Month: December 2017

On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Bishop blesses Monsignor Schmelzer Organ

schmelzer organ blessing
Bishop Robert C. Morlino incenses the refurbished Aeolian-Skinner organ after blessing it. (Ken Halfmann photo)

MADISON — There was anticipation in the packed chapel at Holy Name Heights on Sunday, Dec. 17, as people waited to hear the newly refurbished organ played at the Madison Diocesan Choir’s annual Lessons & Carols.

Before the organ was played, Bishop Robert C. Morlino blessed the Msgr. Delbert L. Schmelzer Organ saying, “My dear brothers and sisters, we have come together to bless this new organ, installed so that the celebration of the liturgy may become more beautiful and solemn.

“The purpose of music in the liturgy is above all to give glory to God and to lead us to holiness. Thus, the music of the organ wonderfully expresses the new song that Scripture tells us to sing to the Lord.”

In blessing the organ, he prayed, “So that our song may rise more worthily to your majesty, we present this organ for your blessing: grant that its music may lead us to express our prayer and praise in melodies that are pleasing to you.”

No issue of January 4
There will be no issue on January 4. The next issue of the Catholic Herald will be January 11.

After the bishop incensed the organ, Glenn Schuster, organist and assistant director for the Diocesan Choir, played the organ for the first time, its majestic sound filling the chapel.

The Diocesan Choir directed by Dr. Patrick Gorman processed with “Adeste Fidelis” and then joined the congregation in singing, “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

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On
Kim Donohoe, For the Catholic Herald

Celebrating Catholic education at St. Ambrose Academy

“Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

MADISON — At the 11th annual St. Ambrose Academy Benefit Dinner Gala, the evening’s program, entitled “Right Here, Right Now: Find Greatness,” was based on St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, emphasizing the immediacy of the benefits of Catholic, classical education in the Diocese of Madison.

Approximately 450 guests attended the gala, which took place at the Alliant Energy Center on Saturday, Dec. 9. It is tradition that the evening honors Bishop Robert C. Morlino as a special guest, and he happily celebrated with his friends from St. Ambrose Academy and across the diocese. The school was founded in 2003, the same year that Bishop Morlino came to Madison.

“Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Christ Child shows way to peace

The World Day of Peace takes place during the Christmas season on January 1 on the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

Inspired by St. John XXIII’s encyclical Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), it was introduced in 1967 by Pope Blessed Paul VI and first observed on January 1, 1968.

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Jesus redeemed us from sin, which causes war and other violence, and taught us how to live peacefully. After his Ascension, he sent the Holy Spirit to help us live a peaceful, Christ-like life.

Unfortunately since Jesus, many wars have occurred. In the 20th century, World War I was followed by World War II, which was much worse. According to the New Orleans National World War II Museum, worldwide there were 60 million civilian and military casualties in World War II.

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On
Bishop Robert Barron

Lady Bird and the breakthrough of grace

Spoiler Alert! This column reveals details of a newly released film.

Greta Gerwig’s new film, Lady Bird, has taken the critics by storm. It is the most reviewed movie in the history of the website Rotten Tomatoes to have sustained a 100 percent positive rating, and it is receiving serious Oscar buzz for best picture, best director, and best actress.

Having seen the coming attractions, I knew it would be a quirky, offbeat comedy, but I had no idea that Lady Bird would be of considerable religious interest as well.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Parish hosts program on protecting children from sex trafficking

MADISON — The St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Justice and Peace Committee is sponsoring a program on “Protecting Our Children from Sex Trafficking: What Are the Signs” after the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Jan. 14, in the parish social hall.

The program will begin with the showing of a 20-minute film, Chosen, which demonstrates how easy it is for sex traffickers to lure teenagers in communities into the industry.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

We should get educated about human trafficking

As someone who has three granddaughters living in Wisconsin, I am concerned that our state is one of worst states in our country in terms of both sex and labor trafficking.

That information was shared at Catholics at the Capitol held in March. “Human trafficking is happening in counties all over Wisconsin. It happens everywhere, in rural and urban areas and online,” said keynote speaker Colleen Stratton, a survivor of human trafficking and member of the Eye Heart World Outreach Team.

January is observed as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It is an effort to raise awareness among businesses, national and community organizations, families, and all Americans to recognize the vital role we can play in ending all forms of slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

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