ZACH TOM SUPPORTS ST. VINCENT DE PAUL OUTREACH: Packer offensive tackle Zach Tom, above left, is pictured with Bill Gosse, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul Green Bay, on Oct. 21 at the Green Bay West St. Vincent de Paul store located at 920 Hansen Road. Tom signed autographs and provided photo opportunities for fans. Proceeds from the event will provide blankets for homeless individuals served by St. Vincent de Paul this winter. Larry Loberger, lead Vincentian at the St. Vincent de Paul Resource Center in Green Bay, said that 186 blankets were distributed last winter.
MELENDEZ VISITS GREEN BAY: Tony Melendez performed on Oct. 17 at St. John Paul II Classical School in Green Bay. The concert was the final stop on Melendez’s six-school tour that included schools in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. Melendez was born in Nicaragua without arms because his mother was prescribed thalidomide, a drug used to help calm morning sickness during her pregnancy. He moved from Nicaragua to Los Angeles and during high school, Melendez began playing the guitar with his feet. He also started playing the harmonica and writing songs.
On Sept. 15, 1987, Melendez performed in Los Angeles for St. John Paul II, then Pope John Paul II. Following his performance of the song “Never Be the Same,” the pope kissed Melendez in appreciation. During his presentation at St. John Paul II Classical School, he showed a video of the moment to the students, pre-k to 12th grade.
Melendez told the students that he is able to play the guitar with his feet through practice. He said, “When it comes to practice, don’t forget your faith. You have to practice it.” He also told the students that “the greatest thing I have is Christ.”
Melendez has performed throughout the United States and in 40 other countries. He has also made countless television appearances. For more information about his music and ministry, visit Tony Melendez – Concert and Contact Information.
THREE FROM DIOCESE INVESTED IN EQUESTRIAN ORDER: The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem invested three members of the faithful from the Diocese of Green Bay into its ranks at the North Central Lieutenancy’s annual Investiture Weekend held in La Crosse Oct. 4 -7.
Dame Kerry S. Gross, Sir Michael F. Kresl and Sir Jacob J. Van Schyndel were invested into the order by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, archbishop of Milwaukee and Lieutenancy Coadjutor Prior, at a solemn ceremony on Oct. 6 at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse. The investiture was followed by a memorial Mass for the deceased members of the Lieutenancy who had died during the year.
Dame Kerry Gross is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, De Pere. Sir Michael Kresl is a parishioner at SS. Edward and Isadore, Suamico. Sir Jacob Van Schyndel attends St. Matthew Parish in Green Bay.
In a separate vigil and promotion ceremony held on Oct. 5 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, four members of the Green Bay Section were promoted within the order. Sir Steven J. Bollom and Dame Mary C. Bollom and Sir David R. Smith and Dame Maria V. Smith were promoted to grand officer/commander with star by Archbishop Listecki.
Sir Steven and Dame Mary Bollom, parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Green Bay, were also awarded the Pope Pius IX Award in recognition of their singular accomplishments in service to the Lieutenancy during the previous year.. Sir David and Dame Maria Smith attend St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Oshkosh.
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Pontifical Order of Chivalry under the protection of the Holy See, with origins that can be traced back to the year 1099 and the First Crusade.
Members make a lifetime commitment to live a life of the Order’s spirituality and make a commitment to the Order’s mission of service and support for the Christians in the Holy Land. Today, the Order numbers over 30,000 members worldwide. The North Central Lieutenancy covers the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.
PRO-LIFE WISCONSIN FOUNDING MEMBER DIES: Sr. Rosalia Bauer, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 95, died Oct. 11 at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse. She was in the 74th year of her religious profession. Rosalia Ritalina was born on Feb. 20, 1929, to Joseph A. and Rosa (Danzinger) Bauer in Lima, Wis.
In 1947, she followed her aunt, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Ritalina Danzinger, and entered St. Rose Convent. Rosalia was received into the novitiate in 1948 and given the name Sr. Mary Ambrose. She later went back to her baptismal name and made her profession of First Vows on Aug. 12, 1950.
Always wanting to be a nurse, Sr. Rosalia became a registered nurse, graduating from St. Anthony School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa. She went on o receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington, Seattle. She eventually became a family nurse practitioner through Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.
In 1992, a new passion was born for Sr. Rosalia when she was invited to become part of the pro-life movement through Pro-Life Wisconsin. She continued her pro-life commitment for the rest of her years, even into retirement.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: The Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Green Bay will be well represented in the WIAA playoffs that begin on Friday, Oct. 25. In Division 3, the Notre Dame Academy Tritons (Green Bay), a two seed, will host Pewaukee. In Division 4, the Xavier Hawks (Appleton), a four seed, will host Little Chute. In Division 7, the Roncalli Jets (Manitowoc), a four seed, will host Shiocton. The Lourdes Academy Knights (Oshkosh), a six seed, will travel to Crivitz. In 8-player football, the Titans of Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas (Marinette) earned the top seed and will host Wausaukee.