News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.
PALMYRA — Sr. Carol Haanen, a member of A New Genesis Community, will speak on “Trafficking, It Is Real” at the fall Jefferson Vicariate meeting at St. Mary Church here Thursday, Oct. 19.
The meeting starts at 11 a.m. with registration, followed by recitation of the Rosary at 11:45, the celebration of Mass at 12 noon, lunch at 1 p.m., and the program at 2 p.m.
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| A resident from St. Coletta of Wisconsin in Jefferson is helped into St. John the Baptist Church in Jefferson before a recent Mass. People in wheelchairs and with other disabilities can now enter the church and school building on the new ramp pictured above. (Contributed photo) |
JEFFERSON — “It’s like heaven now taking my mother to church.”
A bold statement, but fully expressive of the joy some parishioners are feeling in Jefferson.
The above quote was feedback heard at St. John the Baptist Church, part of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
It came near the close of a yearlong project to make the church more accessible to people with disabilities or other physical challenges to walk or enter buildings.
Now, there is added accessibility to the church and school.
Steve Donley, member of the parish Building and Grounds Committee, said there had been growing instances of “people having trouble getting into church.”
These included people tripping on concrete walkways and wheelchairs not getting in easily.
More than a year ago, the committee began to look into the costs and practicalities of a project to increase accessibility.
The attitude was, “We have to get this fixed, and we have to make this better for people to get in,” said Harold Dehnert, also from the committee whose members put in many hours, sometimes 10 to 12 a day, to make the project happen, and keeping the project costs low.
Another concern was increasing the accessibility to the school bathrooms, the only ones on the grounds, and only accessible via a small staircase between the church and school.
MADISON — The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization in which members join together in friendship to grow spiritually by providing person-to-person services to neighbors in need.
Across the Diocese of Madison, 35 parishes host St. Vincent de Paul member groups, known as “conferences.” In Dane County alone, 18 St. Vincent de Paul conferences serve local people in need through home visits and other forms of direct, personal service — without regard to the religious affiliation or belief of those assisted.
WISCONSIN DELLS — Librarians from Catholic schools, parishes, and religious education programs will be meeting at the Wisconsin Chapter of Catholic Library Association (WCLA) 2017 Fall Conference on Friday, Oct. 13, at St. Cecilia Parish Center (lower level), 603 Oak St., Wisconsin Dells.
Participants can enjoy a continental breakfast and networking from 9 a.m. until the conference begins with a welcome and prayer at 9:30 a.m.
MADISON — The 82nd semi-annual International Rosary March will be held on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church, 120 W. Johnson St.
There will be five decades of the Rosary, presentation of flowers to Mary, a homily by Fr. Eric Nielsen — pastor of St. Paul University Catholic Center — and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
The event will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions.
MADISON — The […]
BERLIN — The Council of Catholic Women Columbia North Vicariate will hold its fall meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at All Saints Parish in Berlin. Registration begins at 3 p.m., followed by a business meeting, Mass at 5, and dinner at 6.
The 7 p.m. program will feature Janie Janis, renowned speaker and author, who will charm the audience with her Irish wit and move them with her deep compassion for people and real life struggles.
STOUGHTON — “Our Faith Stories” is beginning again at St. Ann Parish.
Each month, people enjoy hearing about the faith journey of another, which gives inspiration and hope on their own journeys.
The first date is Sunday, Oct. 1. Rollie Budnar (father of St. Ann Pastor Fr. Randy Budnar) and Rita Ihm will be speaking. Rita’s talk will focus on listening, while Rollie’s theme is “Growing in faith in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit through the Church.”
Prior to exclaiming, “Wow!” Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison said, “What a joy and a privilege and an honor it is for me to be able to be with you this morning to celebrate 100 years,” at the start of Mass on September 17 at Holy Family Church in La Valle.
MADISON — Vigil for Life-Madison’s 2017 40 Days for Life Kick-off event will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, at Holy Name Heights (a.k.a. Bishop O’Connor Center).
Guest speaker will be Eric Scheidler, the executive director of the Pro-Life Action League. The league was founded in 1980 by his father, veteran pro-life leader Joe Scheidler, to fight abortion through non-violent direct action. Eric is the oldest of the seven Scheidler children.
