Kevin Wondrash

MADISON — Catholic Charities Madison will celebrate the accomplishments of its programs, volunteers, program participants, and members of the community at its 24th annual Faith in Action Celebration.

This year, the annual Faith in Action Celebration will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Madison Marriott West. Registration and cash bar open at 5 p.m. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the awards presentation concluding at 8:30 p.m.

On September 19, 2019May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Contradictory suicide messaging

In July 2014, police found the body of 18-year-old Conrad Roy inside his truck in Fairhaven, Mass. He had died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

As the case unfolded, it became apparent that a friend of his, 17-year-old Michelle Carter, had encouraged him toward suicide. In a series of texts, she repeatedly pressured him to go through with it by sending messages like, “You keep pushing it off and say you’ll do it but u never do. It’s always gonna be that way if u don’t take action.”

On September 19, 2019May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

God is calling us to break violence’s stranglehold

The recent tragic mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, killing at least 29 people, point to an ongoing epidemic of mass shootings in the United States.

As of August 5, the 217th day of the year, there were 255 mass shootings — more mass shootings than number of days so far this year.

On September 19, 2019May 8, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

We are called to build a monastery in our hearts

The center point of my spiritual geography is New Melleray Trappist Abbey, just west of Dubuque, Iowa. I have returned there often for retreats ever since I first visited at the age of 19.

Founded in 1849 as a daughter house of Melleray Abbey in Ireland, this monastic community rises at 3:30 a.m. every morning for Vigils, the first liturgical hour of the day. The monks’ days are filled with prayer, meditation, work, and silence.

From the first time I entered their beautiful stone chapel, I have felt profoundly embraced by God at New Melleray; some of my deepest prayer experiences have occurred there. If I could have ever convinced God that the Trappist life was my vocation, I would be peeling potatoes and scrubbing floors there as I write now!