MADISON — At parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison this upcoming weekend, a collection will be held to benefit the Archdiocese for Military Services (AMS). Our diocese has a personal connection with this collection as two of our priests are currently serving in the military and directly benefit from this collection.
Day: November 6, 2013
Lecture to focus on how science can lead us to God
MADISON — As we approach the conclusion of this holy Year of Faith on November 24, the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Madison is dedicating the fall St. Thérèse Lecture to the important topic of the relationship between science and faith.
There may be no one better to speak on this topic than Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., former president of Gonzaga University and current president of the Magis Center of Reason & Faith.
Church is being persecuted more than ever
Each issue of the admirable ecumenical journal, Touchstone, includes a department called “The Suffering Church.” It’s a title that Catholics of a certain age associate with purgatory; in Touchstone’s vocabulary, however, “the Church suffering” is the Church being purified here and now by persecution. It’s a useful reminder of a hard fact.
For that hard fact too rarely impinges on the Christian self-awareness, much less the Christian conscience, of the Church Comfortable, the Church Lax, or the Church of Nice — even though the historical commission created by John Paul II in preparation for the Great Jubilee of 2000 made clear that Christians today live in the greatest tribulation-time in Christian history.
Fr. Michael Gaitley speaks about 33 Days to Morning Glory
MADISON — Some attendees called it one of the largest crowds they had ever seen at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
Hundreds packed the auditorium on Friday, Nov. 1 — All Saints Day — to hear Fr. Michael Gaitley talk about the most recent push for everyone to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary.
Celebrating a decade of Catholic classical education in Madison
MADISON — On Saturday, Dec. 7, St. Ambrose Academy in Madison will host its annual Benefit Dinner, gathering people from around the Diocese of Madison to celebrate Catholic education on the feast day of its patron, St. Ambrose.
Gracyalny family shares musical talents
BELOIT — It’s a spirited group when three generations of the Gracyalny family gather to share their significant musical talents.
In appreciation for their faith and sharing their musical gifts, they will present “The Gracyalny Family Concert” featuring top hits of the 1950s and 1960s on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Assumption Hall at Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Church.
They promise an evening of vocal and instrumental music, goodwill, and a variety of homemade desserts.
Thanks to all those who have helped at Camp Gray
To the editor:
Reading the articles on Camp Gray’s history brought memories of the time when Msgr. Francis Gray, the founder of the camp, met out at the Baraboo fairgrounds with the men as they dismantled the crates used to build cabins. (The first cabins for Camp Gray were built using surplus ammunition crates from the Badger Ordnance Works. The cabins were constructed near the county fairgrounds, then moved to the camp.)
One of those men was Stewart Schirmer, my husband. Monsignor Gray supported the men with his presence, plus prayers, blessings, and a few “cool ones” on occasion.
Two local students chosen as animators at NCYC
DEFOREST — When the lights go down and the music starts pumping during the opening ceremonies of the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis this month, two DeForest area students will be among the dancers and singers on stage charged with firing up the crowd for the three-day conference.
Megan Durst and Katherine Kennedy, juniors at DeForest Area High School and members of St. Olaf Parish, will serve as NCYC “animators.” About 75 youth from across the country were selected as animators to lead the prayer services and set the tone for the conference.
Unsung heroes: Catholic chaplains in armed services deserve our support
As we prepare to mark Veterans Day on November 11, we should take time to remember and thank all those who have served our country in the armed services.
Some of us have relatives, friends, and neighbors who faithfully served their country. Many of them did so quietly with little fanfare. I can still remember that my father-in-law, who served on many bombing missions in World War II, was very reluctant to talk about his service to his country. It was just something he did.
Chaplains: unsung heroes
Perhaps the most unsung of our heroes in the armed services are the chaplains. These are priests who have dedicated all or part of their ordained ministry to serving in all branches of our armed forces.
Sophie’s Squash author interacts with students
MADISON — Children’s book author Pat Zietlow Miller spent the day at St. James School on a recent Friday in October, reading her book, Sophie’s Squash, and helping the children decorate butternut squash as Sophie does in the book.
The mother of St. James sixth grader Sonia and Edgewood High School Junior Gwen felt right at home as she shared her own story of becoming a published author with the children in each of the classrooms, PreK to fifth grade. The sixth graders joined their first grade “buddies” for the story.