News briefs for Oct. 4, 20185 min read

Faith-based summit on opioids in Rice Lake

The governor’s faith-based summit on opioids is Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Red Cedar Church in Rice Lake. It is one of three summits around the state to bring faith-based group leaders together as key players in the response to Wisconsin’s opioid crisis. Information and resources will be shared for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.

The summit is open to all faith-based groups at no charge. Space is limited; register with Mary Raina Haralampopoulus at 608-267-3783 or visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/conferences.htm.

St. Vincent de Paul retreat

The Superior Council of the Society of St Vincent de Paul will host a retreat, “The Life of St Vincent de Paul: How It Relates to Us as Individuals,” at St Joseph Catholic Church, Hayward, on Saturday, Nov. 3. Deacon James Boorman from the Diocese of Sioux Falls will present.  Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the retreat concludes with an opportunity for confession at 3 p.m. and Mass at 4 p.m. It includes free continental breakfast and lunch. Freewill offerings accepted. Email  or call/text 414-436-5350 to register by Oct. 27.

Shrine holds national novena

Nine days of reflection and prayer brings hundreds of pilgrims to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, in the Diocese of Green Bay. The National Novena to Our Lady of Good Help is on Oct. 1-9, and this year marks the beginning of the celebration of the 160th anniversary of Mother Mary appearing to Adele Brise at Champion. The National Novena began Oct. 1 and includes Family Day Oct. 7, the Miracle of the Fire Prayer Service Oct. 8, and Apparition Day on Oct. 9.

The Family Day event features a luncheon with guest speaker Marion Mulhall, founder of Worldpriest Global Rosary Relay at noon. and the Knights of Columbus Family Rosary Walk at 1 p.m.

The Miracle of the Fire Prayer Service remembers Oct. 8, 1871 when the Shrine was spared from the great fires that engulfed the Midwest. Area faithful gathered with Adele Brise and prayed through the night. An all-night adoration begins at 7 p.m. with an outdoor Eucharistic Rosary Procession. This includes an hourly group rosary throughout the night, into the morning of Oct. 9.

Apparition Day commemorates the day in 1859 when the Blessed Mother appeared to Adele Brise and told her to “gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.” The Apparition Day Mass will take place at 11 a.m. followed by the Anointing of the Sick. The Mass will be celebrated by The Most Rev. David L. Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay, who will also do an Apparition Day presentation at 12:30 p.m.

Those who cannot be at Champion Shrine for the National Novena are encouraged to sign up to receive the daily prayers via email. To take part, visit the Shrine’s website, click on ‘Prayer & Novenas,’ then ‘Novenas’ and fill out the form.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help is located at 4047 Chapel Drive in Champion, centrally located between Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Algoma. It is open 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.ShrineOf
OurLadyOfGoodHelp.com.

Franciscan serving Ojibwe finalist for Lumen Christi Award

Sr. Phyllis Wilhelm, OSF, has been named one of eight finalists for the Catholic Extension Society’s Lumen Christi Award. The award honors an individual or group working in America’s mission dioceses who demonstrate the transformative power of faith and inspiration, “hidden heroes in our midst.” The group of eight finalists was selected from among 47 nominees working in some of the United States’ poorest areas. Most of the 40 years Wilhelm has served in the Diocese of Superior have been with the native population. Since 2008, she has served as pastoral associate of St. Mary Parish, the historic church in Odanah that is part of the Bad River Band of Ojibwe. As quoted in a Sept. 12 Catholic Extension article, Wilhelm said she has learned much from the Ojibwe: “The Native American traditions are so much like those of St. Francis. Their love of nature, God’s presence and each other have enhanced my own faith. I let them teach me their native spirituality and see how that fits into our spirituality. The gifts they bring are invaluable.”

Catechism focus at Fall Conference

“Teach Me Your Ways, O Lord” is the theme for the Diocese of Superior’s 56th Annual Fall Conference.

The event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rice Lake.

The annual conference is an opportunity for catechists, youth ministers, educators, parish staff and others to gather together for education, fellowship and spiritual revival.

This year, attendees will be celebrating 25 years of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The day will begin with Mass with Bishop James P. Powers, followed by the keynote address given by Bishop David L. Ricken from the Diocese of Green Bay.

The afternoon will feature a second keynote presentation by Michelle Nilsson, associate director of Evangelization and Catechesis in the Diocese of Madison, as well as breakout sessions that will explore different aspects of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as ways to teach from it.

Vendors will be available in the gymnasium of the school.

Cost is $45 per person, lunch included, if paid by Wednesday, Oct. 18. Registrations paid Thursday, Oct. 19, or later will be $50.

Registration materials and further information can be found on the diocesan website, catholicdos.org.