Please note holiday deadlines The Catholic Herald will not publish an issue the week of New Year's Day, Jan. 1. Therefore, all parish and diocesan events dated from Dec. 25 through Jan. 8 will be included in the Dec. 25 issue. The deadline for that issue is Dec. 17. Happy holidays to all our readers!
	News & Features: • Diocese of Madison Policy Regarding Abuse of Minors, Sexual Misconduct, and Sexual Harassment • Liturgical reforms: Called gift of Holy Spirit • Profiles from the pew: Nora CaPaul • Knights of Columbus: Win award for mentoring students Columns: • Question Corner by Fr. John Dietzen -- Husband, wife relationship: Scripture reading is misunderstood • The Pope Speaks by Pope John Paul II -- Hymn of praise: Celebrates liberation of Israelites • Your Family by Monica and Bill Dodds -- Racism: Doing something about it at home • The Human Side by Fr. Eugene Hemrick -- Christmas: Finding peace in hard times • Subscribe to print edition

Bishop Robert C. Morlino distributes Communion during the 37th annual Apostolate to the Handicapped Mass and Christmas celebration in Monroe. (Catholic Herald photo by Bill and Jo Boyce)

'We are all disabled':
Bishop tells guests at annual Christmas celebration

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MONROE -- To be human is to be handicapped and disabled, Bishop Robert C. Morlino told the 1,200 handicapped and disabled people who gathered at Monroe Senior High School for the 37th annual Apostolate to the Handicapped Christmas celebration.

"Those who face challenges give us strength," he said. "You are our teachers today and every day."

Disabilities seen, unseen

In his homily, Bishop Morlino remembered the words of his grandmother who lived to be 96 and had to use a walker. "She'd say, 'Bobby, thank God in heaven I won't need this thing,'" he said.

That's the central truth of Advent, he said. "This world cannot be perfect. In every human life and heart, there are handicaps and disabilities."

In some cases we can see the handicaps and disabilities, but in many cases we can't see it - the sins in our hearts, he said.   Full Story ...

MADISON -- In the Diocese of Madison, a Mass will be celebrated in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Raphael Cathedral, 222 W. Main St.

Those attending are invited to wear traditional costumes and/or bring flowers for Our Lady of Guadalupe or the flag of their native country.

In a 10 a.m. entrance procession, Confirmation candidates will carry up an image of Our Lady, escorted by a group of children who have been learning to play the recorder especially for this occasion. The children of Centro Guadalupano's religious education program will bring offerings to Our Lady and the kindergartners will sit at her feet to form a living bouquet.

Estudiantina, the Diocesan Hispanic Choir, will serenade Our Lady of Guadalupe with "Las Mañanitas" and the "Apariciones" right before Mass, which is a traditional custom at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.   Full story ...