• Articles on St. Raphael Cathedral
	News Briefs: Demolition of cathedral scheduled, mementos will be available Updated: 8/28/2008 MADISON -- The permit for the demolition of the remains of St. Raphael Cathedral has been issued for work to begin July 21. The cathedral steeple has already been removed and put into storage. The City of Madison granted the Diocese of Madison permission to raze the rest of the structure because of safety concerns. On Saturday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8 am to 12 noon at the cathedral site, fragments of cathedral stone will be available for members or former members of the cathedral parish to take as a keepsake. For those who would like one or more full stones, a donation is requested to cover cost of the removal (update). For more information, contact the parish office at 608-257-5000. The two side mosaics in the cathedral were able to be removed for preservation, but the central mosaic of St. Raphael and Tobias was not able to be separated from the block wall on which it was built. Msgr. Kevin Holmes, rector of the Cathedral Parish, said that the hope is to be able to replicate the mosaic using samples of the original piece. Diocesan Family Picnic to be held on August 17 MADISON -- All families of the Diocese of Madison are invited to attend the Diocesan Family Picnic to be held at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. The third annual event will again feature great food and fun games, live music, and an address by Bishop Robert C. Morlino. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with other families and celebrate the Family of God. The picnic is being sponsored by the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Knights of Divine Mercy. For more details or to register your family, go to www.madisoncatholic.org/ OEC/picnic/ or call Marie Lins at 608-821-3160. Spiritual Feast features Steve Ray MADISON -- This year's Spiritual Feast, titled "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations," will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., in Madison. Featured speaker is Steve Ray, a Catholic author, apologist, speaker, Relevant Radio guest, and businessman. He will speak on conversion, evangelization, and the Year of St. Paul. The day will begin with registration at 8 a.m. and concludes with Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert C. Morlino at 4 p.m. Throughout the day there will be inspiring talks, music, book sales, and fellowship. The opportunity to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available over the lunch period as well as the opportunity to receive individual prayers provided by prayer teams after the Mass. Pre-registration is $25 or $30 at the door. Box lunches may be purchased for $9.50 by those who pre-register by August 9. Other options for lunch are to bring your own or visit nearby restaurants. There are overnight rooms available at the O'Connor Center with advanced registration. Dorm rooms with twin beds and one person in room are $28 per night or two people in a room are $33 per night and full rooms with one full-sized bed are $44 per night. Checks may be mailed and are payable to: CCR, 214 Sauk Creek Dr., Madison, WI 53717-1818. Spiritual Feast is sponsored by the Madison Diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal. For more information, call 608-833-6560 or e-mail jck@charter.net Due date for pre-registration is August 9. Beloit Catholic High all-class reunion BELOIT -- A small group of Beloit Catholic High School alumni is hosting an all-class reunion next month for all alumni, family, friends, and boosters on Saturday, Aug. 2. There will be a golf outing at Blackhawk starting at 10 a.m. and a Beloit Snappers deck party (all you can eat and drink) starting at 6 p.m. Request a registration form and ticket price information by sending an e-mail to bchalumni@yahoo.com before July 19. NFP talks: 'Think Outside the Pill' CAMBRIDGE/EDGERTON -- Is the world overpopulated? Has the pill improved marriages and the dignity of woman in greater society? Come listen to a talk by diocesan Family Planning Coordinator Jessica Smith which will address those questions and more. She'll discuss the fruits of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and dispel the myths of the pill and other contraceptives. Two talks will be given on Sunday, July 27: one at St. Pius X Parish, Cambridge, at 9:45 a.m. and the other at St. Joseph Parish, Edgerton, at 11:45 a.m. Babysitting will be available at both locations. For more information, contact Fr. William Vernon at 608-423-3015 or Jessica Smith at 608-821-3134. Natural Family Planning class MADISON -- A three-class series from the Couple to Couple League teaching the sympto-thermal method of Natural Family Planning will be offered Saturdays, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, and Oct. 11, at the Bishop O'Connor Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Cost is $135 which includes materials. Babysitting is available. Contact Jessica Smith, at nfp@straphael.org or 608-821-3134 to register. Vacation Bible School at St. Aloysius, Sauk City SAUK CITY -- Children entering preschool through fifth grade in the coming school year are invited to St. Aloysius Parish here for POWER LAB Vacation Bible School 2008 Monday, Aug. 4, through Friday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Each day will include crafts, snacks, games, Bible stories, music, and more. Cost is $20/child ($40 max/family). Register online at www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/ myvbs/stals or by calling 608-643-2449. Anyone interested in volunteering may register as a volunteer on the Web site or by phone. Support sought for seminarian Brewers game outing MADISON -- On Friday, Aug. 8, seminarians from the Diocese of Madison will be treated to a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Participants will be leaving the Bishop O'Connor Center at 2 p.m. from the front lobby. The game against the Washington Nationals will begin at 7:05 p.m. after the tailgate party. Joining them will be staff of the diocesan Office of Vocations; priests who have mentored seminarians this summer; and members of the Serra Clubs of Madison and Janesville and the Southwest Vocations Club. A bus ride and tailgate party precede the game. The baseball game is a "summer send-off" to the seminarians before they head back to school. If you are interested in attending the tailgate party and game there will be a limited number of tickets available for $50 per ticket. Contact Erik Bakk at the vocations office at 608-821-3115 or erik.bakk@straphael.org People are invited to sponsor a seminarian or priest for the game. Cost is $50 per person, but any contribution is welcome. Send checks payable to Serra Club of Madison to Office of Vocations, 702 S. High Point Rd. Madison, WI 53719. Father Pacholczyk to speak in Milwaukee MILWAUKEE -- The 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae will be celebrated in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on Saturday, July 26, with a 9 a.m. Mass and subsequent conference by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk, Ph.D. Father Pacholczyk, director of education for the National Catholic Bioethics Center, will present "Humanae Vitae at 40: Contemporary Challenges -- Stem Cell Research in Light of Humanae Vitae." For details, e-mail LoCocol@archmil.org Office of Vocations Respect Life Vigil MADISON -- The Office of Vocations of the Diocese of Madison is sponsoring a Respect Life Vigil outside the Planned Parenthood facility on 3706 Orin Rd. in Madison. There will also be Eucharistic Adoration at St. Peter Parish, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., running concurrently. The vigil will be held on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The seminarians from the diocese will be present throughout the vigil. All are welcome to participate by attending adoration or the prayer vigil outside Planned Parenthood. To commit to a time of adoration or prayer, contact Erik Bakk at the Office of Vocations at 608-821-3115 or erik.bakk@straphael.org Peer support groups MADISON -- Two local parishes offer peer support groups providing support to those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship. Friends on a Journey meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 401 S. Owen Dr. New Directions meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 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 responds
to flood victims
Catholic Charities experts lend a hand

MADISON -- Two experts from Catholic Charities USA are visiting the Diocese of Madison to work with the diocesan Disaster Response Committee to assess and address the needs of many suffering from the effects of recent floods.

	Diocese responds to flood disaster The Diocese of Madison is compiling information on a disaster response Web site (linked from the diocesan homepage at: www.madisondiocese.org) and will continue to add information on this site as it is known. Other diocesan efforts underway include: • The call for petition prayers to be offered at all parishes for all those affected. • The naming of Tom Nelson, director of the diocesan Rural Life Office, as the interim disaster response coordinator. • Encouraging parishes to consider taking up second collections for assistance to area flood victims. Distribution of the funds will be carefully considered so as to assist the maximum number of persons affected. Funds collected by the diocese will pay for services offered by Catholic Charities in affected communities. • If anyone would like to give to this relief effort directly, send donations to the Diocese of Madison, Flood Relief, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, WI 53719. If you have questions, concerns, or helpful information, contact Tom Nelson in the Rural Life Office at 608-821-3093.
	Related items ... from 7/17/2008 Web edition: • Column: FEMA, state officials seeking solutions • Audrey Fixmer Column: Looking for the rainbow • Editorial: Dig deep to help flood victims from 6/26/2008 Web edition: • Lake Delton flood victims • Sidebar: How to help the Fromms • Agriculture damage sustained • Sidebar: Relief collection to be held • Editorial: Flood victims -- Don't forget them after the water recedes from 6/12/2008 Web edition: • New Since the Print Edition coverage

Ten of the 11 counties of the diocese have been designated federal disaster areas by the federal government, noted Tom Nelson, chairman of the diocesan Disaster Response Committee.

"Columbia, Sauk, Jefferson, and Rock Counties are the areas most heavily hit by the flooding," Nelson said. "We are working with the experts from Catholic Charities to help provide disaster relief."

National disaster experts

Kimberly J. Burgo is senior director of Catholic Charities USA's Disaster Response Office headquartered in Alexandria, Va. She has experience working with victims of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters around the country.

Accompanying her is Gabe Tischler, a Catholic Charities consultant from the Searcy County Office of Emergency Management in Arkansas. Just this year, Tischler had to deal with the aftermath of two tornadoes and a flood that ripped through his county, leaving 123 miles of destruction.

Burgo said Catholic Charities USA's goal is to support local Catholic Charities offices in responding to a disaster. "Initially we set up resource sites for food distribution and provide vouchers. Then we move into longer-term efforts in cleaning, gutting, and providing counseling," she said.

Catholic Charities works with everyone in the affected communities, Burgo noted, to "create a Catholic church response to everybody in need. Catholic Charities tries to utilize parish volunteers, priests, staff, and existing structures in its disaster response."

Victims look for help

Burgo observed that disaster victims generally seek help initially from family and friends. "However, a month or so later, the victims are returning to their homes. Now is the time when people come out of the woodwork," she said. "This is when assistance is needed."

Victims of the recent floods can turn to the federal government by contacting FEMA (1-800-621-3362 or www.fema.gov), the Red Cross, insurance companies, or other state and local agencies. However, not everyone qualifies for assistance from these entities. That's where the Catholic Church enters the picture.

Burgo explained that the Diocese of Madison, with the assistance of Catholic Charities expertise, will be setting up resource centers in key locations in the diocese to help fill people's unmet needs. Mobile food pantries will provide food and vouchers in the form of cash cards will help people pay for utilities, utensils, and other household items they need.

Resource center in Spring Green

The first resource center will be opened in Spring Green on Wednesday, July 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Spring Green Town Hall. It will be open Thursday and Friday, July 17 and 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a mobile food pantry available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"An assessment will be made if the center will be open the next week at the same hours," said Nelson.

Nelson emphasized that the resource centers will provide assistance to people throughout the area, not just those in the immediate geographical area.

Long-term assistance

"Recovery doesn't happen overnight," Burgo emphasized. "Donations will be needed for at least the next six months. After the floods are no longer on the front page of the papers, donations will be needed."

"That's when the Catholic Church can play a large role to remember those people in the long term," added Tischler.

Catholic Charities will be providing mental health counseling, too. Burgo said there are people in the Diocese of Madison still suffering from homes lost in the flooding of 1993. "There are even people up here who are Katrina victims," she noted. "It's important to pay attention to their trauma."

Diocese answers
charges made in lawsuit

MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison has answered the charges made in a lawsuit filed June 6 in the Circuit Court of Dane County by Phoenix Fundraising Counsel, LTD, a firm retained by the diocese to conduct a "Feasibility Study" to help determine the ways and means of funding various diocesan projects, including the building of a cathedral to replace St. Raphael Cathedral, which was destroyed by an arson fire in 2005.

Both the lawsuit filed by Phoenix Fundraising by its attorney, Axley Byrnelson, and the response by the diocese through its attorney, Lathrop & Clark, are matters of public record. The Wisconsin State Journal and other local media have reported on the lawsuit and the response.

Signed contract for Feasibility Study

The diocese said it signed a contract with Phoenix Fundraising, based in Madison, on August 23, 2007, to conduct the study. Phoenix Fundraising alleged that the diocese requested that Phoenix Fundraising and Dr. John H. Richert, Phoenix president and CEO, provide "exclusive service" to the diocese during the Feasibility Study. The diocese has denied that it requested this exclusivity "or that Dr. Richert agreed to such a request and alleges instead that two members of the Diocesan Finance Council made it clear that John Richert would have to commit to personal involvement in the capital campaign."

In the lawsuit, Phoenix Fundraising alleges that Bishop Robert C. Morlino asked the firm to turn over "confidential data, including the names of specific priests who had expressed concerns or registered complaints about Bishop Morlino during the survey process."

However, the Diocese of Madison said that "all responses were considered to be confidential by Bishop Morlino and the Diocese." Further, the diocese "specifically denies that any parishioner or priest who resided or worked in The Diocese of Madison had any reason to feel repercussions from Bishop Morlino as a result of any comments which may have been made in connection with the Feasibility Study."

The diocese asserted that "Bishop Morlino's only interest was whether or not the campaign was feasible not what individuals, be they parishioners or priests, held what particular opinions. Any repercussions by reason of any comments which may have been made in connection with the Feasibility Study would have been totally inconsistent with Bishop Morlino's intentions."

Work on capital campaign

Phoenix Fundraising alleged that the diocese instructed the company to begin work on the capital campaign. However, the diocese denies that there was an agreement for services for Phoenix Fundraising to begin a campaign. The diocese said an agreement for services "was never executed by the Diocese since the parties never reached a meeting of the minds on crucial provisions of any contract." In addition, Bishop Morlino was of the "firm opinion that 'more feasibility [study] was needed' to determine whether the campaign was feasible."

The diocese did not hire Phoenix to conduct the campaign because it believed "that Dr. Richert and Phoenix Fundraising were not prepared to accept all of their direction from the Diocese through its proper leadership" and that "they were responding to interests other than the Diocese which had retained them."

Further, the diocese said it "was not satisfied with the performance of Phoenix Fundraising in conducting the Feasibility Study and in its relationship with Diocesan personnel and therefore decided it should look elsewhere for an entity to conduct the campaign."

The Diocese of Madison paid Phoenix Fundraising $120,000 for its services in connection with the Feasibility Study. The diocese also committed to "negotiate further payment for additional feasibility work done at the request of the Diocese."

Phoenix contends that the diocese offered to pay Phoenix $350,000, but the diocese denies this allegation.

The Diocese of Madison and Phoenix Fundraising reached an agreement not to discuss the lawsuit publicly. The diocese issued a brief statement saying, "We simply ask that you pray for everyone involved in the recent lawsuit filed against the diocese and that you withhold judgment in this, and every incident, where not all the facts are known to everyone. As a diocese, let us also pray together for a fair and just resolution to this and all legal disputes."

Apostolate to hold
day in Dells

WISCONSIN DELLS -- The Summer Day for the Handicapped will be held in Wisconsin Dells again this year on Friday, Aug. 22, at the Tommy Bartlett Water Show site.

"We all know that our good friends at the Dells have suffered a great deal of damage due to the flooding waters. And this year, more than ever, we should show our love, compassion, and solidarity with them and be with them as support and strength," said Msgr. Tom Campion, director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped.

"They will put on a great show for us," he promised. "Tom Diehl and his wonderful staff have put together a great, entertaining show. It will be different, as it will not be the 'water show,' but it will be thrilling and exciting and a thing of beauty and fun for us."

The day's events will begin at 11 a.m. with a concelebrated Mass with 20 priests of the diocese. Following this, there will be a lunch and the all new and different show.

To make a reservation, write Monsignor Campion at Box 443, Monroe, WI 53566. Transportation will be furnished whenever possible, if you need a ride.

"We owe it to the wonderful people of the Wisconsin Dells to be with them," said Monsignor Campion. "They have had a great tragedy and loss. And they need our support and we will all have a good time as we have in the past."

He added, "The Dells trip is about handicapped people getting together. It is about sharing ourselves with others as they share with us. It is about praying together in God's great outdoors. It is about having a fun time. It is about people who care. It will be good for us and a great sign of strength and hope to the people at the Dells.

"Let's have the biggest crowd ever at the Tommy Bartlett Water Show on August 22. Make your reservation today. There is no cost to anyone as expenses are always paid by friends of the Apostolate to the Handicapped," he said.

St. Jude Parish centennial
Parish highlights century of faith with a two-day celebration

BELOIT -- A grand historic event of joy, proud memories, and prayers of thanksgiving to God for 100 years of faith and service highlighted the recent two-day centennial celebration at St. Jude Parish.

By a proclamation from the City of Beloit, June 22, 2008, was declared "St. Jude Recognition Day." The commendation, presented by City Councilman Chad Murry, acknowledged the century of commitment at St. Jude Parish and its important role in the educational and spiritual life in the Greater Beloit area.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino was principal celebrant at the Sunday afternoon Mass followed by a gala banquet and program at the Eclipse Center. A day earlier, on Saturday, parish history and the 81st anniversary of Brother Dutton Grade School took place with an open house and all school reunion.

School open house

Among the many Brother Dutton School alumni who attended the open house was Bishop John C. McNabb, bishop emeritus of Chulucanas, Peru.

Viewed by dozens of visitors was the St. Jude Historical Pictorial exhibit made up of photographs, news articles, and other memorabilia of the past 100 years. It was displayed in 10 classrooms at Brother Dutton School.

The exhibit was compiled and organized under the leadership of parishioner Clarence Landry and a group of volunteers. It featured 322 individual timeline panels depicting all the significant events in the parish. Additional photo displays featured parish priests, sisters, and families.

Noting that planning for the centennial has been ongoing for almost three and a half years, St. Jude Pastor Fr. Steve Kortendick said, "I'm amazed at all the wonderful and great amount of work that has been done by all the people to make our centennial possible."

Chair of the centennial steering committee, Rita Macewicz, said dozens of volunteers contributed to the joyous event.

"We've had tremendous teamwork and I believe that has made our parish bond," she said.

Centennial Mass

Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Morlino were Father Kortendick and three priest sons of the parish: Msgr. William DeBock, Fr. Monte Robinson, and Fr. Tom Gillespie. Also concelebrating were two former pastors: Fr. William Connell and Msgr. Terrence Connors. Fr. Brian Dulli, who served as an intern at the parish while a seminarian, also concelebrated. Msgr. James Bartylla was master of ceremonies.

St. Jude musicians provided music for the Mass. They include: cantor, Sara Siekierski; St. Jude choir directed by David Wiliams; organist Ken Bach; horn, Dan Mackey; and keyboard, Miriam Williams.

Bishop Morlino blessed the St. Jude Remembrance Garden and a pro-life bench following the Mass.

Expressing her innate joyful nature, St. Jude Pastoral Associate Sr. Joselda Kuhle welcomed the large gathering of parishioners and friends to the centennial Mass. She expressed gratitude to all those who made the St. Jude 100th anniversary possible.

"We welcome all of you who are an inspirational part of St Jude parish. We joyfully thank God for 100 years of faith," she said.

Serving as the honor guard were St. Thomas Council Knights of Columbus and eight women representing the St. Jude Marian Guild CCW. The group, organized in 1911, was recognized for its 87 years of continuous service to the parish.

Also honored were three Sisters who are daughters of past or current parishioners: Sr. Anita Henning, Sr. Carla Crave, and Sr. David Ennis, all Sisters of St. Agnes.

Also attending were former St. Jude pastoral associate, Dominican Sister Rose Marie Dischler, and Sr. Charlotte Smits, who taught at Brother Dutton School.

Reception and banquet

The reception and banquet included music by the Jack Farina Combo and singing of "Dona Nobis Pacem" by four daughters of Rita and Edmund Macewicz: Kathryn Hackmey, Jacksonville, Fla.; Janet Camel, St. Ignatius, Mont.; Mary Sandridge, Huntsville, Ala.; and Debra Bender, Sussex, Wis.

A certificate of commendation was read from officers of government: State Senator Judy Robson, State Representative Chuck Benedict, and State Representative Kim Hixon.

Anecdotal narratives gleaned from a forthcoming centennial history of St. Jude Parish were presented by Sarajane Crave, Bob Seidel, Pat Stauffer, Tom Sennett, and M. Elizabeth Tardola, the author of the history. "It gives a flavor of each 25-year period of St. Jude Parish," said Tardola.

The history book will be published in August. Tardola said, "It's made possible by a generous donation from Crave Brothers of Waterloo - Charles, George, Thomas, and Mark - whose great-grandfather, Peter Crave, was a parish charter member."

Father Kortendick expressed heartfelt words of gratitude to the chair of the Centennial Steering Committee, Rita Macewicz, and the dozens of volunteers. "I thank God for all incredible gifts of the past century; for all the gifts in future. It's been an exciting past three and one-half years of preparation," he said. "It took a lot of people 100 years ago to get the parish on its feet. All of us now can continue as a vibrant lively Catholic presence and ministry in the stateline area," stated Kortendick.

Macewicz acknowledged the work of all the parish volunteers and donors for their time and talent. She paid tribute to the longtime service, spirit, and devotion of the Marian Guild by presenting an honorary plaque to its president, Sandra Adamsky.

Adamsky announced that Rita Macewicz, retiring president of WCCW and longtime active in church and community activities, has received national recognition as a nominee from Region One NCCW to be awarded the prestigious Our Lady of Good Counsel Award. One of three nominees will be given the award in September.