Author: Kevin Wondrash

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Kevin Wondrash

Building culture of mercy, accompaniment

Dear Friends,

Of late it seems that all roads — whether in Rome or at home — lead to one place, to one theme: mercy.

Just a week or two ago, many of us in the diocese were blessed to experience the presence of the major relics of St. Maria Goretti — the Church’s youngest canonized Saint and one of our greatest examples of mercy. If you do not know her story, I highly encourage you to learn about it.

The tour of St. Maria Goretti’s remains around the United States is part of a preparation for the Year of Mercy, which Pope Francis has announced and which will begin on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception — December 8.

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Kevin Wondrash

Mass for deceased bishops and priests of Diocese of Madison

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino will celebrate a special Requiem Mass for deceased priests and bishops of the Diocese of Madison. November is a month when Catholics pray in a special way for the repose of the dead and, by God’s will, for the rapid entrance into heaven of the poor souls.

On Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Bishop O’Connor Center, Bishop Morlino, with clerical and lay ministers, will celebrate a Pontifical Requiem Mass “at the Throne” in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

 

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Kevin Wondrash

Patron’s relics leave lasting impression at St. Maria Goretti Parish

MADISON — “Wow! What a 23 hours with the relic of St. Maria Goretti’s body in our parish and our church,” wrote Msgr. Michael Burke, pastor at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison, in his parish bulletin.

Relics of the parish’s patroness were at the parish from the morning of October 16 to the morning of October 17. More than 13,000 people from 11 states were estimated to have venerated the relics. According to the parish, there were two medically confirmed healings.

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Kevin Wondrash

Churches Center celebrates 25 years

MONROE — A harvest celebration will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 3 until 8 p.m. at St. John United Church of Christ, 1724 14th St.

The public is invited to this event celebrating 25 years of the Churches Center for Land and People serving local farmers, food enthusiasts, and the local food economy.

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Kevin Wondrash

Annual quilt show to be held in Waunakee

WAUNAKEE — St. John’s Piecemakers Quilt Club will host their 15th annual “Quilting Through the Ages” quilt show on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the St. John School gym, 114 E. Third St.

More than 150 quilts will be displayed along with quilts that will be donated to local charities. There will be a silent auction and quilt sale benefitting the Waunakee Food Pantry. Luncheon items will be served by the Ashton Go-Getters 4-H club.

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Kevin Wondrash

Writing contest open to readers in grades four through 12

MILWAUKEE — A book is more than just a collection of words.

A book can have a direct and concrete impact on a life. For children and youth, a book can help them transcend difficult situations — like bullying, peer pressure, or prejudice — or help them cope with loss and disappointment.

Writing contest

Letters about Literature (LAL) is a writing contest for young readers in grades four through 12, sponsored by the Library of Congress and the Wisconsin Center for the Book. Students write a letter to an author of a fiction or nonfiction book, a short story, or a poem describing how the work changed the students’ view of the world or of themselves. Students are asked to do reflective writing rather than a book report.

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Kevin Wondrash

Thousands venerate relics of St. Maria Goretti in Madison

It was a birthday party unlike any other.

“This has been unbelievable . . . the greatest experience ever for this parish.”

Those words from Msgr. Michael Burke, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison, are the simplest way to sum up the 24-hour period in which the relics of St. Maria Goretti were at the parish from the morning of October 16 — the 125th anniversary of her birth — to the morning of October 17.

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