Month: June 2017

On
Jane Lepeska Grinde, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Diocesan women meet; discuss leadership, service

mdccw m&ms

Members of the “M&Ms of Council” team appeared at the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) annual convention held in Fort Atkinson on June 14. The group used the M&M theme to talk about mentoring other women and encouraging them to become active in the CCW councils in their own parishes. Pictured are, front, from left: Carol Brennan and Julie Ottoman, back, from left: Donna Schroeder, Jane Munro, Mary Stasek, and Louise Urmanski.(Catholic Herald photo/Fr. Peter Auer)

FORT ATKINSON — With the theme of “Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way,” Co-Presidents Ellen Martin, Westfield, and Sue Koch, Berlin, opened the 63rd annual convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) at St. Joseph Parish Hall here on June 14.

Interrupting their welcome, President-Elect Bernadette Shaefer, Lancaster, came running in with other MDCCW leaders and led a cheer which she wrote for the convention: “Here’s to the women we hold dear. We all come together year after year. Sharing ideas too many to mention. We learn and laugh at our annual convention . . .”

The fun mixed with the seriousness continued throughout the day.

In his opening comments, Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, pastor of Sacred Hearts Parish, Sun Prairie, and MDCCW spiritual advisor, gave thanks for the women of the council who provide services to the diocese.

“One of the tasks of this council is to help us support one another on our journey of faith. So, first of all, we are helping each other and then, second, we are working through the Catholic Church to share the Good News of the Gospel message of Jesus with others of our own faith and far beyond the borders of Catholicism . . . how blessed we are to be able to share in the ministry of the Lord which He has entrusted us.”

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

July 4 invites us to reflect on freedom

Independence Day is an American federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Studying the Declaration of Independence can motivate us to reflect upon the meaning of freedom and independence.

Dependence on God

We Catholics believe that our independence and freedom are rooted in our dependence upon God. Our dependence upon God is clearly stated in the preamble of the Declaration of Independence.

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On
Jane Lepeska Grinde, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Priest given ‘another chance’ to complete mission in life

FORT ATKINSON — Fr. John Tourangeau, O. Praem, began his keynote speech to the women at the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) convention held at St. Joseph Parish in Fort Atkinson, June 14, with a request to join him in reciting The Hail Mary.

“We humbly ask blessings from the Blessed Virgin Mary on our gathering,” prayed the Norbertine priest who spoke on “Heaven: Is it for Real?” He is the co-author with Travis Vanden Heuvel of To Heaven and Back: The Journey of a Roman Catholic Priest.

 

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On
Bishop Robert Barron

Looking at Luther with fresh eyes

With great profit and pleasure I’m currently reading Alec Ryrie’s new book Protestants: The Faith that Made the Modern World. Among the many texts appearing in this year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Ryrie’s stands out for its verve, clarity, and historical sweep.

In some ways, it is an answer to Brad Gregory’s The Unintended Reformation, though it lacks the intellectual depth and thoroughness of Gregory’s magisterial study. What has so far intrigued me most of all in Ryrie’s book is his portrait of the undisputed father of the Reformation, Martin Luther.

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On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Summer youth programs underway in diocese

MADISON — Youth of all ages in the Diocese of Madison are busy spending time with old friends and new friends and growing in faith and fun.

Two programs now underway for the year, Love Begins Here — in its ninth year in the diocese– and Totus Tuus — in its fourth year — both promise to help grow kids’ hearts for Christ.

Love Begins Here

Love Begins Here (LBH) is an apostolate of the Diocese of Madison Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

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On
Virginia Schmitt

Our Lady has shown us what to do to save ourselves

To the editor:

Thank you for your pictorial report on the Fatima rallies attended on Saturday, May 13, in some diocesan parishes. Thank you to all the parishioners who attended these rallies.

How is it that we can spend money, large parts of our days on sports events, TV, and electronic devices, but only 50 or fewer individuals could find an hour or less to honor Our Lady on the 100th anniversary of her first apparition at Fatima?

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Protect freedom to worship and serve

At their spring assembly held June 14-15 in Indianapolis, the U.S. Catholic bishops voted to made their ad hoc religious liberty committee a permanent committee.

In some ways, it is unfortunate that we need this committee at all. However, freedom of religion has eroded in our country as it has in many other parts of the world.

Freedom curtailed

Although Catholics in the United States can worship freely in our churches and homes, the freedom to practice our religion in the public arena has been questioned and even curtailed.

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On
William Donohoe

Fulfilling our potential, physically and spiritually

From Bishop Robert C. Morlino:

I was recently invited, as I am each year, to celebrate Mass for and take part in the graduation ceremony for the graduating seniors at St. Ambrose Academy, in Madison. I offer the following valedictory remarks from two outstanding young men who were recently graduated, as they exemplify their readiness for Catholic lay mission.

Justin Hineline, whose remarks were published in the June 15 issue, will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, beginning this fall, and will be enrolled in the Army ROTC curriculum.

William Donohoe, whose remarks are published here, will be attending the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Md. reporting later this month.

Let us keep both Justin and William and all our recent graduates in our prayers as they enter this next phase of their lives and continue to discern God’s will for their future.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Watertown Catholic Festival July 15-16 to feature world-renowned guitarist

WATERTOWN — The 2017 Watertown Catholic Festival takes place July 15-16 at Riverside Park. Watertown Catholic welcomes world-renowned guitarist Daryl Stuermer and his band performing Phil Collins and Genesis hits on Saturday at 8 p.m., the “Fifth Quarter” UW-Madison Marching Band on Sunday at 3:30 p.m., and Cold Sweat and the Brew City Horns on Saturday at 12 noon.

In addition to free admission, there will be over $10,000 in cash raffle prizes, a Bucky Badger prize package, silent auction and raffle items, bingo, bean bag tournaments, children’s carnival games, and an array of food and beverage items, including the famous chicken dinner on Sunday. No carry-ins of food and beverage is allowed.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary meets monthly

MADISON — The Blessed Sacrament chapter of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary meets every First Friday at 7 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in Madison.

The July 7 prayer gathering will include a talk by Fr. Andy McAlpin, OP, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish. He will speak on his recent retreat at Medjugorje.

The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary is an international association of the Catholic faithful established in the 1470s “to praise and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and to secure her patronage by the recitation of the Rosary.”

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