Day: January 22, 2014

On
Michael Lancaster, For the Catholic Herald

Teaching through examples of faith, knowledge, and service

Kindergarten and fourth grade students at All Saints Catholic School in Berlin prepare for Catholic Schools Week (CSW) by coloring the CSW logo for hallway decorations. Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Madison will be observing Catholic Schools Week from January 26 to February 1 with a variety of activities highlighting the theme, “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service.” (Contributed photo)

MADISON –Communities of “faith, knowledge, and service.” This is a wonderful description of Catholic schools. for these three aspects lie at the heart of every Catholic school.

Christ is the center

First among these is faith. Christ is the center and focus of each and every Catholic school. As our late Pope John Paul II wrote, “Catholic education is above all a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others.”

This is the primary goal of all Catholic schools: to form students in faith that they may come to know and love Christ.

As students come to know Christ, they travel a lifelong journey of learning what it means to be fully human in the example of Christ.

Forming the whole person

As we are created with many attributes, skills, talents, and faculties, Catholic schools seek to develop all of these by educating not only the heart, but the mind and body as well — by forming the whole person.

Every day, dedicated teachers help students develop their intellect and reasoning, challenging them to ask questions, seek answers, and learn the whole truth about themselves and their world in all its glorious detail. This quest for truth through knowledge is the second pillar of Catholic schools.

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On
Chris Lee

Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive

MADISON — Annually for 22 years, thousands of generous donors have searched their closets, wallets, and purses to provide the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with the resources to give gently used and new blankets to Dane County people in need.

The society’s annual “Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive” — long held on January’s last full weekend — will once again offer the community an opportunity to share some practical comfort with local families struggling with poverty.

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On
Sr. Rosalia Bauer

Decide to do what you can to defend unborn babies

To the editor:

Many anniversaries are celebrations for happy events. Not so, January 22, 2014 (the 41st anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the U.S.)!  Why not? Because as a friend said, “Not even one abortion per week is acceptable. Not one per month. Not one per year. Not one in our lifetime        . . . The dignity of the human person begins at the moment of conception, not at birth.”

Irena Sendler’s father said, “If you see a man drowning, you must save him, even if you cannot swim.”  The good news is that 87 abortion clinics were closed in 2013 due to people’s prayers and witness. Thank you, if you participated.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Up to the challenge: Catholic schools instill love of service in their students

csw-logo

Back in 1993, my husband suffered from a herniated disc and had difficulty walking. Our son, then age 15, spent most of the summer taking care of his dad.

Looking back, I realize our son probably didn’t have as much time for fun activities with his friends that summer. He also had a part-time job, so much of his time was spent taking care of his dad or working. Yet I don’t remember hearing any complaints. Our son did it all cheerfully.

Service part of Catholic school education

I think part of the reason for our son’s acceptance of these responsibilities was due to his Catholic school education, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Elementary School and at Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (EHS), both in Madison. Service was part and parcel of Catholic education.

For example, Edgewood requires 100 hours of service as a graduation requirement. According to the school, the majority of EHS students more than double this requirement, with some giving more than 1,000 hours of service during their high school years.

As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week January 26 to February 1, Catholic schools are being challenged to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this observance by pledging 40 hours of service to their local communities. The challenge has been issued by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

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On
Kevin Wondrash

City considers buffer zone around clinics

MADISON — The city of Madison is considering a proposal to impose a buffer zone of 160 feet around abortion clinics in the city.

“This buffer zone is quite severe — over four times the size of the controversial Massachusetts buffer zone being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court — and it would effectively end all sidewalk counseling at the Planned Parenthood abortion center on Orin Rd.,” said Pro-Life Wisconsin in a statement.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Society of St. Vincent de Paul forming new Youth Service Council

MADISON — The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) has long been involved with charitable works in the Madison area. Following in its founder’s footsteps, the society is now looking to expand opportunities for youth to take the reins in planning some local service events.

“Blessed Frederic Ozanam and his friends started the society when they were college students, and they named it after St. Vincent de Paul,” explained Gayle Westfahl, member services coordinator for the local council of the society. “We all know there are very talented high school students here in Madison, and many people could be served well through their creativity, passion, and desire to be of service.”

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