MADISON — It was going on two years since the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities-Diocese of Madison was able to host a large event and a prevailing mood among all those who were in attendance on September 12 was that it was good to see people again.
The Apostolate hosted a celebration of St. Margaret of Castello at Holy Name Heights in Madison.
St. Margaret, who was canonized earlier this year, was born blind more than 700 years ago and also had a severe curvature of the spine and difficulties in walking.
Her parents abandoned her in a local church due to her disabilities and the town’s poor took her in and assumed care for her.
She later became a secular Third Order Dominican and taught children the faith.
The Apostolate had held past events at the parish level over the past few years.
‘All of us are children of God’
More than 100 people attended the recent event.
Many were from groups and organizations such as St. Coletta’s in Jefferson and Familias Unidas con Niños con Necesidades Especiales (FUNNE) from the Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison.
Upon arriving and being greeted by volunteers from Edgewood High School in Madison, guests gathered for Mass in the oratory celebrated by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison and Msgr. Larry Bakke, director of the Apostolate. They were assisted by Deacon Jim Hoegemeier, associate director of the Apostolate.
During his homily, Bishop Hying said, “I’ve been looking forward to this Mass for a really long time and I’m very grateful that all of you are here.”
He told everyone that “We are called to love each other as brothers and sisters regardless of who we are, what we can do, or what we can’t do. All of us are children of God made in His image and likeness.”
During the Mass, members of the St. Coletta community brought up the gifts to the bishop.
Also serving at the Mass were, Glenn Schuster as the organist, Meg Aspinwall as the cantor, and Sarah Moreland and Kaethe Sigelko as readers.
Time to celebrate
Following the Mass, everyone gathered for a box lunch in gathering spaces at Holy Name Heights.
It was another chance for people to say hello to those they haven’t seen in a while because of the pandemic.
Bishop Hying, Monsignor Bakke, and Deacon Hoegemeier went to various tables, met with the guests, and took photos.
Before heading home, everyone was given a gift bag with a St. Margaret prayer card and a St. Margaret notebook along with a small wooden cross and an Apostolate pen.
A mention of recognition and thanks goes to Apostolate Administrative Coordinator Kayla Schiesser for her efforts in coordinating the event.