News Briefs: Priests' council approves guidelines on residence MADISON -- At its recent meeting, the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Madison approved guidelines on residences for priests and discussed use of Word and Communion Services. Called "Maintaining a Healthy Life," the proposal on residence for priests was developed by the council's Priestly Life Committee chaired by Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl, Beloit. Living quarters for priests are to be separated from the parish offices, work space, and meeting rooms so that privacy is provided for the priests. This does not prohibit the priest from having a personal office in his living quarters. After the proposal passed unanimously, Bishop William H. Bullock said he will accept the guidelines and develop a process for implementing it with parishes. Day of reflection for RCIA team members, sponsors MADISON -- "Liturgical Spirituality," a day of reflection sponsored by the Diocese of Madison's Office of Worship and the Diocesan RCIA Committee, will take place Saturday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. The event is for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) team members and sponsors. Keynote presenter is Michael Novak, former director of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Office for Prayer and Worship and liturgical editor for World Library Publications. Pre-registration by Jan. 19 is required. Cost per person is lower if registered before Jan. 10. It includes a continental breakfast, morning prayer, presentation and reflection sessions, and lunch. In case of inclement weather, participants may call 608-821-3080 after 7 a.m. the morning of Jan. 26. For more information, contact the Office of Worship, 608-821-3080, or kendres@straphael.org. Christmas open house in Princeton PRINCETON -- A tradition since 1983, Bob and Sharon Brenner's Christmas open house once again is taking place Thursday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Dec. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in Princeton. Over the past 18 years, thousands of people have walked through what newspaper reporters and TV commentators have said is "one of most elaborate holiday homes imaginable." Their open house continues to be a benefit for St. John the Baptist Catholic School Trust Fund. They ask for a $5 donation to view the home with the entire proceeds collected turned over to the parish. For more information, call 920-295-3009, fax 920-295-0269, or visit the Brenners' Web site at www.christmasinprinceton.com. McFarland parish group to build houses in Mexico McFARLAND -- Learning about another culture is one of the benefits parishioners from Christ the King Parish will experience when they travel to Mexico Jan. 13-19. But others will benefit from their stay in Mexico as well -- because the group of nearly 25 people will be building two houses for families in poverty. The group, which consists of high schoolers, college students, couples, and families, will travel to the San Alfonso Mission founded by Fr. Stan Martinka in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, located across the border from El Paso, Texas. Live nativity at St. Marys Care Center MADISON -- An annual live nativity will take place at 2:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at St. Marys Care Center, a Catholic rehabilitation and nursing home located at 1347 Fish Hatchery Rd. here. Approximately 25 staff members and others volunteer to present this scene, which includes animals from the Henry Vilas Zoo. The birth of Christ is narrated and carols are sung as well. Family members or supporters of St. Marys Care Center are welcome to attend this half-hour presentation.

Holiday Masses, messages
in Diocese of Madison

(see related photo on front page)

Cathedral Masses

MADISON -- All people in the Diocese of Madison are invited to attend the Christmas Masses at St. Raphael Cathedral here.

Msgr. Daniel Ganshert, rector of St. Raphael Cathedral, will preside at the Christmas Eve Mass that begins at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24.

Bishop William H. Bullock will preside at the Christmas Mass that begins at 12 midnight on Monday, Dec. 24. Prelude music, which begins at 11:30 p.m., is provided by the St. Raphael Cathedral Choir with brass quintet and tympani. The choir is directed by Dr. Patrick Gorman.

Starboard Broadcasting, Inc., is planning to air the midnight Mass at St. Raphael Cathedral, beginning with the 11:30 p.m. prelude music, on WHFA (1240 AM).

Ganshert will preside at the Christmas Mass that begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 25, at St. Raphael Cathedral. Directed by Gorman, the Cathedral Choir with brass will provide music for this Mass as well.

St. Raphael Cathedral is located at 222 W. Main St. in downtown Madison. Parking is available in the ramp across the street from the cathedral; parking is free on holidays.

TV Mass

MADISON -- Bishop William H. Bullock will preside and preach at a Christmas Mass to air at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23, and at 6 a.m. on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, on WISC-TV, Channel 3.

Concelebrating with the bishop will be Msgr. Paul J. Swain, vicar general of the Diocese of Madison, and Fr. Nicholas Okere, priest secretary to the bishop. The Madison Diocesan Choir, directed by Dr. Patrick Gorman, will provide music.

The Christmas Mass was taped in the Bishop O'Donnell Holy Name Memorial Chapel at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.

Radio message

Bullock will also air a Christmas radio message on WIBA Radio (1310 AM), Star 96 (96.3 FM), WOLX (94.1 FM), and The Buzz (105.1 FM) beginning Friday, Dec. 21.

New Year's Masses

MADISON -- Bishop William H. Bullock will preside at a 5 p.m. New Year's Eve Mass at St. Raphael Cathedral in Madison on Monday, Dec. 31. Afterward people will share reflections on how to work for world peace this year.

Msgr. Daniel Ganshert, rector of St. Raphael Cathedral, will preside at a 10 a.m. New Year's Day Mass.

Joining youth from the Diocese of Madison at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis are, from left: Ben Weisse of the Diocese of Madison Office of Religious Education, Bishop William H. Bullock, and Fr. Nicholas Okere, priest secretary to the bishop (far right).

On Thursday morning, Dec. 6, about 70 youth and adults boarded buses to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Ind.

This year's theme, "Hope at the Crossroads," reminds us that we are a sign of God's hope. Being this sign of hope means that we should be willing to share our gifts and talents to build the reign of God in all areas of our lives.

Sharing faith

Between Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, over 24,000 youth from across the country gathered to share God's love and praise God's name. This was shown in many different ways. There were gatherings of music, praise, workshops, speakers, and there was even a place where you could donate books and build bookshelves.

"I thought it was very good. I enjoyed the interactive areas, the music, and watching the unity of the the youth as they worked together to build a bookshelf together," stated Peg Miller, coordinator of youth ministry at St. Peter Parish, Madison, and first time attendee of NCYC.

Inspiring speakers

At the morning and evening gathering, there were speakers who told of their life experiences, including a local news reporter who told of her experience of interviewing Mother Teresa, the former Miss America telling of her Catholic upbringing, and Renee Bondi, who shared of her experience of becoming paralyzed.

"My favorite speaker was Renee Bondi. She was very vibrant and got her point across. Renee shared with us her story of her freak accident which caused her to be paralyzed from the chest down," shared Laura Harms, a junior from Sacred Heart Parish in Reedsburg.

Talking about vocations

Besides the gathering of youth and adults in the RCA Dome, there was also a gathering of bishops and youth who talked together on the topic of vocations.

"I learned a lot about the different vocations, including the priesthood, religious life, marriage, and single life, and how to get youth involved in their churches," said Greg Ihm, a senior from St. Clement in Lancaster, and one of the two youth delegates from the Diocese of Madison.

Youth attending NCYC from the Diocese of Madison included people from: Sacred Heart, Reedsburg; St. Joseph, Baraboo; St. Clement, Lancaster; St. Albert the Great, Sun Prairie; St. Cecilia, Wisconsin Dells; St. Peter, Madison; St. Ann, Stoughton; St. Patrick, Cottage Grove; and Centro Guadalupano, Madison.

Nicole Mellert is a high school junior who attends St. Ann Parish, Stoughton.