Year: 2016

On
Chris Lee

St. Augustine Parish moving forward with new student residence

st augustine graphic
Above are pictures of the past, present, and proposed future St. Augustine University Parish and Newman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. (Contributed photos and graphics)

PLATTEVILLE — With Phase 1 complete, having acquired the necessary land while concurrently working with the City of Platteville to secure all the needed approvals, St. Augustine University Parish is moving forward with Phase 2 — a much-needed student residence.

Student residence

Presently students struggle to find high-quality, centrally located housing near campus. The proposed $10,000,000 student apartments will assist those upperclassmen, while at the same time offer a virtues-based residence where tomorrow’s leaders can be formed in faith and from which they can serve the campus and larger community.

“With fundraising ongoing, we believe it is realistic that we will be able to break ground on the student residence next fall,” said Fr. John Del Priore, SJS, parochial vicar of St. Augustine University Parish.

“This means upperclassmen will be able to take up residence here in the fall of 2018, as we want to do this right for the students.”

The 2017 plan for breaking ground on the residential component of the overall plan (Phase 2) will allow St. Augustine to maintain its rapidly growing ministry serving the students of UW-Platteville.

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On
Fr. Bart Timmerman

Dispelling fear in a season of hope

Fr. Bart Timmerman

One of the hallmarks of the Catholic Church in the United States is ministry to immigrants.

Some of the first saints of our American Church served Catholic immigrants to the United States. Most notably is St. Frances Cabrini, who was the first American citizen who was canonized. She founded hospitals, schools, and institutions for the poor that served immigrants in large cities like New York and Chicago. She is the Patron Saint of Immigrants because of her devotion and care for them.

Welcoming immigrants

So it has always been the Catholic Church through the centuries that has welcomed immigrants to the United States. Still in our day, we as Catholics, have a duty to continue ministering to our brothers and sisters who come to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families.

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On
Dick Jones, For the Catholic Herald

Children’s choir joins in Lessons and Carols

MADISON — For more than 25 years, the Madison Diocesan Choir has celebrated the birth of Christ with its Festival of Lessons and Carols, and the worship service on Sunday, Dec. 18, at Holy Name Heights promises to be a celebration like no other.

Unlike earlier concerts featuring a professional brass ensemble, string section, acclaimed vocalists, or soloists on harp or horn, this event offers the angelic voices of youth, featuring the Cardinal Cantors of St. Maria Goretti Catholic School in Madison as special musical guests.

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On
Laura Green, For the Catholic Herald

Latino-led fundraiser helps Catholic Multicultural Center help the community

MADISON — When the Diocese of Madison shut the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) down in 2009 due to tough economic times, Elia Armacanqui was among the first to rally around the center and advocate for its re-opening.

As a community advocate, Peruvian, and long-time friend and supporter of the CMC, Armacanqui saw this as a wake-up call for herself and fellow Latinos.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

St. Joe’s 55-PLUS Christmas party

FORT ATKINSON — St. Joe’s 55-PLUS Group will have its annual Christmas Party on Thursday, Dec. 15, at St. Joseph Parish Hall.

The group will gather at 1 p.m. for cheese, crackers, and punch and to mingle.

Baked ham, coffee, and lemonade will be provided for the potluck lunch scheduled at 1:15 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring a dish to pass.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Support our immigrant brothers and sisters

“For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35).

All of us (except Native Americans) who live in the United States are descended from immigrants.

My own ancestors came from Ireland, Germany, and Belgium seeking a better life in this country for themselves and their families. Most of them were Catholic, so they also wanted a place where they could worship freely.

Immigrants have continued to come to the United States. Many are welcomed by the Statue of Liberty in New York City’s harbor with words inscribed on the statue’s pedestal that say: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

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On
Julianne Nornberg

Giving the gift of sacrifice this Christmas

Everyday Faith column by Julianne Nornberg

“I can’t do it!” my four-year-old son cries out in frustration as he suddenly scrunches up his artwork to his chest.

His masterpiece, a brightly colored partially crayoned alphabet, is now a ball of crumpled paper, mashed beyond redemption.

“It’s okay,” I say, trying to calm his tears. “I can help you.”

Slowly I coax the ruined masterpiece from my son’s angry fingers, smooth the jagged creases, place my hand over his to guide the creation of the letters he’d wanted to be just so.

“You are still learning,” I tell him. “It doesn’t have to be perfect.”

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