Someone once asked Therese of Lisieux if it was wrong to fall asleep while in prayer. Her answer: Absolutely not. A little child is equally pleasing to her parents, awake or asleep – probably more when asleep!

The 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic, Rumi, once said this is how faith moves in our lives: “We live with a deep secret that sometimes we know, then not, and then know again.”

“We are called to proclaim from the housetops the gospel of life, to speak publicly as we are today,” said Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison at the March for Life Wisconsin event held at the State Capitol in Madison on June 24.

In March, Erich Wallace of Merrill announced he was returning for a third year with the pro-life organization Biking for Babies. Wallace has served as both support crew and biker, and this year will be route leader for the Wisconsin route, which takes bikers from Green Bay to St. Louis.

Forty-eight women, including two from the Diocese of La Crosse, gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Bruce on May 6 for a day of reflection with Seven Sisters Apostolate founder Jeanette Howe.

On Aug. 28, St. Theresa of Avila, Three Lakes, celebrated a Festival of Thanksgiving marking 127 years as a parish.

The newly formed Rusk County Catholic Community Cluster Choir, consisting of parishioners from Our Lady of Sorrows, Ladysmith; St. Anthony de Padua, Tony; St. Mary of Czestochowa, Hawkins; St. Francis of Assisi, Flambeau; St. Mary, Bruce; and Ss. Peter and Paul, Weyerhaeuser, was formed in time to sing at all three Holy Week services.

A life-sized bronze sculpture of migrants and refugees crowded onto a boat has stood in St. Peter's Square for more than two years, but just before Christmas a small QR code was placed on the boat's stern to give onlookers information about the work.

Diocesan Council of Catholic Women President Jane Schiszik had hoped for 50 women for the Superior Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s 2021 Convention. When 77 registrations were received, she was overjoyed, especially since a good number were first-timers.