Seminary enrollment sees steady growth as more men study to become Catholic priests

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More men in the Milwaukee Archdiocese seem to be answering God’s call to serve as a Catholic priest. Enrollment at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary has been growing since 2006 and has remained constant for the past seven years.

There are 34 seminarians studying to become priests, the Rev. Luke Strand, vocations director for the archdiocese, said,

Justice for all: Bischoff to receive Advocate Award from Congregations United to Serve Humanity

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Getting into hot water can be a good thing. The homeless individuals who use the showers at the Urban Outreach Center at Grace Lutheran Church, 2006 60th St., can bear witness to that fact.

And they have the Rev. John Bischoff to thank for it.

Spotlight on Messiah Lutheran Church

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Church name: Messiah Lutheran Church

St. Francis Xavier parish celebrates 175 years

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St. Francis Xavier Parish in Brighton — one of a handful of the oldest Catholic parishes in southeastern Wisconsin — is celebrating its 175th anniversary this weekend.

Parishioners have been working on gathering materials for display in a memorabila museum and writing the script for the cemetery tours, which will be conducted by adult descendants of the original families.

Enlightened in neon: Gospel Chapel’s new sign honors Christianity’s Jewish roots

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The neon sign of a cross with the words “Jesus Saves” has glowed from the tower of the Gospel Chapel at 2500 Roosevelt Road for decades.

After being broken for about a year, it was recently repaired and revamped by the church. The sign has been altered to relay a slightly different, but meaningful message.

Trend toward empty pews?

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A recent Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life put an emphasis on a trend that indicates broad changes in American culture, religion and politics.

In the October 2012 study, “Nones on the Rise,” Pew reported that 19.6 percent of Americans now claim no religious affiliation and that for the first time, fewer than half of Americans, 48 percent, are Protestants. That is down from 53 percent just 5 years ago and from 66 percent in the 1960s.

Growing congregation

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is thriving around the world, and the new bishop of its Kenosha-based congregation has faith that his congregation will continue to grow, both spiritually and in numbers under his leadership.

Robert Zemenchik, who lives in Kenosha with his wife, Kira, and their two children was recently named bishop of the 500-member congregation, which draws many members from throughout the southeast Wisconsin area.

Spotlight on Beth Hillel Temple in Kenosha

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Synagogue name: Beth Hillel Temple

Keeping the faith on Facebook

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The use of social media — Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and podcasts — is changing the way churches communicate with their congregations. The church bulletin is not going away, but it’s being augmented by the instant, interactive communication of the laptop, tablet and smartphone.

“It’s a better way to reach people where they are at these days,” said Connie Jacob, communications director for First Christian Church in Kenosha. “I find people stay together better when connected with Twitter and Facebook. Our church family stays connected by posting things that are going on in their lives and in the church’s life. We all like to know what is going on as a church family.”