The morning scene inside St. Francis of Assisi Oratory is befitting of its rural setting — a house of God amid the trees, quiet, and occasional sounds of wildlife.
Month: August 2019
God’s gift of laughter
Our Lord loves laughter. I know firsthand because He gave me my husband and my children, who bless me with the gift of laughter every day.
For example, they love to tease me good naturedly about my obsessive-compulsive tendencies regarding germs.
Since my children were babies, I’ve always been fastidious about everyone having clean hands.
So, when my husband was boarding an airplane for a work-related trip, I texted him to ask if he remembered to sanitize his hands after getting settled in his seat.
Helping a sister parish in Haiti
If you look at the summer forecast for most of Haiti, you’ll see rain, including thunderstorms, in the outlook.
Thankfully, the Catholic community, members of Precious Blood of Jesus Parish in Potino, Haiti, will be able to worship and partake in the sacraments with a well-built roof over their heads.
Healed by the relics of saints
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| Linda Schoenmann |
In the spring of 2018, I was pretty sure I had breast cancer based on many signs God gave me while going through medical tests. But I also noticed God surrounded me with breast cancer survivors, so I felt I would be OK. I trusted God had a plan to bring good out of this situation.
I offered up my suffering for the conversion of sinners; for our bishop, priests, seminarians, and vocations; and for Valley of Our Lady Monastery, a community of Cistercian nuns who need a new facility. I turned to these beautiful brides of Christ knowing I could count on their pure prayers, which are amplified by the intercession of Our Lady and over 100 saints whose relics are entrusted to them!
Bishop Hying to lead 2019 Respect Life Retreat
BARABOO — “I’ll be focusing on building a culture of life through the beauty of the human person. We often talk about human dignity, but it goes beyond human dignity. It’s the beauty of the human person that needs our focus,” Bishop Donald J. Hying said.
He is preparing to lead the Respect Life Retreat Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6 to 7, at Durward’s Glen Retreat Center in rural Baraboo.
Finding God everywhere and everyday
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There is, to be sure, a stress within the biblical tradition that God is radically other: “Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.” (Isaiah 45:15) and “No one shall see [God] and live” (Exodus 33:20).
This speaks to the fact that the one who creates the entire universe from nothing cannot be, himself, an item within the universe, one being alongside of others.
Words can indeed hurt us
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is an old adage many of us have heard. It means that someone can hurt another by physical force, but not by insults.
In the Bible, we find Jesus encouraged his followers to “turn the other cheek.” In the Sermon on the Mount, he urged them to respond to injury without revenge and allowing more injury to occur.
Still, I don’t agree with the “sticks and stones” adage, because words can indeed hurt people. These days, many use words to bully others.
Summer Festival begins with bilingual Mass
MADISON — Beginning with a bilingual Mass at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, at St. Joseph Church, 1905 W. Beltline Hwy., the annual Good Shepherd Summer Festival will continue until 9 p.m. with a variety of food, entertainment, music, and fun for the whole family.
Offering a mix of American and Latino food, food sales start at 12 noon with beans and rice, hamburgers and hot dogs, steak and pork tacos, and more. Music throughout the day will feature Jessie Walker, Ricky Vasquez, DJs, live music, and traditional dancers.Guild plans picnic
MT. HOREB — […]
Bishop will celebrate Mazzuchelli Memorial Mass
BENTON — The annual Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli Memorial Mass and dinner will be held on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 3 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, Benton. Bishop Donald J. Hying along with area priests will concelebrate the Mass.
The public is invited to attend the day’s events, sponsored by the Father Mazzuchelli Assembly 202 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Lancaster.