Day: October 14, 2010

On
Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Ceremony held to bless gardens, bid farewell

Sr. Priscilla Weber, far left, and Sr. Mary Ellen Lewis, far right, welcome people into the new Sisters’ Garden at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. They presented each person with a bookmark as they walked through under the arch that once marked the old hospital entrance. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner)

MADISON — St. Mary’s Hospital held a blessing and dedication of two new gardens at the hospital campus October 8. The event, held 99 years to the day on which the first cornerstone was laid by the hospital’s founding Sisters, also was a farewell to the last two Franciscan Sisters of Mary to serve at the hospital, Sr. Priscilla Weber and Sr. Mary Ellen Lewis.

The ceremony was held in front of the garden gate, an archway that had once marked the entrance to the hospital. It had been painstakingly dismantled and then reconstructed to honor the 168 Sisters who have served at St. Mary’s Hospital over the past century. Sister Priscilla and Sister Mary Ellen completed the arch by inserting the final stone during the ceremony.

In addition to thanking the Sisters for their dedication and service, Bishop Robert C. Morlino said before blessing the new gardens the real significance of the gift is to honor the work of consecrated women.

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On
Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Spinning stem cell fairy tales

Making Sense out of Bioethics column by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Discussions about the morality of stem cell research often focus on the differences between adult stem cells and stem cells derived from embryos.

The adult variety, such as those derived from bone marrow or umbilical cords, are already providing an impressive array of treatments and cures for sick people, while the embryonic kind are not.

Adult stem cells can be obtained without crossing any moral boundaries, whereas embryonic stem cells cannot, because they are obtained by destroying young human beings still in embryonic stages of growth.

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On
Greg Chesmore

Bishop Morlino connects with youth, defends values

To the editor:

On September 26, I had the opportunity to be part of the Sacrament of Confirmation of dozens of young Catholics at St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville. The event was made even more special thanks to the presence of Madison Bishop Robert Morlino. His connection with the young people — speaking to them in a language they understand — and his steadfast defense of basic Catholic values during his address were truly inspiring.

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On
Christopher Seyfert

Teaching condemns indiscriminate acts of war

To the editor:

I write in response to Don Skarda’s letter of September 16 and Ray McCool’s letter of October 7, both in support of the decision to use atomic weapons on Japan in World War II. During this Respect Life month of October, I feel I cannot let these sentiments pass unchallenged as they fly in the face of Catholic teaching.

Both letters make appeals to emotion but refuse to consider the issues of morality involved. I would like to make two points:

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On
James Tumpach

Cannot justify ending war by targeting non-combatants

To the editor:

In response to Don Skarda’s article, “Dropping bombs was seen as necessary” (Catholic Herald, September 16, 2010), I think it is important to point out other elements that ought to be examined in an argument for or against military actions.

Sometimes, with regard to the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan, two arguments seem to arise. One is the argument that American lives were saved. The second argument is the one posited by Mr. Skarda in his article. It usually begins with the equivalent of “they started it.”

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