Month: September 2009

On
Grant Emmel

Examining the purpose of cluster and parish pastoral planning

Trusting in the Spirit by Grant Emmel

“It is in the local churches that the specific features of a detailed pastoral plan can be identified — goals and methods, formation and enrichment of the people involved, the search for the necessary resources — which will enable the proclamation of Christ to reach people, mold communities, and have a deep and incisive influence in bringing Gospel values to bear in society and culture.” — Novo Millennio Ineunte, 29, Apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II (January 2001)

The Diocese of Madison is continuing on with the Trusting in the Spirit planning and implementation process, now in its second year, with 16 of the 40 clusters having turned in their plans for the upcoming year.

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On
John Huebscher

Rulings on religion have changed much over time

Eye on the Capitol by John Huebscher

Supreme court opinions at the state or federal level offer insights into how society changes its mind on key questions. Over the past 40-plus years, the rulings of the Wisconsin Supreme Court on matters related to religion show such a change — a change more favorable in its treatment of religion.

Article 1, Section 18, of the Wisconsin Constitution says the following:  “The right of every person to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed; nor shall any person be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry, without consent; nor shall any control of, or interference with, the rights of conscience be permitted, or any preference be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship; nor shall any money be drawn from the treasury for the benefit of religious societies, or religious or theological seminaries.”

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On
Jon Leonetti

Who are you? What is your purpose?

Live Greater by Jon Leonetti

Editor’s note: This is the first in a new periodic column in the Catholic Herald for young adults.

Hello to all! My name is Jon Leonetti. For this first column I have decided to give you a short biography of who I am, allowing readers to know a little bit more about me.

So here it goes . . .

The United States spans some 3,500 miles from coast to coast, and by August 2009, I will have walked it.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, editor

Good news for church vocations

editor's viewMsgr. Jim Bartylla, the vocation director for the Diocese of Madison, shared some good news with the Madison Serra Club in a recent talk at one of the club’s meetings.

He reported that there are four new seminarians who will be studying for the diocese beginning this fall. Every year for the past five years, the Diocese of Madison has been fortunate to have a number of new seminarians join the ranks of those preparing for the priesthood.

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On
Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Apostolate summer outing brings friends together

Barbara Nelson, left, from the Wisconsin Veterans Home, and Marcella Canniff from Hustisford share a laugh together. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner)

WISCONSIN DELLS — From his smile to the story of persistence despite the struggles, it’s easy to see why Zachary Reetz is a champion.

In March 2007, at 14 years old, Reetz became infected with meningococcemia, a rare disease caused by a type of bacterial meningitis. He spent 161 days in the hospital and due to the infection lost both legs, all of his right hand, and a good portion of his left hand and suffered hearing loss.

But Reetz survived and became an example to others — those with and without disabilities. With prosthetic limbs, he rides a specially made bike, walks, hunts with his grandfather, goes camping, and attends school.

He was named by the Children’s Miracle Network as the 2009 Champion of Wisconsin and traveled to Walt Disney World and met President Barack Obama in March. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he was able to travel to Las Vegas and ride with his favorite NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon.

 

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Sun Prairie woman sponsors children in developing countries

SUN PRAIRIE — For over three years, Karen Greiber asked St. Raphael the Archangel to ask God on her behalf to bring her “someone to love.”

Greiber had been a sponsor of several children with the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA), a Catholic lay organization that sponsors children and elderly in developing countries throughout the world.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald staff

New program for kids, by kids on Relevant Radio

MADISON — How many times do you hear teenagers talking about monstrances on the radio?

I don’t think this topic would come up on most radio shows for young people. But it was one of the topics discussed on an episode of USA Young Catholic, a brand new show airing on Relevant Radio 1240.

USA Young Catholic is a program for Catholic kids, by Catholic kids being produced at the Madison Catholic radio station. It’s a 30-minute show, airing Saturday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. It’s also currently playing in several other Wisconsin markets.

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