Bishop Ricken blesses and dedicates new artwork for Father Carr’s Place 2B
OSHKOSH, WI — Bishop David Ricken visited Father Carr’s Place 2B, a Catholic life enrichment center in Oshkosh, to bless and dedicate wall art now displayed in Bethlehem Inn last Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Bethlehem Inn offers temporary housing for men, women and children who need support and guidance to transition to independent living. All immediate needs are taken care of, including three meals a day.
The wall art project, called “Saints in the Hallway,” was made possible by four generous donors and is “a project intended to sow mustard seeds of faith to the residents who stay with us,” said Jim Boehm, executive director of Father Carr’s Place 2B.
The artwork was created and produced by Image 360, Inc. of Oshkosh. Each piece of art offers an inspirational quote from a saint or a short Scripture verse.
The inspiration for the project came from the Catholic Church’s Communion of Saints,” said Boehm. “They are, in fact, the ‘hall of fame of humanity.’ We encourage our residents to set their ultimate goal of becoming a saint.”
The life enrichment center, which ministers to the poor and provides family and community activities, was founded by Fr. Martin Carr in 1974 and has been funded entirely by private donors and the generosity of others since then. All services, including the food bank, clinic and chapel, are operated by volunteers.
To learn more about Father Carr’s Place 2B, visit fathercarrs.org.
Wisconsin Catholic Conference celebrates postpartum expansion
MADISON, WI — The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC), the public policy voice of the state’s Catholic bishops, celebrates the passage of Senate Bill 23, which extends critical medical assistance to women from 60 days to a full year after giving birth. The bill will now be sent to Governor Tony Evers for his signature.
“As Catholics, we believe every public policy should be measured by how it affects the life and
dignity of the human person, especially prioritizing the needs of those living in poverty, those
who are on the margins, and those who suffer the injustice of racism,” said a recent press release from the WCC.
“If Wisconsin mothers thrive, Wisconsin children thrive too,” said Tia Izzia, the associate director of the WCC. “This extension will be life-changing for our most vulnerable families and a commonsense investment in the future of Wisconsin. Today, Wisconsin has truly embraced them both.”
According to the WCC, in the time after giving birth, women can suffer from serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, depression, and substance use disorders.
Sen. Jesse James and Rep. Patrick Snyder authored the bill, and in the press release, the WCC thanked them and the many lawmakers and advocates who supported this bill through the years, stating that they accomplished “bipartisan success.”
Society of St. Pius X rejects dialogue proposed by the Holy See
VATICAN — The Society of St. Pius X has rejected the Holy See’s proposal for a “specifically theological” dialogue, because the texts of the Second Vatican Council and the legitimacy of the liturgical reform would never be called into question. They have confirmed their intention to proceed with the episcopal ordinations scheduled for July 1.
This response comes in a letter from Fr. Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the Society, to Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, following their meeting on February 12 in the Vatican.
In a subsequent statement, Cardinal Fernández described the meeting as “cordial” and “sincere” and mentioned that he had proposed initiating “a specifically theological dialogue” with “a precise methodology” on issues that still lack sufficient clarification.
This proposal was accompanied by a request to suspend the episcopal ordinations announced on February 2, warning that such a move would “imply a decisive break in ecclesial communion (schism), with serious consequences for the Society as a whole.”
Read the full article from Vatican News here: onmiss.io/sspx