Year: 2017

On
Kevin Wondrash

Madison Society of St. Vincent de Paul featured in EWTN television series

MADISON — The District Council of Madison Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be featured in some episodes of the special series titled Our Faith in Action: Today’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul, showcasing how members of St. Vincent de Paul conferences (known as Vincentians) and other volunteers contribute to helping our neighbors in need across the country.

Episode three, airing on Wednesday, July 26, includes the local St. Vincent de Paul that serves Dane County, and showcases the Lacy Pantry Garden and the Food Pantry.

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Kevin Wondrash

Visit historic St. Wenceslaus Church

WATERLOO — The Island Church Foundation invites the public to visit the historic St. Wenceslaus (Island) Church on Sunday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Featured events include a historic tractor display presented by neighbors and local historian Edward Langer presenting his research on the emigration from Landskron to Waterloo and other places in Wisconsin at 12:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building next to the church.

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Kevin Wondrash

St. Ambrose Academy Reading Institute gives presentations

MADISON — Debra Krebs, director of the St. Ambrose Academy (SAA) Reading Institute, will give two presentations on dyslexia and the program the SAA Reading Institute uses to provide participating students the help they need to become successful readers.

The presentations will be given on Sunday, July 16, at 11:15 a.m. in the basement of St. Clare of Assisi Church at 1760 14th St., Monroe, and Saturday, July 22, at 5:15 p.m. in the St. Dennis Parish Center, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison. Snacks will be provided.

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Jane Lepeska Grinde, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Diocesan women meet; discuss leadership, service

mdccw m&ms

Members of the “M&Ms of Council” team appeared at the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) annual convention held in Fort Atkinson on June 14. The group used the M&M theme to talk about mentoring other women and encouraging them to become active in the CCW councils in their own parishes. Pictured are, front, from left: Carol Brennan and Julie Ottoman, back, from left: Donna Schroeder, Jane Munro, Mary Stasek, and Louise Urmanski.(Catholic Herald photo/Fr. Peter Auer)

FORT ATKINSON — With the theme of “Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way,” Co-Presidents Ellen Martin, Westfield, and Sue Koch, Berlin, opened the 63rd annual convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) at St. Joseph Parish Hall here on June 14.

Interrupting their welcome, President-Elect Bernadette Shaefer, Lancaster, came running in with other MDCCW leaders and led a cheer which she wrote for the convention: “Here’s to the women we hold dear. We all come together year after year. Sharing ideas too many to mention. We learn and laugh at our annual convention . . .”

The fun mixed with the seriousness continued throughout the day.

In his opening comments, Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, pastor of Sacred Hearts Parish, Sun Prairie, and MDCCW spiritual advisor, gave thanks for the women of the council who provide services to the diocese.

“One of the tasks of this council is to help us support one another on our journey of faith. So, first of all, we are helping each other and then, second, we are working through the Catholic Church to share the Good News of the Gospel message of Jesus with others of our own faith and far beyond the borders of Catholicism . . . how blessed we are to be able to share in the ministry of the Lord which He has entrusted us.”

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Fr. Donald Lange

July 4 invites us to reflect on freedom

Independence Day is an American federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Studying the Declaration of Independence can motivate us to reflect upon the meaning of freedom and independence.

Dependence on God

We Catholics believe that our independence and freedom are rooted in our dependence upon God. Our dependence upon God is clearly stated in the preamble of the Declaration of Independence.

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Jane Lepeska Grinde, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Priest given ‘another chance’ to complete mission in life

FORT ATKINSON — Fr. John Tourangeau, O. Praem, began his keynote speech to the women at the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) convention held at St. Joseph Parish in Fort Atkinson, June 14, with a request to join him in reciting The Hail Mary.

“We humbly ask blessings from the Blessed Virgin Mary on our gathering,” prayed the Norbertine priest who spoke on “Heaven: Is it for Real?” He is the co-author with Travis Vanden Heuvel of To Heaven and Back: The Journey of a Roman Catholic Priest.

 

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Bishop Robert Barron

Looking at Luther with fresh eyes

With great profit and pleasure I’m currently reading Alec Ryrie’s new book Protestants: The Faith that Made the Modern World. Among the many texts appearing in this year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Ryrie’s stands out for its verve, clarity, and historical sweep.

In some ways, it is an answer to Brad Gregory’s The Unintended Reformation, though it lacks the intellectual depth and thoroughness of Gregory’s magisterial study. What has so far intrigued me most of all in Ryrie’s book is his portrait of the undisputed father of the Reformation, Martin Luther.

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