MONROE — Monroe Clinic Volunteers in Partnership (MCVIP) will host their annual Christmas Festival on Friday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Monroe Clinic Founder’s Hall, in the lower level at 515 22nd Ave.
This year, MCVIP has created many beautiful gift baskets that are wonderful for Christmas giving. The annual tradition features a catered lunch by Barb’s Kitchen, coffee, fresh pastries made by Boomerang Bakery, Prairie Stone gift items, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction.
To the editor:
NASA’s claim in Tony Magliano’s column in the November 19 issue of the Catholic Herald that 97 percent of climate scientists agree that man is the main cause of climate change originates in a discredited study by Australian scientist John Cook, also author of a book supporting climate change, who analyzed 11,944 abstracts.
Thirty-four percent of the abstracts expressed an opinion on global warming. Thirty-three percent (97 percent) agreed with the conclusions in Cook’s book. A peer review of the abstracts showed agreement of one percent.
MONTELLO — St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello and Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield are proud to again present an evening of Lessons and Carols.
The event is set for Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at St. John Church, 277 E. Montello St., Montello.
As in the past, choirs from St. John the Baptist and Good Shepherd Parishes will unite to provide the musical presentations. Students from the religious education programs at the parishes will also participate in the event.
MADISON — A special invitation has been extended to parishioners in the Diocese of Madison and friends for a sneak preview tour of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center renovation. It will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m.
Get an insider look at the sensitive, eco-friendly restoration initiatives now underway. When the renovation of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center is complete in spring of 2016, it will be home to diocesan offices, Catholic Charities, the Catholic Herald, Relevant Radio, and 53 beautiful one- and two-bedroom residences at Holy Name Heights.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we might want to reflect on the origins of that national holiday.
The pilgrims observed what we consider the first Thanksgiving to thank God for the blessings they received during their first year in America.
Why did the pilgrims come to this new land in the first place? The answer to that question has some bearing on our current discussions about whether to accept refugees from other countries.
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While some parents might be happy to avoid the awkward conversations that arise around human sexuality by allowing the school system to provide their children’s sex education, it is nonetheless important for parents to recognize that they are the most significant teachers and models for their own children as they mature sexually.
Instilling a healthy attitude about sexuality in young people involves a variety of considerations, including conveying a proper sense of constraints and boundaries. These boundaries arise organically through the virtue of chastity, by which a person acquires the ability to renounce self, to make sacrifices, and to wait generously in consideration of loving fidelity toward a future spouse, out of self-respect, and out of fidelity to God.
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| A child lights a candle in Republique square in Paris November 14 in memory of victims of terrorist attacks. Coordinated attacks the previous evening claimed the lives of 129 people. The Islamic State claimed responsibility. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) |
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Using God’s name to try to justify violence and murder is “blasphemy,” Pope Francis said November 15, speaking about the terrorist attacks on Paris.
“Such barbarity leaves us dismayed, and we ask ourselves how the human heart can plan and carry out such horrible events,” the pope said after reciting the “Angelus” prayer with visitors in St. Peter’s Square.
The attacks in Paris November 13 — attacks the French government said were carried out by three teams of Islamic State terrorists — caused the deaths of at least 129 people and left more than 350 injured, many of them critically. A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a soccer stadium, gunmen attacked customers at cafes and restaurants, and a team of terrorists gunned down dozens of people at a concert.
The attacks, Pope Francis said, were an “unspeakable affront to the dignity of the human person.”
“The path of violence and hatred cannot resolve the problems of humanity, and using the name of God to justify this path is blasphemy,” he said.
Pope Francis asked the thousands of people who gathered at St. Peter’s for the Sunday midday prayer to observe a moment of silence and to join him in reciting a “Hail Mary.”
“May the Virgin Mary, mother of mercy, give rise in the hearts of everyone thoughts of wisdom and proposals for peace,” he said. “We ask her to protect and watch over the dear French nation, the first daughter of the Church, over Europe and the whole world.”
“Let us entrust to the mercy of God the innocent victims of this tragedy,” the pope said.
Speaking November 14, the day after the terrorist attacks, Pope Francis had told the television station of the Italian bishops’ conference, “I am shaken and pained.”
Q I am concerned about my mother. She is in her early 80s and has enjoyed relatively good health.
She has a little arthritis but does not let that stop her from doing most everything she wants to do.
Since my father died several years ago, she has been living in an apartment complex for older adults. She has friends and seems to enjoy many of the social activities offered by the apartment management.
My concern is that lately when I visit she seems sad. For lack of a better term, she seems to have lost her “spark.”
I tried to talk to her about the upcoming holidays and she said we could discuss it later. This is a woman who used to begin Christmas shopping in July! I ask her what is going on but she dismisses the question.
I don’t know how to help her. Do you have any ideas? (From a daughter in Dodgeville)
Q I am concerned about my mother. She is in her early 80s and has enjoyed relatively good health.
She has a little arthritis but does not let that stop her from doing most everything she wants to do.
Since my father died several years ago, she has been living in an apartment complex for older adults. She has friends and seems to enjoy many of the social activities offered by the apartment management.
My concern is that lately when I visit she seems sad. For lack of a better term, she seems to have lost her “spark.”
I tried to talk to her about the upcoming holidays and she said we could discuss it later. This is a woman who used to begin Christmas shopping in July! I ask her what is going on but she dismisses the question.
I don’t know how to help her. Do you have any ideas? (From a daughter in Dodgeville)
MADISON — Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si’ makes a firm and urgent case for taking care of God’s creation in order to care for the poor and vulnerable among us.
He asserts that environmental stewardship must always be tied to social justice and vice versa. For the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC), the encyclical is an affirmation of the work it has already been doing.
