Ninety-eight percent of all 17-year-olds arrested in Wisconsin committed non-violent crimes, usually underage drinking, disorderly conduct, marijuana possession, or property crimes.
Yet, since 1995, all these 17-year-old offenders are handled by the adult correctional system and, if incarcerated, are placed with the adult prison and jail population.
By Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB
This is the last article in the Abbot’s special Year of Faith series on the seven sacraments.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes: “Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and concludes with the vision of the ‘wedding-feast of the Lamb’” (CCC 1602; Rev 19:7, 9; Gen 1:26-27).
No wonder that the Church’s theology of the Sacrament of Matrimony is deeply rooted in sacred Scripture.
Q: This is my least favorite time of year. I want to look forward to the holidays, but I dread them.
It just brings up memories of the gatherings we used to have but no longer can. My parents are still living, but dad has a type of dementia and mom has a bad heart along with many other medical conditions. They are now in an assisted living facility.
My siblings all make it a point to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but honestly it causes so much stress I wonder if it is worth it. It is just not the same and I think it makes mom feel bad that she can no longer host the traditional gathering.
My siblings are very set in their ways and don’t want to give up the appearance of a happy family celebration, even though it is far from happy for any of us.
How can I help my family realize we need to change the way we celebrate these holidays? (from a daughter in Cross Plains).
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| Esta columna es la comunicación del Obispo con los fieles de la Diócesis de Madison. Cualquier circulación más amplia va más allá de la intención del Obispo. |
Queridos amigos:
La semana pasada en el encuentro de Baltimore de la Conferencia de Obispos, nuestro Nuncio Apostólico el Arzobispo Carlo María Viganó, que sirve como el representante personal del Papa Francisco en los Estados Unidos, se dirigió a los obispos en nombre del Santo Padre.
En primer lugar, pensé que era interesante que buena parte de su ponencia se centraba en citas del Papa Pablo vi y del Beato Juan Pablo Magno.
Este es un signo seguro de que el Papa Francisco desea ser visto en continuidad con sus venerables predecesores, un hecho que él dejó claro recientemente al decir que la perspectiva de la hermenéutica de la continuidad del Arzobispo Agostino Marchetto es una herramienta adecuada de interpretación del Concilio Vaticano II.
Pero, quiero centrarme en un pensamiento en particular del Arzobispo Viganò
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| Young residents in Cebu, Philippines, hold signs asking for help and food along the highway November 11 after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit. The typhoon, one of the strongest storms in history, is believed to have killed tens of thousands, but aid workers were still trying to reach remote areas. (CNS photo/Charlie Saceda, Reuters) |
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis led prayers for people hit by a deadly typhoon in the Philippines and surrounding region and asked that concrete aid be sent soon.
During the Angelus with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on November 10, the pope expressed his concern and prayers for the estimated tens of thousands of people dead and others affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated parts of the central Philippines November 8.
“I wish to express my closeness to the people of the Philippines and that region that has been hit by a terrible typhoon. Unfortunately the victims are many and the damage is enormous,” the pope said.
He asked the tens of thousands of people gathered in the square to join him in a moment of silent prayer “for these brothers and sisters and let’s try also to make our concrete help reach them.”
In response to the tragedy, Pope Francis made an initial donation of $150,000 for the relief efforts through the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.
The money, sent through the local churches hardest hit by the storm, was earmarked to support “assistance for the displaced and those impacted by the flooding,” the Vatican said in a written statement.
MADISON — The so-called “drizzle” that had the appearance of a full-blown rain shower wasn’t enough to keep about three dozen people from coming out to mark the end of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Madison.
40 Days for Life is an annual vigil of prayer, fasting, and peacefully witnessing to end abortion. For the past several years, the vigil has taken place outside the Planned Parenthood clinic on Madison’s east side. This year’s vigil ran from September 25 to November 3.
SINSINAWA — Sister Patrice McGovern, OP, died Nov. 11, 2013. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Nov. 14, 2013, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Patrice made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Aug. 5, 1946, and her final profession Aug. 5, 1949. She ministered in education as a teacher for 15 years, principal for 21 years, assistant principal for two years, and volunteer tutor and substitute teacher for one year. Sister Patrice served in pastoral ministry for 22 years. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Iowa, California, Oklahoma, New York and Nebraska.
MADISON — At parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison this upcoming weekend, a collection will be held to benefit the Archdiocese for Military Services (AMS). Our diocese has a personal connection with this collection as two of our priests are currently serving in the military and directly benefit from this collection.
MADISON — As we approach the conclusion of this holy Year of Faith on November 24, the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Madison is dedicating the fall St. Thérèse Lecture to the important topic of the relationship between science and faith.
There may be no one better to speak on this topic than Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., former president of Gonzaga University and current president of the Magis Center of Reason & Faith.
MADISON — Some attendees called it one of the largest crowds they had ever seen at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
Hundreds packed the auditorium on Friday, Nov. 1 — All Saints Day — to hear Fr. Michael Gaitley talk about the most recent push for everyone to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary.
