Category: Columns

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Audrey Mettel Fixmer

What to do with the rings?

Grand Mom by Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Since my husband passed away last spring, I have often looked at my wedding rings wondering: should I be taking them off now? Or should I wear them on another finger? They still represent the love of my life, and I won’t pass them on to my oldest daughter until I die.

I began noticing the many widowed friends around me. Some wore nothing like wedding rings, and some wore them on other fingers. We all remember the dramatic story of Jackie Kennedy removing her wedding ring as the wounded Jack lay dying and placing it into his hand. That’s not for me. Still, I wanted to know what was right for me. I was hoping to get an answer from Bob.

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Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Spinning stem cell fairy tales

Making Sense out of Bioethics column by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Discussions about the morality of stem cell research often focus on the differences between adult stem cells and stem cells derived from embryos.

The adult variety, such as those derived from bone marrow or umbilical cords, are already providing an impressive array of treatments and cures for sick people, while the embryonic kind are not.

Adult stem cells can be obtained without crossing any moral boundaries, whereas embryonic stem cells cannot, because they are obtained by destroying young human beings still in embryonic stages of growth.

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Deacon Jack Fernan

The last train to Dachau

In Your Name by Deacon Jack

Recently, the national head of a pro-life group spoke at a rally. He told of a woman sharing with him the story of the last train-load of prisoners arriving in Dachau after World War II had ended. The Jewish and other prisoners on this last train (and all who were in the neighborhood of the tracks of the concentrations camp) were filled with fear.

The soldiers were gone. The local police had run away. And the villagers, still affected by the horrors of recent years, were immobilized by fear.

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Vicky Lamberty

What do all these terms mean?

Trusting in the Spirit, by Vicky LambertyIn the last few years we have heard about clusters, merging, linkages, and partnerships. I’m confused — what do all these terms mean?

We all understand the serious reality of the priest shortage and how it affects parishes. The Diocese of Madison has taken measures to keep all parishes open for worship and in doing so new terms are being used. Basically, all these words describe different levels of unity and sharing between parishes and are wonderful examples of Catholics working together to solve very difficult problems.

Cluster: multiple parishes in a geographical location. All parishes of the diocese have been formed into clusters.

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Fr. Donald Lange

Autumn reminds us of St. Francis

Seeing with Jesus' eyes, by Fr. Donald LangeWe celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4. This is appropriate because Francis loved God’s creation.

During autumn, God creatively works through nature to convert fall’s leaves to a beautiful scarlet and gold. This change reminds us that God changed Francis from a carefree green youth into a committed Christ-like saint. His conversion invites us to ask God to also change us.

Through the ages, Catholics, non-Catholics, and non-Christians have loved Francis. He has influenced millions by his pure Christ-like goodness, love of creation, and joy.

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Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Adapting to widowhood

Grand Mom by Audrey Mettel Fixmer

I went on a guilt trip the other day. The store was only 20 miles away, and my partner in crime was a daughter-in-law with a flair for decorating.

I had been grumbling about my lower back pain whenever I sat for awhile in Bob’s chair or Bob’s sofa in my living room. (And these days sitting is my favorite activity.) Even though Bob had never lived in our condo, the furniture had been selected with his weekend visits in mind.

It’s been more than a year since he was in our house and six months since he moved into his heavenly splendor. I thought it was time to take care of my back.

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On
Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Adapting to widowhood

Grand Mom by Audrey Mettel Fixmer

I went on a guilt trip the other day. The store was only 20 miles away, and my partner in crime was a daughter-in-law with a flair for decorating.

I had been grumbling about my lower back pain whenever I sat for awhile in Bob’s chair or Bob’s sofa in my living room. (And these days sitting is my favorite activity.) Even though Bob had never lived in our condo, the furniture had been selected with his weekend visits in mind.

It’s been more than a year since he was in our house and six months since he moved into his heavenly splendor. I thought it was time to take care of my back.

Read More