Religion Briefs

From the Journal Sentinel

Last Updated: Sept. 27, 2002

Pet blessings to mark feast of St. Francis

Public pet blessings will be held next weekend to mark the Feast of St. Francis. Pets should be on leashes or in containers.

Father Ed Thompson will bless pets at 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 8401 N. 60th St., Brown Deer.
The Rev. James Lobacz, Cardinal Stritch University campus minister, will bless pets on the grass between Duns Scotus Hall and the Campus Center on the campus' south side at 1 p.m. Oct. 5. Stritch, 6801 N. Yates Road, Fox Point, is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Rev. Debra Trakel will bless pets at the 10:30 a.m. service Oct. 6 at St. James Episcopal Church, 833 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Spiritual leaders stage 'sacred steps' program

Hundreds of people, including spiritual leaders from several countries, are expected to participate in Sacred Steps, a free 24-hour vigil and walk for peace that goes from a 9 a.m. opening ceremony today until a 9 a.m. closing ceremony Sunday at Cedar Valley Retreat Center, 5349 County Road D, near West Bend. People can come for an hour or longer, or camp overnight.

Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Native American faiths will be represented. Participants include Swami Ghan Shyam of India, and Phra David Chotiko, a Buddhist monk based in Australia. There also will be music, swimming, labyrinth walks, wagon rides, lessons on wellness, and children's activities. Call (262) (262) 334-9487.

St. John's Lutheran hosting open house

St. John's Lutheran Church and school, 7877 N. Port Washington Road, Glendale, will show its new, 12,000-square-foot early childhood education and day care wing at a public open house from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. A worship service is from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Call (414) 352-4150.

Priest to speak on doing right in globalized world

Father James Hug, a Jesuit priest and president of the Center of Concern in Washington, D.C., will speak on "Do What is Right and Just: Living the Gospel in a Globalized World," after a 4:30 p.m. vespers service Sunday at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 802 N. Jackson St. There will be a simple meal, plus representatives of about 20 social justice and outreach groups.

Unitarians to hear about social justice legacy

Mary Finley, a diversity trainer and social justice activist, will talk on Unitarian Universalists reclaiming a legacy of working on social justice issues at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Church West, 13001 W. North Ave., Brookfield. The Guest House Homeless Choir will sing.

Breakfast meeting for women's ministry

Magnificat, a Catholic women's ministry that is new to Wisconsin, is inviting the public to a breakfast meeting from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 5 at the Silver Spring Country Club in Menomonee Falls. Its goal is to inspire, strengthen, and encourage women to grow spiritually.

Guest speaker Rebecca Conaty of Virginia will talk about the transforming love of Christ as she dealt with an annulment, the loss of a child, and adoption. The ministry has 60 chapters. Call Terry Biertzer, (262) 677-1192.

Introduction to Judaism offered at Beth Israel

Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative congregations are offering "Introduction to Judaism," an 18-week course for people considering conversion to Judaism that begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Congregation Beth Israel, Glendale. Students must have a sponsoring rabbi. Call Congregation Shalom at (414) 352-9288.

Greater New Birth to dedicate building

Greater New Birth Church will hold services dedicating a new $2.3 million worship facility - which also houses kindergarten classrooms of 21st Street Elementary School - at 7 most nights from Monday to Oct. 6 at 2207 W. Center St. The church has been at 2200 W. Center St. for 20 years, the last 12 years under the leadership of Bishop R.J. Burt.

Guest speakers, local unless indicated, are: Monday, Pastor Darrell Hines, Christian Faith Fellowship Church; Tuesday, Pastor Betty Hayes, Holy Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church; Wednesday, Pastor L.W. Bolton Jr., It Is Written Evangelical Missionary Baptist Church, Kansas City, Mo.; Thursday, Bishop Larry D. Trotter, Sweet Holy Spirit Full Gospel Baptist Church, Chicago; Friday, Pastor Ira Acree, Greater St. John Holiness Baptist Church, Chicago; and Sunday, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ. Call (414) 264-5683.

West Bend parish celebrates 150 years

Holy Angels Parish, 126 N. 8th Ave., West Bend, will mark its 150th anniversary with a gala dinner-dance Oct. 5, an 11 a.m. Mass Oct. 6, a written parish history, a commemorative video, 150 hours of continuous prayer, and a one-of-a-kind souvenir medallion. Call (262) 334-3038.

DeKoven Center has sesquicentennial, too

The DeKoven Center, 600 21st St., Racine, will mark its 150th anniversary with "A Candlelight Gala" at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6. It includes welcoming cups of grog, a candlelight concert of Baroque chamber music, and a trumpet fanfare and garden procession to a reception. Reservations are not needed. The suggested donation is $10. Call (262) 633-6401.