Tag: Madison

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Blue Mass Celebrated in honor of first responders

blue mass
Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, left, and UW-Madison Police Chief Kristen Roman light memorial candles at the annual Blue Mass for first responders on May 10 at St. Bernard Church in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — For the second straight year, St. Bernard Parish in Madison hosted the annual Blue Mass in honor of all first responders.

Fr. Michael Radowicz, pastor of St. Bernard, celebrated the Mass, along with several other priests from the Diocese of Madison.

In attendance were Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, Madison Police Chief Mike Koval, Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, UW-Madison Police Chief Kristen Roman, members of their departments, and members of surrounding police, fire, and emergency worker agencies in Dane County.

Thanks for service

During his homily, Father Radowicz told those in attendance to “know there are a great many who appreciate the good work that you do, and we see that love and faithfulness in which you serve us every single day” and “the lord has endowed each of you with special gifts that allow you to be Christ for people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives”.

Later in the Mass, Chiefs Davis and Roman lit memorial candles in honor of those who have died in service to community.

Of special remembrance was Rick Garner, Jr., a 29-year-old Madison firefighter who recently died, shortly after finishing his shift.

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Dick Jones, For the Catholic Herald

Diocesan Choir concert is ‘For All the Saints’

MADISON — Poll the faithful on the most famous saints, and Augustine, Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, and of course St. Patrick are sure to follow Peter and Paul on any top 10 list.

But what about St. Bede the Venerable, St. Columba, St. Niceta, or Blessed John Henry Newman, among others?

Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman, the Madison Diocesan Choir offers an introduction to the saints, the familiar and those not so well known, with a spring concert, “For All the Saints,” Friday, May 18, at the Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd., in Madison.

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Kelly Cheramy, For the Catholic Herald

What does courage look like today?

MADISON — Faces of courage and stories of faith took the spotlight during the St. Dennis Parish “Courage Through Faith” event that was held on the fourth Sunday of Easter.

Pastor Fr. Randy Timmerman welcomed about 400 believers from congregations throughout the city with the challenge to be bold and courageous in work and everyday life, much like the apostles were courageous in building the early Church after Christ rose from the dead.

Father Timmerman’s plea was to be a living example of Christian values and voices in a society that is often hostile toward faith.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Bishop presents money to Catholic Charities

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison recently presented three checks to Jackson Fonder, CEO and president of Catholic Charities Madison.

One check, totaling $185,000, was from the 2017 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). This money came from additional proceeds made available when the diocese reached its giving goal for the year.

The Diocese of Madison has supported Catholic Charities with more than $400,000 from last year’s ACA.

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Pregnancy Helpline, Inc. of Madison, For the Catholic Herald

Pregnancy Helpline names new executive director

MADISON — At the annual Comedy Night Benefit this spring, the Pregnancy Helpline made an exciting announcement. They introduced their new Executive Director, Stephanie Ehle, to their crowd of supporters.

Stephanie Ehle, MS, CWP and owner of a local wellness company, steps into this new role as the previous director, Alissa Hirscher, hands over the reins after nearly six years of service.

New executive director

Ehle is excited to take on the challenge of leading the Helpline through its next chapter. She has a background in health and wellness, and is a parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona, in addition to being a mom of two young children. She has worked for a large healthcare company, as well as started her own business.

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Kevin Wondrash

Blue Mass to be held at St. Bernard, Madison, on May 10

MADISON — St. Bernard Parish, along with the Knights of Columbus St. Bernard Council 9082 and the Bishop William O’Connor 4th Degree Assembly, are sponsoring the second annual Blue Mass, in thanksgiving for their faithful service, for all law enforcement personnel and all fire personnel on Thursday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Bernard Church, 2450 Atwood Ave.

All law enforcement officers and fire personnel — both active and retired, regardless of faith — are invited to attend in full uniform. This includes police, sheriff, Department of Natural Resources personnel, firefighters, EMTs, EMS personnel, and all other members of law enforcement agencies.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Volunteers shine bright at The Beacon

beacon volunteers
Volunteers Darrell and Janie help out in the kitchen at The Beacon in Madison. (Contributed photo)

MADISON — “There’s nothing better you can do with your time than to help people who are suffering, have a decent life, [and be] able to lead the life they want,” said volunteer coordinator Tami Fleming from The Beacon.

The Beacon is a comprehensive day resource center for people who are experiencing homelessness in Dane County.

It is a joint venture among Catholic Charities Madison, Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.

In addition to its staff, The Beacon needs about 20 volunteers per day — half in a morning shift and half in an afternoon shift — to run the normal day-to-day operations. Shifts are about four hours long.

The Beacon is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has volunteer opportunities as a front desk greeter, laundry and shower manager, computer lab assistant, guest and child and family advocate, among many others.

Becoming a volunteer

“We need volunteers every day,” said Fleming.

The first step in becoming a volunteer at The Beacon is attending an orientation session. They are held at The Beacon (615 E. Washington Ave., Madison) Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m.

Fleming said these two-hour sessions give prospective volunteers a chance to “get a real feel for it” and “hear what it’s about [and] see the place.”

She admitted she is “real frank with people” about the challenges they may face working with homeless people who need help.

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