Year: 2017

On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Support efforts to stop trafficking

At the recent Catholics at the Capitol in Madison, we heard about the dangers of human trafficking in our state and nation.

We need to invest more of our resources to fight against labor and sex trafficking, which sadly targets many young victims.

The U.S. House of Representatives took a step in the right direction on July 12. It passed an anti-trafficking bill which would put more than $500 million over the next four years into efforts to fight labor and sex trafficking both in the U.S. and abroad.

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On
Bishop Robert Barron

Pope Francis speaks to priests

I write these words from the Nuremore Hotel in Monaghan, Ireland, where I am conducting a retreat for the good priests of the Dublin Archdiocese.

As I look out at these men, I am reminded of so many of my own relatives on both sides of my family (“Gosh, he looks like Uncle Charlie” and “That one is the spitting image of my cousin Terry”), for I am Irish all the way through. Many of the priests who are making the retreat are retired, and it is edifying to see so many who have bravely borne the heat of the day. Do say a prayer for them.

The theme that I have chosen for my talks is “Pope Francis Speaks to Priests.” I have culled a number of motifs from the pope’s numerous talks, sermons, and lectures to priests, seminarians, and bishops. Allow me, in the course of this brief article to say just a few words about each one.

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On
Julianne Nornberg

Struggle is necessary in this life

Everyday Faith column by Julianne Nornberg

Slowly, slowly, with back hunched over and knees bent up toward the handlebars, my six-year-old daughter trudged on her big-wheeled tricycle toward the grocery store to get popsicles.

So adamant was she about not trying her two-wheeled bicycle that she resorted to a preschooler vehicle to reach her destination.

Swallowing my usual remarks during such displays of tenacity, I patiently walked beside her, giving her a push now and then up the slopes, then gently reminded her that when she masters her two-wheeler, she will not struggle so much.

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On
Deacon Jim Hoegemeier, For the Catholic Herald

Celebrating persons with disabilities

MADISON — Parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison are taking advantage of a program developed and sponsored by the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities-Diocese of Madison (Apostolate to the Handicapped).

Recently, nearly 50 people gathered at Blessed Trinity Parish in Lodi to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of parishioners with disabilities as part of a Blessed Margaret Celebration.

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On
Jane Lepeska Grinde, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Diocesan women challenged to lead

FORT ATKINSON — In an afternoon “shareshop” on leadership at the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) convention held recently at St. Joseph Parish Hall here, members of MDCCW board shared their enthusiasm for the work of CCWs at the parish and vicariate levels.

Technology

Calling each segment an infomercial, Co-President Sue Koch introduced each one, beginning with technology presented by MDCCW Treasurer Kathy Loy, Fennimore, and Jan Block, Grant Vicariate president from Lancaster.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

NFP Awareness Week begins July 23

MADISON — “It’s time! Say ‘Yes’ to God’s plan for married love” is the theme of this year’s Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, a national educational campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to celebrate God’s vision for marriage and promote Natural Family Planning.

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for the safe, natural, and effective methods of both achieving and avoiding pregnancy. NFP education courses teach couples how to observe and interpret the woman’s signs of fertility and infertility. In the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, NFP methods “respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them, and favor the education of an authentic freedom” (CCC, no. 2370).

The dates of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week are July 23 to 29. These dates highlight the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25) that articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, marriage, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Encouragement key for new priests

We rejoice in the ordination of three new priests for the Diocese of Madison: Frs. Jared Holzhuter, Andrew Showers, and Luke Syse.

While we thank God for the gift of their priesthood, some of us can also take a little credit for their ordination.

Importance of encouragement

Why is that? According to the annual survey of this year’s ordination class, 82 percent of the men ordained to the priesthood were encouraged by four people in their lives, including parish priests, friends, or other parishioners.

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