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By Dick Jones, For the Catholic Herald

New organ will highlight this year’s Festival of Lessons & Carols

diocesan choir gorman
At the Advent/Christmas party sponsored by the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities are, from left: Katie Gorman, one of the newest members of the Madison Diocesan Choir; her father, Dr. Patrick Gorman, director of the choir for over 25 years; and Pat Paska, a member of the choir since its beginning nearly 45 years ago. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — Much as O Come All Ye Faithful is a favorite known by all since childhood, the opening hymn of Lessons & Carols will become a glorious new sound Sunday, Dec. 17.

That’s when Dr. Patrick Gorman directs the Madison Diocesan Choir and all present, accompanied by a classic pipe organ described as magical, restored, and installed in the Holy Name Heights chapel.

Seeking an organ

“I have literally been working on this since I arrived in Madison,” said Gorman, now in his 26th year as director. “We put together so many different proposals, and it’s always been, ‘We can’t afford it! We can’t afford it.’

“New pipe organs are extraordinarily expensive. Then we started to look at organs that have come out of churches.”

With the help of Bruce Case of Case Pipe Organ Company in Verona, an exceptional pipe organ was found in Kenosha at the First Congregational Church that closed in 2013.

Though silent for years, the organ was in surprisingly good condition. The new owners, an evangelical congregation, had no use for it and agreed to sell it.

Rolls Royce of organs

Thanks to a generous gift from the estate of the late Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer, the Diocese of Madison was able to buy and restore the pipe organ, built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company in Boston nearly 70 years ago.

According to Case, it rivals the commanding Klais organ in the Madison Overture Center, and in some respects is superior.

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Kevin Wondrash

Lessons and Carols in Montello

MONTELLO — St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello and Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield will present an evening of Lessons and Carols on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Montello.

The St. John the Baptist and Good Shepherd Choirs will unite to provide the musical presentations. Students from the religious education program at both parishes will also participate.

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Kevin Wondrash

Multicultural Center, radio station hold fundraiser

MADISON — Each year La Movida Spanish Radio and leaders in the Latino community partner with the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) to generate support for the Center’s many social services and programs.

The CMC invites the public to the sixth annual Radiothon fundraiser and community celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. La Movida will broadcast live from the CMC in conjunction with festivities, including dance performances, live music, Latin American food, and an Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at 12 noon (in Spanish).

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Pat Casucci, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Thrift store in Beloit seeks to continue serving people in need

BELOIT — Since opening its larger thrift store, Beloit St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteers agree there has been a notable increase in customers. The customers often express their appreciation for the inviting, expanded store area.

After operating its store in about 1,500 square feet for the past 30 years, last spring the society purchased the adjoining building at 614 Fourth St. Now with 4,444 square feet of space, there is room for appliances and furniture as well as clothing and household items.

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Kevin Wondrash

Festival of Lessons and Carols in Baraboo

BARABOO — An Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 304 East St., Baraboo.

All are invited to prepare during this hectic season by taking one hour to spend with the Lord. Come and pray the prophetic promises of salvation, using the ancient “O Antiphons.” These have been sung with the Canticle of Mary since the sixth century.

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Kevin Wondrash

Parish mission with Deacon Ralph Poyo

DEFOREST/EAST BRISTOL — St. Olaf Parish in DeForest and St. Joseph Parish in East Bristol are planning an Advent parish mission.

What if we could promise that your life could take a direct turn into the heart of God? That is what can happen when we open ourselves up to the words of the Spirit shared by Deacon Ralph Poyo, a nationally renowned speaker on evangelism and lighting fire in the hearts of the faithful.

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