BELOIT — Beloit resident Rita Macewicz was recently installed as the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) Director for the Province of Milwaukee at the NCCW national convention in Jacksonville, Fla.
Author: Chris Lee
Making goals a reality
As the Council reminds us: “The People of God believes that it is led by the Spirit of the Lord, who fills the whole world. Moved by this faith it tries to discern authentic signs of God’s presence and purpose in the events, the needs, and the longings which it shares with other people of our time. For faith throws a new light on all things and makes known the full ideal to which God has called each individual, and thus guides the mind towards solutions which are fully human” — Christifideles Laici, 3. Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II (December 1988)
I’ve talked about the purpose of pastoral planning, that is, to answer the questions, “Who are we as a faith community? What are we called to do? How are we best to do it?” be it for a parish, or a cluster of parishes, or even a diocese.
I’ve also mentioned how these questions are answered by the Holy Spirit through the bishop of the diocese, the pastor of the parish, and his pastoral council. The bishop gives each parish and cluster of parishes a focus through his goals and directives. These in turn are taken by the pastors and pastoral councils and are prayerfully reflected upon to create a plan of action.
This article will discuss how this plan of action is made real and active in a parish and in a cluster of parishes.
Making serious choices about sex education
At the end of nearly every legislative floor period, one or two issues galvanize citizen interest. For the floor period that ended on November 5, a debate over how to best instruct schoolchildren about sexuality was one such issue.
In early November, the Assembly debated and narrowly passed Assembly Bill 428. This bill, described by supporters as the “Healthy Youth Act,” would change the rules for providing sex education in important ways.
Importancia de la comunión de los santo
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| Esta columna está dirigida a los fieles de la Diócesis de Madison. Cualquier circulación más amplia transgrede la intención del Obispo. |
Esta “comunión de los santos” es un misterio muy importante de nuestra fe. Y sin embargo nuestra fe en ese misterio puede “simplemente pasar por encima”. Decimos: “… el Espíritu Santo, la Santa Iglesia Católica, la comunión de los santos, el perdón de los pecados…” ¿Acaso dejamos que esas frases del Credo se deslicen simplemente porque nos hemos acostumbrado a ellas?
School planning advances
MADISON — The Diocese of Madison Office of Catholic Schools recently held a diocesan-wide Congress to gain greater input on its yearlong planning process.
Mass, listening sessions for farming community
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Bishop Robert C. Morlino blesses some farm equipment brought by a farmer from Cuba City following the Rural Life Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Truman October 20. The bishop blessed two ponies, five tractors, and other farm equipment — including a “drive-by” blessing of a manure treatment system — outside the church. (Catholic Herald photo |
TRUMAN — People filled the pews at Immaculate Conception Church for the third annual Rural Life Mass held by the Diocese of Madison. Many also brought their farm equipment and a few animals to be blessed by Bishop Robert C. Morlino afterwards.
The Mass drew young and old from around Truman and the Diocese of Madison. Thirteen priests from throughout the diocese concelebrated the Mass on October 20.
After the Mass and blessing, the majority of the congregation gathered downstairs in the specially decorated social hall for a reception held by the Altar Society at Immaculate Conception Parish.
The parish had been cleaning and getting ready and planning since they heard about Truman hosting the event, said Irma Kliebenstein. “We wanted it to be festive, but family oriented.”
Bills would remove statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases
MADISON — The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC), the bishops’ voice for public policy, has opposed bills in the state legislature that would, if passed, repeal the statute of limitations for all civil suits filed by childhood sexual abuse victims.
Appreciating the Communion of Saints
November invites us to appreciate the beautiful teaching of the Communion of Saints.
The Communion of Saints (in Latin communio sanctorum) is the spiritual union of all members of the Church, living and dead, those on earth, in Heaven, and in Purgatory.
They are united in Christ by a love that is stronger than death. The Communion of Saints is mentioned in the Apostles Creed and is based upon First Corinthians 12. Members share a single “mystical body” with Christ as the head. Each member contributes to the good of all and shares in their welfare.
On All Saints Day we honor members of the Communion of Saints who are canonized and uncanonized saints. Canonization does not place a person in Heaven. It acknowledges that the person is already there. On All Saints Day, we also honor the countless uncanonized saints who are in Heaven. They inspire us to imitate them and live Christ-like lives.
Revolution of Love series planned in diocese
WAUNAKEE — Youth are continually bombarded with messages of love and happiness. What is true love? How do we live it out? What are the guidelines the Church offers to assist us in reaching our full potential and navigating the sexualized culture we live in?
Three upcoming workshops on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body (TOB) will explore the truth of love and chastity.
Bishop Nickless calls the faithful to continuity and renewal
SIOUX CITY, IOWA — To celebrate his four years as Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, Bishop R. Walker Nickless has written a pastoral letter titled “Ecclesia Semper Reformanda (The Church is Always in Need of Renewal),” reflecting on his “understanding of the state and direction of the Church, both universal and particular, at this juncture in her history.”
Nickless begins by identifying himself as “thoroughly a product” of the momentous time of the Second Vatican Council, which he calls “the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church in centuries.” While much has been done to implement the reforms of Vatican II, the bishop writes, there is much work left. “The Church is always in need of renewal,” Bishop Nickless states, “because it is made up of us, imperfect human beings.”