WATERLOO — The Island Church Foundation invites the public to return to the Island Church as it concludes its 150th year with the annual St. Wenceslaus Day celebration on Sunday, Sept. 22.
The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include a soup and sandwich lunch and a Catholic Mass in the church at 2 p.m.
MADISON — Need a purpose? Want to impress your mom? Looking to make a difference in your community?
We know people volunteer for a variety of reasons. This fall, consider doing all that with the Pregnancy Helpline (PH).
PH is looking to increase the number of volunteers who staff its phones.
“The nice thing about answering calls on our Helpline is that you can answer all calls from home,” says Jessica Vinson, Pregnancy Helpline phone volunteer coordinator and member of St. Ann Parish in Stoughton.
 |
|
|
This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends,
This past Saturday, along with so many of you I’m sure, I took up Pope Francis’ worldwide call to offer a day of prayer and of fasting for peace — especially for peace in Syria. As I write this column, the gears are turning, and we shall see what comes in terms of action in Syria, and all of the Middle East.
There is already suffering, no doubt! The situation in Syria and all around that part of the world is terrible. But the need for peace extends far beyond the Middle East, and peace is needed at a much deeper level for all of us.
Regardless the outcome of the current deliberations with regard to Syria, our work for peace should continue. If we desire peace, we must make an examination of conscience and work for peace within our own lives first, to seek a peace that cannot be disturbed. There is more on that below.
I cannot fail to mention that this week we come upon the anniversary of September 11, 2001, when so many Americans came to know the Prince of Peace and, we continue to pray, to reside with Him.
Of course, the violence of terrorism is intended as a direct attempt to rob a large number of people of their peace — not only those immediately affected, but those who continue to live in fear, in terror. May the Lord continue to remove fear from our lives, replacing it with hope — the hope that only He can bring.
MADISON — As a crowded Anderson Auditorium on the Edgewood College campus waited on September 10 for the day’s “major announcement,” school President Dr. Dan Carey stepped behind the podium.
With a tone of gratitude to the entire college, Carey announced he will retire from his position at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.
Carey said it is a time to “transition to meaningful work” at an age when he is still healthy.
He thanked the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students for all their help in the successes of Edgewood College during his time there.
MADISON — Many of us know that life is becoming increasingly chaotic in America, and there is a growing opinion that elements of our culture and even our government no longer regards life as valued or sacred.
Many people who are pro-life consider it very difficult or even impossible to change our culture and our government on their own.
The Most Holy Eucharist — as the source and summit of the Christian life — separates us from sin, strengthens us, and unites us more closely to Christ. We receive sacramental graces from the Eucharist that help us work with God in the salvation of other people for the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. As members of the Church, strengthened by grace, we are able to call people to conversion on developing a culture of life in America.
OREGON — The first session of the fall season of “That Man is You!” (TMIY) will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the parish hall at Holy Mother of Consolation Church from 6 to 7:30 a.m.
Men will meet for breakfast, followed by a video and small group discussion on the week’s topic.
 |
|
As I follow people on Twitter and help to put together the issue of the Catholic Herald each week, I read about a lot of Catholics taking pilgrimages to the three approved Marian Shines in Wisconsin: the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill, near Milwaukee; the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, in Champion, near Green Bay; and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, near La Crosse.
I have been to two of the three sites, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe being the only one I have yet to visit. I would now like to reflect on the first time I visited one of these shrines.
Back in May of 2012, I went on a one-day bus trip with parishioners from St. Christopher Parish in Verona to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion (formally known as Robinsonville).
BARABOO — The historic Al Ringling Theatre, 136 4th Ave., Baraboo, announces its lineup of shows for the 2013-14 Lively Arts Series. The series features a variety of artists in different performance genres, including some regional favorites.
Dear Friends, Well already it’s “back to school” time for so many of our young people.
This has always been a time of tremendous hope and of excitement for me, personally.
It may come as no surprise that I always enjoyed going to school myself, and even wanted to make “school” my chief ministry as a university professor and then seminary faculty member.
