BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: (Above) Fr. Edward Looney blesses Abel Mathwich’s pet duck following the school Mass on Friday, Oct. 4, at Sacred Heart Church in Shawano. Students, staff, families and parishioners attended the Mass in celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Fr. Looney, Sacred Heart pastor, and priest moderator and priest celebrant of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil, blessed the students’ stuffed animals at Mass and live animals following the liturgy. (Sacred Heart School Photo | Special to On Mission)
INAUGURATION OF SNC PRESIDENT: Ceremonies for the inauguration of the ninth president of St. Norbert College (SNC), Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D., will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held at St. Norbert Abbey at 10:30 a.m., followed by the inaugural ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in Walter Theatre, Abbot Pennings Hall of Fine Arts, on the St. Norbert College campus.
Joyner has chosen to focus on “Preserving the Legacy” as the theme for her inauguration. Information about the event can be found at https://www.snc.edu/inauguration2024/.
Joyner previously served as president of St. Xavier University in Chicago (2017-23). Prior to St. Xavier, she served as president of Wittenberg University in Ohio and in vice presidential and dean roles at Rollins College in Florida.
Prior to Rollins, Joyner served on the faculty and held administrative positions of increasing responsibility at Loyola University New Orleans, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology, graduating magna cum laude. From there, she went on to receive her master’s and doctoral degrees in sociology from Tulane University.
Joyner and her husband, Jay F. Joyner III, have three sons: Jay, Alexander and Christopher.
To learn more about Joyner and how she was called to St. Norbert College, watch a short video: Meet President Laurie Joyner
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: Anyone who has lost a loved one through death is invited to join the adult ecumenical “Healing Your Grieving Heart” Bereavement Group. The group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Oct. 24 to Nov. 21, at St. Matthew Church, 130 St. Matthew St., Allouez. Participants are encouraged to attend all five sessions. Preregistration is requested. Freewill offerings will be accepted. The group is sponsored by Resurrection and St. Matthew parishes For more information or to register, contact Sheila at (920) 217-6259 or sheiladeluca@gmail.com or Ann at (920) 366-7605 or annrfroelich@gmail.com.
HURRICANE RELIEF SUPPORT: Catholic Charities USA is helping those affected by Hurricane Helene, which came ashore on Sept. 26 causing deaths, injuries and catastrophic damage in the Southeast. Whole communities are flooded and millions are without power. To support those who continue to suffer the storm’s effects, visit Working to Reduce Poverty in America – Catholic Charities USA.
Food For The Poor (FFTP) is responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, sending critically needed relief supplies and committing funds to assist vulnerable communities hit hardest by the storm.
To help with FFTP’s disaster response, go to: Food For The Poor | Feeding the Hungry | Charity organization.
DISASTER SHELTER VOLUNTEERS: The American Red Cross of Wisconsin is issuing an urgent appeal for volunteers who are willing to travel this fall to support emergency shelters for major national disaster relief efforts.
Interested volunteers are urged to sign up today at How To Volunteer | American Red Cross. All candidates must complete the necessary training and be able to commit to a two-week deployment. Applicants who don’t have disaster experience are still encouraged to apply if they have supervision, management or organization skills, a strong desire to help others or the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
People can help in other ways, too, following Hurricane Helene:
- Donate financially: Financial donations are the quickest and fastest way to get help to people who need it. Visit American Red Cross | Help Those Affected by Disasters or text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation to help people affected by Hurricane Helene. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
Give blood: Hurricane Helene resulted in more than 1,500 blood donations to go uncollected in the Southeast — yet the need for blood remains constant. Those outside the affected areas are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting the American Red Cross website or using the Blood Donor App to help restock the shelves.