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Word on Fire
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In the year 480 A.D., the last of the rulers of what remained of the western Roman Empire, a man by the name of Julius Nepos, died, leaving one Roman emperor in the far off eastern city of Constantinople (for the first time in 95 years), and the old Roman empire in Europe in the midst of a deleterious decline. In this era of ever diminishing expectations, St. Benedict was born.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. For some, Memorial Day means the beginning of summer. For others, it is a day off to go shopping.
The purpose of Memorial Day, however, is to honor military personnel who died while serving our country, particularly those who died in battle or from wounds received in battle.
On Veterans Day, we honor those who served honorably in military service during wartime or peacetime.
SINSINAWA, Wis. — Sister […]
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| Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, left, and UW-Madison Police Chief Kristen Roman light memorial candles at the annual Blue Mass for first responders on May 10 at St. Bernard Church in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) | ||
MADISON — For the second straight year, St. Bernard Parish in Madison hosted the annual Blue Mass in honor of all first responders.
Fr. Michael Radowicz, pastor of St. Bernard, celebrated the Mass, along with several other priests from the Diocese of Madison.
In attendance were Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, Madison Police Chief Mike Koval, Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, UW-Madison Police Chief Kristen Roman, members of their departments, and members of surrounding police, fire, and emergency worker agencies in Dane County.
During his homily, Father Radowicz told those in attendance to “know there are a great many who appreciate the good work that you do, and we see that love and faithfulness in which you serve us every single day” and “the lord has endowed each of you with special gifts that allow you to be Christ for people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives”.
Later in the Mass, Chiefs Davis and Roman lit memorial candles in honor of those who have died in service to community.
Of special remembrance was Rick Garner, Jr., a 29-year-old Madison firefighter who recently died, shortly after finishing his shift.
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Mother’s day is a special holy day when we honor the gift of our mother. This year we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 13.
Attempts to start an American Mother’s Day began after the Civil War as a protest to that war’s carnage by mothers who had lost their sons in that war. This early Mother’s Day for Peace movement was led by Julia Ward Howe, author of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
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| At a recent recognition event, donors, along with staff members of Catholic Charities Madison, stand by The Beacon’s new 14-passenger shuttle, which is used to transport guests between the homeless day resource center and overnight shelters. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) | ||
MADISON — “To have this in service for our homeless men, women, and children to be picked up at shelters in the morning and dropped off in the afternoon is unbelievable,” said Catholic Charities Madison CEO and President Jackson Fonder during a recent event thanking donors for their help in supporting the purchase of a 14-passenger shuttle for The Beacon.
The Beacon is the comprehensive day resource center in Madison for people experiencing homelessness in Dane County, which is operated, in part, by Catholic Charities Madison, along with Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.
The 2017 Ford Transport replaces an older shuttle that Fonder described as being “on its last leg,” and he told the donors, “you guys came to the rescue”.
The more than $60,000 raised for the transport came from a lead donation from Caritas Foundation, a major donation from the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, and additional support from the Eric D. and Steven D. Hovde Foundation, the Fiore Companies, MGE Foundation, Steve Brown Apartments, and Urban Land Interests.
“Transportation is one of the largest issues than inhibits our folks from getting help,” said Fonder.
He added when people experiencing homelessness can’t get adequate transportation, they “give up,” and the new shuttle “prevents them from giving up.”
The Beacon shuttle transports about 100 people per day from their overnight shelters in the morning to The Beacon, and then back to those shelters in the evening when the center closes for the day.
In the future, The Beacon will be evaluating other uses for the shuttle based on guest needs.
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The other night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Michelle Wolf, who I’m told is a comedian, regaled the black-tie and sequin-gowned crowd with her “jokes.” Almost all were in extremely bad taste and/or wildly offensive, but one has become accustomed to that sort of coarseness in the comedy clubs and even on mainstream television.
MADISON — Poll the faithful on the most famous saints, and Augustine, Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, and of course St. Patrick are sure to follow Peter and Paul on any top 10 list.
But what about St. Bede the Venerable, St. Columba, St. Niceta, or Blessed John Henry Newman, among others?
Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman, the Madison Diocesan Choir offers an introduction to the saints, the familiar and those not so well known, with a spring concert, “For All the Saints,” Friday, May 18, at the Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd., in Madison.
MADISON — Faces of courage and stories of faith took the spotlight during the St. Dennis Parish “Courage Through Faith” event that was held on the fourth Sunday of Easter.
Pastor Fr. Randy Timmerman welcomed about 400 believers from congregations throughout the city with the challenge to be bold and courageous in work and everyday life, much like the apostles were courageous in building the early Church after Christ rose from the dead.
Father Timmerman’s plea was to be a living example of Christian values and voices in a society that is often hostile toward faith.
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| Waunakee Village Board Trustee Erin Moran stands outside the village hall. The 21-year-old Waunakee resident and Edgewood College student was recently elected to the board for a two-year term. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) | ||
WAUNAKEE — Talk to any typical college junior and most of them may have thoughts of graduating, getting a job, and moving away from home.
While 21-year-old Erin Moran certainly has some of those things on her mind, she recently started another after-school activity that most might not find typical.
The Edgewood College student and Waunakee resident was recently elected to the Village Board of Trustees, along with two others, getting 1,740 votes in the April 3 election.
On Election Night, the Waunakee Tribune, when reporting the results, called Moran “perhaps the youngest [village board trustee] in Waunakee history.”
Moran, who received the second-most votes, came out ahead of two incumbents, who had both served on the board for more than a decade, according to the Waunakee Tribune.
Moran is one of four daughters of parents Steph and John. They are members of St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee.
