Tag: parish

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Julie Allington, Christ the King Parish, McFarland

Helping a sister parish in the storms of life

MCFARLAND — In Mark 4:35-39, Jesus calmed the storm by rebuking the wind and waves with His words, “Peace! Be Still!”

Today many people live in the storm of poverty, be it material or spiritual. They may be terrified. They may experience physical hardships. They may have lost all hope.

Who will be Jesus to these people? Who will be the voice that speaks “Peace! Be Still!” to their storm of poverty?

As Catholics, we are the Mystical Body of Christ. We are to be His hands and feet and voice to our underprivileged and hurting brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Pat Casucci, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Historic Beloit church is renovated

st thomas beloit
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Beloit recently completed a renovation of its historic church, which was dedicated in 1886. The renovation included cleaning and painting of all church walls and repainting of statues and the corpus on the crucifix (above). A stylized tree of life design was created as a background for the crucifix. The tabernacle, formerly on a side altar, was moved to the center of the altar area and placed on a custom-made table. (Catholic Herald photo/Pat Casucci)

BELOIT — The rejoicing, joy, and peace of Easter Sunday was enhanced for St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners.

After a major $335,000 renovation of the church interior, it was the first time in almost three months that a Mass was celebrated by Pastor Fr. John Hedrick in the historic church built in 1885.

The church had been closed since January 8, 2018.

The regularly scheduled weekend Masses for St. Thomas were held at St. Jude Church. Father Hedrick is pastor of both parishes.

In a recent interview, Father Hedrick said, “We have had lots of positive comments about the renovation. On Easter Sunday, there was a sense of awe as parishioners looked around the church, seeing how beautiful it is.”

Necessary renovation

Father Hedrick said the renovation was necessary after significant plaster repair was needed on a church wall and part of the ceiling. “The church walls also looked in need of cleaning, and it was decided to not just paint them,” he said.

“After a couple pieces of plaster fell, we knew we had to take care of this 133-year-old building, not let it deteriorate,” he explained. The last time the walls were painted was in 1975.

Extensive planning for the project included a fund drive with parishioners contributing about $175,000. In addition, Father Hedrick said two memorial bequests and parish funds made the extensive renovation possible.

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Kevin Wondrash

Mass in Highland church marks 130th anniversary

HIGHLAND — In honor of the feast of St. Philip, Fr. Jim Murphy, pastor of SS. Anthony and Philip Parish, has scheduled an annual Mass on Sunday, May 6, at 1 p.m. in St. Philip Catholic Church, 1032 Dodgeville St.

The Highland Catholic community has been blessed with celebrating their faith in historically beautiful churches. Their ancestors laid the cornerstone in some of the finest built churches of the diocese. 2018 represents a great year to reflect on 130 years of Our Lord providing the opportunity to gather and sing his praises.

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Margie Schels, For the Catholic Herald

‘Catholic Kids for a Cause: Fight Like Zayden’

JEFFERSON — The Catholic community of St. John the Baptist (SJB) School and St. Francis of Assisi Parish recently gathered to participate in a fundraising event for the family of Zayden Gess, parishioners and members of the school community.

Zayden, son of Jenny and Kevin Gess, was born prematurely six months ago with multiple medical challenges along with Down Syndrome. He continues to be cared for at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison.

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Kevin Wondrash

Eucharistic Day in Sun Prairie

SUN PRAIRIE — Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish will hold its annual Eucharistic Day on Sunday, March 11.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins at the end of the 11 a.m. Mass at the church, 221 Columbus St. Private prayer and adoration take place until 3 p.m., when Evening Prayer and Benediction will be held.

A reflection on “The Eucharist: Gift of the Body of Christ” will be given by Msgr. Douglas Dushack, a retired priest of the Diocese of Madison who is currently in residence at St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Catechumens and candidates take next steps to joining the Church

rite of election
Catechumen Jessica Beilharz from St. Mary Parish in Milton signs the Book of the Elect while her sponsor looks on during the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion on February 18. The annual rites took place at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee. Also pictured is Msgr. James Gunn, far left, pastor of St. John the Baptist. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

WAUNAKEE — On February 18, more than 90 people from the Diocese of Madison stood and gave their promises to continue their journey to fully enter the Catholic Church.

The annual Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion was held at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.

More than 20 catechumens, those that are not yet baptized, and nearly 70 candidates, those who are baptized Christians and now seeking the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, took part in the rites.

Erica Wand, from St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Monroe, is one of those candidates.

“I feel like it’s a calling,” said Wand. “I’ve been wanting to do this to help my kids grow in the Catholic Church.”

“It’s been a wonderful journey,” said Wand’s sponsor and sister-in-law Gina Bacher. “I’m glad she’s doing it for her family.”

Words from the bishop

“Welcome to this wonderful moment,” Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison said at the start of the event.

“It’s a joy and an honor to be with you this afternoon. I want you always to be welcome, to feel welcome in the Church, and the way we do that is by carrying out our mission as true disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Later, in his homily, Bishop Morlino reflected on Mark’s Gospel reading that said, “The spirit drove Jesus out into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”

Bishop Morlino said Jesus being tempted was part of his mission and that for everyone, “Temptations are practice in the game of life.”

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