December 13, 2017 – Page 2 – Madison Catholic Herald

MADISON — The Diocese of Madison Office of Worship is holding workshops for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at the following dates and locations:

• Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, 9:30 to 11 a.m., at St. Clare of Assisi Parish (St. Victor Church), 1760 14th St. in Monroe. Snow date is Saturday, March 3, at the same time

• Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Holy Name Heights (formerly the Bishop O’Connor Center), 702 S. High Point Rd. in Madison. Snow date is Thursday, Feb. 22, at the same time.

Give pregnant women loving support

This is the time of year when we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

We know that for his mother, Mary, her pregnancy could not have been an easy time. Although she knew she was carrying the Son of God in her womb, it must have been challenging to discuss her pregnancy with others, especially since she and Joseph were not yet married.

Fortunately, Joseph supported her. Yet, they travelled to Bethlehem in the last month of her pregnancy for a census and could find no place to stay in an inn. So Jesus was born in a stable, probably not the easiest place for labor and delivery!

Unexpected pregnancy

Many women today may find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy. We may know such women; they could be members of our families or friends, people who work with us, married or unmarried.

Faith practice, good works do not need to be in competition

To the editor:

A Catholic Herald letter by Kenneth R. Studinski calls guidance about what it means to be a practicing Catholic “a list of assumed credentials for an acting Catholic,” however he says being a “practicing Catholic” requires the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

I reflect that Works of Mercy that are authentic Christian charity are fruits of the life of grace that we received first at Baptism and have and preserve through faith by the sacraments, prayer, embrace of Catholic teaching, and ordered participation in the life of the Church. It is reductionistic to call these things “assumed credentials” when they are profoundly necessary to our incorporation in the Body of Christ and having His life, the life of grace.