News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.
PORTAGE — A young man on a spiritual mission, biking across the state of Wisconsin for a higher cause, is undeterred by his cerebral palsy.
Christopher Pundzak is biking from the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill near Milwaukee to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, a distance of over 190 miles. He is on a mission is to raise awareness that the soul is stronger than the body and that we can do great things for God and others when motivated by love.
MADISON — Women’s Care Center, 3711 Orin Rd., will host an open house on Father’s Day, June 21, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Guests can view the facility, learn about its important mission, and get information on becoming a volunteer or donor.
Refreshments will be served.
 |
|
| Principal Jeff Allen “photobombs” a picture of some students at St. Bernard School in Watertown at the start of the 2014 to 2015 school year. It was the first day of his last year as principal at St. Bernard School, where he has served as principal for 34 years. (Photo by Maria Gracia) |
WATERTOWN — You might have seen him doing playground duty . . . or dressed as the Cookie Monster . . . or directing a musical production . . . or working with the Camera Club.
As a Catholic school principal, Jeff Allen hasn’t sat in his office all day. “I spend a lot of time with kids,” said Allen in an interview as he retires from 40 years spent in Catholic education.
For the past 34 years, he has been principal at St. Bernard School in Watertown. Prior to that, he taught at St. Coletta School in Jefferson for six years.
A retirement party will be held on Sunday, June 7, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. in the St. Bernard School gymnasium, 111 S. Montgomery St. All are invited to attend and wish Allen well as he begins a new phase of his life.
Much of Allen’s life has been dedicated to Catholic education. The oldest of seven children born to Shirley and Don Allen, Jeff Allen attended St. Agnes Grade School in Butler.
He graduated from Brookfield East High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he majored in special education.
After graduation, he started teaching at St. Coletta School, which served students with developmental disabilities.
Sr. Sheila Haskett, the school administrator, encouraged Allen to consider a career in school administration. He attended UW-Whitewater while he was teaching and earned a master’s degree in school administration.
REEDSBURG — For the 62nd summer, campers of all ages from all over the Diocese of Madison and beyond will be heading to camp.
They’re heading to Camp Gray — the Catholic summer camp and year-round retreat center of the diocese.
MONONA — Christopher Padilla, a seminarian with the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, will be ordained as a transitional deacon on Friday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona.
A transitional deacon is a man who has completed his third year of theology studies and intends to be ordained as a priest in the Catholic Church.
PRAIRIE DU SAC […]
BARABOO — Beginning […]
 |
|
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Madison held a groundbreaking ceremony May 20 on the site of Phase III of the All Saints Neighborhood for seniors on the west side of Madison. The project will expand living options for seniors and develop a Main Street, providing a vibrant place to worship, socialize, exercise, and engage in lifelong learning. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
MADISON — Catholic Charities (CC) of the Diocese of Madison held a groundbreaking ceremony May 20 for an expansion of the All Saints Neighborhood, its community for seniors located on the west side of Madison.
“The All Saints journey started about 20 years ago with an idea of providing independent living options for seniors,” said Jackson Fonder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, in his opening remarks.
He welcomed Bishop Robert C. Morlino, members of the CC Board and staff, members of the All Saints Board, and residents and staff of the All Saints Neighborhood. Also present were many of the business people who have partnered with Catholic Charities in the All Saints project.
Fonder noted that the All Saints Neighborhood began with the developments of cottages, condominiums, and apartments for seniors.
Catholic Charities, the All Saints Board, and Horizon Development worked on Phase I of the All Saints Neighborhood, with the senior apartments managed by Meridian.
MADISON — Pope Francis and the Holy See have given permission for St. Maria Goretti’s casket containing her remains to come to the United States this fall, ahead of the Year of Mercy — which starts December 8.
Msgr. Mike Burke, pastor of St. Maria Goretti (SMG) Parish in Madison, confirmed her remains will be at the church on Friday, Oct. 16 — the 125th anniversary of the saint’s birth.
“Give, expecting nothing thereof.”
That is the motto of Phi Kappa Theta-Wisconsin Lambda, a national social fraternity with a chapter recently chartered on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
