MIDDLETON — All women of the Diocese of Madison are invited to join Madison Catholic Woman’s Club (MCWC) members at their annual baby shower lunch meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2015 Parmenter St., Middleton.
Rosary and Mass begin at 10:40 a.m. followed by lunch and program. Marge Fenelon, nationally known speaker and author of several books on Marian devotion and Catholic spirituality, and a consecrated member of the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt, will present the program, “Our Catholic Love Stories: Evangelization and Apologetics.”Author: Kevin Wondrash
Damian Lenshek named Director of Cemeteries
MADISON — Damian Lenshek, who joined the Diocese of Madison in October as Manager of Special Projects, has been named Diocesan Director of Cemeteries.
Msgr. James Bartylla, diocesan administrator, and Eric Schiedermayer, director of the diocesan curia, announced that Damian Lenshek has been appointed Diocesan Director of Cemeteries, effective immediately.
Lenshek will take over diocesan cemeteries, while continuing to assist with a number of diocesan projects in the chancery.Good politics is at the service of peace, says pope
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As the saying goes, “Politics and religion don’t mix.” Although this cliché is espoused by many, you will not hear it from Pope Francis.
On the contrary, the leader of the Catholic Church firmly teaches that our Gospel-based faith has a wealth of wisdom to offer the often corrupt world of politics. And that it is our duty to strive to infuse that wisdom into the body politic.
March & Love for Life January 22 in Madison
MADISON — Pro-life advocates from throughout Wisconsin will march on the Wisconsin State Capitol in support of life on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
The March & Love for Life begins at 11:30 a.m. at the State St. entrance to the Capitol building.
Marchers are asked to bring a package of diapers for donation to children in need.
After the march and diaper collection, participants will urge legislators to promote measures that preserve and protect life.
Men’s Retreat at Durward’s Glen
BARABOO — On Saturday, Feb. 9, all men are invited to the 13th Annual Men’s Retreat hosted by St. Joseph Parish and titled, “Through the Flames”.
Fr. John Sasse will be the featured speaker. The retreat will be held at Durward’s Glen.
Activities during the day include morning Mass, small group discussion, Rosary, Confession, and Adoration.‘It was worth the wait’: Diocesan priest meets Pope Francis
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| Fr. Jim McEnery, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, gives Pope Francis music for an “Ave Maria” that he wrote. Father McEnery is observing 65 years as a priest this year. (Contributed photo) |
A far-fetched idea of offering Holy Mass with Pope Francis ended up a reality for a Diocese of Madison priest — plus getting a hug from the Holy Father.
The occasion: Fr. Jim McEnery, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, and his classmate, Fr. Richard Kuhn of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, are observing their 65th year of ordination to the priesthood this year.
A special invitation
After receiving “how-to” advice from some higher-ups in Rome, and a mailing address provided by Msgr. James Bartylla, then vicar general of the Diocese of Madison, and after waiting months and pretty much giving up on the idea, an email from Pope Francis’ personal secretary finally arrived. It invited them to celebrate “at the Holy Father’s Mass in the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae on Monday 12 November next, promptly at 7:00 a.m.”
Father Jim could hardly believe his eye. Not much time to prepare meant scrambling for tickets, but soon he and his classmate were on their way, non-stop Miami-to-Rome on Alitalia, economy class.
Arriving in Rome
On Saturday, their driver picked them up at Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Their small hotel, the Residenze Poalo VI, was about 50 feet from the famous Bernini columns, and not much farther from the Cancello de San’Ufficio, where they were to check in on Monday morning.
Many a cardinal and archbishop had signed the guest register of this hotel, including names like Dolan and Listecki, so it seemed to be “the” place to be. (The restaurant is open until 1 a.m. to accommodate concert goers.)
Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration held in Beloit
BELOIT — More than 600 people honored Our Lady of Guadalupe at a lively, yet spiritual celebration on her feast day, December 12.
The evening’s events included a concert by the Mariachi Juvenil del Sur Band from Harvard, Ill., Mass, and a sharing meal featuring Hispanic specialties.
People from Beloit, Janesville, Clinton, and areas of Northern Illinois gathered at Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Church for the celebration that is meaningful and part of the heritage to residents in Latin American countries, especially in Mexico.
Eyes opened to human struggles on mission trip
MADISON — The mission trip is a long-standing tradition, made available only to juniors at Edgewood High School. It is a service immersion experience.
Immersion experience
Part of the time students are involved in direct service. Part of the time students are learning about social justice issues such as poverty, homelessness, hunger, incarceration, racism, and immigration.
Part of the time students pray and reflect on their experiences. But, all of the time students are immersed in environments that open their eyes to the realities faced by so many marginalized people in our country.
‘Our Faith Stories’ at St. Ann, Stoughton
STOUGHTON — The next “Our Faith Stories” at St. Ann Parish in Stoughton will be held on Sunday, Jan. 6, at 6:30 p.m. in Healy Hall. Those attending will hear about the act of faith and love that Mike Donahue and Jim Cisler have shared with the people of Catarina, Guatemala. Earlier this year, they assisted two Maryknoll Sisters who are also physicians working in Catarina for over 50 years.
Cisler shared that this service made him truly appreciate the many blessings and gifts he has been given. It provides motivation for him to do more for those in need with not only his treasure, but also with his time and talent to be the hands and feet of Christ to others that he can help locally.
A Christmas message from the heavens
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Fifty years ago on Christmas Eve (December 24, 1968), the crew of Apollo 8 entered lunar orbit and began circling the moon — the first time in history for humans to visit another world.
That evening, the crew’s astronauts Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, and Frank Borman, transmitted a live television broadcast including spectacular pictures of the moon just 60 miles below them, and of the Earth — a quarter of a million miles away.