On Friday, Feb. 6, Max Jonas walked the halls of St. Joseph School in Fort Atkinson, gussied up in a dress shirt, tie, and sport coat, like any school principal would — checking in on all the classrooms, greeting students and staff, and also helping out in gym class.
Author: Kevin Wondrash
Lenten service project to help children overseas
ASHTON — In the Republic of Sierra Leona in West Africa, you would see the faces of children and families affected by the Ebola outbreak. If you look closer, you’ll also see “the face of Jesus in every child.”
That’s the message of Savior of the World — a children’s center that provides aid and a witness to the Gospel to orphaned and needy children in Sierra Leone.
The parish community at St. Peter in Ashton and St. Martin of Tours in Martinsville, including the religious education program, school, and other parishioners, are working this Lent to help support Savior of the World.
Finding at-home assistance for seniors
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Q My siblings and I gave our mother the gift of in-home assistance for Christmas.
She lives just outside of Madison and the rest of us live in surrounding counties.
The idea was to provide some support because we can’t be there as much as we would like and mom does not ask us for help.
She was reluctant to accept it at first, but then agreed that she could use some help with certain things.
Reconciliation helps us to live Lent with renewed faith
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In Matthew 9:10-13, the Scribes and Pharisees complain that Christ dines with sinners and tax collectors. They are right. He does. Jesus responds by saying that he has come not to call the righteous, but sinners.
R. Charles Miller wrote that a sinner, as used here, is someone who admits they have sinned and needs God’s forgiveness to help them change. Conversely, the self-righteous think they don’t need forgiveness.
Sharing God’s mercy
Christ became flesh and took on a human nature to share the Father’s mercy with us. Chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel features three parables of God’s mercy.
Baptism: Claimed for Christ
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| Patrick Gorman |
Lent is a season of preparation and recollection of our Baptism. This is the second in a series of several articles reflecting upon the Sacrament of Baptism.
One of the first things that we do when we meet someone is learn their name. It’s so basic, yet so important.
In Baptism, the Church does the same thing.
The Rite of Baptism of Infants calls for the priest to welcome the child, parents, and godparents at the doors of the church (he does the same with adults when he welcomes catechumens). (1)
Christianity not primarily about ethics
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Many atheists and agnostics today argue that it is possible for non-believers in God to be morally upright.
They resent the implication that the denial of God will lead inevitably to ethical relativism or nihilism. They are quick to point out examples of non-religious people who are models of kindness, compassion, justice, etc.
Non-believers praiseworthy?
A recent article proposed that non-believers are, on average, more morally praiseworthy than religious people. God knows (pun intended) that during the last 20 years we’ve seen plenty of evidence of the godly behaving badly.
Lenten opportunities for men and women
Annual diocesan men’s Lenten retreat
MADISON — The annual “Fortes in Fide” diocesan men’s Lenten retreat is set for Friday, March 6, to Saturday, March 7, at the Bishop O’Connor Pastoral Center in Madison, 702 S. High Point Rd.
Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Friday for early arrivals.
The retreat welcome will be at 7 p.m.
There will be talks, Confession, a Holy Hour, Rosary, and Benediction.
Mass commemorates death of Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli
BENTON — The annual Mass to commemorate the death of Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, will be held at St. Patrick Church, Benton, on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 1:30 p.m.
The Mazzuchelli Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus invite everyone to attend and join them for a social in the parish hall afterward.
Parishioners share faith stories
STOUGHTON — Each […]
2015 Annual Catholic Appeal: ‘Living Our Mission of Charity’
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MADISON — Have you ever modeled your charitable life around the Holy Family?
You may not give of yourselves the same way as Mary and Joseph did, but modeling your charitable giving through your time, talent, and treasure is your way of giving back.
One way to live your mission of charity is through giving to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Each year, the ACA asks each parishioner in the Diocese of Madison to prayerfully consider what they are able to give back to their diocesan Church.The Diocese of Madison lives on your generosity to support its missions — missions that are critical in helping our neighbors in need, teaching those that need education and training on our faith.
The Annual Catholic Appeal reaches every corner of our diocese in some way, here are just a few.
Marriage Preparation — Does your parish offer marriage preparation classes to those seeking the sacrament Sacrament of Marriage? The ACA funds the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, which oversees the training and materials needed for marriage preparation classes around the diocese.
Catholic schools — Do you know of a child that attends a Catholic school? Just like every school district in the state, the Office of Catholic Schools is directed by the superintendent of Catholic schools. This office oversees all of the administrative functions supporting the Catholic school system in our diocese.
Catholic Charities — Has your parish community benefited from the Mobile Food Pantry? It travels around the diocese helping those that need that extra assistance at difficult times. This is just one mission that Catholic Charities does for our neighbors in need.