Category: News

On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

St. Bernard Child Care serves kids of all ages

St. Bernard Child Care
Ethanael, a student at St. Bernard Parish’s Catholic Preschool and Child Care Center in Madison, spends a moment in a classroom prayer corner during free time. The parish is starting a “Summer Camp” program for school-aged children this year. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — For more than 30 years, St. Bernard Parish has been serving the east side of Madison, and surrounding community, through its preschool program.

In the past year, that dedication has grown to more opportunities to serve local youth.

Last fall, the parish expanded its preschool to a full child care program.

Starting this summer, school-age children can take advantage of a summer camp-style program.

Building enrollment

With area schools adding programs for children under five, “we had to think of different ways to build our enrollment,” said Geri Nehls, interim director of child care at the parish.

Through both lowering the age of children accepted to 2.5 years old, and responding to Pastor Fr. Michael Radowicz’s ,call for an all-day daycare program, the expanded opportunities were initiated.

“We looked into the Church’s teaching about equity and fairness and equality and how we outreach to the community,” said Nehls.

Read More
On
Dick Jones, For the Catholic Herald

Diocesan Choir presents its first Youth Pastoral Musician Scholarship Awards

MADISON — In the first year of a promising initiative, the Madison Diocesan Choir presented Youth Pastoral Musician Scholarship Awards to four students, double the number anticipated, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.

The scholarship winners are Laura Hinterberg, St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison; Mary Hsu, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison; Elizabeth TenBarge, St. Thomas Parish, Poynette, and Elizabeth White, St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove.

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Catholic Woman’s Club presents Christian Achievement Award to Madison nurse

MADISON — The Madison Catholic Woman’s Club held its 104th annual Spring Celebration recently at the Blackhawk County Club.

The club honored a Madison nurse who has established support groups for cancer patients and watched a performance bringing Mary Todd Lincoln to life.

The luncheon began with an invocation by Msgr. O. Charles Schluter, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Madison and the club’s spiritual director. The club’s Co-Presidents, Susanna Herro and Carol Strmiska, made introductions, including many of the club’s 22 new members.

Christian Achievement Award

Each year the club recognizes an individual or group of individuals who perform charitable works in the community with its Christian Achievement Award.

Read More
On
Julie Allington, Christ the King Parish, McFarland

Helping a sister parish in the storms of life

MCFARLAND — In Mark 4:35-39, Jesus calmed the storm by rebuking the wind and waves with His words, “Peace! Be Still!”

Today many people live in the storm of poverty, be it material or spiritual. They may be terrified. They may experience physical hardships. They may have lost all hope.

Who will be Jesus to these people? Who will be the voice that speaks “Peace! Be Still!” to their storm of poverty?

As Catholics, we are the Mystical Body of Christ. We are to be His hands and feet and voice to our underprivileged and hurting brothers and sisters in Christ.

Read More
On
Pat Casucci, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Historic Beloit church is renovated

st thomas beloit
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Beloit recently completed a renovation of its historic church, which was dedicated in 1886. The renovation included cleaning and painting of all church walls and repainting of statues and the corpus on the crucifix (above). A stylized tree of life design was created as a background for the crucifix. The tabernacle, formerly on a side altar, was moved to the center of the altar area and placed on a custom-made table. (Catholic Herald photo/Pat Casucci)

BELOIT — The rejoicing, joy, and peace of Easter Sunday was enhanced for St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners.

After a major $335,000 renovation of the church interior, it was the first time in almost three months that a Mass was celebrated by Pastor Fr. John Hedrick in the historic church built in 1885.

The church had been closed since January 8, 2018.

The regularly scheduled weekend Masses for St. Thomas were held at St. Jude Church. Father Hedrick is pastor of both parishes.

In a recent interview, Father Hedrick said, “We have had lots of positive comments about the renovation. On Easter Sunday, there was a sense of awe as parishioners looked around the church, seeing how beautiful it is.”

Necessary renovation

Father Hedrick said the renovation was necessary after significant plaster repair was needed on a church wall and part of the ceiling. “The church walls also looked in need of cleaning, and it was decided to not just paint them,” he said.

“After a couple pieces of plaster fell, we knew we had to take care of this 133-year-old building, not let it deteriorate,” he explained. The last time the walls were painted was in 1975.

Extensive planning for the project included a fund drive with parishioners contributing about $175,000. In addition, Father Hedrick said two memorial bequests and parish funds made the extensive renovation possible.

Read More
On
Kevin Wondrash

Memorial Day Masses in the Diocese of Madison

Memorial Day Masses will be held in the Diocese of Madison. Besides the Masses indicated here, check with local parishes for Masses being celebrated on Monday, May 28.

Madison
Madison Memorial Day Mass change
Please note: Because of the heat, the Memorial Day Mass will be held in the chapel at Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, at 10 a.m., not at Resurrection Cemetery.

In Madison, because of the heat, the Memorial Day Mass will be held at the chapel at Holy Name Heights at 10 a.m., and not at Resurrection Cemetery.  Bishop Robert C. Morlino will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Area priests will serve as concelebrants. Knights of Columbus will serve as an honor guard. In case of rain, Mass will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 405 S. Owen Dr. Refreshments will follow Mass.

Read More
On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Blue Mass Celebrated in honor of first responders

blue mass
Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, left, and UW-Madison Police Chief Kristen Roman light memorial candles at the annual Blue Mass for first responders on May 10 at St. Bernard Church in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — For the second straight year, St. Bernard Parish in Madison hosted the annual Blue Mass in honor of all first responders.

Fr. Michael Radowicz, pastor of St. Bernard, celebrated the Mass, along with several other priests from the Diocese of Madison.

In attendance were Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, Madison Police Chief Mike Koval, Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, UW-Madison Police Chief Kristen Roman, members of their departments, and members of surrounding police, fire, and emergency worker agencies in Dane County.

Thanks for service

During his homily, Father Radowicz told those in attendance to “know there are a great many who appreciate the good work that you do, and we see that love and faithfulness in which you serve us every single day” and “the lord has endowed each of you with special gifts that allow you to be Christ for people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives”.

Later in the Mass, Chiefs Davis and Roman lit memorial candles in honor of those who have died in service to community.

Of special remembrance was Rick Garner, Jr., a 29-year-old Madison firefighter who recently died, shortly after finishing his shift.

Read More
On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

The Beacon has new shuttle for guests

beacon shuttle
At a recent recognition event, donors, along with staff members of Catholic Charities Madison, stand by The Beacon’s new 14-passenger shuttle, which is used to transport guests between the homeless day resource center and overnight shelters. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — “To have this in service for our homeless men, women, and children to be picked up at shelters in the morning and dropped off in the afternoon is unbelievable,” said Catholic Charities Madison CEO and President Jackson Fonder during a recent event thanking donors for their help in supporting the purchase of a 14-passenger shuttle for The Beacon.

The Beacon is the comprehensive day resource center in Madison for people experiencing homelessness in Dane County, which is operated, in part, by Catholic Charities Madison, along with Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.

The 2017 Ford Transport replaces an older shuttle that Fonder described as being “on its last leg,” and he told the donors, “you guys came to the rescue”.

The more than $60,000 raised for the transport came from a lead donation from Caritas Foundation, a major donation from the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, and additional support from the Eric D. and Steven D. Hovde Foundation, the Fiore Companies, MGE Foundation, Steve Brown Apartments, and Urban Land Interests.

Helping the homeless

“Transportation is one of the largest issues than inhibits our folks from getting help,” said Fonder.

He added when people experiencing homelessness can’t get adequate transportation, they “give up,” and the new shuttle “prevents them from giving up.”

The Beacon shuttle transports about 100 people per day from their overnight shelters in the morning to The Beacon, and then back to those shelters in the evening when the center closes for the day.

In the future, The Beacon will be evaluating other uses for the shuttle based on guest needs.

Read More