Year: 2017

On
Fr. Donald Lange

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.

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On
Chris Lee

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.

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On
William T. McKenna

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.

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On
Bishop Robert Barron

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.

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On
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, For the Catholic Herald

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.

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On
Jane Tarrell

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.”

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

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.

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On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Getting ready for middle school

MONONA — A walk down the hallway at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) School in Monona doesn’t take too long — less than a minute to get from one end to the other.

Elementary school classes, up to grade four, are on one side, with the middle school classes, up to grade eight, on the other side.

While the distance is short, the journey from one side of the hallway to the other side can be a challenge for students as they become older and enter the middle school grades.

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