The Badger Catholic

Sts Cyril & Methodius , Enlighteners of the Slavs, ora pro nobis!

2012-02-14T14:22:00.001-06:00

New CEO of Greater Milwaukee Foundation is sister of lunatic HHS head Sebelius

2012-02-14T12:30:00.000-06:00

Ellen Gilligan, president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, was the guest last Tuesday for the latest edition of Mike Gousha’s “On the Issues.” Sitting before an appellate courtroom in Eckstein Hall filled with students, teachers and members of the community, Gilligan discussed her dedication to improving the city and the future of education in Milwaukee.

Although the cities are similar, Gilligan said Milwaukee has a decidedly different vibe than Cincinnati. While there, Gilligan served as vice president for community investment at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The youngest of five and daughter of a former congressman and governor of Ohio, Gilligan often heard political conversation at the dinner table, but was not interested in politics herself.

“My family feels very strongly about the importance of public office, so this was my way of improving the community without running for office,” Gilligan said.

As the new leader of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Gilligan plans to use her experience with similar community-based initiatives in Cincinnati to help improve the Milwaukee area.

Marquette Trib

Spirit Daily founder Michael H. Brown to speak in Green Bay March 3rd

2012-02-14T11:30:00.000-06:00

Author Michael H. Brown will hold a day-long retreat Saturday, March 3, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The event will take place at the Rock Garden Comfort Suites, 1951 Bond Street, Green Bay, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (see below for directions).

At this time of such upheaval, and such personal attack, how do we most effectively pray? What does the Blessed Mother mean in a recent message that mentions the "rule" of evil that has arrived?

How do we find peace -- and balance?

Most importantly: what about near-death experiences? What do we know about life after death? What's it like? How do we prepare for it?

And is it necessary to prepare (in many ways) for times ahead?

Future events. The supernatural reality around us. Cleansing ourselves and our surroundings! There will also be a focus on cleansing our households, along with an extensive question-and-answer period after the presentation on prophecy.

continue at Spirit Daily

Creative Minority Report did an interview with him back in 2009.

Catholic Charities supports Obamacare "Accommodation"

2012-02-14T10:39:00.000-06:00

Here's the latest from the left-wing "Catholic" pressure organization called Catholics United.

When Catholics United was founded, a group called Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good was set up essentially as its 501C3 arm. Guess how many current or former USCCB employees/consultants are "leaders, advisors, and partners" of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good? ANSWER: AT LEAST FOUR INCLUDING FATHER LARRY SNYDER, PRESIDENT OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES

There is an incredible amount of pressure within USCCB for the bishops to cave, and it's more than a little disconcerting to hear Archbishop Dolan and Father Snyder say that Obama's sham "accommodation" is a "first step in the right direction". It is a cynical ploy, not a step in the right direction!

Father Snyder has gone even further than Archbishop Dolan, saying: "This compromise enables Catholic Charities USA to not only continue to provide access to quality healthcare to its 70,000 employees and families across the country of many different faiths and backgrounds, but also guarantees the continued delivery of vital services to the more than 10 million people living in need across the country."

I would just add that Fr. Snyder met with Pres. Obama a couple years back as well .

Interview: What would you say if you found out a friend was going to have an abortion?

2012-02-14T09:00:00.003-06:00

I know you're all expecting an anti-Valentine's Day rant. But since I now have red hair (!!) I decided to mix things up a bit and share something uplifting today.

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:

What would you say, or do, if you found out a friend was pregnant and scheduled for an abortion? Do you know how to articulate your pro-life views?

Below, one young woman reveals how she educated herself on abortion and reached out to a friend in need, with PLW's assistance.

We are pro-life ambassadors in this world, and you never know when you are going to be called to speak up for the preborn.

As told to PLW's Virginia Zignego. We are protecting the name of the mother.

When my friend found out she was pregnant, she immediately started looking into abortions. Her mother had been pressuring her constantly into getting an abortion, saying that having a baby would ruin her life. My friend went to the abortion facility; she told me afterwards that the visit made her a little uneasy. When she had the ultrasound screening, they wouldn’t let her see the screen while it was being done and the cost to have a copy of the ultrasound was a little pricey. She said the abortion would take about 2-3 days, the description of the abortion sounded horrible and disgusting, and the cost would be about $1,000.

When I first heard about my friend’s situation I felt helpless. All my life I have had discussions about abortion and am so passionate about being pro-life. However, I didn’t realize how hard it would be to talk about it with my friend who wanted to get an abortion. I was afraid to push my opinions on her without at least looking at the situation from her perspective. I wasn’t exactly sure how to talk to her without sounding judgmental.

What really helped me was praying about it constantly. I asked a few friends to pray the Rosary with me. After a few days I was able to talk more with her and say what I thought. She listened with an open mind and didn’t get mad at me at all. At first she didn’t fully believe that abortion was killing a human being, but when she went to the abortion clinic she realized that I was telling the truth.

I was scared of losing a good friend by talking to her about her pregnancy and the scheduled abortion, but I had to look at the big picture and realize that it was more important to save an innocent life. No matter what challenges you are faced with, you should remember that God never gives us more than we can’t handle. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. All I thought I was doing was listening and being there for my friend. I never thought simple actions such as listening and being supportive would end up saving a life.

After a couple weeks of thinking and talking things over with her boyfriend, my friend began to lean more towards adoption but wanted to visit a crisis pregnancy center before making a final decision. She was a little scared to go so I said I would be happy to go with her so she wouldn’t have to be alone.

The most moving part of the visit was the ultrasound screening. She was surprised and happy that she would be allowed to see the image on the screen this time. The moment she saw the baby and heard the heartbeat, her face lit up. She said she couldn’t believe it was actually a baby; the baby had its own heartbeat and could move around. Seeing the baby on the screen confirmed my friend’s decision not to have an abortion. The ultrasound tech asked what she planned to do and she said she hopes to put the baby up for adoption. She was so excited to get a copy of the ultrasound picture and she wouldn’t stop pointing and smiling at the baby.

As far as advice for people who find themselves in a similar situation with someone they know -- One thing that helped me was getting pro-life information. I made sure to be prepared to answer any questions so it doesn’t look like I’m just saying anything and not really knowing what I’m talking about. I’ve had many discussions with various people over the years so I’ve had much information already such as what abortion actually is, costs, the techniques abortion clinics use to persuade women to have abortions, etc.

In the case with my friend, I made sure not to get mad at her and be aware that she may just not know all the information out there. In the past I never fully understood what abortion actually was and I used to be one of those people who believed abortion was wrong unless it was in a case of rape or incest. However, after learning more about abortion through research and other people I began to realize that the ugly truths of abortion. It never fully clicked that abortion is the killing of a human being. So another thing that helped in talking with my friend was to not pass judgment and try to understand where she was coming from because she may not have fully understood what abortion was just as I didn’t in the past.

I’ve seen various YouTube videos about different women’s experiences. Below are three different links of videos that I saw. The most moving videos I saw were ones about women who regret abortion after they realize it was a human being that was killed. Over the past few years I’ve seen various videos about undercover operations at Planned Parenthood, women who regret abortion, and ones about the physical and emotional effects abortion has on women. When I have discussions about abortion with people, it has helped to show them pamphlets, articles, videos, or just tell them about what I already know. I would explain what abortion actually is, the physical and emotional effects abortion has on women, other options available such as adoption, the high cost, the reasons why abortion clinics don’t want to show you ultrasound pictures, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmytgRQ7hEY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRUWoljZ9fI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXZCOaRVrbg

Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin share board chair, who “makes nonprofits profitable”

2012-02-13T13:30:00.000-06:00

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:
On Sunday, February 12 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel profiled a woman named Linda Mellowes, who is known in the Milwaukee area for her fundraising/non-profit abilities.

Mellowes helps to make area’s nonprofits profitable
Mellowes, 71, is one of the more important leaders in Milwaukee’s nonprofit community, a person who brings together organizations, causes and people.

“I like to connect the dots,” she says.

During her career, she has chaired seven nonprofit boards, including the United Way, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Columbia St. Mary’s and the Medical College of Wisconsin…

When the Mellowes moved to Milwaukee in 1970, she continued to seek out volunteer opportunities. To learn her way around a new area, she became a docent at the Milwaukee County Historical Society.

She also got involved in volunteering at the University School of Milwaukee (eventually, she became chair of the board). She began an association with United Way, going door to door in Shorewood to solicit donations.

And she also volunteered at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (yet another board she would chair).

Speaking of connecting the dots:

- United Way of Greater Milwaukee partners with and solicits donations for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin;

- The Medical College of Wisconsin is now training ob/gyn medical students in abortion procedures and uses aborted fetal body parts for research;

- Columbia St. Mary’s, along with other Catholic hospitals in the state, has been receiving state and federal taxpayer funds for dispensing abortifacient contraception and performing tubal ligations since at least 2007.

What’s in common here? Big Abortion = Big Business = Big Profits for Nonprofits.

Ad Limina - It's all about the Benedict's baby

2012-02-13T13:00:00.000-06:00

Abp. Listecki overheard whispering something about Bavarian beer perhaps?

Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison, Wis., talks with Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee in a sacristy of St. Peter's Basilica

From The Catholic Times

Bishop Morlino:

Well, its been quite a 24 hours! Some highlights though, were our audience with the Holy Father yesterday morning, after a great meeting with the Congregation for the Clergy. I'll look forward to posting pictures of the Holy Father soon, and to sharing a bit about my time with him upon my return. Early this morning, we bishops rose and headed to the tomb of Blessed John Paul the Great, where I was blessed to offer the Holy Mass.

I just came from offering Mass as I overlooked St. Peter's Basilica and would ask that you join me in offering prayers for the repose of the soul of Mr. Richard Blaney - A tremendous Catholic gentleman of our diocese.

Bishop Morlino has some photos on Facebook

The Compass

Gwen "Ramen Noodles" Moore: pregnancy is a danger to women's health and a threat to their families

2012-02-13T11:21:00.000-06:00

Gwen Moore wants you to believe that the National Institutes of Health have declared pregnancy to be a danger to women's health and a threat to their families.

Absurd?

Yes.

Video:

GWEN MOORE: ...Not allowing the Church to stand on its bully pulpit and separate women from critical, vital health care needs. The National Institute of Health has said that it is a danger to women's health and safety of their families that for 30 years to be exposed to the prospects of pregnancy.

more at Freedom Eden

De Pere Norbertines: Putting the Age in New Age Spirituality

2012-02-13T10:30:00.004-06:00

This is an agenda from a retreat from last year at the Norbertine Spirituality Center:

Wednesday (Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse) – June 15th
1:00 Registration - Check in to your room/Orientation
2:00 Welcome & introductions
2:15 Opening Sacred Space and creating a group alter
2:30 Set your personal intention for the retreat
2:45 Overview of the history of the Mandala/Sacred Circle
3:45 Connecting to your inner light
4:45 Dinner
5:30 Free Time
6:00 Origin of belief - Indigenous – Inspirational Verse
6:30 History and overview of Indigenous belief
7:30 Guided meditation on the healing power of nature as inspiration
7:40 Manifest a Mandala inspired by Nature or experience quiet meditation
9:00 Program ends for the evening
9:15 Moonlight Labyrinth meditation – connecting to circular time (optional)

Thursday – June 16th
7:45 Breakfast
8:30 Morning Labyrinth walking mediation – journey to center
9:00 Taoism – Inspirational Verse
9:30 History and overview of Taoist belief
10:30 Guided meditation on finding balance
10:40 Manifest a Mandala inspired by harmony or experience quiet meditation
11:50 Lunch
12:30 Free Time
1:00 Hinduism – Inspirational verse
1:30 History and overview of Hindu belief
2:30 Guided meditation on multiplicity of self
2:40 Manifest a Mandala inspired by aspects of self or experience quiet meditation
4:00 Free time
4:45 Dinner
5:30 Free Time
6:00 Buddhism – Inspirational Verse
6:30 History and overview of Buddhist belief
7:30 Guided meditation on emptiness of self
7:40 Manifest a Mandala inspired by no-thing and every-thing or experience quiet meditation
9:00 Program ends for the evening
9:15 Moonlight Labyrinth meditation (optional)

Friday – June 17th
7:45 Breakfast
8:30 Morning Labyrinth walking mediation
9:00 Judaism – Inspirational verse
9:30 History and overview of Judaism
10:30 Guided meditation on your source
10:40 Manifest a Mandala inspired by your source or experience quiet meditation
11:50 Lunch
12:30 Free Time
1:00 Christianity – Inspirational verse
1:30 History and overview of Christianity
2:30 Guided meditation on the light within
2:40 Manifest a Mandala inspired by your inner light or experience quiet meditation
3:40 Free time
4:45 Dinner
5:30 Free Time
6:00 Islam – Inspirational verse

One of the programs was facilitated by this individual:

Laural Virtues Wauters: Laural was mentored and certified by the late Dr. Judith Cornell from 2007 - 2010 at the Mount Madonna Institute in Watsonville, California. Laural is also a Master Practitioner of Energy Medicine trained through the Four Winds headed by Alberto Villoldo. She is the author of Tree Oracle: the true story of Carmen Sylvia and several websites on world religions and the tree of life.

Some good stuff here:
f6192

Their 2012 schedule is online so get on out there and get down with your Moonlight Labyrinth self.

Stroik: The 20-Acre Myth

2012-02-13T09:07:00.000-06:00

One of the most insidious strictures of the conventional wisdom mandates that any new church needs 20 acres. This 20-acre rule reminds me of the 65-ft. rule that some experts claim requires us to build churches in the round. The theory is that people seated more than 65 ft. away from the altar cannot see very well, and therefore cannot participate in the liturgy.

Where to find 25 acres at an economical price? Why, the cornfield, of course. The reasons given for the necessity of a large tract of land are playing fields, convenient parking, and future growth. Yet these factors should not be seen as the primary goals in building a house of God, but should be balanced with the rich history of churches built in the midst of our towns and cities.

To put the 25-acre rule into context, consider that a traditional parish church in a small town with 800 seats, a grade-school, a playground, a rectory, and on and off street parking typically takes up three to six acres. Surprisingly, one of the most well known and largest of American cathedrals, Saint Patrick's, sits on a block in Manhattan of only two acres.

The reality is that 20 acres is the equivalent of a small college campus – for instance, "God Quad" at Notre Dame includes the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Golden Dome, and seven other buildings. In fact, the greatest church in all of Christendom, Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, sits on only nine acres while its piazza takes up an additional nine acres. Twenty acres is certainly huge, but what are good reasons for not building in the cornfield?

continue at Traditional Building

Great article, I'm in total agreement.

Photo

Our Lady of Lourdes, ora pro nobis!

2012-02-11T11:08:00.000-06:00

The official site of the Lourdes Shrine has some nice desktop wallpaper, btw..

Fanatic Fridays: Bagpipe theory

2012-02-10T13:30:00.000-06:00

Gaelic Storm: Bare in the Basin

Bishops from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana begin visits to Vatican

2012-02-10T12:01:00.000-06:00

From Left; +Callahan, +Morlino, +Christensen
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Region VII -- which includes the states of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin -- started their "ad limina" visits to Rome Feb. 9 with morning Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, before the Altar of the Tomb of St. Peter.

During their visit, which will end Feb. 17, the bishops will discuss a wide range of pastoral matters with Pope Benedict XVI and Vatican officials. A major theme is likely to be the new evangelization, which will be the subject of a Vatican synod this October. In recent weeks, the pope has told other visiting American bishops of the urgent need to defend religious freedom against the threat of "radical secularism."

more at MadCatHerald

A nice set of photos over there as well:

SNAP: "8,000 instances of abuse" in Milwaukee Archdiocese hearing

2012-02-10T10:49:00.001-06:00

Sealed documents filed in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee bankruptcy identify at least 8,000 instances of child sexual abuse and 100 alleged offenders - 75 of them priests - who have not previously been named by the archdiocese, a victims' attorney said Thursday.

In an emotional preamble to her ruling, before a packed courtroom, [Judge] Kelley expressed a reverence for the Catholic Church and compassion for the victims, saying she was "brought to tears more than once" reading the accounts of the men and women who allege they were sexually abused as children by priests, deacons, nuns, teachers and others over the past 60 years.

"But I cannot let compassion be the basis for my decision. It must be governed by law," Kelley said.

details at MJS

Photo

MJS: Obama, the Catholic vote, and the contraception mandate

2012-02-10T09:30:00.000-06:00

A very interesting article over at MJS. Definitely worth a read.

If requiring Catholic universities and hospitals to cover contraception for employees ends up hurting President Obama with Catholic voters, then Wisconsin is one place to keep an eye on.

That’s because it’s one of the most Catholic of the presidential swing states.

Among this year’s likely electoral battlegrounds, only New Hampshire (38%) and New Mexico (36%) had a higher percentage of Catholic voters than Wisconsin (33%) in 2008, according to exit polls:

An Administration decision not to exempt religious employers from a mandate to cover contraception has sparked an outcry among church officials and leading Republicans. (Churches are exempt from the mandate but church-affiliated institutions that serve the broader public, such as hospitals, are not).

continue at The Wisconsin Voter

What is not taken into account is how this ruling will affect other non-Catholic groups. Several evangelical leaders have spoken out publicly against the ruling, even encouraging "going to jail" over the matter. You would be surprised how many pro-abort Catholics there are in this state, especially those that work at the diocesan level, and control diocesan newspapers.

The roof is on fire?

2012-02-10T08:06:00.002-06:00

Glad to see subliminal messaging making a comeback.

President Obama's new health care law requires most employers' insurance plans to provide free coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptives and morning after pills.

"I'm offended not only as a Catholic. I am offended as an American," said Milwaukee Catholic Archbishop Jerome Listecki.

TMJ4

BusinessInsider: Time To Admit It: The Church Has Always Been Right On Birth Control

2012-02-09T13:58:00.000-06:00

Painting the Catholic Church as "out of touch" is like shooting fish in a barrel, what with the funny hats and gilded churches. And nothing makes it easier than the Church's stance against contraception.

Many people, (including our editor) are wondering why the Catholic Church doesn't just ditch this requirement. They note that most Catholics ignore it, and that most everyone else finds it divisive, or "out-dated." C'mon! It's the 21st century, they say! Don't they SEE that it's STUPID, they scream.

Here's the thing, though: the Catholic Church is the world's biggest and oldest organization. It has buried all of the greatest empires known to man, from the Romans to the Soviets. It has establishments literally all over the world, touching every area of human endeavor. It's given us some of the world's greatest thinkers, from Saint Augustine on down to René Girard. When it does things, it usually has a good reason. Everyone has a right to disagree, but it's not that they're a bunch of crazy old white dudes who are stuck in the Middle Ages.

So, what's going on?

The Church teaches that love, marriage, sex, and procreation are all things that belong together. That's it. But it's pretty important. And though the Church has been teaching this for 2,000 years, it's probably never been as salient as today.

Today's injunctions against birth control were re-affirmed in a 1968 document by Pope Paul VI called Humanae Vitae. He warned of four results if the widespread use of contraceptives was accepted:
General lowering of moral standards
A rise in infidelity, and illegitimacy
The reduction of women to objects used to satisfy men.
Government coercion in reproductive matters.
Does that sound familiar?

Because it sure sounds like what's been happening for the past 40 years.

Continue at Business Insider

Wow, just a fantastic article from a business journal! A few other notes on the issue, EWTN and Priests for Life are pressing changes against the HHS. The head of the Southern Baptist Convention is supporting the Catholics and challenging his own congregation to be ready to go to jail over the mandate. LifeSiteNews posted the story and Drudge headlined it so their site is a bit bogged down at the moment. Mainstream media has provided a lot of misinformation on the issue, but how good to see the issue of contraception actually being discussed (although the ruling is more specifically an issue with the government to force any religious entity into any universal morally evil act).

Hopefully the HHS ruling doesn't distract from the fact that 2012 is a referendum on Obamacare itself. Repealing the HHS ruling should not be the focus; the focus should be repealing Obamacare in its entirety.

Photo

Sacred Liquors

2012-02-09T12:37:00.000-06:00

Sacred Heart, MN

Marquette theology professor Lauds HHS Mandate, Says Pope Supports Condoms in New York Times

2012-02-09T09:26:00.000-06:00

Daniel Maguire with Catholic Rainbow Parents co-founders
Tom and Darlene White. Source
A radical professor of theology at Marquette University (and former priest) wrote to the New York Times in support of the HHS mandate that forces Catholic colleges and institutions to pay for sterilization procedures and contraceptives including abortifacients.

And it gets worse from there. A lot worse.

Professor Daniel Maguire then outlandishly wrote in the Times that the American bishops who oppose the mandate are in conflict with Pope Benedict XVI who “ended the taboo on condoms.” He wrote:

An accurate look at Catholic teaching on contraception today shows strong support for the position that contraception is not only permissible but even mandatory in many cases.

The American bishops are at odds with other bishops in the Catholic world, with the vast majority of Catholic theologians and with 98 percent of the Catholic laity who have used contraceptives. They are even at odds with Pope Benedict XVI, who has approved the use of condoms “in the intention of reducing the risk of infection.” That concession logically ended the taboo on condoms since it said health care concerns can require the use of condoms.

This, of course, is a wild misreading of Pope Benedict XVI’s statements. In fact, The Vatican issued a clarification of the Pope’s remarks precisely because his words had been “repeatedly manipulated for ends and interests which are entirely foreign to the meaning of his words.” The Vatican clearly states that interpretations like the one Maguire is promulgating are “erroneous.”

One would expect a tenured theology professor to understand this. But this isn’t the first time Maguire has said outlandish things.

He is the author of eleven books, and one of his more recent ones is called Sacred Rights: The Case for Contraception and Abortion in World Religions.

there's a lot more at Cardinal Newman Society

Can the Milwaukee Archdiocese do anything about their anti-Catholic university? We know the Jesuits wont, in fact, I assume they agree with his statement.

Upcoming area men's conferences

2012-02-09T08:37:00.004-06:00

Madison - God Strong
Date: March 2-3
Location: Bishop O'Connor Center, Madison
Speakers: Doug Berry, Bishop Morlino
Details here

Milwaukee - Men of Christ
Date: March 3
Location: Milwaukee Theater, Milwaukee
Speakers: Dale Ahlquist, Steve Ray, Hector Molina, Mark Houck
Details here

Green Bay - Esto Vir
Date: March 10
Location: St. Pius X Parish, Appleton
Speakers: Fr. Larry Richards, Allen Keys, Fr. Rocky Hoffman
Details here

Minneapolis - Rise Up, Oh Men of God
Date: March 31
Location: Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul
Speakers: Matthew Kelly
Details here

Dubuque - Catholic Men's Fellowship
Date: March 31
Location: Xavier High School, Cedar Rapids
Speakers: Fr. Larry Richards
Details here

I went to Men of Christ last year in Milwaukee and I'm going again this year. The Milwaukee Theater is a great venue and the speaker lineup looks great yet again. The people who run this do a really good job. I'm hoping to come a day earlier, stop at Holy Hill, the Basilica, and maybe a few other stops if there is time. If anyone else is interested in carpooling from La Crosse, let me know. So far there are two of us. Maybe go down to the Safe House for a few drinks? Okay, maybe somewhere else then..

The other conferences do look good as well. Nice to see Minneapolis bring in Matthew Kelly this year. I'm not sure if I could make it up for that one as well, but I think it would be worth the trip.

I didn't make a list for the ladies. If you know of women's conferences, pass them on and I will post them.

Interview: What drives a retired firefighter, diagnosed with Stage Four brain cancer, to sidewalk counsel

2012-02-08T13:00:00.004-06:00

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:

This past Saturday, February 4, sidewalk counselors in Milwaukee had a save. This is only one of many saves of 2012, but each of these saves has its own story.

Photo, Mareza with baby Joseph, one of the saves of 2011.

I’m always touched by the reasons people have for sidewalk counseling and praying outside abortion mills. One of the sidewalk counselors, Joe, who was responsible for the save, has Stage Four brain cancer, but that doesn’t slow him down.

Here is what Joe has to say, in his own words:

I was diagnosed with brain cancer in November 2011, after having retired from the Milwaukee Fire Department in September after 31.5 years of service. Since then, I’ve been going through radiation and chemotherapy, and soon to come, a clinical trial at Rush Medical Center in Chicago. I’ve sidewalk counseled/prayed in front of the abortion mill on Farwell perhaps a few times a year for past 4-5 years, but have grown to a more committed presence during the 40 Days for Life campaigns.

I’ve always been pro-life, and saving mothers and babies is vital work. The sidewalk is the place for that work.

It is the last front line to try to turn a woman around.

I’ve been extraordinarily Blessed in my illness. I had surgery in November for tumor removal, and they were able to get all of it. These particular tumors recur however, but that is what the radiation and chemo is for, as well as the clinical trail in Chicago. I had no neurological deficits from the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, or any other negative effects, by the Grace of God.

It was always my intention that in retirement, I’d be able to give more time to volunteer oppor-tunities, especially the sidewalk. God wants me there, and I’ll be there as often as I can. And I’d like to encourage all to come down to the mill, witness the evil, and act/pray to end it. We speak to women with dignity and respect, we encourage, offer support, alternatives, and prayer. Each time there, it is an emotional, spiritual experience. I highly recommend it.

St. Josephine Bakhita, Incorrupt, ora pro nobis!

2012-02-08T11:54:00.000-06:00

I have given everything to my Master: He will take care of me… The best thing for us is not what we consider best, but what the Lord wants of us! - St. Josephine

Source

more at Te Deum(and incorrupt photo)

AOM: The Importance of Roughhousing With Your Kids

2012-02-08T10:05:00.000-06:00

Roughhousing. Horseplay. Wrastling. Whatever you call it, it’s one of the best things about being a dad. I love chasing my one-year-old son, Gus, around the house or pretending that the living room is a lucha libre ring and wrestling with him. No matter how stressed out I’m feeling, hearing one of his big, belly laughs erupt as I swing him around like a monkey makes all my cares go away.

Gus-Dad Throwdown
Unfortunately, in recent years, horseplay has gotten a bad rap. Parents, concerned about safety and preventing ADHD, limit the amount of rambunctious play their kids take part in. At least 40% of US school districts have eliminated or are considering eliminating recess, because teachers need more time to cram kids’ heads full of information for standardized tests, because they’re afraid of children getting hurt and the school being held liable, and even because play can apparently encourage violent behavior; according to a principal that banned recess at her elementary school in Cheyenne, a game of tag “progresses easily into slapping and hitting and pushing instead of just touching.”

But recent research has shown that roughhousing serves an evolutionary purpose and actually provides a myriad of benefits for our progeny. In their book The Art of Roughhousing, Anthony DeBenedet and Larry Cohen highlight a few of these benefits and the research behind them. Instead of teaching kids to be violent and impulsive, DeBenedet and Cohen boldly claim that roughhousing “makes kids smart, emotionally intelligent, lovable and likable, ethical, physically fit, and joyful.” In short, roughhousing makes your kid awesome.

Below, we highlight six benefits of roughhousing with your children. The next time your wife gets on to you for riling up the kids, you can tell her: “I’m helping our children develop into healthy, functioning adults, dear!”…right before performing a baby suplex on your daughter.

continue at Art of Manliness

Planned Parenthood ad runs in Madison thanking President for Catholic persecution

2012-02-08T08:37:00.001-06:00

Details at LifeSiteNews

HT KH

Letter: St. Peter didn't carry his sword for slicing bread at the dinner table

2012-02-07T16:00:00.003-06:00

Reading the Milwaukee Catholic Herald is always a bit of a...... trip. You never know what you're going to find -- a full-color interview with a prostitute actress or an article calling on Catholic GOP candidates to stop racial stereotypes, signed by a number of, ahhh, "noted" Catholics, such as Marquette professor Fr. Bryan Massingale.

And then every once in a while...

From the Jan. 5 edition of the Milw CH (not available online):

Bishop Baraga's Heroic Virtues Approved

2012-02-07T14:28:00.000-06:00

From Bishop Sample's Facebook page

The news we have all been waiting for these days. I spent the day taking care of business in Rome that was interrupted by the snow. I was having lunch with Cardinal Raymond Burke when the phone call came to me from our Postulator for Bishop Baraga's Cause. The Cardinals and Archbishops who are members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints met today and gave a POSITIVE vote on Bishop Baraga's heroic virtue! This means this will now go to the Holy Father who will declare his heroic virtue and give him the title "Venerable"! A HUGE step in the Cause for his beatification. Now if the miracle is approved, we could have a beatification before too long. Thank you for your prayers and sacrifices. It is customary in the Church to celebrate great news with a solemn "Te Deum". Enjoy the attached YouTube recording from Westminster Cathedral as we celebrate this wonderful news. May God be praised!

HT Caritas in Veritate

Image by Matthew Alderman

The biggest holiday of the year is only a week away!

2012-02-07T13:00:00.001-06:00

Don't forget, all, Valentine's Day is only a week away! Who else is looking forward to the endless declarations of looooooooooooooooooooove on FB?

Abp Listecki and the Beatles

2012-02-07T11:56:00.000-06:00

3. If you could choose three songs to listen to for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Thank God that that’s only a question that could be posed in a newspaper article, because I mean, I do like music and so to choose three songs is almost like impossible:

“Nessun Dorma,” but sung by Luciano Pavarotti. When Luciano sings that, your soul has to be totally dead not to feel the power and the impact of that.

In terms of a religious thing, “Panis Angelicus,” is really a great one.

If you’re talking about musicals, and you’re talking about music from musicals, I’d say one of the number of songs from “Les Mis,” which is my favorite musical.…If there was one it would probably be the song of the lead character at the end; it talks about fulfilling his plan or his mission on earth... It’s a great, great musical, because it’s all about salvation and redemption.

I like The Beatles. Don McLean’s “Vincent” – “Starry, Starry Night” – I love those. (Don McLean) had such a fantastic, one-shot deal in “Bye, Bye Miss American Pie,” that people forget what a really good songwriter he is. He’s a very good songwriter. I like some Dylan stuff, but if I have to listen to one over and over again, I want to be inspired.

read the whole "Take 5 with Abp. Listecki" at MilCathHerald

I've really enjoyed this piece over there. A while back they did a glowing write-up on a young actress from Milwaukee who made it to the big time playing a prostitute on Law and Order(or in the show, ahem, "Friends with Benefits"). I like the local connection, but the piece made it sound like she had to compromise herself to get a role in TV and film. I think that's probably a major difficulty for women who want to be taken seriously as actresses since women have been so objectified. Okay, I'm done. The Take 5 pieces are very good though.

GB Evangelical Pastor strongly supports Bishop Ricken's stance against HHS

2012-02-07T10:09:00.000-06:00

I’m deeply concerned. Concerned that a huge storm is coming in our country. Our economy is under siege through unbridled spending. Our way of life is under siege by radical extremists who use terror to justify their unholy war. And our basic religious freedoms are now under siege by our very own government. What, you say? Our government? Yes. More than economic stagnation or terrorist threats, recent actions by our own government anger me the most. Why? Because it cuts at our soul. We are one nation under God. Under God. It seems that our government doesn’t understand that. I am calling upon all of my friends and denominations of our vast and diverse American church to send a clear and powerful message. No more.

I applaud the recent actions of Green Bay Catholic Bishop David Ricken, who took a huge public stand against an outrageous new mandate by the US Department of Health & Human services. The ruling forces religious hospitals and organizations to provide sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs; services which violate religious freedoms. Read the Bishop’s letter here (PDF).

Silence shows complicity. We must stand against this law, which opens up a legal Pandora’s box if we allow government to dictate religious freedoms. Please, let our President and Congress know that this is unacceptable.

continue at Life Church

Drudge: Church vows war on Obama 'Fight in Streets'

2012-02-07T07:57:00.001-06:00

St. Paul Miki & Companions, ora pro nobis!

2012-02-06T13:30:00.004-06:00

source

Ratzinger is drinking a beer

2012-02-06T12:29:00.000-06:00

HT ED

La Crosse seminarian makes back cover of KCs national magazine

2012-02-06T11:51:00.001-06:00

Open publication - Free publishing

HT GM

Catholic identity making a comeback in Superior Diocese

2012-02-06T10:39:00.000-06:00

The first Traditional Latin Mass in Mellin, WI in over 40 years! About 30 people attended First Friday Mass.

Poll Alert: Should priests be able to change the words of Mass when they want to?

2012-02-06T08:18:00.000-06:00

Over at Fr. Z's place, he has the story of an Illinois priest who refused not just the new translation, but any translation which did not allow him to make up the prayers as he went along. Check out the whole story there.

Now the local newspaper is rallying around this wonderful rebel priest with a poll question to the readers:

Should a priest be allowed to change the words he says during Mass?

I'm not sure how often this paper runs polls to see if lawyers and judges should be able to change the words of the laws when they want to..... but anyway, GO VOTE. It looks like Fr. Z has made good progress here.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/03/2043611/after-priest-refuses-to-accept.html#storylink=cpy

If people do not stop offending God...

2012-02-04T14:44:00.000-06:00

.....He is going to punish the world for its crimes by means of war, of hunger, and of persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father - Our Lady at Fatima

Fanatic Fridays: Cake Edition

2012-02-03T14:27:00.001-06:00

This is Relient K's cover of a Cake classic "The Distance"

They don't call it Fanatic for nothin'

And yes I will listen to this on my way to Men of Christ in Milwaukee this March.

Madison Diocese already forced into covering contraception

2012-02-03T12:51:00.001-06:00

Mandates for birth-control coverage are not entirely new for religious groups. Twenty-eight states already require contraceptive coverage in prescription drug plans. Of those states, 17 offer a range of religious exemptions, while two others provide opt-outs of other kinds. However, opponents of the HHS regulation say there is no state mandate as broad as the new federal rule combined with a religious exemption that is so narrow.

Even in states where the requirement already exists, the issue is far from settled.

Wisconsin's 2009 contraception mandate did not include a religious exemption, but allowed an exception for employers who self-insure. While some dioceses in the state were able to self-insure, others couldn't afford to do so. The Diocese of Madison, Wis., ended up offering a policy with birth-control coverage, but asked employees to follow church teaching and not use the benefit. Local bishops continued to lobby state lawmakers for an exemption. But leaders knew a national health care overhaul was in development and hoped the federal law would be an improvement, said John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state's bishops.

AP

"hoped the federal law would be an improvement" - See NCRegister: Are The Bishops the Problem?

Bp. Morlino and then Bp. Listecki both publicly opposed the measure.

Extaordinary Form Candlemas in the UP

2012-02-03T11:06:00.003-06:00

continue at Caritas in Veritate

Green Bay food pantry declines Planned Parenthood donation, pro-abort bullying ensues

2012-02-03T10:30:00.000-06:00

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has been collecting food items at their PP locations; the food donations are theoretically being given to nearby food pantries. Have an abortion, donate a can of soup. Sounds like a deal.

One Green Bay food pantry — Paul’s Pantry — declined the Planned Parenthood donation because PPWI is an abortion provider. (And maybe they didn’t want IUD cookies or aborted fetus cookies? Just a thought.)

And because pro-aborts are always so shocked when a person exercises their free choice and disagrees with their world view, name calling and Jesus comparisons ensued:

The Daily Kos picked up the “news” and took it one step further, encouraging harrassment and intimidation (a far cry from pro-lifers’ attempts to be courteous when boycotting, hmmm):

This type of reaction is exactly what happened when Komen announced earlier this week that Planned Parenthood was no longer eligible for receiving grants from the organization. So much for civilized discourse. Pretty sure the fate of abortion doesn't hinge on a food pantry turning down PP's donation, but it does mean people are cognizant of what PP does -- kill babies.

THANK YOU to Paul’s Pantry for exercising CHOICE and refusing Planned Parenthood.

Abp. Listecki issues clarification on high numbers of claims

2012-02-03T09:11:00.000-06:00

After WTMJ reported that Abp. Listecki was "unfazed" (read: could care less about victims) by the number of accusations, he released a statement to the faithful to clarify what is going on.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A little over one year ago, the archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 financial reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. This brief letter is intended to give you some information regarding the progress we have made and assure you of our commitment to candid communication.

The archdiocese’s website, www.archmil.org, is continually updated with the latest news. I encourage you to visit the site if you want more information about the Chapter 11 process or more details about a story you may read or hear in the news media during the year. [slightly humorous, the link in the email did not work, and this letter is not on their website anywhere where I could find it]

We filed for Chapter 11 because we were unable to reach a mediated resolution with victims/survivors involved in lawsuits against the archdiocese. That, combined with a court decision that said insurance companies are not bound to contribute any money to a financial settlement, made it clear that reorganization was the best way to fairly and equitably fulfill our obligations.

Here are a couple of things to remember about what the Archdiocese of Milwaukee wants to accomplish through the Chapter 11 process.

The archdiocese wants to fairly compensate abuse survivors of diocesan priests with claims allowed by the bankruptcy court. [The archdiocese is not responsible for those crimes committed by say Jesuit priests, which I'm sure SNAP is claiming they should] At the same time, we want to ensure that the Church is able to carry on its essential ministries to meet the needs of parishes, parishioners and others who rely upon the Church for assistance. Chapter 11 reorganization is the best way to achieve these goals.

In all likelihood, more than 500 claims will be filed with the court. The claims notification process was purposely designed to solicit all possible claims. We have objected to some of these claims because, under the law, they fall outside of the parameters allowed by the bankruptcy court. As an organization, we have a responsibility to do the legal things necessary under the bankruptcy law to ensure that rightful claimants receive equitable compensation in the Chapter 11 proceeding.

For example, we don’t believe that someone who has already received a previous legal settlement should be eligible for additional compensation under the Chapter 11 process, or that the archdiocese should be responsible for perpetrators who were not priests or employees of the archdiocese.

Any instance of sexual abuse of a minor is a horrible crime and sin. We are committed to outreach and therapy for abuse survivors of our diocesan priests, regardless of whether or not their particular claim is eligible for consideration by the court in the Chapter 11 proceeding.

Because of that, I asked the court to allow the archdiocese to create a therapy fund that would provide resources for therapy and counseling assistance for abuse survivors of diocesan clergy abuse as long as such a need exists. This fund will be launched with an initial contribution of $300,000. The therapy fund will be “evergreen,” meaning that it will be established in a way that allows it to be replenished, so that payments for therapy will continue for as long as abuse victims come forward for such assistance. We are establishing it, not because we are required to, but because our faith calls us to do so. [Unlike, say, SNAPs motives]

The archdiocese has been forthcoming with information about the abuse scandal. The names of all known diocesan clergy with substantiated allegations are posted on the archdiocesan website, as are many documents and information related to abuse.

My prayer is that 2012 will bring us closer to a final resolution of the Chapter 11 process, with a just and equitable settlement for abuse survivors, and that the Church of southeastern Wisconsin will be renewed in its ministry and energized in its commitment to preach and live the Gospel.

With assurance of prayers and asking God’s blessing upon you and your loved ones, I am,

Sincerely yours in Christ

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

MJS: Catholic affairs journalist John Allen to speak in Milwaukee

2012-02-02T13:20:00.000-06:00

John Allen, left, shakes hands with Pope Benedict XVI.
Vatican journalist John L. Allen Jr., considered a preeminent authority on the global Roman Catholic Church, will speak on its future at 7:15 a.m. Feb. 29 at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. The breakfast lecture, sponsored by Cardinal Stritch University’s Saint Clare Center for Catholic Life, is the third in a four-part series on faith and work.

Allen has authored several books on the Catholic Church, his most recent, “A People of Hope,” an extended interview with soon-to-be cardinal and former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan. The upcoming lecture, “Are You Ready for the Challenges of the Roman Catholic Church in the 21st Century?” will draw from his 2009 title: “The Future Church: How Ten Trends are Revolutionizing the Catholic Church.”

Cost is $25 or $200 for a table of eight. Reservations can be made online at www.stritch.edu/faithandwork, or by calling 410-4340. The athletic club is at 758 N. Broadway.

MJS FaithWatch

Shawano Catholic School principal apologizes for benching student for speaking Menominee

2012-02-02T11:58:00.000-06:00

The principal at Sacred Heart Catholic School said he did not intend to discriminate against a seventh-grader when he kept her from playing in a basketball game after she apparently used the Menominee language in class.

Miranda Washinawatok, a seventh-grader at the school, said she was reprimanded by a teacher for exchanging phrases used by the Menominee Tribe of Indians with two other girls and later was suspended from a Jan. 19 basketball game.

The teacher "slammed her hands down on the desk and stated, 'You are not to speak like that. How do I know you're not saying something bad? How would you like it if I spoke in Polish and you didn't understand?'" said Miranda's mother, Tanaes Washinawatok. "I had Miranda re-enact what happened for me. I was literally in shock."

The family has met with school administrators three times about the incident, she said.

Sacred Heart School Principal Dan Minter said Wednesday he made the decision to bench Washinawatok before he was completely aware of what had happened."It was breakdown in communication," he said. "It was very unfortunate and I do apologize. I wasn't aware that the Menominee language was involved. We plan to host cultural events, and hope to put a positive spin on it. There are things to be learned and ways to grow."

GB Press

Fox6 is reporting that she said "I love you" in Menomine.

Madison Area Technical College (MATC) becomes first two-year college in the US to offer embryonic stem cell research program

2012-02-02T10:20:00.005-06:00

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:
Madison Area Technical College — aka MATC — has become the first two-year college in the nation to offer an embryonic stem cell research program. Press release here [PDF]. News story here.

Somewhat surprising, given that embryonic stem cell research giant Geron Corp. got out of the embryonic stem cell research business in November:

To understand how big a blow to the embryonic stem cell industry this was, you first must know it was Geron that funded the University of Wisconsin Madison’s original research back in 1995, which resulted in the first cultures of embryonic stem cells. It was Geron that started this whole mess.

Geron went on to comprise one-third of the triune that controlled which company or university got access to embryonic stem cell lines, along with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

In all, Geron invested 15 years and a whopping $150 million into embryonic stem cell research.

Interesting that a taxpayer-funded college picked up where a for-profit company left off… There is always work to be done with taxpayer funding, apparently.

Sacrificing people in the name of science has been and always will be gravely immoral. Whether it occurs at UW-Madison or MATC, directly or indirectly participating in embryo-destructive research is unethical and must be prohibited. As the state of Wisconsin nurtures the ever advancing bioscience industry, it must ensure that our publicly funded academic institutions adhere to the highest ethical standards.

The pro-life community is pro-stem cell research. We want to see research progress toward the treatment of debilitating diseases, but not by killing human beings in order to potentially save them. Ethical and effective adult stem cell research is a life-saving alternative that has experienced documented clinical success over a wide range of health conditions including breast cancer, stroke, and spinal cord injury. It is this life-affirming scientific technique that should be celebrated and funded.

Happy Candlemas!

2012-02-02T10:05:00.000-06:00

Source

Candlemas in the Ukraine

Virgin of the Candelaria

Occursus Domini

500-plus sex-abuse claims filed against Milwaukee archdiocese as deadline looms

2012-02-01T16:07:00.000-06:00

More than 500 people have filed sex abuse claims in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee bankruptcy in advance of today’s 4 p.m. deadline. It is the largest number of claims among the eight Catholic dioceses to seek bankruptcy protection since 2004 in response to sex abuse allegations, and on par with a Jesuit bankruptcy that covered five states.

Victims and their attorneys called the numbers staggering and just the tip of the iceberg, noting that statistically only a small percentage of sex abuse victims come forward.

Archdiocese spokesman Jerry Topczewski said the church had cast a wide net for victims in compliance with the court's instructions, and had no expectations regarding the numbers that would come in. He reiterated Archbishop Jerome Listecki’s assertion that it would seek to bar all claims it is not obligated to cover under bankruptcy law, regardless of whether the abuse occurred.

continue at MJS FaithWatch

Although staggering, MJS does support prosecution of dead priests(and was written with that intent). Pray for all those victims out there, and that the archdiocese owns up where it needs to. But remember when reading these reports; MJS wants to literally shut down the Church in Wisconsin, so take the report with a grain of salt.

Who's reading - January

2012-02-01T14:24:00.006-06:00

Rank	City	Visits	%New Visits
1	Madison	675	38.67%
2	La Crosse	596	10.07%
3	Milwaukee	564	44.86%
4	St Louis, MO	299	21.40%
5	Chicago, IL	296	61.15%
6	Winona, MN	203	23.15%
7	New York, NY	174	82.18%
8	Washington DC	162	40.74%
9	Elm Grove	147	44.22%
10	Grafton	125	26.40%
11	Appleton	120	47.50%
12	Wisconsin Rapids	120	14.17%
13	Minneapolis, MN	99	62.63%
14	Green Bay	99	62.63%
15	La Crescent, MN	84	9.52%

Believe it folks, Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Superior

2012-02-01T12:58:00.004-06:00

Bp Sample celebrating the EF in somewhat nearby Marquette

Mass is being celebrated in the Extraordinary Form at Most Holy Rosary Church on Main St in Mellen, Wisconsin (Diocese of Superior) at 6:30 pm this Friday evening(February 3rd). There will also be the traditional blessing of throats afterwards since it is St. Blaise day. Confessions will be heard from 5:30 to 6:15 and again following the blessing of throats for any desiring it.

Traditional Latin Masses will be offered on First Fridays of each month at 6:30 pm and will rotate locations:
Most Holy Rosary, Mellen WI
Most Precious Blood, Glidden WI
Saint Anne, Sanborn WI
Saint Anthony, Highbridge WI

Call the parish office at 715-274-3701 for details.

Adding this to The List. The List needs some updating I think. If you have any additions or corrections, please let me know.

UW Isthmus: Abortion is here to stay // BC: Powa' to da babies!

2012-02-01T11:43:00.001-06:00

Power to unborn people! Wisconsin Personhood!
Polls consistently show that the percentage of Americans opposed to abortion in all circumstances hovers around 20%. Similarly, about a fifth of the population believes abortion should always be legal. The group that really matters, however, is the 50% to 60% who believe abortion should be legal sometimes.

"Sometimes" means different things to different people. Some in the "sometimes" crowd believe abortion should be legal only in the early stages of pregnancy. Others believe it should be legal only in cases of rape, incest or if the mother's health is in danger.

No matter what the definition, "sometimes" is what will keep abortion legal in the U.S. It's what kept Mississippians — perhaps the most religious and socially conservative people in the nation — from embracing a recent law that would have banned all abortion and possibly some forms of birth control, such as the morning after pill. For better or worse, even Bible Belters prefer a society in which they can control the consequences of unprotected sex.

"Sometimes" is what keeps Wisconsin Right to Life, the largest anti-abortion group in the state, from supporting a Mississippi-style "personhood" amendment to the state constitution. In fact, according to the organization's website, preventing the drafting of such a law is one of the group's top priorities. It lists a variety of legally dubious excuses for the counterintuitive stance, including that such an amendment would invalidate the 19th-century statute — currently moot because of Roe v. Wade — that would make abortion illegal in Wisconsin if the Supreme Court ever overturned Roe.

Wisconsin Right to Life's position may seem hypocritical, but it is not surprising given the group's self-description as "Wisconsin's most effective pro-life organization." The slogan is meant to contrast it with its more principled (read: less effective) relative, Pro-Life Wisconsin, a Christian anti-abortion group. In addition to opposing virtually all forms of birth control and abortion in all circumstances, Pro-Life Wisconsin strongly supports a personhood amendment and dismisses as nonsense claims that the law would put other pro-life statutes in jeopardy.

While Wisconsin Right to Life's legal defense may be nonsense, its political intuition is probably correct. If you oppose abortion, the last thing you want to do is put such a policy to a vote. If Mississippians aren't ready to define "life at fertilization," Wisconsinites sure as hell aren't. [I would argue that passing a Marriage Amendment 60-40% is a pretty good sign. In fact, I would say the popular vote itself would be easier, although convincing country club GOPs to push is through with WRTL opposition is proving to be more difficult. And yet to be seen is if the bishops will passively oppose it like they did in Mississippi; note that some Catholic bishops are among some of Personhood's largest opponents. ]

Of course, some true believers are going to try anyway. Here, state Rep. Andre Jacque, a freshman legislator (of course) from Green Bay, slightly altered the language of the Mississippi initiative and has tried to interest colleagues. He gained six co-sponsors, which amounts to a tenth of the Assembly GOP caucus. Besides naiveté, I can't imagine what motivated any of his colleagues to sign, except perhaps gambling debts.

Isthmus

Do you have a GOP in the Assembly? Kick em in the butt! Personhood baby!

Right to Life versus Pro-Life? Ouch, not the kind of endorsement WRTL was looking for. I know many of you WRTL supporters also support Personhood. Please keep this effort in your prayers and help get this pushed through the Assembly.

St. Brigid of Kildare, ora pro nobis!

2012-02-01T10:12:00.007-06:00

St. Bride- John Duncan

HT: The Lion and the Cardinal

St. Brigid describing heaven:

I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us. I would like an abundance of peace. I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside over all. I would like Jesus to be present. I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us. I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts. I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord; that I should suffer distress, that he would bestow a good blessing upon me. I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings. I would like to be watching Heaven’s family drinking it through all eternity.

Deacon's Bench: Worth a thousand words

2012-02-01T07:34:00.000-06:00

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan prays the rosary on steps of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. He’s on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this week.

Deacon's Bench

When a Wisconsin public school handle controversy with class

2012-01-31T13:04:00.001-06:00

A couple weeks ago, my Effective Speech class was given the assignment of delivering a persuasive speech. The objective of this speech was to persuade someone to change their look on subject or to make them see two sides to a story. Some chose to give speeches on why school year round is bad, or why one sports team is simply better than another.

Surprisingly some students chose controversial topics to speak about such as stances on pro-abortion and gay marriage. Because of this I decided to also speak on a controversial topic, wanting to show my insight and my stance on these topics. My initial intention was to speak out against abortion, but when someone else chose that topic, I decided to choose another.

The topic I chose to speak about was Anti-Gay Marriage. This was a something that many Christians have fought against ever since five of our fifty states passed laws that allowed two persons of the same-sex to get married. I felt that I should speak out about my stance on it because many of my classmates are in favor of gay marriage. I feel that as Christians and as Catholics in particular, we should be able to teach others about our faith not just by our words but also by our actions. Please feel free to read my speech below

continue at Writings of a Boy....

This young man is also discerning a call to the priesthood. Deo gratias!

A comment from Anne @ Discerning

Maybe you'll be inspired by this speech my son gave at his public high school last month. One student swore at him and he was sent to the principal's office. The rest of the class gave him a standing ovation and the girl who was debating him told him that if they were in a real debate she would surely lose. He received an A+ on the speech.

The main point here is that there are always two sides to an issue and when you have immature faculty or administration, you train students to be the same way. Maturity is required to hear both sides of an argument and come to a reasonable conclusion(without kicking and screaming on the floor). The Shawano episode is a prime example of how in bad schools the state no longer teach students how to think, it just dictates their own creed to young minds. Debate is nothing new, but the immaturity of faculty to be big boys and girls - maintain a respectful and fair venue - and handle it like adults, is an embarrassment to public education. So it is important to remember that not all public school systems have this problem; many allow for fair debate on controversial issues(and don't punish students they disagree with).

St. John Bosco, ora pro nobis!

2012-01-31T12:31:00.000-06:00

In the midst of this endless sea, two solid columns, a short distance apart, soar high into the sky. One is surmounted by a statue of the Immaculate Virgin, at whose feet a large inscription reads Auxilium Christianorum (Help of Christians). The other, far loftier and sturdier, supports a Host of proportionate size, and bears beneath it the inscription Salus credentium (Salvation of believers).

The flagship commander -- the Roman Pontiff -- standing at the helm, strains every muscle to steer his ship between the two columns, from whose summits hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains. The entire enemy fleet closes in to intercept and sink the flagship at all costs. They bombard it with everything they have: books and pamphlets, incendiary bombs, firearms, cannons. The battle rages ever more furious. Beaked prows ram the flagship again and again, but to no avail, as unscathed and undaunted, it keeps on its course. At times, a formidable ram splinters a gaping hole in its hull, but immediately, a breeze from the two columns instantly seals the gash.

Meanwhile, enemy cannons blow up; firearms and beaks fall to pieces; ships crack up and sink to the bottom. In blind fury, the enemy takes to hand-to-hand combat, cursing and blaspheming. Suddenly the Pope falls, seriously wounded. He is instantly helped up, but struck a second time, dies. A shout of victory rises from the enemy, and wild rejoicing sweeps their ships. But no sooner is the Pope dead than another takes his place. The captains of the auxiliary ships elected him so quickly that the news of the Pope's death coincides with that of his successor's election. The enemy's self-assurance wanes.

Breaking through all resistance, the new Pope steers his ship safely between the two columns; first, to the one surmounted by the Host, and then the other, topped by the statue of the Virgin. At this point, something unexpected happens. The enemy ships panic and disperse, colliding with and scuttling each other.

Some auxiliary ships, which had gallantly fought alongside their flagship, are the first to tie up at the two columns. Many others, which had fearfully kept far away from the fight, stand still, cautiously waiting until; the wrecked enemy ships vanish under the waves. Then they too head for the two columns, tie up at the swinging hooks and ride safe and tranquil beside their flagship. A great calm now covers the sea.

(Source: The Catholic Dispatch. Found at: Prophecy of St. John Bosco.)

Catholic Garden

And a Wisconsin connection

Confirmed: All Wisconsin bishops have spoken out on HHS persecution

2012-01-31T10:49:00.000-06:00

Well I checked and it looks like AmP has his list updated with all the Sconnies as well.

Archbishop Listecki of Milwaukee,
Bishop Ricken of Green Bay (Bishop Ricken read his letter to the faithful at Mass, receiving a standing ovation.)
Bishop Morlino of Madison
Bishop Callahan of La Crosse
Bishop Christenson of Superior

It is my understanding that all of the bishops required the letter read at each parish last Sunday.

Photo

The Roe effect manifested

2012-01-31T09:00:00.004-06:00

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:
A picture is worth a thousand words... first we have this photo courtesy of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin's Facebook page. It is a photo of a celebration of Roe v. Wade that PPWI held in Madison:

Notice the audience... old white-haired women who look rather sad, actually.

There is a theory called the Roe Effect. Put simply, this theory holds that:

Those who favor legal abortion are much more likely to get one than those who oppose it.
Children usually follow their parents' political leanings.
Therefore, pro-choice parents will have more abortions and, hence, fewer children.
Therefore, the pro-choice population gradually shrinks in proportion to the pro-life population.
Therefore, support for legal abortions will decline over time.

In comparison to the throngs of young, vibrant, enthusiastic pro-lifers who crowded the streets of Washington, D.C. for the March for Life. See also our related post on "about" 65 people attending a PPWI event in Milwaukee.

Ithaca, NY wants to recall Gov. Walker

2012-01-31T07:37:00.000-06:00

Vicki McKenna

Shawano Wis HS Superintendent chastises student for supporting natural mother-father adoption

2012-01-30T15:07:00.000-06:00

School officials at Shawano High School in Wisconsin have censored and punished Brandon Wegner, a 15-year-old, for writing an op-ed article explaining the Biblical view of homosexuality and supporting natural mother-father adoption, according to Liberty Counsel.

After Brandon wrote this article [PDF] he was pulled into hours of meetings with school administrators and staff, without his parents’ knowledge.

Superintendent Todd Carlson told him that the column “went against the bullying policy,” and asked him if he “regretted” writing it. According to Liberty Counsel, when Mr. Wegner stated that he did not regret writing it, and that he stood behind his beliefs, Superintendent Carlson told him that he had “to be one of the most ignorant kids to try to argue with him about this topic,” that “we have the power to suspend you if we want to” and that the column had “personally offended me, so I know you offended other people!”

Brandon’s opinion was a part of an editorial page which presented viewpoints both for and against homosexual adoption, each articulated by a student. After the school newspaper was published in the local town paper, a homosexual in the community complained to the school. School officials then censored Brandon’s article, forcing him and his classmates to pull the page out of the newspaper before distribution at the school.

Moonbattery

Wisconsin Bishops and the HHS persecution - we've been here before

2012-01-30T13:08:00.000-06:00

Catholic Vote has the list of bishops who are publicly opposing the HHS mandate to force Catholic institutions to distribute contraception and abortion pills. Archbishop Listecki of Milwaukee, Bishop Ricken of Green Bay and Bishop Morlino of Madison have spoken out against this HHS persecution.

Bishop Ricken read his letter to the faithful at Mass yesterday, receiving a standing ovation.

I was at Mass on Sunday and the priest did read this letter from Bishop Callahan, but I'm not sure if it was mandated that priest read it or not. Also I wasn't at the Cathedral so I don't know if he address the issue in person. Maybe someone who was there could chime in.

The Superior Catholic Herald did have coverage of the March for Life but nothing on this latest development.

So with all that said (not that I want to jinx such an excellent first response from the bishops) but this has already happened in Wisconsin.

In 2007, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference was neutral on a bill, now Wisconsin law, that forced ALL hospitals in the state to dispense emergency contraception to rape victims. During testimony about the bill, Kim Wades of the WCC said many Catholic hospitals are already dispensing the abortifacient drug, so the proposed law wouldn’t change much. Wisconsin Right to Life was neutral on the bill as well. Bishops Morlino and Listecki broke with the WCC to oppose the emergency contraception mandate.

In addition, we know that Wisconsin Catholic Hospitals already make millions of dollars prescribing contraception and abortion inducing drugs.

So not to go all negative, but shouldn't we have an equally strong response to our own Catholic institutions within the state?? Was the 2007 decision to remain neutral the wrong decision? I think it was, but are we really going to do something about this problem or just wave pom-poms for the people? The Obama administration already knows that bishops do not enforce Catholic teachings in their own institutions within their dioceses. Isn't his mandate just a formality?

Photo

Bp. Ricken gets standing ovation for standing up to HHS, Planned Parenthood

2012-01-30T10:07:00.000-06:00

Catholics across the country are taking a stand against a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate.

The Catholic Church says it's a violation of its religious beliefs to offer coverage of contraceptives and other reproductive health services.

After communion at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay Sunday, Bishop David Ricken addressed the faithful about what he says is an affront to the First Amendment rights of Catholics. [Bishop Ricken took the time to address the issue personally, not just a strongly worded statement.]

"It's a joint effort in solidarity with all the churches in the U.S.A. to bring awareness to the health and human services decision," said Ricken.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said starting next year all employers, even religious organizations, which provide health plans to their employees would be required to include preventative reproductive health services. [Including abortion pills]

It's a decision Planned Parenthood has championed.

"They employ a lot of men and women who don't necessarily practice the Catholic faith. So it seems unfair to penalize a woman who works for an employer whose faith she doesn't practice to get basic fair health insurance," said Nicole Safar, Director of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Wisconsin. [It's called the First Amendment, read it sometime, what is this China?? (oh yeah, she probably agrees with their one child policy as well)]

The bishop says while he realizes that many Catholics out in the world may take advantage of those services, he says the Catholic church shouldn't be footing the bill.

"If we pay for those services for people who work for us, we are in effect saying don't do it, but then giving the money to pay for it," said Ricken.

The bishop's statement gained him a standing ovation in church.

"I wholeheartedly agree with what he said. I don't believe that we should have to provide abortifacients and contraceptives and abortions for people," said Carlene Martens.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin says Catholic bishops are simply preaching to the choir.

“They are in the very small minority[and by her lunatic logic, clearly minorities should be ignored and persecuted] who believe this is a bad policy, and the majority of men and women think they should have access to birth control through their health coverage,” said Safar.

Some Catholics in church on Sunday say their voting power is roughly 70 million strong across the nation, and they're not afraid to let their voices be heard in an election year.

You can read the letter by Bishop Ricken in its entirety.

On Jan. 11, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision in which it sided with an Evangelical Lutheran school which had brought suit against the EEOC in regards to this health care coverage decision.

Fox 11

Hasn't this issue come up in Wisconsin before.......... hmmmmmm....

Is it wrong to already be looking ahead to Lent?

2012-01-30T07:59:00.000-06:00

Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales

2012-01-29T10:00:00.001-06:00

Photo: Raymond Cardinal Burke meditates before the relic of the heart of St. Francis de Sales, during the Institute pilgrimage to Treviso, Italy, on January 29, 2011.

Today, January 29, is the feast day of St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis is one of the patron saints of the Institute of Christ the King.

The ICKSP has done great things in Milwaukee at St. Stanislaus Church, my parish. (And in parishes across the world, as well.)

Pray to the angels of the people with whom you live, and especially to your own, who present your petitions to God. - St. Francis de Sales h/t ICKSP on Facebook

Bp Jenky of Peoria, Ill. instates St. Michael Prayer in response to HHS persecution

2012-01-27T13:53:00.001-06:00

Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria, Ill. has asked parishes, schools, hospitals and religious houses to insert the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel into the intercessions at Sunday Mass to pray for Catholics’ freedom.

The move comes in response to a new federal requirement that will force many Catholic organizations to provide insurance coverage for sterilizations and contraceptives.

“It is God’s invincible Archangel who commands the heavenly host, and it is the enemies of God who will ultimately be defeated,” the bishop said in a Jan. 24 letter to the Catholics of his diocese.

The prayer should take place in the general intercessions before the concluding prayer, Bishop Jenky said. He asked that the intention of the prayer be announced as “for the freedom of the Catholic Church in America.”

The St. Michael prayer was authored by Pope Leo XIII, and was once commonly said in U.S. Catholic parishes as part of a petition for the freedom of Soviet Russia.

He said it is his duty to summon the local Church into “spiritual and temporal combat in defense of Catholic Christianity.”

“If these regulations are put into effect, they could close down every Catholic school, hospital and the other public ministries of our Church, which is perhaps their underlying intention,” Bishop Jenky said. “What is perfectly clear is that this is a bigoted and blanket attack on the First Amendment rights of every Catholic believer.”

“Living Our Faith with Archbishop Listecki” Returns Feb. 4 at Old St. Mary's

2012-01-27T13:14:00.000-06:00

"Living Our Faith with Archbishop Listecki" returns Saturday, February 4, 2012 at noon. Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and presented by Catholic Financial Life, this 30-minute program will air on WISN TV, Channel 12.

Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki will host the show with Bob Dolan. New this year, each program will be taped on location at a different site throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Also new this year is a faith and culture segment where the archbishop will share his thoughts on things like sports, movies, television and more. Each episode will include a closing reflection given by Archbishop Listecki.

Taped on location at Old St. Mary, Milwaukee, where the most Catholic marriage ceremonies took place during 2010-2011, the Feb. 4th episode will look at the topic of marriage – how the Catholic Church defines it, and national and local Catholic initiatives that support marriage.

Arch Mil

Scott Hahn on the mend and back to work

2012-01-27T12:15:00.000-06:00

Got this email forwarded to me but can't find it online anywhere. It is an update from Scott Hahn.

"The mercy of God and the fruit of many prayers... Finished up my 2nd class still standing. Ok, so I did go 5 minutes over, what can I say, it was on the Eucharist in the NT. (For some, teaching is a job, for others a high calling, for me it's also a legal drug.) AMDG"

Haha, we get all the best converts.

MN Atheists copy Pro-Life Advertising campaigns

2012-01-27T11:40:00.000-06:00

details at Pioneer Press

HT Ray @ Stella

Former GB Bishop Zubik(Pittsburg) on Obama to Catholic Church: “To Hell with You.”

2012-01-27T09:58:00.000-06:00

Kathleen Sebelius and through her, the Obama administration, have said “To Hell with You” to the Catholic faithful of the United States.

To Hell with your religious beliefs,
To Hell with your religious liberty,
To Hell with your freedom of conscience.

We’ll give you a year, they are saying, and then you have to knuckle under. As Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops responded, “in effect, the president is saying that we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.”

continue at Diocese of Pittsburg

The bishops are really stepping up! It was very odd when the Wisconsin Catholic Conference was neutral when the state did the same thing to Wisconsin Catholics.

HT Fr Z, Stella

Photo

Judge throws out abuse case against Diocese of La Crosse

2012-01-27T07:55:00.000-06:00

A La Crosse County judge has dismissed fraud charges brought against the Diocese of La Crosse that accused them of covering up a priest who allegedly had a history of child abuse.

In a civil case that began in 2008, Brenda Varga said she was assaulted by Father Raymond Bornbach in 1971, and that the Diocese knew Bornbach had a history of abuse, but did nothing about it.

Bornbach was removed from the ministry in 2004, and died in 2006.

Judge Scott Horne dismissed two counts of fraud, saying there was no evidence of a prior sexual assault.

In a statement, Diocese attorney James Birnbaum says "We are grateful that the court ruled what we have maintained from the start: that the Diocese of La Crosse engaged in no fraud toward Brenda Varga in her 41-year-old claims against the Diocese."

"We wish, however, to affirm that child sexual abuse is a despicable crime no matter where it occurs," the statement continues. "The protection and safety of children remains our highest priority."

video at news8000 ....

Hmm, I see Channel 8 in La Crosse has a new website. Nicer on the eyes, but has the same limitations of cookie cutter approaches.

Bishop Ricken approves new association for diocesan priests

2012-01-26T11:49:00.002-06:00

St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, GB
The goal of the new association is to dispel the "euthanasia mentality" in modern society, which has led to a devaluation of the lives of those who are sick and/or aged.

Association members also make simple promises beyond those of their ordinations. These include:

• praying the Divine Office each day;
• receiving regular spiritual direction;
• receiving the sacrament of reconciliation regularly;
• preparing homilies using scriptural meditation, such as the lectio divina;
• offering a daily eucharistic holy hour of prayer;
• recitation of the mysteries of the rosary daily;
• and an annual retreat with the other members of the association.

Association members will also wear a Marian scapular and consecrate themselves to Mary.

The association is open to any priest with the approval of Bishop Ricken.

details at The Compass

I know, I know, you are thinking that priests should be doing all these thing anyway, but these priestly associations are a fantastic idea. Getting good priest in one spot growing together can only lead to good things.

Update: also a recent article by Bp. Ricken on the priesthood shortage.

Reedsburg WI CCD teacher during class: "Governor Walker's move was to keep blacks, Hispanics, the elderly from voting"

2012-01-26T08:42:00.005-06:00

I have received an undercover audio recording of a Catholic religion instructor in Reedsburg, WI talking to his students about "social justice" during CCD, or religion class. Remember, these classes are required to receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the Church. It cuts in where it appears he's discussing the new voter id law. I tried to quick transcribe it, but if you notice anything that doesn't match the audio, let me know.

Update 1/26 - 9:21AM: The instructor is Jim Wieczorek, who is apparently on the school board.

Instructor: Do all of your parents have a drivers license? Okay, so they don't look like your parents. Who do these people look like? 40 percent of black people, African Americans, 40 percent of African Americans from the age of 18 to 24 who are voting eligible have no ID. They don't have a drivers license. You look at Milwaukee and you don't need a drivers license. You 'ave public transportation. Where would you keep your car? On the street? Oh, haha, yeah. For a short time. So they don't get drivers licenses when they turn 16 or 18. So, Governor Walker's move was to keep blacks from voting, to keep Hispanics from voting and to keep the elderly from voting. That's a social injustice. So you are right Drew, when you talk about Governor Walker.

Instructor: What are some other social injustices that we are aware of?

<student speaking>

Instructor: He does not want them to vote. How do they vote? Generally speaking, ya' got a Democrat party and a Republican party. Blacks, Hispanics, and elderly people; how do they vote?

<student speaking>

Instructor: Democratic. They vote Democratic! They are poor people! Of course they would vote Democratic! So if he(Walker) can eliminate 300,000 people from voting in the democratic election - super! You see, he(Walker) passed a law, Michigan governor - Republicans passed a law, Ohio, Ohio passed a law like that. Florida passed a law like that.

Instructor: Social injustice, what are some other examples of social injustice?

<student speaking>

Instructor: That's criminal injustice. That's not a social thing. Half of the world is not, whatever her name is .......

<student speaking>

Instructor: We gotta look at the whole world. What's social injustice in the whole world? Creating a war against a smoldered nation, where we kill 100,000 of their people. Passing laws that discriminate against blacks and Hispanics and the poor. Taking all the money in the world and .... oh, here, I gotta tell you this one.

Instructor: What percentage of your parents income do you think they pay in taxes? Roughly? Alright an estimate, okay. Not... I don't want specifics. You don't ..... But, statistics show that middle income people, what most of your parents are, middle to lower, what percentage of their income, their wages, do they pay in taxes? Where did you guess? Johnny.

Johnny: 45.

Instructor: Okay, that's a good guess, yes.

<student speaking>

Instructor: 15? 15 is a good number. Yes?

<student speaking>

Instructor: Yes, 10 percent? Drew?

Drew: 50?

Instructor: 50 percent? Half of the money they made goes to taxes? 'kay. Yes....30 .....17 ... ..... yes, after you guess all the number eventually we're gonna get em right?

Instructor: About 30 to 35 percent of the money they make, that your parents make, goes for taxes. 30 to 35 percent! Nobody likes to pay taxes. But it's really hard when someone that has $300,000,000 in their pockets and pays less than your parents do. ... 15 percent. Romney, running for the Republican presidential nomination.... 15 percent or less. 15%! Your parents are paying twice that! He pays less taxes than his secretary does.

<student speaking>

Instructor: Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.

<student speaking>

Instructor: That's an interesting point that you bring up there. Because you are absolutely right! We have nothing. Everything we own is really God's, isn't it? Your property is God's, this whole world is God's, your(belong to) God's. He can do what he wants with ya.

If you ever wonder why half of Catholic consistently vote pro-abortion politicians in, here's why. There's some valid discussion that could go on here, but claiming that Governor Walker intends to disenfranchise 300,000 people by passing this law is ludicrous. He is passing this law to help ensure fair and legal elections. Naysayers have provided no alternatives. But all of this is really beyond the point. The teacher lies about the Governor to help promote his political party and philosophy in the name of Catholic doctrine. And guess what; it happens everywhere. And I'll give you one guess how much time he spends talking about abortion and sexuality.

No Eau Claire Catholic schools to close

2012-01-26T08:16:00.000-06:00

All Regis Catholic Schools will remain open. That announcement came from the Diocese of La Crosse Wednesday afternoon.

In 2010 the school system proposed closing either St. Mary School in Altoona or St. James School in Eau Claire to save money. Bishop Callahan was reluctant to close a grade school without taking a closer look at the entire school system, so a commission was created. That commission sent three recommendations to the bishop. Bishop Callahan selected the first option, the only one that did not recommend closing a school.

The Regis Catholic School System will operate as is during the 2012 and 2013 school year. The following year will begin a reorganization aimed at saving money.

Some of the more notable changes include moving sixth grade classes from Regis Middle School to Immaculate Conception School. Classes in the elementary schools will also be restructured. The Regis Central Offices will move to currently empty facilities at St. Olaf Parish to save on rental costs.

Overall, the changes will require approximately six fewer teaching positions and are expected to save $250,000 dollars annually. If the diocese would have gone forward with plans to close an elementary school they had expected to save $300,000 dollars.

press release at WQOW18

Taking trophies home

2012-01-25T15:01:00.000-06:00

LOTH sometimes is too awesome not to share. This reminds me of St. Francis too.

From a homily by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop
(Hom. 2 de laudibus sancti Pauli: PG 50 477-480)

For love of Christ, Paul bore every burden.

Paul, more than anyone else, has shown us what man really is, and in what our nobility consists, and of what virtue this particular animal is capable. Each day he aimed ever higher; each day he rose up with greater ardor and faced with new eagerness the dangers that threatened him. He summed up his attitude in the words: I forget what is behind me and push on to what lies ahead. When he saw death imminent, he bade others share his joy: Rejoice and be glad with me! And when danger, injustice and abuse threatened, he said: I am content with weakness, mistreatment and persecution. These he called the weapons of righteousness, thus telling us that he derived immense profit from them.

Thus, amid the traps set for him by his enemies, with exultant heart he turned their every attack into a victory for himself; constantly beaten, abused and cursed, he boasted of it as though he were celebrating a triumphal procession and taking trophies home, and offered thanks to God for it all: Thanks be to God who is always victorious in us! This is why he was far more eager for the shameful abuse that his zeal in preaching brought upon him than we are for the most pleasing honors, more eager for death than we are for life, for poverty than we are for wealth; he yearned for toil far more than others yearn for rest after toil. The one thing he feared, indeed dreaded, was to offend God; nothing else could sway him. Therefore, the only thing he really wanted was always to please God.

The most important thing of all to him, however, was that he knew himself to be loved by Christ. Enjoying this love, he considered himself happier than anyone else; were he without it, it would be no satisfaction to be the friend of principalities and powers. He preferred to be thus loved and be the least of all, or even to be among the damned, than to be without that love and be among the great and honored.

To be separated from that love was, in his eyes, the greatest and most extraordinary of torments; the pain of that loss would alone have been hell, and endless, unbearable torture.

So too, in being loved by Christ he thought of himself as possessing life, the world, the angels, present and future, the kingdom, the promise and countless blessings. Apart from that love nothing saddened or delighted him; for nothing earthly did he regard as bitter or sweet.

Paul set no store by the things that fill our visible world, any more than a man sets value on the withered grass of the field. As for tyrannical rulers or the people enraged against him, he paid them no more heed than gnats. Death itself and pain and whatever torments might come were but child’s play to him, provided that thereby he might bear some burden for the sake of Christ.

iBreviary - get the app

Abp. Dolan in Wall St. Journal: How about some respect for Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease?

2012-01-25T11:46:00.000-06:00

Religious freedom is the lifeblood of the American people, the cornerstone of American government. When the Founding Fathers determined that the innate rights of men and women should be enshrined in our Constitution, they so esteemed religious liberty that they made it the first freedom in the Bill of Rights.

In particular, the Founding Fathers fiercely defended the right of conscience. George Washington himself declared: "The conscientious scruples of all men should be treated with great delicacy and tenderness; and it is my wish and desire, that the laws may always be extensively accommodated to them." James Madison, a key defender of religious freedom and author of the First Amendment, said: "Conscience is the most sacred of all property."

Scarcely two weeks ago, in its Hosanna-Tabor decision upholding the right of churches to make ministerial hiring decisions, the Supreme Court unanimously and enthusiastically reaffirmed these longstanding and foundational principles of religious freedom. The court made clear that they include the right of religious institutions to control their internal affairs.

Yet the Obama administration has veered in the opposite direction.

continue at WSJ

March for Life Wrap-Up Report

2012-01-25T11:38:00.004-06:00

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:

Thank you to everyone who joined us in DC, along with those who prayed for an end to abortion in their home towns. Every year, the March for Life gets bigger and bigger. And Wisconsin continues to be well-represented!

Close to 20 buses from around Wisconsin traveled to Washington, DC for the March. Many carloads of people drove separately, and dozens of individuals and groups of students from several Wisconsin colleges and high schools flew out. Bishop Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay attended the March with the Diocese’s group.

Read an article about the Vigil for Life Mass, held the night before the March, here.

After the rally, Rep. Sean Duffy held a pro-life reception for people from Wisconsin at his Capitol Hill office. Hundreds of people turned out to visit Duffy’s office. Other than Rep. Duffy, speakers at the reception included Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, Sen. Ron Johnson, Rep. Reid Ribble, Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Paul Ryan, Raymond Arroyo of EWTN and National Review columnist Kathryn Jean Lopez.

To get an idea of just how big the March is, watch a minute-long time lapse video of last year’s March for Life here.

View the rest of our photos here.

Marquette's "On the Issues" to feature Tommy Thompson Feb 2nd

2012-01-25T10:15:00.000-06:00

He was elected Governor of Wisconsin an unprecedented four times. He was Health and Human Services Secretary in the administration of President George W. Bush. Now, after a stint in the private sector, Tommy Thompson is running for public office again. What’s driving his decision, and what does he think about the current political climate in Washington and Wisconsin? Find out when the former Governor and current candidate joins us at the Law School. Marquette Law School, Eckstein Hall, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

Marquette Law

Thompson plans to run for US Senate in 2012.

HT Marquette Warrior

Prince Fielder heads back to where it all started

2012-01-25T07:53:00.000-06:00

via MJS:

Though Fielder remains estranged from his father, Cecil, he will be following in his footsteps by going to the Tigers. As a young teenager, Prince used to sock HRs in batting practice at Tiger Stadium, serving notice of what would come years later when he got to the big leagues.

JRR Tolkien manuscripts located at Marquette University

2012-01-24T13:08:00.000-06:00

The collection of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973), professor of Old and Middle English language and literature at Oxford University, 1925-1959, contains the original manuscripts and multiple working drafts for three of the author's most celebrated books, The Hobbit (1937), Farmer Giles of Ham (1949), and The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955), as well as the original copy of the children's book Mr. Bliss (published in facsimile form in 1982). The collection includes books by and about Tolkien, periodicals produced by Tolkien enthusiasts, audio and video recordings, and a host of published and unpublished materials relating to Tolkien's life and fantasy writings.

Tolkien manuscripts reside at Marquette because of the vision of William B. Ready (1914-1981), director of libraries from 1956 to 1963. Ready was appointed with the understanding that he would aggressively collect material for the newly-constructed Memorial Library. He recognized The Lord of the Rings as a masterpiece soon after its publication, long before the work and its author gained enormous popularity. With administrative approval, Ready approached Tolkien in 1956 through Bertram Rota, a well-known rare book dealer in London. At the time, no other institution had expressed an interest in Tolkien's literary manuscripts. After a relatively brief period of negotiation, an agreement was reached whereby Marquette purchased the manuscripts for 1,500 pounds (or less than $5,000). The first shipment of material arrived in 1957; The Lord of the Rings manuscripts arrived the next year. Tolkien accepted offers to visit and speak at Marquette in both 1957 and 1959, but on each occasion he canceled the anticipated visit due to family concerns. Tolkien's personal and academic papers, as well as his other literary manuscripts (e.g. The Silmarillion and Leaf by Niggle), are at the Bodleian Library of Oxford University.

details at Marquette University

How did Marquette end up the outhouse it is today? It seemed to be thriving at least at some point in time, with the Joan of Arc chapel to the Mother Teresa visit - was there a specific event that lead to to her demise?

This is just amazing though. I have actually had a few people ask me if I am writing a book on Catholicism in Wisconsin. Finds like these make me think I should take the plunge.

Photo

St. Francis de Sales, ora pro nobis!

2012-01-24T12:20:00.000-06:00

Source

Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs.
- Saint Francis de Sales

Milwaukee youth rally features pro-life speakers

2012-01-24T11:18:00.001-06:00

To recap yesterday, we attended the energetic youth rally IGNITE in Milwaukee with Archbishop Listecki. We participated in Mass and then had some time of Eucharistic Adoration with a few speakers giving inspiring talks before adoration started. Vicki Thorn gave a stunning testimony that helped encourage the youth to be active in the Pro-Life cause. She reaffirmed that this generation of youth is the most Pro-Life generation since Roe v. Wade. There were over 300 hundred youth from across Wisconsin in attendance. The Diocese of La Crosse had the largest representation of young people. Here are a few pictures of the events:

more at Sts Peter & Paul

Marquette Univ. paper: "GOP-controlled sex bad for men and women alike"

2012-01-24T09:49:00.000-06:00

Bridget Gamble

On Jan. 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the list of constitutional rights to include the right to have an abortion. [interesting admission]

Thirty nine years later, every Republican presidential candidate is working to reverse the outcome of Roe v. Wade.

Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul have all signed a Personhood USA pledge declaring that life begins at conception and, therefore, that abortion is wrong even in cases of rape or incest. Each candidate’s economic platform proposes to eliminate Title X family planning programs, like Planned Parenthood.

Furthermore, if elected, these men would block federal FDA approval for almost any new contraceptive, terminate insurance coverage for existing contraception and appoint Supreme Court justices who support the overturning of Roe v. Wade, among other things.

This year, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed several consequential bills restricting reproductive rights. If America’s next president is a Republican, these bills will likely become laws.

State legislatures are also taking action against reproductive rights, but they are doing so at a much more rapid pace.

According to Kate Sheppard, political staff reporter for Mother Jones’ Washington bureau, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is close to unraveling the state’s progressive and comprehensive sex education program, the Healthy Youth Act, which teaches students “‘the health benefits, side effects and proper use of contraceptives and barrier methods’ in discussion of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.” In place of the Healthy Youth Act, Walker hopes to institute an abstinence-only sex education program.

continue at Marquette Tribune(bring a barf bag)

I didn't see a corresponding article with the Catholic position - but hey, it's Marquette. What would it take to start a Catholic college in this state? Let's face it, there's no fixing these places.

Gov. Walker issues Marriage Week Proclamation for WI

2012-01-24T08:16:00.000-06:00

Wisconsin Family Council asked Gov. Walker to issue a proclamation for Marriage Week in WI (Feb. 7-14), and we are very pleased to report that he did! This is the second year that Gov. Walker has issued such a proclamation at WFC's request. Click here to see read this year's proclamation. National Marriage Week is sponsored by National Marriage Week USA. Last year, Gov. Walker was the only governor to sign such a proclamation at the state level; we hope he will be joined by more this year. Whether he stands alone or with many, we are very grateful for this governor who understands the importance of marriage to the overall health of our state. WFC's hope is that pastors and churches all across Wisconsin will take some time to give marriage special recognition during Marriage Week. If WFC can help you with Marriage Week, call us at 888-378-7395. Eric Skelton, Director of Marriage & Family Ministry, will be happy to talk with you.

>>Listen to WFC's president Julaine Appling and Director of Marriage and Family Ministry Eric Skelton discuss Marriage Week on this week's VCY America's Home Front program.

Badger Catholic mentioned on EWTN, buuuuuut....

2012-01-23T14:46:00.000-06:00

Yes, I was just mentioned on EWTN's March for life coverage. I posted this on Twitter:

Wow, the March for Life must have been made up of 250,000 ninjas -- they all slipped past the attention of the media. Amazing! #marchforlife
— Badger Catholic (@badgercatholic) January 23, 2012

But I stole it last year from Lauren E:

Wow, the March for Life must have been made up of 300,000 ninjas -- they all slipped past the attention of the media. Amazing! #marchforlife
— Lauren E (@evil0live85) January 27, 2011

But hearing "Badger Catholic" mentioned... somewhat awkwardly ... was a new experience.

Would be cool if I knew how to get the video off of my DVR. Okay, for those of you who were at the march, here it is. Live events are difficult to cover so I will cut them some slack. ... and for the record I think that ninjas existed before children's programming.

Sconnies at March for Life

2012-01-23T11:34:00.002-06:00

via Sts Peter & Paul - Wisconsin Rapids - more there

I haven't seen any of the diocesan papers post pictures yet, but let me know if you see or have any others you want to share.

Update:
more from Pro-Life Wisconsin

Pro-Life Wisconsin at March for Life

2012-01-23T11:07:00.000-06:00

Send me your March for Life pics Sconnies and I'll post them.

Overturn of bizarre liberal sex-ed bill advances in Wisconsin

2012-01-23T09:21:00.001-06:00

On Wednesday, January 18, 2012, the Assembly Education Committee (Rep. Steve Kestell, Chair), met to "exec" on several bills. One of the bills was AB 337, the Strong Communities...Healthy Kids Act--a bill that revises and repeals the so-called "Healthy Youth Act" passed last session by Madison & Milwaukee liberal elites. The committee passed the bill on a 6-4 vote, which means it is now ready for a votein the full Assembly. Those representatives who opposed this bill, including Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) were very vocal and v ery strong in the comments. Their comments evidenced a real disdain for the ability of people at the local level to make decisions in the best interest of the students in their schools. The senate companion bill (SB 237) passed last fall. Wisconsin Family Action anticipates that the Assembly will take up the Senate version when it actually votes on the bill. Once the Assembly takes its action, the bill will be sent to Governor Walker. We anticipate the governor will sign the bill.

>>Read WFA's testimony on this bill

Prayers for good weather

2012-01-23T07:59:00.001-06:00

Praying for good weather for all you pilgrims out there.

Photo

Happy Birthday

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

Even though I'm in DC for the March for Life, I had to schedule a post to wish Matt a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy birthday, Matt, and keep Mrs. Badger Catholic in your prayers as well, along with the kiddos.

Since Matt is a Chesterton fan...a couple quotes:

-- The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul;
-- Journalism largely consists of saying 'Lord Jones is Dead' to people who never knew that Lord Jones was alive;
-- Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about.

It were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck, and he were cast into the sea

2012-01-22T13:45:00.002-06:00

Women my generation have seen abortion, and it will end

2012-01-22T08:00:00.003-06:00

Today -- January 22 -- is the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Please pray for the unborn, and the mothers and fathers of the 55 million aborted in the US (estimates place the worldwide toll at close to a billion missing).

I did submit this an op-ed to the Milwaukee Journal and Wisconsin State Journal... but apparently the only thing note-worthy for today's news is gleefully pointing out how the recall elections are "democracy in action" (*headdesk*).

This is far from the most uplifting thing you will read from me (a friend in the Peace Corps in Eastern Europe emailed me recently to say, "Enough with the doom and gloom on the blog about Europe!")... but at least I still find myself interesting:)

I see the impact of abortion every day, and I implore to please pray for an end to legalized abortion in the United States.

January 22, 2012 marks 39 years of legalized abortion in the United States. It has been 39 years since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade.

As a 2005 graduate of UW-Madison, women of my generation are all too familiar with “choice,” the pro-abortion euphemism for the option to legally kill your own unborn child. We have heard the mantra from the Baby Boomers that the world is ours, and an unwanted pregnancy will get in the way of breaking the glass ceiling.

Women of my generation know what choice is. It is neither compassionate nor caring. The face of choice is a friend who commits suicide after having an abortion, when the realization of what she has done sinks in. We have watched as choice wreaked havoc on our friends’ bodies and minds, as abortion took its physical and mental toll. We have watched as choice ended friends’ relationships, women no longer able to look at their partner, men emasculated with no say in the matter.

Choice takes advantage of a woman who is alone and in a desperate place. Nothing about abortion on demand liberates women. Why can’t we see we are killing the next generation of feminists?

Sadly, abortion is an everyday occurrence. Since 1973, nearly 55 million children have been killed through abortion. One-third of my generation is missing due to abortion; legally exterminated in this country we are so proud to call the best country in the world.

In the black community, the numbers are staggering. 3,000 abortions occur every day in the United States, but 1,000 of those are African American babies. Wisconsin is the eighth lowest state nationally in the number of abortions, but the racial disparity in its numbers far exceeds the national trends. In Wisconsin, 6.2% of the population is black, yet 24% of all state abortions are on African-Americans, which is four times the representation.

If “Every abortion is a tragedy,” as pro-abortion figures proclaim, why are we not doing more to encourage safe and healthy lifestyle choices? Women deserve more, and women deserve better.

We owe it to the next generation of women to offer love and compassion, rather than terminating a human life. We owe it to the next generation to give them a world where abortion is not the solution, masquerading as women’s health.

My generation does not want abortion as our legacy. My generation will be the one to end legalized abortion.

Old St. Mary's, Milwaukee, WI

2012-01-20T13:00:00.015-06:00

Library of Congress

History - Built 1846-1847, rebuilt 1866, most important of several interior renovations in 1893. Except for a small wooden chapel, this is the oldest church in Milwaukee.

Architectural character: Classically inspired composition with lofty bell-tower and details (heavy projecting pediments etc.) strongly suggestive of German inspiration.

Architect: The architect for the original building is unknown. However, Victor Schulte who v/as the architect for the 1866 rebuilding of the church may also have been the architect for the original building.

I could not find any current pictures to compare against, but they do have a parish website. So why it is called "Old"? Is there a new St. Marys? Has any of the interior survived?

As beautiful as Gothic churches can be, I find a church like this (round = "classical"?) more appealing.

Badger Catholic, T-shirt edition

2012-01-20T12:08:00.002-06:00

Bishop William P. O'Connor at the Catholic Holy Hour,
at Camp Randall Stadium at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison - 1947

I want to thank Carolyn with St. Paul's University Catholic Center at University of Wisconsin for sending me this killa Badger Catholic t-shirt(below). I came across these shirts a while back and she graciously offered to send me one for free! I guess that's a perk of blogging.

Please support St. Paul's with your prayers and contributions if you are able. If you've been following this blog, you have seen the great work they are doing.

It also seemed that I would need to spruce up the facial hair for a few shots. And then when I realize how ugly I look, it only made sense to bring in an adorable little baby Badger Catholic girl to balance everything.

She didn't mention where a person could order a shirt though - maybe someone can chime in if they know.

Side note; I totally forgot to get a picture of drinking from my "Save the Liturgy, Save the World" coffee mug with the 'stache. My wife knocks me over the head with a frying pan and shaves it off before I try to leave the house with it.

Dioc. Superior: From elephants to dogsleds

2012-01-20T10:33:00.000-06:00

HARRISON - Fr. Ron Serrao is one of seven priests from India assigned to parishes in the Superior Diocese. “There are plenty of priests in India,” he says, so with encouragement from a fellow Holy Cross Indian priest already serving in northern Wisconsin, he made the move three years ago.

For more than two years, Fr. Ron has been the parochial administrator for the parishes of St. Augustine in Harrison and St. John the Baptist in Bloomville, two rural communities. That in itself is a big change from his 12 years of being a pastor in India, where he explains that one priest never has more than one parish. Before coming to the United States, he also served as a provincial administrator for five years.

In spite of having to make some adjustments, Fr. Ron says he is happy to be here and has been warmly welcomed. Being in a rural area is not new to him because he grew up in a small community, where his mother still lives.

“One of the biggest challenges in coming to the Superior Diocese was getting used to the climate,” he says. “I came to Wisconsin in December in a snowstorm, and that was the first time I had ever seen snow.”

Since that introduction, however, he has ventured out to enjoy some winter activities, including dog sledding. “I fell two or three times last year,” he admits with a grin, “but I plan to try it again.”

continue at SupCatHerald

Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus || Spoken Word

2012-01-20T08:32:00.000-06:00

Scott Hahn has successful surgery, prayer request for full recovery

2012-01-19T14:36:00.001-06:00

Scott Hahn's colon ruptured. Thankfully Fr. Ryland was able to get to the hospital and anoint him before they took him into surgery and then stayed with Kimberly. She told me that they removed 18 inches of his colon and that currently he's coping due to morphine but tomorrow will probably be a tough day as he will have to get up and move around and so she asked for prayer that the stitches hold and that no infection sets in. Thanks for your prayers.

via Steve Ray

HT Cheryl

The Catholic Thing reviews John Allen's book on Cdl. elect T. Dolan.

2012-01-19T13:27:00.002-06:00

Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York is becoming the most visible Catholic churchman in the Western Hemisphere. He is also a down-to-earth pastor – a clavicle-crushing six-foot-three teddy bear of a man whom you meet for the first time and, ten minutes later, feel you’ve known for a decade. I’ve met other archbishops and cardinals, and not one has impressed me as so thoroughly in love with the People of God as is the tenth archbishop of New York.

And this is essentially the conclusion of A People of Hope, by the National Catholic Reporter’s John L. Allen, Jr. – a book-length interview with Archbishop Dolan. Mr. Allen writes that his literary model is The Ratzinger Report (1984), but Vittorio Messori’s interview with Cardinal Ratzinger, then head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was a broadside against the “hermeneutic of rupture” after Vatican II.

Allen acknowledges that his book is more anecdotal and less doctrinal: that A People of Hope intends to be upbeat – about “what Catholicism is for rather than what it’s against,” which seems a backhanded slap at the man who is currently pope – who’ll present the red hat to Dolan next month.

Tim Dolan, as Mr. Allen insists on calling him, is nobody’s typical archbishop.

continue at The Catholic Thing

HT Dad29

Newman Center leads to Winona vocation

2012-01-19T12:07:00.001-06:00

Catholic Miss America

2012-01-19T10:44:00.000-06:00

“Are you a real princess?” the student at Blessed Sacrament School in Milwaukee asked Laura Kaeppeler.With a sparkling crown atop her head, Kaeppeler did look princess-like, but her actual title is Miss Wisconsin 2011. She won the state pageant in June and will compete for the Miss America title in Las Vegas on Jan. 14, 2012.

As Miss Wisconsin, Kaeppeler, 23, said her role is focused on service. She developed a program in Kenosha for supporting children who have parents in prison, called Circles of Support, and her platform issue is mentoring children of incarcerated parents.

“Having a parent incarcerated is an experience I can relate to,” said Kaeppeler, whose father was sentenced to a year in federal prison for a white-collar crime when she was a teenager. “Kids in this situation can feel very alone. I didn’t think anyone knew how I was feeling when it happened to me, so I tell them that I’ve been in your shoes; I can understand what you’re experiencing.”

A Kenosha native, Kaeppeler attended St. Therese Elementary School and St. Joseph High School both in Kenosha.

continue at MilCatHerald

The article is from back in November, Laura went on to win Miss America.

HT AS

Cardinal-elect Dolan to celebrate Mass of Thanksgiving at Holy Hill April 28

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving, Saturday, April 28, at 4:30 p.m. in the upper church at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians - the Basilica of Holy Hill.dolan1(CNS photo)

The Mass will be in thanksgiving for his elevation to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI and for the time he spent as archbishop of Milwaukee – 2002-2009.

Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki is pleased that the Catholic community in southeastern Wisconsin will have the opportunity to celebrate with his predecessor.

“It is only right that those of us in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee celebrate Cardinal-designate Dolan’s elevation to the College of Cardinals,” Archbishop Listecki said. “As someone privileged to be called one of his many friends, I am truly grateful for the many blessings he has brought to the church, and cannot wait to welcome him back to our archdiocese.”

Seating at the Mass, which is open to the public, is on a first come, first served basis. No tickets will be needed in order to attend. Overflow seating will be in the lower church where worshippers will receive a video feed of the Mass.

A reception for Cardinal Dolan will follow the celebration.

For more information, call (414) 690-2715.

MilCatHerald

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on science and religion

2012-01-18T13:48:00.000-06:00

"Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power; religion gives man wisdom which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals. They are complementary. Science keeps religion from sinking into the valley of crippling irrationalism and paralyzing obscurantism. Religion prevents science from falling into the marsh of obsolete materialism and moral nihilism."

- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

HT CERC

Photo

Yes, I know, I'm a few days late.

La Crosse Aquinas grad leaves alma mater $7.5 million

2012-01-18T12:45:00.000-06:00

Friends of James L. Kiffe knew he was an avid investor. But when the former bookkeeper died and left a $7.5 million estate to the school system — the biggest donation in Aquinas Catholic Schools' history — fellow Aquinas graduate William Bantle was shocked.

"I never realized that he had that much," Bantle said. "We never discussed this that seriously."

Aquinas Catholic Schools announced Kiffe's landmark gift Monday.

Most of Kiffe's bequest — about $6 million — will help pay for student scholarships. The remaining 20 percent will pay for things such as facility upgrades and new technology.

Kiffe, who graduated from Aquinas in 1942 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II, died in October at Sterling House in La Crosse. He was 87.

"He wanted to continue providing the gift of a Catholic education, even beyond his lifetime," said Kurt Nelson, president of Aquinas Catholic Schools.

Milwaukee vocations office introduces trading cards to promote vocations

2012-01-18T11:37:00.000-06:00

He’s no Mickey Mantle, but Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki is among a handful of local Catholic religious leaders featured on a new deck of trading cards circulating in the North Shore. The initiative, launched last week by two Catholic parishes — St. Monica’s in Whitefish Bay and St. Eugene’s in Fox Point — is meant to drum up interest in religious vocations.

“The biggest challenge today is indifferent families,” parish pastoral associate Monica Cardenas told the Catholic Herald. “We need families to embrace the idea for their children.”

continue at MJS FaithWatch

Card at Mil Herald

I'll have to be honest here, I would not become a priest because of a trading card. ... what about holy cards?