Dear Friends,
It seems like forever ago that I saw the movie, The Exorcist (and it was forever ago in the sense that it was in the ’70’s) but there was one scene and one line that stuck with me. It was not any of the overblown portrayals of the Devil’s presence, though they did go overboard in that movie in certain instances, and attributed to the Devil certain things that the Devil could not do, just to make it more sensational.
MADISON/DODGEVILLE — As parishes across the diocese and nation prepare for Christmas, many pay special attention to the elderly and homebound, including putting together and delivering gift bags and food.
While the gift bags are important, care ministers appreciate the gifts they give and receive throughout the year.
MADISON — Msgr. Michael E. Hippee is retiring as judicial vicar for the Diocese of Madison Tribunal, a position he has held since 1978. Susan Stack is also retiring from the Tribunal after serving as its administrative assistant, notary, and assessor for almost 17 years.
BARABOO — The faithful are invited to a special Holy Mass at 11 p.m. Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, celebrated by Fr. Pedro Escribano in the Durward’s Glen Chapel as we journey to Christmas morning in prayer and joyful anticipation of God-made-child — Jesus.
During this Year of Faith, we are called to take time to consider what is at the heart of the practice of our Catholic faith.
Hopefully this season of Advent has been a chance to prayerfully think about this topic and wait in anticipation for the answer. This may have been a battle, as our world poses many challenges to this task. There are Christmas parties to attend, light displays to enjoy, trees needing to be trimmed, gifts waiting to be wrapped, and meals to be planned. The pre-Christmas to-do list goes on and on.
There are slightly different versions of the origin of the Christmas carol “Silent Night.”
My favorite version reveals that shortly before Christmas in 1818, Fr. Joseph Mohr discovered that the organ of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria, was broken. He knew that his parishioners would be disappointed without Christmas music.
We wish all […]
