MADISON — Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si’ makes a firm and urgent case for taking care of God’s creation in order to care for the poor and vulnerable among us.
He asserts that environmental stewardship must always be tied to social justice and vice versa. For the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC), the encyclical is an affirmation of the work it has already been doing.
To the editor:
In reading through Pope Francis’ most recent encyclical, he reminds us that by hurting God’s creation, we are also hurting ourselves. We are causing pain to the poor and most vulnerable among us. We are damaging all life on this planet, including our own.
I was struck by the ways Pope Francis ties ecological justice to social justice, urging us “to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” These cries are inextricably linked, though some try to frame them in opposition to one another.
As we look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10, it is an opportunity to reflect on motherhood.
Motherhood is something we take for granted. After all, we wouldn’t be here if our mothers didn’t give us life. Yet, motherhood is not a given in society today, especially in our country.
In 2012, I wrote in my “Editor’s View” column that the number of births in the United States had been dropping. Is that trend continuing?
Yes, it is! In checking on statistics for births, I found that our country continues to experience a decline in births. The last statistics I found cover the number of births for the 12-month period ending in June of 2013. That number was 3,932,181, down from the count of 3,952,841 in 2012. This continues the decline in the number of births from the all-time high of 4,316,233 in 2007.
This is the time of year when Catholics throughout the Diocese of Madison are hearing and reading about the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).
Members of parishes have received a letter and pledge form from Bishop Robert C. Morlino. In addition, there have been prayers and announcements about the ACA at Masses each weekend.
There was an insert about the appeal distributed last weekend in parishes; it is also included in this week’s Catholic Herald. Next weekend, we will watch a video message from our bishop.
MADISON — Madison’s Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) held an open house recently to celebrate the installation of new solar panels.
The installation of solar panels represents the latest evidence of the center’s on-going commitment to God’s people and caring for God’s creation.
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It’s happened again. The number of abortions in Wisconsin has dropped for the fifth straight year. Nine of the last 10 years have seen a decline in abortions in our state, making Wisconsin one of the most pro-life states in the nation, according to some commentators.
The state Department of Health Services reported that 6,462 abortions were performed last year, down from 6,927 the previous year and about 2,000 less than the 8,500 Wisconsin had in 2009.
“Today is a fantastic news day for Wisconsin women and children,” said Heather Weininger, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life, when the report was released.
“Our steep abortion decline continues with the release of 2013 abortion numbers which reveal there were 465 fewer abortions in 2013 than in 2012. This represents a 6.7 percent decrease in one year.”
Weininger added, “We are extremely grateful for each and every woman who gives life to her child and each unborn child saved from the violence of abortion. Wisconsin Right to Life will vigorously continue its multi-faceted programs which work to fuel the decline.”
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Phil Fabian raised over $160 for the Catholic Multicultural Center at his lemonade stand at his Madison home. (Photo/Andrea Fabian) |
MADISON — When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. So what if life gives you lemonade?
If you asked this question to Phil Fabian, he would probably respond that you can use it to help others. Phil is a 10-year-old lemonade stand entrepreneur whose goal is to have fun while helping out the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) in Madison.
One afternoon in August, Phil’s lemonade stand was open for business, catering to customers looking for a cool treat on a warm summer day. However, this wasn’t your typical lemonade stand.
“People tell me that my lemonade stand is different from other stands because everything I offer is free,” said Phil.
All passing by were welcome to take ice-cold lemonade and choose from an assortment of home-baked goods for free, no strings attached.
Instead of paying for a sweet treat, customers were invited to “pay it forward” and contribute to a free-will donation collection for the CMC.
Patrons stopped by the stand all afternoon, many of whom were Our Lady Queen of Peace School teachers and parish staff. A Facebook post by the CMC advertised the event.
Phil and his family were very happy with the turnout, though just running the lemonade stand was an enjoyable experience regardless of how many came.
MADISON — The pack event for this year’s Feed My Sheep Lenten Project was held April 5 at the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) in Madison.
Sarah Ramthun, executive director for 6:8, the organization coordinating the project, reported that 552 volunteers packed 100,008 meals.
MADISON — This past fall, the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) received a grant from the Apostolate to the Handicapped, Inc., of the Diocese of Madison to implement programs to aid its Latino community with special needs.
Specifically, the $8,940 grant provides funding for a Latino support program called Familias Unidas con Niños con Necesidades Especiales (FUNNE), or Families United with Children with Special Needs.
This is the time of year when Catholics throughout the Diocese of Madison are hearing and reading about the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).
Members of parishes have received a letter and pledge form from Bishop Robert C. Morlino. In addition, there have been prayers and announcements about the ACA at Masses each weekend. There was an insert about the appeal distributed last weekend in parishes; it is also included in this week’s Catholic Herald. Next weekend, we will watch a video message from our bishop.
Why is this so important? The ACA funds the ministries and services benefitting every Catholic in the Diocese of Madison. It supports the work of diocesan offices and agencies in the 11 counties of our diocese and also the work of our Church beyond the diocese.
Perhaps the best way to talk about the ACA is to explain why I give to the appeal — and why I think you (other Catholics in our diocese) should, too.
