Diocese offers helping hands
in many ways

	EXTEND A HAND: Cathy Schumer and her daughter, Megan, prepare to make the Sign of the Cross at Holy Cross Church, Bay Settlement. The Green Bay Diocese, through the annual Bishop's Appeal helps parishes and individuals extend a helping hand at all age levels and needs. (Rick Evans photo)

Last in Bishop's Appeal series

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

A child comes into the world, caught by hands. It nurses, cradled by hands. It takes its first steps, as hands reach out to steady those steps.

In the same way, the diocesan offices reach out to people - through all stages of life - to comfort, reassure and encourage. And, when life draws to its end, the hands of priests, counselors, lay ministers and deacons offer comfort, peace and hope.

"There are critical intersections in people's lives, where we come in," said Karen Johnston, director of Catholic Charities. "It could be at the beginning of your life, or when you're trying to raise a child, or when you've lost a spouse."

From adoption and family planning advice, to engaged encounters and marriage support, to sacramental preparation, in schools and adult education workshops, from questions of faith to issues of morality, there is scarcely a moment in life where someone from the diocese cannot "Offer a Helping Hand," the theme for this year's Bishop's Appeal.   Full story ...

	Mass Times 2003 Fall / Winter Mass Schedules (from Sept. 5 issue)
	Lenten Wish List (Feb. 27 issue)

Bishop's Appeal 2004 • Diocese offers helping hands in many ways     Appeal supports a variety of services to parishes, others   • Sidebar: Bishop's Appeal   • Sidebar: Topping $3 million Previous articles ... from the Mar. 19, 2004 issue: • Providing an escape from financial quagmire   • Sidebar: Nearing $3 million from the Mar. 12, 2004 issue: • Parish finds help from diocese only a phone call away   • Sidebar: Appeal giving up from the Mar. 5, 2004 issue: • Consultant helps parishes tune up Sunday liturgies   • Sidebar: Appeal tops $2 million from the Feb. 27, 2004 issue: • Camp draws generations of diocesan youth   • Sidebar: Appeal at 30% from the Feb. 20, 2004 issue: • Befriending persons in need from the Feb. 13, 2004 issue: • Diocese helps engaged prepare for marriage from the Feb. 6, 2004 issue: • Appeal theme mirrors Catholic way of life   • Pie chart of Bishop's Appeal use • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David A. Zubik -- Blockbuster action and beyond

Lent
• Politics, Lent occupy mission life  • Reflection on the Readings     by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --    Don't miss out on who you are today  • Explaining the Scripture     by Fr. Richard Ver Bust --     Suffering creates a unity with Christ  • Tom Rinkoski --     Letting our Christianity drive us  • Foundations of Faith --     A good way ... to examine your day    • Sidebar: A five step examen  • Saint of the Day --     This hermit really got around		• Praying with Sunday's Scriptures   • Sidebar: Readings for the Week Lent articles from previous issues: • Mar. 19, 2004 issue • Mar. 12, 2004 issue • Mar. 5, 2004 issue • Feb. 27, 2004 issue • Feb. 20, 2004 issue 2004 Lenten Wish List Lenten Giving/Easter Joy Wish List (from Feb. 27, 2004 issue)

 • Reflection on the Readings by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --
    March 28, 2004: Don't miss out on who you are today (Lent)

 • Explaining the Scripture by Fr. Richard Ver Bust --
    March 28, 2004: Suffering creates a unity with Christ (Lent)

 • Editorial -- Who would benefit?
    Proponents of same-sex marriage have not shown how it would be of help
    to society

 • Editorial -- Elected officials ignore duty
    We expect officeholder to uphold, not defy laws

 • Foundations of Faith --
    A good way for you and God to examine your day (Lent)
    Examen prayer starts with an awareness of God's constant presence
   • Sidebar: A five step examen

 • Saint of the Day --
    This hermit really got around (Lent)
    Francis didn't heal king, but brought peace between France and Spain

 • Tom Rinkoski --
    Letting our Christianity drive us (Lent)
    As a nation, we are inextricably linked to our cars as transportation and living

 • Praying with Sunday's Scriptures (Lent)
    • Sidebar: Readings for the Week

 • Calendar of Events