Author: Kevin Wondrash

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Kevin Wondrash

Make this Christmas a ‘silent night’

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

The Book of Wisdom, Chapter 18, verse 14 says, “For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, Your all powerful word leapt from heaven, from the royal throne.”

It is a beautiful prophecy of the night of our Lord’s Birth. That’s why it’s the introit from the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas and it is a biblical reference, along with others, which give context to the beautiful Christmas hymn, “Silent Night.” Silence is part of the essential clothing, if you will, of Christmas.

The power of silence

Robert Cardinal Sarah, the Prefect for Divine Worship, has written a beautiful new book about the power of silence. Unfortunately, it is only available in French for now.

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Kevin Wondrash

Enter Christmas season with joy, patience, and love

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

I greet you all, and hope and pray that your times of preparation for Christmas have been filled with blessings.

The Church continues to challenge us — a challenge given by our Lord, Himself — to grow and to change as we prepare once again to renew our welcoming of the Lord into our lives.

In the Gospel of this past Sunday we hear Jesus say, “. . . the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed . . . and blessed is the one who takes no offense at me (MT 11:5-6)!”

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Kevin Wondrash

St. Joe’s 55-PLUS Christmas party

FORT ATKINSON — St. Joe’s 55-PLUS Group will have its annual Christmas Party on Thursday, Dec. 15, at St. Joseph Parish Hall.

The group will gather at 1 p.m. for cheese, crackers, and punch and to mingle.

Baked ham, coffee, and lemonade will be provided for the potluck lunch scheduled at 1:15 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring a dish to pass.

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Kevin Wondrash

Kairos TEC retreat coming to Kieler

KIELER — A Kairos TEC (Together Encountering Christ) retreat will be coming to Immaculate Conception Parish in Kieler December 28 to 30.

Open to all from juniors in high school and older, TEC is an intergenerational movement of the Catholic Church designed to help meet the spiritual needs of Catholic Christians.

Each TEC retreat proclaims the Paschal Mystery: the death, resurrection, and mission of Christ. Participants not only hear about the Paschal Mystery, but they also experience it.

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Kevin Wondrash

‘Lessons and Carols’ in Montello

MONTELLO — St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello and Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield will present an evening of “Lessons and Carols” on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Church in Montello.

The St. John the Baptist and Good Shepherd Choirs will unite to provide musical presentations. Students from the religious education program at both parishes will also participate.

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Kevin Wondrash

Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols

BARABOO — St. Joseph Parish will present an Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 304 East St. All are invited to take one hour to spend with the Lord.

Participants will pray the ancient O Antiphons, prophetic promises of salvation. These have been sung with the Canticle of Mary since the sixth century. Each antiphon highlights a title for the Messiah taken from the Hebrew Scriptures.

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