|
 |
|
|
News Briefs:
Microbiologist speaks
at Theology on Tap
on June 26
MADISON -- This month's Theology on Tap will be held on Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at the Brink Lounge in downtown Madison.
Audrey Klingele, a microbiology Ph.D. candidate at UW-Madison, will reflect on the modern discussion about our origins as human beings and the dialogue between faith and science.
Theology on Tap is a monthly speaker series designed for all people in their 20s and 30s, whether Catholic or not, beer drinker or non-beer drinker, where topics regarding faith, culture, and everyday life are addressed.
For more information about Theology on Tap, the speaker, or for directions to the event, visit www.isthmuscatholic.org
Retreats offered at Sinsinawa Mound
SINSINAWA -- Two retreats at being held at the Sinsinawa Mound in early July.
The "Poetry and Spiritual Landscapes" retreat on July 11 to 13 will consider ways of entering a poem and will allow poets, old and new, to amaze retreatants while they illumine minds, widen imaginations, and nourish souls.
Poetry is closely related to prayer. Arising from the same deep source within the human heart, they both give expression to joy, anguish, doubt, wonder, and yearning. Both shed light on the mysteries of living and loving; both offer access to the ultimate mystery of God and of God-made-Flesh.
The retreat will be led by Sr. Kaye Ashe, an author who holds a Ph.D. in the fields of European history, French, literature, and Church history.
From July 11 to 13 Sinsinawa Mound offers "Sacred Dreaming," a retreat that will explore "big" dreams and how they can become a part of prayer life, journal writing, and devotional life. Dreams can bring a deeper faith and openness to life, self, and the mystery of God.
Leader Mary Edwards is a retired mental health counselor and spiritual director who has been involved in dream work for the past 20 years.
The registration deadline for both retreats is July 3, and the fee, which includes meals, is $174 for an overnight guest and $109 for a commuter for each retreat.
To register or for more information, contact guest services at 608-748-4411 or visit www.sinsinawa.org Sinsinawa Mound is located in southwest Wisconsin on Cty. Rd. Z.
St. Clare hosts Walk/Run
BARABOO -- St. Clare Hospital and Health Services, St. Clare Meadows Care Center, and the St. Clare Health Care Foundation are teaming up once again to host the second annual St. Clare 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, July 12. The event is endorsed by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health.
The Walk/Run will begin at 8 a.m. at St. Clare Hospital and Health Services, 707 14th St., in Baraboo. Check-in will begin at 7 a.m. the day of the event. Race packets may also be picked up from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 11, in the hospital's Human Resources Department. Each registered participant will receive a T-shirt and goody bag.
Healthy snacks and water will be provided along the route. For safety reasons, no pets will be allowed in the race or on the hospital grounds. Strollers and wagons may be used, however.
The St. Clare 5K Walk/Run is designed to appeal to both runners and walkers of all fitness levels. Awards will be given to the top three male and female runners in each age group, including 13 and under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-plus. Race results will be posted and awards will be presented immediately after the event.
A nominal fee is being charged to each participant to cover expenses. Early-bird registration (by July 7) is $15 per participant. Registration after July 7 is $18. Registration forms are available by contacting Sue Bergs, St. Clare Hospital and Health Services, at 608-356-1335 or by visiting www.stclare.com
St. Raphael School
class of 1958 holds
50-year reunion
MADISON -- St. Raphael Grade School class of 1958 will hold their 50-year reunion on Saturday, July 26, beginning with a 5:15 p.m. Mass at St. Maria Goretti Church, 5313 Flad Ave. Msgr. Mike Burke will celebrate Mass.
The reunion will continue at Babe's Grill and Bar, 5614 Schroeder Rd., beginning at 6:30 p.m. and continuing into the night.
For more information, or to register, classmates and significant others should contact Tom P. Miller at 608-849-7082; Marylyn (Shipley) Kinney at 608-271-2760; or Ralph J. Tomlinson at 608-274-4750.
Those interested in sharing old St. Ray pictures may send them to Tom Miller at 5520 Salter Court, Waunakee, WI 53597, or tompm@charter.net He will return them. |
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
|
|
|
Dedication of new Waunakee church
Parish honors past and builds for future
By Mary C. Uhler
Catholic Herald Staff
(See also front-page photo.)
WAUNAKEE -- The people of the "only Waunakee in the world" celebrated Father's Day on June 15 in a special way with the dedication of their new church.
Pastor Msgr. Jim Gunn welcomed over 1,000 people gathered by saying, "This is the house that the people of Waunakee have built."
And build it they did. Not only by contributing money, but also by offering their gifts and talents to designing, constructing, and decorating the church itself.
Monsignor Gunn said the parish was committed "to honor, respect, and cherish the past and to build for the future."
Parishioners involved
Many parishioners and area businesses were involved in the eight-year project. Paul Barribeau, lead architect for the project from Groth Design Group, commented, "It turned out absolutely beautiful."
He credited the people of the Waunakee community. "They were helpful and insightful and they did not compromise when it came to quality and symbol."
The parish decided to build the new church 100 feet away from the old church, which will still be used for daily Mass, weddings, and funerals. The color of the stones in the new church are an exact match with the stones in the old church.
Make sure it looks like a church
Monsignor Gunn said members of St. John the Baptist Parish "wanted to make sure the new
church looked like a church." The design fulfills their wishes with a unique blend of traditional and modern elements.
The church has a "large scale," architect Barribeau pointed out. The height of the church exterior is 79 feet and the highest point in the ceiling in the nave is 58 feet.
Large steel trusses, each weighing 17 tons, emulate gothic arches. The trusses were made by Endres Manufacturing in Waunakee, an example of many local businesses involved in the new church.
"Even though it's a huge building, it has intimacy," noted Barribeau, pointing out that the church can accommodate larger and smaller numbers of people.
Unique features
A unique feature is an ambulatory surrounding the assembly of the worship space. A path carries people throughout the perimeter. Stations of the Cross are on the walls of the area, allowing people to meditate on the Stations or perhaps pray the Rosary.
The baptismal font located in the entry to the church is larger than most fonts and is an emersion pool shaped as a cross.
The altar, ambo, and altar of repose were designed by Tami and Brad Nygaard, a husband and wife team who are parishioners. The lumber came from black walnut trees Simon Builders of Waunakee harvested in 1993 from an area on the south side of Madison. The builder said, "I can't think of a better use for this beautiful wood."
Dedication Mass
At the Dedication Mass, Monsignor Gunn thanked many of those involved with the project. Besides those mentioned in this article previously, some of those cited included Findorff Construction of Madison, general contractors; the Village of Waunakee for its support; Stemper Company; Blessed Art for a model of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem; and the Mary and Don Hoffman family for landscaping assistance.
The Dedication Mass started one hour later because Bishop Robert C. Morlino was stalled in traffic after celebrating a Mass for flood victims in Wisconsin Dells. After apologizing for the delay, the bishop thanked the people for their patience. "Congratulations to everyone here for this beautiful temple and monument of faith," he said.
He also thanked all the priests attending the Mass, including priest sons and those who have served at the parish. "In a most special way I have to thank Monsignor Gunn for his leadership," said the bishop. The pastor was given a standing ovation.
During the dedication rite, the bishop anointed the altar and 12 places in the church with Holy Chrism as a reminder that the Church is built on the foundation of the faith of the 12 apostles. Candles placed near these spots will be lit on high holy days and the anniversary of the church's dedication.
In his homily, the bishop reminded the parishioners that although the church is beautiful, "we judge it by the living stones of the living faith" of the people. Parishioners are "nourished and strengthened" in the church and must let the light of Christ shine forth to "bring the fullness of truth" to the world, he said.
Lake Delton
flood victims
Faith and good will help family cope with loss
of dream home
By Mary C. Uhler
Catholic Herald Staff
WISCONSIN DELLS -- Faith and the good will of many people have helped Liz and Tim Fromm cope with the tragic loss of their dream home in Lake Delton.
Flash floods in the normally serene lake ripped the Fromms' house off its foundation on June 9 and swept it away, along with most of the family's possessions. They've lost their house and land, but they still have to pay property taxes and make mortgage payments. And they were not eligible for flood insurance.
Focus on the positive
Yet, the Fromms are trying to "focus on the positive," said Tim in a telephone interview. "I keep reminding the kids and Liz that we have our lives. Everything happens for a reason. We have to stay close to the church and be as positive as possible."
The Fromms are members of St. Cecilia Parish in Wisconsin Dells, as are their former neighbors on Lake Delton, Tina and Tom Pekar. The Pekars lost over half of their house in the flooding.
In fact, Tim Fromm made sure the Pekars evacuated their home as the waters continued to rise on June 9. "I knocked on their door at 2 p.m. and said, 'We're going to flood. Please leave.' They packed up one suitcase and left," Tim recalled.
Tim and his father, Tom Fromm, had owned the house on Lake Delton as a summer place. Two years ago, Tim bought his father's share of the house and decided to make it his family's permanent home. The Fromms have three daughters: Amber, 9; Ashley, 6; and Allie, 2.
"We just had a birthday party on June 7 for Ashley," Tim said. Ironically it was a beach party. "We knew the water was already rising that day," Tim remembers.
'Had a bad feeling'
On Sunday, June 8, Tim said the family went to 8 a.m. Mass at St. Cecilia's. "When I shook Monsignor's (Msgr. Felix Oehrlein, pastor) hand after church, I almost asked him to come out and bless our property. I had a bad feeling in my stomach all day."
Tim got two truckloads of sand and built a barrier wall around the beach. "I bought 120 sandbags at Menard's," he said. "Friends helped. Everybody pitched in.
"It was our last line of defense. We were just exhausted," said Tim.
As a precaution, the Fromms moved most of their stuff up to the second floor of their house. Tim kept checking the water level and finally decided to evacuate his wife and daughters to his parents' house near Christmas Mountain.
"My dad and I stuck around and watched the water. It kept coming and coming. I prayed, 'Please, God, stop this rain.' I had a horrible feeling. The water came over the sandbags and breached our property."
Tim decided to grab a few things, including computers, the kids' video games, passports, and a change of clothes. He took these things to his parents' home, then drove back for more clothes and some of Ashley's birthday presents.
"There was still no water in the house yet. I felt pretty good but was still concerned," he said.
Disaster struck
Then disaster struck. Flash floods turned the once picturesque Lake Delton into a churning river. One of the rental houses on Lake Delton was swept away. A second house went into the water. "We left before our house was gone," Tim said.
Although they didn't see their home swept away, it was captured on TV news cameras. The scene played over and over as a symbol of the flooding disaster in the Midwest.
Tremendous good will
Although it has been a horrible experience, Tim said the response from people has been wonderful. "It has been incredible. There has been tremendous good will."
One of his friends set up a Web site, www.deltonfloodvictims-frommfamily.com, at which people can make online donations. A fund has also been established at the Bank of Wisconsin Dells.
Tim's company, Vi-John, and the parent company, Berkshire, have made large donations. Many Wisconsin Dells area businesses have also helped, including Mt. Olympus and the Great Wolf Lodge.
Tom Holtz of the Renaissance/Rhapsody Resorts offered to provide furnished condos for both the Fromms and Pekars. "I had never met Tom before," said Tim.
Parishioners help family
Parishioners at St. Cecilia's and other friends have stepped up, providing clothes for the girls.
Tim said that Dave Kordell of the St. Cecilia's staff met with his family. "He showed us he cared," he said.
"We've got an uphill battle," Tim admitted. "It was our dream home and it's gone. It's been taken away. But we've been blessed with good fortune. With the right attitude and hard work, we'll get back."
Parish helps victims
Monsignor Oehrlein said St. Cecilia Parish has been taking a second collection to help the flood victims. The parish has also set up a St. Cecilia Parish Lake Delton Fund. "I want to thank the people and a number of priests who have sent money. It was very gratifying to hear of their concern," said the pastor.
On June 14 the parish held a Liturgy of Thanksgiving that no one died in the flooding. The parish is also offering support groups with the help of Catholic Charities. "We intend to keep offering these support groups as reality sets in," said Monsignor Oehrlein.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino offered a Mass on June 15 at St. Cecilia's. The bishop was impressed by the sense of hope shown by those affected by the floods.
Although Tim Fromm was out of town that weekend, he said his father Tom was able to shake Bishop Morlino's hand after the Mass. "My dad was pleased to hear the bishop say how the flooding touched him and that he's saying special prayers for us."
What the future holds
As for the future, Tim Fromm still has his job as a salesman. He has his family and his faith. Yet, he can't rebuild his home because his property is gone.
The man-made Lake Delton is not expected to be filled in until next year, although restoration of the lake began June 20 with construction of a temporary dam to prevent further erosion.
Tim has been writing letters to government officials urging them not to forget about him and his family and all the others suffering from the flooding.
People interested in helping the Fromms may send contributions to the Web site, the bank fund, or St. Cecilia Parish. Direct donations may be sent to: Timothy Fromm, 341 Old Cty. A, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.
Tim noted: "Even though our house and land are gone, we still have our mailing address."
Agriculture damage sustained
By Ben Emmel
Catholic Herald Intern
|
Relief collection to be held
The diocese released the following message concerning the floods and storms:
"Last week, the seldom-convened Diocesan Disaster Response Committee met.
"As part of that meeting it has been proposed, and approved, that parishes consider taking up second collections the Sundays of June 29th and/or July 6th, at the pastor's discretion, for assistance to area flood victims.
"The local efforts of Catholic Charities and area St. Vincent de Paul Societies, as well as other local first responders will receive the funds to attend to the immediate needs of those affected.
"If your parish takes up this second collection, please consider giving generously to the needs of those affected by this tragedy. If you would like to give to this relief effort directly, please send your donation to the Diocese of Madison, Flood Relief, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, WI 53719.
"Your donations will help provide the immediate food, clothing, bedding, and other physical, as well as some counseling, needs in the affected areas.
"Additional assessments are necessary to determine the short and long-term needs of victims. As these needs are assessed, additional resources will be made available.
"The Rural Life Office will continue to assess the situation, work closely with Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, and other charitable groups to assist as many people as possible. Likewise, the diocese's Rural Life Office will keep the bishop, his offices and you updated in this ongoing efforts. Our diocesan efforts to address the needs of those affected will not only attempt to meet the immediate needs, but also address the long-term devastation this tragedy will cause. If you have questions, concerns or helpful information please feel free to contact the Rural Life Office at 608-821-3093.
"Please keep all individuals, farms, and communities affected in your prayers."
|
|
Related:
|
|
The recent storms and floodwaters that have raged across the Midwest have left a path of destruction across much of southern Wisconsin. Rural towns and villages have been among the most damaged areas, including the destruction on the farms of the local communities.
Tom Nelson, rural life coordinator for the Diocese of Madison, said that farms in the flood plain have in particular sustained heavy damage, as low ground is especially rich in nutrients needed for agricultural use.
Corn and soybeans losses in particular have been heavy, he says. "Any corn or soybeans which is under water for more than 24 hours is drowned," Nelson remarked. Many fields that have standing water have sustained a total crop loss, and cannot be replaced due to the planting seasons.
Loss of livestock feed
Another concern is the loss of crop used for silage, the source of feed for livestock in the winter. Because of this, "all of our major meats will be threatened by lack of food, and early slaughter," Nelson reported.
In addition to material losses in fields and farms, damaged roads and bridges have left many unable to access their property for maintenance. A washed-out driveway, for example, will prevent a farmer from using machinery to repair any damage done to his land.
"Even with hills, the water still flowed off the hillsides, creating ruts and gullies that can tip tractors," leading to concerns for farmer safety, Nelson said.
"The biggest thing now is repairing the infrastructure which has already begun to happen," he said.
Economic loss in millions
The states affected by the storms, including Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa, are known as primary producers of food crops in the United States. Because of the high yield normally expected from these areas, the economic damage from the agricultural losses will be heavy.
Robin Engel for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture said, while the US Congress is currently considering a $480 million bill for flood relief in the Midwest, only a very small portion will be used for farmer relief.
"It is probably going to be the smaller farmers who will need the most assistance in recovering, " Engel said. Preliminary reports put Wisconsin agricultural damage at over $145 million.
|
