News briefs for Jan. 25, 20184 min read

Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week 2018 will be celebrated from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3. The theme for this year is “Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” Bishop James P. Powers will celebrate Masses with students Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Our Lady of the Lake, Ashland; Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Immaculate Conception, New Richmond; Thursday, Feb. 1, at St. Mary’s, Tomahawk; and Friday, Feb. 2, at St. Joseph, Rice Lake.

SDCCW scholarships
The Superior Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will award two $500 scholarships to women completing their second year of post-high school education by spring; continuing their education for career advancement; or returning to the work field.

To apply, contact Gail Grassel at 715-634-0042 or or visit www.sdccw.me/programs/scholarships. Winners will be notified by phone or mail and recognized at the SDCCW convention May 22 at St. Scholastica, Duluth. Applications must be postmarked by March 15.

Band to perform concert
To celebrate the completion of a drive for the local food pantry and homeless shelter, the parish cluster of St. Joseph, Barron; St. Boniface, Chetek; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Strickland; and St. Peter, Cameron, is hosting a concert with the Aly Aleigha Band at 6 p.m. Feb. 7. A Rice Lake native and singer/songwriter, Aly Aleigha works in youth ministry in the Diocese of Duluth. She and her band perform contemporary Catholic music.

Guitarist to play in Pine City
Catholic guitarist Tony Melendez will appear in concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Pine City High School Auditorium, Pine City, Minnesota.

Cost is $10 per person or $40 per family. Melendez, who has no arms, taught himself to play the guitar with his toes.

A singer and composer, he has shared his story throughout the United States and in 44 countries.

Superintendent wins award
Peggy Schoenfuss, director of Catholic Formation and superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Superior, has been selected to receive the National Catholic Education Association’s 2018 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award.

She has been the superintendent since 2006, and she took over the role of director of Catholic Formation in 2012. She oversees schools, religious education programs, adult formation and preparation throughout the diocese.

She will receive the award at the national NCEA Conference April 3 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“Having worked closely with Peggy during that time, I can say that there are very few people more deserving of this honor for her tireless work and many contributions to Catholic education,” said Steve Tarnowski, diocesan director of Stewardship and Development.

Parishes determine flu measures
During the influenza season, parishes in the Diocese of Superior are invited to decide, on an individual basis, whether to restrict certain parts of the liturgy to prevent transmission. Measures may include encouraging greeters to refrain from shaking hands before Mass; restricting the holding of hands during the Our Father; restricting the shaking of hands during the Sign of Peace; and temporarily suspending the distribution of the Precious Blood, in the form of wine, via a common chalice.
According to a memo distributed to parishes from the Office of Worship, ministers are encouraged to maintain a number of hygienic practices to prevent transmission of illnesses, and Catholics who are sick are encouraged to stay home from Mass and recuperate. More details can be found at tinyurl.com/y9qrwjac

Music ministry conference
The Diocese of Superior’s 12th annual Music Ministry Conference will take place at Holy Family Catholic Church, Woodruff, Friday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 3.

The theme of this year’s event is “Word, Sacrament, and Mission: The Gift and the Joyful Challenge of Singing our Faith.”

The presenter is musician and composer Janèt Sullivan Whitaker. To learn more or to register, contact Paul Birch, director of the Office of Worship, at or 715-394-0233.

World Day for Consecrated Life
In 1997, Pope St. John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life.

This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Feb. 2. Also known as Candlemas, the feast is the day on which candles are blessed, symbolizing Christ, who is the light of the world.

So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops explained.

World Marriage Week
On Feb. 7-14, the U.S. Catholic Church celebrates National Marriage Week; World Marriage Day is Feb. 11.

Free viewing of ‘Voiceless’
The Cathedral of Christ the King, Superior, will host a free viewing of the film “Voiceless” at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.

From 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 29, the lead actor, Rusty Joiner, will be the keynote speaker at the Together for Life Banquet at Greysolon Ballroom, Duluth. The fundraising banquet will support the establishment of the Star of the North Maternity Home and provide funds for local organizations that support life. To learn more, visit TogetherForLifeNorthland.org/TFL-Banquet/.