News Briefs: Sister to be honored MADISON -- The Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ) will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Sr. Maureen McDonnell on Friday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Edgewood College, Regina Hall, Heritage Room. All are welcome for this evening of food and film as members gather to hear stories of this Wisconsin peacemaker, "Sister Mo." Donations will be accepted at the door. A main dish will be provided for the 7 p.m. dinner; potluck side dishes and desserts are welcome. For information or to share a story about Sister Maureen, contact: info@wnpj.org or outreach@wnpj.org or call 608-250-9240. Peer support groups MADISON -- Peer support groups for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 401 S. Owen Dr., and from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 and 22, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd. For information, call 608-821-3170. Catholic Spirit Club JANESVILLE -- The Adult Catholic Spirit Club will host Helen Graham and the Senior Choristers after a Wednesday, Dec. 14, noon potluck at St. John Vianney's Marian Hall. All area men and women are welcome to attend. Bring a dish to pass (or a monetary donation) and table service.
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Marriage resolution: Heated discussion at Capitol on 'one man, one woman' constitutional amendment

By Kathleen Bushman
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- More than 600 people registered their position and packed the committee room and two overflow rooms at the state capitol building Tuesday, Nov. 29, for a public hearing on what one state senator called a "heated discussion" of Assembly Joint Resolution 67, or Senate Joint Resolution 53.

The proposed amendment to the state constitution says that "only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Wisconsin. Its second clause prohibits the recognition of a "legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage" for unmarried individuals.

The amendment, say supporters, is essential to protect the sanctity of marriage; without it, a court decision could completely change the societal standpoint on marriage.

Look-alike marriages

In addition to questioning whether the resolution provided equal rights or discriminated against homosexuals, many against the amendment objected to the wording and intention of the second clause regarding what one proponent of the resolution called "look-alike marriages."

Several committee members and individuals who came to testify questioned whether benefits for domestic partners or hospital visitation rights would be denied if the resolution passed. Many cited their own instances of being denied health care or hospital visitation privileges.

But according to Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), co-author of the resolution with Assembly Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin), the amendment does not prohibit local governments from creating benefits for domestic partners.

As to hospital visitation, Gundrum said that hospitals provide their own policies on who is allowed to visit patients.

Fitzgerald said that they wrote the "verbage" in the second clause of the amendment very carefully. It "allows the door to be open" for interpretation on what courts believe a "substantially similar" legal union is, he said.

"This amendment simply redefines our statutes and requires that marriage be defined as the union of a man and a woman," said Fitzgerald. "It protects our laws from activist judges and overzealous county clerks."

Context for love

Bishop Robert C. Morlino intended to speak at the hearing on behalf of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference and Catholics of the diocese, but was not able to address the senate and assembly committees due to time constraints. His written testimony in support of the amendment, however, was distributed to the committee members present.

"The truth about the human person known by reason alone should be supported by the state and in some instances enacted into law," he wrote. "The truth about marriage - one husband, one wife, one lifetime with openness to children - is inscribed in the human mind-heart which yearns for one-flesh union, and in the human body's procreative ecology."

He said this "authentic marriage" is the human context for love and the best context for parents to form and educate children and for children to care for elderly parents. This union, he wrote, should be promoted and protected by civil law.

The amendment passed both houses of legislature in 2004. If passed by both senate and assembly in this session, it would be put on the ballot for the November 7, 2006 elections.

Currently there are 19 constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage in other states. Several more states have "Defense of Marriage" laws. And even more states may put amendments on the ballot for 2006.

Diocesan Choir: Festive Christmas concert

By Dick Jones
FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

MADISON -- With special guest Mary Ann Harr performing on harp, the Madison Diocesan Choir will give a free Christmas concert, a "Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols," on Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.

Dr. Patrick Gorman, choir director, said the concert will feature a choral arrangement by Anthony Barresi, music professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Barresi dedicated the arrangement, "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," to Bishop Emeritus William H. Bullock.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside over the concert, which begins at 4 p.m. in the chapel of the O'Connor Center, 702 S. High Point Rd. With Glenn Schuster as accompanist, Gorman will direct the choir's 60 members from parishes throughout the diocese.

Music and Scripture

In keeping with a tradition that the King's College Choir started in Cambridge roughly 80 years ago, the event is a mix of music and Scripture readings, from Adam's temptation and fall to the birth of Christ. Representing area parishes, liturgists will read all but the final lesson, allowing Bishop Morlino to announce the news of Christ's birth.

Gorman said that as in the past, the audience will have an opportunity to join the choir in singing familiar Christmas carols. For the most part, they can sit back, ponder the readings, and enjoy music he has selected for harp and chorus.

Harp music a highlight

"Certainly Mary Ann Harr is going to be the highlight with her harp," Gorman said. "She's a wonderful professional harpist who has played with us quite often. I think just her presence there will make it a very peaceful, very beautiful way to usher in the last week of Advent."

Harr has accompanied the choir at Chrism Mass. For this concert, she will perform in over half of the selections, joining the choir, for example, in a Bob Chilcott's modern arrangement of the popular carol, "Bleak Mid-winter," and the "Cantique de Jean Racine," by Faure.

"The one piece we're doing, 'Mid-winter,' has kind of captured everybody a little bit," Gorman said. "It's something a little different for us. Very contemporary, but it's an old text, kind of a nice wedding of text and music in a memorable melody."

Gorman said that the "Cantique" by Faure and other selections should offer a beautiful, serene interlude to what has become for many a hectic season. Harr agreed.

"The 'Cantique' is one of the all time gorgeous, perfect pieces of music, and there's a fabulous arrangement of it for harp," she said. She welcomed the opportunity to accompany the choir, especially in the chapel, known for its fine acoustics.

"Accompanying vocal music is my favorite kind of harp playing," she said. She especially enjoys accompanying the Diocesan Choir with Gorman directing. "I love playing with the choir, it is a beautiful sound," Harr said. "I love what Pat does with it. This particular choir makes the most beautiful phrases that I just get goose bumps, even while I'm playing. I think, 'This is as good as it gets.'"

Honoring Bishop Bullock

Gorman said he was pleased that the choir will perform Barresi's arrangement, "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," in honor of Bishop Bullock. He said Barresi planned to attend one of the final rehearsals and conduct the choir in singing the hymn.

"Not really a Christmas carol, but a familiar tune that I think people will enjoy," Gorman said.

Barresi said the arrangement is based on an old Irish hymn, "The God of Love My Shepherd Is," and attributed to St. Columba, an Irish saint. While writing it, he learned of Bishop Bullock's 25th anniversary as bishop.

"As we have been friends for a number of years, I decided to dedicate the arrangement to him," he said. He contacted Gorman about a premiere performance and Gorman included it in this year's lessons and carols service.

Barresi and his wife, Ginny, have attended the lessons and carols concerts in the past. "The choir offers a spiritual and musical bouquet of a type that cannot be found any other place in the diocese," he said.

Barresi has known Gorman since he was a graduate student in choral conducting at the university. "I had the privilege of supervising the writing of his doctoral dissertation," Barresi said. "This diocese is so fortunate to have him working with liturgy and music."

The concert is free, although the choir suggests that each person bring a non-perishable food item to help stock the shelves of a local food pantry. The center is wheelchair accessible, and a reception will follow the concert.

Brian Kelly of Relevant Radio:
Has new office at Bishop O'Connor Center

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Brian Kelly of Relevant Radio (1240 AM) will be working more closely with parish and diocesan relations at his new office at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino has emphasized his support for the "New Evangelization" called for by Pope John Paul II. That means using all available means of communication to spread the church's message, including Relevant Radio.

Related articles: October 27, 2005 edition: • Relevant Radio: Bishop Morlino visits headquarters in Green Bay August 19, 2004 edition: • Local show Relevant 2 U to debut on Catholic radio May 13, 2004 edition: • Priest Council: Updated on sexual abuse prevention program (scroll down to "Catholic radio" header within article) • Relevant Radio Morning Air talk show program expands Nov. 22, 2001 edition: • New Catholic radio station

"Having a Relevant Radio office at the O'Connor Center is a wonderful opportunity to work more closely with Bishop Morlino and to cover ministries of the diocese better," said Kelly.

General manager

Kelly has been named general station manager of the Catholic radio station. Matt Beardsley is replacing Kelly as station manager. Beardsley has previously worked with Catholic radio in St. Louis and Minneapolis.

"As a nonprofit radio apostolate, we always need to be good stewards of our resources," noted Kelly. "So bringing in Matt to be the station manager has allowed me to move over to the Bishop O'Connor Center and our new office there."

Beardsley will work out of the Relevant Radio studio at One Point Place in Madison along with Joe Stadele, who continues as the station's development coordinator.

Fifth anniversary

Relevant Radio is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. A pledge week is being held December 5 to 9 on the radio network to encourage listener contributions to support the apostolate.

Relevant Radio's mission is to "bridge the gap between faith and everyday life." It is the largest Catholic talk radio network in the United States.

With national headquarters in Green Bay, Relevant Radio currently has 16 stations in six states and 14 affiliate stations that carry full or partial Relevant Radio programming. Relevant Radio is also available to a worldwide audience via streaming audio at www.relevantradio.com

Relevant Radio includes dialogue, commentary, and listener call-in programs with award-winning journalists covering topics such as family and personal relationships, political and social concerns, religion and faith along with local, national, and international news.

Local programs

In the Diocese of Madison, Brian Kelly hosts a weekly one-hour program, Relevant 2 U, which includes excerpts from homilies and talks by Bishop Morlino along with news and features about parishes and diocesan offices and ministries. Kelly will continue hosting Relevant 2 U, work on special features with the bishop, and continue coverage of parish and diocesan activities through the community calendar.

Beardsley hosts the Madison portion of Morning Air and provides weather updates through the day.

Kelly announced that Relevant Radio will be broadcasting Edgewood College Eagles basketball games starting on December 13. Ten games of men's and women's basketball as well as playoff games will be heard on 1240 AM.

Open house at station

The station is also hosting an open house on Monday, Dec. 12, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to tour the studio at One Point Place and record free Christmas greetings to air on Relevant Radio.

For more information, call Relevant Radio at 608-833-7888 or go to the Web site at www.relevantradio.com