NEW BOOK ABOUT SACRED SITES: Michael J. Cooney, a photography contributor to On Mission, has released the book “Exploring with a Pilgrim’s Heart, Wisconsin’s Shrines, Chapels, and Grottos.” The book documents 186 sacred sites, including internationally known shrines, ethnic roadside chapels, hunter shrines and backyard chapels. Sites visited are along roadsides, in cemeteries, on church grounds, in backyards or deep in the woods. The 270-page book is illustrated with color photos and maps and is organized by region and county. Both the address and GPS coordinates for each site location are provided, which permits the reader to locate and visit the sites. A presentation about the book by Cooney will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in Good Samaritan Hall at St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, 830 S. Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh. Books will be available for purchase for $50, cash or check only.
REVEAL GALA: St. Mary Parish, Menasha, held a “Reveal Gala” on Oct. 5 in celebration of the completion of its painting restoration project. The evening featured the unveiling of the painting, a blessing of the artwork and benediction. Fellowship and refreshments followed in the parish hall.
The original St. Mary Church, built in 1867, was destroyed by fire. The current church, featuring German Gothic architecture, was dedicated by Bishop Francis Krautbauer in 1883. Many improvements were made in the early 1970s, including repairs of the organ, clock tower and stained-glass windows. In 1998, a link from the church to St. Mary Catholic Elementary School was added along with a new activity center, kitchen, cafeteria and restrooms.
St. Mary Church now features a new paint scheme with gold stars spread across a blue ceiling. Twelve paintings featuring historical appearances of the Virgin Mary are depicted (see photo).
An open house and tours will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, to allow the public to see the transformation of the church and upgrades at the adjacent St. Mary Catholic Elementary School.
SEEKING DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS: Alexandrina Pregnancy Resource Center, located at 1600 Shawano Ave., Suite 106, Green Bay, is in need of gently used or new fall/winter clothing for girls and boys, sizes NB–5T. Winter hats, mittens and boots for babies/toddlers are also needed. Donations can be dropped at the center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Volunteer opportunities are also available at the center, including sorting donations, handing out diapers and assisting mothers at the front desk. To volunteer, call Genny at (920) 471-9656 or stop at the center to complete a volunteer application.
For more information about Alexandrina Pregnancy Resource Center, visit Home (greenbaypregnancyhelp.com).
FAITH SERIES: Tim Francis, author of the soon-to-be released memoir “From the Crackhouse to God’s House — The Power of a Mother’s Prayer,” presented “Do You Believe in Miracles? Can Miracles Stand Up to the Test of Science? Seeing is Believing!” on Sept. 30 at Xavier Fine Arts Theatre in Appleton. The presentation kicked off the 2024-2025 Investigate Your Faith Series sponsored by CIA-Faith Mission Operatives. Remaining presentations in the series are: “How We Deal with This Mess, Is Our Hope in Caesar or Christ” by Dr. Peter Kreeft at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10; “The Shepherds For Whom We Pray, Our Priests — Past, Present and Future” by Fr. John Girotti at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3; “Spiritual Warfare — Armor for a World Gone Mad” by Kyle Clement at 7 p.m. Monday, March 17; and “Shroud Encounter” by Russ Breault at 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15. All sessions are held at the Xavier Fine Arts Theatre, 1600 W. Prospect Ave., Appleton. No tickets are needed. Freewill offerings are encouraged. For more information, call (920) 450-3025 or email ciafmo@gmail.com.
CANCER NURSE NAVIGATORS: Prevea Health is expanding its cancer navigation services to provide patients personalized support from cancer nurse navigators.
Prevea Cancer Connect allows patients to schedule an online or phone appointment to help identify and work through barriers to cancer care and get answers to cancer-related questions.
From a cancer concern to a recent cancer diagnosis, Prevea Cancer Connect offers patients access to an expert cancer nurse navigator who can provide information and help navigate cancer treatment options and follow-up care. The navigator helps patients find services and support systems, provides resources and empowers patients to become an informed participant in their cancer care journey.
To meet with a navigator, call (833) 870-1056, (920) 272-1224 or visit: Cancer nurse navigation at Prevea Health.