Rest has never been something at which I’ve particularly excelled.
Somehow there is always laundry to be folded, children to be fed, dishes to be washed, and stories to be read.
A parent’s job is never done.
And yet, today, I saw just how important rest is.
Amid a busy schedule, somehow my seven-year-old daughter got a full, good night’s rest, uninterrupted by nightmares or early-rising siblings.
As more than a dozen buses pulled into the parking lot on the grounds of the Tommy Bartlett Water Show on August 25, an annual tradition was about to begin again.
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Just a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Stephen Davis, retired professor of the philosophy of religion at Claremont University.
In preparation for the meeting, I read Dr. Davis’ book called Christian Philosophical Theology, which includes a chapter contrasting two basic approaches to religion throughout the world. The first — which can be found in much of the East — is a religion of karma, and the second — prominent in the Abrahamic religions of the West — is a religion of grace.
The first approach has a lot to recommend it — which explains its great endurance across the centuries. A karmic approach says that, by a cosmic spiritual law, we are punished or rewarded according to our moral activities. If we do bad things, we will suffer, either in this life or a life to come. And if we do good things, we will be rewarded, again either here or in the hereafter.
DANE — The National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9.
People are invited to join Vigil for Life for a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Michael Church, 109 S. Military Rd. in Dane. After Mass, people will process out to the gravesite of the aborted baby who was named Malachai for a brief memorial.
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee-based ministries formerly known as WYRE Ministries and Arise Ministries have announced a new partnership moving forward as Arise Milwaukee.
This merging of ministries better equips the Arise Milwaukee community to serve the needs of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, as well as pursuing new endeavors for youth throughout the state.
BELOIT — It’s back to school time at Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Madison.
One of them is Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) School in Beloit, which began the 2017-2018 school year by celebrating Mass with the coming together of students, families, and staff. Students proudly debuted new school uniforms.
Students met their Mass buddies and greeted old friends. The Mass buddies will attend Mass together each week as well as celebrate special occasions, work on service projects, and support each other throughout the school year.
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Labor Day has become a day of parades, picnics, and political speeches. Many see this day as a celebration of summer’s end, the beginning of school, and one more chance to relax before fall’s busyness. Labor Day did not begin with this intention.
On September 5, 1882, the first Labor Day celebration and parade in the United States were held in New York City. Thousands of workers marched in a parade up Broadway carrying banners that read: “EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS FOR REST, EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION.” It became a federal holiday in 1894.
In 1891, in his ground-breaking encyclical Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII outlined the rights of workers to a fair wage, safe working conditions, and formation of labor unions, while affirming the rights of property and free enterprise.
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I vividly remember my first visit to Charlottesville, Va. It was about 20 years ago, and I was on vacation with a good friend, who shared with me a passion for American history and for Thomas Jefferson in particular.
We had toured a number of Civil War battlefields in Maryland and Virginia and then had made our way to Jefferson’s University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Finally, we ventured outside the city to the little hilltop home that the great founder had designed and built for himself, Monticello.
It was a glorious summer day, and the elegant manse shone in all of its Palladian splendor. We took in its classical lines, its distinctive red and white coloration, the understated beauty of its dome, its overall symmetry, balance, and harmony.
LA VALLE — Holy Family Parish in La Valle will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the erection of its church with a special Mass on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 12 noon, with Bishop Robert C. Morlino presiding.
The church is located at 310 Bluff St. in La Valle. Fr. Sanctus K. Ibe is the pastor.
Holy Family Catholic Parish of La Valle originated in 1915 under the leadership of Father Kriel. The first services were held in a vacant shoe store.
MADISON — The Madison Catholic Woman’s Club will host its annual Benefit Dessert Party and Fashion Show by Talbot’s with the theme, “Autumn’s Palette,” on Monday, Sept. 11. This is the club’s major fundraiser with proceeds going to charitable projects.
All women of the diocese and their guests are invited to join the club for dessert, fashions, raffle, and prizes at St. Peter Catholic Church Social Center, 5001 Sherman Ave., Madison. Doors open at 11 a.m. for raffle and seating; dessert will be served at 11:30.
