News Briefs: Bishop gives talk on future of religion MADISON -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino will discuss "The Future of Religion - a philosophic reflection on faith, reason, and Wittgenstein" on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Fluno Center on the UW-Madison campus, 601 University Ave., room 219. The talk, sponsored by the World Future Society-Madison Regional Chapter, is free and open to the public. To get to the Fluno Center from the Beltline, take the Park St. exit toward campus, turn right on Johnson St. and left on Francis St.; the Fluno Center is on the left on the corner of University Ave. and Francis St. There is public parking below the building as well as metered parking in the ramp next to the building. Diocesan Choir's Festival of Lessons and Carols MADISON -- The Madison Diocesan Choir will present a "Festival of Lessons and Carols" on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., in Madison. Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside. "Lessons and Carols" features a series of reading and songs that relive and help people remember the Advent and Christmas stories. All are invited and admission is free. Those coming are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to share with the poor. For more information, go to www.straphael.org/~diocesanchoir Christmas Festival at Monroe Clinic MONROE -- The Monroe Clinic Auxiliary's annual Christmas Festival will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in Founders Hall of the clinic building in Monroe. There are lots of activities planned, including food, a silent auction, ceramics, a Christmas bake sale, a gift shop sale, and a book signing. Coffee, cider, rolls, and donuts will be available for purchase, alongside a lunch stand offering barbequed beef, hot dogs, chips, and homemade soup. For more information, call Rosemary Simonson, 608-324-1569. The Monroe Clinic is a Catholic health system sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. St. Vincent de Paul thrift store opens WAUNAKEE -- St. Vincent de Paul Society will open a 9,000 square foot thrift store in Waunakee on Dec. 10. The store, located at 213 S. Klein Dr., is the fifth store in Dane County operated by the District Council of Madison, Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Retail sales will feature a large selection of gently used clothing, furniture, books, appliances, and household items. St. Vincent de Paul Stores support the work of the society with low-income people including a food pantry and housing for men and women. The stores also donate clothing and household items to families in need through a voucher program. Donations of clothing and reusable household items will be received at the new location. Eucharistic Adoration in Lake Mills LAKE MILLS -- Eucharistic Adoration will be held on the first Thursday of each month from 8 a.m. Mass through 6 p.m. Benediction at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 602 College St. During December and January, Eucharistic Adoration will take place on the second Thursday of each month. Fr. Bob Hughes, pastor, will preside. Prayers and materials for adoration are provided. For more information, call Lois Armantrout, 920-648-2777, or Cathy Oesterreich at the parish office, 920-648-2468. Advent Taizé Prayer Service Dec. 17 DE FOREST -- An Advent Taizé Prayer Service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Olaf Parish, 623 Jefferson St. Those attending will focus on the meaning of Christmas at this peaceful service of candlelight, music, and Scripture in the manner of prayer used in the community of Taizé in France. The service will be led by the St. Olaf Adult Choir, instrumentalists, and cantors. Call 608-846-5726 for information.

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

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

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.

"But the only place where everything is just right - where there are no disabilities - is heaven," he said. "Whether we see someone's disability or not, we all have them. They're a hidden gift from the Lord. If not for handicaps and disabilities, we might forget about heaven, the only place there is no suffering.

"Here we accept, embrace our disabilities - the ones we see and the ones we don't - with Christ on the cross," he said. "We're eager for heaven."

That's the first lesson the handicapped teach us. The second lesson is that being human not only means being disabled, but also that we need help, he said.

"In America we sometimes get the idea that if we need help, we're a burden," said Bishop Morlino. "If wonderful people think they're a burden, sometimes they don't think clearly. A human person is an act of God who can't be repeated. There is no such thing as a human who is not wanted.

"To be human is to need help. When we allow people to help us, we share our humanity with them and bring out the best in them," he said. "When people need help, they are a special invitation from Christ to be like Christ.

"Everyone is human. Everyone has a disability. Every one of us needs help. We should never be ashamed because we need help. We should never be ashamed because we're human."

We are grateful today for you, who are our teachers, Bishop Morlino told the handicapped and disabled guests.

People work together

After Communion, Bishop Morlino said he is grateful for all the things Msgr. Tom Campion, director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, has done for the Apostolate. In his usual humorous way, Bishop Morlino told those gathered that when you are a bishop, you can't be everywhere all the time, so "you send someone better."

In his remarks, Monsignor Campion returned the humor, referring to the fact that this was Bishop Morlino's first time at an Apostolate to the Handicapped event. "He didn't do bad for a rookie," he said. "He shows he's big of heart and that's what counts. We appreciate his presence. To have the leadership, energy, and support of the top rookie on your side is important."

Monsignor Campion echoed Bishop Morlino's gratitude to the concelebrating priests and commented on the theme of the day: "This Is the Way - Walk in It."

He told about a time he brought Communion to a 92-year-old woman who has two cats, one of whom gave Monsignor Campion "a dirty look" when its owner left the room. When Monsignor Campion told the woman what beautiful eyes her black cat had, she said, "But Father, she's blind."

Whether or not we have 20/20 vision, we see people in need, said Monsignor Campion. "We all need people," he said.

Everyone of you sees love, compassion, equality, justice, respect of human life, he said. It's not because you have 20/20 vision that you see disabled people and our own role, he said.

Monsignor Campion remarked that the bishop said before Mass today, "'It's incredible!' He repeated it three times."

Monsignor Campion emphasized how wonderful it is to see this kind of support and willingness of people to see the value of other people, to see the strength of those who are limited, "to be aware, like a black cat, that there is someone there."

"It's about you, not me or the bishop. That's what we see," he said. "It's amazing because it's people working together."

He thanked everyone who made the day possible, such as the volunteers, set-up crews, drivers, nurses, cooks, musicians, and servers.

"If ever there was a Christmas, it's today," he said.

In his final remarks, Bishop Morlino addressed the servers, calling them to consider the priesthood.

Participants comment

Volunteers and guests alike commented on the beautiful annual Christmas celebration that includes Mass, dinner, and entertainment.

"It never ceases to touch me," said Marge Will, a retired nurse from the Monroe Clinic. She has been volunteering for the Apostolate to the Handicapped events for 20 years.

"It's hard to explain to people the feeling you get: to realize how fortunate you are to be here to help," she said. "It's absolutely so touching. You just get so much more than you give here."

The handicapped and disabled people are just so dear, she said, noting that she received so many hugs that day. "I just love them."

Guest Audrey Chmielewski of Monroe said enthusiastically that the day was "beautiful, wonderful."

"I could say a lot of other good things, but you would not have enough paper," she said, smiling.

"I love it," said Guest Rob Layton of Stoughton, who has been coming to the special day for seven years.

Guests Cindy Parry of Janesville and Arlene Larson and Donna Schwanz of Stoughton also voiced their appreciation of the day.

"It's fun," said Larson.

This was the second year of volunteering for Kelly Florek from St. Paul University Catholic Center in Madison. "It's neat to see the community come together to volunteer for such a good cause," she said. "And it works like a well-oiled machine."

Volunteering for the Apostolate to the Handicapped event is "very important to our council," said Jason Szymanski, grand knight of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Knights of Columbus. Seeing people who face many challenges and can still be so happy gives you encouragement and makes you realize how small your own problems are, he said.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

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.

Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz will preside and preach at the Mass. The Diocesan Hispanic Choir, under the direction of Toni Kellor, will lead the singing. The choir will include six guitarists, two trumpeters, two violinists, an accordion player, a percussionist, and a bass player.

All are invited to enjoy a reception in the cathedral undercroft afterward. A group of artists from the community, directed by María Eugenia Mantilla, will present a dramatization of the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Juan Diego, using puppets they have created.

After the celebration, the sacred image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be returned to the chapel at the Catholic Multicultural Center in a motorcade.

A few events surrounding the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe include the following:

• Thursday, Dec. 11, 10:30 p.m. - A mariachi group, "Mariachi Juvenil Tenochtitlan," from Chicago will be playing a serenade to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It will be held at Holy Redeemer Parish in Madison until the midnight Mass, which will be followed by the Mañanitas, a traditional serenade of song and prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

• Friday, Dec. 12, 5 a.m. - Serenade with the "Mariachi Mexico Lindo" followed by the rosary at Centro Guadalupano at the Catholic Multicultural Center, Madison. Coffee, chocolate, and "pan dulce" follow.

• Contact the following parishes for more information on other celebrations of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson; St. Aloysius Parish, Sauk City; St. Joseph Parish, Madison; Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish and St. Albert the Great Parish, Sun Prairie.

For more information, call the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry at 608-821-3092 or Centro Guadalupano at 608-255-8471.