Category: Around the Diocese

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

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Lindsay Becher, For the Catholic Herald

Youth mission project comes to Madison Diocese

MADISON — Many who work with the youth of the Church find Mother Teresa to be an engaging name to drop. Known for a life lived devoted to those in need, her name stirs up images of a woman small in stature, dressed in a humble habit of white and blue.

Beyond her physical appearance, her name brings to mind much bigger things, like her heart for service and the question: Why would someone choose to live in poverty?

Many youth are comfortable learning more about her and thinking of her as a model of holiness in the world. When it comes time to take her words to heart and make them a reality in their lives, they become more daunting, perhaps less appealing. However, her words resonate so deeply with the Gospel message that, while they are challenging, they often do bring about great response.

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Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

A Catholic response to climate change

LANCASTER/MONROE — A year ago when St. Clement Parish in Lancaster was looking to insulate the attic of their building complex, which had been losing heat and causing ice dams, they brought in a representative from Franklin Energies, Inc., subcontracted by We Energies, to do an energy audit.

Rick Benson, the parish finance chairperson, had the idea to apply for an energy grant from Energy Incentives, through We Energies, to help cut the installation costs, and parish office manager Barb Thompson obtained the grant information.

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Celebrating Holy Week

Following is a list of Madison Diocese Holy Week Masses. Check with your parish for local Holy Week Mass times and see the Arts Page and next week’s Easter special section for information on televised coverage of Holy Week Masses.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Divine Mercy devotion has powerful impact

MADISON — Jesus told St. Faustina that the Feast of Divine Mercy would be a very special day when “all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened.” Jesus promised her that “the soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishments.”

Increasing numbers of Catholics are taking advantage of this promise and the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence on the Sunday after Easter, declared Divine Mercy Sunday in the year 2000.

Miracles happen

People in the Diocese of Madison have witnessed the power of devotion on Divine Mercy Sunday. “Miracles happen,” said Martha Bindl, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish in Monona.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Fish fries become a parish tradition

BARABOO — Fish fries are a popular tradition in Wisconsin in restaurants, but an increasing number of Catholic parishes are sponsoring fish fries.

The parishes especially offer fish fries during Lent, when Catholics ages 14 and older are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. But more parishes have been holding fish fries throughout the rest of the year.

One of these parishes is St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo, better known as St. Joe’s. The parish started sponsoring fish fries in 1994. “They were designed to be a fundraiser that would take the place of other ‘small’ type fundraisers, such as wrapping paper and candy bar sales,” said Dan Fitzpatrick, director of operations at St. Joe’s.

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Jane Lepeska Grinde, For the Catholic Herald

Spaghetti dinner at St. James

MADISON — People are invited to celebrate the arrival of spring at the annual St. James School Italian Dinner and Auction on Sunday, March 29, at the church and school, located two blocks southwest of Regent and Mills Sts. in Madison at 1128 St. James Ct. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m.

The all-you-can eat spaghetti dinner was started more than 50 years ago in honor of the Italians and Italian-Americans who joined St. James, the parish started by German immigrants after their church, St. Joseph, was torn down in favor of urban renewal. A historic mark notes the area which now houses medical facilities and office buildings.

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