WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court decisions June 26 striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act and refusing to rule on the merits of a challenge to California’s Proposition 8 mark a “tragic day for marriage and our nation,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.
Category: News
Bishop leads Adoration, Corpus Christi, and Capitol procession ceremonies
“O salutaris Hostia, Quae cæli pandis ostium: Bella premunt hostilia, Da robur, fer auxilium.”
At 10 a.m. Madison time on Sunday, June 2 (5 p.m. Vatican time), a small gathering at St. Patrick Church in Madison chanted the familiar hymn for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Vincent de Paul opens pharmacy in Madison
MADISON — For years, people have come to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry on Fish Hatchery Rd. in Madison to get a helping hand to feed themselves and their families.
Now, just one floor below the pantry, people with nowhere else to turn can get assistance with their medications.
Helping those who need it
Since early April, a stand-alone, charitable pharmacy has been serving local low-income clients, who don’t have insurance or any other coverage option.
Clients can use valid prescriptions at the new pharmacy from physicians and other licensed prescribers.
Sister brings joy to others despite terminal cancer
CROSS PLAINS — There’s a special parking space in front of St. Francis Xavier’s parish office — a cone with lots of markings letting people know — this spot is reserved for Sister John Rose.
In recent weeks, you could see signs all around Cross Plains asking for prayers and encouraging her to, “Hang in there, Sister!” I found her inside the church, moving around the facility, attending to visitors. She was willing to take a little time to talk about her recent diagnosis.
Sr. John Rose Acker has been involved in pastoral ministry at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains for 23 years, where she ministers to the sick, elderly, and dying. Prior to that, she was a teacher for 32 years. She celebrates 62 years as a School Sister of St. Francis this year.
Parishes to host exhibition of sacred relics
ASHTON/SUN PRAIRIE — St. Peter Parish in Ashton and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Sun Prairie will host an exhibition of sacred relics with Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross.
St. Peter Parish, 7121 County Hwy. K, will host an evening of exposition and presentation on hundreds of sacred relics on Monday, June 24. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with catechesis on holy relics by Father Martins in the church building and will continue with the relics exhibition in the school building.
As part of the year-long celebration of the parish’s 150th anniversary, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, 221 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, will present a teaching and exposition of sacred relics on Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. Father Martins will teach about these holy objects.
Legislature passes ultrasound measure
MADISON — Both the state Senate and Assembly passed a bill requiring ultrasounds for those considering an abortion.
According to the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) Capital Update report, the vote was 17-15 in favor in the Senate and 56-39 in favor in the Assembly for Senate Bill 206 (authored by Senator Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin), also known as “Sonya’s Law.”
Wisconsin Right to Life explained that Sonya, a Wisconsin mother of two children, learned that she was pregnant with her third child this past November. Sonya worried about how she could handle another child, emotionally and financially. She seriously thought about abortion.
Diocese welcomes three new priests
Bishop Robert C. Morlino encouraged everyone to appreciate the “beauty” of the priesthood as he prepared to ordain Deacons Vincent Bryan Brewer, Garrett Buchanan Kau, and Stephen Christopher Petrica to the priesthood for the Diocese of Madison on May 24 at St. Maria Goretti Church.
Sr. Becky Perez celebrates golden jubilee
BELOIT — Sr. Becky Perez, a member of the Auxiliaries of the Blessed Sacrament, will be honored at a reception celebrating her golden jubilee on Sunday, June 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Jude Church Hall.
All friends of Sister Becky are invited to the reception being served by St. Jude Marian Guild members.
Devotion to Jesus
From childhood, Sr. Becky Perez, has had a sincere devotion to Jesus. This attribute seems to motivate and energize her as she works each day serving the ministry of the Sisters of the Auxiliaries of the Blessed Sacrament.
Life in the Spirit Seminar to be held in Boscobel June 17-23
BOSCOBEL — A “Life in the Spirit Seminar” will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Boscobel — Corpus Christi Parish — the week of June 17.
This seminar is composed of a series of talks designed to lead people through the basic message of salvation and help them yield to the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
It is a retreat experience that will help attendees grow in understanding and experience of the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives and in the life of the Church. It will be a week of teaching, guidance, sharing, and prayer, leading to a new and deeper relationship with Jesus.
The present and future of teaching the faith
MADISON — With another school year coming to a close, educators in the Diocese of Madison are taking a look at the results of their teaching this year, and looking ahead to build on and improve their students’ learning.
This school year was the first time the Diocese of Madison used the National Catholic Educational Association’s Assessment for Catechesis/Religious Education (ACRE) to assess how curriculum is aligned with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and how to improve programs year-by-year. The ACRE is used in 133 dioceses across the country.
Last year, Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison requested all parish catechetical programs join Catholic schools in administering the ACRE.