Students and staff at St. John the Baptist (SJB) School in Jefferson initiated their Lenten journey together on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Month: March 2015
Bloomington St. Mary Parish variety show
BLOOMINGTON — “Remembering the ‘Classic TV’ Shows” is the theme of St. Mary Parish variety show performances which will take place at St. Mary School gym, 535 Congress St., on Sunday, March 22, at 1 p.m.
St. Mary’s Parish Players have been busy recreating some of the characters from the Mayberry TV series. Other performances will feature the St. Mary’s “Sisters” group; the White family; the River Ridge Dance team; and skits, musical, and dance performances.
Be compassionate
We have a loving and compassionate God, and Jesus calls us to practice these virtues in our lives. This is our mission as Christians.
When I was growing up, we learned the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. They are tools for living a good Christian life, showing us how to be compassionate.
Corporal Works of Mercy
Jesus tells us about the Corporal Works of Mercy in Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew. He challenges us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, and bury the dead. We will be judged by how we do these things.
At first glance, we might think that we are rarely presented with opportunities to exercise many of these good works. But, if we look a little closer, we might be surprised at how often we are presented with ways to do some of them.
Call for people to act with justice
People in the Madison area have been coping with the death of a biracial young man by a white police officer on March 6.
The fatal shooting of Tony Robinson, age 19, by Madison police officer Matt Kenny is indeed a tragedy.
As state law now stipulates, the incident is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Members of Robinson’s family have called upon the community to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed.
Faith Stories in Stoughton
STOUGHTON — Each month, parishioners share their “Faith Stories” at St. Ann Church in Msgr. Healy Hall, 323 N. Van Buren St.
On Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m., Pastor Fr. Randy Budnar will share how God is and has been important in his life.
Flippo game for persons with disability
MONROE — Catholic Charities invites residents of Green County age 15 and older who have a developmental disability to Flippo, an exciting game with lots of prizes, on Saturday, March 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the community room of Churchill Woods Apartments, 800 13th Ave.
Bring a friend, family member, guardian, or staff person. Refreshments will be served. Monetary donations are appreciated to help defray the cost of refreshments and prizes.
Care Net’s 30th anniversary
MADISON — On Sunday, March 22, Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County and Lighthouse Kids will be holding an open house celebrating Care Net’s 30th anniversary and the grand opening of Lighthouse Kids Early Learning Center on Madison’s east side.
Thirty years of caring
Care Net is celebrating 30 years of providing compassionate pregnancy and sexual health services in the Madison area.
They offer help, hope, and healing through medical services, education, a residential program, and ongoing support.
Care Net recently completed the development of Eagle Harbor Apartments, featuring 36 modern and affordable apartments.
Lighthouse Kids
Lighthouse Kids will now provide on-site childcare at this facility right next door to Care Net.
Lighthouse Kids is excited to announce the opening of its new early learning center that will be unlike any other day care center.
Lighthouse Kids, a five-star childcare center, offers bilingual education (English/Spanish) to meet the needs of families while giving children the gift of multiple languages.
This center is a vision of Care Net and Lighthouse Church to bring high quality early childhood education in a safe environment.
It is Lighthouse’s desire to offer families, especially those at risk, affordable childcare and family support. The curriculum focuses on early learning skills and prepares children for entrance into 4K.
Lighthouse Kids will provide a convenient and affordable Christian childcare option for families of Eagle Harbor Apartments, mothers of The Elizabeth House, and other families on Madison’s east side.
Thanks be to God! Prayers are answered as priest’s mother rescued
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| Very Rev. Paul Ugo Arinze is pictured on a visit to Nigeria with his parents, including his mother Virginia, right, and father Michael, left (now deceased). Also pictured is Sr. Harriet Ogo Okafor, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, who is a relative of Virginia Arinze. (Contributed photo) |
BELOIT — Very Rev. Paul Ugo Arinze has been touched by the “outpouring of support and love” from people throughout the Diocese of Madison who prayed for his mother, Virginia Arinze, who was rescued after being kidnapped in Nigeria.
Father Arinze, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Parish in Beloit, made a quick trip to Nigeria on March 2 to see his mother in the hospital. He returned to Beloit on March 6.
Mother’s condition
“She was still in the ICU when I arrived in Nigeria in critical but stable condition,” he said after his return. “She had suffered from extreme dehyration, dislocated shoulders, and a knee injury and was complaining of internal pain all due to the extreme way she was handled and the conditions her captors put her through.”
By his second day in Nigeria, Mrs. Arinze made “tremendous improvement” and was responding positively to her treatment, Father Arinze said.
“She was moved from ICU to a regular critical care room on March 5. According to her doctors, she will still be in the hospital for another week or two before her release. Investigations into the circumstances of her kidnapping and those who were involved are still ongoing.”
Abducted at gunpoint
Mrs. Arinze was abducted at gunpoint from her home in the city of Awka on the afternoon of February 21. The abductors claimed to have some ties to the terrorist organization Boko Haram, but the Nigerian authorities are doubtful of that claim, said Father Arinze.
“She was held outside all through her days in captivity, exposing her to rain, sun, and other elements,” he said.
Catholics at Capitol to emphasize united Church
On the Wednesday after Easter, April 8, Catholics from around the state will meet at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison for Catholics at the Capitol 2015.
Women’s convention to be held June 16-17 in Middleton
MIDDLETON — Since becoming president of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) last spring, Rosa Ropers has challenged women to “Live, Learn, Love, and Share Our Catholic Faith,” the theme for her two-year term.
The former religious education coordinator brings her love of learning to the leadership position and is looking forward to presiding over her first convention June 16 and 17 at St. Bernard Church, Middleton.