Day: January 19, 2021

On
the Wisconsin Conference of Catholic Bishops

Bishops address COVID vaccine concerns

MADISON — Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops have issued a statement that addresses moral considerations regarding newly-developed COVID-19 vaccines.

In their letter, the bishops acknowledged the devastating impact of coronavirus infections worldwide but also lauded the efforts of nations and organizations to develop safe vaccines that will effectively diminish the impact of the virus.

Moral questions

While the promise of inoculation provides hope for the end of the current pandemic, the bishops indicated that many Catholics have raised moral questions about receiving vaccinations, especially the use of vaccines that utilize cell lines from aborted children in development and production.

There are also questions surrounding the right of conscience and the duty of all Catholics to advance the common good.

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On
Laura Karlen, For the Catholic Herald

Former Planned Parenthood manager to kick-off Madison 40 Days for Life campaign

MADISON — Abortion facilities are dark, desolate places. Former Planned Parenthood Manager Sue Thayer knows this personally from her 17 years on the job at the Storm Lake, Iowa, Planned Parenthood.

Something happens, though, when peaceful volunteers show up to pray on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. “With just one person out there, you bring the light of Christ,” said Thayer.

But, “chaos reigns inside,” she added.

According to Thayer, staff are already stressed out to meet the quotas that Planned Parenthood sets for each service, including abortion.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

Education was a priority for Bishop O’Connor in new Diocese of Madison

Second in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison

It was not surprising that as a former seminary professor of philosophy, Bishop William P. O’Connor made education a priority in the newly established Diocese of Madison.

Established CCD in every parish

He established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) in every parish as a goal of great importance in the new diocese. CCD initially provided religious instruction for those Catholic children not enrolled in Catholic schools.

A diocesan-wide CCD Congress was held September 17-18, 1949. Those attending included lay people, Sisters, and priests.

Under the direction of the CCD, a Diocesan Information Center for Catholics and non-Catholics was established in a storefront on State St. in Madison between the Capitol Square and the University of Wisconsin campus. It attracted close to 30,000 visitors in its years of operation from 1954 to 1963.

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On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

New book highlights local pro-life victories, area family’s journey

MADISON — “When abortion ends and it’s in the history books, those history books are going to look back on Madison, Wis., as a turning point.”

Those words are one reason why Steve Karlen chose to share his story and experiences in the new book This is When We Begin to Fight.

The book, written by the Madison resident, tells the story of the fight to stop a late-term abortion center from opening on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus as well as other challenges his young family faced in life and in love.

The preceding quote was spoken to Karlen during a national pro-life leaders meeting a few years after the Madison Surgery Center dropped its plans to offer late-term abortions more than a decade ago.

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On
Fr. Joseph Baker

Important questions and decision

Death: Our Birth into Eternal life

Fr. Joseph Baker

The following article is the next installment in a series that will appear in the Catholic Herald to offer catechesis and formation concerning end-of-life decisions, dying, death, funerals, and burial of the dead from the Catholic perspective.

We should all be prepared for those difficult situations when end-of-life medical decisions need to be made.

Modern medical advancements have given us wonderful opportunities to bring about cures, to slow the progression of diseases, and to alleviate many symptoms.

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On
Catholic Herald Staff

St. Vincent de Pauls Recycle the Warmth drive is ‘pandemic style’ this year

MADISON — “Need help with clothing and blankets. We lost everything since we were homeless for six months.”

Pleas like this are the reason the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will conduct its 29th annual Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive the weekend of January 29 to 31.

“This important annual drive allows St. Vincent de Paul to collect blankets and other bedding to be given to Dane County residents in need throughout the coming year,” said Ernie Stetenfeld, executive director and CEO.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Let’s be ‘converts’ to our own faith

kevin-editorial

Several years ago (I’ve been here that long?), I wrote a feature story on a young woman who was in her parish’s RCIA program and was on the path to being a full member of the Catholic Church come Easter Vigil.

During my interview with her, she remarked, with a huge smile of anticipation, that she couldn’t wait to receive the Eucharist for the first time.

It made me pause and wonder if I ever felt that excited about Holy Communion.

I don’t think I felt that way at age eight when I received for the first time, and any sort of pumped up and glowy feeling probably lessened after that.

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On
Bishop Donald J. Hying

Making St. Paul’s conversion our journey

Hying logo

A remarkable film I would highly recommend is Paul, Apostle of Christ, which depicts the last months of St. Paul’s life.

Imprisoned and facing death in Rome, Paul dictates the extraordinary events of his life, conversion to Christ, and mission to St. Luke, who writes the Acts of the Apostles as the fruit of their conversations.

Simultaneously, the whole Christian community in Rome endures Nero’s bloody and violent persecution, as they seek Paul’s inspiration and direction.

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