The faith formation students at St. Olaf Parish in DeForest participated in “Operation Shoebox–Madison” for the first time in December.
Year: 2015
A ‘smart people’ problem?
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Daniel Dennett, one of the “four horsemen” of contemporary atheism, proposed in 2003 that those who espouse a naturalist, atheist worldview should call themselves “the brights,” thereby distinguishing themselves rather clearly from the dim benighted masses who hold on to supernaturalist convictions.
In the wake of Dennett’s suggestion, many atheists have brought forward what they take to be evidence that the smartest people in society do subscribe to anti-theist views. By “smartest” they usually mean practitioners of the physical sciences, and they point to surveys that indicate only small percentages of scientists subscribe to religious belief.
Ultrasounds provide window to the womb
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On January 22, 1973 the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion in the Roe v. Wade decision.
Justice Byron White, who dissented, stated, “The court apparently values the convenience of a pregnant mother more than the continued existence and development of the life or potential life she carries.”
Since Roe v. Wade, 58 million abortions have occurred in our country. This is roughly the population of the United States around 1869.
Bishop dedicates new Adoration chapel in Sauk City
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| Incense rises in the air as Fr. John Blewett, pastor, incenses the altar in the Adoration chapel altar of the new Mary, Mother of God Chapel at St. Aloysius Church at Divine Mercy Parish in Sauk City on January 1. (Photo by Jim DeSchepper) |
SAUK CITY — Bringing in the new year was a very special occasion at Divine Mercy Parish in Sauk City, where Bishop Robert C. Morlino held a dedication Mass and ceremony for the new Mary, Mother of God Adoration Chapel on January 1, fittingly the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
“Let Us Go Rejoicing to the House of the Lord” was the processional hymn sung as the bishop, Divine Mercy Pastor Fr. John Blewett, and Mass servers entered the chapel for the dedication.
Parishioners persevere
It was no small task getting to this day, but the perseverance and faith of many parishioners who have helped keep a successful Eucharistic Adoration (EA) program going for over 12 years at St. Aloysius Church at Divine Mercy Parish made this day a reality.
Until now, Eucharistic Adoration has been held in the church proper. The “new” chapel is actually a renovated chapel that was “hidden” in the old Sisters convent located between the church and the school, according to Father Blewett.
“It is almost like it was waiting there,” he said, to be discovered and brought out through Divine Providence.
According to Bishop Morlino, a dedication ceremony for an altar or for a church or chapel is somewhat like a consecration ceremony for a new priest: it is preparing a temple to be worthy of the sacrifice of Christ in the Eucharist, he said.
Bishop Morlino blessed Cristobal Padilla, a candidate for Holy Orders at the beginning of the dedication Mass to symbolize the similarity in the rites.
Catholic Multicultural Center installs solar panels
MADISON — Madison’s Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) held an open house recently to celebrate the installation of new solar panels.
The installation of solar panels represents the latest evidence of the center’s on-going commitment to God’s people and caring for God’s creation.
Beloit parishioners send pillowcases to sister parish
BELOIT — Intending to bring Christmas cheer and delight to children at their sister parish, a talented group of Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) parishioners sewed 187 flannel pillowcases to be used as gifts.
The array of colorful pillowcases was displayed on pews in the OLA Blessed Sacrament Chapel before being sent to the sister parish, St. Joan of Arc in Plymouth, N.C.
Men’s retreat at St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo
BARABOO — On Saturday, Jan. 24, St. Joseph Parish will host a one-day men’s retreat titled, “Living Supernaturally.”
Featured speakers include Fr. Rick Heilman and Scott Hackl. Father Heilman is the founder of the Catholic men’s apostolate Knights of Divine Mercy, founder of the Holy League, and regular on Relevant Radio.
Hackl is the father of six and advancement director working on a $24 million campaign to rebuild St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison.
Brunch features author, speaker Kelly Wahlquist
MT. HOREB — A brunch for women sponsored by the St. Michael Council of Catholic Women to be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, at St. Ignatius Church Hall, 109 S. 6th St., will feature Kelly Wahlquist, a Catholic author and speaker.
Wahlquist will speak on “The Supreme Role of Women in the New Evangelization: Living ‘The Joy of the Gospel.'”
How to cope with the seasonal blues
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QUESTION: While everyone else seems joyful, I often feel depressed around the holidays. Could you suggest some ways to cope with the holiday blues?
RESPONSE: By William McKenna, M.S., clinical extern at the IPS Center for Psychological Services
We so often hear Christmas songs with lines such as, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” and “Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer!”
Thanks for work of volunteers who erected Nativity display at State Capitol
To the editor:
Thanks to Sr. Therese Wolf, FSPA, who receives the Catholic Herald and shares it with me, I keep abreast of the Madison area events.
I was delighted to read that the Nativity scene is now displayed at our State Capitol! Thank you, Geralyn Ketterman, a staunch pro-lifer with whom I’ve many memories of praying/witnesssing at the “former” Rockford Abortion Mill, distributing literature and many other human life promoting activities.