MIDDLETON — In 2006, Andrew Ziehr’s life began unravelling because he was drinking too much. He got divorced, lost custody of his children, and lost his housing, his job, and his health.
Fortunately for Ziehr, he came to the Chris Farley House in Madison, which helped him transition back into the community after treatment for alcohol abuse.
In his message for World Food Day, which was observed on October 16, Pope Francis said that “it is a scandal that there is still hunger and malnutrition in the world.”
The Holy Father emphasized, “It is not just a question of responding to immediate emergencies, but of addressing together, in all areas, a problem that challenges our personal and social conscience, to achieve a just and lasting solution.”
In the United States, there are increasing numbers of hungry people. Many of them rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. As of November 1, the benefits to individuals and families were cut for the first time since 1964. That’s because an increase in food aid approved in 2009 expired, and Congress hasn’t been able to pass a new farm bill for over a year (the farm bill includes provisions to fund food assistance programs in our country).
MADISON — As people live longer, they are certainly interested in how to live healthier and happier in their later years.
Catholic Charities Aging Conference provided many “Keys to Aging Well” to about 125 persons attending the third annual event held October 8 at the Bishop O’Connor Center.
MADISON — Topics like the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Abraham Lincoln, and learning how to provide even more compassionate client care are topics for educational lunches being planned with Catholic attorneys in the Diocese of Madison.
Continuing Legal Education credit (CLE) will be requested for each of these up-coming topics for the lunches sponsored by the diocesan St. Thomas More Society.
On Friday, Nov. 1, Attorney James A. Ranney will speak on “Choosing Our Judges: Wisconsin’s Longstanding Debate.”
MADISON — Some people driving to the Dane County Regional Airport on Madison’s east side might go right past it and not even realize it.
On the 2900 block of International Ln., there’s a place where dozens of adults come every day to have a great time with old and new friends.
MADISON — Catholic Charities has announced that Hope Haven, a Catholic Charities company, will be consolidating their programs and services from three facilities to two, effective on July 31 of this year.
The Hope Haven program, located at 425 W. Johnson St. in Madison, will be relocated to 3602 Memorial Dr., the current location of the North Bay Lodge program.
This weekend, March 2 and 3, Catholics throughout the Diocese of Madison will be asked to contribute to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).
Members of parishes have already received a letter from Bishop Robert C. Morlino with information on the ACA. It was an opportunity to pledge support for the ACA even before the public process started. We have already sent in our family’s pledge to the ACA. People can pay in one lump sum or give a pledge to be paid over a five-month period.
I believe it is vital to support the ministries and services in our diocese funded by the ACA. (Please note that I am giving an objective opinion, since the Catholic Herald does not receive support from the appeal; our paper is supported only by subscriptions and advertising.)
MADISON — For Brian Cain, being the head of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Madison has been much more than a job. It’s been a passion and his life’s calling.
“In looking back, although I didn’t realize it at the moment, I realize that this was my passion and my life’s calling: to work for the Church and help others,” Cain said in a recent interview.
“My gratitude to Catholic Charities is beyond words. It’s my safe haven and my hope,” Laurie Christy said in a video presentation at the 17th annual Catholic Charities (CC) Awards Dinner held on November 8 at the Marriott Hotel in Middleton.
Life expectancy has risen dramatically in the last two centuries. Trends now show that people are living longer and healthier lives. “People who turn 65 today have a lot of years ahead of them,” Dr. Dorothy Farrar Edwards told those attending the recent Catholic Charities Aging Conference held at the Bishop O’Connor Center.
