Year: 2013

On
Pat Casucci, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Gracyalny family shares musical talents

BELOIT — It’s a spirited group when three generations of the Gracyalny family gather to share their significant musical talents.

In appreciation for their faith and sharing their musical gifts, they will present “The Gracyalny Family Concert” featuring top hits of the 1950s and 1960s on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Assumption Hall at Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Church.

They promise an evening of vocal and instrumental music, goodwill, and a variety of homemade desserts.

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On
Ann M. Schirmer

Thanks to all those who have helped at Camp Gray

To the editor:

Reading the articles on Camp Gray’s history brought memories of the time when Msgr. Francis Gray, the founder of the camp, met out at the Baraboo fairgrounds with the men as they dismantled the crates used to build cabins. (The first cabins for Camp Gray were built using surplus ammunition crates from the Badger Ordnance Works. The cabins were constructed near the county fairgrounds, then moved to the camp.)

One of those men was Stewart Schirmer, my husband. Monsignor Gray supported the men with his presence, plus prayers, blessings, and a few “cool ones” on occasion.

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On
Shari Gasper, For the Catholic Herald

Two local students chosen as animators at NCYC

DEFOREST — When the lights go down and the music starts pumping during the opening ceremonies of the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis this month, two DeForest area students will be among the dancers and singers on stage charged with firing up the crowd for the three-day conference.

Megan Durst and Katherine Kennedy, juniors at DeForest Area High School and members of St. Olaf Parish, will serve as NCYC “animators.” About 75 youth from across the country were selected as animators to lead the prayer services and set the tone for the conference.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Unsung heroes: Catholic chaplains in armed services deserve our support

As we prepare to mark Veterans Day on November 11, we should take time to remember and thank all those who have served our country in the armed services.

Some of us have relatives, friends, and neighbors who faithfully served their country. Many of them did so quietly with little fanfare. I can still remember that my father-in-law, who served on many bombing missions in World War II, was very reluctant to talk about his service to his country. It was just something he did.

Chaplains: unsung heroes

Perhaps the most unsung of our heroes in the armed services are the chaplains. These are priests who have dedicated all or part of their ordained ministry to serving in all branches of our armed forces.

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On
Jane Lepeska Grinde, For the Catholic Herald

Sophie’s Squash author interacts with students

MADISON — Children’s book author Pat Zietlow Miller spent the day at St. James School on a recent Friday in October, reading her book, Sophie’s Squash, and helping the children decorate butternut squash as Sophie does in the book.

The mother of St. James sixth grader Sonia and Edgewood High School Junior Gwen felt right at home as she shared her own story of becoming a published author with the children in each of the classrooms, PreK to fifth grade. The sixth graders joined their first grade “buddies” for the story.

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