

December 23, 2004 Edition • Volume 134, No. 48 • Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

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Artículos en Español:

• Vamos a adorarlo

• "Bajo el Libro
del Evangelio"

The Catholic Herald
Mission Statement:

The Catholic Herald is the official newspaper of the Diocese of Madison. Its purpose is to inform and educate people of the Diocese through communications that proclaim Gospel values, report the news, and comment on issues as they pertain to the mission of the Catholic Church, which is to bring all in Jesus Christ to the Father.

Awards:

• Web edition: Catholic Press Association Best Web Site: Honorable Mention.

• Award of Distinction, The Communicator Awards 2002 Print Media competition.

• Print edition: Award winner, Catholic Press Association 2004 awards competition.

Fire at parish kills two
Exact cause may never be known

-- Posted: 12/28/2004

An exact cause may never be determined for the Dec. 23 fire that killed Sr. Marlene Greatens and Sr. Joleen Van Dyke of St. Joseph Parish in the Northeastern Wisconsin community of Kellnersville, a Manitowoc County Sheriff's Dept. official said. Full story ...

Come let us adore Him

(en Español: Vamos a adorarlo)

Dear Friends in Christ:

During this Year of the Eucharist, our Advent and Christmas seasons focus on the coming of Christ to Bethlehem and on His coming into our lives in the mystery of the Eucharist. Bethlehem in Hebrew means "house of bread," and so our journey at Christmas is a journey to the "house of bread." It is a journey to the Eucharist celebrated at Christmas and to the Eucharistic presence of Christ in our tabernacles, the Mass in Meditation, the "Bethlehem" which abides with us.

Come let us adore Him in the Eucharist at Christmas. Come let us adore Him through frequent visits to Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament in our tabernacles. Come let us adore Him at that real mystical Bethlehem which is His Eucharistic presence.

Please be assured of my prayerful best wishes for Advent and Christmas. Each one of you has a special place in my heart, my prayers, and the Masses that I will celebrate on Christmas Day. God love you, Merry Christmas, and every blessing for the New Year in this special Year of the Eucharist.

Cordially yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino,
Bishop of Madison

Holiday articles:

From this week's edition:
• Holiday Masses at cathedral

• Bishop Morlino's Christmas greeting (en Español)

• Bishop's column: Christ of Christmas: He is God made man

• Sweet little holy child: Came to save us

• A child of peace: Gives hope to the suffering poor

• Martyrs: Remembered at Christmas time

• What can we give God? Put Him on your Christmas list

• Change in Mass time

• Free holiday concert Dec. 26

• Holiday TV programs of note

• Christmas concerts: Featured on Catholic radio, 1240 AM

From 12/16/2004 edition:
• Apostolate to the Handicapped Christmas celebration

• Holiday liturgies at Sinsinawa

• Christmas dinner in Madison

• Adoration on New Year's Eve

• Bishop's column: Blessed Mother: Exemplifies messianic longing (en Español)

• In today's world: We need Christmas

• Faith Alive!

No issue January 6

The Catholic Herald will not publish an issue Jan. 6, 2005.

We will resume our regular publication schedule Jan. 13.

Happy holidays to all our readers!

News & Features:

• The gift of Christmas:
Special section

• Religious educators:
Celebrate 25th anniversary
of diocesan organization

• Troops overseas: Christmas brightened by stained glass display

• Our Lady of Guadalupe:
Hispanic community marks feast

Columns:

• Question Corner
by Fr. John Dietzen --
Fallen angels: What made their choices 'irrevocable'?

• The Pope Speaks
by Pope John Paul II --
Psalm: Invites all to consider the meaning of Advent

• Making a Difference
by Tony Magliano --
Jesus' message of peace: Bethlehem still waits
after 2,000 years

• The Human Side
by Fr. Eugene Hemrick --
Christmas:
A time to be hopeful people

• Coming of Age
by M. Regina Cram --
Christmas heist:
Choose love, not self

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Diocesan Institute: Offers continuing education sessions

MADISON -- This past summer the first phase of the Diocesan Institute for Lay and Diaconate Formation was completed with the commissioning of lay ministers and the ordination of permanent deacons.

Until the next four-year program begins sometime in 2006, the Institute will be offering regular sessions for continuing education credits in theology, spirituality, liturgy, and Scripture. All sessions are open to the public.

Year of Eucharist

The first of these days will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005 at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison titled "Focus: The Year of the Eucharist" This mini-course will treat the theology of Eucharist in the morning and offer two break-out sessions in the afternoon that will apply the knowledge to life. Full story ...

Holy days of obligation in 2005

Notes on the Liturgical Calendar for 2005 provided by the Office of Worship, Diocese of Madison.

Holy Days of Obligation in 2005

In 1992, the Holy See approved a general decree by the United States Bishops declaring days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States in conformity with canon 1246. It was also determined that whenever Jan. 1 (the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God), Aug. 15 (the solemnity of the Assumption), or Nov. 1 (the solemnity of All Saints) falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated (the faithful are not obliged to attend and participate in the Mass).

Therefore:

Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005 (Octave of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God) is not a holy day of obligation in 2005, since it falls on a Saturday.

The Solemnity of the Ascension will be celebrated on Sunday, May 8, 2005. Thursday, May 5, becomes an Easter weekday and is not a holy day of obligation. This is in accord with the provisions of canon 1246 §2 of the Code of Canon Law.

Monday, Aug. 15, 2005 (The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is not a holy day of obligation in 2005, since it falls on a Monday.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005 (The Solemnity of All Saints) is a holy day of obligation.

Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005 (The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) is a holy day of obligation.

Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005 (The Solemnity of Christmas) is a holy day of obligation.

Days which are not days of precept (obligation) remain a solemnity on the Church's calendar. Even though the faithful are not obligated to attend Mass on these days, the celebration of Mass(es) at a convenient time should occur if possible.

The preparation of these Masses, especially in regard to music, environment, and preaching, should reflect the festive and important nature of the day.

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