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	News Briefs: Parish Leadership Day to be held on October 21 MADISON -- Parish Leadership Day will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The event will be a one-day exploration of forgiveness and reconciliation both as a sacrament of the Church and as a practical necessity in the post 9/11 world. A keynote address will be given by Bishop Paul J. Swain of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, S.D. Bishop Swain will reflect on the Sacrament of Reconciliation from the perspective of a convert, a priest, and a bishop. He will also share, in a personal way, the role of the sacrament in his own life and ministry. A second keynote address will be given by Dr. Robert Enright, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Enright is in conversation with the United Nations in hopes of promoting strategies for successful reconciliation between nations and cultures previously at odds or even at war. Long standing animosity requires a process driven approach that allows for the articulation of grievances, the investigation of solutions, the accountability of all parties, the commitment to forgiveness, and restoration of trust. The afternoon session will be a panel discussion with Bishop Swain, Dr. Enright, Bishop Robert C. Morlino, and others to discuss how the Sacrament of Reconciliation must lead individuals to examine themselves in light of the truth of the Gospel. Are we really people driven by truth; do we sincerely seek peaceful resolution to our differences in our personal relationships, in our working relationships, and in the secular world? A look at the different models for forgiveness and reconciliation presented will show how the model for the individual is an essential mindset before the work on nations and cultures can come to fruition. The day will give the opportunity to come together as a diocese in the spirit of forgiveness and truth. It will allow Catholics to challenge themselves and each other to become more truly Catholic and how taking up that challenge can impact peace in the home, in the diocese, and in the world. More information on the 2008 Parish Leadership Day will be coming soon. Course on St. Paul at Oregon parish OREGON -- Holy Mother of Consolation Parish in Oregon will be offering an eight-week course on St. Paul during September and October. It will cover the missionary journeys of St. Paul, during which Paul started to write the New Testament. Beginning on September 3, the evening classes will be on the New Testament with St. Paul. The morning classes will be held after Mass at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. Fee is $20, which covers the workbook and Reading the New Testament by Pheme Perkins. Those interested in attending should contact Sr. Mary Frost at hmocpm@charter.net or 608-835-5763. Self-management diabetes course BARABOO -- St. Clare Hospital, Baraboo, has a self-management course for people with diabetes that helps them to better control the disease. The Living with Diabetes course is held on four consecutive Mondays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Clare Hospital. After the course is completed, group follow-up classes are scheduled at three months. To enroll in the September sessions or for more information, call Melanie Mielke at 608-356-1510. Blood drive in Waterloo WATERLOO -- A Waterloo community blood drive will be held on Friday, Aug. 22, from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph School gym, 387 S. Monroe St. For an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit givebloodgivelife.org Stewardship Office offers workshops MADISON -- The Stewardship and Development office of the Diocese of Madison will be offering the following programs the last week in August: • The Parish Time, Talent, and Treasure Program - For parishes adding the time and talent components to last year's offertory program • The Parish Offertory Program Refresher Course - For parishes renewing the offertory program from last year • The Parish Offertory Program - For parishes wanting to start out with the offertory program Scheduled workshops are as follows: • Monday, Aug. 25, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove: Offertory Refresher • Monday, Aug. 25, 6 to 8 p.m. - St. John Vianney Parish, Janesville: Time Talent Treasure and Offertory Refresher • Tuesday, Aug. 26, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - St. Cecelia Parish, Wisconsin Dells: Time Talent Treasure and Offertory Refresher • Tuesday, Aug. 26, 6 to 8 p.m. - Bishop O'Connor Center, Madison: Time Talent Treasure and Offertory Refresher • Wednesday, Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - St. Thomas Parish, Montfort: Offertory Refresher • Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6 to 8 p.m. - St. Mary Parish, Platteville: Time Talent Treasure, Offertory Refresher, and Offertory Program #1 • Thursday, Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Holy Rosary Parish, Darlington: Time Talent Treasure • Thursday, Aug. 28, 6 to 8 p.m. - St. Mary of Lourdes Parish: Belleville, Offertory #1 • Friday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to 12 noon - Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Sun Prairie: Time Talent Treasure For more information or questions about the schedule, contact Paul Margala in the Office of Stewardship and Development at pmargala@straphael.org or 608-821-3045. Support for separated, divorced SINSINAWA -- "Divorce and Beyond" is a 10-week support program that moves participants through loss to acceptance, healing, and forgiveness. "Divorce and Beyond" was begun by Brs. James Greteman and Leon Haverkamp so that Catholics feel welcomed, supported, and 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. Tuesday, Sept. 2. The series begins Tuesday, Sept. 16, in the evening and will be led by Bob and Chris Smialek of the Office of Family Life for the Rockford Diocese. There is no registration for the informational session, but registration and a fee ($25) are required for the series. For more information, call 608-748-4411 or visit www.sinsinawa.org Memorial Mass for Fr. Mazzuchelli BENTON -- The annual memorial Mass for the furtherance of the cause to sainthood of Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli will be held at St. Patrick Church here on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 3 p.m. A fundraiser steak and chicken breast dinner and raffle will follow the Mass. All proceeds will be used for the restoration and preservation of St. Augustine Church in New Diggings. Camp Gray community picnic on Sept. 13 REEDSBURG -- Join Camp Gray for an evening of fellowship and food on September 13. • 4 p.m. - Open House: Walk the trails of Camp Gray, meet the year-round staff and volunteers, see the improvements, and simply enjoy God's beautiful creation • 5 p.m. -Mass in the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, celebrated with Msgr. James Bartylla and music by the Camp Gray Worship Band • 6 p.m. - Dinner with Camp Gray staff, campers, and friends The cost is free - the Camp Gray staff wants to provide an opportunity for local friends to visit, enjoy the beauty of God's creation, celebrate Mass, and receive a delicious meal. Camp Gray is located at E10213 Shady Lane Rd., Reedsburg, off of Highway 12. For more information, call 608-356-8200, e-mail bigfun@campgray.com, or go to www.campgray.com 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

Catholics donate over $155,000 to neighbors
Need for assistance remains in flooded areas

(See also front-page box listing contribution breakdown.)

MADISON -- The generosity of the people and parishes of the diocese have allowed Catholic Charities of Madison and the Diocese of Madison to continue to join forces to reach out to local flood victims in a very direct way through the establishing of Community Resource Sites.

As the devastation of this summer's tragic flooding, which has left 10 of the Diocese of Madison's 11 counties as recognized disaster areas, persists and as national responders have moved on to attend to other needs throughout the country, the area's Catholic institutions continue to assist those affected by this ongoing disaster.

In July, Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Madison began establishing Community Resource Sites in the Spring Green and Jefferson areas, where the sites served approximately 450 families (577 individuals).

Catholic parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison were asked, in recent weeks, to consider taking up special collections to help fund this and other local efforts. To date, through the generosity of our diocese's parishes, $112,187.46 has been raised and reported to diocesan offices as designated directly to flood relief. However, because the need still exists, Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Madison will continue to reach out to local flood victims. The Diocese of Madison and Catholic Charities thanks all of you who continue to make this possible through your generous donations to flood relief.

Location: St. Patrick Parish School                 305 Lincoln St.                 Janesville Hours: Wednesday Aug. 20                 4 to 6 p.m.            Thursday Aug. 21                 4 to 6 p.m.            Friday Aug. 22                 4 to 6 p.m.            Saturday Aug. 23*                 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. * Includes a mobile food pantry in the parish parking lot across from the school

Rock County Flood Resource Center open again this week

The Diocese of Madison, through Catholic Charities of Madison, has opened a Flood Assistance Resource Center for Rock County residents who have been impacted by this summer's flooding.

What is offered at a Community Resource Site?

The Community Resource Site provides food, water, clothing, personal toiletry kits, cleanup kits, and school kits. In some locations, they have also provided some short-term counseling through Lutheran Social Services, and they offer other limited resources as they are needed and available.

As of August 12, the Diocesan Office of Finance reports payments, and already committed distributions through Catholic Charities, of $92,400 toward flood relief, with far more work to be done in this unified effort.

For more information about these Community Resource Sites, contact the Diocese of Madison's Rural Life Office at 608-821-3093 or Catholic Charities at 608-821-3100.

Relief effort is ongoing

Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Madison's Office of Rural Life continue to assess the situation throughout the area. We will continue to design a unified diocesan response which will meet the immediate needs of those affected, as well as address the long-term devastation this tragedy has caused. Future plans include: the offering of more long-term counseling, potential organization of volunteers, continued cooperation with other local charities, and the continued focused efforts of the diocesan Rural Life Office.

Both entities continue to work closely with local St. Vincent de Paul Societies, Family Farm Defenders, the Harvest for Hope Fund, the Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, and other local charitable groups to assist as many people as possible.

Your assistance is still needed in addressing this local disaster. Anyone interested in giving to this relief effort directly, may send a donation to the Diocese of Madison, Flood Relief, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, WI 53719. Thank you again for your response to this need in our diocese. You are truly helping your immediate neighbors through your generosity.

Brent King is the director of communications for the Diocese of Madison.

Trusting the power
of prayer

MADISON -- Jets and helicopters flew overhead, traffic roared past on Stoughton Rd., a city worker trimmed weeds in the road, and car stereos blared out snippets of song.

But through all of these distracting sounds of summer, the prayer continued: sometimes silent, sometimes aloud, sometimes in song, but always toward the goal of ending abortion.

Despite the hectic summer, with World Youth Day, the seminarian gathering, and all the other activities between school sessions, the seminarians from the Diocese of Madison held their annual Pro-Life Vigil August 14 and 15 outside the Planned Parenthood Clinic on Madison's east side.

Many came to pray outside Planned Parenthood, including Bishop Robert C. Morlino, who came for an hour in the afternoon on August 14. Others attended the Eucharistic Adoration set up at nearby St. Peter Church, Madison.

"I think we had excellent participation this year, including Bishop Morlino leading the Rosary for the Unborn on Thursday afternoon and the inclusion of those who took the Pro-Life Vigil through the night hours from Thursday into Friday," said Msgr. James Bartylla, director of the diocesan Office of Vocations. He offered special thanks to Erik Bakk, the vocations intern, who did much of the planning and managing of this year's vigil.

"It is a tradition among our seminarians to give this public witness of solidarity to the unborn and to pray for the conversion of hearts that are hardened to the dignity of life," Monsignor Bartylla said. "Legalized abortion is the greatest evil of our day because it is a genocidal pre-meditated killing of the most innocent human beings.

"There is always the danger for Catholics and the wider society to become desensitized to the systematic killing of the innocent that goes on day-by-day among us in the United States," Monsignor Bartylla said. "The seminarians want to put into sharp profile the injustice that exists for many of our unborn brothers and sisters, and also to make clear that women who have had abortions always have the mercy of God available to them through the Catholic Church so that they can heal from their suffering."

After leading the Rosary, Bishop Morlino spoke briefly about the importance of prayer. He referenced Pope Benedict XVI's weekly audience from the day before (see Page 14 -- print edition only), in which the pope said that praying for the Church and the world is his most important task as pope.

"I think when we come out here and do this, we should never minimize it," Bishop Morlino said. "We know that prayer is the most important thing we can do - and it does work, but it works slowly.

"So let's keep praying," he said.

Taking religious education door to door
Directors bring registration, welcome
to parishioners' homes

JEFFERSON -- Julie Endl and Tiffany Topel are taking a different approach to the beginning of the new year of religious education.

In an effort to get more in touch with the students and their families at St. John the Baptist Parish in Jefferson, Endl, coordinator of religious education, and Topel, director of religious education and youth ministry, are bringing the discussion of family faith into the home.

Beginning in June, the two have been meeting with the religious education families by going out to their homes or bringing them into the parish offices, combining registration with an opportunity to get to know them, evangelize, and bring about greater unity of student families and the parish as a whole.

It all started with an idea, inspired by Bishop Robert C. Morlino's talks with catechists, talks at the Evangelical Catholic Institute, Madison Diocese Religious Educators' Organization days, and a yearning to renew the hope of a true parish community.

"We were thinking the glass was half-empty instead of half-full a lot of the time," Endl said. "It was so frustrating seeing families not getting connected, and we were thinking people weren't going to Mass, and we were feeling very cynical.

"I've always known you need to build relationships with people so that they can feel connected and feel like they have ownership and feel like they belong," she said. "But I didn't know how that would happen."

Making connections

And then, stuck in a snowstorm on the way to the Bishop O'Connor Center in Madison one day, "it just kind of came to me," Endl said. "We need to meet people where they're at. We need to get into their homes and meet with them. We need to take away that cynicism and connect with them so that we feel in relationship with them."

Thus the plan dubbed "Extreme Makeover: Church Edition" was born. Endl quickly got an enthusiastic Topel on board, and they talked it over with their pastor, Fr. Thomas Coyle, and diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis Executive Secretary Eric Schiedermayer.

From there the next step was to create a mission statement for the religious education program that put into words their goal for evangelization, catechization, and connection, and then the task of setting up appointments with the 125 families in their programs.

Three days a week Endl and Topel make between five and seven appointments, each averaging 20 to 30 minutes in length. They go out to the houses (or meet in-office with the family), armed with bibles donated by the "CCD ladies"; bookmarks with information such as Mass times, class schedules, and "important emergency numbers" (Bible verses targeted toward common life issues); and a sheet explaining their mission statement and goals.

In the meetings, the two share a little about themselves, witnessing in a professional-based way about why they work for the Church, then ask the parents and, if present, the children, how faith is a part of their own family.

Going beyond the registration forms - the "non-threatening" way they presented the idea to parents - they find ways to bring the families they meet deeper into the Church. They help parents with young children find others in the parish who might be able to sit with them during Mass, to make the task of rounding everyone up for weekly services a little easier.

They keep a spreadsheet of important dates and notes so that they can, throughout the year and when they see them in person at Mass, make connections with the families. Outside their office in the parish center is a board full of prayer intentions for them to offer up, and they pray often for those and the success of this mission.

Effort is worth the response

It requires a lot of dedication on their parts, of course. Their days run often late, cutting into time spent with their own families. And the recent flooding in their area has required extra effort, mostly by having waiting to schedule those who were affected most, but also by causing longer drive times to some appointments.

"We're getting tired at this point," Endl admitted. As of the beginning of August, they had about 75 more families to meet with, and look to finish up the appointments by the end of the month or early September. Next year will be easier, when they plan to meet just with the new families.

"It's really about praying," said Topel, who also has a two-month-old newborn to care for. "We just offer our daily prayer time for strength. It's the prayer, I think, to the Holy Spirit and Mary that's holding us up."

But the dedication to connections and communication has been worth it - "above and beyond" what they could have expected, Topel said.

A big response they've seen so far is that four people interested in joining the Catholic Church have come forward. And in smaller but no less important victories, they've seen families coming more often to church.

The follow-up there is just as important. One weekend, they saw at church one of the women they had met with. Topel called her the next day to say it was good to see her at Mass.

"In our ministry, you don't often get to see the fruits of what you do," Topel said. "That right there was a big affirmation from the Holy Spirit to keep going."

"We really had no idea what we were going to have," Endl said. "But we knew it was going to be pastoral, and I believe that's what's happening.

"When Bishop Morlino spoke to all DREs and catechetical leaders . . . when he said we need to be having that loving invitation to meet Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, in a life-changing way, that really struck me," Endl said. "I heard that and thought, that's it! Who doesn't want that?"