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Edgar Martinez, For the Catholic Herald

Diocese of Madison delegates attend National V Encuentro for Hispanic Ministry

encuentro
The three delegates from the Diocese of Madison pictured on registration day at the National V Encuentro are, from left: John Rojas, Fr. Jorge Miramontes, and Edgar Martinez. They are standing in front of the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. (Contributed photo)

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Delegates from the Diocese of Madison joined over 2,700 National Delegates who came from all regions of the United States in order to represent their respective dioceses at the National V Encuentro (Fifth National Gathering of Hispanic/Latino Ministry) sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was held in Grapevine, Texas, from September 20 to September 23.

With the full support of Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, Fr. Jorge Miramontes, Mr. Edgar Martinez, and Mr. John Rojas were able to be present during these four days of intense activity to represent the Diocese of Madison.

Four-year process

This event is the result of four years of intense planning and preparation focused on the theme “Discípulos Misionerios: Testigos del Amor de Dios” (“Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God’s Love”). Indeed, the goal of this process is to discover ways that the Catholic Church can be more responsive to the needs of Hispanic Catholics and to empower and encourage the Hispanic Catholics to be more involved in the Church’s work of evangelization.

The Encuentro event unfolded beautifully. Firstly, after the Welcome and the Opening Prayer, His Holiness Pope Francis surprised the attendees with an unexpected seven-minute recorded greeting with the following introduction

Pope Francis said, “Dear brother bishops and delegates to the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, I am overjoyed to speak to you on this occasion. It is a historic moment for the Church in the United States. Through this Fifth Encuentro, you seek to create a culture of encounter that rekindles hope. By gathering with people from different cultures, different ways of living, of thinking, of feeling — you encounter one another and walk together in hope.”

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Heather Close, Catholic Herald Staff

Fr. Bruce Hennington embraces life, retirement

Many people embrace their retirement years as a time to reflect and experience life as more free individuals. Some people travel, some take a nap every day. Still some golf and spend time with family and friends.

We all know people who keep working or explore new work as a second calling. But, what about priests? Are their experiences of retirement any different? Is it once a priest, always a priest?

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Kevin Wondrash

West Dane Catholic women to meet October 16

MARTINSVILLE — All are welcome to attend the fall West Dane Vicariate Council of Catholic Women (CCW) conference to be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16, hosted by St Martin of Tours Parish CCW at the church and parish center. The theme is “Soup for the Soul.”

Alice Bannier, co-president of the St. Martin of Tours CCW, said all ages are invited to hear Dr. Taysheedra Noll speak on the Women’s Place and Resource Center in De Forest, a new nonprofit center that offers women services that will allow them to become assets to the community. Its mission is “A place where women can come post crisis and receive spiritual, personal, and professional development with the intention of improving their life situations.”

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Kevin Wondrash

St. Peter Parish in Ashton participates in Box of Joy program

ASHTON — St. Peter Parish is again participating in the Box of Joy program.

This is an annual Christmas gift ministry organized by local Catholic schools, parishes, and groups across the United States and facilitated by Cross Catholic Outreach.

Spreading Christmas joy

Box of Joy provides teachers, parish leaders, and other Catholic groups a unique opportunity for students, parishioners, and group members to participate in a simple and tangible service experience that has both a material and spiritual impact on the poorest of the poor in developing countries.

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