Diocesesan Men's Retreat, March 2-3 - Friday, February 03, 2012

Annual Diocesan Men’s Lenten Retreat, March 2-3, 2012
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Knights of Divine Mercy invite all Catholic men to join their brothers in Christ for the annual diocesan men’s Lenten retreat. This short retreat promises an opportunity to pursue your Lenten journey through spiritual talks and time for reflection and prayer lead by some of the great priests of our diocese. This year will feature Fr. Rick Heilman, Fr. John Sasse and Doug Barry, co-host of EWTN’s “Life on the Rock” as keynote speaker. Stay overnight at the Bishop O'Connor Center to preserve the detachment necessary for drawing closer to Christ, beginning on Friday evening and ending with Mass late Saturday afternoon. More information at www.madisondiocese.org/OEC.

Ave Maria Institute for Pastoral Theology - Thursday, February 02, 2012

Earn a Master's in Theology without quitting your job
Pope John Paul II claimed that “Holiness is, more than ever, an urgent pastoral task demanding a suitable training in holiness.” If you are looking for that “suitable training” in holiness, then you should know about the Institute for Pastoral Theology at Ave Maria University. The IPT offers a Master’s degree program that includes a full cycle of courses in Catholic theology guided by texts essential to the Catholic tradition and taught by nationally known theologians faithful to the Magisterium. The intensive weekend format of the IPT is ideal for people with busy schedules. Courses meet just one weekend per month, from August to May for a 3 year cycle in which you earn a Master’s of Theological Studies. For more information or an application call the IPT toll-free at (866) 866-1100 or visit the web at: www.ipt.avemaria.edu.

Institute for Pastoral Theology Open Class Weekend
Prospective students are invited to attend an Open Class Weekend, March 16-18, 2012, at St. John Vianney Church, 8th Grade Room, 1250 E. Racine St., Janesville. Reserve your seat today! Call (866)-866-1100 or e-mail ipt@avemaria.edu

For an Open Class Weekend flyer click here.

Seat of Wisdom Courses - Thursday, February 02, 2012

Abbot Marcel Rooney, OCB, S.T.D. to offer Courses on the Sacred Liturgy for the Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute

Former Abbot Primate of the worldwide Benedictine Confederation, and seminary professor of the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy in Rome, Fr. Marcel Rooney, will be offering three separate courses for the Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute beginning in January. With his characteristic humor and depth of expertise on the subject, Abbot Rooney will present each of these Saturday courses at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a lunch break from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. (A lunch option will be offered for a modest fee.) The courses are as follows:

February 11: "Christian Prayer"
February 25: “Entering the Heart of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic Liturgy”
March 31: “Re-presentation of the Paschal Mystery in the Liturgies of Holy Week.”

Though no one will be turned away for an inability to pay, the tuition for each course is $10. Advanced Credit Hours toward Seat of Wisdom certification will be available. To register, go to www.madisondiocese.org/seatofwisdom or call 608-821-3160.

Lenten Parish Mission at Cathedral Parish - Wednesday, February 01, 2012

The Cathedral Parish Hosts Lenten Parish Mission with Fr. John Meoska
The Cathedral Parish invites all the faithful to participate in this Parish Mission during Lent, to be held at Holy Redeemer and St. Patrick Churches in Downtown Madison from Monday February 27th through Thursday March 1st, 2012.

For a flyer click here

What Is a Parish Mission?

A Parish Mission might be described as "a retreat that comes to you." To make a retreat, one must leave home and daily routine in order to give some days to silence, prayer and reflection in order to experience a renewal and growth in faith. Most people are not able to that very easily. A Parish Mission is an opportunity for renewal and growth in our faith that is available at the local parish and can be fit into the demands of daily life.

Part of the attraction of a Parish Mission is that it is preached by someone coming into the parish for that purpose. Not only is the preacher a "new voice," but it is someone who has a particularly deep knowledge and experience of the spiritual life.

The classic format of a Parish Mission begins with the weekend Masses, where the preacher introduces the Mission and invites everyone to attend. The most important part of the Mission are major talks or conferences given each evening during the following week. Sometimes there is also something offered during the day, for those unable to attend in the evening. The chance to make a good confession is always part of a Parish Mission, as it is meant to be a time of spiritual renewal.

The Cathedral Parish's Lenten Parish Mission

Are you searching for joy this Lent? Do you want to discover how the Catholic Faith can lead you to authentic joy? Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the desert prior to his baptism and public ministry, the Church gives us the 40 days of Lent to renew the call of the desert: to reject sin, and to live the Gospel more faithfully, which leads to our lasting happiness. Fr. Meoska will draw up his 30 years of priestly ministry and monastic life to share insights that will be both inspirational and practical. His evening conferences will focus on practical spirituality (you are welcome and encouraged to take notes!); the richness of the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation; and lenten prayer, drawing on the wisdom of St. Ephrem the Syrian.

Parish Mission Schedule

Weekend of February 25th/26th:
- Preach at English Masses
- Homily - The Desert Experience: A Spirit Driven Life
Monday February 27th, 7pm @ Holy Redeemer Church
- Solemn Evening Prayer
- Conference Talk - Practical Spirituality: 10 Steps To Enrich Your Spiritual Life
Tuesday February 28th, 7pm @ St. Patrick Church
- Solemn Evening Prayer
- Conference Talk - The Holy Eucharist: Source and Summit of Our Spiritual Life
Wednesday February 29th, 7pm @ St. Patrick Church
- Communal Penance Service
- Homily - The Ecstasy of Confession: Celebrating God's Gift of Mercy
Thursday March 1st, 7pm @ Holy Redeemer Church
- Closing Mass
- Homily - Vital Lenten Prayer: Reflections on the Prayer of St. Ephrem
Fr. John Meoska will also preach at the 12:10 pm Masses on Monday through Thursday.

Who Is Fr. John Meoska?

Fr. John Meoska, OSB, is a priest-son of St. Mary Parish, Bloomington, WI. He was ordained in 1982 by Bishop Cletus F. O'Donnell and served parishes in Madison and Portage, WI, prior to entering monastic life. He lived twenty-one years as an apostolic hermit immersed in Carmelite spirituality; and, in 2008, transferred to Saint John's Abbey, a community of Benedictine monks in central Minnesota. Over the past 30 years he has given parish missions and retreats in the United States and Ireland, including many in the Diocese of Madison.

Rachel's Vineyard - Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Rachel's Vineyard

Healing the Pain of Abortion one Weekend at a time. Upcoming retreat: March 23 - 25, 2012. If you or someone you love is hurting from abortion contact: Mary 608-221-9593 or 608-821-3177 or rachel@straphael.org or www.madisondiocese.org/rachel.

Young Adult Events - Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Spirit & Truth

Wednesdays from 7-9pm @ St. Patrick Church in downtown Madison

Please join other young adults every Wednesday night for prayer, a spiritual talk, Eucharistic Adoration, a chance for confession, and connecting with each other at a local restaurant afterward.
We warmly invite and encourage you to come and experience Spirit & Truth! There is no weekly commitment, each week is a stand-alone experience, so you are welcome to participate as your schedule permits.

February schedule: (for a flyer click here)

Feb 1 - Erosion of Religious Liberty, with Msgr. Kevin Holmes
Feb 8 - Opus Dei: All Questions Answered, with Fr. Eric Nielsen
Feb 15 - Our Lady of Lourdes Explained, with Fr. John Sasse
Feb 22 - Ash Wednesday. Join us for the 7pm Parish Mass. A simple meal for those in their 20s&30s will follow.
Feb 29 - Parish Mission. The Ecstasy of Confession: Celebrating God's Gift of Mercy with Fr. John Meoska, OSB. We will join with the entire parish for our Lenten Parish Mission Communal Penance Service.

Sponsored by the Cathedral Parish. For more information, please visit spiritandtruthmadison.org. Like us on Facebook @ facebook.com/spiritandtruthmadison

------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Theology on Tap: Thurs Feb 23rd @ 7pm, The Brink Lounge

"Live Like You Were Dying: The Reality of Death and How to be at Peace with Our Mortality"
Speaker: Matthew Kemnitz

For a flyer click here

In today's culture we see images of death in movies, on tv shows, and constant reports of death in the news media. How do we respond to all of this? Catholics often see a crucifix and are reminded of Jesus's death. How often do we think about our own death? Is it scary? Do we try not to think about it? Are we at peace with it? Death is an important reality for all of us and acknowledging it in a healthy way can help shape our daily lives now for the better. The Saints often kept death before their eyes, wrote about it, and meditated on it in prayer. . . and even Tim Mcgraw sings about it today: "Live like you were dying." We'll explore Jesus's teaching about death, how to keep it in perspective, hear stories of those at the end of this life and their last moments before they entered into eternal life, and hopefully come away more at peace and strengthened to continue our own journey toward heaven.

Theology on Tap is a monthly event where 20s&30s are invited to join us for free beer and engaging talks by some of the leading thinkers, speakers, educators, innovators, and activists in the nation as they share their insights on various contemporary issues facing young adults today.

To receive email updates about Young Adult activities at the Cathedral Parish, please contact Nicole Carter at 257-5000 or nicole@isthmuscatholic.org.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter - Monday, January 16, 2012

Worldwide Marriage Encounter - Rockford/Madison/Milwaukee Ministry

Help us to support the Bishops’ Initiative on marriage! Couples who make Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends not only rediscover the joy, intimacy & romance in their relationships, but also become more active in their parish. Together, we are making marriages, families and our Church stronger & healthier.

Would you like Worldwide Marriage Encounter couples to speak about how to improve marriage at your Masses one weekend? We are scheduling witness talks and Parish Marriage Enrichments for 2011.

Contact: Lee & Jan Kremer – Rockford/Madison/Milwaukee Marriage Encounter 847-458-7000, Kremer@CitriSurf.com, Fax 815-578-2799 Thank you for your help!

Please include the bulletin announcements shown below in your parish bulletins.

February Bulletin Announcements:

February 4-5, 2012
In today’s gospel it tells us that Jesus went off to a deserted place to pray; He took the time to refresh his spirit. When was the last time you took time to get away as a couple and renew your relationship? Deepen your communication, strengthen your relationship, rekindle your romance and renew your sacrament by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend on Feb. 17-19 in Crystal Lake, IL; March 23-25 in Madison, WI and May 18-20 in Brookfield, WI. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) 574-5653. For a fin de semana en Espanol in Rockford on Feb. 10-12, June 8-10 and Aug. 17-19, contact Hugo & Gaby at 630-690-2094.

February 11-12, 2012
In the second reading today St. Paul tells us that that whatever we do to do it for the glory of God and to be imitators of Christ. This Sunday is World Marriage Day which honors husband and wife as the foundation of the family. Commit to making your marriage a priority in your lives and let your marriage relationship give glory to God; sign up for a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are Feb. 17-19 in Crystal Lake, IL; March 23-25 in Madison, WI and May 18-20 in Brookfield, WI. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) 574-5653. For a fin de semana en Espanol in Rockford on June 8-10 and Aug. 17-19, contact Hugo & Gaby at 630-690-2094.

February 18-19, 2012
The readings today talk about the healing power of God. God heals the same today as he did in Old and New Testament times. Allow God to work and move in your marriage relationship; attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend and let God strengthen, renew and rekindle your relationship. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are March 23-25 in Madison, WI; May 18-20 in Brookfield, WI and June 8-10 in Rockford, IL. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) 574-5653. For a fin de semana en Espanol in Rockford on June 8-10 and Aug. 17-19, contact Hugo & Gaby at 630-690-2094.

February 25-26, 2012
The Responsorial Psalm today reminds us that the ways of the Lord are love and truth. Jesus did all that he did out of love for the Father and love for us. He commands us to love one another as he loved us. Attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend and receive the tools needed to truly love one another. Learn how to truly love you spouse as God calls us to. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are March 23-25 in Madison, WI; May 18-20 in Brookfield, WI and June 8-10 in Rockford, IL. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) 574-5653. For a fin de semana en Espanol in Rockford on June 8-10 and Aug. 17-19, contact Hugo & Gaby at 630-690-2094.
Please print the weekly announcements in your parish bulletin – Thank You!

Madison National Marriage Encounter - Monday, January 02, 2012

Madison National Marriage Encounter

Come join us at a quiet and serene spot. The location we'll meet at is the perfect place to reflect and enjoy personal time with your spouse. Accommodations are comfortable and private, designed for creating a memorable time for both of you. Our mission is to enhance and encourage marriages as God intended. Go to http://www.marriageencountermadison.org for more information or contact Lisa and Mike Friar 608 435-8526

Bulletin advertisement fillers promoting the Catholic Herald - Sunday, January 01, 2012

Click the following link to download bulletin advertisement fillers promoting the Catholic Herald (850 KB): http://www.madisoncatholicherald.org/images/bulletin-promos.pdf read more ...

Women's Care Center - Sunday, January 01, 2012

Empower mom, Save babies
A new “crisis pregnancy center “, the Women’s Care Center Madison, Inc. will open soon in Madison! The Center is located directly across from the Planned Parenthood abortion center. This is truly amazing.

This loving endeavor, will most importantly save the lives of unborn babies. But it will also support Moms both during their pregnancy and after their baby is born. The professional staff will provide counseling regarding adoption, as well as parenting classes, job search assistance, and programs that provide baby clothes, food, and furnishings.

Blessed John Paul II stated that “the work of saving babies is the most important work on earth”. There are many opportunities for all of us to be actively involved in this most important work:

1)   please pray for the staff and all those working to make this effort a reality
2)   help monetarily. Please send your most generous contribution of $100, $50, or what you feel called, to Women’s Care Center Madison PO Box 10   Cross Plains, Wi. 53528
3) check out our web page   http://womenscarecentermadison.wordpress.com/

This mission is built on empowering Mom’s, saving babies, and bringing the truth of Jesus Christ to all. Thank you very much for your help.

Spirit and Truth Madison - Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A NEW WEEKLY YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Open to all young adults
Are you overbooked and overstressed? As young adults in today’s world, most of us are! Do you yearn for deeper relationships with God and with others?ENCOUNTER Christ. EMBRACE Sacred Scripture.
EXPERIENCE Spirit & Truth!

Each Spirit & Truth (S&T) evening will consist of a spiritual talk, Eucharistic Adoration with time for Evening Prayer and silent meditation, and connecting with each other over drinks at a local pub afterwards.

S&T Madison is held at 7 pm at St. Patrick Church downtown Madison and continue EVERY WEDNESDAY. Join us as we worship in Spirit and Truth! Visit www.spiritandtruthmadison.org for more information.
Sponsored by the Cathedral Parish

Madison Marriage Encounter 2011/2012 Retreat Dates - Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Good Communication Skills Build Strong Marriages

Are you ready to rediscover the joy, intimacy and romance in your relationship? Come join us for a very special weekend designed to give couples the opportunity to reconnect, focus on one another, and grow in their marriage. Our mission is to enhance and encourage marriages as God intended.

Upcoming weekend dates:

* February 11-12, 2012 Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, Janesville, WI

* April 21-22, 2012 Durward's Glen, Baraboo, WI

Go to http://www.marriageencountermadison.org for more information or contact Lisa and Mike Friar (608) 375-5074.

Catholic Spiritual Mentorship Program - Friday, February 18, 2011

Catholic Spiritual Mentorship Program – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is initiating the Catholic Spiritual Mentorship Program. The program is co-directed by the School of Faith (www.schooloffaith.com) and the Apostles of the Interior Life (www.apostlesofil.org). Theconsecrated women of the Apostles of the Interior Life served with distinction for a number of years at St. Paul University Catholic Center at the University of Wisconsin. This two-year course of study of four components combines eight distance-learning courses with four, one-week intensive in-residence sessions at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas. It is designed for Catholics who have a desire to develop a deep prayer and sacramental life, a desire to increase their knowledge of the Catholic faith, a desire to grow in the virtues and a desire to help others do the same. The program’s intent is to develop spiritual mentors who will be trained to help guide and assist others in the spiritual life. The cost of the program is $1500 per component or $6000 in total (which includes the room and board costs during the in-residence sessions). For more information, consult the above websites or contact Sister Debbie Li at srdebbie@gmail.com or spiritualmentorship@schooloffaith.com or call her cell phone at 785-760-7424. read more ...

Camp Gray - Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Camp Gray: Come Experience the Faith, Friends, and Fun “We come to camp because it’s amazingly fun, and the spiritual growth our kids experience is incomparable,” says one camper parent. Owned by the Catholic Diocese of Madison, Camp Gray offers one-week sessions for boys and girls in 2nd-12th grade. Emphasis is given to spirituality, community-building, leadership and fun through traditional camp, ranch camp, and adventure and leadership camps for teens. For more information call 608-356-8200, email bigfun@campgray.com, or visit Camp Gray on the web at www.campgray.com. read more ...

Safe Environment Information - Friday, May 07, 2010

Safe Environment Information

Any allegation of sexual misconduct involving priests, deacons, or other Church personnel should be reported to the Diocese of Madison by use of the Sexual Misconduct Question and Reporting Line, 608-821-3162. The diocesan policies regarding sexual abuse allegations, and instructions for making a report of sexual misconduct, are available on the diocesan website: www.madisondiocese.org.

Bulletin News