News Briefs: Office hosts choral music reading session MADISON -- The Office of Worship is hosting a choral music reading session on Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie. The session is designed for choir directors, organists, liturgists, pastors, and all who work to plan music for the parish musical ensembles. Choir members also are welcome to come and sing. Participants will sight-read a variety of music appropriate for use in the liturgy. Music for choirs of varying sizes and abilities will be reviewed, including music for unison choirs, two-part, SAB, and SATB choirs, as well as mixed choirs with instruments. Patrick Gorman, director of the Office of Worship, the Diocesan Choir, and the St. Raphael Cathedral Choir, will direct the session. Don Kometz, director of music and liturgy at St. Albert the Great Parish, will be the accompanist. There is no registration fee, but pre-registration by July 26 is required. For more information about the session, or to register, call the Office of Worship at 608-821-3080 or e-mail worship@straphael.org Mass schedule for downtown parishes MADISON -- Below is a revised Mass schedule for the cluster of parishes in downtown Madison: • Monday through Friday - 12:10 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish, 5:15 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Parish, with confessions at 4:30 p.m. • Saturday - 8 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Parish with confessions at 7:30 a.m.; 5 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish with confessions at 3:30 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. in Spanish at Holy Redeemer Parish, with confessions at 5:30 p.m. • Sunday - 9 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Parish; 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Parish; 11:30 a.m. in Spanish at Holy Redeemer Parish, with confessions at 10:45 a.m.; 5 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Parish. Club trip to view Vatican art exhibit JANESVILLE -- The Adult Catholic Spirit Club will view the Vatican art exhibit on April 12, 2006 at the Milwaukee Public Museum. The exhibit contains paintings, sculptures, and artifacts of 264 popes from St. Peter to Benedict XVI. The club is currently accepting reservations for the bus trip to the exhibit. Cost is $46.50, which includes the bus trip and admission to the exhibit. The bus will leave at 7:30 a.m. and will return at 4:30 p.m. that day. Checks made payable to Adult Catholic Spirit Club should be mailed by Sept. 14 to Adel Gaydos, 1227 Bingham Ave., Janesville, WI 53546. For more information call Ginny at 608-752-6960 or Joan at 608-752-0055. Peer support group MADISON -- New Directions, a peer support group for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship, meets on the east side from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 14 and July 28, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd. Watch for signs. For information, call 608-821-3170.
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Fort Atkinson parishioners: Move into new church,
plan open house weekend

By Audrey Mettel Fixmer
CATHOLIC HERALD CORRESPONDENT

FORT ATKINSON -- A great deal of rejoicing fills the air as members of St. Joseph Parish celebrate their first weekend Masses in their new church located at 1660 Endl Blvd. on July 16 and 17.

This is the culmination of more than eight years of planning, pledging, and plodding along through untold obstacles and setbacks.

Those parishioners who gave countless volunteer hours painting, staining, and scrubbing are especially savoring the fruits of their labors. Although the new school has been in use since April 1, parishioners have finally finished wandering for Masses.

After five months of celebrating Mass in local schools, a convent basement, and Protestant churches, parishioners can breathe a sigh of relief and say that it is good to be home at last.

Open house events

In tune with the celebratory nature of this event, the parish is planning events to welcome the public. An Open House Weekend is planned for July 29, 30, and 31.

The Knights of Columbus will offer a baked fish dinner on Friday, July 29, at a cost of $6 for adults and $4 for children, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the new parish dining room. Tours of the facility will be given between 5 and 7 p.m.

On Saturday, July 30, the KC's will serve a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by a brief program. Tours will again be offered on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Carry-outs will be available for both dinners by calling the parish hall at 920-563-3029, ext. 1205, after 4 p.m.

Both events will feature drawings for cash prizes every half-hour.

All those who volunteered in any way with the building project are invited to participate in the volunteer picnic, scheduled for Sunday, July 31, at 4 p.m. The parish will supply the meat and beverages; participants are asked to bring a dish to pass or a dessert.

The Sunday Mass schedule remains the same in the new church: Saturday evening at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. From here on, all daily Masses and Word and Communion Services will be held in the Daily Chapel (Eucharistic Chapel) in the new facility.

Family Fair

The annual parish Family Fair is scheduled for Aug. 12, 13, and 14. Events will include a Friday night fish dinner, karaoke, music, and adult games in the refreshment tent and also children's games, a food tent, Book Nook, Trash and Treasure, flea market, Walk/Run, Sunday chicken dinner, and raffle (grand prize is a family four-star Disney Vacation or $5,000 and numerous other prizes). Raffle tickets may be purchased from any parishioner or by calling the parish office at 920-563-3029.

The Walk/Run will be held on Saturday morning, Aug. 13. A registration fee of $20 includes a T-shirt and $3 meal ticket, plus refreshments after the Walk/Run and a DJ both before and after. For more information, call Linda Teed at 920-563-9942.

A Family Fair Casino Night is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 13, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold in advance after all the Masses starting July 16 for $15 per person. This includes $100 in game chips, a drink ticket, and a chance to win prizes.

Dedication Mass

The Dedication Ceremony has been delayed until Sept. 11 when Bishop Robert C. Morlino can join parishioners for the 10 a.m. Mass. A reception will be held in the church hall following the Mass.

Bishop's gathering:
For young men and their fathers

By Brian Dulli and Julianne Nornberg
FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

MADISON -- Young men and their fathers gathered recently with Bishop Robert C. Morlino and seminarians and priests of the Diocese of Madison during the bishop's first annual summer high school gathering at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center here.

More than 60 people attended the event, which was sponsored by the Office of Vocations. It included games, a social, a dinner, and music by "Oremus," a Christian band including seminarian Chris Reitz and his brother Thomas.

'True manliness'

Fr. Jim Bartylla, director of the Office of Vocations, welcomed the group. Eddie Cotter, Jr., president of the Dead Theologians Society (DTS), spoke to attendees about DTS, a Catholic youth apostolate that seeks to inspire young people through the examples of the lives of saints.

Bishop Morlino talked to participants about their future as husbands and fathers in families or as priests, noting that Pope John Paul II was once young and started out like them.

"John Paul II was no different from any other high school student at your age," the bishop said. He asked the young men to each look to the dedication of their earthly fathers as examples of true Christian manliness. "To be a priest is to be the husband of the Church and the spiritual father of many souls. It is true manliness."

The gathering was a chance for the young men and their fathers to hear Bishop Morlino talk about vocations and what it means to be a father - either in a family or in the church, said Father Bartylla. The event also allowed participants to see our seminarians as real men living out their vocational call, he said.

Bishop's 'Z-Club'

The event grew out of Bishop Morlino's desire to be with young people, taking after the late Holy Father. During the course of his Confirmation schedule, the bishop had the opportunity to meet many young people who were genuinely excited about their Catholic faith. Father Bartylla was able to collect names and other information from the young men in order to promote vocations.

Many of the young men had the special opportunity to wear the bishop's zucchetto at their own Confirmation, in front of their families, friends, and peers. Bishop Morlino began to nickname this group the "Z-Club" in honor of the bishop's pink skullcap. The bishop's gathering featured a zucchetto raffle that was won by Ken Schwartz of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Sun Prairie.

"Sometimes it fits too well," Bishop Morlino said. The zucchetto becomes a reminder to the confirmandi that the future bishops, sisters, priests, and the whole range of leadership positions are now developing in the lives of young people.

Any parent or high school age student desiring more information about vocations as a priest, religious sister, or brother may contact the Office of Vocations at 608-821-3088. Those interested in bringing the Dead Theologians Society to their parish may call Eddie Cotter, Jr., at 608-767-4063.