Day: May 10, 2018

On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

The Beacon has new shuttle for guests

beacon shuttle
At a recent recognition event, donors, along with staff members of Catholic Charities Madison, stand by The Beacon’s new 14-passenger shuttle, which is used to transport guests between the homeless day resource center and overnight shelters. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — “To have this in service for our homeless men, women, and children to be picked up at shelters in the morning and dropped off in the afternoon is unbelievable,” said Catholic Charities Madison CEO and President Jackson Fonder during a recent event thanking donors for their help in supporting the purchase of a 14-passenger shuttle for The Beacon.

The Beacon is the comprehensive day resource center in Madison for people experiencing homelessness in Dane County, which is operated, in part, by Catholic Charities Madison, along with Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.

The 2017 Ford Transport replaces an older shuttle that Fonder described as being “on its last leg,” and he told the donors, “you guys came to the rescue”.

The more than $60,000 raised for the transport came from a lead donation from Caritas Foundation, a major donation from the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, and additional support from the Eric D. and Steven D. Hovde Foundation, the Fiore Companies, MGE Foundation, Steve Brown Apartments, and Urban Land Interests.

Helping the homeless

“Transportation is one of the largest issues than inhibits our folks from getting help,” said Fonder.

He added when people experiencing homelessness can’t get adequate transportation, they “give up,” and the new shuttle “prevents them from giving up.”

The Beacon shuttle transports about 100 people per day from their overnight shelters in the morning to The Beacon, and then back to those shelters in the evening when the center closes for the day.

In the future, The Beacon will be evaluating other uses for the shuttle based on guest needs.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Seeing with our mother’s eyes and heart

Mother’s day is a special holy day when we honor the gift of our mother. This year we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 13.

Attempts to start an American Mother’s Day began after the Civil War as a protest to that war’s carnage by mothers who had lost their sons in that war. This early Mother’s Day for Peace movement was led by Julia Ward Howe, author of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

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On
Dick Jones, For the Catholic Herald

Diocesan Choir concert is ‘For All the Saints’

MADISON — Poll the faithful on the most famous saints, and Augustine, Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, and of course St. Patrick are sure to follow Peter and Paul on any top 10 list.

But what about St. Bede the Venerable, St. Columba, St. Niceta, or Blessed John Henry Newman, among others?

Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman, the Madison Diocesan Choir offers an introduction to the saints, the familiar and those not so well known, with a spring concert, “For All the Saints,” Friday, May 18, at the Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd., in Madison.

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On
Bishop Robert Barron

Michelle Wolf and the throwaway culture

The other night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Michelle Wolf, who I’m told is a comedian, regaled the black-tie and sequin-gowned crowd with her “jokes.” Almost all were in extremely bad taste and/or wildly offensive, but one has become accustomed to that sort of coarseness in the comedy clubs and even on mainstream television.

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Kelly Cheramy, For the Catholic Herald

What does courage look like today?

MADISON — Faces of courage and stories of faith took the spotlight during the St. Dennis Parish “Courage Through Faith” event that was held on the fourth Sunday of Easter.

Pastor Fr. Randy Timmerman welcomed about 400 believers from congregations throughout the city with the challenge to be bold and courageous in work and everyday life, much like the apostles were courageous in building the early Church after Christ rose from the dead.

Father Timmerman’s plea was to be a living example of Christian values and voices in a society that is often hostile toward faith.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Bishop presents money to Catholic Charities

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison recently presented three checks to Jackson Fonder, CEO and president of Catholic Charities Madison.

One check, totaling $185,000, was from the 2017 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). This money came from additional proceeds made available when the diocese reached its giving goal for the year.

The Diocese of Madison has supported Catholic Charities with more than $400,000 from last year’s ACA.

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On
Pregnancy Helpline, Inc. of Madison, For the Catholic Herald

Pregnancy Helpline names new executive director

MADISON — At the annual Comedy Night Benefit this spring, the Pregnancy Helpline made an exciting announcement. They introduced their new Executive Director, Stephanie Ehle, to their crowd of supporters.

Stephanie Ehle, MS, CWP and owner of a local wellness company, steps into this new role as the previous director, Alissa Hirscher, hands over the reins after nearly six years of service.

New executive director

Ehle is excited to take on the challenge of leading the Helpline through its next chapter. She has a background in health and wellness, and is a parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona, in addition to being a mom of two young children. She has worked for a large healthcare company, as well as started her own business.

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