Category: Around the Diocese

News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.

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By Kim Donohoe, For the Catholic Herald

New developments at St. Ambrose Academy

MADISON — St. Ambrose Academy has recently announced two significant new initiatives that will position the school for future growth and success, including adding new members to its Board of Directors and kicking off a three-year plan to move into a new school building by September 7, 2021.

Since St. Ambrose Academy’s founding in 2003 as Madison’s first independent, classical, Catholic middle and high school, enrollment has grown tenfold. In its first 15 years, St. Ambrose has continually expanded its ability to deliver on its mission of providing Madison-area families with access to a classical education rooted in the Catholic faith.

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Kevin Wondrash

Women invited to share their faith

HILLPOINT — Marie Lins, associate coordinator of the Madison Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, will speak on “Sharing the Love of Our Faith” at the spring meeting of the Sauk Vicariate Council of Catholic Women (CCW) Saturday, May 5, at the Joyce Fichtel Farm, 17502 Pregal Dr., Hillpoint.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. with registration and prayer, followed by business meeting, program, and lunch. It concludes with the Beatitude Rosary and prayers at 12:30.

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Kevin Wondrash

Princeton school plans Golf Benefit

PRINCETON — Plans are underway for St. John Catholic School’s in Princeton’s 18th annual Golf Benefit to be held on Saturday, May 19, at Sondalle’s White Lake Country Club, Montello.

Price is $75 per person as last year in the hopes of increasing participation. Cost includes 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner. The cost for full members of Sondalle’s White Lake Country Club is $50 per person.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Volunteers shine bright at The Beacon

beacon volunteers
Volunteers Darrell and Janie help out in the kitchen at The Beacon in Madison. (Contributed photo)

MADISON — “There’s nothing better you can do with your time than to help people who are suffering, have a decent life, [and be] able to lead the life they want,” said volunteer coordinator Tami Fleming from The Beacon.

The Beacon is a comprehensive day resource center for people who are experiencing homelessness in Dane County.

It is a joint venture among Catholic Charities Madison, Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.

In addition to its staff, The Beacon needs about 20 volunteers per day — half in a morning shift and half in an afternoon shift — to run the normal day-to-day operations. Shifts are about four hours long.

The Beacon is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has volunteer opportunities as a front desk greeter, laundry and shower manager, computer lab assistant, guest and child and family advocate, among many others.

Becoming a volunteer

“We need volunteers every day,” said Fleming.

The first step in becoming a volunteer at The Beacon is attending an orientation session. They are held at The Beacon (615 E. Washington Ave., Madison) Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m.

Fleming said these two-hour sessions give prospective volunteers a chance to “get a real feel for it” and “hear what it’s about [and] see the place.”

She admitted she is “real frank with people” about the challenges they may face working with homeless people who need help.

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Carolyn Averill, For the Catholic Herald

St. Paul’s welcomes students on journey of faith

MADISON — On a windy April evening, the opening prayers of the 2018 Easter Vigil were heard for the first time since 2015 from the exterior of 723 State St., home of the beautiful new St. Paul’s Church and Student Center in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

And what an eagerly anticipated evening it was for those gathered to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection during this momentous first year in St. Paul’s new home!

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Kevin Wondrash

Madison Catholic Woman’s Club plans Spring Celebration

MADISON — The Madison Catholic Woman’s Club (MCWC) will be celebrating another year of religious, charitable, and civic activities on Tuesday, May 8, at a 12 noon luncheon at Blackhawk Country Club, 3606 Blackhawk Dr.

Highlights of the Spring Celebration will include announcement and presentation of the Christian Achievement Award for 2018, acknowledgment of new club members, and donations to local charitable organizations of cash and in-kind goods totaling over $20,000.

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