Local organizations' good works praised; concerns remain with national foundation
Last Fall, Bishop David L. Ricken became aware of some inconsistencies between the principles of the Gamaliel Foundation and the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Gamaliel Foundation’s affiliate organization in Wisconsin is WISDOM; two local affiliates of WISDOM are JOSHUA in Green Bay and ESTHER in the Fox Cities. About 18 Catholic parishes belong to either JOSHUA or ESTHER.
On Feb. 19, Bishop Ricken sent a letter inviting Catholic leaders of JOSHUA and ESTHER to meet with him, in person, to affirm the good works of JOSHUA and ESTHER and to discuss the situation. His letter is as follows.
Support the ministries, programs and services to thousands
With your help, the Bishop’s Appeal is sharing our faith with countless people throughout Northeastern Wisconsin and beyond. A gift to the Bishop’s Appeal truly changes lives.
Ministries receiving funds raised by the Bishop’s Appeal include: • Mental Health Counseling • Stewardship • Budget Counseling • Youth and Young Adult Ministry • The Compass, the diocesan newspaper • Many other programs
Experts on addiction and ministry to speak in March 2011
"An Addictive Culture; Its Impact on Parish Ministry" will be the theme for the 2011 TEAM Days of Study and Reflection for parish staff and volunteers. Experts on addiction and ministry will speak at the event, March 17-19 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay.
Check here for more details, including registration information.
Advent/Christmas online resources
Daily prayer, readings, reflections, family activities featured
Families and individuals looking for suggestions for daily prayer, reading, reflection, and action throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons will find them on a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Web site.
As long-time advocates of health care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case for genuine health care reform that will protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. As debate continues in the Senate, the Bishops are keeping a close watch on the issues. Learn more about the health care debate, the latest developments, and what the Church is doing to promote just and moral national health care through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Diocese Reviews Grant Details
Initial check shows awards support Church teachings
On Nov. 12, 2009, the Diocese of Green Bay became aware of concerns involving the Gamaliel Foundation and its state umbrella group called WISDOM. It appears that the groups had been associated with Health Care for American Now (HCAN), which on Nov. 7, 2009, began to advocate for the inclusion of abortion coverage. It is our understanding that, earlier this week, both groups notified HCAN to withdraw their membership. This is of interest to the Diocese of Green Bay because two local groups, JOSHUA and ESTHER, have associations with Gamaliel and WISDOM.
Bishop Ricken issues his first Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Green Bay
GREEN BAY — Bishop David Ricken has written his first pastoral letter to Catholics in the Green Bay Diocese. The pastoral letter, released Nov. 1, focuses on the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, which was published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2006.
Focus on family during 'holy days' and holidays in November and December
Wisconsin has long celebrated November as Family Month.
November -- and December -- are a great time to focus on the family because of the many wonderful "holy days" and the special holidays leading up to Christmas, said Helen A. Scieszka, Ph.D., director of Family & Married Life for the Diocese of Green Bay.
Dr. Joseph Bound, Director of Education for the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, discusses trends in Catholic education on Joy Cardin's Oct. 22 show on Wisconsin Public Radio.
Parish committee members can gather and participate in leadership workshops such as Pastoral, Finance Councils, Social Justice, Spirituality, Evangelization, and Stewardship. There are three sessions with multiple breakout sessions to choose from:
On Oct. 7, 2009, the Diocese of Green Bay distributed to all 158 parishes some additional guidance regarding the Sign of Peace and the Communion Cup during the flu season. At the request of Bishop David Ricken, here are some additional materials to consider:
Bishop David L. Ricken is asking Catholics to help families and individuals who are feeling fearful, uncertain, and anxious because of the economic downturn. "It is in the face of times like these that the Church, and especially parishes, are called to respond with pastoral care and loving concern in whatever ways that it can," Bishop Ricken said. To help make this possible, the Diocese of Green Bay has put together a packet of helpful ideas, programs, and resource materials.
Families invited to pray for a priest June 19, 2009-June 19, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” and the Diocese of Green Bay is inviting Catholic families to contact the Family & Married Life Department to take part in this stewardship of prayer.
To mark the beginning of the 150th anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary appearing to Adele Brice in Bay Settlement, the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, 4047 Chapel Drive (Highway K) in New Franken, will host a prayer vigil starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Worshippers are asked to bring a candle, lantern or flashlight to carry for the rosary procession to be held each hour. There will also be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the night. The vigil will close with Benediction at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. Bishop David Ricken will then celebrate 8 a.m. Mass.
The story of the shrine dates back to Oct. 9, 1859, when Brice was walking home from church and reported seeing a vision of a lady dressed in white, standing between two trees. This was the third vision Brice had had but the first time the woman in the vision identified herself as the Queen of Heaven and instructed Brice to teach the children the catechism.
News & Events
"An Addictive Culture; Its Impact on Parish Ministry" will be the theme for the 2011 TEAM Days of Study and Reflection for parish staff and volunteers. Experts on addiction and ministry will speak at the event, March 17-19 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay.
Daily prayer, readings, reflections, family activities featured
Wisconsin has long celebrated November as Family Month.
Bishop David L. Ricken is asking Catholics to help families and individuals who are feeling fearful, uncertain, and anxious because of the economic downturn. "It is in the face of times like these that the Church, and especially parishes, are called to respond with pastoral care and loving concern in whatever ways that it can," Bishop Ricken said. To help make this possible, the Diocese of Green Bay has put together a packet of helpful ideas, programs, and resource materials.
Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” and the Diocese of Green Bay is inviting Catholic families to contact the Family & Married Life Department to take part in this stewardship of prayer.