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News Briefs:
Open house
at new Berlin church
BERLIN -- There will be a public open house at the new All Saints Church, N8566 State Rd. 49, Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The cornerstone will be sealed at 1 p.m. Bells will ring every 30 minutes, refreshments will be offered, and music played on the new organ and piano.
People are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry. All are welcome.
Bridge tournament: Benefits St. Vincent
de Paul campaign
MAPLE BLUFF -- If you play bridge, here's a great opportunity to have some fun while you help your neighbors in need.
On Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Maple Bluff Country Club, 500 Kensington Dr., generous friends of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will host the Help Build Hope Benefit Bridge Tournament.
All revenue from the tournament will support the Help Build Hope Capital Campaign to build a new, larger, and better-equipped St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Service Center in Madison.
Those participating can enjoy the competition of like-minded bridge players for five rounds of four hands per round while supporting St. Vincent de Paul. From 4:30 until 9:30 p.m., registrants will enjoy dinner, drinks, desserts, and prizes.
Entry fees are $100 per person. Because of a generous gift, the entire entry fee will be a donation to St. Vincent de Paul. Visit www.svdpmadison.org for more information or call 608-278-2920, ext. 303, to register.
Workshops for those discerning path in life
SINSINAWA -- "Choosing a Path that's Right for You," a workshop for those wanting to learn how to discern their path in life, will be held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Sinsinawa Mound. The same workshop will also be held Thursday, Oct. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Edgewood College, Madison.
The workshop provides an opportunity for individuals to explore questions such as "What should I do with my life?" and "What are the signs that I'm on the right path?" Young adults 18 to 25, those uncertain about what to do after college, and those who were certain but are now questioning their choice are welcome to attend. Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Patricia Rogers will lead workshop attendees in exploration, reflection, discussion, and prayer.
Register online at www.sinsinawa.org (click on "News," then "Discernment Workshop") or e-mail Sister Patricia at progersop@prodigy.net. Registration deadline for "Choosing a Path that's Right for You" at Sinsinawa is September 19 and at Edgewood College it is September 26.
St. Vincent de Paul evening of reflection
MADISON -- An evening of reflection, sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 401 S. Owen Dr.
Topics to be discussed include: using talents for the community, bringing glad tidings to the poor, seeing Christ in those served, and sharing with others. Attendees are asked to bring a donation of clothing, non-perishable food, time commitment, or treasured item. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 608-231-4600.
Blood drive in Portage
PORTAGE -- Divine Savior Healthcare will sponsor a community blood drive on Friday, Sept. 28, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at Divine Savior Healthcare, suite 100, 2817 New Pinery Rd. (use the northeast entrance).
Blood donated at this blood drive will help patients at Divine Savior Healthcare. All blood types are needed. Call 608-745-6405 to schedule an appointment; walk-ins are welcome.
Catholic Library Association conference
WISCONSIN DELLS -- The Wisconsin Chapter of the Catholic Library Association (CLA) will hold its fall conference on Friday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center, 60 Gasser Rd., Wisconsin Dells. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 800-648-4765 or 608-254-2285.
Events include continental breakfast, prayer, business, and presentations, including: a sneak peek at best books for children and young adults; electronic resources from BadgerLink and local public libraries to NetLibrary's eBooks; building a school library Web site; and the road to publication by children's author Carmela Martino.
All members and non-members of CLA are welcome. For registration, visit www.viterbo.edu/wcla.aspx?id=15576; call 608-845-9868; e-mail vjlarson57@hotmail.com; or write Vikki Larson, WCLA, at 809 Arbor Vitae Pl., Verona, WI 53593.
Support for separated, divorced
SINSINAWA -- "Divorce and Beyond" is a 10-week support program that moves participants through the emotions of their loss to acceptance, healing, and forgiveness. "Divorce and Beyond" was begun by Holy Cross Brother James Greteman and Brother Leon Haverkamp with the intent that Catholics feel welcomed and supported in their church and remain spiritually connected. While the program is from a Catholic perspective, all are welcome.
An informational meeting will be held at Sinsinawa Mound at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3. The 10-week program begins Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and will be led by Bob and Chris Smialek of the Office of Family Life for the Rockford Diocese. The fee for the entire program is $25. There is no registration for the informational session, but registration is required for the program series. Contact Bobbi Gillott at 608-748-4411, ext. 857, for more information.
Grief series to be held
at St. Dennis
MADISON -- Those who are grieving are invited to attend a four-week video series entitled "No One Cries the Wrong Way" to be held Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, and 24, with a group reunion on November 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Dennis Chapel, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison.
Sessions will be facilitated by members of the St. Dennis Grief Ministry team and will include a series of videos narrated by Fr. Joe Kempf, prayer service, group discussion, and refreshments.
There is no fee, but attendance is limited. To register, contact the St. Dennis Parish office at 608-246-5124 by Monday, Oct. 1. For more information, contact Kathy Saunders at 608-222-9558, Pattie Metcalf at 608-222-2173, or Karen Wolf at 608-222-0323.
Contemplative retreat
at abbey
PEOSTA, Iowa -- The monks of New Melleray Abbey, south of Dubuque, Iowa, invite men and women to participate in a four-day retreat designed to focus on how to live a prayerful life in a busy world. "Contemplative Living Retreat: Making Room for Prayer" will be held Monday, Oct. 8, through Friday, Oct. 12, at New Melleray Abbey in Peosta, Iowa.
Cost is $285, which includes four nights lodging, meals, and materials. To obtain a registration form or more information, call 563-588-2319 or visit the abbey's Web site at newmelleray.org Deadline is September 28.
Rock Deanery
CLINTON -- St. Stephen Parish here will host the Rock Deanery fall meeting Thursday, Sept. 27. Theme is "May our Light Shine Today."
Registration is at 9:15 a.m. followed by business meeting at 10. Mass will be offered at 11:45 with Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt as homilist. Luncheon will be served at 12:45 p.m. followed by the program presented by Fr. Sanctus Ibe, host pastor, on "My Journey to the Priesthood."
Reservations are to be sent to Meg Collins, 17 Highland Ave., Edgerton, WI 53544. The cost is $10.
Family planning
classes starting
MADISON -- Find out more about Natural Family Planning (NFP) - family planning that respects a person's fertility and beliefs.
Informational classes on "What is NFP?" will be offered in October and November in the Madison area.
The Couple to Couple League will be offering NFP classes in a three part series, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Paul University Parish, 723 State St., Madison, on Saturday, Sept. 22; Saturday, Oct. 20; and Saturday, Nov. 17. Cost, including all materials, is $75.
Creighton Model introduction classes will be offered from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, on Mondays, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 15, and Oct. 29. Cost is $30 for the class only, $55 with materials.
Marquette and Northwest classes are also available.
For more information on NFP or any of these classes, visit www.madisondiocese.org/nfp or call Jessica Smith at 608-821-3134.
To register for classes, call 608-821-3035 or e-mail Jessica.Smith@straphael.org
Waunakee Mothers
of Preschoolers meeting
WAUNAKEE -- Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 6:45 p.m. Moms with preschoolers, age birth through kindergarten, can come experience support, friendship, and fun. MOPS helps meet the needs of mothers through guest speakers, discussion, and creative activities. This month's topic is "The Living Room: Responding to Your Child's Challenging Behavior."
MOPS meets at St. John the Baptist School, 114 E. 3rd St. in Waunakee, the second Tuesday evening of each month, September through May. For more information, call St. John Parish at 608-849-5121 or Jane at 608-849-5424, or visit www.stjb.org/links.htm and click on "Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)."
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from the pew"
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Forty Days for Life: Begins September 26 in Madison
MADISON -- This fall, from September 26 to November 4, Madison will be uniting with more than 80 cities in 32 states for the largest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in history - the nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign.
Madison will join together with Milwaukee, Appleton, and Green Bay in Wisconsin to hold a 24 hour a day, seven days a week prayer vigil outside of local abortion centers to pray to God for an end to abortion.
Some leaders are saying that, with God's help, this effort could mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America. Forty Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign that has generated measurable lifesaving results in every community where it has been implemented. Some cities have reported as much as a 28 percent drop in local abortion numbers.
What is 40 Days for Life? It is a vigil based on peaceful prayer and fasting, using the biblically significant time period of 40 days. The 40 Days for Life campaign is made up of three key components:
- Prayer and fasting: inviting people of faith throughout the city to join together for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.
Those participating pray for their preborn brothers and sisters who are in danger of loosing their lives in their earliest moments. They pray for those women who feel trapped and alone, and feel abortion is their only option. They pray for those women and men who have already chosen abortion, and are in such need of healing because of their decision. They also
pray for abortion doctors and abortion center staff, for they too are children of the same God who loves them and who longs for their conversion.
It could very well be that abortion is one of those society-wide devils that require people to humble themselves through a disciplined and simultaneous period of fasting. What does it mean to fast? While there are many different methods, fasting ultimately involves saying "no" to oneself. By denying oneself of those legitimate things to which one may have an inordinate attachment, whether it be food or other material goods such as television, persons allow God to work within them more actively and unimpeded.
- Peaceful vigil: standing for life through a 40-day peaceful, prayerful vigil giving public witness outside the local abortion facility, Planned Parenthood, 3706 Orin Rd., Madison.
- Community outreach: taking a positive, upbeat pro-life message to every corner of the city through media efforts, church presentations, flyers, petitions, and public visibility.
People are encouraged to join in the vigil next Wednesday, Sept. 26, outside Planned Parenthood on 3706 Orin Rd., off of Highway 51 in Madison at 6 p.m. for the beginning prayer service for 40 Days for Life. People will be gathering together to begin 40 consecutive days of prayer, keeping a peaceful presence every hour of the day. People are encouraged to come out as often as possible during the prayer vigil to be a witness for life.
For more information, visit Madison's vigil Web site at www.40daysforlife.com/madison For more information regarding the campaign in Wisconsin, visit www.40daysforlifewi.com or call 1-877-LIFE-360.
Diocesan Leadership Days: Registration open
for Oct. 23-24 event
MADISON -- Registration has now been opened for the Diocesan Leadership Days (formerly called Parish Leadership Conference), which will be held at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center Tuesday, Oct. 23, to Wednesday, Oct. 24.
All pastors, parochial vicars, and lay leadership staff are encouraged to attend the conference, which will feature breakout sessions and workshops, a keynote talk, and Mass and Benediction.
Theme of the conference is "Trusting in the Spirit: our Comforter, Our Counselor, Our Advocate." The keynote speaker will be Fr. Dan Felton, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc in the Diocese of Green Bay. The parish was formed by the merger of six Manitowoc Catholic parishes in 2005 into one parish with three worship sites.
Breakout sessions will examine such topics as liturgy, evangelization and religious education, stewardship, office skills, Catholic schools, safe environment, parish outreach, enhancing parish communications, and cemetery concerns.
Focus on planning
This year's session will be particularly important because of its focus on parish planning, coming so soon after the final "Guided by the Spirit" announcements, Bishop Robert C. Morlino wrote in a letter to priests and lay leaders.
"I hope that these upcoming Diocesan Leadership Days will provide an opportunity to come together in our common missions of service to the Church of Southwestern Wisconsin for a time of community, dialogue, and prayer about and for the present and future of the Diocese of Madison.
"Over the course of the past 14 months, our diocese has undertaken the task of planning for its future. . . . I hope that these upcoming Diocesan Leadership Days will provide an opportunity . . . to gather as a diocese and consider an extensive range of areas which may need to be addressed in order to make this transition run as smoothly as possible," the bishop wrote.
"Furthermore, through communal liturgies, a broad array of conferences, and social events, these days will provide parish leadership from throughout the diocese the opportunity to pray together, get to know one another better, and grow in community."
Registration details
Rooms are available at the Bishop O'Connor Center for those requiring overnight accommodations for the Diocesan Leadership Days.
For more information or to register, contact Jill Driscoll of the Office of Stewardship and Development at 608-821-3039 or jdriscoll@straphael.org, or visit www.madisondiocese.org and click on the link under "Upcoming Events" on the main page.
Rural Life Mass:
With bishop on Oct. 4
By Tom Nelson
Take a 20-minute drive out from the center of our capital city of Madison and you will be transported to a place that makes up the majority of our Diocese of Madison - the rural countryside. And all across this beautiful country are rural communities where the food supply that feeds our nation is produced.
Our Rural Life Ministry is directed towards assisting rural faith communities throughout our 11-county Diocese of Madison, as a resource to parishes, pastors, parish staff, and the
parishioners of rural parishes, as well as providing outreach to assist and support the well-being of farmers and farm families.
Every so often I am asked, "Living in the city, why should I care about Rural Life Ministry?" The answer is, "If you haven't eaten in the last two weeks, then what happens on the farm won't matter to you." But for the rest of us daily consumers of the agriculturally produced bounty of our farmers, the health and vitality of our rural communities is critical to our nation's very survival.
Our Rural Life Ministry serves as an advocacy effort for farm justice, with a special emphasis on supporting the spiritual health of our rural parish communities.
Focusing on this emphasis of spiritual needs, Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside at a Rural Life Mass on Thursday, Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, at Holy Rosary Parish in Darlington. The Mass will be held at 1 p.m. (between the morning and late afternoon milking of dairy cows) and will be followed by a Blessing of the Animals. A reception will follow in the parish assembly hall.
All are welcome to drive through some of Wisconsin's most beautiful and productive farmland and support our farmers and rural communities as we gather to pray and bless this year's harvest and to be fed through the Eucharist of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tom Nelson is associate director of the Diocese of Madison's Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach (Rural Life Ministry).
Hope, healing after abortion: Rachel's Vineyard retreat to be held October 12 to 14
By Mary Mead
FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD
MADISON -- The Rachel's Vineyard retreat weekend offers an opportunity away from the pressures of everyday life for participants to focus on the pain in their lives and to begin healing from an abortion experience through a supportive and emotionally safe process.
The painful effects of abortion can include the following: feelings of emptiness and loss;
intense grief or sadness; depression; guilt or remorse; inability to forgive yourself or others; anxiety; intense anger; emotional numbness; shame about your abortion; isolation; insomnia or nightmares; flashbacks; preoccupation with your aborted baby; discomfort around or keen interest in babies; preoccupation with becoming pregnant again; suicidal thoughts; difficulty in relationships; fear that God will punish you; and problems with drugs, alcohol, and eating disorders.
Rachel's Vineyard is a time to ease this suffering, renew hope, and bring healing to the heart and soul. The retreat is a very specific process designed to help one experience the mercy and compassion of God. It is also an opportunity to surface and release repressed feelings of anger, shame, guilt, and grief. There are many exercises to help participants grieve the loss of their children and to receive and accept God's forgiveness.
Witnesses to healing
The following are comments from those who have attended a Rachel's Vineyard retreat:
"I was terrified to take that first step forward and participate in Rachel's Vineyard. It seemed safer to remain hiding in the darkness, keeping the pain locked up deep inside rather than to risk exposing my shame to another soul. Now I am grateful to have experienced God's healing and forgiveness with other women in an atmosphere of complete acceptance and trust. Rachel's Vineyard has been a blessing to me."
"I never knew my wife had suffered so much pain over an abortion she had before I met her. It was a real eye opener to attend the retreat with her and be a support in an area of her life where there was so much secret grief. Our marriage has been truly blessed."
"For 18 years I have been haunted with heavy guilt that no one could take away, tormented by thoughts of what my child would have been like. Through participating in Rachel's Vineyard, I was finally able to forgive myself. I know that God has given me a peaceful mind, cleansed my heart, and washed away my guilt."
Retreat details
This retreat is open to any woman, man, couple, or anyone touched by the pain of abortion.
Rachel's Vineyard strictly respects the confidentiality and privacy of participants. Cost is $120 which includes meals, room, and materials. Financial assistance is available.
The retreat weekend begins Friday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. and concludes Sunday, Oct. 14, at 3
p.m. To receive a brochure or inquire about the retreat contact the Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach at 608-821-3086 or e-mail justiceandpeace@straphael.org or contact Mary at meadmt@sbcglobal.net. Registrations are due Friday, Oct. 5.
The next retreat in Madison will be April 11 to 13, 2008. To contact the national Rachel's Vineyard office call 1-877-HOPE-4-ME or visit www.rachelsvineyard.org
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