News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.
MIDDLETON — Catholic Charities (CC) in the Diocese of Madison held its 22nd annual Faith in Action Celebration on November 9 at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton.
“This annual event touches my heart,” said Toni Prestigiacomo, Catholic Charities Board chair and co-chair of the event, in welcoming the guests. “This event is a reminder of why we choose to support Catholic Charities. It truly makes me proud.”
MADISON — The Madison Catholic Woman’s Club (MCWC) opens their hearts to children at their annual Christmas luncheon by bringing gifts of toys and clothing to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Little Drummer program.
This year’s luncheon is at Rex’s Innkeeper, 301 Century Ave., Waunakee, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 12 noon.
Al Anderson, retired music educator, professional trombonist, and music historian will present “Sounds of the Season: Holiday Songs Like You’ve Never Heard Them.” |
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| Audrey Lukes from Sun Prairie prays at the tomb of Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap, at his final resting place in Detroit. The Capuchin priest and Wisconsin native will be beatified on Saturday, Nov. 18, at a Mass at Ford Field in Detroit. (Contributed photo/Audrey Lukes) |
SUN PRAIRIE — If you mention the name “Shorty” to anyone who has lived in Sun Prairie for the past several decades, they’ll probably know exactly who you are talking about.
His wife, Audrey, will talk about the man who was more than six feet tall, “very athletic,” worked for the county, was a war veteran, went dancing with her all the time, and ran to work every day.
He and his young family met a big challenge when in 1955, at age 31, he was stricken with polio and was paralyzed from the chest down.
Audrey said they had to “change our whole lifestyle”.
This world lost Shorty, also known as Norman Lukes, nearly six years ago at the age of 87.
At the time of his passing, his life, and that of his family, served as an example of faith in God and walking with the Lord, facing life’s challenges.
More than 300 miles away, on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Detroit’s Ford Field, another man, who lived to roughly the same age of 86, will be taking the next step toward canonized sainthood.
More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the beatification Mass for Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap, in a venue more commonly known as the home to the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
What is the connection between Shorty and Father Casey?
The connection is faith in the Lord and a brief encounter with each other toward the end of Venerable Father Casey’s life.
MADISON — SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison is making plans to undergo a spiritual beautification in its chapel.
“The more beautiful, the more inviting a space can be, the easier it is for us to come in contact with the living God,” said Fr. Pat Norris, OP, hospital ethicist. “It facilitates people worshipping God.”
The hospital, through the work of the St. Mary’s Foundation, is looking to upgrade the current hospital chapel, which hasn’t seen any major modifications in the last 30 years.
BELOIT — Are you alone with no place to go or have no family members nearby on Thanksgiving Day?
You can spend Thanksgiving dinner with dozens of people in the comfortable, friendly surroundings at Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Parish.
WISCONSIN DELLS — High school youth in the Diocese of Madison are invited to attend Frassati Fest February 2-4, 2018, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
Frassati Fest is the coolest weekend around for Catholic high school students in the Diocese of Madison. Our planning team has been hard at work planning this year’s event: PURSUIT.
STOUGHTON — “Our Faith Stories” at St. Ann Parish will feature Bruce Teague and Kate Schieldt sharing their faith stories on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in Healy Hall.
Bruce Teague is a witness for how inspiring and uplifting it is for someone who is battling an illness to know that others are praying and will share a special encounter with one of God’s messengers. |
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| Ralph Middlecamp joined more than 10,000 members of the “Vicentian Family” for a recent gathering in Rome. He is the new national president of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul. (Contributed photo) |
MADISON — This story has a dateline of Madison, but Ralph Middlecamp will be traveling throughout the United States and the world in his new position as national president of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP).
Middlecamp has worked with the local SVdP for almost 30 years and will remain based in Madison during his six-year term as the society’s national president.
In October, he joined more than 10,000 members of the “Vincentian family” for a gathering in Rome to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the men’s Congregation of the Mission.
The gathering included an audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis venerated a reliquary containing the heart of St. Vincent de Paul.
Middlecamp said the incorrupt heart is usually kept in Paris in a reliquary at the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity.
He noted that over 200 Vincentian organizations were present in Rome. There are SVdP societies in 150 countries.
“My new position allows me to see the worldwide Church at work,” he said.
Besides Rome, he has also visited Paris and will be going soon to Quito, Ecuador, for a meeting of SVdP leaders from the Western Hemisphere.
MADISON — St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ELCA have been neighbors and partners in the Madison community for over 60 years.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, they came together for the first time in a joint evening prayer service on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Fr. Robert Evenson, pastor of St. Maria Goretti, and Pastor Chris Enstad of Good Shepherd were the worship leaders.
MADISON — When someone “very special” turns 50 and makes that occasion all about giving to others, it’s time to have a party.
Edgewood High School in Madison kitchen staff member Richard Hare recently celebrated that milestone birthday.
In addition to a birthday cake and singing, Hare usually celebrates his special day at the school by making others around him happy.
