Year: 2011

On
Mary C. Uhler

Free birth control? Does not provide real health care or protect conscience rights

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

Several things have been bothering me since I heard about the recommendation that the government require coverage of contraceptives in all health plans in our country.

On July 19, the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Preventive Services for Women made public a list of recommendations to the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This department has the responsibility to decide which health services will be mandated under the new national health reform law.

The 16-member panel said that all women of reproductive age should have access to “the full range of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling.” If approved by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, these practices would be mandated for all insurance plans — both public and private — without any co-pays.

In other words, birth control will be provided free of charge. This recommendation is ill-conceived (no pun intended) on so many fronts. It boggles the mind!

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On
Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Sexual attractions and the call to chastity

Making Sense out of Bioethics column by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

People often surmise that same-sex attraction is inborn, and that homosexuals are “naturally gay” or “born that way.” They suppose that if God made them that way, then it must not be a sin to act on their sexual desires.

The possibility of a “gay gene” is sometimes offered as a further defense, suggesting that the condition, and its associated behavior, are inevitable and inescapable.

One commentator summarized it this way: “Asking someone to stop being homosexual would therefore be equivalent to asking an Asian person to stop being Asian or a left-handed person to stop being left-handed.”

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On
Maryangela Layman Román, Catholic Herald Milwaukee

Bishop Donald J. Hying pledges service, leadership

MILWAUKEE — Bishop Donald J. Hying couldn’t help but compare the 100-degree temperatures on the day of his ordination as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wednesday, July 20, to the “40 below 0” (more accurately single digit) temperatures in Milwaukee on the day of Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki’s installation as archbishop of Milwaukee.

Perhaps, he reasoned in remarks after he was presented as the newly ordained bishop, “Archbishop Listecki is really cool” or maybe, “God wants me to sweat from the very beginning.”

The day was warm, acknowledged Archbishop Listecki in closing remarks at the nearly two hour and 15 minute afternoon Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, but it was “wonderfully warm, both in terms of temperatures, but also warm in terms of the heart.”

Archbishop Listecki, principal ordaining bishop, was joined by assisting ordaining bishops, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, and Milwaukee auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba in ordaining Bishop Hying, 47, the seventh auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

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On
Tracy Rusch, Catholic Herald-Milwaukee

Bishop Donald Hying called a special priest

MILWAUKEE — She made regular visits home to Menomonee Falls from her convent once every six months, but there’s one visit that Sister of St. Benedict Center Margaret Mary Baravella will never forget.

“This young priest hustled down the aisle one day . . . and said, ‘Hi, I’m Fr. Don. Who are you and where are you from?’” said Sr. Margaret Mary, who attended the Wednesday afternoon ordination Mass with Sister of St. Benedict Center Cecilia Cannon and their mutual friend Hester Lewis. “We became fast friends at that moment.”

After that encounter at St. Anthony Parish, Sr. Margaret Mary said she continued to pray for him.

“I prayed for him for all the time that he was away at the missions and really kept my ear to the ground to when he would return,” Sr. Margaret Mary said. “He was surprised. I said to him, ‘I prayed for you always,’ and he said, ‘I can’t believe you remembered me.’ I said, ‘I would not forget you, Father. You are special.’”

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On
Mary M. Sutter and Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

Perry parish celebrates its 150th anniversary

The current Holy Redeemer Church, Perry.

PERRY — Members of Holy Redeemer Parish in Perry are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year.

In June, parishioners had a float in the Mt. Horeb Summer Frolic Parade. Riding on the float was Georgia Post, the oldest lifetime member of Holy Redeemer Parish. Joining her were parishioners Mary Sutter, Glenn Schwoerer, Mary Kay Sutter, Mitch Sutter, and Dan Hefty.

All of these families are part of the heritage of Holy Redeemer Parish, among many others.

Anniversary celebration

On Sunday, Aug. 7, there will be a 150th anniversary Mass at 2 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church. A reception will follow the Mass.

There will be historical displays and church directories can be purchased. Burrows Consulting and Cemetery Service will also be available to help with geneology of the parish cemetery.

Early settlers

The early settlers came from Germany to farm in this area, which reminded them of their homeland.

The Town of Perry was established in 1849. The town was named after Commodore Perry of Lake Erie fame.

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On
Mary C. Uhler

It’s time to remember some manners: By practicing cell phone etiquette

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

Cell phones are really beginning to annoy me. They ring loudly at the most inappropriate times (during Mass is the worst), they interrupt conversations, and they keep people from face-to-face communication.

I have to admit it’s not the cell phones’ fault — it’s their users who are the problem. Some people seem to be addicted to their cell phones. They can’t put them down, even while they’re driving a car or pushing a cart in the supermarket.

Yes, cell phones are a handy means of communication. I initially got mine primarily to use in emergencies. I do use it more often now, especially since I can access my e-mail from my iPhone. However, my cell phone is not tethered to my ear. It’s not a life-support system. I turn it off when I’m in church and at most meetings. I don’t use it during get-togethers with family and friends.

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