sacrifice financially while also contributing countless hours of time and talent."

Lancaster attended the University of Dallas for his undergraduate degree and Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, where he earned a Master's Degree in Educational Administration. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.

Moved to Wisconsin

Lancaster's wife is from Wisconsin. "We decided to come back to Wisconsin to be near Michelle's family. There weren't any job openings in Catholic schools close to where we lived," said Lancaster. "As much as I wanted to stay connected to Catholic schools, I needed a job."

Several years later, Lancaster made the decision to move into school administration. When he completed his master's degree at Cardinal Stritch, there weren't many opportunities in Catholic high schools. Lancaster took a position at Mount Horeb High school, where he was assistant principal for three years and principal for the last two years.

Public school experiences

He always incorporated "character education" into his personal dealings with students. While this was generally successful, it wasn't enough, and it was difficult to incorporate into the whole school due to the fine line between church and state in public schools.

"There was always a part of each person, a part of our very humanity, that I was not allowed to address. Even after a student poured out their soul to me and revealed a world of hurt and pain in their heart, I couldn't even say, 'I'll keep you in my prayers' much less 'You are a special child of God, and He loves you more than you could ever imagine.' I could offer my care and concern, and pray silently that God would let that student know how special s/he was. So there was a real void. I couldn't teach the whole person.

"So during my 10th year in public schools, I began thinking about going back into Catholic education. I was praying that God would show me the way, but truly I thought that the possibility was several years away"

Providential meeting

At the same time, Lancaster applied and was accepted into the doctoral program at UW-Madison. On January 4, he attended the first meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and arrived early at the Bishop O'Connor Center. Bishop Robert C. Morlino also happened to be early and they met each other in the hallway.

"I had met the bishop in February of 2004 when he came to Barneveld after our church was destroyed by fire," noted Lancaster. "We had a town hall meeting at that time. The bishop remembered me and we talked. He asked me if I would consider being superintendent of schools. I was overwhelmed."

Leap of faith

Lancaster told the bishop he would think and pray about the matter. He talked with his wife and said, "A part of me knew immediately what our decision would be. In many, many ways, this is a leap of faith. Yet from the very first moment until now, I've never felt nervous about this. There's been a sense of calm and peace."

Bishop Morlino appointed Lancaster as superintendent of schools in April, noting that Lancaster has 13 years of educational experience as a teacher and administrator. He officially began his position on July 3.

Lancaster is also a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council for the Diocese of Madison as well as the chairman of the Parish Council for Immaculate Conception in Barneveld. He and his wife Michelle reside in Barneveld with their three children.

When he accepted the appointment, Lancaster commented, "I am very humbled and honored to have the great privilege of serving the Lord and the good people of the Madison Diocese in this wonderful capacity. My family and I look forward to beginning this work of education and evangelization through our schools.

"I particularly look forward to meeting all the pastors and principals as we work to ensure that Catholic schools provide an unparalleled education rooted firmly and forever in the Catholic faith."

Michael Lancaster will be working enthusiastically to make sure that goal is achieved.

Garden of Innocence:
Designed to remember the unborn

BELOIT -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino will bless the Garden of Innocence in Mt. Thabor Cemetery, Beloit, on Thursday, Sept. 7, during a ceremony at 1:30 p.m.

The Garden of Innocence, made possible by the donations of many generous people, is dedicated exclusively for the burial and/or memorialization of the unborn. It is the result of months of planning and fund raising by Sandy Blevins, director of the Office of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Beloit.

After experiencing three early pregnancy losses and one early infant death, Blevins recognized the need for a place to memorialize her babies. Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl, pastor of Our Lady of Assumption, suggested she contact the Department of Cemeteries for the Diocese of Madison.

The department is responsible for the management and operations of the four diocesan cemeteries, of which Mt. Thabor is one. It was decided that the Department of Cemeteries would donate the land for the garden and arrange for the wholesale purchase of monuments, statuary, and benches.

Tom Hanlon, director of cemeteries, and Blevins, along with others interested in the project, designed a section within Mt. Thabor. The area contains 400 small spaces for burial and three monuments for inscription of babies' names.

The monuments are manufactured from American Gray granite. There are also two granite benches and a bronze statue of an angel cuddling a baby. Ambrose Greenhouse in Roscoe, Ill. offered landscaping at a substantial discount.

Blevins feels that it is important for people to know that there are options for those who lose their babies prematurely. Sometimes hospitals don't think to recommend burial for an unborn baby, especially prior to 20 weeks gestation.

After 20 weeks gestation a fetal death certificate is required to be filed by the hospital. Disposition of the fetal remains is, then, contingent on the policy of the hospital. However, ultimately, it is the family's decision what happens to the remains.

With the opening of the Garden of Innocence in Mt. Thabor Cemetery there is now a place to bury and memorialize. And that is what is important to Blevins.

The grave space and the labor for the burial are free. Hanlon said, "In keeping with church teaching, all life is held sacred. Therefore, to provide a proper burial space for a baby that would otherwise be disposed of by a hospital is an opportunity to uphold our Catholic view of the sanctity of all life."

The granite monuments in the garden provide a place to inscribe names of those buried and also, the names of babies who have died years ago but have never been buried or remembered on a memorial. There is a fee for inscription of the baby's name and date of death.

Those interested in remembering a recent or past death of a baby can call the cemetery office at 608-754-3472 for information.