“Look at that,” said a chaperone at the Youth 2000 Retreat, pointing to one of her students during a praise and worship song. “He said he doesn’t do ‘hand gestures’ — look who’s doing ‘hand gestures.’”
Day: April 2, 2009
Our oneness in the Eucharist
What a great learning experience was provided as we watched the events in Rome surrounding the death of Pope John Paul II, April 2, 2005, and the subsequent election of Pope Benedict XVI.
Who would have thought that we would come to know and appreciate so much more about our Catholic faith? We joined with millions of people around the world to reflect on the truths of Christianity and the lives of Jesus’ outstanding disciples both past and present. Those were grace-filled days that we will not soon forget.
A Catholic response to climate change
LANCASTER/MONROE — A year ago when St. Clement Parish in Lancaster was looking to insulate the attic of their building complex, which had been losing heat and causing ice dams, they brought in a representative from Franklin Energies, Inc., subcontracted by We Energies, to do an energy audit.
Rick Benson, the parish finance chairperson, had the idea to apply for an energy grant from Energy Incentives, through We Energies, to help cut the installation costs, and parish office manager Barb Thompson obtained the grant information.
Catholic Appeal support affects work at parishes
It goes without saying that our Lord loves us enough to make sure that we have ample occasions to grow in holiness during the Lenten season.
A good example of this is how we are given opportunities to practice forbearance with people and organizations, especially when our inclination is to do exactly the opposite.
Celebrating Holy Week
Following is a list of Madison Diocese Holy Week Masses. Check with your parish for local Holy Week Mass times and see the Arts Page and next week’s Easter special section for information on televised coverage of Holy Week Masses.
Ghana — Solidarity through a growing friendship
MADISON — Ghana is the featured country for Operation Rice Bowl this week. Last year, this African nation celebrated its 50th year of independence. Ghana gets high marks for improvements in the democratic process and has shown strong economic growth. Part of this success can be attributed to the efforts of Catholic Relief Services.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian aid agency for U.S. Catholics. By feeding school children, training teachers, providing knowledge and resources to grow better crops, providing clean water, and so many other ways, CRS has contributed to Ghana’s success. The Diocese of Madison has been a part of these efforts through interaction with our sister diocese, the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in Ghana, through multiple delegations to share faith and friendship.
Increase prayers, efforts against abortion
Pro-lifers everywhere are seriously concerned about the threats to life growing throughout the world, especially in the United States.
Bishop Robert Morlino is particularly requesting prayers for President Barack Obama in the area of abortion activity. Pro-lifers in Wisconsin are greatly concerned about the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison restarting abortion practices which it had abandoned over 20 years ago.
The ‘rightful place’ of science cannot be separated from moral and political decisions
President Barack Obama’s executive order casting aside the ban on federal funding for developing and using new embryonic stem cell lines was nakedly inconsistent and, despite his protestations, thoroughly political.
Obama said: “As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering . . . I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research — and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly.”
Vote for values in races on April 7
To the editor:
On April 7th, we vote for a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. Judge Randy Koschnick is endorsed by Wisconsin Right to Life and will vote for the values we have.
Questions about Justice Department decision
Dear Shirley Abrahamson,
I wish to know what your position is regarding the decision made by the Wisconsin Department of Justice to file a criminal charge against Madame Julie Thao in connection with the death of a patient at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.