DARLINGTON — Holy […]
Author: Kevin Wondrash
St. Ambrose lecture focuses on Austen and Shakespeare
MADISON — Arguably two of the greatest writers in the English language — Jane Austen and William Shakespeare — share more than their greatness.
Austen, the master and perfector of the novel, and Shakespeare, one of the greatest of playwrights and wordsmiths, share an understanding of suffering, self-knowledge, and the transforming power of love.
Sophie’s Squash author interacts with students
MADISON — Children’s book author Pat Zietlow Miller spent the day at St. James School on a recent Friday in October, reading her book, Sophie’s Squash, and helping the children decorate butternut squash as Sophie does in the book.
The mother of St. James sixth grader Sonia and Edgewood High School Junior Gwen felt right at home as she shared her own story of becoming a published author with the children in each of the classrooms, PreK to fifth grade. The sixth graders joined their first grade “buddies” for the story.
Two local students chosen as animators at NCYC
DEFOREST — When the lights go down and the music starts pumping during the opening ceremonies of the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis this month, two DeForest area students will be among the dancers and singers on stage charged with firing up the crowd for the three-day conference.
Megan Durst and Katherine Kennedy, juniors at DeForest Area High School and members of St. Olaf Parish, will serve as NCYC “animators.” About 75 youth from across the country were selected as animators to lead the prayer services and set the tone for the conference.
Nora Durst receives the Jack McBride Leadership in Ministry Award
MADISON — At 90 years, Nora Durst is still going strong in her service to the Church.
She received the Jack McBride Leadership in Ministry Award on September 26. The Madison Diocese Religious Educator’s Organization (MDREO) recognized her for her service at their recent Catechetical Convocation at the Bishop O’Connor Center.
Sharing her faith
For over 60 years, Durst has been involved in faith formation, and a beautiful witness to others in sharing her Catholic faith. When asked about her work for the Church, she replied, “I did what I saw needed to be done.” And that has included a variety of roles and tasks over the years.
Mary as ‘the loosener of knots’
Dear Friends,
Even as we come upon the last days and hours of this month of October, I cannot fail to take a few moments to reflect upon the woman we’ve been honoring in a special way — Mary, the mother of Jesus, and our mother.
Edgewood College goes green with goats
MADISON — For two weeks in late October, the Edgewood College campus had about 40 special guests, but they weren’t there to study.
Students, faculty, staff, and guests who walked near a wooded area on the southern part of the campus found a fenced area set up — for goats.
The goats were on hand to help the school’s Landscape and Grounds Department to clear invasive plant species along the shore of Lake Wingra.
The goats, quite simply, were brought in to eat the plants.
Students learn positive behaviors in Cross Plains
CROSS PLAINS — St. Francis Xavier School students in all grades (K4 through eight) are taking part in a year-long, school-wide program focused on putting positive actions and behaviors into practice.
Each month teachers develop lesson plans and activities around a specific character trait and will create opportunities for students to be living models of Christ.
The program is being organized by second grade teacher Ms. Jennifer Eicher. Eicher explains that the goal behind the school-wide program is to create an environment where all students, faculty, staff, and parents are active participants in the growth and development of each child within school community.
Life Teen events in diocese
JEFFERSON/OREGON — Several Life Teen ministry events are coming to parishes in the Diocese of Madison.
A Life Teen local training will be held at Holy Mother of Consolation, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The training is for youth ministers to learn best practices in youth ministry, based on the Life Teen ministry model. The goal is to help parishes lead teens closer to Christ. The cost of the training is $30 per person, and includes breakfast and lunch. Registration is required. To register, or for more information, contact Tiffany Topel at ttpoel@stjohnbaptist.net or call 920-674-5433.
Seat of Wisdom courses for the Year of Faith
MADISON — Inspired in this Year of Faith by Pope Francis’ emphasis on charity and social justice, the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is sponsoring two new courses on Catholic Social Doctrine, both being taught by Dr. Constance Nielsen.
The six-hour introduction course is being offered in regional parishes and available for local programming at the request of parishes or schools.
The more expanded course is being offered at the Bishop O’Connor Center one Saturday per month throughout the academic year. Remaining dates include November 23, January 25, February 22, March 22, April 26, and May 17.