SINSINAWA, Wis. — Sr. […]
Month: May 2018
St. Bernard Child Care serves kids of all ages
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| Ethanael, a student at St. Bernard Parish’s Catholic Preschool and Child Care Center in Madison, spends a moment in a classroom prayer corner during free time. The parish is starting a “Summer Camp” program for school-aged children this year. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
MADISON — For more than 30 years, St. Bernard Parish has been serving the east side of Madison, and surrounding community, through its preschool program.
In the past year, that dedication has grown to more opportunities to serve local youth.
Last fall, the parish expanded its preschool to a full child care program.
Starting this summer, school-age children can take advantage of a summer camp-style program.
Building enrollment
With area schools adding programs for children under five, “we had to think of different ways to build our enrollment,” said Geri Nehls, interim director of child care at the parish.
Through both lowering the age of children accepted to 2.5 years old, and responding to Pastor Fr. Michael Radowicz’s ,call for an all-day daycare program, the expanded opportunities were initiated.
“We looked into the Church’s teaching about equity and fairness and equality and how we outreach to the community,” said Nehls.
Leading your child back to the Church
Word on FireBrandon […]
Diocesan Choir presents its first Youth Pastoral Musician Scholarship Awards
MADISON — In the first year of a promising initiative, the Madison Diocesan Choir presented Youth Pastoral Musician Scholarship Awards to four students, double the number anticipated, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.
The scholarship winners are Laura Hinterberg, St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison; Mary Hsu, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison; Elizabeth TenBarge, St. Thomas Parish, Poynette, and Elizabeth White, St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove.Catholic Woman’s Club presents Christian Achievement Award to Madison nurse
MADISON — The Madison Catholic Woman’s Club held its 104th annual Spring Celebration recently at the Blackhawk County Club.
The club honored a Madison nurse who has established support groups for cancer patients and watched a performance bringing Mary Todd Lincoln to life.
The luncheon began with an invocation by Msgr. O. Charles Schluter, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Madison and the club’s spiritual director. The club’s Co-Presidents, Susanna Herro and Carol Strmiska, made introductions, including many of the club’s 22 new members.
Christian Achievement Award
Each year the club recognizes an individual or group of individuals who perform charitable works in the community with its Christian Achievement Award.
‘Battle of the Books’ in Waunakee
WAUNAKEE — When a school gym is home to a raucous environment, high energy from students and parents, and spirited competition, one would naturally assume a sporting event is taking place.
During a recent morning at St. John the Baptist School in Waunakee, all of those efforts were not about sports — they were about books.
As a culmination of a year’s worth of reading, more than 70 students in grades three to six took part in the Battle of the Books, based on a national event where students from different schools read books and compete against each other in knowledge contests based on those books.Helping a sister parish in the storms of life
MCFARLAND — In Mark 4:35-39, Jesus calmed the storm by rebuking the wind and waves with His words, “Peace! Be Still!”
Today many people live in the storm of poverty, be it material or spiritual. They may be terrified. They may experience physical hardships. They may have lost all hope.
Who will be Jesus to these people? Who will be the voice that speaks “Peace! Be Still!” to their storm of poverty?
As Catholics, we are the Mystical Body of Christ. We are to be His hands and feet and voice to our underprivileged and hurting brothers and sisters in Christ.Thank God for crying babies!
Babies crying in church can irritate me, but as I’ve thought about them, I agree with a sign I saw that said, “Thank God for crying babies!”
Why do I think that? Don’t crying babies distract their parents and the entire congregation from prayerfully participating in the Mass?
Yes, they do. But babies should also be loved by their families and welcomed into the entire parish community.
Bishop Morlino’s commencement address at Thomas Aquinas College
Following is Bishop […]
Historic Beloit church is renovated
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| St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Beloit recently completed a renovation of its historic church, which was dedicated in 1886. The renovation included cleaning and painting of all church walls and repainting of statues and the corpus on the crucifix (above). A stylized tree of life design was created as a background for the crucifix. The tabernacle, formerly on a side altar, was moved to the center of the altar area and placed on a custom-made table. (Catholic Herald photo/Pat Casucci) | ||
BELOIT — The rejoicing, joy, and peace of Easter Sunday was enhanced for St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners.
After a major $335,000 renovation of the church interior, it was the first time in almost three months that a Mass was celebrated by Pastor Fr. John Hedrick in the historic church built in 1885.
The church had been closed since January 8, 2018.
The regularly scheduled weekend Masses for St. Thomas were held at St. Jude Church. Father Hedrick is pastor of both parishes.
In a recent interview, Father Hedrick said, “We have had lots of positive comments about the renovation. On Easter Sunday, there was a sense of awe as parishioners looked around the church, seeing how beautiful it is.”
Necessary renovation
Father Hedrick said the renovation was necessary after significant plaster repair was needed on a church wall and part of the ceiling. “The church walls also looked in need of cleaning, and it was decided to not just paint them,” he said.
“After a couple pieces of plaster fell, we knew we had to take care of this 133-year-old building, not let it deteriorate,” he explained. The last time the walls were painted was in 1975.
Extensive planning for the project included a fund drive with parishioners contributing about $175,000. In addition, Father Hedrick said two memorial bequests and parish funds made the extensive renovation possible.