Wisconsin is one of the worst states in our country in terms of human trafficking involving both sex and labor trafficking, speakers told over 220 persons attending the biennial Catholics at the Capitol held March 28 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in downtown Madison.
Tag: Mary C. Uhler
The tragedy of human trafficking
Imagine a young girl sexually abused in her home from the age of five.
By the age of 13, she was drinking and smoking. She ran away from home and ended up being a prostitute. She was beaten, burned, and ruled by fear by her pimp. She felt trapped in what they call “the life.”
Every day should be Water Day
We know that water is essential to all life on earth. In fact, human beings can only live for three days without water.
Yet, I think most of us take water for granted. We expect water to come out of our taps when we turn them on. We may experience some dry weather in summer in Wisconsin, but for the most part we have plenty of water to meet our needs.
Support the Annual Catholic Appeal
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. An insert about the appeal was distributed in parishes and also included in the Catholic Herald. This past weekend, we watched a video message from the Diocese of Madison in our parishes.
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day
This Friday, March 17, we will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Although I am proud of my Irish heritage (I’m half Irish since my father was 100 percent Irish), this holiday is really for all of us. As they say, “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.”
Why is that? Perhaps people in the United States in particular share a sense of camaraderie with the Irish people.
Remembering a family farm advocate
Many people in the Diocese of Madison remember the late John Kinsman, a farmer who was a member of Holy Family Parish in La Valle.
Kinsman was a strong advocate of family farming, going beyond his own farm to help other farmers in our state, nation, and the entire world.
One way to put your faith into action in Lent
Lent starts this week. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as we prepare for Easter.
We should consider going beyond the basic requirements. What can we do to strengthen our faith during the 40 days of Lent?
Norma McCorvey proves that conversion is possible
Many people probably aren’t aware of the identity of Jane Roe in the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion.
Her real name was Norma McCorvey. Interestingly enough, she never had an abortion and later regretted her part in that decision. In fact, she worked for its overturn.
Sign letter on religious freedom
In recent years, I have written about the struggles of the Little Sisters of the Poor to provide the kind of health coverage that respects their faith and moral values.
I’ve also written about a car dealership in Minnesota that did not want to provide abortion-inducing drugs to its employees. “It has long been my conviction to run my business according to the teachings of my faith,” said Doug Erickson of Hastings Chevrolet.
Need for an executive order
These are just two instances where religious freedom has been imperiled.
One way to protect religious freedom is for President Donald Trump to sign an executive order promoting religious freedom.
Continue to welcome immigrants
In the 1970s, I remember going to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin to do a story on refugees from Vietnam who were settling in the Diocese of Madison.
One of our parishes — St. Joseph Parish in Dodgeville — helped sponsor a number of these Vietnamese refugees.
Over the years, refugees from other countries received assistance settling in our diocese through the Catholic Charities resettlement program.
Programs such as this continue throughout the United States through Catholic Charities and other religious-based agencies.