On Christmas day in 1864, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow listened to Christmas bells ring out the good news of peace on earth. But he lacked the Christmas spirit of peace.
He was still suffering from the tragic death of his wife Fanny in 1861. And Charles, his son, had been wounded in our country’s bloody civil war, which he feared would kill or wound many more Americans.
The economic crisis our country is experiencing provides us with a wonderful opportunity to focus more on the true meaning of Christmas, rather than on the materialistic spirit that often permeates our Western culture.
Since so many people are unemployed or under employed and many family incomes are shrinking, a number of people will have to limit the type of gifts they give.
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| Esta columna está dirigida a los fieles de la Diócesis de Madison. Cualquier circulación más amplia transgrede la intención del Obispo. |
Queridos amigos:
Mientras escuchamos los sonidos de “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” (Estoy soñando con una blanca Navidad) que se oye por todos lados en estos días, la atención nacional e incluso global se ha concentrado en los asuntos “verdes” relacionados con los eventos de Copenhage, Dinamarca, en la Cumbre sobre el Cambio Climático.
To the editor:
We enjoyed participating in the Catholic Herald youth writing and drawing contest focusing on the Year for Priests. Our entire school took part in gratefully reflecting on and celebrating the many special qualities of Father Bakke.
To the editor:
“Reproductive choice” is a camouflage term for abortion of unborn babies at all stages of development. No matter how hard one tries to hide the term abortion, the procedure of abortion is always murder.
BOLGATANGA, Ghana — Bishop Lucas Abadamloora of the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in Ghana died on December 23, a day after his 71st birthday.
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| Caregiver Terri Huchison, center, poses for a photo with Joni Prough and Mary Fischer, all from Stoughton, during the Apostolate to the Handicapped’s Christmas Party at Monroe High School December 5. (Catholic Herald photo/Jo Boyce) For more pictures of the Apostolate Christmas Party click here. |
MONROE — The annual Apostolate to the Handicapped Christmas Party, held this year December 5 at Monroe High School, is always a joyous event.
It is anticipated by many for what it is on a fundamental level: a party — a chance for hundreds of people from the Madison Diocese, both handicapped and those who assist them, to re-connect personally with others they may see only two or three times a year.
Friendships are formed, renewed, and enjoyed. The holiday spirit is augmented by a decorated space and tables, with music and even dancing for the uninhibited, and the sharing of a hot meal and beverages served by cheerful volunteers.
However, these obvious signs are actually just trimmings to what is truly the heart of the “party”: the Mass, with its Scripture readings and related message delivered personally by the bishop in his homily. Added to that is the physical presence and personal greetings offered by Msgr. Thomas Campion following Mass, which complements the bishop’s words.
MADISON — From beginning to end, the Madison Diocesan Choir’s free Christmas concert this Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center is all about angels and their joyful message sung from the heavens to shepherd boys and all below on the earth.
I spent 20 Christmas Eves in jail. My first such Christmas Eve was in 1971. The Rock County Jail Chaplaincy Committee invited me to help to plan and participate in an ecumenical service at the jail in Janesville. I accepted.
But I waited nervously for Christmas Eve because I had no previous experience with prisoners.
Christmas Eve finally came and I drove anxiously to the Rock County Jail. The beautiful Christmas snowflakes that danced gracefully across my car’s windshield failed to calm the nervous butterflies in my stomach.
Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Madison offers special areas for infant burials within its cemeteries.
