As another week of stay-at-home learning under Wisconsin’s “Safer at Home” directive draws to a close, some families might be feeling anxious and discouraged as they grapple with a mode of education they did not freely choose.
Category: Around the Diocese
News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.
Edgewood College announces new president
MADISON — The Board of Trustees of Edgewood College announced that Dr. Andrew Manion will serve as the ninth president of Edgewood College.
Dr. Manion most recently served as president of Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis.
He will replace Sr. Mary Ellen Gevelinger, OP, Ed. D, who has served in the role of interim president since September 1, 2019.Sinsinawa Mound further suspends programming, visits
SINSINAWA — All programming at and visits to Sinsinawa Mound, the Motherhouse for the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, are further suspended until Monday, June 15, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This includes visits to Sinsinawa Book & Gift Gallery and attendance at religious services.
Programs that are rescheduled can be found on the Sinsinawa Mound Center website, www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter
Sinsinawa Bakery remains open for online ordering at www.sinsinawa.org/bakery and Sinsinawa Book & Gift Gallery is available for online purchases at www.sinsinawa.org/giftgalleryEdgewood student relief fund
MADISON — Sr. Mary Ellen Gevelinger, interim president of Edgewood College, announced the Presidential Relief Fund on April 8.
“Today, at my request, the Board of Trustees approved a $500,000 student relief fund,” Sister Mary Ellen said.
“This provides immediate cash relief for students. So many service industries that our students rely on for employment are affected. We are fortunate to be able to offer a program that will provide some support for our students to help with basic needs like groceries, rent, and unexpected expenses.”St. Vincent de Paul serving during pandemic
MADISON — Adapting how it serves, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Madison continues to help thousands of Dane County neighbors in need each week, even in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic.
At the Society’s Madison service center, the large and busy St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Wisconsin’s only free pharmacy have both adapted to observe guidelines to help protect the health of all involved while assisting large numbers of people coping with poverty.Sinsinawa Sisters to livestream Holy Week services
The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa invite the public to worship with them virtually as they pray and celebrate the Paschal Feast by livestreaming the following services:
• Palm Sunday, April 5, 11 a.m.
• Holy Thursday, April 9, 6:15 p.m.
• Good Friday, April 10, 2 p.m.
• Easter Vigil, April 11, 7 p.m.
Mass, Eucharistic Procession during solemnity, pandemic
MADISON — In a nearly empty oratory at Holy Name Heights in Madison, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison celebrated Mass on March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
With concelebrant Vicar General Msgr. James Bartylla, seminarian Luis Reyes as server, and Office of Worship Director Dr. Patrick Gorman as cantor, the Mass was livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube and viewable to the public, unable to attend Masses during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. Ambrose Academy shifts to distance learning
MADISON — St. Ambrose Academy (SAA), along with schools around the world, has, practically overnight, become a distance learning school.
The academy closed its doors on March 13 as students hunkered down with their families in the safety of their homes against the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic.
But, said Executive Director Joan Carey, “thanks to a heroic, all-hands-on-deck effort, St. Ambrose Academy reopened its door the following week over the Internet, where we continue to provide the best in education and classical learning for families.”
CMC keeps programming running
MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) is continuing to operate Dane County’s only daily free community meal program, its food pantry, and comprehensive low-cost immigration legal services program to safely serve the most vulnerable among us during this time of heightened need.
Ever since COVID-19 precautions became necessary, CMC staff have been preparing fresh, hot meals every weekday served as a grab-and-go meal distributed from the parking lot to encourage social distancing practices.
On weekends, a sandwich sack lunch is provided.Edgewood Spring Fling canceled
MADISON — As public health, state, and federal authorities have mandated, Edgewood High School has decided that in order to protect its supporters and the entire community, it will not be able to hold the Spring Fling event at Garver Feed Mill, scheduled for Friday, April 24.
In a statement, the school said, “Our prayers are with every member of our Edgewood community in this unprecedented and difficult time. Our blessings to you, your families, our sponsors, donors, and our entire Edgewood Community.
“We are grateful to our sponsors and all who support Edgewood Crusaders during these uncertain times.”