Green Bay Packers host Bishop's Charities Game tomorrow night

• Thursday night marks another Green Bay preseason tradition: the Bishop’s Charities Game. It was first played in 1961 after Vince Lombardi was approached by the Diocese of Green Bay about playing a charitable contest in Green Bay (the Shrine contest was a fixture in Milwaukee).


• The series enjoys its 51st contest this year and has raised more than $3.5 million.


• For more than 30 years, the church handled much of the game’s business-related tasks, including game program and advertising sales, using a network of volunteers covering 14 Northeastern Wisconsin counties. The Packers assumed many of those tasks in 1994. 


• The Packers are 26-23-1 all-time in the series. They will be playing Kansas City for the fourth time in the series, with the other meetings coming in 1978, 1979 and 1992.


• Green Bay has won two straight games in the series, including a 59-24 victory over Indianapolis in 2010. Prior to that, the Packers had lost six consecutive Bishop’s Charities contests. That six-game losing streak (2003-08) came on the heels of a 12-game winning streak (1991-2002) in the series.

Packers.com

Last year was the 50th game in the series.  

The Compass put together a Facebook event for the game.

Wisconsin State Unions worked to defeat the 2006 Traditional Marriage Amendment

"Wisconsin was one of just four states where labor unions contributed to committees working on the same-sex marriage bans in 2006 and the state where labor money played the largest role. All of the labor organizations' contributions went to opponents of the constitutional amendment.

Wisconsin unions contributed $377,7000 to Fair Wisconsin (a Madison homosexual activist group)

Teachers' unions gave $350,000.

The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) gave $325,000,

Wisconsin Federation of Teachers gave $15,000;

Madison Teachers added $7,500….."

On Page 41, you will see that George Soros gave $65,000 towards the defeat of Wisconsin's Marriage Amendment.

The Money Behind the 2006 Marriage Amendment(page 39)

Dad29: The USCC's Argument With Reality: New Missal Edition

The black-hatted (not biretta-ed) one promises a lot of fun over the next few weeks.

Here's just a taste:

In 2002, Pope John Paul II introduced a new edition of the Missale Romanum ( editio typica tertia, the "third typical edition" [since the Second Vatican Council]) for use in the Church.  Soon after, the complex work of translating the text into English began.   USCC, Office of Mis-Information

Reality:

...when in fact, the process actually began nearly twenty years earlier. That's because then they would have to admit, that they were stupid enough to let the aging-hippie academicians and liturgical iconoclasts loose on the project, to the point where the Holy See had to finally step in and make them start over.

Well, what's a fact or two when we have Important People to......ahhh.........protect.  (After all, that worked so well in other cases, right?)

Dad29

Labor Union reps must pay for parade if GOP banned, Wausau mayor says

The mayor of a Wisconsin town said on Tuesday a local labor council would have to reimburse the city up to $2,000 for a Labor Day parade if organizers exclude Republican lawmakers from attending.

The move in Wausau, Wisconsin, came after a county labor official said last week that Republican politicians were not welcome at the event due to their party's stance against collective bargaining when state lawmakers voted to curtail it earlier this year.

Wausau Mayor Jim Tipple told Reuters on Tuesday that the decision to exclude elected Republicans "flies in the face of public policy."

"This is not a political rally, it's a parade, for God's sake," Tipple said, noting that taxpayer money is used by the city to pay for staging the event. Tipple's office is nonpartisan, and he claims no affiliation with either political party.

He said the annual cost of the parade, including insurance, setting up and taking down a stage, and police personnel, runs anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 each year.

Reuters

OpEd: Defunding the promiscuity of others

In The Reporter article on Aug. 14 addressing women's reproductive health care and cuts in funding to Planned Parenthood, Jessica McCardell points to Planned Parenthood as the savior that helped her prevent unplanned pregnancy.

At the age of 16 she says she began using their services. The article says women are seeking contraception and reproductive health services "at even younger ages."

So, why should the rest of us pay for programs that encourage and enable recreational sex?

At a time when working families are struggling to cover their mortgages or send their kids to college, it makes absolutely no sense to tax them to fund the promiscuity of others. And if parents are willing to turn their parenting over to Planned Parenthood they shouldn't expect the rest of us to pay for it.

Thanks to Gov. Scott Walker's biennial budget, taxpayers will no longer be funding Planned Parenthood.

continue at FDLReporter

Photo

Altar girls in the Diocese of La Crosse

I got this tidbit via a reader:

Shortly after altar girls were approved, La Crosse Bishop John Joseph Paul[1983-1994] approved the usage of female altar servers for the Diocese of La Crosse and it was his last official act as bishop because he retired soon after that. When Bishop Raymond Burke had the last diocesan synod, he had legislation approved prohibiting girl servers at Pontifical Masses.

Also a good article on the subject from Thee Catholic Herald.

Name the pope who said this:

“In conformity with norms traditional in the Church, women (single, married, religious), whether in churches, homes, convents, schools, or institutions for women, are barred from serving the priest at the altar.”

 Photo

Vatican Aims to ‘Weed Out Dissenting Voices’ from Journal at Marquette Univ.

The National Catholic Reporter reports that sources have said that the Vatican began pressuring policy changes at the Jesuit journal Theological Studies with aims to “weed out dissenting voices” and “stick more closely to official church teachings” not long after a controversial 2004 essay arguing for “a change in church teachings on divorce and remarriage.”  The journal Theological Studies is hosted by Jesuit Marquette University and its authors are very frequently Catholic university professors.

NCR indicated that Fr. David Schultenover, SJ, editor of Theological Studies and theology professor at Marquette, wrote in his editor’s column last year that when “theses that contravene official church” are in the journal “our policy will be to alert readers and clearly state the current authoritative church teaching”.

more at Cardinal Newman Society

Abp Listecki: Thoughts of Baseball and the Brewers

Last Thursday I participated in a tailgate party which preceded the Brewers-Dodgers baseball game. It was sponsored by the Catholic Herald. Brian Olszewski and his staff acted as hosts. Brats, hot dogs and hamburgers, coleslaw, pasta salad and fresh fruit filled the menu. More than 200 people crowded under a tent at the parking lot of St. Florian parish.

Our Auxiliary Bishop, Donald Hying, was also present. It was Bishop Hying’s birthday, and voices serenaded him. It was a beautiful day in the low 80s with plenty of sunshine. The Brewers have been on a roll, so that enhanced the camaraderie. Miller Park was so close that many walked to the stadium.

Baseball is the American pastime. Although football, basketball and even soccer have gained and captured the attention of the American public in the last couple of decades, baseball occupies that traditional sentiment of a time when the country was innocent and fresh. Teams would barnstorm across the nation playing in various towns. A great hero like Babe Ruth seemed to transcend reality, and people would forget their troubles and become lost in the figure of “The Babe.”

There wasn’t the glitz that accompanies modern sports personalities and teams today. The media were limited, so there was always a hunger for news about one’s favorite team by printed sports stories, radio or word of mouth. Modern sports utilize every aspect of social media to promote the sport. Because of that the game is seen as a business, and that diminishes the natural attraction.

One thing is for certain: When your team is winning, everyone feels good. The Milwaukee Brewers are doing great. Unfortunately, this past Thursday the Brewers lost facing the Dodgers’ best pitcher. I love the hitting aspect of the game, and the Brewers’ bats were silent.

Despite the loss, this is a good year for Brewers fans. I predicted at the beginning of the season that the Brewers would win their division and be in the playoffs. Could we possibly have a pennant or a World Series title? What a year 2011 would be for Wisconsin professional sports – a Packers Super Bowl championship and a Brewers World Series. We can dream!

It was a treat to be with parishioners at a baseball game, support the Catholic Herald and dream of a pennant. Sports help us to suspend our troubles, engage in competition and support our home team. As I left Miller Park to return to the real world I was thankful for the brief escape, never forgetting to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

 Living Our Faith

Amen!  Great article!  I'm sure the Packers comment was a hard one to swallow for our dear archbishop as they beat his Bears on the way to win it all.  But as for baseball, he grew up a White Sox fan is happy to see the northsiders lose a few to the Crew.

Modernism in a nutshell

Racial targeting and population control: How Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin fits in

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:



Life Decisions International just released a comprehensive look at Planned Parenthood facilities (those that perform abortion and/or provide birth control) and how the location of those facilities corresponds to the percentage of minorities (Black and Hispanic) in those areas.

Why is this a concern? In contemporary America, the rate of pregnancy among black women is almost three times as high as it is for white women and, though they make up less than 13% of the female population, black women have about 37% of the abortions. In Wisconsin, black babies are aborted at four times the rate of their numbers in the Wisconsin population.

Access the LDI report here [PDF]. An excerpt from the report:

As an example of how these charts work, the state of Florida shows to have a black population of 14.6%. In that state, Planned Parenthood has a facility in ZIP code 33617 which has a black population of 23.5%. This means that this facility is located in a ZIP code with an African-American population that is 187.6% that of the state.

But when those gaps are common enough or large enough that they cannot be rationally attributed to random chance, they constitute a pattern that could have only been created by design and intention.

The question then becomes: at what point does a gap stop being insignificant and start being significant? Given the subjective nature of that question, the deciding principle has to be common sense. If a ZIP code’s percentage of black or Hispanic population is 102% of the state’s percentage, no reasonable person would consider that an indicator of racial targeting.

Read the rest here.

Guadalupe Shrine pilgrim shares experience

Last week, our family was blessed to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, WI.  The shrine was founded by Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, himself a Wisconsin native.  Nestled gently in the hills of LaCrosse, my impression of the Shrine was, “everything is done very well.”  From the most intricate details of the murals in the Church within the shrine, to the garden surrounding the Memorial to the Unborn, a tremendous amount of prayer and thought were put into the shrine.


The main chapel of the shrine is located at the top of a hill of LaCrosse but the path up to the main chapel is delightful and prayerful.  The first stop is at the votive chapel.  The chapel has a tower of candles, 576 candles, which is the largest in the US.  Around the edge of the chapel are various stained glass windows of our lady; Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Knock, Our Mother of good Counsel, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Loretto, Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.  Candles can be ordered to be lit online at the above link.  The limestone of the chapel is from Wisconsin and the stained glass were crafted in Minnesota.  The shrine is entirely Catholic and also Midwestern in very tangible ways.

continue at Hotter Than New Love

St. John the Baptist, ora pro nobis!

Salome with the Head of St. John the Baptist, Bernardino Luini

Father Z has a nice writeup.

And in case you were wondering, St. John the Baptist never drank beer...

Photos from Madison WYD pilgrimage

I hope they don't mind me posting a few photos here. Great job Kat! I enjoyed following along on their blog Journey of Faith. Gotta love that flag!

The whole set on Smugmug

Update on the Altar Girl poll question

Option	Votes	Percent
He's right; only boys should serve Mass	47	81%
His decision is frightening and inexcusable	8	13.80%
He set youth ministry back several decades	2	3.40%
His bishop should set him straight	1	1.70%

Background

If you haven't voted you can find the poll question at chnonline.org and then kind of scroll halfway down and look on the right hand side of the page.  They built their website on Joomla, and I like Joomla, but the built in polling module... well it stinks.  You can't link directly to the vote... there's probably some better third party voting modules out there.   

Okay, the results are looking great. 

La Crosse Chesterton Society to host Dale Ahlquist, regional Chesterton conference

LA CROSSE CHESTERTON SOCIETY
PRESENTS THE FIRST MIDWEST AREA
WIT, WISDOM, AND SPIRITS SOCIAL

WHEN: Saturday, October 8, 2011
WHERE: Nells City Grill, 1111 S. 3rd Street (enter on 4th street), La Crosse, WI

TIME:
3:00 p.m. Registration, spirits, snacks

4:00 p.m. Dale Alquist speaks: A BOUT OF SANITY!
Discussion, questions, perhaps answers?

6:00 p.m. Fine dining and dinner!
spirits, wit and wisdom continue until?.......

Your word commitment by: September 8th, euchadora06@hotmail.com
( need for number count at restaurant)
Your money commitment by: September 22, 2011.
Cost: $20. Check made out to: Rita Deniger
Mail to: 2831 N. Richard Dr. La Crosse, WI 54601

Highly recommended morning option:
12:15 a.m. Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
1:30 p.m. Guided tour of the Shrine
www.guadalupeshrine.org

Labor Unions valdalize school locks hours before Gov. Walker visit

Custodial staff at Messmer Preparatory school were replacing locks Friday morning after the previous ones had been filled with metal and glue overnight, said the school's Development Director Jeffrey Robb.

"We're very disappointed," he said.

The vandalism came hours before Gov. Scott Walker was scheduled to visit the school to read to second- and third-graders. Walker plans to read, "Oh! The Places You'll Go," by Dr. Seuss.

"This visit is talking about education," Robb said, but there have been political elements brought into it. Robb said that cars lined the street by the school sporting anti-Walker signs Friday morning.

Protesters plan to be at the school during Walker's visit, according to Jacob Flom of the Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society.

"We're not going to let him go anywhere, especially in our community, without him being protested," he said.

Flom said he doesn't know who's behind the vandalism[ROFL!], but acts such as that aren't effective for the protesters' cause. Instead, he said, a better way to be effective is for people to show up in support of the protest.

MJS

In related news, John Huebscher the WCC director wrote kind of a tribute to labor unions historically for The Compass(GB).  He is right.  Labor Unions did help defend rights of the working class.  In stark contrast, the behavior of the public sector unions of today is nothing short of shameful(unlike many good unions today and the their noble predecessors of the past).  Particularly when you look at the amount of vacation time the WEAC receives, they can in absolutely no way relate to the railroad unions of the past(referenced in the article).  It is important that despite the fact that these unions atrocious behavior recently, that moral labor unions are certainly something we should support and be grateful. 

Poll Alert: Save the altar girls

Mil Cath Herald Twitter

You can vote over at chnonline.org.  The poll is kind of halfway down on the right hand side of the page.

The question "The rector of the cathedral in Phoenix will no longer allow girls to serve Mass. Which best describes your reaction?"

My answer was; He's right; only boys should serve Mass.

But you probably already knew that.

Anyone else think it a bit odd for the Milwaukee paper to do a poll on the ongoings at church in Arizona?  On the other hand I guess it was in the news...

Servant of God, Fr. John Hardon on the matter:

All the evidence indicates that the reason for the approval of altar girls came from a strong representation by bishops in the United States. Now I have the document here in Italian. It is signed by the Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and is dated March the15th of this year[1992]. And it’s in answer to a question whether both men and women can participate in assisting in the liturgy, and the answer is in the affirmative according to instructions given by the Holy See. In other words, the document approving women altar servers stands here approved by this Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

 I didn't have time to find the quote, but Fr. Hardon on multiple occasions said he pleaded with Pope JP2(who asked for his consultation) not to enact the exception.  If anybody has it, please post.

Update 8/26 5:30PM Keep it coming!

Option	Votes	Percent
He's right; only boys should serve Mass	29	78.40%
His decision is frightening and inexcusable	5	13.50%
He set youth ministry back several decades	2	5.40%
His bishop should set him straight	1	2.70%

Update 8/29 7:30AM

Option	Votes	Percent
He's right; only boys should serve Mass	47	81%
His decision is frightening and inexcusable	8	13.80%
He set youth ministry back several decades	2	3.40%
His bishop should set him straight	1	1.70%

11,000 people attend Milwaukee Irishfest Mass

MILWAUKEE – Archbishop Jerome Listecki presided over mass for at least 11,000 people Sunday in the Marcus Amphitheater during Irish Fest. Organizers say it is the largest outdoor Catholic mass in the country.

"It's just amazing,” said Mary Ellen Donegan, who attended the mass. “Just amazing to think this many people observe the Catholic religion."

Nearly all in attendance took communion at points scattered throughout the concert-venue turned outdoor sanctuary.

"I am from Ireland and I traveled over here. It's a phenomenal feeling of home,” said attendee Paul McCloone. “It's a great spiritual occasion and I really feel proud to be Irish at this event."

Archbishop Listecki is a regular at the festival grounds these summer. He is leading mass at four of Milwaukee’s summer cultural festivals.

"It is important for me to be a part of it because I am the religious leader of this community,” Listecki told TODAY’S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray. “Being the religious leader, I am a part of the experience of every one of those ethnic communities."

Listecki plans to lead mass next weekend at Mexican Fiesta.

TMJ4 

Wow, were any readers there?  Or do you know anybody that attended?

ROFL!!!!!!!   Okay, go watch the video....  The news anchor is a couple years behind...  At least she didn't say it was Archbishop Weakland.

Casting call... wherein I rant on Planned Parenthood

Author's note: Rumor has it the Badger Catholic will be on vacation for a week in the near future, so we're going to be doing the guest-posting thing again. I promise to pepper my posts with a healthy dose of polka Mass rants. - V

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:

In line with Planned Parenthood Federation of America's "Children are sexual beings" mantra, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will be holding free seminars [with your tax dollars, make no mistake about that] on child sexuality. [PDF here.]



For those who missed it, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) now describes children and infants as “sexual beings.” Story from News Busters here [warning: disturbing content.]

CHILDREN WOULDN'T KNOW ABOUT SEX IF PEOPLE DIDN'T TEACH THEM ABOUT SEX!

That "workshop" smacks of pedophilia.

Casting call for anyone who wants to attend a (free) Planned Parenthood event... My contact info is to the right. I attended a PPWI event this winter, where a post-abortive college student described how she had an abortion at age 17, circumventing Wisconsin's parental consent law with Planned Parenthood's help. Planned Parenthood referred the young woman to a pro-abortion judge, who overrode the parental consent law -- the reasoning being that the girl's parents were pro-life and thereby opposed to abortion.



This round of seminars promises to be equally disturbing.

Excitement

Screaming "Show me the money!" isn't convincing me WI Unions...

State employees urged by union to wear black today to protest the date of the first paycheck (for most state employees) that will reflect the changes due to Act 10 and Act 32. Rally tonight in Madison.

MacIver Institute

Still waiting for a reasonable explanation of your position my dear labor unions.  I've seen the numbers.  Walker's plan makes sense.  I'm open to hearing alternatives.  It turns out screaming loudly only makes me put in ear plugs.

My private religion

"A COSMIC philosophy is not constructed to fit a man;
a cosmic philosophy is constructed to fit a cosmos.
A man can no more possess a private religion than he can possess a private sun and moon."

~GKC: Introduction to 'Book of Job.'

Wis.SJ: Growing number of Catholics push for return to Latin Mass

Ellie Arkin doesn't speak Latin, so upon entering Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Madison on a recent Sunday, the 21-year-old UW-Madison student opened a Latin-to-English translation book provided by the church.

For the next hour, she and many of the other parishioners followed along in the book as the Mass unfolded mostly in Latin.

For centuries, this was the only way Catholics around the world experienced Mass. Reforms ushered in by Vatican II in the 1960s largely eliminated Latin Mass, but now, across the country and in the Madison Catholic Diocese, traditionalists are seeking its comeback.

Supporters say it offers a reverence and gravity lacking in today's more casual worship approach.

"There's this incredible sacredness you can feel and taste and see — it is not just a social gathering," said Jacek Cianciara, 67, of Madison, one of the parishioners helping to bring back Latin Mass locally.

Other Catholics find the older style needlessly difficult to follow and too passive.

"When it's in Latin, it's just rote — you're not reading the words for the real meaning," said Alice Jenson, 66, of Fitchburg. "I'm opposed to having this artificial barrier being put up."

Catholics now can attend a Mass in Latin somewhere in the 11-county diocese every day, although the vast majority of worship services remain in English. About 200 Catholics consistently attend a Latin Mass at least weekly, with others dropping in periodically, the diocese estimates.

That's a tiny slice of total church attendance — about 57,000 people attend Mass in the diocese each week — but it's a vocal and growing slice.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_5ff07426-cc16-11e0-8af0-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1VylBj8q7

I have a great deal to say on the matter and no time.  I'll follow up when I have time.  Nice to see a secular paper take notice(even when diocesan papers seem not to). 

HT WM

St. Bartholomew, ora pro nobis!

The Saint Bartholomew Monastery (Armenian: Սուրբ Բարթողոմէօս Վանք) is a 13th-18th century Armenian monastery built in what was then the Vaspurakan Province of Greater Armenia, now near the town of Başkale (Albayrak) in the Van Province of southeastern Turkey. It was formerly considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Armenian people.

The monastery was built on the traditional site of the martyrdom of the Apostle Bartholomew who is reputed to have brought Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century. Along with Saint Thaddeus, Saint Bartholomew is considered the patron saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

At an unknown date after the Armenian Genocide, the monastery came under the control of the Turkish military and its entire site now lies within an army base. The dome of its church was still intact in the early 1960s, but the whole structure is now heavily ruined.

Wiki

Fr. Wild moonwalks Marquette away from her Catholic Identitiy

When the Golden Eagles are on the court, shouts of “We Are Marquette” ring through the Bradley Center.

Thanks to the 15-year presidency of Jesuit Fr. Robert A. Wild, the university has a more distinct identity, making that cheer a virtual rallying cry campus-wide.

Reflecting on his retirement during an interview with your Catholic Herald in mid-July, just before his retirement effective July 31, Fr. Wild said “addressing our Jesuit, Catholic identity in a more explicit way[ROFL]” was one of his most important accomplishments at Marquette.

Fr. Wild served as a provincial in the 1980s, and when he met with other provincials “we spent more time on the issue of Jesuit higher education than anything else,” he said.

“When I became president of Marquette (in 1996), I said we’d better walk the walk here[aka, moonwalk away from the pope],” Fr. Wild said.

An important step, Fr. Wild said, was the crafting of a mission statement in 2000, summarized by four words: excellence, faith[Would be nice to see that defined... uh and maybe first on the list?], leadership and service. [Hmm, I was waiting for hospitality]

“We worked to put flesh on those bones,” he added, noting the work of “two A-Team players,” Stephanie Russell and Jesuit Fr. Douglas Leonhardt in Marquette’s Office of Mission and Ministry.

Faculty and administrators were given more background on Catholic and Jesuit spirituality[apparently they are different?]. With input from then-Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, a semester-long seminar was developed for new hires, Fr. Wild said.  [Interesting, I hope drums were not involved.]

“It gives people an understanding of what’s at stake in Catholic education,” he explained. [Here's what "Catholic education" means to the establishment.]

Another key player was the late Howard Eisenberg, dean of the law school, who described himself as a “conservadox Jew,” according to Fr. Wild.

“He would say, ‘I’m not Catholic, but I really value this mission, so I’m not going to be shy about talking about it,’” Fr. Wild recalled. “It moved us into areas like pro bono service to the poor and a variety of things that were important.” [These thing are important, but who decides which Church teachings are acceptable to be taught and which are not at Marquette?]

Fr. Wild said his other two major goals in the job were continuing to strengthen academic quality, and getting the university more fiscally sound.

continue at Milwaukee Catholic Herald

A glowing piece that doesn't address any of the scandal in his tenure, particularly the Infanticide Feingold hire and his rightful reversal of the hire of Dr. Jodi O'Brien after pressure from Abp. Listecki amongst others.  Let's face it, the problem is that entrenched liberals at Marquette cannot be fired(tenure) and replaced by a solid faculty.  It would take a miracle for Marquette to go it alone and reestablish itself with a truly Catholic Identity(or a Fr. Michael Scanlan).  Marquette isn't a leader, it's a follower.  If an earthquake hit Notre Dame and all of the sudden the administration had second thoughts about abortion, dissent, ect, Marquette then would follow.  All of that said, Fr. Wild is solid on the administrative side, fundraising, facilities ect.  But a point in time will come when folks chose the Faith first.  I hope all these wonderful new building don't have to become empty before that lesson is learned.  The again, what's the point of filling up the seats if it will cost students their souls.

Not quoted in this article, the archbishop. 

Bp Morlino continues local managment of CCHD funds

Each year, parishes take up a special collection, in November, for the Catholic Campaign Human Development (CCHD). CCHD is the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic bishops.

CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families, and communities. Half of the funds collected for CCHD stay in the diocese for programs in the diocese and the other half is dedicated to national projects/programs.

While many seek out answers to questions arising with regard to organizations previously assisted through the CCHD collection, Bishop Morlino has assured the Diocese of Madison that until he is personally confident that funds collected from the faithful of the Diocese of Madison will not be used to fund groups which violate the teaching of the Church by their policies, and he will continue to seek out other helpful ways to assist those in need.

• In 2008, Bishop Morlino dedicated the national portion toward the assistance of the victims of Hurricane Ike, through the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

• In 2009, Bishop Morlino dedicated the national portion to support the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor and their international outreach to the elderly.

• In 2010, prior to the full body of the USCCB discussing the funds and future of CCHD, Bishop Morlino decided that the national portion of the collection would go to benefit the work of the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), led by Fr. Benedict Groeschel. Central to the CFR mission is to serve the materially poor, most especially the destitute and homeless. “We know Fr. Benedict and the CFRs to be unreproachable,” said a statement from the diocese.

It is the bishop’s hope that this coming year will find an even greater number of the faithful prepare to give generously to the local CCHD collection, as well as a greater outreach of service in love to those in need.

details at MadCatHerald

Living the High Life

Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder and Nyjer Morgan are on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, the first time since 1987 the magazine has featured an all-Brewers cover.

The story by Lee Jenkins is headlined "Living the High Life," with the subhead "How T-Plush and Two Wallbanging MVP Candidates Are Mixing a Strange Brew in Milwaukee."

more at JSOnline

It's hard to explain how much personality this team has from watching and listening to them.  As I discussed with one of my cousins recently and we agreed: World Series win > Super Bowl win. 

Wisconsin Personhood Amendment

Since someone asked me after my rant if I was for Personhood or not...  *sigh*  Can I claim working 12 hour days as an excuse?  I literally dream SQL statements at this point in time.  St. Joseph, ora pro nobis!  ......... and for good measure, St. Dymphna, ora pro nobis!

Ahem, The Badger Catholic hereby formally endorses a Wisconsin Personhood Amendment. 

Our Lady will give us victory.  Don't doubt this for one moment.  Pray.  Daily.  Victory.  This is her state. 


Our Lady of Good Help, ora pro nobis.

Dad29: Abp Dolan's Big Mistake

You'll hear more about this. Abp Dolan was interviewed by 60 Minutes.

When Safer suggested that the incidence of priests sexually abusing children might be decreased if Catholic clergy were allowed to be married, Dolan responded, "I don't know if – what we know scholarship-wise would back that up, Morley. The greatest culprits in sexual abuse are unfortunately married men. So, I don't know if marriage is the answer."

The Archbishop is wrong.

A fellow named David Usher cited a study:

The study found sexual abuse – indeed all forms of abuse – to be least common in homes with married biological parents. According to the report, only about 1 in 2,000 children in such homes suffer sexual abuse.

By comparison, the report states, 5 of every 2,000 children in single-parent households – and 20 of every 2,000 children in households where a single parent welcomes a partner into the home – suffers sexual abuse.

Those results are consistent with what's been reported for over 20 years in a variety of studies.  

We expect that the Archbishop will "clarify" or retract.

Dad29

photo

NCReg: Unions and the Church: Lessons Learned From Wisconsin Battle

MADISON, Wis. — The recall contests in Wisconsin this summer set a national record — an indication of how deep feelings run in the state.

The last recall elections ended Aug. 16 with Republicans still holding the state Legislature. But the partisan battle over the fate of pensions, benefits and collective bargaining rights for public-sector unions created painful divisions even among Catholics — and that still needs pastoral and catechetical attention.

Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops say it’s time to set aside the political divisions that have divided parish communities and even some families.

Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison has invited his flock to reconcile their differences. But he also suggested that the lingering tensions marked an unsettling truth: For many of the faithful, partisan loyalties trump Catholic teaching.

“This is a profound pastoral problem,” he said. “When the objective truth of faith is subordinated to political concerns, I am not free to teach the faith and instead get categorized as a Republican or a Democrat.”

While “the bishops of Wisconsin took a neutral position on the issue, Archbishop [Jerome] Listecki of Milwaukee rightly chose to emphasize workers’ rights in his own statement, while I chose to emphasize the principle of fairness. The media and local politicians decided he was pro-union and I was anti-union,” recalled Bishop Morlino. “In other words, politics wins the day.”

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/unions-and-the-church-lessons-learned-from-wisconsin-battle/#ixzz1VaW2VzaK

The divide amongst Catholic was there before the public union debate and it will be there afterwards as well.  It's too bad the left was unable to present a reasonable argument on the matter because I was listening. 

Madison Herald: Closing World Youth Day

Pilgrims pray before the beginning of Mass.

In addition to all of this, during the winds of the night before, many of the chapels had had to be dismantled. The Blessed Sacrament reserved in these places had had to be moved, and we were now told that there would be no Communion available for the crowds. It was a blow. On top of all of the sacrifices of the past day, we would not be able to join in physical communion with the Holy Father. One more thing to offer up.

But then, the joy. As Pope Benedict XVI came through the avenues, waving to the hundreds of thousands who had stayed the night, to the hundreds of thousands who had joined us this morning, it seemed no more than a small trifle to bury the troubles of the day. We were again together as a Church, celebrating our love for Christ and his vicar.

The Mass was incredible. To hear the Holy Father greet us, “Dominus Vobiscum” and to answer “Et cum spiritus tuo” and realize this was the response we gave not only today, to the pope, the vicar of Christ, but to every priest in every church around the world, was deeply impactful.

We sang, we prayed the “Pater Noster,” we listened as he spoke to us in his homily and in his address after the Mass. And during Communion, as we waited for the pope and the concelebrating clergy to receive, we prayed for the Church, that we could all be united in spiritual communion.

Journey of Faith

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin sees 180% increase in private donations after taxpayer funding cuts

From Pro-Life Wisconsin:

In a remarkably coincidental situation as Planned Parenthood of Indiana found itself in (including sympathetic reporters), Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is claiming to see a significant increase in the size and number of donations, but — surprise, surprise! — that won’t be enough to cover the loss of taxpayer dollars.

The Oshkosh Northwestern:

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has experienced a significant increase in the number of new donors this year, but these new donors have not provided enough money to close the gap left by the state budget that slashed more than $1 million from the organization to help shore up the state’s $3 billion shortfall. [What this article fails to mention: $1 million of PPWI's $18 million in taxpayer funding was cut; hardly draconian or extensive.]

The agency that provides birth control services and health screenings — as well as abortions and abortion referrals at three of its 27 centers statewide — has experienced a 180 percent increase in new donors in 2011 [if people are so ideological and driven they will pay up for someone else's birth control, etc, why should taxpayers?].

Most of these donations are from working families in amounts between $25 and $50, said Amanda Harrington, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Read the rest from Pro-Life Wisconsin here.

We will, we will rock you.

Fra Angelico, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

BTW, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Traditional calendar.

Photographer Documents Wisconsin's Disappearing Taverns as a 'Cultural Identity'

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

PBS

Even the difference between Wisconsin and Minnesota is noticeable.  The bars there don't even sell their own states beer like Summit and Schell's.  The personal connection that should exist in business has been replaced by the highest bidder. 

I've noticed some former taverns turn their operation into primarily a restaurant with a bar to overcome that perception that there is something dirty and bad about a tavern.  Don't get me wrong, there are some nasty places out there, with their porno gambling machines and whatnot.  But there are plenty of family owned businesses which act as the local watering hole that is cultivating a community.  Can anyone else identify with going to the bar when they were kids? 

The problem with the modern man is that he thinks there is a disconnect from drinking and family.  Look at the drunks in college now.  They never learned what enjoying a beer was when they were growing up.  The bar was "bad" and now because they find themselves in a bar they are being "bad" so they might as well be as "bad" as they feel inclined to. 

Even a certain Catholic in Wisconsin has taken notice of good works done in the name of the tavern. 

The sterile online world can't substitute authentic human interaction with all its glorious awkwardness and idiosyncrasies.

HT ED

Bp Christensen awards volunteer for work with the mentally handicapped

Bishop Peter F. Christensen makes a visit to Rhinelander and surprises a hard-working, local volunteer.

Christensen presented an award to Dennis Hermann, the president of Headwaters Incorporated in Rhinelander.

It's for distinguished service to the community after Hermann's many years of service at Headwaters. "Those that may have a little bit of a disability are challenged with life and how they're cared for with the community," Christensen says. "And a community that steps forward and cares for some of its weak members, weakest members, at times. It shows the heart of that community which is a wonderful thing."

Headwaters is a partner with the Catholic Charities Bureau.

The Bishop presented the award after the 26th annual Headwaters Charity Golf tournament in Rhinelander.

WJFW12

WRTL sends opposition to Personhood to all Wisconsin legislators

Last week Wisconsin Right to Life dropped off a letter at all the legislators’ offices in Madison about any potential Personhood amendment (which hasn’t even been introduced as of this point in time).  The first page is their letter and pages 2-3 is their analysis. This is a little surprising since there's no bill and no discussion at this time.  It would seem that WRTL feels they have a very weak argument legally and wouldn't be as persuasive once all their concerns are answered.  I've read both sides.  It is becoming apparent that any legislation that could infringe on any form of contraception(which can cause abortion) will be staunchly opposed by WRTL.  By the way, officially WRTL teaches that any connection between contraception and abortion is "speculation."

Wisconsin Right to Life views the idea that the pill causes abortions as "speculation," according to executive director Barbara Lyons.

There is a place for groups like WRTL, and I mean that.  Politics is a tricky game.  When Protestant groups first began supporting contraception in the 1930s(and a very limited support at that), it left a rift there for future generations of Christians who would never be taught what a natural marriage really is.  Certainly they should still be given a voice in the pro-life movement without having to contradict what their own denomination teaches on the matter.  I know, there are good people involved with Wisconsin Right to Life. But all of that said, there is nothing more scandalous than hearing that Catholic dioceses in this state take direction from and fund raise for Wisconsin Right to Life.  We have been given Humanae Vitae and Evangelium Vitae(The Gospel of Life).  We can't simply reject Church teaching because we might score some token political points.  Christ's Church has a plan not just for how we personally must act, but how laws and society should reflect that plan. 

Do you really believe abortion can totally and completely be defeated in our lifetime?  If not, you should find another movement.  If so, then how will you do it?  Compromising the Gospel of Life is admitting defeat.  Supporters of Wisconsin Right to Life, consider contacting the home office and ask them to reconsider their position on this important legislation, and ask what their alternative plan is for defeating abortion in Wisconsin. 



WRTL Opposes Person Hood

Scythian tonight at Milwaukee Irishfest

Scythian playing Jump Around.  I grabbed this last weekend when they were in La Crosse. BTW, they were supposed to play at World Youth Day but their flight out of the US got delayed and they missed their show. That whole La Crosse, Madrid, Milwaukee jump in one week sounded like it would be rough.  Friday show was great, Saturday show was even better.  If you don't have any of their albums, I'd suggest starting with their latest, American Shanty.

Infanticide Feingold says Catholic Marquette Univ. asked him to return next year

They must think we Catholics are suckers.

When Russ Feingold represented Wisconsin in the Senate, he voted for taxpayer funding of abortion and opposed any ban on gruesome practice of partial-birth abortion.

Thankfully, last November, the voters in Wisconsin said they didn’t want him anymore.

Ah, but have no fear! Marquette Law gave Russ a call. As I mentioned earlier this year: Marquette Law hired a man as a teacher who voted to warp our laws against defending little children in the womb.

To the disappointment of liberal Democrats, Russ Feingold announced this morning that he won’t be challenging Scott Walker in a race for governor nor will he run for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Democrat Herb Kohl.

Well, good.

But guess what he cited as a reason not to run?

Teaching law during the spring semester at Marquette University Law School was a joy. The Marquette Law School is a thriving academic institution situated in a beautiful new building, Eckstein Hall. I found my time with the dean, staff, faculty, and especially the students at Marquette to be a terrific first experience in teaching law. I am pleased that I have been asked to return to teach full-time this fall and look forward to doing so.

more at CatholicVote

You can listen to Mr. Feingold support infanticide here.

Minnesota for Marriage

The debate over the definition of marriage has unfolded across America and at the federal level for the past several years, and is the subject of the proposed amendment on the November 2012 ballot to preserve marriage in Minnesota.

But what is the debate really about, how does it affect society and what is at stake in the outcome of the amendment vote?

Many people mistakenly believe that proposals to allow so-called “same-sex” marriage are about allowing a new, different and separate form of marriage to coexist alongside traditional man/woman marriage. They envision it as a different expression of the same marriage institution they have always known.

However, that is a fundamental misunderstanding of the legal issues involved in the debate, and with the proposed constitutional amendment in Minnesota.

Learn more at Minnesota for Marriage

A necessary post

Central	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	ROAD
Milwaukee	73	52	0.584	-	47-16	26-36
St. Louis	66	58	0.532	6.5	32-27	34-31
Cincinnati	60	64	0.484	12.5	34-30	26-34
Pittsburgh	58	64	0.475	13.5	28-33	30-31
Chi Cubs	54	70	0.435	18.5	29-33	25-37
Houston	40	84	0.323	32.5	21-41	19-43

The Traditional Mass of "Liturgy for Peace and Justice"

MILWAUKEE - Everyone has the chance to "become Irish" this weekend in Milwaukee.  Irish Fest, the nation's largest Irish festival, kicks off Thursday on the lakefront.  Festival executive director Jane Anderson said that Irish Fest will have a particular focus on two regions of the island nation.

"This year, we're going to celebrate the counties of Derry and Donegal, in the northwest of Ireland," said Anderson on Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News."

"There's going to be a showcase there, not only with all the entertainment, but a lot of lectures, history, arts and crafts, great exhibits."

Anderson says there's also a lot of great entertainment this year, including Kintra, Different Drums, Gaelic Storm, and the Red Hot Chili Pipers

And then, of course, there's the traditional mass - the "Liturgy for Peace and Justice" - on Sunday, that starts at 9:30 a.m. with Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki.

"Those who bring a non-perishable food item (and attend the Mass) will get onto the grounds free," said Anderson.

TMJ4

Someone shoot me.  

Uh, folks I don't think it is the Traditional Mass, but a Mass which has become a tradition. 

Although I had pictures of dancing nuns and felt banners, I wonder if it's meant to be a Mass for Justice for Ireland, aka, kick out the northerners.... 

But then again, go to Mass and Irishfest is free.  Really if you think about it, wouldn't free beer bring a ton of people back into the Church?  Go to Ireland, can all the bishops, set up Fr. Ted as the primate, and have free beer before after Mass.  You'll have the whole lot of em walkin up Croagh Patrick barefoot during winter in no time.

On a related note, did you know Irishfest in La Crosse didn't even invite their Irish bishop to celebrate Mass?  They bring in their own priest not from the diocese(and I heard don't check in either).  I mean it's one thing for a private Mass or at a parish, but a public event in the seat of the diocese? 

This is what you get for a post at 10:30 pm after a Guinness. 

All eyes on Madrid

World Youth Day 2011

Madison WYD pilgrims meet others from around the world

Pilgrims from Hong Kong, China, cheer as they walk to the Opening Mass of World Youth Day in the center of Madrid.

We located a small cafe on a side street and were welcomed by the owner, who came to speak with us (our Spanish combined with his English made for a fascinating, if marginally comprehensible dialogue) and take our orders. We took one of the lunches back to Fr. Eric, who had been left by our distinctive Wisconsin “cow flag” and the guitar.

After lunch, I was on a mission to receive my press pass to allow me closer access to the large events, but by the time we got there the line was to the street. I must admit that the organization of this WYD, that I have seen so far, has not been perfect and often seemingly last minute. After two hours in line I received accreditation and we departed to meet up with the Camino group, which was expected to reunite with us at Plaza de Castillo in the north of the city in order to receive their pilgrim information.

more at Madison Journey of Faith

St. Raphael's Cathedral, Madison, WI

St. Raphael's Cathedral - 1946

St. Raphael's Cathedral - 1955

To you out of state readers, St. Raphael's was burnt down(arson) in 2005 by this guy. Father Z posted a nice photo of a painting depicting firefighters in the Cathedral wreckage. 

I think even when a church needs additional space in the sanctuary, that there is no need to throw out the baby with the bath water.  It's like there was this effort to make sure that no church would ever again look like those old outdated ethnic parishes.  I would have loved to see someone adapt the ethnic parish look and feel but be innovative enough to extend it's look to meet the modern need.  I mean, what's with the UFO lights?  I feel like the La Crosse Cathedral had a similar situation.  We needed to extend the space and did make a grand, large church, but lost something in the translation. 

After busy summer, Pro-Life Wisconsin ready for fall 40 Days for Life

Photo above: A snapshot of the PLW Ozaukee County contingent in the Cedarburg Fourth of July parade.



While school was out this summer, PLW affiliates were hard at work, spreading the pro-life message across the state.

Close to a dozen prayer vigils were held in June to commemorate Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court decision which decriminalized birth control and paved the way for Roe v. Wade.

Affiliates manned fair booths at Lifest in Oshkosh, the Waukesha County Fair, the Ozaukee County Fair, the Wisconsin Valley Fair in Wausau, the Fond du Lac County Fair (also known as the Fondy Fair), the Juneau County Fair and the St. Croix County Fair.

In addition, the pro-life message was taken to the streets with PLW contingents in the Ashland 4th of July parade, the Cedarburg 4th of July parade, the Sheboygan Brat Days parade and the Eastman (Crawford County) 4th of July Parade.

All of this activity is in addition to our regular prayer vigils outside Wisconsin’s chemical and surgical abortion facilities! Thank you to everyone who volunteered this summer in pro-life activities!



Read the rest here at Pro-Life Wisconsin.