Tag: cross

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Chris Lee

Eleanor Ryan Curtin dies

Eleanor Ryan Curtin

MADISON — Papal award recipient Eleanor Ryan Curtin, 93, of Madison died on Monday, Feb. 3, at home, surrounded by her family.

She was awarded the Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope John Paul II in 1997 in recognition of service to the Church in the Diocese of Madison.

Eleanor was born May 13, 1920, the daughter of Dr. Frank and Loretto (Carbery) Ryan in Chicago, Ill.

She attended high school at Loretta Academy in Chicago and went on to Chicago Teachers College and received her teaching degree in 1942.

She was a kindergarten teacher in Chicago until her marriage to William J. Curtin II in 1944 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Chicago.

She and her husband settled in Madison. They had seven children.

 

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Kevin Wondrash

St. Francis Xavier to hold fifth annual Casino Night

CROSS PLAINS — The St. Francis Xavier Endowment Committee will be hosting the parish’s fifth annual Casino Night on Saturday, March 1, in the parish fellowship hall at 6 p.m.

This year’s Mardi Gras-style Casino Night is an opportunity for parishioners — and all friends of St. Francis Parish — to get together for a fun-filled evening that includes food, beverages, entertainment, and prizes galore.

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Stacey Eslinger, For the Catholic Herald

St. Francis students focus on true meaning of Christmas

CROSS PLAINS — Students at St. Francis Xavier School focused on the true meaning of Christmas through prayer, service projects, and spreading holiday cheer.

During Advent, the entire school came together on Monday mornings for a prayer service. Surrounding a large Advent wreath, the students looked on as candles were lit. Students then took turns leading the school in prayer and singing.

Students in kindergarten, first, and fourth grade classes spread holiday cheer by caroling at local nursing homes.

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Kevin Wondrash

Students learn positive behaviors in Cross Plains

CROSS PLAINS — St. Francis Xavier School students in all grades (K4 through eight) are taking part in a year-long, school-wide program focused on putting positive actions and behaviors into practice.

Each month teachers develop lesson plans and activities around a specific character trait and will create opportunities for students to be living models of Christ.

The program is being organized by second grade teacher Ms. Jennifer Eicher. Eicher explains that the goal behind the school-wide program is to create an environment where all students, faculty, staff, and parents are active participants in the growth and development of each child within school community.

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Cathy Lins, for the Catholic Herald

Sister brings joy to others despite terminal cancer

CROSS PLAINS — There’s a special parking space in front of St. Francis Xavier’s parish office — a cone with lots of markings letting people know — this spot is reserved for Sister John Rose.

In recent weeks, you could see signs all around Cross Plains asking for prayers and encouraging her to, “Hang in there, Sister!” I found her inside the church, moving around the facility, attending to visitors.  She was willing to take a little time to talk about her recent diagnosis.

Sr. John Rose Acker has been involved in pastoral ministry at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains for 23 years, where she ministers to the sick, elderly, and dying. Prior to that, she was a teacher for 32 years. She celebrates 62 years as a School Sister of St. Francis this year.

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Cathy Lins, for the Catholic Herald

Parishes to host exhibition of sacred relics

ASHTON/SUN PRAIRIE — St. Peter Parish in Ashton and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Sun Prairie will host an exhibition of sacred relics with Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross.

St. Peter Parish, 7121 County Hwy. K, will host an evening of exposition and presentation on hundreds of sacred relics on Monday, June 24. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with catechesis on holy relics by Father Martins in the church building and will continue with the relics exhibition in the school building.

As part of the year-long celebration of the parish’s 150th anniversary, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, 221 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, will present a teaching and exposition of sacred relics on Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m.  Father Martins will teach about these holy objects.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Blessed Sacrament School holds blood drive in honor of student

MADISON — Blessed Sacrament School recently held a blood drive in honor of one of its students diagnosed with leukemia for a second time.

The first blood drive in honor of fourth-grader Nora Williamson was held in November of last year.

Former Blessed Sacrament student and current Edgewood High School student Kevin Thomas organized the blood drive.

Thomas has been volunteering with the Red Cross since he was 14. About a year ago, he met Nora and learned she had leukemia.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Teens from four parishes come together to experience ‘virtue’ in Middleton

MIDDLETON — There’s a welcome sight once a week at the 8:15 a.m. daily Mass at St. Bernard Church in Middleton.

About 15 to 20 Middleton High School students take advantage of a late-start day to go to Mass and have breakfast together.

It’s one of many activities in the Cardinal Virtue youth apostolate for high school students in the Middleton area. It’s a joint effort by four parishes: St. Bernard in Middleton, St. Francis Xavier in Cross Plains, St. Peter in Ashton, and St. Martin of Tours in Martinsville.

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Kevin Wondrash

The saints come marching in!

CROSS PLAINS — On Friday, April 12, St. Francis Xavier School, Cross Plains, became a “little Heaven” when the saints “came marching in.”

The fifth graders, under the guidance of their teacher, Jennifer Esser, did research on their patron saints or those they were interested in.

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