“Rural life is still the backbone of America,” said Jim Ennis, executive director of Catholic Rural Life (CRL) and president of International Catholic Rural Association (ICRA), as he addressed a group of about 50 people at St. Joseph Parish in Dodgeville on October 1.
Day: October 12, 2017
A world awash with weapons — there’s a better way
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If someone’s house was on fire, would you pour gasoline on it? Well, the answer is obvious: Of course you wouldn’t.
Yet that is very similar to what the United States and many other more economically developed nations are doing.
U.S. leading way
Despite the tragic fact that approximately 40 current armed conflicts worldwide are causing over 150,000 deaths annually, countless serious injuries, untold destruction, and 28,300 people per day fleeing from their homes, many of the wealthiest countries continue to pour flammable weapons into these volatile conflicts. And the U.S. is leading the pack. (see: http://bit.ly/2ufpP5Y).
‘Apple Pie Ambassadors’ welcome new neighbors
MONONA — “Hello, we’re from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona. We understand that you recently moved into the area. We just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood.”
That greeting — along with an apple pie, a bulletin, and a smile — are what the parish’s “Apple Pie Ambassadors” have given out nearly 50 times since May.
Mother! and the God of the Bible
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Spoiler Alert! This column reveals details of a newly released film.
Darren Aronofsky’s latest film Mother! has certainly stirred up a storm, and no wonder. It features murder, point-blank executions, incinerations, and the killing and devouring of a child. I know: pleasant evening at the movies.
Mother! will seem just deeply weird unless you see it as a fairly straightforward allegory. Once you crack the code, it will make a certain sense, though the message it is trying to convey is, at best, pretty ambiguous.
St. Bernard Church in Watertown reopens after restoration
WATERTOWN — Watertown Catholics celebrated the grand reopening of St. Bernard Church on September 17.
Boasting an iconic 193-foot steeple since 1873, and celebrated as the tallest structure in Watertown, St. Bernard has been one of the city’s most identifiable treasures.
Health care should be considered a right
To the editor:
I disagree with the comments Senator Ron Johnson made in response to a question from a New Berlin High School student (September 28, 2017) as to whether health care was a right or a privilege.
The senator not only said that health care was not a right, but he indicated that food, shelter, and clothing also were not rights.
A wake-up call: we are our brother’s keeper
After the tragic shooting in Las Vegas, one question kept surfacing in my mind: Are we still our brother’s keeper?
We know the phrase “my brother’s keeper” from the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-9. Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy. After the murder, God asked Cain where Abel was. Cain’s answer was, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
We are surely not responsible for everyone’s safety at all times. However, we should not allow people to do violence if we can prevent it.
Information Session introduces disability ministry in diocese
MADISON — The Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities-Diocese of Madison is holding an Information Session to introduce disability ministry in the Diocese of Madison and two initiatives starting this year for parishes.
The Information Session will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Holy Name Heights-Ground South East(GSE) Room, 702 S. High Point Rd.
Public Rosary Rally in Janesville
JANESVILLE — On Saturday, Oct. 14, a public Rosary Rally will begin at 12 noon at the Courthouse Pavilion in downtown Janesville.
There will be roses to be placed by a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, borrowed from the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church, who have a convent a block away.