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Category: Around the Diocese
News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.
Lecture focuses on music and beauty of Mass
“Of all the things that should be beautiful in the sacred liturgy, music is one of the most important ones,” said Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, to the attendees at the St. Thérèse Lecture November 20 at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center in Madison.
Catholic Charities holds 20th annual awards ceremony
MIDDLETON — On November 12, hundreds of supporters of Catholic Charities Madison (CC) came together to honor those who have been great examples of its mission.
The 20th annual Faith in Action Celebration was held at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton. The event honors those who put their faith in action and provides financial support for Catholic Charities’ many programs.
Sneak preview tour of Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center renovation
MADISON — A special invitation has been extended to parishioners in the Diocese of Madison and friends for a sneak preview tour of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center renovation. It will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m.
Get an insider look at the sensitive, eco-friendly restoration initiatives now underway. When the renovation of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center is complete in spring of 2016, it will be home to diocesan offices, Catholic Charities, the Catholic Herald, Relevant Radio, and 53 beautiful one- and two-bedroom residences at Holy Name Heights.
Lessons and Carols to be held in Montello
MONTELLO — St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello and Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield are proud to again present an evening of Lessons and Carols.
The event is set for Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at St. John Church, 277 E. Montello St., Montello.
As in the past, choirs from St. John the Baptist and Good Shepherd Parishes will unite to provide the musical presentations. Students from the religious education programs at the parishes will also participate in the event.
Monroe Clinic hosts Christmas Festival
MONROE — Monroe Clinic Volunteers in Partnership (MCVIP) will host their annual Christmas Festival on Friday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Monroe Clinic Founder’s Hall, in the lower level at 515 22nd Ave.
This year, MCVIP has created many beautiful gift baskets that are wonderful for Christmas giving. The annual tradition features a catered lunch by Barb’s Kitchen, coffee, fresh pastries made by Boomerang Bakery, Prairie Stone gift items, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction.
Pope: Nothing can justify terrorist attacks
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| A child lights a candle in Republique square in Paris November 14 in memory of victims of terrorist attacks. Coordinated attacks the previous evening claimed the lives of 129 people. The Islamic State claimed responsibility. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) |
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Using God’s name to try to justify violence and murder is “blasphemy,” Pope Francis said November 15, speaking about the terrorist attacks on Paris.
“Such barbarity leaves us dismayed, and we ask ourselves how the human heart can plan and carry out such horrible events,” the pope said after reciting the “Angelus” prayer with visitors in St. Peter’s Square.
Attacks by terrorists
The attacks in Paris November 13 — attacks the French government said were carried out by three teams of Islamic State terrorists — caused the deaths of at least 129 people and left more than 350 injured, many of them critically. A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a soccer stadium, gunmen attacked customers at cafes and restaurants, and a team of terrorists gunned down dozens of people at a concert.
The attacks, Pope Francis said, were an “unspeakable affront to the dignity of the human person.”
“The path of violence and hatred cannot resolve the problems of humanity, and using the name of God to justify this path is blasphemy,” he said.
Pope Francis asked the thousands of people who gathered at St. Peter’s for the Sunday midday prayer to observe a moment of silence and to join him in reciting a “Hail Mary.”
“May the Virgin Mary, mother of mercy, give rise in the hearts of everyone thoughts of wisdom and proposals for peace,” he said. “We ask her to protect and watch over the dear French nation, the first daughter of the Church, over Europe and the whole world.”
“Let us entrust to the mercy of God the innocent victims of this tragedy,” the pope said.
Pope ‘shaken and pained’
Speaking November 14, the day after the terrorist attacks, Pope Francis had told the television station of the Italian bishops’ conference, “I am shaken and pained.”
Catholic Multicultural Center puts pope’s encyclical into action
MADISON — Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si’ makes a firm and urgent case for taking care of God’s creation in order to care for the poor and vulnerable among us.
He asserts that environmental stewardship must always be tied to social justice and vice versa. For the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC), the encyclical is an affirmation of the work it has already been doing.
St. Vincent de Paul holds $1 coat sale
As a line of people formed outside the St. Vincent de Paul Dig & Save store on S. Park St., the warm autumn day clashed with what was on everyone’s mind — coats, especially for winter.
Ladies of Divine Mercy meet on November 20
PINE BLUFF — The Ladies of Divine Mercy will meet on Friday evening, Nov. 20, at St. Mary Church in Pine Bluff, 3673 CTH P, Cross Plains. All women are invited to attend.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. An hour of Adoration will be followed by a reflection by Fr. David Carrano, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Reedsburg and chaplain of Catholic Charismatic Renewal for the Diocese of Madison.

