CASA ESTHER FUNDRAISER: Fr. Joe Mattern plays the flute at the first-ever battle of big jazz bands on Oct. 25 at Becket’s Atrium, Oshkosh. Featuring the Oshkosh Water City Jazz Orchestra and Neenah’s Big Band Reunion, the event was a fundraiser for Casa Esther Catholic Worker House in Omro. Admission was free, but goodwill donations were appreciated at the event that included a silent auction, craft sale and cash bar with snacks. The bands alternated playing jazz classics.
Ken Skitch, co-founder of the Big Band Reunion, said they were excited to play alongside the Water City Jazz Orchestra to help Casa Esther.
“Fr. Joe and I have been playing with the Big Band Reunion since it began 33 years ago,” said Kitch. “His dedication to serving others in our area is exemplified by the work Casa Esther does for the less fortunate in our area.”
Casa Esther, founded in 2008 by Fr. Mattern, provides assistance to the area’s poor, with essentials from diapers to rental assistance.
“The most important part of Casa Esther’s work is helping the needy. That can mean providing a grocery store gift card, a gas card for fuel to get to a job interview or work, help with a utility bill, unexpected car repairs or rental assistance when a family is in crisis and facing homelessness. We talk with them and determine how we can best help them with some temporary assistance,” said Fr. Mattern.
Casa Esther works in conjunction with other local community groups to assist those in need, including St. Vincent de Paul, Winnebago County HELP, Advocap, Leaven and the Salvation Army.
PASTORAL LETTER ON END OF LIFE DECISIONS: On Nov. 2, All Souls’ Day, Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops released the fourth edition of their pastoral letter on end of life decisions, “Now and at the Hour of Our Death.” The letter voices the bishops’ concern and compassion for those facing critical life and death decisions and shares a moral framework for making such decisions.
Like the previous editions, the fourth edition of the pastoral letter is both a planning tool and a moral guide to prepare for the end of life and to relieve some of the pain, sadness, and anxiety that dying entails. It urges Catholics to prepare in advance for future medical care and end of life decisions through advance care planning. It addresses the challenges faced by society today, noting the mounting threat of assisted suicide and euthanasia.
The letter also provides moral guidance on the church’s teaching regarding various treatment measures, such as life support, nutrition and hydration, pain management and overly aggressive medical treatment.
Finally, it provides guidance to specific groups, such as health care professionals, ministers and families who face these questions daily, as they strive to serve those who are experiencing suffering and death.
The English and Spanish versions of the pastoral letter and accompanying legal documents are available online at //www.wisconsincatholic.org/endoflife. The website also contains promotional materials for church bulletins and social media, along with frequently asked questions.
For print copies of the pastoral letter, in English or Spanish, contact the Office of Human Dignity and Life at [email protected] or (920) 437-7531.
NEW TELE-SERVICES SITE: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Manitowoc, announced their partnership to provide tele-services on the Lakeshore, offering support in mental health counseling, financial counseling, immigration assistance, and adoption and parenting services.
The tele-services site provides a private kiosk at the parish office that allows individuals to receive service and assistance from Catholic Charities on a secure computer.
“Through a partnership with the parish, we can provide assistance locally,” said Karmen Lemke, executive director of Catholic Charities. “People can still come to our Green Bay, Menasha or Marinette offices, but the parish site allows them to connect with us closer to home.”
A representative from Catholic Charities is on site every Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. to work with individuals and answer any questions. For more information, visit www.catholiccharitiesgb.org or call (920) 272-8234.
EXPANDED BOX OFFICE HOURS: The Xavier Fine Arts Theatre, 1600 W. Prospect Ave., Appleton, has extended box office hours to accommodate upcoming productions. The box office is open from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday for phone orders and walk-up sales, and one hour before performances for walk-up sales. The box office will be closed Nov. 27-29. The expanded schedule will remain in effect through Dec. 13. Productions include “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Enchanted Edition,” Nov. 8, 9, 15 and 16; “Christmas Stars,” Dec. 5-8 and 12-15; and “ALL RISE! The Northeast Wisconsin Passion Play,” April 10-13. To purchase tickets online for these events, visit www.xaviertheatre.com or call the box office at (920) 733-8840. Phone messages may be left at any time and will be returned by box office staff.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: The Notre Dame Academy Tritons (Green Bay) advanced to the third round of the WIAA Division 3 football playoffs with a 35-13 victory over Port Washington On Nov. 1. The Tritons will play at Grafton on Friday, Nov. 8, in a quarterfinal matchup. In Division 7, Lourdes Academy (Oshkosh) defeated Hilbert 35-27 on Nov. 1 to advance to the fourth round. The Knights will play at Edgar on Nov. 8. In 8-player football, Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas (Marinette) defeated Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah 44-0 last Friday. The Titans will play Northwood/Solon Springs in the semifinals on Nov. 8 at Rhinelander High School.
