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The Catholic Herald: Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Madison
Catholic Herald Youth Lent Contest

February 15, 2007 Edition   •   Volume 137, No. 6   •   Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

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The Catholic Herald
Mission Statement:


The Catholic Herald is the official newspaper of the Diocese of Madison. Its purpose is to inform and educate people of the Diocese through communications that proclaim Gospel values, report the news, and comment on issues as they pertain to the mission of the Catholic Church, which is to bring all in Jesus Christ to the Father.
map showing Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin in gold-orange

Awards:

Web edition:
• Catholic Press Association Best Web Site: Third Place, 2005

Award of Distinction, The Communicator Awards 2002 Print Media competition

Print edition: Award winner, Catholic Press Association, 2006 awards competition:

• First place for best editorial on a local issue

• First place for best news writing on a local/regional event

• First place for best general news photo

• Third place for best editorial page or editorial section

• Honorable mention for best single ad - black and white

Lenten regulations

February 21, Ash Wednesday, is the first day of the Lenten season. The Catholic Church asks each member to preserve the penitential form and purpose of Lent.

Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday and older are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and each Friday of Lent.

Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday to age 58, in addition to abstaining from meat, should fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On those days they should eat only one full meal. Small quantities of food may be taken at two other meals, but no food should be consumed at other times during those two days. Obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one's 59th birthday.


Only in the print edition ...
News & Features:

Capitol Report: Special section

Parents moving in:
A decision-making guide

Archbishop Dolan: Catholics need solid teaching, not 'fluff'

Columns:

• Question Corner
by Fr. John Dietzen --
Questions: Returning to the sacraments; priest 'incardination'

• The Pope Speaks
by Pope Benedict XVI --
Priscilla and Aquila: Example of importance of married in church

Subscribe to print edition

Future special sections:

Weddings: Mar. 1, 2007

Church Building Renovation/ Senior Focus: Mar. 15, 2007

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Local efforts:
Help to build worldwide bridges

MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison and the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Ghana, have been in partnership for several years and many parishes in the diocese have connections with other "sister parishes" around the world.

Many parishes and youth groups participate in mission trips around the country and even to other countries to provide service to those in need.

But how can we, especially during Global Solidarity Week, February 10 to 18, continue to respond to the call to global solidarity?

Learn, pray

There are many ways to learn about global solidarity and Catholic social teaching. Several Web sites are good resources:

  • Catholic Relief Services (CRS), www.catholicrelief.org
  • Bread for the World, www.bread.org
  • Maryknoll, home.maryknoll.org
  • United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, www.usccb.org

And don't underestimate the power of prayer in building global solidarity. One way to understand other cultures is to learn a prayer or song from that culture or another language. Also, learn what affects other people in other countries so that you know what to pray for.   Full story ...


Rachel's Vineyard retreats:
A chance to find healing

Note: Names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.

MADISON -- More than 30 million women in the United States have had one or more abortions in the years since its legalization.

But what happens to these women beyond the statistics?

Many women - and many of the men affected as well - have found that abortion is not as cut-and-dry a solution as it might seem at the time. Many are affected by what some call "post-abortion trauma," battling depression, anger, and feelings of regret and worthlessness.

For more than a decade, Rachel's Vineyard (RV) has offered a chance for these women and men who have been hurt by abortion to find healing.   Full story ...


Guided by the Spirit:
Cultural questions and answers

We continue our Guided by the Spirit Q & A column with answers to some common questions, each of which have a cultural bent to them.

These are those types of questions that refer to the mindset or concerns of the people of the parish community. These same questions have been posed by many regardless of the actual cultural background of the questioner. Again, to completely answer any one of these would be difficult, but it is hoped that the answers will spur some reflection about the reasons for any anxiety that is felt about this planning process.

We already do everything really well, why change anything?

The simplest response to this is: "to whom much is given, much will be expected" (Lk 12:48). All of us, both individually and as a community, are accountable for the knowledge, resources, and abilities that God has blessed us with. If your parish has been so blessed to have perfect worship, perfect catechesis, perfect education, and perfect administration, then doesn't it seem reasonable that those blessings should be shared with others, those less fortunate, say, a cluster partner?   Full story ...


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