Tag: OEC

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

New Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute

First in a series

MADISON — This fall, the Diocese of Madison’s Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) is starting the new Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute (SOWDI), a program of catechetical certification and adult faith formation in the diocese.

The first course in the institute will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Cathedral Parish of St. Raphael at St. Patrick Church in Madison.

To clarify and improve the effectiveness of diocesan catechetical efforts, the OEC hopes to unify the missions of what was previously referred to as the Diocesan Lay Institute and the current Formation of Religious Education Ministers by subsuming both into the “umbrella” of the SOWDI.

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Todd Burud, For the Catholic Herald

Patrick Madrid to speak in Madison

MADISON — On Friday, Sept. 4, Patrick Madrid will speak at the Bishop O’Connor Center on the topic of moral relativism.

Sponsored by the Knights of Divine Mercy (KDM), in association with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, Madrid’s dynamic talk begins at 7 p.m. and ends at approximately 9:30 p.m. It includes an intermission, Q&A, and an opportunity to purchase his books with a book-signing.

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Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Enjoying food, fun, and faith at the Diocesan Family Picnic

MADISON — Though many beat the heat by staying out of the sun under the trees and tents or in the pool or on the giant slip-and-slide, the fine weather July 26 drew about 370 people of all ages for fun and feasting at the fourth annual Diocesan Family Picnic at the Bishop O’Connor Center.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Knights of Divine Mercy, offered families from around the diocese a chance to come together for food and activities, games, music, and talks.

In addition to danceable songs performed by the Vandersheuren Family Band and, later, more sacred offerings from the Knights of Divine Mercy Schola, families enjoyed grilled offerings, sides, and desserts, and activities ranging from a pick-up game of baseball on the playing field to volleyball, Frisbee, and hula hooping.

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Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Service camp teaches the true meaning of ‘love your neighbor’

MADISON — The Love Begins Here service camp, held recently at various locations around the diocese, was not just paying lip service to the phrase “love your neighbor.”

It was teaching the youth who attended that even in a place as seemingly affluent as the United States there can be many people in need of help.

“It opens your eyes about how much people need help here,” said Sarah Garcia, a participant from Baraboo who had heard about the camp through her Confirmation class. “An hour away, there are people who need food, clothing, schools that need walls painted; there’s just a lot of stuff to be done here before we look other places.”

Youth from around the diocese attended the youth mission project Love Begins Here this summer, averaging 22 participants a session. The project, inspired by a similar program in the Diocese of Salina, Kan., and sponsored by the Diocese of Madison Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, combines service and spirituality to help youth see the connection between the faith and the works it should inspire to love and serve others.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald staff

A divine design: Natural Family Planning

MADISON — “Marriage and Natural Family Planning . . . A Divine Design” is the theme of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, being promoted July 19 to 25 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The aim of this week is to focus attention on Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods and Church teachings which support their use in marriage.

This year also concludes a year-long observance of the 40th anniversary of the papal encyclical, Humanae Vitae (issued July 25, 1968), which articulated Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood.

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