News Briefs: Catechist in-service in Jefferson JEFFERSON -- "On the Road," a special regional catechist in-service, will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at St. John the Baptist School here. All catechists and religious education assistants in the Diocese of Madison are welcome to attend. Registration and a social begins at 5 p.m. The evening concludes at 8:30 p.m. Eric Gyr, pastoral associate at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, will speak on "How Catholics view Scripture." Participants will have opportunities to share grade-specific practical applications for teaching the faith. A closing prayer, "Road Trips," will encompass the life of Jesus as participants reflect on their path with Jesus. Those interested may register by sending their name, address, and phone number with a fee of $10 for each participant by Jan. 15 to: St. Henry Parish, ATTN: Todd Weissenborn, 412 N. 4th St., Watertown, WI 53094. Phone number is 920-261-7273. Brochures for the event may be requested. Rally for Life Jan. 19 in Baraboo BARABOO -- Sauk County Right to Life will sponsor its annual "Rally for Life" on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Baraboo at the Sauk County Courthouse. Guest speaker will be state Representative Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg). Afterwards there will be a "silent march" around the square before going a few blocks to St. Joseph Catholic School for hot chocolate and cookies. For information contact: Paula Traxler, 608-356-5237; Dennis Boland, 608-524-3326; or Peg Porter, 608-583-6024. Clergy-labor luncheon meeting MADISON -- The Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice (ICWJ) annual clergy-labor luncheon and annual meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Berean Church of Kingdom Believers, 901 Femrite Dr., Madison. Theme is "Faith at Work: How Local Faith Groups Are Responding to Worker Issues." Cost is $15 for luncheon and panel, or $35 for luncheon, panel, and one-year ICWJ membership. For reservations, call 608-255-0376 or e-mail rebecca@workerjustice.org by Jan. 15. National Evangelization Team MADISON -- A National Evangelization Team (NET) will be visiting parishes in the Diocese of Madison from Jan. 9 through Feb. 11. Headquartered in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn., NET is a Catholic evangelistic outreach to youth. NET members travel throughout the United States to share their faith with young people. For more information, contact the Diocese of Madison's Office of Religious Education at 608-821-3160. Mothers of Preschoolers groups Mothers of preschoolers (birth through kindergarten) are invited to experience support and friendship at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups offered in the area. In Waunakee WAUNAKEE -- Sponsored by St. John the Baptist Parish, this ecumenical MOPS group will meet Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Arboretum Centre, 1004 Quinn Dr. The topic will be "Financial Planning." For directions or more information, call Lisa at 608-824-0984 or the parish nurse at 608-849-5121. In Stoughton STOUGHTON -- MOPS will meet Thursday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. in the gathering area of St. Ann Church, 323 N. Van Buren. The topic will be "Seeing God in my Life - Even in the Chaos." Childcare is not provided, but infants birth through three months are welcome. There is a $2 fee per meeting with scholarships available. Call Judy Apel at 608-877-0553. Peer support groups MADISON -- Peer support groups for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship are open to all ages/faiths at two Madison parishes. New Directions will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. Friends on a Journey will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Our Lady Queen of Peace nursery, 401 S. Owen Dr.

Madison Diocesan Choir:
Receives distinguished
service award

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- The Madison Diocesan Choir and its director, Dr. Patrick Gorman, recently received the 2002 Bishop's Distinguished Service Award.

Bishop William H. Bullock presented the award to Gorman and the choir at their "Festival of Lessons and Carols" at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center here on Dec. 22.

"The Bishop's Distinguished Service Award is presented to those persons who have witnessed to their faith and commitment to the Church in a special and unique way in the Diocese of Madison," reads the award. "The Madison Diocesan Choir has given years of loyal and loving service to the Diocese in liturgical music and their rendition of Lessons and Carols. Their music demonstrates both quality and commitment."

The Madison Diocesan Choir is a music ministry dedicated to the mission of fostering and encouraging full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy in the Diocese of Madison.

The choir is composed of over 60 singers from all walks of life throughout the entire diocese. Representing about one-fifth of diocesan parishes, whether a teacher, nurse, architect, or business person (to name only a few), each person strives toward excellence in this unique ministry of the church. At the same time, most members have remained active as cantors, choir members, choir directors, or accompanists in their own parishes.

The choir sings about twice each month for parish or diocesan liturgies or at public concerts.

Founded in 1973, the Madison Diocesan Choir has traveled throughout the Diocese of Madison and around the world. In the summer of 2001, the choir completed a successful 10-day tour of Italy, including performances in Rome, Venice, and Florence. The choir sang for Mass in the famous and historic Duomo (Cathedral) of Florence and sang a brief selection for Pope John Paul II at a papal audience.

Previously, the Madison Diocesan Choir has toured Spain, France, Ireland, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Iceland, Germany, and the western U.S.

Gorman has served as director of the choir since 1992. Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Madison, Gorman moved to Madison in 1991 for doctoral studies in choral conducting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a graduate of the College of Wooster (Ohio) and the University of Notre Dame.

Organist Glenn Schuster received a bachelor's degree from Concordia College (Minn.), where he majored in music education and organ performance.

Membership is open to anyone interested who has a pleasing voice and the will to work hard. Placement appointments are held each fall (late-August and early-September). The choir rehearses each Tuesday evening (Labor Day to Memorial Day) from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the music room of the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.

For more information, visit www.straphael.org/~diocesanchoir, call the Office of Worship at 608-821-3080, or e-mail diocesanchoir@straphael.org.

Bishop's Christmas gathering:
At Catholic Multicultural Center

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Staff members of the Diocese of Madison attended a Christmas gathering hosted by Bishop William H. Bullock Dec. 20.

The gathering was held at the newly completed Catholic Multicultural Center on the south side of Madison.

"Today in this new millennium, we have new immigrants: Koreans, Hispanics, and African Americans," said Bullock during a prayer service. "We have a growing population from all of Latin America. We also have an increasing number of Asians who come."

The mission remains the same, said Bullock. "God counts on us to do his work."

The bishop recognized Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz on his 25th anniversary of his appointment as bishop on Dec. 20.

"We'd like to keep him in our prayers and offer our congratulations," said Bullock. Those attending the Christmas gathering applauded Wirz.

Bullock invoked a blessing upon the Catholic Multicultural Center. "May all who come here come to know Christ and grow in his love," he said.

Nigerian priests, in traditional dress, sang a Christmas hymn in their native language. Members of the Diocese of Madison's Office of Hispanic Ministry offered a Spanish blessing.

Msgr. Paul J. Swain, vicar general, said a few words about the new center. "We certainly couldn't have accomplished this without the vision of Bishop Bullock," he said, also acknowledging others involved in the building process.

After singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" in Latin, those attending toured the new building and gathered in the dining room for a multicultural meal. Carols followed in Spanish, English, and German.