MADISON — Nominations for Catholic teachers and aides in the Diocese of Madison who display excellence and dedication in their work in education are being sought for this year’s Outstanding Catholic Educator Award, sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Schools, Catholic Financial Life Agents Kyla Klein, Cory Ruefer, Curtis Eberle, and Relevant Radio 1240AM.
Month: September 2012
In year of divisions, Catholics can model civility
Labor Day is past and the fall election season begins in earnest. As in previous years, party leaders and political commentators see Catholics as swing voters. That means people will be paying attention to us. This attention provides an opportunity to explain and witness our values and to express them in ways that elevate, not coarsen, the debate.
But our witness is effective only when we practice what we preach amongst ourselves. The reality is that faithful Catholics are both Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, partisans and independents. And, even as we discuss our political differences, we ought not to lose sight of our shared values and common humanity that bind us together as persons created in the image of God.
Remembering 9-11: First responders inspire us to unite in service to others
Many things are etched in our minds from the events of September 11, 2001. Although people throughout the world were shocked by the death and destruction wrought at the World Trade Center in New York City, we also remember the courageous and compassionate service of so many firefighters, police officers, and volunteers who helped in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Those first responders — and so many others who helped victims heal and rebuild the city — remain true heroes in our eyes. I think they also helped inspire young people to follow in their footsteps in serving others.
Looking for beauty in the workaday world
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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends,
As I write this column, we come quickly upon the Labor Day Holiday. It is, in some ways, a rather bittersweet milestone for me each year, as it signals the soon-to-come end of the days of warmth and sun (although this year any break from the extreme heat is not unwelcome!), and before we know it, we’ll be in the midst of winter.
At the same time, with increasing speed each year, Thanksgiving seems to rush upon us after Labor Day, and then Christmas — which is surely a blessed time.
Labor Day, however, allows us a breath and an opportunity to examine our efforts and, I would propose, to reapply ourselves to using our work — no matter what it is — to sanctifying the world around us. Each and every one of our labors, whether it be raising our children, working as a teacher, a salesperson, a lawyer, or a mechanic, should become a means by which we encounter God and witness to His concern for the world — and that’s my first point.
Fr. Bernard Pickarts dies
PRAIRIE DU SAC — Fr. Bernard J. Pickarts died Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, at the age of 83, at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital and Clinic in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.