Category: Around the Diocese

News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.

On
Kevin Wondrash

New Hannah’s Hope infertility support group

VERONA — Infertility is a tough cross to carry, and many women feel very isolated and without support in this area.

Infertility is often something we are unwilling or unable to share with others. As women, especially Catholic women, bringing new life into this world is at the very core of who we are. Not being able to do so is very painful.

And, unfortunately, while infertility certainly affects men, it affects them very differently than it does women. No matter how caring and supportive her husband is, many women suffering from infertility feel very alone.

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Kevin Wondrash, For the Catholic Herald

Pray the Rosary during Fortnight for Freedom

MADISON — The third annual Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Serve, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), will take place from June 21 to July 4.

According to the USCCB, it’s “a time when our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power: St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the first martyrs of the Church of Rome.”

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Jane Lepeska Grinde, For the Catholic Herald

Diocesan Council of Catholic Women celebrates 60 years

BARABOO — More than 100 women gathered for the 60th annual convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) held May 20 to 21 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center here to conduct the business of the council and to pray, learn, and socialize.

Speakers focused on the theme of “Finding Grace through Faith, Trust, and Patience.”

Coreen Marklein presided over the two-day convention and passed on the presidential gavel to Rosa Ropers, Waunakee, who will serve the next two years.

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Kevin Wondrash

‘Running of the Rose’ at Durward’s Glen

BARABOO — To pay special tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Silver Rose Run, which involves running three Silver Roses from Ontario through the U.S. to Monterey, Mexico. The “Running of the Rose” will journey to Durward’s Glen where a special service will be held Friday, June 20, at 7 p.m. at the Mary Mother of God Grotto.

Following the procession of the rose by Fourth Degree Knights, Deacon Dennis Sutter will guide those attending through the Rosary, Liturgy of the Word, and Act of Consecration.

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Kevin Wondrash

Sessions help seniors gain confidence and reduce falls

JANESVILLE — One in every three adults over age 65 falls every year; however, falling is not normal for older adults, and older adults can learn how to take steps to prevent falls.

Stepping On, a workshop offered in Rock County, teaches older adults to do just that. Research shows that adults who take the workshop gain confidence, reduce falls by over 30 percent, and have fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

 

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Kevin Wondrash

Healthy eating for successful living

BELOIT — The Rock County Council on Aging is offering a six-week educational class on healthy eating for successful living.

The program is open to older adults interested in learning about nutrition and how lifestyle changes can promote better health through nutrition and exercise.

Participants will learn goal setting and brainstorming strategies to increase bone and heart healthy food choices.

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Kevin Wondrash

Youth Choir performing throughout Midwest

SINSINAWA — The National Catholic Youth Choir (NCYC) will be performing at the Sinsinawa Mound Center on Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m.

The concert is free and open to the public. NCYC’s theme for the concert is “Called to Serve,” and the choir is made up of selected high school students from across the U.S. led by choral conductor, Dr. Axel Theimer.

Sinsinawa Mound is located at 585 County Road Z in Sinsinawa.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Bishop Morlino announces ‘news of great joy’: Diocesan offices to stay at Bishop O’Connor Center along with housing community

The Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison, formerly Holy Name Seminary, will include a housing community while the diocesan offices will remain in the building. (Catholic Herald file photo)

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino announced “news of great joy” at a diocesan staff meeting on June 6: the Diocese of Madison would have its diocesan offices stay at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center (BOC) along with a housing community being developed there.

Bishop Morlino expressed his gratitude to Gorman & Company for their “very, very hard work” in putting together a plan for the BOC. “I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am,” said Bishop Morlino.

Msgr. Mike Burke, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison and a member of the Diocesan Finance Council, said about the decision, “Wow! This is wonderful news. I think the reaction to this plan will be overwhelmingly positive.”

‘Sacred space’

Monsignor Burke lived at Holy Name Seminary, the former BOC, for 19 years. He served as the seminary rector for 13 years. He considers the building “sacred space,” pointing out that the chapel is the central point of the building. “People were hoping and praying that the chapel could be saved,” he said.

“I couldn’t be more happy for the seminary alumni, parents, faculty, benefactors, and many priests who served here that we are able to keep the building, chapel, and grounds intact. There are so many people who identify with this building, Catholics and non-Catholics,” he said.

The spire of the center dominates the west side of Madison, and the regular ringing of the bells can be heard from miles away.

Monsignor Burke said he “can’t thank Gary Gorman enough” for everything he did to save the building. “It’s a great day for our diocese” as we approach the feast of Pentecost on June 8, he said.

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