“Look at that,” said a chaperone at the Youth 2000 Retreat, pointing to one of her students during a praise and worship song. “He said he doesn’t do ‘hand gestures’ — look who’s doing ‘hand gestures.’”
Category: Around the Diocese
News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.
A Catholic response to climate change
LANCASTER/MONROE — A year ago when St. Clement Parish in Lancaster was looking to insulate the attic of their building complex, which had been losing heat and causing ice dams, they brought in a representative from Franklin Energies, Inc., subcontracted by We Energies, to do an energy audit.
Rick Benson, the parish finance chairperson, had the idea to apply for an energy grant from Energy Incentives, through We Energies, to help cut the installation costs, and parish office manager Barb Thompson obtained the grant information.
Celebrating Holy Week
Following is a list of Madison Diocese Holy Week Masses. Check with your parish for local Holy Week Mass times and see the Arts Page and next week’s Easter special section for information on televised coverage of Holy Week Masses.
Divine Mercy devotion has powerful impact
MADISON — Jesus told St. Faustina that the Feast of Divine Mercy would be a very special day when “all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened.” Jesus promised her that “the soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishments.”
Increasing numbers of Catholics are taking advantage of this promise and the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence on the Sunday after Easter, declared Divine Mercy Sunday in the year 2000.
Miracles happen
People in the Diocese of Madison have witnessed the power of devotion on Divine Mercy Sunday. “Miracles happen,” said Martha Bindl, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish in Monona.
Fish fries become a parish tradition
BARABOO — Fish fries are a popular tradition in Wisconsin in restaurants, but an increasing number of Catholic parishes are sponsoring fish fries.
The parishes especially offer fish fries during Lent, when Catholics ages 14 and older are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. But more parishes have been holding fish fries throughout the rest of the year.
One of these parishes is St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo, better known as St. Joe’s. The parish started sponsoring fish fries in 1994. “They were designed to be a fundraiser that would take the place of other ‘small’ type fundraisers, such as wrapping paper and candy bar sales,” said Dan Fitzpatrick, director of operations at St. Joe’s.
Spaghetti dinner at St. James
MADISON — People are invited to celebrate the arrival of spring at the annual St. James School Italian Dinner and Auction on Sunday, March 29, at the church and school, located two blocks southwest of Regent and Mills Sts. in Madison at 1128 St. James Ct. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m.
The all-you-can eat spaghetti dinner was started more than 50 years ago in honor of the Italians and Italian-Americans who joined St. James, the parish started by German immigrants after their church, St. Joseph, was torn down in favor of urban renewal. A historic mark notes the area which now houses medical facilities and office buildings.
FertilityCare Week designated as March 22 to 28
FertilityCare Centers of America, Inc. (FCCA) has designated March 22 to 28 as Worldwide FertilityCare Week.
Diocese launches new Annual Catholic Appeal
In what has been called a “complete paradigm shift,” the Diocese of Madison is launching a new Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) this year to support the ministries and services it provides in the 11-county diocese.
Bishop Morlino answers questions about Annual Catholic Appeal
Following are excerpts from Bishop Robert Morlino’s comments on the new Annual Catholic Appeal prepared by Catholic Herald editor Mary C. Uhler.
Spring St. Thérèse Lecture on April 23: ‘Prove it, God!
Patty Schneier is a St. Louisan, cradle Catholic, wife, and mother of three and has been presenting her personal conversion testimony at Catholic conferences across the United States.