Schuster – Madison Catholic Herald Archive (2001-2025)


	The Madison Diocesan Choir will bid farewell to the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison when it presents its final spring concert in the center’s chapel on Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. Here they sing at the 2013 Lessons and Carols with Dr. Patrick Gorman directing and Glenn Schuster accompanying the choir along with guest musicians.(Catholic Herald file photo)

MADISON — On Friday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m., the Madison Diocesan Choir will present its final concert at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, and under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman, members will bid farewell to their principal venue for many years with a spring concert to remember, featuring an orchestra, guest soloists, and two seldom-heard, but stunning and inspiring pieces.

Only a year ago, it was in the O’Connor Center chapel that the choir celebrated 40 years of music ministry. Its more than 70 active members from parishes throughout the diocese swelled to over 100, as former members returned. Together, they performed a spring concert as an anniversary choir.

Leaving the center

Since then, the Diocese of Madison announced its decision to leave the center, located at 702 S. High Point Rd., and lease it to a developer. Under the tentative agreement announced last fall, the former seminary will become an apartment complex with up to 150 rental units.

“I think everybody’s sad in their own way, but it seems to be a practical move,” said Gorman, choir director for 22 years in addition to being director of the diocesan Office of Worship.

“I trust that that’s what needs to be done. But as I’ve said before, my favorite place to sing in the diocese always had been St. Raphael Cathedral. It was such a lovely cathedral. I was very sad when that burned, and there’s a similar sadness here in that we have a nice home, it’s convenient, it’s a good acoustic. People like to come here. Good parking. That’s all going to have to change.”

Around the Diocese

On December 11, 2013

Dick Jones and Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

Lessons and Carols could be Diocesan Choir’s last Advent service at O’Connor Center


	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.”

Bishop Morlino's Columns

On April 21, 2011May 10, 2021

Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Heaven: the destination of our journeys

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,

As we enter this great and holy week, we are very much aware of the absence of Bishop Bullock, Bishop Wirz, Msgr. Wil Schuster, and Msgr. Tom Campion, all of whom have been called within recent months to see the face of Christ. I miss them all very much personally, and without going into detail, the passing of each one can be seen as the end of a different era in the Diocese of Madison. Their passing reminds us that, as the Scripture says, “the world as we know it is passing away.” The truth of that mystery includes each one of us as well.