Day: December 6, 2017

On
By Dick Jones, For the Catholic Herald

New organ will highlight this year’s Festival of Lessons & Carols

diocesan choir gorman
At the Advent/Christmas party sponsored by the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities are, from left: Katie Gorman, one of the newest members of the Madison Diocesan Choir; her father, Dr. Patrick Gorman, director of the choir for over 25 years; and Pat Paska, a member of the choir since its beginning nearly 45 years ago. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — Much as O Come All Ye Faithful is a favorite known by all since childhood, the opening hymn of Lessons & Carols will become a glorious new sound Sunday, Dec. 17.

That’s when Dr. Patrick Gorman directs the Madison Diocesan Choir and all present, accompanied by a classic pipe organ described as magical, restored, and installed in the Holy Name Heights chapel.

Seeking an organ

“I have literally been working on this since I arrived in Madison,” said Gorman, now in his 26th year as director. “We put together so many different proposals, and it’s always been, ‘We can’t afford it! We can’t afford it.’

“New pipe organs are extraordinarily expensive. Then we started to look at organs that have come out of churches.”

With the help of Bruce Case of Case Pipe Organ Company in Verona, an exceptional pipe organ was found in Kenosha at the First Congregational Church that closed in 2013.

Though silent for years, the organ was in surprisingly good condition. The new owners, an evangelical congregation, had no use for it and agreed to sell it.

Rolls Royce of organs

Thanks to a generous gift from the estate of the late Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer, the Diocese of Madison was able to buy and restore the pipe organ, built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company in Boston nearly 70 years ago.

According to Case, it rivals the commanding Klais organ in the Madison Overture Center, and in some respects is superior.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Prepare for the coming of Christ by listening

The word Advent comes from the Latin Adventus which means coming.

From the first Sunday of Advent to December 17, we focus upon the second coming of Jesus so that when he comes in glory, he will find us ready to meet him.

From December 17 to Christmas Eve, we prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming at Christmas. We also prepare for the comings of Christ in daily life.

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On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Message for Advent: ‘Watch!’

Dear Friends,

We have entered into the Season of Advent. It is a short Season of Advent this year, so let’s get right to it. Our message from the Lord on this first Sunday is simple: “watch!” The Gospel of this past Sunday (MK 13:33-37) doesn’t even contain 100 words, yet, in this small discourse we hear Jesus say repeatedly, “Be watchful,” “be alert,” “watch,” “What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

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On
Steve Grunow

What the Immaculate Conception means

Word on Fire
Fr. Steve Grunow

In December, the Church celebrates a mysterious and miraculous event of such importance to God’s plan for our salvation in Christ that it happened in a manner that went virtually undetected.

This event is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Not to be confused with another mysterious and miraculous event, the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus, the Immaculate Conception is about how God acted in an extraordinary way in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that from even the first moment of her own conception, she was rescued from the power of original sin.

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On
Kenneth R. Studinski

More to being ‘practicing Catholic’

To the editor:

I am writing about John Joy’s piece in the Diocese section of your November 23 edition.

I am concerned that the conference of Catholic educators, John, and others have missed the point of the Bible and the Church. What was given as the “meaning to be a ‘Practicing Catholic’” is more a list of assumed credentials for an acting Catholic but not a practicing Catholic.

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Trudi Jenny

Do our part to live Laudato Si’

To the editor:

Your recent article on St. Dennis Parish’s solar panel installation is welcome news.  Congratulations to Fr. Randy Timmerman for embracing and acting on the message of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. St. Dennis is leading by example and paving the way for their parishioners and more parishes in the diocese to do likewise.

I am also grateful for the article informing parishes that there is grant funding available from RENEW Wisconsin to assist in the costs of installing solar. Parishes who are struggling to find the time to explore energy options can simplify the process by checking out Catholic Energies at https://catholicenergies.org

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Sacred Hearts School holds personal care items drive

SUN PRAIRIE — For the seventh year, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School in Sun Prairie held a personal care drive to help fill a local food pantry’s need for those items.

This year, students were asked to “Cram the Cart” in the school entryway with items such as deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, diapers, laundry detergent, dish soap, and other personal care items.

By the last day of the drive, the large cart was overflowing, with bags and boxes surrounding it.

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