WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS: The Office of Family Life and the Office of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Green Bay invite all the parishes to honor grandparents and the elderly with a special prayer during Masses on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Pope Francis instituted the church-wide celebration of World Day for Grandparents on July 24, 2022, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne.
The U.S. bishops have approved the transfer of the celebration of World Day for
Grandparents and the Elderly in the United States from the fourth Sunday of July to the first weekend after Labor Day in September to coincide with National Grandparents Day in the United States. This year’s theme, chosen by the Holy Father, is: “Do not cast me off in my old age” (cf. Psalm 71:9). The theme calls attention to the fact that, sadly, loneliness is the bitter lot in the lives of many elderly, so often victims of the throw-away culture. Therefore, we are invited to show our tender love for grandparents and the elderly members of our families.
GLOBAL OUTREACH ALUM TO CONCELEBRATE MASSES: Newly ordained Fr. Valentín Harničár (above) will concelebrate at the weekend Masses Sept. 7-8 with Fr. Nonito Jesus Barra at St. Margaret Mary Church, 620 Division St., Neenah. He will be in the area for a visit from Slovakia with family members. Fr. Valentín was a 2015-2016 exchange student at Xavier High School in Appleton with Global Outreach Catholic Exchange Program. A small reception for Fr. Harničár will follow the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Sept. 7. He will be back again for the 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Masses on Sunday morning. For information about Global Outreach Catholic Exchange Program, visit Global Outreach Catholic Exchange Program | Oshkosh, WI (globaloutreachprogram.com).
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RESULTS: Five football teams from diocesan high schools opened the 2024 season last week. The Knights of Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh defeated Living Word Lutheran 56-6 on Thursday, Aug. 22. The following day, Aug. 23, the Notre Dame Academy Tritons (Green Bay) defeated Kaukauna 16-13; the Xavier Hawks (Appleton) defeated Valders 56-12; the Roncalli Jets (Manitowoc) won over Manitowoc Lutheran 19-13; and the St. Mary Catholic Zephyrs (Neenah) fell to Amherst 37-14. All five teams will be in action on Friday, Aug. 30. The Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas (Marinette) Titans open their 2024 8-man football season at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at Niagara.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS: Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services Inc. in Oshkosh, an organization that helps victims of domestic abuse by providing emergency shelter and other services, is moving to a new facility. Volunteers are needed to help with moving furniture, cleaning, stocking apartments, painting, carpet cleaning and installing televisions. If interested, email anise@christineann.net or call (920) 235-5998.
ST. TERESA EXHIBIT: In collaboration with the Mother Teresa Institute in Washington, D.C., the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., is hosting a temporary exhibit on the life and mission of St. Teresa of Kolkata. The exhibit, titled “Mother Teresa: Life, Spirituality and Message,” chronicles the contemporary saint’s life from childhood to canonization. More than 60 panels, accompanied by photos and copies of documents from the Missionaries of Charity archives, tell her story and highlight her spirituality and message of radical love for God and neighbor. The exhibit, which opened Aug. 19, included a first-class relic of Mother Teresa that will be available for veneration alongside the Shrine’s permanent St. John Paul II blood relic.
The panels display photos and biographical information on Mother Teresa’s birth, family life, entry into religious life as a Sister of Loreto, the beginnings of the Missionaries of Charity and the founding of the MC Fathers. Relics of Mother Teresa include her sari, handkerchief, rosary, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and original writings, including personal notes and letters to MC Brothers and Sisters. Additional artifacts include copies of Mother Teresa’s baptismal certificate, vow paper, original Constitutions, as well as duplicates of the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize, Nobel Peace Prize and Honorary Doctorate from Harvard University.
PASSION PLAY GROUP RESERVATIONS: Performances of “All Rise! The Northeast Wisconsin Passion Play 2025” are scheduled for April 10-13 at the Xavier Fine Arts Theatre, 1600 West Prospect Ave., Appleton. Advance premium group sales are open through Jan. 14, 2025. Groups of 10 or more can reserve seats. All tickets are $15 each. Order by Sept. 2 to save $2 per ticket. For tickets and more information, visit www.newpassionplay.org.