The writings of the Old Testament prophets expressed Israel’s deep longing for God to show His face, to rend the curtain of separation, to usher in an age of peace, mercy, and salvation, to break down the barriers of separation between the Lord and His people.
Month: December 2019
A Christmas crib brought peace to a prison
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The original Christmas crib was built at Bethlehem.
Centuries later, St. Francis of Assisi built another Christmas crib and made it popular.
According to The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure, in 1223, St. Francis received permission from Pope Honorius III to set up a manger with hay and two live animals — an ox and a donkey — in a cave in the Italian village of Grecio.
He then invited the villagers to visit the scene while he preached about “the babe of Bethlehem.” (Francis was supposedly so overcome by emotion that he couldn’t say “Jesus.”)
A gift of peace
The Christmas crib inspired a group of German POWs in Algona, Iowa, to build a Christmas crib.
Madison Diocesan Choir presents Lessons & Carols December 22
A simple gift, heralding the true meaning of Christmas. That’s what the Madison Diocesan Choir and its director, Dr. Patrick Gorman, offer Sunday, Dec. 22, with Bishop Donald J. Hying presiding over their Lessons & Carols liturgical service at Holy Name Heights.
Christmas and the gift of encounter
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| Journey with Faith Deacon Lawrence Oparaji |
One fateful Christmas season some years ago, something very significant happened in a family.
A mother came back from Christmas shopping and was welcomed by her eight-year-old son Daniel and her much younger daughter Jane. The children were so excited and eager to see what their mum bought. She, however, asked them to allow her to freshen up and rest a little before unveiling the Christmas goodies.
The unveiling eventually came, and the children were handy and active. There were gifts for their daddy, for their mummy, for their aunties and uncles, for their grandpas and grandmas, for their family friends and for their cat and dog.
Eventually the shopping bag was empty! Looking at the empty shopping bag, Daniel became sad and moody. Discovering Daniel’s sudden mood change, his mother became worried, and asked him what was wrong with him.Bishop Hying visits Hazel Green school
HAZEL GREEN — After a snowy drive to the southwest corner of the state, Bishop Donald Hying traveled to St. Joseph School, Hazel Green, to celebrate Mass and visit with the students and staff.
Bishop Hying, Fr. Ken Frisch, and Deacon Larry Tranel celebrated 8:15 a.m. Mass with the students as well as a full church of family members, parishioners, and friends.Apostolate hosts annual Advent/Christmas Party in Monroe
It’s a scene familiar in many Decembers. A Christmas tree, Christmas music, Christmas cookies, old friends getting reacquainted, new friendships forged, and even a visit from Santa.
Let us sing as we prepare for Jesus’ birth
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Years ago, Sister Victricia chose seventh and eighth graders for the Kieler Immaculate Conception grade school choir. Miraculously, I was chosen. At rehearsals, however, whenever I sang, Sister stopped playing the piano and stared at me. My voice was changing. To survive her stares, I began to lip-sync long before I ever heard of it.
A positive thinking friend told me, “Maybe Sister was admiring your singing.” If so, why did she quit staring after I stopped singing? Dad often said that the Louisburg Langes can’t sing. Fr. Ron Lange, my missionary first cousin, agrees.
Perhaps this is a senile illusion, but now I think I can sing a little better at Mass. Because of old age, however, when celebrating Mass I often refrain from singing hymns that I don’t know to conserve my limited energy for parts that I proclaim and for the Gospel reading and homily.Latinos celebrate Christ the King with Bishop Hying
On Sunday, Nov. 24, the Latino community of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison and from nearby parishes came together to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Most Reverend Donald Hying, bishop of Madison, celebrated their 6:30 p.m. Spanish Mass with Fr. Bart Timmerman, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.
This Advent seek God’s will, not your own
Today my daughter was searching our house for a recorder, an instrument for her school music class.
Over the years we have acquired a couple of recorders, but, used by different children at various times for school, their whereabouts are not always known. (Yes, unfortunately things do get lost in our house sometimes.)
“Should we write a note to the teacher, saying we have a recorder, but we just don’t know where it is?” my daughter asked.
“No, we’ll find it,” I said, pulling open and peering into desk drawers in our home office. “Go look in your brother’s cubby.”
This Advent seek God’s will, not your own
Today my daughter was searching our house for a recorder, an instrument for her school music class.
Over the years we have acquired a couple of recorders, but, used by different children at various times for school, their whereabouts are not always known. (Yes, unfortunately things do get lost in our house sometimes.)
“Should we write a note to the teacher, saying we have a recorder, but we just don’t know where it is?” my daughter asked.
“No, we’ll find it,” I said, pulling open and peering into desk drawers in our home office. “Go look in your brother’s cubby.”