Day: November 8, 2017
Ralph Middlecamp installed as president of U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul
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| Ralph Middlecamp joined more than 10,000 members of the “Vicentian Family” for a recent gathering in Rome. He is the new national president of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul. (Contributed photo) |
MADISON — This story has a dateline of Madison, but Ralph Middlecamp will be traveling throughout the United States and the world in his new position as national president of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP).
Middlecamp has worked with the local SVdP for almost 30 years and will remain based in Madison during his six-year term as the society’s national president.
Gathering in Rome
In October, he joined more than 10,000 members of the “Vincentian family” for a gathering in Rome to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the men’s Congregation of the Mission.
The gathering included an audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis venerated a reliquary containing the heart of St. Vincent de Paul.
Middlecamp said the incorrupt heart is usually kept in Paris in a reliquary at the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity.
He noted that over 200 Vincentian organizations were present in Rome. There are SVdP societies in 150 countries.
The worldwide Church
“My new position allows me to see the worldwide Church at work,” he said.
Besides Rome, he has also visited Paris and will be going soon to Quito, Ecuador, for a meeting of SVdP leaders from the Western Hemisphere.
Lutheran-Catholic service held in Madison
MADISON — St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ELCA have been neighbors and partners in the Madison community for over 60 years.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, they came together for the first time in a joint evening prayer service on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Fr. Robert Evenson, pastor of St. Maria Goretti, and Pastor Chris Enstad of Good Shepherd were the worship leaders.
Giving gifts to others on his birthday
MADISON — When someone “very special” turns 50 and makes that occasion all about giving to others, it’s time to have a party.
Edgewood High School in Madison kitchen staff member Richard Hare recently celebrated that milestone birthday.
In addition to a birthday cake and singing, Hare usually celebrates his special day at the school by making others around him happy.
Barron book released with faith and fire
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Bishop Robert Barron’s latest exploration into the life and truth of the Catholic faith, To Light a Fire on the Earth, was released recently.
To Light a Fire on the Earth is Bishop Barron’s anticipated follow-up to his book Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of Faith, which was released in 2011. This book differs from the first as it is written in partnership with Vatican journalist, John L. Allen, Jr.
The WordonFire website offers the synopsis shared below.
St. Ann Parish in Stoughton to hold Holiday Gift Fair
STOUGHTON — St. Ann Parish at 324 North Harrison St. in Stoughton will hold a Holiday Gift Fair on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Proceeds will help defray expenses for youth mission trips and other events.
Veterans to be honored at national shrine in Champion
CHAMPION — Veterans Day at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion will include a special honor for those who have served our country in the armed forces.
“We want to pay tribute to veterans and say thank you for what they’ve done for all of us,” said Corrie Campbell, events and communications coordinator at the shrine. “We know that many soldiers have deep wounds, and not all of those wounds are physical. It’s important to continue to reach out to veterans and show them our support.”
Grant funding available for solar systems for churches
MADISON — There is $125,000 of grant funding available by Renew Wisconsin for mission-based organizations and houses of worship.
RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good initiative fosters the expansion of solar power among mission-based nonprofits and houses of worship in Wisconsin.
RENEW Wisconsin will award a total of $125,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations to assist them in installing solar PV.
Monona school becomes first LabLearner school in state
MONONA — Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) School in Monona, this school year, became the first LabLearner school in the state of Wisconsin.
What is LabLearner?
LabLearner is a 100 percent research-based, comprehensive, hands-on science education system.
It aims to promote interaction and experimentation in a laboratory setting to encourage diverse learning and thinking strategies, fostering a community atmosphere of learning.
Where have courtesy and civility gone?
In the later years of her life, my mother-in-law used a walker. Of course, it slowed down her pace and also made it difficult for her to open doors unless they had a handicapped door opener.
When I was with her, I could help her navigate doors. Sometimes she got ahead of me, so I wasn’t there when she reached the door.
I was unpleasantly surprised when other people would just walk through the door without offering to help her. She said this was a common occurrence.
Lack of courtesy
This lack of courtesy is something that seems to be escalating in our country. People seem to think only about themselves.