• Articles on St. Raphael Cathedral
	News Briefs: Natural family planning classes MADISON/BLOOMINGTON -- The Couple to Couple League will be offering natural family planning classes in the sympto-thermal method in Madison and Bloomington. The course is offered in a three-class series. Cost is $135 per couple, including materials; however, no one will be turned away for inability to pay. For information or to register for either class series, contact Jessica Smith, family planning coordinator, at nfp@straphael.org or 608-821-3134. Madison area • Three-class series held Saturdays, Sept. 27, Oct. 25, and Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Madison metro area (exact location to be announced) Grant, Lafayette, and Iowa Counties • Three-class series held Saturdays, Oct. 4, Nov. 1, and Nov. 15, from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Mary Parish, Bloomington Retreat focuses on women in transition SINSINAWA -- A retreat for women, "Walking the Path of Life: Women Exploring Life Transitions," will be offered at Sinsinawa Mound from 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, through 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. The Gospel story of Mary Magdala will be used to draw retreatants deeper into the mystery of life. Sr. Mary Therese Johnson, educated and experienced in liturgy, spiritual guidance, and retreat ministry, will lead this retreat. The fee, which includes meals, is $174 for an overnight guest and $109 for a commuter. The registration deadline is September 19. For more information, call 608-748-4411 or visit www.sinsinawa.org Series on criminal justice reform OREGON -- Holy Mother of Consolation Parish will host a series on criminal justice reform. Available from a "JustMatters" module, it is a spin-off from JustFaith titled Prison Reform: Church of the Second Chance. It consists of six sessions and an immersion experience. Each session is 2.5 hours in length. The title comes from the book, The Church of the Second Chance, by the module developer, Jens Soering. Soering is an inmate who has written three other books while in prison, including the award winning The Convict Christ. Using the tools of reading, dialogue, active listening, videos, short research projects, and guest speakers, participants will: engage the issue of prison reform from many angles; learn what people of faith have to say about punishment and justice; identify common myths and misconceptions about prisons and the corrections system; explore the concepts of rehabilitation and restoration as well as prison "profiteering"; and discuss the systematic denial of the humanity of prison inmates. Sessions will begin on Monday, Sept. 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rasmussen room at Holy Mother of Consolation Church in Oregon. Anyone interested should contact Kathy Davis at 608-291-0079 or Laura Gleisner at 608-443-0721. There will be a small fee for materials and resources. St. Coletta hosts Fall Harvest Hoedown JEFFERSON -- St. Coletta of Wisconsin will be hosting Fall Harvest Hoedown on Sunday, Sept. 21, for adults with developmental disabilities. The dance will be from 3 to 5 p.m. at Meadow Springs Country Club located at 424 S. Sanborn Ave., Jefferson. The entry fee is $7 and includes an hors d'oeuvres buffet. For more information or to make reservations, contact Bethany Wollheim at St. Coletta at 920-674-8379 or e-mail bwollheim@stcolettawi.org Space is limited and it is important to consider the support needs for those attending. Dominicans sponsor Prayer for Peace SINSINAWA -- The Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters will pray for peace at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at Sinsinawa Mound. Everyone is welcome to attend. Prayer for Peace is being held in conjunction with the International Day of Prayer for Peace, established by United Nations resolution in 1981. For more details, contact Sr. Mary Ellen Winston, at 608-748-4411, ext. 843. Adult programs begin at Queen of Peace MADISON -- Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Madison begins its 2008 to 2009 adult enrichment programs with a three-week series on prayer. All programs begin at 7 p.m. in the church gathering space. The public is invited to attend. The series includes the following topics and speakers: "Praying with Scripture" with Kate Wiskus, Thursday, Sept. 25; "Prayer for a Busy Day Person" with Sr. Maureen McDonnell, Thursday, Oct. 2; and "Praying Beyond Words: Creative Prayer" with Sr. Stella de Venuta, Thursday, Oct. 9. Fr. Pat Norris speaks on stem cell research MADISON -- Fr. Pat Norris, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, will speak on "Ethical Stem Cell Research" on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. at St. Maria Goretti Parish Hall. This talk takes place at the same time that Madison is hosting the World Stem Cell Summit. The program is sponsored by Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady Queen of Peace, and St. Maria Goretti Parishes and is open to the public. Attention gardeners MADISON -- In spring, the St. Vincent de Paul Society issued the invitation to "grow a row" for its food pantry. Now, gardeners may drop off their home-grown produce at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at 1309 Culmen St. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. For details, call 608-257-0919, ext. 301. New Highland church to be dedicated HIGHLAND -- Members of SS. Anthony and Philip Parish, Highland, invite the public to the Mass of Dedication on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 2 p.m. with Bishop William H. Bullock presiding. The newly completed church is located at 726 Main St. Tours of the church and a reception will follow the dedication Mass. After much planning, hard work, fervent prayers, dedicated commitment, and many individual sacrifices to Project Now, the parish is ready and eager to celebrate and open the doors of their new house of worship. Run/walk featured STOUGHTON -- As part of its fall festival, St. Ann Parish will hold a 5K Run/Walk (3.1 miles) on Saturday, Sept. 20. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with an 8:30 a.m. start time in the St. Ann Church parking lot, 323 N. Van Buren St. Entry fee is $15 for individuals and $30 for families. For registration, call Joanne DelPizzo at 608-873-9931 or e-mail jdelpizz@starkhomes.com Spirit Club trip JANESVILLE -- The Adult Catholic Spirit Club is sponsoring a trip to the National Shrine of St. Therese in Darien, Ill., on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Departure is from St. John Vianney Parish parking lot, 1245 Clark St., at 8:15 a.m. Cost is $48. For more details, call Rose Sterk at 608-754-9307. 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

Diocesan Liturgical Commissions to meet
in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- The 2008 National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions will convene October 14 to 17 at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel and Convention Center in Milwaukee.

Co-sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on the Divine Worship (BCDW) and the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC), the meeting will offer diocesan liturgy directors and chairs of diocesan liturgical commissions an opportunity to exchange ideas and identify national and regional priorities.

Business sessions will include discussion and vote on three position statements developed by FDLC membership and discussion and process relating to four study papers pointed towards formation on the Roman Missal. Delegates will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of 10 national organizations dealing with liturgical issues, including Msgr. Bruce Harbert, executive director of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL).

The annual meeting also will include a special Study Day on Wednesday, Oct. 15, focusing on the theme: "To Worship in Spirit and Truth: Liturgy in the Shaping of Catholic Identity." Addressing the topic will be three scholars: Sr. Mary E. Bendyna, Fr. Robert E. Barron, and Fr. Jan Michael Joncas. Follow-up discussion and process will be facilitated by Sheila McLaughlin. The following evening will also be devoted to study as participants engage in dialogue with Bishop Blase Cupich of Rapid City, S.D.

The meeting is open to all those interested. The $400 registration fee ($295 for FDLC member) includes attendance at all sessions, banquet, and receptions. Discounts on hotel rooms are available. Further information is available from the FDLC National Office (202-635-6990 or www.fdlc.org).

Those interested in furthering their understanding of the liturgy are invited to attend an Archdiocesan Liturgy Day on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport and Convention Center. The program, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., begins with Morning Prayer followed by a keynote address by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan concentrating on "Jesus, the Source of Our Unity: Formation for the Liturgical Community." The schedule includes workshops on liturgical subjects ranging from current issues in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist to how youth experience liturgy in shaping their Catholic identity. Registration is $35 per person. Go to http://fdlc.org/NationalMeetings/Milwaukee/2008.htm

Apostolate returns
to Lake Delton
Special day for disabled and elderly adapts
to changing circumstances

(See also front-page photo.)

WISCONSIN DELLS -- Many of those returning to Wisconsin Dells for the annual summer program hosted by the Apostolate to the Handicapped were curious about what was to come.

They had heard news reports in June about widespread flooding caused by 12 inches of rain in the state.

Four aspects of event

Traditionally, there are four main segments for participants to look forward to at the summer Apostolate event:

1) The coming together, personal contact, interchange of greetings, and renewal of friendships among over 1,000 disabled persons, with their drivers, caregivers, volunteers, and providers of services to carry out an event on this scale. For some disabled persons, an outing of this type may be a rare and cherished event in and of itself.

2) A Mass celebrated by Msgr. Thomas Campion, founder of the Apostolate 41 years ago, with his personal message to them during the homily, with concelebrating priests from many communities in the Madison Diocese. Their number has varied depending on their individual schedules, with as many as 20 being able to attend. (This day there would be 14.)

3) A tasty "bag lunch" and beverages served by cheerful volunteers.

4) Wonderful entertainment in the form of a 90-minute water ski show by the world famous Tommy Bartlett group.

The first three could and would take place just fine, but what about the fourth?

Many are familiar with the Tommy Bartlett permanent site: covered grandstand for "rain-or-shine" shows, extended seating, concessions, restrooms, and a permanent stage at water's edge, overlooking Lake Delton.

But on June 11, most heard that the unthinkable happened: In a space of a few hours, Lake Delton disappeared! A water ski show without a lake? How can that be? That's a magic show! More on that later.

'Keep climbing'

In the first reading Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourself, for my yoke is easy and my burden light."

At the Mass at Lake Delton, Monsignor Campion asked that we remember for a moment those words from the Gospel of St. Matthew, which tell us not to despair in our labors and weaknesses but to persevere and heed this invitation of Jesus to "Come to him" with our burdens.

He then recalled a book written in 2002 by Sean Swarner, who as a boy of 13 contracted a virulent form of cancer. Monsignor Campion said, "By undergoing treatments and with medical technology and the support of family and friends and prayer, he survived. But five years later, he developed a rare form of cancer called Askins sarcoma. Again, he followed a medical treatment regimen, and once again with the help of family, friends, and prayers to God, he made it through."

Medical literature doesn't record anyone who has contracted both of these forms of cancer, much less survived them. In an interview on ESPN, Swarner said the odds of his survival were "like winning the lottery more than once."

Monsignor Campion went on to say that out of gratitude for his survival, Swarner chose to do something special with his life and climb mountains to raise money for cancer research and, equally important, to serve as an inspiration to those with weaknesses and handicaps.

Although he was left with only one fully-functioning lung, he climbed the seven major peaks in the world, including Mt. Everest, an often-sought milestone of serious climbers. He then wrote the book, Keep Climbing.

Alluding to the Gospel reading, Monsignor Campion drew a parallel with the book, saying: "'Come to me' and 'keep climbing' are two phrases with the same message: To persevere in the face of ever-present adversity."

It's an apt comparison: Although as climbers often contend with the dangers of high altitude, low temperature, wind, ice, and snow, they also face the unrelenting force of gravity to threaten their security and impede their progress. Constant also are the physical and mental challenges to the handicapped in their everyday lives. Both groups look for relief and respond to the call, however difficult, to "keep climbing".

The show must go on

In acknowledging those who made the day possible, Monsignor Campion thanked the priests for their participation in the Mass and their ongoing support of the handicapped. He thanked equally all the volunteers: the numerous caregivers, drivers, food preparers, and medical personnel on hand who attended to those present with special needs.

Monsignor Campion gave special thanks to Tom Diehl, president of the Bartlett Organization, his staff, and the numerous young men and women who work on the show who volunteer their time to serve the handicapped on this day. The organization has graciously put on their show for the Apostolate every summer for over 40 years and as Monsignor Campion has said many times, "They've never sent us a bill."

The Tommy Bartlett Water Show began in 1949 as a traveling show with four or more "arms" traveling the U.S. in different areas. After a performance of one of them in Wisconsin Dells in 1953, the Chamber of Commerce invited Tommy Bartlett to have one group stay permanently at Lake Delton for the summer months. Bartlett agreed and thus the show became one of the earliest popular and permanent fixtures on the scene, along with the Dells Boat Tours, "Riding the Ducks," and Indian Ceremonials, to name a few.

With that background, one couldn't overestimate the impact on the Bartlett Show on June 11 of this year, when 12 inches of rain in the area swelled Lake Delton and the nearby Wisconsin River, breaching the isthmus separating them, draining the lake into the river in just a few hours, leaving the large grandstand and seating overlooking a mud flat instead of a lake, and leaving no opportunity for a water ski show, at least for now.

Lessons in action

Monsignor Campion again cited an instance of "keep climbing," when the Bartlett group immediately added additions to the existing stage portion of the water show. Some past performers actually came out of retirement to help out and perform.

Unbelievably, the Bartlett show was "back in business" in about a week, and the apostolate again was treated to an entertaining 90-minute show as in previous years. (Plans are also under study to repair the flood damage and prevent a reoccurrence. Lake Delton will be restored for next season.)

Monsignor Campion said, "We owe our hosts a debt of gratitude, not only for what they're doing for us today, but how they're teaching us to come to him when we're burdened, and to keep climbing, to keep going. To Tom Diehl and all of his staff, we say 'thank you and we love you.'

"Today is one of the most significant days in the history of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, because it's clearly a day demonstrating the give and take of life. The Bartlett group has demonstrated the conquering of enormous difficulties here in the Dells to give us this fine day and program.

"They've taught us about overcoming difficulties in our own lives, assisted by people like you who keep coming to these events for the handicapped, demonstrating how to trust God, to share our burdens with him and others, and give us the courage to keep climbing, to keep going."

In the closing blessing, Monsignor Campion cast a wide net in asking for courage for all persons with disabilities to continue their struggle, whether their handicaps are physical, mental, spiritual, or brought about by old age.

Maureen Duhn named president
of Creighton Model organization

CROSS PLAINS -- Local Creighton Model instructor Maureen Duhn was recently elected president of the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals (AAFCP), an organization founded to promote the Creighton Model of fertility care through education, research, and leadership.

She was inducted as president at the AAFCP annual meeting, held in Rome in June this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae and the 30 years of the education program support of Creighton University School of Medicine.

The organization provides certification for Creighton Model FertilityCare practitioners and educators.

Charter member, teacher

Duhn is a registered nurse through Creighton University and is a charter member of AAFCP, which was founded in 1981.

She and her husband, Jerry, she said, were introduced to the Creighton Model during marriage preparation and have used it ever since.

Director of the FertilityCare Center of Madison, Duhn has been nominated before for the position of president of AAFCP, but she said she has always said no - until this year.

"It's going to be busy," she said, detailing the board meetings she will attend during the year and her role in the organization's fiscal development.

And yet, even as she takes over this new role, she said, she will continue to teach the Creighton Model method.

Scientific method

The Creighton Model FertilityCare System is a method of what is popularly called "natural family planning," understanding fertility to avoid or achieve pregnancy and to watch for early warning signs of women's health issues.

Through research at several universities and most recently the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha, Neb., the Creighton Model has been developed and standardized to assist women and couples to understand their fertility cycles.

"It's very scientific," Duhn said, explaining that fertility care has come a long way since the days of the "rhythm method."

Through research and education, the science has been clarified and understanding refined. "It really is one of the major ways science can be reflected in fertility," she said.

Empowering for couples

It's also very empowering for couples, Duhn said. "It challenges the couple to be an active member in their personal care," she said. "It leads to marital bonding; it really is remarkable."

Duhn, mother of five and grandmother of two, has been married 29 years and is a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains.