As the challenging and unique 2020-2021 school year comes to a close, Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) School in Monona can look back on the accomplishment of being able to teach and serve a wider range of its students.
Tag: needs
Let’s promote eschatological awareness
This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends,
The word “eschatology” points to the last things — death, judgment, heaven, and hell. In a certain sense, it’s the most important part of our faith.
Why did God make us? God made us to know, love, and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next! And of course, what is seen in this world passes away, but what is unseen in the next world is eternal. And what is eternal obviously takes priority over what is temporal, what is time-bound.
Most important part of our faith
So the eschatological dimension of our faith is most important, and yet most Catholics don’t consider it very often. Recent surveys reveal that most Catholics are unsure as to whether there is life after death. Many Catholics think that it’s all over with our bodily death here.
That’s terribly sad, and troubling, and it’s partly why I’ve been focusing on eschatology of late. Lacking a proper understanding of eschatology skews our entire perspective on life and reality.
One tendency for those who lack a proper perspective vis-à-vis eschatology is to be completely wrapped up in improving things in this world, without reference to the things of eternity. Of course we want to improve things in this world and, in fact, we need to work hard to improve them — that’s part and parcel of knowing, loving, and serving God in this world.
Benefit to be held for family at Sullivan parish
SULLIVAN — Kila and Scott Hagie are a young couple who were married at St. Mary Help of Christians Church on May 6, 2006, with Fr. Eric Nielsen officiating.
Their lives forever changed with the birth and death of their premature daughter. Father Nielsen buried Fiona Ailish in the parish cemetery months into their new marriage.
Apostolate to Handicapped provides funding for CMC
MADISON — This past fall, the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) received a grant from the Apostolate to the Handicapped, Inc., of the Diocese of Madison to implement programs to aid its Latino community with special needs.
Specifically, the $8,940 grant provides funding for a Latino support program called Familias Unidas con Niños con Necesidades Especiales (FUNNE), or Families United with Children with Special Needs.
Pope prays, calls for aid for typhoon victims
Young residents in Cebu, Philippines, hold signs asking for help and food along the highway November 11 after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit. The typhoon, one of the strongest storms in history, is believed to have killed tens of thousands, but aid workers were still trying to reach remote areas. (CNS photo/Charlie Saceda, Reuters) |
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis led prayers for people hit by a deadly typhoon in the Philippines and surrounding region and asked that concrete aid be sent soon.
During the Angelus with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on November 10, the pope expressed his concern and prayers for the estimated tens of thousands of people dead and others affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated parts of the central Philippines November 8.
“I wish to express my closeness to the people of the Philippines and that region that has been hit by a terrible typhoon. Unfortunately the victims are many and the damage is enormous,” the pope said.
He asked the tens of thousands of people gathered in the square to join him in a moment of silent prayer “for these brothers and sisters and let’s try also to make our concrete help reach them.”
Pope makes donation
In response to the tragedy, Pope Francis made an initial donation of $150,000 for the relief efforts through the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.
The money, sent through the local churches hardest hit by the storm, was earmarked to support “assistance for the displaced and those impacted by the flooding,” the Vatican said in a written statement.
Queen of Peace Parish to hold special needs celebration
MADISON — Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 401 S. Owen Dr., will host a panel discussion and entitled “All Together Now! Celebrating and supporting those with special needs” on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m.
Vicky Franchino, parishioner at Queen of Peace, said, “Please join us for an evening of fellowship and conversation as we come together to learn and connect during National Disabilities Awareness Month. Our evening will begin with brief presentations, followed by an audience Q&A. All are welcome!”
Theology on Tap
MADISON — Theology on Tap for young adults will meet on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave.
Brandon Cook and Jim Stokman will speak on “What Does It Mean To Be Human?: Fulfilling the Needs of Our Hearts.”
This presentation will discuss how looking at our life’s experience helps us to know (1) how we’re made and (2) what can fulfill us.