• Articles on St. Raphael Cathedral
	News Briefs: Conscience rights focus of bioethics conference April 26 MADISON -- "Conscience Rights for Physicians and Health Care Professionals" will be the focus of the fourth annual Midwest Regional Bioethics Conference Saturday, April 26, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. The conference is sponsored by the Milwaukee Guild of the Catholic Medical Association and the Catholic Physicians' Guild of Chicago. Co-sponsors include the Diocese of Madison and Madison Area Catholic Physicians. The conference will include talks on conscience issues with Wisconsin legislators Rep. Mark Gottlieb and Sen. Glenn Grothman; Fr. John Yockey, Oconomowoc, who has taught moral theology for 30 years; Dr. Thomas Van Gilder, a practicing internist and patent attorney; Tom Brechja, president and chief counsel with the Thomas More Society Pro-Life Law Center, Chicago, Ill.; and Dr. Eugene Diamond, professor of pediatrics at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside and preach at a Mass at 10 a.m. The day will close with a Mass at 5:30 p.m. Registration deadline is April 2. For information, contact Dr. Christine Zainer at 414-771-7962 or milwaukee@wisconsincma.org Catholic women plan spring deanery meetings • Sauk Deanery - Thursday, April 3, afternoon, St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo • East Dane Deanery - Tuesday, April 8, afternoon, St. Mary of the Nativity Parish, Marshall • Lafayette Deanery - Thursday, April 10, afternoon, St. Joseph Parish, Argyle • Madison Deanery - Tuesday, April 15, afternoon, Edgewood College, Madison • Marquette/Green Lake Deanery - Thursday, April 17, afternoon, St. John the Baptist Parish, Montello • Jefferson Deanery - Tuesday, April 22, afternoon, St. Mary Parish, Palmyra • Rock Deanery - Thursday, April 24, afternoon, St. Augustine Parish, Footville • West Dane Deanery - Tuesday, April 29, morning, St. Martin Parish, Martinsville • Grant Deanery - Tuesday, April 29, afternoon, St. John the Baptist Parish, Muscoda • Iowa Deanery - Thursday, May 1, afternoon, Immaculate Conception Parish, Barneveld Sauk Deanery BARABOO -- The Sauk Deanery meeting will be held Thursday, April 3, at St. Joseph Parish here. The theme is "Christ Be our Light." Registration is at 12 noon followed by the luncheon at 12:20 p.m. There will be entertainment at 1 p.m. with the business meeting to follow at 1:30. Guest speakers, at 2:30, will be St. Joseph's Medjugorje Prayer Group. The concelebrated Mass will be offered at 4 p.m. with Fr. Lorin Bowens, Lime Ridge, diocesan moderator as homilist. Reservations are due March 25 to Kathleen Koenecke, 312 Krista Ct., Baraboo, WI 53913. Talk on fair trade and food sovereignty MADISON -- A presentation on "Fair Trade and Food Sovereignty" will be held Thursday, March 27, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Edgewood College, 1000 Edgewood College Dr. It will be presented by John Kinsman and John E. Peck from Family Farm Defenders. The speakers will discuss the growing worldwide movement to reclaim our food system for the benefit of farmers and consumers alike. As they define "food sovereignty," they will share how the choices we make and the foods we eat impact the local and global economy. Kinsman and Peck will share experiences from their January 2008 trip to Mexico as well as from their visit to Mali, Africa, where they joined over 600 delegates from over 90 countries at an unprecedented gathering at the Nyeleni Food Sovereignty Forum in February 2007. Grief series at St. Dennis Parish MADISON -- All those experiencing the loss of a loved one are invited to attend a four-week "Moving through Grief" series to be held at St. Dennis Parish, Madison, on April 2, 9, 16, and 23, with a group reunion to be held on May 14. The series will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the St. Dennis Chapel, 505 Dempsey Rd. These sessions will be facilitated by members of the St. Dennis grief ministry team (Kathy Saunders, Karen Wolf, and Patti Metcalf) and will include team presentations, prayer, small group discussion, handouts, and refreshments. There is no fee but attendance is limited. To register, contact the St. Dennis office at 608-246-5124 by March 31. For more information, contact Saunders at 608-222-9558, Wolf at 608-222-0323, or Metcalf at 608-222-2173. Knights of Columbus Charity raffle MADISON -- The Wisconsin State Council of the Knights of Columbus is selling raffle tickets for its annual charity raffle. The prize-list consists of $135,000 being paid to 45 winners with a first prize of $50,000. The drawing will take place at the state convention on April 26. Tickets can be obtained from any Knight of Columbus in the state at $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. This past year, Knights made charitable donations from their local councils to needy persons in their communities of almost $304,000. In addition, the State Council issued grants to 176 families throughout Wisconsin totalling $216,700. These raffle proceeds also fund vocation efforts. Support groups for loss of a relationship MADISON -- Two local parishes offer peer support groups that provide support to those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship. The groups are open to all ages and faiths. People interested in attending do not need to be a member of the parishes. For information, call 608-663-5011. "Friends on a Journey" meets on the west side from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 401 S. Owen Dr. "New Directions" meets on the east side from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd. Nominate someone for a profile Do you know a person to nominate for a profile? This could be someone in a paid or volunteer position in the Catholic Church. It could be someone working outside the Church who lives his or her faith in ordinary or extraordinary ways in daily life. Send nominations with information about the nominee to: Catholic Herald, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, WI 53719, or e-mail info@madisoncatholicherald.org

Diocese of Madison sees 'Jesus in disguise'

(See also front-page logo.)

The Lenten poster for Catholic Relief Services says, "Through the eyes of faith, the starving child, the believer in jail, and the woman without clean water or health care are not issues, but Jesus in disguise." Blessed Mother Theresa frequently mentioned seeing the people she served as "Jesus in disguise."

The people of the Diocese of Madison have their eyes and hearts open to see through disguises! The generous hearts of people set a new record of raising $115,887.46 in last year's Catholic Relief Services (CRS) collection, a whopping 80 percent more than the previous year. The Office of National Collections took notice and presented an award to Susanna Herro, for the diocese, at the Catholic Social Ministries Gathering, in Washington, D.C. in February.

Operation Rice Bowl, the humble Lenten project where cardboard is folded into a small "rice bowl" to accept Lenten sacrifices, is also part of CRS. People are encouraged to pray, fast, learn about other countries (www.crs.org), and to give of their bounty. While 75 percent of this generous outpouring alleviates hunger in other countries, the remaining 25 percent goes to our neighbors within the 11 counties of our diocese.

Mobile food pantry

A great partnership has developed between the Catholic Charities, Second Harvest, and the Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach. Catholic Charities provides a Mobile Food Pantry to six parishes in the diocese. Each parish provides volunteers one day a month to help distribute the food, but the parish does not need to fundraise, purchase, or store food. All that is taken care of by Catholic Charities and Second Harvest.

Fr. Bart Timmerman is pastor of St. Mary Parish, Bloomington, and St. John Parish, Patch Grove, where he now runs the largest mobile food pantry in Grant County. He said, "It was hard to get started because none of us had run a food pantry before. But through lots of discussion, we decided on where, when, and how. We only served 13 people the first time, but now we're serving over 70 families."

Father Timmerman praises his volunteers and the community for coming together in this venture, "Cindy Busch picked up the ball and did the planning and contacted volunteers. I wouldn't have to do anything, but I help carry groceries because I enjoy being with the people. It gives me a chance to talk to people and extend friendship. I'm inspired by the volunteers and we have such a great time together. We enjoy doing what we do."

The community, on seeing what was happening at St. John Parish in Patch Grove, came together. "The Knights of Columbus, West Grant Lions and Lioness Clubs, parishioners, and people of all ages, children to retirees, all came together to build a distribution center. Langmeier Lumber spearheaded the efforts, drew up plans, made the first donation, and private donors came forward and covered the entire $7,000 cost," explained Father Timmerman.

"I'd definitely recommend the Mobile Food Pantry to other parishes. It is amazing how small it started, but how it's growing. Neighboring parishes are taking up collections, the whole community is involved."

Ministry to the poor

St. John Parish of Patch Grove was awarded a certificate for being one of the top 10 parishes for Operation Rice Bowl donations per registered household in the diocese. The other winning parishes are: St. Mary, Merrimac; St. Augustine, Footville; Immaculate Conception, Kieler; St. Joseph, Argyle; Sacred Heart, Reedsburg (also a sponsor of a Mobile Food Pantry); St. Patrick, Loreto; St. Lawrence, Jefferson; St. Bernard, Middleton; and St. Michael, Dane. The per household gift ranged from $8.18 to $2.89. This shows that little sacrifices add up and make a difference to people's lives.

Catholic Charities will receive a check for $20,000 from Operation Rice Bowl collections, covering the entire cost of bringing the Mobile Food Pantry to participating parishes for a year.

According to Kathy Stellrecht of Catholic Charities, "It is a privilege to be a part of this wonderful ministry to the poor, and it is deeply connected to the mission of Catholic Charities." She reports, "In 2007, 256 tons of food was provided to those in need in our communities. A free nursing clinic was started in December in Palmyra, because people who need food also need medical care. This is yet another way to help people in need. This wonderful gift of $20,000 from people around the diocese to people in the diocese in need, enables the program to expand to other churches in the rural areas of the diocese."

If you see "Jesus in disguise" in your area and want to learn more about establishing a Mobile Food Pantry, contact Kathy Stellrecht at 608-821-3122 or kstellrecht@straphael.org.

To learn more about hunger issues in the diocese or abroad, contact Susanna Herro, Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, WI 53719, at 608-821-3087 or Susanna.Herro@straphael.org

Susanna Herro is director of the Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach in the Diocese of Madison.

Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations

Information on Divine Mercy Sunday

The Second Sunday of Easter was given the title of "Divine Mercy Sunday" in the year 2000 by Pope John Paul II when he canonized St. Faustina. This year Divine Mercy Sunday is observed on March 30.

The Mass readings for the Second Sunday of Easter focus on God's mercy. Many Catholics observe Divine Mercy Sunday by praying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, praying before a Divine Mercy image, and completing a Divine Mercy novena, devotions based on St. Faustina's private visions. Many also receive the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist in Mass, two of the steps needed in order to obtain the plenary indulgence associated with Divine Mercy Sunday.

More information on Divine Mercy Sunday and the plenary indulgence associated with it can be found on the Vatican's Web site at www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/
documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020629_decree-ii_en.html or at www.DivineMercySunday.com

Clinton

CLINTON -- St. Stephen Parish, 716 ShuLar Ln., will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with Adoration, Benediction, and Confession at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.

Darlington

DARLINGTON -- Holy Rosary Parish, 104 E. Harriet St., will have Eucharistic Adoration and Confession from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Divine Mercy Sunday, March 30.

Edgerton

EDGERTON -- St. Joseph Parish, 590 S. St. Joseph Cir., will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with veneration of the image of the Divine Mercy and recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy after the 10:30 a.m. Mass, on Sunday, March 30.

Madison

MADISON -- Divine Mercy Sunday will be observed in Madison at Holy Redeemer Parish, 120 W. Johnson St., on Sunday, March 30, from 3 to 4 p.m. Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer will lead the hour which will include Eucharistic Adoration, prayers, hymns, and the praying of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The hour will end with Benediction. Mass will not be offered at this time. The hour will be bilingual with Eucharistic hymns in Latin.

Divine Mercy Sunday will also be observed by Bishop Robert C. Morlino at his stational Mass at St. Patrick Parish, 404 E. Main St., where he will preside and preach at the 11 a.m. Mass.

McFarland

MCFARLAND -- Christ the King Parish, 5306 Main St., will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and novena prayers after every Mass from Monday, March 24, through Divine Mercy Sunday, March 30 (8:30 a.m. Sunday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, and 5 p.m. Saturday).

Mt. Horeb/ Pine Bluff

MT. HOREB/PINE BLUFF -- The Divine Mercy Chaplet Novena will be prayed daily alternating between St. Mary Parish, 3673 Cty. Trk. P, Pine Bluff, and St. Ignatius Parish, 107 S. 7th St., Mt. Horeb. It will begin at St. Mary Parish on Good Friday, March 21, at 3 p.m. and end Saturday, March 29, at 3 p.m. at St. Mary Parish. The Divine Mercy Sunday Vigil Mass at St. Mary Parish will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, with the Knights of Divine Mercy knighting ceremony following and concluding with a potluck supper in the gym. On Divine Mercy Sunday, March 30, a carpool pilgrimage will go from St. Ignatius and St. Mary Parishes to St. Aloysius Parish in Sauk City for the Divine Mercy Sunday festivities there which begin at 1:30 p.m.

Reedsburg

REEDSBURG -- Sacred Heart Parish, 624 N. Willow St., in Reedsburg will be offering an expanded celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, March 30.

The expanded celebration on Divine Mercy Sunday will begin at 1 p.m. with procession and solemn blessing of the image of the Divine Mercy. The day will include Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet in the church and movie in the gym. The day will end at 3:30 p.m. with social and fellowship in the gym.

Confessions will be heard in the church from 12 noon until 1 p.m. Additional confession times will be held on Wednesday, March 19, and Saturday, March 29.

Free shuttle service, donated by Columbia ParCar of Reedsburg, will be offered between the church and gym during the celebration. Free childcare will also be offered from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

The novena will begin Good Friday, March 21. To maintain the focus on the liturgical celebration of the Triduum, participants are urged to begin the novena at home. For those who wish to start the novena in a group, individuals are invited to Deacon Tom and Sandy Hale's house, 1890 8th St., Reedsburg.

Sauk City

SAUK CITY -- Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, at St. Aloysius Parish, 115 Madison St., and School, 608 Oak St.

The celebration will start at 1:30 p.m. in the school gym, weather permitting. After a short introduction, the group will proceed to the church. Fr. Rick Heilman, founder of the Knights of Divine Mercy and pastor at St. Ignatius Parish, Mt. Horeb, and St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff, will give a short presentation. A holy hour with exposition, Adoration, praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary, and veneration of the Divine Mercy image will also be held. Video programs will also be presented. Confessions will be heard all day. Mass will start at 4:30 p.m.

This is a collaborative effort of the parishes of St. Aloysius, Sauk City and St. Mary, Merrimac. Childcare and refreshments will be available. For more information, call St. Aloysius Parish at 608-643-2449.

Verona

VERONA -- Following the 1 p.m. Good Friday service, the Divine Mercy novena and chaplet will be prayed at St. Andrew Parish, 301 N. Main St., at 3 p.m. Also, the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited on Divine Mercy Sunday, March 30, at 10:15 a.m.