Updated 07/01/2009: Picnic canceled.
MADISON — The College Connections Program is in full swing in the Diocese of Madison as we move towards a picnic with Bishop Robert C. Morlino on July 14 for those in the program.
Over 350 high school graduates in the diocese have been “connected” to Catholic campus ministry centers around the country. Over 60 parishes in the diocese have participated by submitting names of graduating seniors to help them get connected and maintain their faith life on campus.
Thank you to all of the many priests, volunteers, and parish staff who have helped to implement this new program.
Packets containing a letter from Bishop Morlino, campus ministry information, a prayer booklet, and holy card have been sent to the college-bound freshman. Their contact information has also been forwarded to campus ministry centers around the country who will contact the incoming freshman upon arrival.
In addition, these students, along with their parents, are invited to a picnic with Bishop Morlino on Tuesday evening, July 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison. This evening of free food, fun, and shared faith will include talks by Msgr. O. Charles Schluter of St. Augustine Parish at UW-Platteville and by students and campus missionaries from St. Paul’s University Catholic Center at UW-Madison.
College-bound freshman and their parents in the College Connections Program can register on-line for the picnic by going to www.madisondiocese.org and click on “Vocations” and “College Connections Program.” If you haven’t yet submitted the name of a college-bound freshman into the College Connection Program, please visit the same Web site location to first “connect” the student with Catholic campus ministry before registering for the picnic.
You may contact Msgr. Jim Bartylla at 608-821-3095 or vocations@straphael.org with any further questions. Blessings and peace in the Risen Lord.
Msgr. James Bartylla is the director of the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Madison.
Update 07/01/2009: MADISON — The College Connections Picnic, scheduled for July 14 at the Bishop O’Connor Center, has unfortunately been canceled.
However, students and their families planning on attending the event are invited and encouraged to attend the fourth annual Diocesan Family Picnic, to be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, at the Bishop O’Connor Center. The Office of Vocations and the College Connections Program will sponsor a table at the Family Picnic for college students, providing information on the Catholic faith during the college years and a “spiritual survival kit” for each student.
College Connections participants are asked to register for the picnic online at www.madisondiocese.org/oec and contact Ben Emmel at 608-821-3115 or via e-mail at ben.emmel@straphael.org