MIDDLETON — Despite tough economic times — or maybe because of it — Catholic Charities (CC) of the Diocese of Madison had the largest crowd ever for its 14th annual Awards Dinner held on October 29 at the Marriott Hotel.
Day: November 12, 2009
Picking up the pieces of a shattered marriage
CROSS PLAINS — Frank and Julie LaBoda are now the picture of a happy marriage: married 17 years with four daughters, the international coordinators of a marriage recovery program, and consultors to the Pontifical Council for the Family.
Rita Macewicz installed as NCCW province director
BELOIT — Beloit resident Rita Macewicz was recently installed as the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) Director for the Province of Milwaukee at the NCCW national convention in Jacksonville, Fla.
Making goals a reality
As the Council reminds us: “The People of God believes that it is led by the Spirit of the Lord, who fills the whole world. Moved by this faith it tries to discern authentic signs of God’s presence and purpose in the events, the needs, and the longings which it shares with other people of our time. For faith throws a new light on all things and makes known the full ideal to which God has called each individual, and thus guides the mind towards solutions which are fully human” — Christifideles Laici, 3. Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II (December 1988)
I’ve talked about the purpose of pastoral planning, that is, to answer the questions, “Who are we as a faith community? What are we called to do? How are we best to do it?” be it for a parish, or a cluster of parishes, or even a diocese.
I’ve also mentioned how these questions are answered by the Holy Spirit through the bishop of the diocese, the pastor of the parish, and his pastoral council. The bishop gives each parish and cluster of parishes a focus through his goals and directives. These in turn are taken by the pastors and pastoral councils and are prayerfully reflected upon to create a plan of action.
This article will discuss how this plan of action is made real and active in a parish and in a cluster of parishes.
Making serious choices about sex education
At the end of nearly every legislative floor period, one or two issues galvanize citizen interest. For the floor period that ended on November 5, a debate over how to best instruct schoolchildren about sexuality was one such issue.
In early November, the Assembly debated and narrowly passed Assembly Bill 428. This bill, described by supporters as the “Healthy Youth Act,” would change the rules for providing sex education in important ways.
She walked with a saint
When she was a 13-year-old girl living in Belgium, Mariette Coffman walked in a procession behind a hearse carrying the remains of Fr. Damien de Veuster on May 3, 1936.
“I remember that the hearse was drawn by six white horses,” said Mariette. Father Damien’s remains were shipped from Hawaii, where the Belgian missionary had ministered to people with leprosy until he himself died of the disease. Mariette recalls that the ship landed in Antwerp and his remains were taken to Louvain, where he was buried.
Raffle calendar benefits Sun Prairie school
The children at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School in Sun Prairie have contributed art and memories to a 2010 raffle calendar.
Clinic offers free care for uninsured persons
As the nation continues to discuss how to best deliver health care to the 46 million Americans who go without health insurance each year, Our Lady of Hope Clinic in Madison continues to serve southern Wisconsin as the area’s only free full-time clinic for those in need.