Year: 2009

On
Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Enjoying food, fun, and faith at the Diocesan Family Picnic

MADISON — Though many beat the heat by staying out of the sun under the trees and tents or in the pool or on the giant slip-and-slide, the fine weather July 26 drew about 370 people of all ages for fun and feasting at the fourth annual Diocesan Family Picnic at the Bishop O’Connor Center.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Knights of Divine Mercy, offered families from around the diocese a chance to come together for food and activities, games, music, and talks.

In addition to danceable songs performed by the Vandersheuren Family Band and, later, more sacred offerings from the Knights of Divine Mercy Schola, families enjoyed grilled offerings, sides, and desserts, and activities ranging from a pick-up game of baseball on the playing field to volleyball, Frisbee, and hula hooping.

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On
Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

Heart-hitting service

Propagation of Faith by Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

Inspiring letters from mission seminaries tell of the growing number of young men in Asia and Africa responding to our Lord’s call to the priesthood.

One recent letter, from a seminary in Nigeria, included such facts and figures — and then one line that spoke to the heart.

Seminarians serve in Nigeria

St. Augustine’s Seminary in Jos, Nigeria, is filled to capacity, with some 300 students. The rector, Fr. Sylvester Dagin, offers particulars about their formation and of their work on the seminary’s small farm, growing potatoes and vegetables.

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On
Craig R. Vance, Madison

Center is beacon reaching throughout community

To the editor:

Reading the front page of the July 16 issue of the Catholic Herald reinvigorates the already acknowledged practice of the Catholic Church of serving thy neighbor.

As an occasional volunteer at the dinner serving this past summer at the Catholic Multicultural Center, I was particularly taken aback when I was informed that the center was to be closed. It struck me like the crack of a thunderbolt of lightning. I couldn’t believe it.

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On
Patrick Hardyman, Blanchardville

We cannot compromise with moral evil of abortion

To the editor:

On May 17 of this year, President Barack Obama gave the commencement address and received an honorary law degree from the University of Notre Dame. Fr. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame, also gave President Obama a framed picture of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marching with the former long-time president of Notre Dame, Fr. Theodore Hesburgh.

During his address, President Obama, a huge supporter of abortion rights, asked, “How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?”

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On
Mary C. Uhler, editor

Grandparents: what a gift!

editor's viewIf there would be a feastday for grandparents, it would probably be July 26. That is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of our Blessed Mother.

As a new grandparent myself with two granddaughters born last year, I was happy to hear Pope Benedict XVI mention the importance of grandparents July 26 during his Sunday Angelus talk in the mountains of Italy, where he is vacationing.

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On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Remember human dignity in health care reform

Dear Friends,

under the gospel bookThank God and thank you, my brother priests, deacons, our Sisters, and our whole diocesan family, for your prayerful support during these days. My period of rest and recovery from heart arrhythmia is almost complete.

I do expect to ordain our three new priests, from the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, for our diocese this coming Friday. As with all ordinations, that day will be a great joy for me and, please God, it will do my heart good. But I must say, I am especially happy to be back in this occasional form of communication, my column.

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