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The Catholic Herald: Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Madison
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Articles on St. Raphael Cathedral

July 19, 2007 Edition   •   Volume 137, No. 26   •   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, 2007 awards competition:

• First place for best single ad (black and white)

• Third place for best single ad (color);

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

Bless this church:
To make it part of the mission of Christ

photo of Bishop Morlino, left, greeting seven-month-old Michael Statsick during the blessing of the new buildings at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison as Pastor Msgr. Michael Burke looks on

Bishop Robert C. Morlino, left, takes an opportunity to greet seven-month-old Michael Statsick, held by his father Steve (not shown), during the blessing of the new buildings at St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison, as Pastor Msgr. Michael Burke looks on. (Catholic Herald photo by Kat Wagner)

MADISON -- The first dinner held in the new parish hall at St. Maria Goretti Parish, held two weeks after the building was completed, was a prime illustration of the reason it was built in the first place.

It wasn't a self-congratulating dinner or a party for the parishioners, but rather a dinner to thank all of the people who had worked on the building.

"Hospitality in a parish is an incredibly important aspect," said Msgr. Michael L. Burke, pastor at St. Maria Goretti Parish. "We try to be very welcoming, especially at our liturgies," he said. "The people here encourage themselves to take care of each other."   Full story ...


Belmont parish: Celebrates 50th anniversary

History

In 1836 Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli was requested to act as chaplain for the opening session of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature at the site which is today First Capitol Park.

According to newspaper accounts, more than four attempts were made to begin a Catholic parish, notably in 1894 and 1919, but none came to fruition.

In 1957 Bishop William P. O'Connor established a new parish in Belmont, a mission of then-100-year-old Immaculate Conception Parish, Truman. Fr. William Stack was pastor at the parishes of Truman and Calamine.

The first Mass was celebrated May 5, 1957, in a vacant store.

On September 22, 1957, ground was broken for a new church, and it was dedicated by Bishop O'Connor on June 4, 1958. The same church still stands, although new windows, statues, air-conditioning, a new altarpiece, a Johannus organ, and handicapped-accessible elements were added.

In 1969, pastor Fr. Joseph Schlaefer moved from Truman to Belmont when it became the Mother Church, and lived in a trailer house. A new rectory was built in 1978.

In 1959 St. Philomena's Resurrection Cemetery was founded. In 2006 a new crucifix was placed in the cemetery and new pillars and an archway were added.

According to a 2005 count, St. Philomena Parish has nearly 400 members from 164 families. It has more than doubled since it was founded in 1957.

BELMONT -- The town of Belmont is one of the oldest in the state, and in fact was its first capitol. But its Catholic church is, compared with some of the other parishes in the diocese celebrating their 100th and even 150th anniversaries, relatively new.

That youth did not prevent the parish from celebrating its 50-year milestone with plenty of enthusiasm, though. The small church was filled to overflowing for the Mass, celebrated by Bishop William H. Bullock. And for the reception afterward, the line extended all the way up the stairs and back into the church lobby, filling the space with the chatter of friends.

St. Philomena Parish, established in 1957, has more than doubled its size since its inception to nearly 400 parishioners in 164 families, according to 2005 statistics. This growth mirrors the expansion of the town itself, which estimates show has grown in population by four percent in the past seven years.

"Belmont has always stuck together - it's a great community," remarked Marjorie Rehmstedt, one of the parish's charter members.   Full story ...



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

Tridentine Rite: Pope relaxes restrictions on older Mass

Special section: Vacation Guide

Vatican: Clarifies church doctrine

Columns:

• Question Corner
by Fr. John Dietzen --
Amnesty International:
Concerns about abortion policies

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Future special sections:

Retirement Living: July 26, 2007

Back to School/Senior Focus:
August 16, 2007

Weddings: Sept. 6, 2007

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Great joy: Training to propose 'God's Plan' to engaged couples

MADISON -- "This presentation is the most thorough and sensitive explanation of the Church's teachings on sexual morality. Because of Pope John Paul's vision of marriage as presented in this presentation, I have great hope for my marriage, for all those who have been hurt (in) sexual relationships, and for our culture that is obsessed about degrading God's amazing plan of marriage," remarked Brad Stuczynski, of St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo.

He and over 20 other individuals and married couples came together at the Bishop O'Connor Center during a recent weekend to hear that presentation, "God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage," with the goal of presenting it in turn to engaged couples during diocesan marriage preparation days.   Full story ...



New coordinator: Brings fresh voice to NFP

MADISON -- Just in time for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's (USCCB) Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, July 22 to 28, the Diocese of Madison's Office of Evangelization and Catechesis has hired a new full-time coordinator for Natural Family Planning (NFP).

Related article:

• Column by Jessica Smith -- Natural Family Planning: It's supernatural

Jessica Smith, formerly the director of stewardship and development at St. John the Baptist Parish, Waunakee, started as the Family Planning coordinator on July 2, which she said felt significant as the Feast of the Visitation on the church's pre-Vatican II calendar.

Smith fills a long-vacant position that will focus on bringing about a greater awareness of NFP, which she calls "super natural planning" because of its inherent naturalness. NFP relies on abstinence and an understanding of fertility to avoid or assist in conception.   Full story ...


Catholic Herald summer publication schedule

During the summer months, The Catholic Herald will continue to be published weekly except for three issues. The remaining issue to be skipped is August 9. At right is the deadline for the issue prior to the week skipped:


Issue Weeks covered Deadline Issue skipped
Aug. 2 first two weeks of Aug. July 26 August 9

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