News Briefs: Holiday liturgies at Sinsinawa Mound SINSINAWA -- The public is invited to pray and worship with the Sinsinawa Mound community this holiday season in Queen of the Rosary Chapel on Dec. 24 and 25 and Jan. 1 and 2. Christmas Eve services will begin at 7 p.m. with the vigil of carols and readings, followed by Mass at 7:30. On Christmas Day, morning prayer will be held at 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30. On New Year's Day, morning prayers will be held at 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30. On Jan. 2, Feast of the Epiphany, morning prayer will be held at 10, followed by Mass at 10:30. At 4 p.m., the annual Epiphany concert and vespers (evening prayer) will be held, featuring the Sinsinawa Mound Civic Chorus. For more information contact Sheila Heim at 608-748-4411, ext. 869, or visit www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter Sinsinawa Mound is located in southwest Wisconsin on Cty. Rd. Z, off Hwy. 11, about five miles northeast of Dubuque. Filipino American novena of Masses MADISON -- The Filipino American community will be sponsoring the Missa de Gallo, a novena of Masses nine days before Christmas, at the Schoenstatt Shrine, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison, starting Dec. 15 and running through Dec. 23. The Masses will be celebrated at 7 p.m. each evening. Refreshments and fellowship will follow. The public is invited to join this preparation for the birth of Our Lord. Christmas dinner MADISON -- A Christmas dinner will be served on Saturday, Dec. 25, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave. Home delivery requests will be taken on Friday, Dec. 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. by calling 608-256-4357. Adoration begins on New Year's Eve MADISON -- There will be a New Year's Eve Mass at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 12:30 a.m. New Year's Day at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 602 Everglade Dr. Presentations given on Marian Shrine MADISON/ELM GROVE -- The rector of the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Torreciudad in Spain, Msgr. Javier Mora Figueroa, will be giving two free presentations in Wisconsin. A presentation will be held Saturday, Dec. 18, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish in Elm Grove at the parish center. In Madison, a presentation will be given Sunday, Dec. 19, at 3 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. This Marian Shrine is located high above the Aragonian Pyrenees of Spain. Monsignor Figueroa will talk about the history of the shrine and promote knowledge and devotion to Our Lady of Torreciudad. For more information, contact Juan Landa at 608-849-4359 or visit www.torreciudad.org
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'This is the Way -
Walk in It'

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MONROE -- Msgr. Tom Campion, director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, has a new name, according to Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus.

It is the "Star of Bethlehem" - and many of the participants at the 38th annual Apostolate to the Handicapped Christmas celebration agreed.

"Monsignor Campion, we all thank you for your leadership - in providing for the disabled and your own personal witness in God's love," said the bishop in his homily. "You have been the Star of Bethlehem leading all of us to a deeper, more reverential approach to the handicapped and the disabled."

'This is the Way'

"This is the Way - Walk in It" was the theme of the Apostolate to the Handicapped Christmas Mass and party held at Monroe High School, where handicapped people from throughout the Diocese of Madison and beyond gathered for the celebration.

Bishop Bullock offered greetings in the name of Bishop Robert C. Morlino, who continues to make daily progress in his convalescence after heart surgery.

"Charity, tenderness, and compassion among the disabled and their families are key words and concepts," said Bishop Bullock in his homily. He noted that when we treat them with charity, it is with love and patience; when we treat them with tenderness, it is with sensitivity to their condition and feelings; and when we serve them with compassion, we struggle with them in their human condition.

"This year, as many of you know, is the Year of the Eucharist as declared by Pope John Paul II," he said. "Each Mass we offer is both sacrifice and meal. For we lovingly renew the sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of Calvary. Today and every day, may we lift ourselves in, with, and through Christ to God our Father."

Reflecting on how Christ is always present in His Word, sacrament, and people, Bishop Bullock said, "Today the Gospel and readings talk about the Lord binding the wounds of his people. There are lots of people hurting with unresolved conflicts, pain, and suffering. Today we're asked to bind up their wounds."

In eternity there will be no handicaps, only fullness of life, said the bishop. "In the meantime, we have a journey to make."

How do you proclaim the Kingdom of God? he asked. By living by it, he said, noting that God is present in powerful ways. "We connect that with the Eucharist and recognize Him in his Word. Christ empowers us to become like Him."

Facing God

In remarks after Communion, Monsignor Campion talked about a book by Aron Ralston entitled Between a Rock and a Hard Place. In the book, the author describes what happened when his hand became lodged behind a boulder and he eventually had to make the decision to cut off his hand in order to survive.

"We all go through parts of our life between a rock and a hard place," said Monsignor Campion. "We have to realize what our situation is and then reflect with gratitude on the people who care about us." Then, getting to the point of acceptance of the situation is the next step, although it can be difficult, he said.

"I believe that's the story of each of us," he said.

We're here to learn from you the way so we can walk in it, he told the handicapped.

He spoke about the lesson that hit him as he attended the funeral of a priest of the Diocese of Madison - Fr. C. Robert Dutchoff - a few days before. "When they closed that coffin Thursday, it hit me that anything anyone says - good or bad - about you does not mean a thing," he said. "We have one concern: how do we face God."

Monsignor Campion thanked Bishop Bullock, the priests, musicians, drivers, volunteers, benefactors, nurses, cooks, people who set up for the day, those involved in making the programs and table favors, and everyone else involved in helping out during the day.

Participants' comments

Participant Betty Sauer of Monroe had three enthusiastic words to describe the Apostolate to the Handicapped Christmas celebration: "Awesome! Great! Terrific!"

Her enthusiasm was shared by others such as Marie Kaderly of Monroe. "I'm having fun. It's a great day," she said.

Armella and Stan Meffert of St. Peter Parish, Ashton, had brought Armella Nolden of St. Aloysius Parish, Sauk City, to enjoy the day.

"It's beautiful," said Armella.

Nolden said she really admires all the caretakers of the handicapped.

"It makes you appreciate what you have," said Stan.

Byrdene Baker of St. Mary Parish, Belleville, has been coming to the event for years. "It's wonderful," she said, adding that Monsignor Campion is indeed the Star of Bethlehem.

Mildred Drye of Monroe agreed. "He's very dedicated," she said.

Cross Plains parish:
Dedicates new Catholic Ministry Center

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

CROSS PLAINS -- A new Catholic Ministry Center that houses a fellowship hall and offices for St. Francis Xavier Parish here is nearing completion in the next few weeks.

Able to seat 350 people banquet-style, the fellowship hall is reported to be the largest in the Diocese of Madison.

Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus, presided at a Mass at the parish Dec. 4 and then blessed the Catholic Ministry Center afterward. Fr. Tom Kelley, pastor, concelebrated.

New center

The Catholic Ministry Center is built on the site of the old pastoral ministry center, a 97-year-old convent building that was demolished at the end of March. A few materials from the old building, such as wood and bricks, have been incorporated into the reception area in the new building.

In addition to offices and a large space for parish gatherings, the Catholic Ministry Center includes a conference room, storage, and kitchen.

"I'm delighted to be here on such a happy occasion," said Bishop Bullock. "We are here in the spirit of thanksgiving to all who worked so diligently and have given so willingly for this project to be at this stage."

Speaking on the readings of the day, Bishop Bullock noted that the Gospel calls us each to get our lives in order.

"Some things must be left behind because they're interfering with God's call to holiness," he said. "The light of Christ will call us to give up things in life so we may live at a deeper level in Jesus who is the light of the world."

Bishop Bullock congratulated the parish on the accomplishment of the new center and commended Father Kelley "who is a good motivator and kindly pastor."

Thanks for support

In remarks after Communion, Father Kelley said Advent is a time of anticipation, so it is a fitting time to celebrate the joy of the anticipation of the completed center.

He thanked the pastoral council, finance council, and building commission for their support of the project, whose process began two years ago.

He thanked Plunkett Raysich Architects of Milwaukee who designed the new building, Findorff of Madison who built it, and those involved with fundraising.

About 70 percent of the congregation gave something toward the project. "That's tremendous support," he said.

"I mentioned when I first came here that if you want a pastor willing to lead you in a building project, you've got the right pastor. I thank Bishop Bullock for assigning me here so I could see this project through," he said.

Special blessing

After Mass, parishioners gathered in the fellowship hall for a special blessing by the bishop. Bishop Bullock blessed the hall and then sprinkled the hall and the people gathered with holy water. He then blessed the offices with holy water as well as a special hand-carved crucifix in the new reception area.

Afterward, parishioners gathered in the new hall for food and fellowship.

Father Kelley said there will be an open house in the new hall in spring.