News Briefs: Health Fair May 7 BROWNTOWN -- Monroe Clinic will have a Parish Nurse Health Fair held on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Browntown Civic Center in Browntown. Parish Nurses Carol Allen and Linda Boss invite all members of the community to attend this event to learn more about health as well prevention of disease. The Monroe Clinic will do free screening of blood sugar and cholesterol. Green County Public Health will provide hemoglobin testing at no charge. In addition, Monroe Clinic will offer educational information and displays on a number of health topics including "Healthy Eating," "Healthy Exercise," and "Healthy Vision." A Monroe Clinic dietitian and pharmacist will be available to answer questions. Nurse Steve Mishka will also be available to answer questions related to men's health. Green County Public Health will have information available on a variety of health topics including the Wisconsin Well Women Program. Beth Kindschi, Safe Kids coordinator, will answer questions on a variety of safety issues related to children, including bike safety and the wearing of bike helmets. Other community resource information will be available. Green County Mental Health will also be represented to answer questions related to mental health issues. New to the fair this year is Green County's Search and Rescue Dog. The event is free and registration is not required. St. Aloysius hosts plant sale SAUK CITY -- St. Aloysius is hosting the "Rite of Spring - Great Green Plant Sale" on Saturday, May 7. This is a unique sale featuring the green thumbs of St. Aloysius School and Parish. Perennials, herbs, and wildflowers from Gloria's Flowers will be on sale as well as annuals. Besides a variety of donated plants, cocoa bean mulch will also be on sale. This is a way to control moisture and weed growth while adding a chocolate aroma to a garden. The sale will run on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 12 noon in the school gym. Proceeds will go to the School Endowment Fund. For more information, contact Julie Lamberty at 608-643-6868. Adult Catholic Spirit Club meets JANESVILLE -- Spring is "bustin' out all over!" at the Wednesday, May 11, meeting of the Adult Catholic Spirit Club. Featured will be Kathleen Bitter on vocals and Ann Allen on keyboard. Both are active in music ministry at St. Mary Parish in Janesville. The potluck begins at noon in St. John Vianney's Marian Hall. Reservations to attend the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. retreat on Wednesday, May 18, at the Redemptorist Center in Oconomowoc may be made by calling Joan Pastula at 608-752-0055. The cost is $15 to be paid in advance. Attendees will car pool. Rock Deanery meeting MILTON -- Wednesday, May 18, is the date of the Rock Deanery meeting at St. Mary Parish here. Theme is "Strengthening Within . . . Reaching Out." Registration is at 3:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting at 4. A concelebrated Mass will be offered at 5 with Fr. Lorin Bowens, Lime Ridge, diocesan moderator, as homilist. After the 6 p.m. dinner speaker Pastor Iris Guelker will discuss "Rock County Jail Chaplaincy and Dismas." Reservations are due May 10 to Kathy McDonald, 435 Grove St., Janesville, WI 53545. Cost is $7. Iowa Deanery meeting DODGEVILLE -- St. Joseph Parish here will host the Iowa Deanery meeting Thursday, May 19. Theme is "Jesus the Bread of Life." Registration is at 4:30 p.m. followed by business meeting at 5; concelebrated Mass at 5:30 with Fr. Lorin Bowens, Lime Ridge, diocesan moderator, as homilist; dinner at 6:30; and Fr. David Wanish, Argyle, speaking on "Cuba After the Cold War." Reservations are due May 12 to Betty Dolan, 4454 State Rd. 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533. Cost is $7. Support group MADISON -- A peer support group for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship is open to all ages/faiths at a Madison parish. New Directions will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. For information, call 608-821-3170. Memorial Day flowers BARABOO -- St. Joseph School and Parish is taking orders for flowers and plants to be distributed Memorial Day weekend. Orders can be placed through the rectory or school office. Orders will be taken until May 9.
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Diocesan Choir: Plays special role in time of loss and renewal

By Dick Jones
FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

(See also front-page photo.)

MADISON -- Though the choir loft of St. Raphael Cathedral is in ruins, the Madison Diocesan Choir sings on.

On March 14, a fire, allegedly set by a transient, destroyed much of the historic cathedral. As hard as that was to endure, a greater loss soon followed for the Diocese of Madison and Catholics around the world.

Pope John Paul II, the church's beloved pontiff, died April 2. The day of his funeral, thousands of mourners filled St. Peter's Square.

In that same square, the Madison Diocesan Choir sang for Pope John Paul II during a tour of Italy in June of 2001. The choir sang for him again at a memorial Mass on April 10 in Monona celebrated by Bishop Robert C. Morlino.

Related item: • Madison Diocesan Choir concerts

Saturday, May 7, the choir will sing at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman, the choir will present its spring concert, "Sing Ye Heavens! Hymns from the Old and New Worlds."

Special role

Bishop Morlino said the choir has performed a special role in this time of loss and renewal. He recalled the choir's singing at Chrism Mass, held at St. Maria Goretti Church a week after the cathedral fire.

"The ministry of the choir is perhaps more important now than ever," Bishop Morlino said. "Their presence at the Chrism Mass and our diocesan Mass for Pope John Paul II and the Election of a Pope reminds us that, even in the absence of our cathedral, the prayer of God's Church in Madison continues."

The day of the cathedral fire, Msgr. Paul J. Swain, St. Raphael pastor, watched as the blaze destroyed the roof and threatened the newly renovated steeple. When reporters asked him about the cathedral's destruction, he said the church is not a building, but the faithful, its people.

Represents people

With nearly 60 members from parishes throughout the diocese, the choir represents the people, and in its music ministry, gives added voice to their prayers.

"The Diocesan Choir is a very valuable part of the prayer life of the diocese," Bishop Morlino said. "They are present at all of our major liturgies and add depth to the prayer of all who are present.

"I first heard the choir at my installation as Bishop of Madison and I marveled at the beauty of their singing. Many of the visiting bishops and guests commented on both the choir's skill and the prayerful way that they wove music into the Mass. I am grateful to God for the dedication of the members and their willingness to serve Him in this important ministry."

Added Bishop Morlino, "Music is supposed to turn our minds to thoughts of heaven. The Diocesan Choir does a wonderful job making our worship solemn and reverent - really heavenly."

Beacon of hope

Director Gorman, a member of St. Raphael Parish, said the Diocesan Choir has been a comfort to him. "Amidst all the difficulties of the real tragedy at St. Raphael, I think the Diocesan Choir has been kind of a beacon of hope.

"I think hearing the Diocesan Choir at the Chrism Mass, and seeing all of the diocesan priests and so many people who have been to Chrism Mass before, and also seeing so many new people who came to support the diocese in its time of need, shows that while we are still mourning the loss of that building, the church continues, and it continues very strongly."

In that sense, the choir is a special blessing to the diocese, said Gorman, who has directed the choir since 1992.

Example for others

For four decades, the choir has served the faith community and set an example to other dioceses. Fr. Gabriel Baltes, director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Superior, said that he turned to Gorman for advice when he formed the Superior Diocesan Choral five years ago. Even the Archdiocese of Chicago has consulted with Gorman about the diocesan choir.

That the choir is known and admired outside the diocese comes as no surprise to Bishop Morlino, who has heard many choirs. "The Madison Diocesan Choir is one of the finest choirs that I have heard," Bishop Morlino said.

"I especially am pleased that they promote the Universal Church's vision for music in service to our prayer. They sing a wonderful variety of music, from chant to Renaissance music to beautiful sacred music of today. It's always appropriate for the liturgy celebrated and helps us enter more deeply into our prayer."

Concert on May 7, 14

The concert offers all attending an opportunity to join in singing familiar hymns of praise and thanksgiving, such as "All Creatures of Our God and King" and "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name." The program also includes new hymns, including "Jesus Calls Us," as well as a moving hymn the choir sang at Chrism Mass, "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need."

The concert will have two new features. Glenn Schuster, organist and assistant director, will accompany the choir on an Ahlborn-Galanti, an electric pipe organ rented for the occasion. Members also will wear new reversible collars.

On May 14, the choir will perform the same program at St. Peter Parish, 5001 N. Sherman Ave.

Anyone interested in joining the choir in September may contact Gorman at the Office of Worship by phone, 608-821-3080, or by e-mail, pgorman@straphael.org

'You are a prayer powerhouse':
Disabled priest tells handicapped

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

	Fr. Ted Borger, retired Navy chaplain, accepts Offertory gifts from Artiss Brewster of Janesville. (Catholic Herald photo by Bill and Jo Boyce)

MONROE -- All of the suffering we as handicapped people undergo here on earth can be offered up in prayer for the salvation of the world, Fr. Ted Borger told the disabled who gathered for the 38th annual Apostolate to the Handicapped Spring Day at Monroe High School April 16.

Father Borger, a retired United States Navy chaplain who is in a wheelchair, was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass. He was joined by Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus, and 12 concelebrating priests.

People from throughout the Diocese of Madison and beyond gathered for the annual event that included Mass, a meal, and entertainment held at Monroe High School. "We place our faith in you" was the theme of the day.

Fr. Mike Klarer, pastor of St. Victor Parish, Monroe, talked about how he met Father Borger in the Navy. "I went through his accident with him and he taught me what it means to be human, to be a priest, and to live with your handicaps," he said.

'Lord, take my suffering'

In his homily, Father Borger said many times able-bodied people are not able to understand everything you go through each day.

"You get up in the morning and you don't jump out of bed," he said. "You pull yourself into your chair and just to get undressed is a study in pain and suffering.

"We take these things on earth and say, 'Lord, this day take my suffering and use it as you would for the good of the world,'" said Father Borger. "You are a prayer powerhouse. Think of all the things we can do if we offer it to God for the salvation of the world."

We have a hard time with daily acts, he said, noting that "I blew a bead on my rosary to get here so we could spend time together and say there's a lot we can do.

"I want all of you to make me a promise that you will every day offer it to Christ for the salvation of the world," he said.

Friends are miracles

Referring to the Gospel reading in which the paralyzed man is lowered through the roof so he can see Jesus, Father Borger said, "The real miracle was that the paralyzed man had four friends that watched over him and cared for him enough to help him see the Lord.

"Many of you are caregivers to the disabled. You are a miracle," he said.

"I've had many miracles in my life," Father Borger said. He explained that in 1995 he was in a car accident that caused the airbag to deploy and drove the cross he was wearing into his heart. His heart exploded and he had to be given a new heart.

His friends came and cared for him, including the times he fell down and the times he wondered why this had happened to him.

"Many times the miracles in our lives are the people God sends to care for us," he said. "Father Campion is your miracle.

"When you wonder, 'Can I go on?' the answer is 'Yes,'" he said. There is so much wonder you can perform, he said.

Powerful witnesses

"All I've got to say is 'Wow. What a day,'" said Msgr. Tom Campion, director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, after Communion.

The Apostolate is about the living reality of people and our focus is on the disabled person - that's why we exist, he said. What Father Borger shared is a rebirth of what the Apostolate is about - focusing on you because you are a miracle, he pointed out to those in attendance.

He introduced Bishop Bullock, who has been devoted to the Apostolate to the Handicapped through the years.

"A 'thank you' seems a little thing to say in the presence of Monsignor Campion, but it is a sincere expression of gratitude we bring to him," said Bishop Bullock. "We know Christ wanted the Apostolate and Monsignor Campion said, 'Use me.' We're grateful to you for these 38 years. We trust there will be many more."

During the past weeks our eyes have been fixed on Rome and the life and death of Pope John Paul II, said Bishop Bullock. The pope carried the infirmity of Parkinson's disease beautifully and he never gave up, he said. "He gave his suffering to Jesus. What a powerful and abiding witness is John Paul II."