Two students at […]
Month: January 2017
Appreciating teachers in Catholic schools
 |
|
In 1974, National Catholic Schools Week was established as the annual celebration of Catholic education. In 2017, Catholic Schools Week begins on January 29 and ends on February 4. Its 2017 theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service.”
During this special week, Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and others are offered. Through these events, Catholic schools call attention to contributions Catholic education provides for youth, church, community, and country.
Since I was a Catholic school- teacher for 22 years, in this article I will focus upon appreciating the value of Catholic schoolteachers.
Reading institute to help kids with dyslexia
MADISON — The Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities (formerly known as the Apostolate to the Handicapped) recently approved a grant to fund the St. Ambrose Academy Reading Institute.
The Reading Institute will help coordinate tutoring for students with dyslexia at diocesan schools by providing student screening, assessments, and training tutors who will then provide one-on-one tutoring for students.
The Reading Institute will use a proven tutoring method to provide students with the tools they need to be able to read.
New Year’s resolutions can succeed
 |
|
| Ask DMU |
Question:
I always seem to have trouble following through with my New Year’s resolutions. Why is that? And what can I do to succeed this year?
Response:
William T. McKenna, M.S
Pre-Doctoral Resident in Clinical Psychology at Catholic Charities
Every year many of us find ourselves in your shoes.
From losing weight, to reading more, to cutting back on fast food, we all make plans that can be both great and unattainable at the same time.
St. Vincent de Paul ‘Recycle the Warmth’ blanket drive
Imagine another sleepless night, shivering in a cold bed without a clean, warm blanket.
Some people in the community will go to bed tonight without the basic warmth and comfort of a blanket and it will affect their ability to work, learn, and stay healthy.
The unambiguous faith of the lay people
 |
|
Spoiler Alert: This is the second part of Bishop Barron’s reflections on Martin Scorcese’s new film, Silence. The first part, which we published last week, is a summary of the plot in which Father Rodrigues, a Jesuit missionary in 17th-century Japan, apostatizes under severe psychological torture. What follows is Bishop Barron’s thoughts about the end of the movie.
In the wake of his apostasy, [Father Rodrigues] follows in the footsteps of Ferreira, becoming a ward of the state, a well-fed, well-provided for philosopher, regularly called upon to step on a Christian image and formally renounce his Christian faith.
He takes a Japanese name and a Japanese wife and lives out many long years in Japan before his death at the age of 64 and his burial in a Buddhist ceremony.
Medical care for the ‘least of these’
|
|
| Sarah Zoutendam Schaaf |
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
“I’ll be back to pick you up in an hour” were her last words to me. I remember waiting for her as the afternoon sun faded to evening. I knew something was wrong.
Pontifical Mass for the Feast of Candlemas to be celebrated
MADISON — On Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. His Excellency Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino will celebrate Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Presentation of the Lord) with a Pontifical Mass at the Throne in the chapel of the Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison.
The music will be Gregorian Chant and polyphonic motets.
There will be the traditional blessing of candles and a procession.
The rites are in the Church’s ancient, traditional form of the Roman Rite in Latin.
Blessed candles will be distributed.
Put people first, then environment
To the editor:
In writing about Pope Francis’ opinions of climate change, the writer in the December 15 issue of the Catholic Herald quoted the importance and opportunity of “stewardship of our earth in human solidarity.”
Not once in the article is there a reference to conserving LIFE. Other quotes in the article are also vague. “Avert deterioration by human activity.” “Outstanding academic and research institutions make a vital contribution in the years ahead.” “Scientist work free of political, economic, or ideological interests.” They must “build a cultural model to confront the challenge of climate change.”
Why service matters in Catholic schools
During my own 12 years of Catholic school education, students were encouraged to be involved in service projects at school, in our parishes, and in our communities.
I can still remember Aquinas High School students in La Crosse in 1965 sandbagging along the Mississipi River. Severe flooding had caused the river to crest at 16 feet, nearly four feet above flood stage. Many students came out to help save the community.