Earth Day has come and gone. Perhaps it was not emphasized as much by Catholics this year since it fell on Good Friday.
However, concern for creation should be something we remember all year long. As we observe the awakening of nature in springtime and the beginning of our planting season, it is an especially appropriate time to think about the earth and our environment.
The springtime of the year is a season for debates over state budgets. Here, as in other places, state Catholic Conferences are part of the conversation.
And here, as in other states, the issues of concern to state Catholic Conferences don’t fit neatly into the conventional liberal-conservative categories.
In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) backs the governor’s recommendations regarding the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and his proposal to remove the mandate that health insurance policies include contraceptive services coverage, even when religious organizations do not want to purchase such coverage.
The WCC also supports budget provisions that limit or end funding for family planning programs, but also urges that those funds be redirected to programs that help pregnant women and their children.
As we strive to advance The Gospel of Life, we must pause to take a numbing reality check. Since abortion was legalized in this country, more than 53 million preborn children have been slaughtered through induced abortion.
SINSINAWA — Sister Dolores “Debbie” Cavalli, OP, died April 22, 2011, at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Wis. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa May 4, 2011, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Debbie made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Dec. 9, 1978, and her final profession Nov. 21, 1981. She served as a pastoral minister for eight years and as a hospital chaplain for 19 years. Sister Debbie served in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana, Iowa, New York and Illinois.
SINSINAWA — Sister Mary Niemeyer, OP (Irenaea), died May 11, 2011, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa May 16, 2011, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Mary made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Aug. 7, 1941, and her final profession Aug. 7, 1944. She was a classroom teacher for three years, music and piano teacher for 42 years, and private piano teacher for three years. Sister Mary served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation at the Motherhouse as liturgist and vicaress of the Province II Sisters living at the Motherhousefor four years. She was a parish liturgist for six years and pastoral minister for six years. Sister Mary served in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Florida, Arizona and Alabama.
SINSINAWA — Sister Anton Secker, OP, died May 12, 2011, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa May 19, 2011, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Anton made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican March 8, 1936, and her final profession Aug. 5, 1939. She taught for 34 years, was principal for six years, ministered as support staff for outdoor education at the Motherhouse for seven years, and served as pastoral minister for five years. Sister Anton served in Illinois, Iowa, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
School Sister of St. Francis Marie Therese Kluthe (Wanda) died May 8, 2011 at St. Joseph Convent in Campbellsport, Wis.
School Sister of St. Francis Lucille Goeden died April 16, 2011 at St. Joseph Convent in Campbellsport, Wis.
DURWARD’S GLEN — “We’ve got it!” announced Director Mardell Krejchik at Durward’s Glen.
Effective April 28, 2011, the non-profit group Durward’s Glen Our Lady of the Rosary Group (OLRG) Ltd. owns and operates this 150-year-old Catholic retreat center and nature sanctuary.
After attending the Beatification of Blessed John Paul II in Rome where he is doing graduate studies, Fr. Greg Ihm (ordained a priest for the Diocese of Madison last year) e-mailed Bishop Robert C. Morlino.
