Tag: Catholic

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Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

Pope prays, calls for aid for typhoon victims

Young residents in Cebu, Philippines, hold signs asking for help and food along the highway November 11 after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit. The typhoon, one of the strongest storms in history, is believed to have killed tens of thousands, but aid workers were still trying to reach remote areas. (CNS photo/Charlie Saceda, Reuters)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis led prayers for people hit by a deadly typhoon in the Philippines and surrounding region and asked that concrete aid be sent soon.

During the Angelus with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on November 10, the pope expressed his concern and prayers for the estimated tens of thousands of people dead and others affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated parts of the central Philippines November 8.

“I wish to express my closeness to the people of the Philippines and that region that has been hit by a terrible typhoon. Unfortunately the victims are many and the damage is enormous,” the pope said.

He asked the tens of thousands of people gathered in the square to join him in a moment of silent prayer “for these brothers and sisters and let’s try also to make our concrete help reach them.”

Pope makes donation

In response to the tragedy, Pope Francis made an initial donation of $150,000 for the relief efforts through the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.

The money, sent through the local churches hardest hit by the storm, was earmarked to support “assistance for the displaced and those impacted by the flooding,” the Vatican said in a written statement.

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Kevin Wondrash

Bishop to celebrate White Mass on November 23

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino will celebrate the annual White Mass at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at St. Patrick Church in Madison.

Members of the Madison Guild of the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) will be attending the Mass with the bishop, asking God’s blessing upon doctors, nurses, caregivers, and patients under the patronage of St. Luke.

All those involved in the medical profession are invited to join Bishop Morlino for this “White Mass,” so named from the traditional color of lab coats and nurses’ uniforms.

 

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Shari Gasper, For the Catholic Herald

Two local students chosen as animators at NCYC

DEFOREST — When the lights go down and the music starts pumping during the opening ceremonies of the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis this month, two DeForest area students will be among the dancers and singers on stage charged with firing up the crowd for the three-day conference.

Megan Durst and Katherine Kennedy, juniors at DeForest Area High School and members of St. Olaf Parish, will serve as NCYC “animators.” About 75 youth from across the country were selected as animators to lead the prayer services and set the tone for the conference.

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Kevin Wondrash

Seat of Wisdom courses for the Year of Faith

MADISON — Inspired in this Year of Faith by Pope Francis’ emphasis on charity and social justice, the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is sponsoring two new courses on Catholic Social Doctrine, both being taught by Dr. Constance Nielsen.

The six-hour introduction course is being offered in regional parishes and available for local programming at the request of parishes or schools.

The more expanded course is being offered at the Bishop O’Connor Center one Saturday per month throughout the academic year. Remaining dates include November 23, January 25, February 22, March 22, April 26, and May 17.

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Susanna Herro, For the Catholic Herald

Catholic lawyers meet for educational lunches

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.

Speaker on November 1

On Friday, Nov. 1, Attorney James A. Ranney will speak on “Choosing Our Judges: Wisconsin’s Longstanding Debate.”

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Kevin Wondrash

George Weigel to speak at UW-Madison

MADISON — The UW-Madison student organization Badger Catholic invites all students and their friends to attend the organization’s first Speaker Event, “Breaking Boundaries,” featuring George Weigel.

Weigel, distinguished senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, in Washington, D.C., will speak on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Gordon Dining and Event Center.

During the presentation, students will have the opportunity to learn more about the topic of “Evangelical Catholicism” as the Church begins to embrace the culture of the 21st century.

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Joan Carey, For the Catholic Herald

Helping university students see life in Jesus Christ

MADISON — “Without St. Paul’s,” University of Wisconsin-Madison student Jamie Wheeler reflects, “without the guidance it offers . . . ” She pauses. Then she smiles. “We would be missing the Big Picture.”

Jamie is a chemistry Ph.D. student from Texas. Three years ago, she made the big move north to study at the University of Wisconsin.

The “Big Picture” Jamie refers to is, of course, life in Jesus Christ. Students like Jamie can’t even imagine what their years of formation as young adults would be like without the grounding they receive at St. Paul University Catholic Center.

Young adults coming out of the shelter of home and into a world-class campus like the University of Wisconsin face what too often becomes a subconscious decision to the Big Question: now that my parents aren’t around to drag me to Mass on Sunday, am I going to keep the faith or leave it behind?

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