Year: 2011

On
Mary C. Uhler

One way to save taxpayer dollars: Stop government funding of Planned Parenthood

editor's view by Mary C. Uhler

We’ve been hearing a great deal about our state and national budget woes and mounting deficits. I think if we encouraged all of us to come up with some concrete solutions, we could save money and still provide necessary services for our citizens.

In my opinion, one way we could save taxpayer dollars is to stop government funding of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). I’m not sure everyone is aware that PPFA is a billion dollar industry which annually receives over $360 million from federal and state funds in the form of grants and contracts.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Christ gives the grace of the sacrament

A small church once had an inspiring wedding tradition. After the wedding, the pastor would invite the newly married couple to pull on the rope that rang the church bells and share the good news of their wedding with the town.

First the bride pulled on the rope with her beautiful hands, but the bell did not ring. Next the muscular groom tugged mightily, but the bell did not ring. Then the bride and groom pulled together and, lo and behold, the bells rang out the good news of their marriage.

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On
Rory McCluskey

Workers’ voice is at stake, could destroy patient care

To the editor:

“To convert somebody go and take them by the hand and guide them,” said St. Thomas Aquinas.

Please share this story with those that need converting.

Ultimately, what is at stake here in Wisconsin is the workers’ voice. While I was serving in the active duty military, my wife worked as a certified nursing assistant in nursing homes in Arizona and Florida — two “Right to Work States.”

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Annual Catholic Appeal: ‘Create in me a new heart’

Fr. Bart Timmerman, pastor of Immaculate Hearts of Mary Parish in Monona, distributes Communion at his parish. Gifts to the Annual Catholic Appeal help fund diocesan ministries and services that benefit parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison. (Photo by James Baca)

MADISON — “Jesus Christ showed us how to love. As Christians, we are defined by our willingness to give of ourselves even — if not especially — when that gift of self requires a sacrifice or makes us vulnerable.”

Those are the words of Fr. John Putzer, a newly ordained priest of the Diocese of Madison, who is one of those whose reflections are included in the Diocese of Madison’s 2011 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) brochure.

The theme of this year’s appeal is “Create in me a new heart.” Father Putzer, who was ordained to the priesthood on December 10, 2010, continues, “Donating money for a just cause is not just an act of generosity, but, even more significantly, a way of growing in love and uniting oneself to the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ on the Cross. In this sense, we as Christians have a greater need to give than the Church has a need to receive.”

Carrying on Christ’s work

The Annual Catholic Appeal offers members of the Church in the 11 counties of the diocese the opportunity to help support the essential ministries which carry on Christ’s work of love.

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