Sr. Annacile Kees, 78, of Madison, died at home on Friday, March 9, 2012.
Tag: community
Lenten alms: A rice bowl for all
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When I first heard about Operation Rice Bowl at my parish in America, I thought they were talking about something I knew so well from Chinese culture.
I don’t have to tell you that the Chinese people eat a lot of rice — you have been to enough Chinese restaurants and seen enough Chinese landscapes with rice paddies to know that. But “rice bowl” was a term I heard all the time, and not just at mealtimes.
Closing rural post offices makes no sense
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Rural life is a daily challenge to survive on most days; we citizens blessed enough to live in the beauty of the country often are too busy trying to get by to really enjoy all the scenic views of the rural landscape.
At this very moment I am looking at the tree-line between my property and the old Gilbertson Farm west of our home and billowing out in huge clouds of white smoke are the fiery fingers of flames that are consuming my neighbor’s cow barn.
This Lent: Helping hope live in the missions

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” is the familiar cry of Jesus on the cross.
In our own lives, we may also sometimes feel abandoned, with hope seeming to disappear. As we cope with the serious illness of someone close to us. As we face economic challenges, perhaps even the loss of our job. In the gray loneliness that follows the death of a beloved wife or husband.
God does not abandon us
And yet, in the midst of our darkness, we remember that God did not abandon His beloved Son and the suffering of Good Friday transformed into the hope of our Lord’s Resurrection. God does not abandon us.
WCC positions bring a nonpartisan view of hope

For those who engage the policies by which we govern ourselves, the beginning of an odd-numbered year is a time for defining a vision.
Governors set their vision with their state of the state message and their budget address. Legislators do it by their “priority bills.” The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) does so by sharing its Policy Positions for the new session.
Urbanites and rural dwellers alike are invited to Rural Life Day in Loreto
LORETO — People from throughout the Diocese of Madison — those who live in rural and urban areas — are invited to attend a Rural Life Day to be held on Thursday, Oct. 28, at St. Patrick Church in Loreto.
Young people gather for Youth 2000 retreat in Madison
“Look at that,” said a chaperone at the Youth 2000 Retreat, pointing to one of her students during a praise and worship song. “He said he doesn’t do ‘hand gestures’ — look who’s doing ‘hand gestures.’”
International, Eucharistic centered youth retreat
Youth and young adults, ages 13 to 30, are invited to take part in an exciting event taking place at the Bishop O’Connor Center on March 20 to 22, 2009.

