Author: Kevin Wondrash

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Kevin Wondrash

New addition to Catholic school celebrated

SUN PRAIRIE — On a hot late August day, in the midst of a pandemic, dozens of masked people gathered outside the new entrance of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School in Sun Prairie to celebrate a great accomplishment in the midst of hardship.

“I think we are a community that is beyond blessed today with all that has happened in our world, the challenges we are all facing,” said Principal Kimberlee Frederick while standing before the small crowd as they tried to stay cool in the shade of awnings. “To be able to be here, to be able to be celebrating this beautiful building, celebrating Catholic education, celebrating the tradition that is Sacred Heart, is beyond a great gift to us.”

Beside her were Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison and priests Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, the recently retired pastor of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish; Fr. Thomas Kelley, the new pastor; Fr. Lawrence Oparaji, parochial vicar; and Msgr. Donn Heiar, pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie.

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Kevin Wondrash

Death from a Catholic perspective

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Beginning this month, a new series of articles will appear in our newspaper to offer catechesis and formation concerning end of life decisions, dying, death, funerals, and burial of the dead from our Catholic perspective.

No one easily faces these issues because they remind us of our mortality and fragility, but our faith in Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, helps us understand how our own death, ending an earthly existence lived out in faith, hope, and charity, becomes the sacred passage to eternal joy in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Church encourages us to prepare for death, most importantly on the spiritual plane of being ready to meet the Lord with our interior house in order, but also on the practical level of health decisions, an updated will, funeral and burial plans, and the dispersal of possessions.

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Kevin Wondrash

We need less bad news and more Good News

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I’m a news junkie. Anyone who works in news, or who has ever worked in news, has a little bit of that in them.

It’s a constant desire to know what’s going on, know the latest information, and know as much about what is going on as we can.

Then — us being us — we want to tell everyone about it.

Today, sharing news and information is easier than ever with Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media and communication.

Getting more of the latest information is also easier than ever with all of the digital and online channels available to be consumed.

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Kevin Wondrash

Care and support for rural life

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Last week, I met with Tom Nelson and a dedicated group of priests, social workers, and farmers who care deeply about the troubling crises facing our rural communities.

I listened as they spoke movingly about the fact that, in the last 10 years, 50 percent of family farms in Wisconsin have disappeared, milk prices are untenable, and no economic future exists for young people who would like to remain in farming.

COVID and its impact on the economy and the food supply chain has only exacerbated these challenges. Depression and suicide are on the rise in troubling numbers.

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Kevin Wondrash

Giving more attention to peaceful actions

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During Memorial Day weekend, I sat in front of my TV, totally captivated by the images on the screen — live chaos on State St. and in the downtown area in Madison.

Our area’s version of the protests following the death of George Floyd had disintegrated into violence, looting, angry shouting, and even a police car set on fire live on TV among other negative pictures.

For those seeking dialogue, attention, and something good out of the day’s events, these actions left sour images in many minds as the week went on.

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Kevin Wondrash

St. Ambrose Academy to seek legal action after Dane County school order

MADISON — As you likely know, Dane County officials announced late on Friday, Aug. 21, that our Dane County Catholic classrooms could not open for in-person instruction for students in the third grade and above.

This was only 60 hours before many of our schools were slated to open.

As we have since March, the diocese and her schools have not wanted to defy state or county orders.

Accordingly, we have chosen to delay the first day of school for most Dane County Catholic schools until after Labor Day.

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Kevin Wondrash

Schools make plans for a safe opening

MADISON — Barring local county health departments issuing an order for closure, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Madison will return to in-person instruction this fall, but how that looks from school to school will vary.

“All of our schools are very different,” said Michael Lancaster, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Madison.

“We all have the same mission and academic standards, but we are in very different communities. There is no way we can do a one size fits all.”

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