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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About four years ago, I had to take the long flight to New Zealand to give a retreat to the priests of the Diocese of Christchurch.
In order to pass the time, I brought along an iPad with the entire first season of Mad Men on it. So in one very intense period, I got immersed in the world of Don Draper, a world that I vaguely remember from my own childhood — not the booze and the affairs, of course, but the look, the feel, the colors, the way people moved and talked.
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Q I have always considered my parents to be intelligent and capable of making good decisions, but I wonder if they may be taken in by a new acquaintance who is also in the investment business.
They recently invested in a project that is “going to be huge,” according to the investor. My parents were told not to share too many details because they are a few of the “special people” who were allowed in on this.
It sounds so fishy to me, but they think this is the next big thing but they can’t tell me what it is. Am I over-reacting? (A concerned son in Evansville).
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.
MADISON — All of us have been blessed to receive the sacraments in our lifetime by a faithful priest serving in our parish. The impact our parish priest has on our lives has shaped us into the Catholics we are today.
The Bless Our Priests collection gives us the opportunity to give back to those priests for all they have done for us throughout our lives.
As more and more of our diocesan priests reach retirement age, the need for support continues to grow. Not only do they need your continued prayers, but your financial support of the Bless Our Priests collection.
JEFFERSON — First graders at St. John the Baptist School in Jefferson recently helped to raise funds to help the victims of the devastating spring tornadoes in Oklahoma.
The 20 students in Lisa Kotz’s class were very concerned with the people who were injured, lost their homes, or had to deal with the tragic deaths of family and friends.
Adding to their daily prayers, the first graders decided that they had a responsibility to be the “hands and feet of Christ” in reaching out to their brothers and sisters in need.
The present economic crisis can provide us with an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, rather than on the materialistic spirit that often permeates our Western culture.
Since so many people are unemployed or under-employed and many family incomes are shrinking, a lot people will have to limit the type and number of gifts they give. This might be a blessing in disguise. It can provide us a chance to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
Gift giving is a wonderful tradition but too many of us tend to go overboard and often measure another’s love and care by the gifts they give and receive. And some people give gifts out of a feeling of obligation or just because someone gives them one. Many feel embarrassed if a person gives them a gift and they have nothing to give in return.
The present economic crisis can provide us with an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, rather than on the materialistic spirit that often permeates our Western culture.
Since so many people are unemployed or under-employed and many family incomes are shrinking, a lot people will have to limit the type and number of gifts they give. This might be a blessing in disguise. It can provide us a chance to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
Gift giving is a wonderful tradition but too many of us tend to go overboard and often measure another’s love and care by the gifts they give and receive. And some people give gifts out of a feeling of obligation or just because someone gives them one. Many feel embarrassed if a person gives them a gift and they have nothing to give in return.
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| Fr. Bart Timmerman, pastor of Immaculate Hearts of Mary Parish in Monona, distributes Communion at his parish. Gifts to the Annual Catholic Appeal help fund diocesan ministries and services that benefit parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison. (Photo by James Baca) |
MADISON — “Jesus Christ showed us how to love. As Christians, we are defined by our willingness to give of ourselves even — if not especially — when that gift of self requires a sacrifice or makes us vulnerable.”
Those are the words of Fr. John Putzer, a newly ordained priest of the Diocese of Madison, who is one of those whose reflections are included in the Diocese of Madison’s 2011 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) brochure.
The theme of this year’s appeal is “Create in me a new heart.” Father Putzer, who was ordained to the priesthood on December 10, 2010, continues, “Donating money for a just cause is not just an act of generosity, but, even more significantly, a way of growing in love and uniting oneself to the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ on the Cross. In this sense, we as Christians have a greater need to give than the Church has a need to receive.”
The Annual Catholic Appeal offers members of the Church in the 11 counties of the diocese the opportunity to help support the essential ministries which carry on Christ’s work of love.
The Lumen Christi Society gathered in support of the Annual Catholic Appeal August 4 at the Bishop O’Connor Center, with about 120 society members, seminarians, priests, and Bishop Robert C. Morlino present.
