COLUMBUS — St. […]
Author: Kevin Wondrash
Gala for the Glen features The Kells
BARABOO — The third annual Gala for the Glen, with Irish food, music, and fellowship, will be held at St. Joseph Catholic School gym, 300 Second St., on Saturday, May 30, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $50 and are available at Durward’s Glen or at the St. Joseph Parish office.
Following a dinner of shepherd‘s pie and Gaelic chicken catered by Claddagh Irish Pub from Middleton, The Kells, an international Irish band, will entertain with traditional Irish music.
Blessing of seeds and soil to be held
CROSS PLAINS — All gardeners and farmers (and all who appreciate good eating) are invited to a “Blessing of Seeds and Soil” Prayer Service to be held at St. Francis Xavier Church, 2947 Thinnes St., at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.
Fr. Bernard Rott, diocesan rural life director, will offer a reflection followed by the Litany of St. Isidore the Farmer. The service will conclude with a blessing of seeds, of the land we steward as growers, and of the animals of farms and fields.
Catholic Medical Guild to meet
MADISON — The […]
Christopher West talks about ‘God, sex, and meaning of life’ with UW students
“Be not afraid of your deepest desires. Be not afraid of God’s design for your desires. Be not afraid of your ultimate destiny.”
The sacred plan for marriage
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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends,
I cannot help but comment on the events of last week, namely the Supreme Court’s hearing of arguments with regard to a number of consolidated cases about the definition of marriage.
Now, in the first place, I must take a moment to remind you that when Christians speak of such things, we must be very clear about separating acts done from the individuals doing them.
We can speak of the inherent goodness of marriage, as it’s been understood from time immemorial, and we can even speak of the sin which is committed in same-sex physical unions (just as we can speak of the sin which is committed in adulterous acts, or even in “contracepted” marital acts) without condemning the individuals who may think it possible to make marriage something other than what it is, or those who undertake sexual acts that are far less than what sex is made to be — truly unitive and open to new life.
We can and we do hate the sin, while loving the sinner. It is a very important distinction and one that is sometimes forgotten by Christians, and sometimes glossed over and even rejected by those who wish to paint any attempt to preach the truth of marriage as a judgement of individuals.
What’s at stake
That being said, let us discuss what’s at stake in the cases that are being considered by the Supreme Court.
The case, of course, will have an impact on whether or not it is deemed constitutionally valid for us, as a society, to provide a certain designation for an institution that has been respected as necessary for the good of humankind since the beginning: that being the joining of one man and one woman, for one lifetime, with openness to children.
That institution, the stable formation of a micro-community with two individuals designed to be complementary, providing a united basis for the procreation and loving raising of children, has always been the most stable building block for society. As such, society has a vested interest in supporting and protecting it.
Plein Air Painting Event to be held at Durward’s Glen
BARABOO — Artists at all levels are invited to join the Plein Air Painting Event which will be held Wednesday, May 13, at Durward’s Glen Retreat and Conference Center from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Participants should meet on the front steps of the chapel porch.
Plein air — French words literally translated as “open air” — are defined as painting or drawing done outside, in the open air.
Princeton school plans Golf Benefit
PRINCETON — Plans are underway for St. John Catholic School’s 15th annual Golf Benefit to be held on Sunday, May 17, at White Lake Country Club in Montello, with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.
The monies raised have helped offset the operating costs for the school.
The four-person team scramble costs $100 per person for each four-person team. The fee includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, and dinner.
Rosary March to be held May 3 in Madison
MADISON — The 77th Semi-Annual International Rosary March and May Crowning will be held on Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 120 W. Johnson St.
A 15-decade Rosary will be prayed in procession around the block and inside the church. The Rosary procession will be followed by the presentation of a May crown and flowers to Our Lady, a homily by Fr. Ivan Strmecki, OFM (Sacred Heart Croation Parish in Milwaukee), and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Do-It-Yourself retreat series offered
LANCASTER — May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother. Are you looking for a way to grow in your faith?
Consider joining St. Clement Parish for a weekly discussion and video series on Fr. Michael Gaitley’s book 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat.