Day: December 11, 2013

On
Dick Jones and Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

Lessons and Carols could be Diocesan Choir’s last Advent service at O’Connor Center

Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.Dr. Patrick Gorman directs the Madison Diocesan Choir at last year's Lessons and Carols in the chapel of the Bishop O’Connor
Dr. Patrick Gorman directs the Madison Diocesan Choir at last year’s Lessons and Carols in the chapel of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. At right is Glenn Schuster, the choir’s accompanist and assistant director. (Catholic Herald photo/Joe Ptak)

MADISON — When the Madison Diocesan Choir enters the chapel at the Bishop O’Connor Center on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 4 p.m., it might be the last time the choir presents its Festival of Lessons and Carols in this setting.

The traditional Advent prayer service celebrates the coming of Christ’s birth in Scripture and song. Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside this year.

“It very well could be our last Lessons and Carols at the O’Connor Center,” said Dr. Patrick Gorman, the choir director. “If all goes as currently planned, I wouldn’t anticipate singing Lessons and Carols there next year.”

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On
Jill Driscoll, For the Catholic Herald

Bless Our Priests collection

MADISON — All of us have been blessed to receive the sacraments in our lifetime by a faithful priest serving in our parish. The impact our parish priest has on our lives has shaped us into the Catholics we are today.

The Bless Our Priests collection gives us the opportunity to give back to those priests for all they have done for us throughout our lives.

As more and more of our diocesan priests reach retirement age, the need for support continues to grow. Not only do they need your continued prayers, but your financial support of the Bless Our Priests collection.

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On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Trusting in God, helping others around the world

MADISON — For the first 11 months of 2014, Gina Neuville is going on a mission trip with a schedule resembling the closing credits to Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?

She’ll go to Zambia, Malawi, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, China, Nepal, Cambodia, Mongolia, Thailand, and Vietnam “in no particular order,” she said.

Her trip to 11 countries in 11 months is part of the World Race, which has the purpose, according to its website, “to serve ‘the least of these’ while amongst real and raw community.”

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On
Jean Mueller

Learning to deal with the effects of Alzheimer’s

Ask Jean column by Jean MuellerQ: My parents are in their late 70s and live in a rural community close by.

There are several siblings all involved in supporting mom and dad and we are all on the same page with regard to keeping them happy and living in their own home.

Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about two years ago and mom has taken on more and more responsibility for the day-to-day household management.

Generally speaking, they are doing as well as could be expected and the family is always ready to help.

The problems is that one of my dad’s “hobbies” was to gamble. It was never anything extreme. Twice a month mom and dad would go to one of the casinos and he would gamble a certain amount of money.

It never got out of hand until recently. They still like to go because it is something they can do together but the last time they went he would not stop gambling. Mom had a very difficult time getting him out of there. He lost over $200. Mom was frightened and did not know what to do without causing a scene. She finally got him to leave by telling him they had to get back home because someone was coming for dinner. It really frightened her and she does not want to go back.

Dad is already asking to go back to the casino. Is there any safe way he could still do this without risking a behavioral melt-down and losing their savings? (from a son in Sun Prairie.)

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Advent Reconciliation: Offering Jesus the gift of a purified heart

Seeing with Jesus' Eyes, a column by Fr. Donald Lange

In the November 2013 issue of The Word Among Us, Scott Hahn is quoted as saying that an American priest went to Rome for a conference and a group meeting with Pope John Paul II. Before the meeting, the priest noticed a beggar on the steps of a church.

He recognized him as his former seminary classmate in Rome. They were ordained to the priesthood together. Now he was a beggar.

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On
Tony Magliano

Giving first to those in need

Making a Difference column logo

As the Christmas song goes: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

While Easter is the most important time of the year, Christmas ranks very close. And when we consider in the broader sense that Christmas and Easter are theologically linked, it is true to say that in many ways Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.

But first comes Advent — that time presently upon us of preparation for Christmas.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

St. Dennis School food drive

MADISON — St. Dennis School in Madison recently held its annual food drive to benefit St. Vincent de Paul.

This year, donations were also collected for victims of the typhoon in the Philippines (several school families have relatives there), including food, clothing, flashlights, toiletries, batteries, and soap.

Principal Matt Beisser set a goal of 4,000 items to be donated during the two-week drive.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Service of Remembrance to be held in Evansville

EVANSVILLE — St. Paul Parish in Evansville will hold an ecumenical Service of Remembrance on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Church on the corner of First St. and Garfield Ave.

The service is intended for people of all faiths who wish to remember, honor, and celebrate their loved ones who have passed away. It will include readings, music, prayer, quiet reflection, and a candlelight ceremony to recall each person loved and honored this season. The service will be led by Rev. Luke Bocher, pastor of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Evansville.

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