To the editor:
In regard to the article, on the Lutheran-Catholic service held in Madison, it’s a disservice to lead people to believe that outside of the sacraments of the Catholic Church we are united. Love and unity comes from the source of the sacraments who “IS” Jesus Christ Himself. For this reason, “what divides us is by far more than what unites us.”
JANESVILLE — Students and staff at St. John Vianney (SJV) School in Janesville recently got a chance to hear stories of the recent storm damage in the southern U.S. and how their donations helped out other schoolchildren there.
Eleven students from Houston recently came to Janesville to run in the Midwest Invitational Cross Country Meet.
During that time, those students visited the school and shared with SJV students and staff firsthand what it was like in Houston during, and after, Hurricane Harvey.
MADISON — The Madison Catholic Woman’s Club (MCWC) opens their hearts to children at their annual Christmas luncheon by bringing gifts of toys and clothing to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Little Drummer program.
This year’s luncheon is at Rex’s Innkeeper, 301 Century Ave., Waunakee, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 12 noon.
Al Anderson, retired music educator, professional trombonist, and music historian will present “Sounds of the Season: Holiday Songs Like You’ve Never Heard Them.”
As we observe Thanksgiving this week, of course it’s a time to give thanks for the blessings we have received in our lives.
While it is good to give thanks, it may be more difficult for us to go beyond giving thanks.
 |
||
| Audrey Lukes from Sun Prairie prays at the tomb of Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap, at his final resting place in Detroit. The Capuchin priest and Wisconsin native will be beatified on Saturday, Nov. 18, at a Mass at Ford Field in Detroit. (Contributed photo/Audrey Lukes) |
SUN PRAIRIE — If you mention the name “Shorty” to anyone who has lived in Sun Prairie for the past several decades, they’ll probably know exactly who you are talking about.
His wife, Audrey, will talk about the man who was more than six feet tall, “very athletic,” worked for the county, was a war veteran, went dancing with her all the time, and ran to work every day.
He and his young family met a big challenge when in 1955, at age 31, he was stricken with polio and was paralyzed from the chest down.
Audrey said they had to “change our whole lifestyle”.
This world lost Shorty, also known as Norman Lukes, nearly six years ago at the age of 87.
At the time of his passing, his life, and that of his family, served as an example of faith in God and walking with the Lord, facing life’s challenges.
More than 300 miles away, on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Detroit’s Ford Field, another man, who lived to roughly the same age of 86, will be taking the next step toward canonized sainthood.
More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the beatification Mass for Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap, in a venue more commonly known as the home to the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
What is the connection between Shorty and Father Casey?
The connection is faith in the Lord and a brief encounter with each other toward the end of Venerable Father Casey’s life.
 |
|
Thanksgiving’s roots go back to the Pilgrims. After a long hard year during which more than half died from scurvy or exposure to the elements, survivors held a feast of thanksgiving during which they shared their blessings with Indian friends.
The Pilgrims thanked God that enough of them survived to start a new life for themselves and their descendants. As the colonies grew more prosperous, however, people tended to forget about Thanksgiving. Consequently, Thanksgiving was celebrated sporadically, if at all.
MADISON — SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison is making plans to undergo a spiritual beautification in its chapel.
“The more beautiful, the more inviting a space can be, the easier it is for us to come in contact with the living God,” said Fr. Pat Norris, OP, hospital ethicist. “It facilitates people worshipping God.”
The hospital, through the work of the St. Mary’s Foundation, is looking to upgrade the current hospital chapel, which hasn’t seen any major modifications in the last 30 years.
 |
|
Some people may wish to “donate their body to science” after they die. Such a gift of themselves can be objectively good and praiseworthy provided that their body would contribute to meaningful research or study, and that it would not be used in a disrespectful or otherwise inappropriate manner.
BELOIT — Are you alone with no place to go or have no family members nearby on Thanksgiving Day?
You can spend Thanksgiving dinner with dozens of people in the comfortable, friendly surroundings at Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Parish.
|
|
|
Word on Fire
|
Each November the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. The saints are the great heroes of our faith. The Church describes a saint as a person of “heroic virtue.”
This means that while many Christians might be willing to settle for lackluster accomplishments as disciples, the saints engage their relationship with the Lord Jesus with vigorous creativity and absolute dedication. Most often, the work of the saints will go unnoticed and unseen.
