Regional meetings
on parish cemeteries

The transition, from the sorrow of Christ's Passion to the joy of His Resurrection on Easter, is the reason par excellence for the emphasis the Catholic Church has placed, throughout 2,000 years of history, upon the places of rest for our deceased brethren.

From the catacombs of early martyrs to the diocesan and parish cemeteries of the present day, these places are a great symbol of hope and should remind us of God's great promise to humankind, the resurrection to eternal glory of our temporal bodies, and the unification of that body to our soul at the end of time.

The Diocese of Madison is continuing this long Catholic tradition of our sacred parish cemeteries with a long-term program for support and assistance as part of the diocesan-wide strategic planning and implementation going on with Trusting in the Spirit.

In July of 2006, the diocese contracted with Joseph B. Sankovich and Associates to conduct a comprehensive survey of all 117 parish cemeteries in the diocese. That survey was followed up by regional meetings to discuss the results of the survey, to outline the course of action over the next months and years, and to explain the diocesan policies and procedures.   Full story ...

St. Vincent de Paul Society marks 175th anniversary with talk
Talk looks at founders as models for modern lay Catholics

MADISON -- The inspiration a group of 19th century French college students can provide for lay Catholics today will be the focus of a talk on Saturday, April 5, at 9 a.m. at the Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld St.

Members and friends of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will observe the society's 175th anniversary with a presentation about its founders.

Ralph Middlecamp, executive director of the society's District Council of Madison, will present a talk titled, "Frederic Ozanam and the Founders of the Society - Models for Modern Catholic Lay Involvement."

Middlecamp has frequently offered presentations about Vincentian spirituality to national audiences and has often directed retreats drawing on the insights and examples of the society's founders. His April 5 presentation will focus on the spiritual formation and charitable action of these first members of an organization that grew rapidly into a global mission of helping neighbors in need.

All interested persons are invited to attend the free event.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic organization in which members seek to grow spiritually through direct, person-to-person service to people who are poor, suffering, or forgotten.

The society was founded by six college students - with help from key mentors - in Paris on April 23, 1833. One of those students, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, is regarded as the primary founder of the society and is now a candidate for canonization by the Church. One of the young society's mentors, Blessed Sister Rosalie Rendu, is also a candidate for sainthood.

No pre-registration is required for the two-hour presentation.   Full story ...