ESCANABA, Mich. — Despite gray skies and cold, blustery winds, the Madison Diocesan Choir’s recent mini-tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) will be remembered as a joyful hymn of praise, a wonderful weekend of friendship and spiritual renewal.
Perhaps more so than any other trip, members not only sang beautifully, they lived the music, embodying John Rutter’s For the Beauty of the Earth and Harold W. Friedell’s Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether.
This weekend, March 2 and 3, Catholics throughout the Diocese of Madison will be asked to contribute to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).
Members of parishes have already received a letter from Bishop Robert C. Morlino with information on the ACA. It was an opportunity to pledge support for the ACA even before the public process started. We have already sent in our family’s pledge to the ACA. People can pay in one lump sum or give a pledge to be paid over a five-month period.
I believe it is vital to support the ministries and services in our diocese funded by the ACA. (Please note that I am giving an objective opinion, since the Catholic Herald does not receive support from the appeal; our paper is supported only by subscriptions and advertising.)
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| Madison Diocesan Choir members Diane and Tom Kramer purchased a piece of music, “Give me Jesus,” in memory of family members who have died. It will be featured at the choir’s spring concert on April 27 at St. Bernard Church in Middleton. (Contributed photo) |
MIDDLETON — The Madison Diocesan Choir, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman, returns to its roots at St. Bernard Parish in Middleton on Friday, April 27, with a free spring concert renewing a music ministry that has served the faithful throughout the diocese and beyond for nearly 40 years.
Not only the setting, but also the program will differ considerably from the 2011 spring concert, “Choral Masterworks of the Church,” which included guest soloists, full orchestra, and the music of Schubert and Mozart in the chapel of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.
Entitled “Give me Jesus,” the concert this spring features the choir alone in performing simple, yet beautiful, prayerful pieces, including one with the same title, either a cappella or accompanied by Assistant Director and Organist Glenn Schuster.
The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 27, in the church, 2015 Parmenter St. in Middleton, with a reception to
follow. While the concert is free, the choir appreciates free will offerings in support of its music ministry.
MADISON — The Christmas season is a time when people open their hearts to God and their neighbor, noted Bishop Robert C. Morlino in his remarks at the “Lessons and Carols” performance on Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Bishop O’Connor Center.
Dr. Patrick Gorman and the Madison Diocesan Choir invite the public to sing joyfully with them at their free spring concert, “A Sacrifice of Praise,” Saturday, May 8, at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.
In song and Scripture, Dr. Patrick Gorman and the Madison Diocesan Choir will celebrate the Year of St. Paul, honoring the apostle with a free spring concert this Saturday, May 2, at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.
At its Lessons and Carols concert Sunday, Dec. 21, the Madison Diocesan Choir will give a premiere performance of “Blessed Are You,” a setting of the Beatitudes the choir commissioned in tribute to Dr. Patrick Gorman’s 15 years as its director.
Mary Ann Harr, principal harpist for the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, will join the Madison Diocesan Choir and its director, Dr. Patrick Gorman, as special guest for their Lessons and Carols Christmas concert, Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.
