News Briefs: Priest marks 90th birthday LODI -- Msgr. Francis E. Doherty, pastor emeritus, will mark his 90th birthday on Jan. 5. He was born Jan. 5, 1915, in Milwaukee. He was ordained to the priesthood on Aug. 6, 1941, in Milwaukee. He became a priest of the Diocese of Madison when it was formed in 1946. He served as associate pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Beloit, and as pastor at St. Patrick Doylestown, with the mission of St. Joseph, Rio; St. Paul, Evansville; and St. Patrick, Madison, where he served from 1957 until his retirement in 1984. He was also promoter of justice for the diocesan Tribunal; CCD deanery directory; and a diocesan consultor. Cards may be sent to him at Rt. 3, 11031 Lake View Dr., Lodi, WI 53555. Support groups offered 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. Friends on a Journey will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at Our Lady Queen of Peace nursery, 401 S. Owen Dr. For information, call Paul at 608-862-3613. New Directions will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. For information, call 608-821-3170. National Evangelization Team MADISON -- A National Evangelization Team (NET) will be arriving in the Diocese of Madison on Jan. 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 in a retreat-like format. The following dates are still open for parishes to host a NET retreat: Tuesday, Jan. 18; Friday, Jan. 21; Thursday, Jan. 27; Friday, Jan. 28; Saturday, Jan. 29; and Tuesday, Feb. 1. For more information, contact Ben Weisse or Gloria Brockman in the Diocese of Madison's Office of Religious Education at 608-821-3160 after Jan. 3.
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Elizabeth House:
Diocese donates $75,000
to maternity home

By Julianne Nornberg and Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino presented a $75,000 check from the Diocese of Madison to representatives of The Elizabeth House on Dec. 22.

The Elizabeth House is a Christian residential program for women undergoing an unplanned pregnancy. It provides a home as well as prenatal care, parenting classes, and assistance in finding a job.

Currently in a temporary location in Stoughton, The Elizabeth House is operated by Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County. A new 10-bedroom maternity home that will include a pregnancy help clinic will be built on Madison's east side at 1350 MacArthur Rd. The Elizabeth House plans to break ground for the new home in spring.

Bishop Morlino had authorized a diocesan-wide collection for The Elizabeth House in October. This check was the result of that collection.

The diocesan contribution puts The Elizabeth House over the $1 million mark in its $2.2 million capital campaign for the new maternity home.

The bishop also accepted a $500 check for The Elizabeth House from the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. He encouraged the women to ask the MDCCW deaneries to continue to support The Elizabeth House.

"I am so happy The Elizabeth House is going to become a reality," said Bishop Morlino. "We have to say, 'Here's where you go' to women considering abortion. We want to give women an option.

"I will continue to promote generosity to The Elizabeth House," said Bishop Morlino. "Let's continue to work together."

Care Net Pregnancy Center is grateful to be "recipients of this very generous gift," said Liz Osborn, executive director of Care Net. "Authentic religion is taking care of our cultural orphans," which includes supporting women and their unborn and born children, she said.

"What a wonderful time to be receiving this gift," she said. "Thank you all."

The Elizabeth House is currently recruiting $1-A-Day Club members who will give $1 a day for three years. Donations may be sent to Care Net, 1605 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711.

'Lessons and Carols':
Madison Diocesan Choir offers song, Scripture

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Beautiful voices filled the chapel at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center during the Madison Diocesan Choir's recent performance of "Lessons and Carols."

The performance alternated Advent and Christmas Scripture readings with carols such as Gustav Holst's In the Bleak Midwinter sung by the choir. The audience also joined in singing songs such as Angels We Have Heard on High and Joy to the World.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino presided at the event, reading the final Scripture "lesson" about the Word being made flesh.

He welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to the special celebration. He acknowledged in a special way Bishop William H. Bullock and Bishop George O. Wirz.

Bishop Morlino thanked Dr. Patrick Gorman, director of the Madison Diocesan Choir, Glenn Schuster, organist, and the nearly 60 members of the Madison Diocesan Choir.

"What inspiration you give and are," he said.

Attention on Christmas

Addressing attendees, Bishop Morlino pointed out that the media, such as Time and Newsweek, have been directing attention to the mystery of Christmas in their own way this year.

Whether or not everyone believes the same thing about Christmas, it's fashionable in society to worry about Christmas, he said. "That's a good thing."

Focus on 'merry'

Referring to having to defend Christmas so that it is not secularized, Bishop Morlino said, "I think when we get this close to Christmas, rather than defend the word 'Christmas,' we can focus on the word 'Merry' Christmas by being happy," he said.

Although it is human to be sad during this season if we have suffered a tragedy this year, we ought to defend Christmas by showing Merry Christmas, he said.

"Whatever tragedy or joy we had, we still come to the Eucharist and offer the greatest prayer we can offer," he said.

If our offering is the greatest offering of thanksgiving, then we must be the most thankful people and we still ought to be merry and happy, he said.

And if we're the most thankful people, we can even say thanks for the tragedy and hurt and pain, he said.

Can't take joy away

"There is nothing in the world that can take the 'merry' out of 'Merry Christmas' for a Eucharistic people," said Bishop Morlino.

No one can take away the joy from offering the greatest prayer of thanks because we are the most grateful people, he said.