BELOIT — For the third year, a group of Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) parishioners are organizing, preparing food, and inviting anyone in the Beloit community to a free Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings on Thursday, Nov. 22.
Serving will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in Assumption Hall. There is an elevator to the lower level dining hall. People who are alone are especially invited to attend.Year: 2018
National 40 Days for Life team visits Madison
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| Steve Karlen, North American campaign director for 40 Days for Life, speaks in Madison on October 29. (Contributed photo) |
MADISON — On Monday, Oct. 29, the Madison 40 Days for Life campaign was blessed to hear from 40 Days for Life National Leaders: Shawn Carney, president; Matt Britton, general counsel; and Steve Karlen, campaign director.
Sue Thayer, former manager of a Planned Parenthood in Iowa, was also on hand to share her story with the 75 pro-life people assembled for the event.
When the group arrived, they were met by counter protesters from the newly formed group who call themselves Madison Abortion Defense. As the 40 Days for Life national leaders and Thayer made their way to their speaking location, they had to walk through the crowd of counter protesters who yelled, “Go home” at them.
On the other side of the counter protesters, the local 40 Days for Life leaders met the four and welcomed them to their vigil location, “We’re happy that you are here.”
Counter protesters make noise
Steve Karlen started the evening with prayer and began to speak. It was at his first words after prayer that the counter protesters made their way to the speaker’s location and stood behind the stage (a rented pickup) chanting things like, “Abortion is healthcare, abortion is a right”, “Free abortion on demand. Can we do it? Yes, we can”, and “Whose clinic? Our clinic”.
They were very loud! Kar-len was not deterred as he continued speaking and said that the noisy opposition was there because they are very worried. He talked of how the presence of 40 Days for Life at abortion facilities saves lives.
Shocking plot twists of science and faith
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Word on Fire |
This is the first article of a three-part series.
In his excellent book, Modern Physics and Ancient Faith (University of Notre Dame Press, 2003), physics professor Stephen M. Barr recounts the typical story of the the universe as told by scientific materialists. It’s one of the best summaries of the naturalist worldview I’ve read, from any perspective:
“The world revealed by science bears little resemblance to the world as it was portrayed by religion. Judaism and Christianity taught that the world was created by God, and that things therefore, have a purpose and meaning, aside from the purposes and meanings we choose to give them.”
Parish catechetical leaders honor Cheryl Horne
MADISON — On October 19, parish catechetical leaders from the Diocese of Madison honored the hard work and dedication of Cheryl Horne of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Madison.
Horne received the Jack McBride Leadership in Ministry Award. The Madison Diocese Religious Educators’ Organization (MDREO) presented the award at the Catechetical Convocation at Holy Name Heights.
Order supports Christian presence in Holy Land
While we in the United States were devastated by the recent shooting of 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, there has also been continuing violence in the Holy Land.
A Catholic News Service (CNS) article published on October 29 said Holy Land Church leaders expressed concern in the wake of recent incidents involving the Christian community.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is holy day of obligation
MADISON — This year the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Second Sunday of Advent fall on successive days: Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9.
Since the solemnity remains a holy day of obligation, there is sometimes confusion regarding when and how often people need to participate in Mass. There are several scenarios that could take place that weekend. The Diocesan Office of Worship suggests the following:
Damian Lenshek joins diocesan staff
MADISON — Damian X. Lenshek joined the Diocese of Madison as Manager of Special Projects. In that capacity, he will assist with initiatives in operations, communications, planning, development, and technology.
He comes to the diocese with over 12 years of experience in organizational management, process improvement, and fundraising initiatives for Catholic nonprofit organizations.Sr. Kathleen Malone, OP, dies
Sr. Kathleen Malone, OP, died Oct. 29, 2018, at Orchard Manor, Lancaster, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Donaldus.
National Vocation Awareness Week is November 4-10
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| Seminarians from the Diocese of Madison are pictured with Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison and Fr. Gregory Ihm, vocations director for the diocese, right. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 4-10.
This annual event is a special time for parishes in the U.S. to foster a culture of vocations for the priesthood, diaconate, and Consecrated Life.
Pope Francis, in his message for the 2018 World Day of Vocations, emphasized that it is at the loving initiative of God, and by His personal encounter with each of us, that one is called.
National Vocation Awareness Week, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations, is designed to help promote vocation awareness and to encourage young people to ask the question: “To what vocation in life is God calling me?”
Parish and school communities across the nation are encouraged to include, during the first week in November, special activities that focus on vocation awareness and provide opportunities for prayerful discernment.
Helping people encounter God’s Glory
“Those who want to work for moral reform in the world must seek the glory of God before all else.” — St. John Leonardi, Feast Day October 9
As I prayed this passage from the Liturgy of the Hours, I recognized the importance of vocation work and what a privilege it is to help people seek the Glory of God but then respond to it in the way that He is inviting them to it.