With 2008 having given Madison its snowiest year on record, organizers of the annual “Recycle the Warmth” drive are hoping for an avalanche of blankets and bedding for people in need early in chilly 2009.
Year: 2009
In state Legislature, pragmatic approach is good politics
The 2009 legislative session that begins this month will be different from recent sessions in one big way. For the first time since 1994 Democrats, and not Republicans, will control the State Assembly.
But in other significant ways, the session will be very similar to 2007. And that means in all likelihood, major policy changes will reflect a moderate, pragmatic tone.
WCC opposes plan to perform abortions in Madison
The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC), the public policy voice of Wisconsin’s bishops, has written the head executives of three Madison health care agencies to express its strong opposition to the reported plan to perform abortions at the Madison Surgery Center.
Stance of Catholics on war considered a pro-life issue
To the editor:
I commend the publication of Fr. Jim Murphy’s letter in the December 25 edition of the Madison Catholic Herald. He brought up a topic we, as Catholics, need to consider. I, too, am concerned about the participation of Catholics in unprovoked wars. I think Father Murphy’s admonition of prudent caution regarding Catholic involvement in the U.S. military at this time is well spoken.
Engaging in service ‘for the greater glory of God’
Ad majorem Dei gloriam — It was the first Latin phrase that I committed to memory. The cross and the four letters A.M.D.G. were mandatory on all homework assignments for Sister Dolorosa’s eighth grade class.
At my home parish, eighth grade meant not only graduation, but Confirmation, and Confirmation meant knowing who you were, why you were created, and what God wanted you to do. In eighth grade it was difficult enough to discern right from wrong, much less discern the will of God in your life. How do you hear God through the voices of friends, raging hormones, new and strange emotions, and trying to retain the pleasures of childhood while balancing on the edge of an adult world?
Project Rachel founder to speak on ‘Biochemistry of Sex’
Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel, the Catholic Church’s ministry for post-abortion healing, will speak on “The Biochemistry of Sex” on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Bishop O’Connor Center as part of the Diocese of Madison’s St. Thérèse of Lisieux Lecture Series.
Election reveals possibilities for great-grandson
Did you weep that night? November 4, 2008, was one of those times when every senior citizen in this country had to whisper, “Thank you, Lord, for letting me live to see this day when an African American has been elected president of the United States, the leader of the free world.”
Regardless of how one may have voted in this election, no one who had lived through witnessing President Lyndon Johnson in 1965 sign an order that would allow people of any color, race, or creed the right to vote, or who could recall the race riots and the separate drinking fountains and bus seats of the ’50s could possibly be unmoved by this drama.
Service: A hallmark of our faith and our schools
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Each year we set aside a week in late January to focus attention on and celebrate our Catholic schools. This year Catholic Schools Week runs from Sunday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, Jan. 31, with the theme, “Celebrate Service.”
Forming good conscience and doctrine of just war
To the editor:
I want to thank Fr. Jim Murphy for his letter of 25 December, “Catholics should not serve in the U.S. military at this time.” Central to Catholic moral doctrine is that one must form a good conscience, reflecting a prayerful and studied approach to good conduct.
Some points well-taken, but ignores threats of terrorism
To the editor:
Father Murphy’s letter in the December 25 edition of the Catholic Herald touched on a number of sensitive issues concerning the military.