Dear Friends,
This past Sunday — our Second Sunday of Advent — we continued to read from the Prophet Isaiah as he foretold Jesus’s coming. We heard of the coming Messiah and how “the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him (Is 11:2)” in the First Reading. …
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| 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.”
A sun-filled sky, plus a chance to get together to celebrate the season, was more than enough to combat single-digit temperatures on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Hundreds of guests from all over the diocese came together at Monroe High School for the Apostolate to the Handicapped’s annual Advent/Christmas celebration.
MADISON — The seminarians of the Diocese of Madison will hold their 67th annual Caroling Tour on Sunday, Dec. 22, and Monday, Dec. 23.
The seminarians extend an invitation for everyone to join them this year at any of their stops on the caroling tour. The times and locations are listed below.
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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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends,
Already Advent is upon us. We have concluded our Year of Faith with gusto, and now we are called to undertake, once again, the journey of a liturgical year.
This journey begins, as always, with our preparation for entering into the most pivotal moment of human history — the moment that God became man.
That the eternal Creator of the universe should have come amongst us, not only to dwell, but to call us to a life with and like Him, means a complete reordering of everything — every single thing.
The profound reality of the Incarnation and its implications for our lives is why we have a season of Advent each year; we take the time to consider how each of us responds to the presence of God in our lives, and what that means for us.
Holy Rosary Parish is getting ready for its annual Christmas Blessings program. In past years, many have benefited from this program that helps those in need during the Christmas season.
A good New Year’s resolution is to continue to work for peace. History has shown that helping to bring peace takes patience, prayer, and perseverance. Past human efforts to achieve peace have not been overly successful.
According to the June 1988 issue of Today in the Word, in 3,530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace.
More than 8,000 peace treaties were made and then broken.
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.
We wish all […]
