Author: Kevin Wondrash

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Kevin Wondrash

The ‘expendable children’

Couples who struggle to get pregnant are turning with greater frequency to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) industry for assistance.

In some cases, they can end up feeling they are “too pregnant” when twins, triplets, or quads arise. This occurs from the practice of implanting more than one embryo at a time to improve pregnancy success rates.

‘Selective reduction’

A multiplet pregnancy can involve significant risk, both for the children in utero, and for the mother. Because of these risks, the pregnant mother will sometimes be advised to opt for a “selective reduction,” where potassium chloride is injected into one or two of the growing babies, to cause their hearts to seize, followed by death and the gradual re-absorption of their bodies during the remainder of the pregnancy.

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Kevin Wondrash

National Novena to be held at shrine in Champion

CHAMPION — A special line-up of speakers will be featured as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help celebrates its second National Novena to Our Lady of Good Help, October 1 to 9.

The National Novena offers nine days of reflection and prayer and brings hundreds of pilgrims to the National Shrine in Champion.

The National Novena begins on Sunday, Oct. 1, with the theme, “Mary Queen of Families.” The guest speaker will be Dr. Mary Amore, executive director of Mayslake Ministries and a distinguished theologian, author, and blogger on Catholic teaching.

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Kevin Wondrash

St. Jerome School plans annual Gala

COLUMBUS — “Welcome to Paradise” is the theme of the third annual St. Jerome School Gala to be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, in the school gymnasium at 1550 Farnham St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The evening features a catered Caribbean buffet, open bar (beer, wine, and tropical coolers), and live music by Bahama Bob’s Island Music. Event tickets are $40 each or two for $75. There will also be a raffle (with five travel prizes), sweet deals, silent auctions, and mystery boxes. Gala raffle tickets are $50 each with the grand prize valued at $5,000.

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Kevin Wondrash

Island Church Foundation to honor St. Wenceslaus

WATERLOO — The Island Church Foundation invites the public to visit the historic St. Wenceslaus Church, commonly known as the Island Church, for the annual St. Wenceslaus Day celebration on Sunday, Sept. 24.

The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include a Mass in the church at 2:30 p.m.

Featured events include a historic tractor display presented by neighbors, and local historian Edward Langer will be on hand to share ancestral history from his recent trip to Lanskroun.

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Kevin Wondrash

Oktoberfest to be held in Highland

HIGHLAND — SS. Anthony and Philip Parish will hold its annual Oktoberfest Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at SS. Anthony and Philip Church, 726 Main St.

The day starts with a 9 a.m. Mass honoring German heritage. After Mass in the gathering space, there will be free coffee and nibbles.

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Kevin Wondrash

The importance of ‘real’ friendship, intimacy

Matt Spicer’s dark comedy Ingrid Goes West is a telling and penetrating critique of the iPhone culture that has swallowed up so many young people today.

Now I know: I have an evangelical ministry that uses social media and reaches out through iPhones and other similar devices. Moreover, I have been known from time to time even to use such instruments personally.

So I’m not going to use this review as an excuse for a broad brush dismissal of social media. But I will indeed use it to encourage you to see this film, which artfully explores the shadow side of living in virtual reality.

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Kevin Wondrash

No back to school for child laborers

It’s that special time of the year again when kids start heading back to school. And for those who have discovered the fun of learning, school is an adventure!

But for millions of working children worldwide, the adventures of a new school year remain but a dream. Sadly, these children will never learn to read or write. They will not acquire computer skills. They will not experience singing in chorus, going on field trips, or playing at recess.

Their classrooms will be sweatshops, farm fields, and battlefields. Their days will be filled with long, dirty, dangerous work. And the lesson they will learn is that life is cruel and unfair.

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Kevin Wondrash

Diocesan Office of Worship offers sessions on Mass, workshops

MADISON — The Diocese of Madison’s Office of Worship is offering a number of workshops.

Praying the Mass with Abbot Rooney

“Praying the Mass” is a series which will explore the Mass with Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, former abbot primate of the Benedictine Order and an advisor to popes. Abbot Rooney will discuss some history of the Mass and reflect upon how we can pray the Mass rather than simply pray at Mass.

People are invited to attend one session or all five.

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Kevin Wondrash

Peaceful, prayerful, effective 40 Days for Life campaign to build on successes in Madison

MADISON — “On September 27, the highly successful 40 Days for Life campaign returns to Madison with 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach,” said Gwen Finnegan, who is coordinating the local campaign.

“We pray that these efforts will help mark the beginning of the end of abortion in the Madison area.”

Finnegan said, “We know 40 Days for Life has made a difference in Madison. Our volunteers have made extraordinary sacrifices to expose the abortion industry and to protect children and their mothers from abortion.”

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