Columnist follows Code of Ethics for press

It's not often I consider kissing a Republican, but Sen. John McCain would have been my choice for that last week when he stood up for a free press and said to those of us in the media: "The fact is we need you."

We journalists have been much maligned since the White House changed hands Jan. 20, accused of "fake news," dishonesty, etc., etc. If anything goes wrong in the world, blame the media. Don't like the message? Blame the messenger.

Those who want to muzzle the press, the Arizona senator cautioned, need to look at history, for "that's how dictators get started."

I've been a journalist since my high school and college days, spent another 39 years working for daily newspapers in Oshkosh and the Fox Valley, then, one year after retiring from the Oshkosh Northwestern, signed on as an independent freelancer in 2003 to write this column about what various faith communities are doing.

For what it's worth, as a lifetime member of the National Federation of Press Women I follow a Code of Ethics adopted by the organization in 1975 during its national conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. This is that Code:

"As a professional communicator, I recognize my responsibility to the public which has placed its trust and confidence in my work, and will endeavor to do nothing to abuse this obligation.

"With truth as my ultimate goal, I will adhere to the highest standards of professional communication, never consciously misleading reader, viewer, or listener; and will avoid any compromise of my objectivity or fairness. Because I believe that professional communicators must be obligated only to the people's right to know, I affirm that freedom of the press is to be guarded as an inalienable right of the citizens of a free country.

"I pledge to use this freedom wisely and to uphold the right of communicators to express unpopular opinions, as well as the right to agree with the majority."

•Yessra Sankari from the Fox Valley Islamic Society is scheduled to present the Adult Education program at 9 a.m. today at First Congregational Church in Oshkosh. Her topic is "The Hijab and Practicing the Islamic Faith in Today's World."

•The book "Vessel of Clay", which tells of the life of Appleton native Sister Carol (Carla) Ann Piette of the Maryknolls, is the subject of a program on all of the Saturdays of March at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oshkosh. Karen Schallhorn, the author and an MBS parishioner who was a lifelong friend of the martyred Sister Carla, and David Schallhorn will lead the review/discussions. The programs are from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room at the St. Peter site (Pearl Avenue entrance). The only cost is the price of the book, $12, available for pickup in the parish office, 920-231-9782. Participants are asked to read Chapters 1-3 before the first program March 4. LIFT, the MBS women's group, is host for the series. Sister Carla was killed in El Salvador in 1980 at the height of its violent government regime.

•There will be no Masses the week of March 6 through 13 at the St. Vincent site of St. Jude Parish in Oshkosh due to remodeling of the floor in the sanctuary. This will affect the Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday Masses. All parish Masses affected will be offered at the Sacred Heart site.

•Volunteers from the Berlin United Methodist Church will be serving a Spud Supper on Tuesday, March 7, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The menu includes a baked potato with one's choice of nine toppings, a beverage and a gourmet cupcake. The cost is $5. Carryouts are available. This fundraiser helps support the Berlin UMC's mission projects. The UMC is the church by the river, at the corner of North Capron Street and Cumberland Street. Questions? Call 920-361-2160.

•The Norbertine Center for Spirituality at St. Norbert Abbey has released the list of presenters for its popular Saturday morning Lenten series. The programs are from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. The schedule is: March 4, Temptation in the Desert, Fr. Dave Pleier; March 11, Let Us Build Tents, Fr. Kevin Schneider, SJ; March 18, The Woman at the Well, Joan Bartman, pastoral associate at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Neenah; March 25, Healing the Man Blind from Birth, Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O.Praem.; and April 1, The Story of Lazarus, Fr. Tim Shillcox, O.Praem. Registration appreciated by calling 920-337-4315 or go to norbertines.org. The Center is at 1016 Broadway, De Pere. Donations are accepted for the programs.

•The first of three Lenten fish fries at St. Mary Church in Winneconne will be Friday, March 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Kaudy Hall, 210 Pleasant Drive. Selections include all-you-can-eat smelt, plus haddock, shrimp, and mac and cheese (for children). Children's fish plates are available for ages 6 to 12. Prices vary, depending on the selections, but meals include french fries or potato salad, coleslaw, rye bread, beverages and dessert. For carryouts, call the church office, 920-582-7712. The other Lenten fish fries will be March 17 and 31.

•The Lenten Friday fish fries at St. Raphael Parish in Oshkosh begin March 3, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in Good Samaritan Hall, 830 S. Westhaven Drive. A varied menu is offered, with homemade desserts, and carryouts are available. The other dates for the fish fries are March 10, 17, 24 and 31, and April 7.

•The Religious Education students at St. Joseph Parish in Wautoma are having their third annual Junk for Jesus rummage sale March 11 and 12, and March 17 and 18. Donations of items for the sale may be dropped off at the church office, 364 S. Cambridge St., any time during office hours before March 2. Questions? Call 920-787-3848.

•Thought for the Day: A Sunday well spent brings a week of content.

Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about happenings at area centers of worship. To submit news for her consideration, email her courtesy of oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject “Church news.” Deadline is 5 p.m., Mondays.