Day: February 12, 2014

On
Jill Driscoll, For the Catholic Herald

2014 Annual Catholic Appeal: ‘Beacon of Faith, Fire of Charity’

MADISON — As we prepare for Lent as a Catholic community, we prepare to give alms. What does it mean to give alms? The definition includes the charitable giving of money, food, or goods to people in need. It is one form of sacrifice we as Catholics are asked to perform during the season of Lent, just as Christ sacrificed himself for each of us.

This year’s theme for the 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal is “Beacon of Faith, Fire of Charity.” The focus this year is on evangelization and the Corporal Works of Mercy. The Annual Catholic Appeal funds both of those ministries, plus many others. Here are a few examples:

• Evangelization and Catechesis — Each of us as Catholics is asked to share Christ’s message through evangelization. The Church catechizes the young through religious education classes and adults through RCIA, retreats, and classes.

• Catholic Charities — As the Corporal Works of Mercy arm of the Diocese of Madison, Catholic Charities touches so many lives. They visit the sick through the Respite Care Program; feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty through the Mobile Food Pantry and the Catholic Multicultural Center. These are just a few of the programs supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal and provided through Catholic Charities.

 

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On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Christ calls laity to be ‘salt and light’

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

Last week I happened to be in Jackson, Mississippi (for about 36 hours). Now, why would I go there? Was it because I had never been to Mississippi, and I had never tried their particular brand of Southern cooking?

Well . . . I’ll admit that was at the back of my mind . . . but I would never had made a special trip just for that reason. I went to Jackson for the ordination of their new bishop, Bishop Joseph Kopacz.

Bishop from same home parish

Bishop Kopacz is a great priest, about four years younger than I, who grew up with me in the same home parish near Scranton, Pennsylvania — St. Anthony’s in Dunmore.

Just imagine — two bishops from the same generation from the same home parish. If you would, I’d ask your prayers for him as he begins his new ministry in Jackson.

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On
Chris Lee

Cristo llama al laico a ser “sal y luz”

Esta columna es la comunicación del Obispo con los fieles de la Diócesis de Madison. Cualquier circulación más amplia va más allá de la intención del Obispo.

Queridos amigos:

La semana pasada estuve en Jackson, Mississippi (unas 36 horas) Ahora, ¿por qué fui allá? ¿Fue porque nunca había estado en Mississippi y nunca había probado ese modo particular de cocina sureña?

Bueno, admitiré que eso también lo tenía en mente… pero nunca habría hecho ese viaje especial solo por esa razón. Fui a Jackson para la ordenación de su nuevo Obispo, Monseñor Joseph Kopacz.

Obispo de la misma parroquia de casa

El Obispo Kopacz es un gran sacerdote, unos cuatro años más joven que yo, con quien crecí en la misma parroquia de casa cerca a Scranton, Pennsylvania — St. Anthony’s en Dunmore.

Imagínense: dos obispos de la misma generación de la misma parroquia. Si pueden, les pido sus oraciones por él al comenzar su ministerio en Jackson.

Además de compartir algo de mi semana, menciono este viaje porque el Obispo Kopacz eligió como su lema episcopal “Hágase la luz”.

Esas fueron las primeras palabras de Dios en las Escrituras. “¡Hágase la luz!” Así de importante es la imagen de la luz en nuestra fe que las primeras palabras de la Escritura y que vienen de la boca del Padre se refieren a la luz.

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On
John Huebscher

Social ministry gathering offers look at vibrant Church

Eye on the Capitol by John Huebscher

It has been a few years since I last attended the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington, D.C. What I saw when I joined nearly 500 others at the 2014 meeting was another inspiring example of how a diverse and vibrant group of Catholics can inspire each other and bear witness to our faith.

Initiated some years ago by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Social Ministry Gathering is now also co-sponsored by a number of Catholic organizations, including Catholic Charities USA, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Rural Life, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, the National Council of Catholic Women, and a number of other groups.

Over a three-day period, attendees renewed relationships, celebrated policy victories, educated ourselves on important policy issues, and visited our respective congressional delegations in support of the USCCB’s policy priorities.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

A real hero: New York boy’s actions inspire all of us to help others

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

Many of us are watching the Winter Olympics these days, and we’re inspired by the years of dedication and hard work it takes for athletes to compete on the world stage. Those who win medals often return home to their respective countries as heroes.

While we can applaud these athletes for their accomplishments, the recent story of an eight-year-old boy from upstate New York captured my attention as a real hero.

Boy saves relatives while losing his own life

Tyler Doohan was visiting his grandfather in his mobile home in Penfield, N.Y., on January 20 because his school was off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Reportedly, Tyler woke up at about 4:45 a.m. when the blanket covering his sleeping four-year-old cousin caught fire, according to Chris Ebmeyer, chief of the volunteer fire company in Penfield.

Tyler then woke up six of his relatives and helped them escape from the enflamed mobile home. He then ran back into the home where his 57-year-old grandfather was sleeping. His grandfather used a wheelchair and crutches after having a leg amputated due to complications of diabetes. The firefighters found Tyler’s body just a few feet from his grandfather’s. The boy’s uncle was also found dead in another part of the trailer.

Tyler saved the lives of six people. “They all would have died if he hadn’t woken up,” said Ebmeyer. All six survivors suffered minor injuries, including Tyler’s grandmother, two children, two other women, and a man.

I can’t image many other eight-year-olds having the courage to do what Tyler did. It was truly an act of caring and heroism.

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On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

St. Ambrose Academy to present Annie

VERONA — Students, staff, and volunteers at St. Ambrose Academy are gearing up to present another musical production.

After last year’s successful and award-winning production of Beauty and the Beast, the school is putting the finishing touches on the family favorite Annie.

This year’s musical will again have a live orchestra as part of the full-length version of the production.

The website for the recent Broadway production describes Annie as the story of a lovable orphan, the title character, who goes on a spirited journey with next-to-nothing at an orphanage and finds her ideal family with big-hearted billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks.

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