The December 9 observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was a special one for three men.
Author: Kevin Wondrash
Let the joy of the Lord be our strength
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| 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,
In these last days of Advent, before our joy-filled celebration of Christ’s Incarnation and the Christmas Season, we are offered a taste of that joy (during this penitential season) on Gaudete Sunday.
In the book of Nehemiah, but also in the book of Chronicles, there is a prayer which goes simply: “Let the joy of the Lord be our strength” (Neh 8:10).
As a matter of fact, in many of the translations of the Mass (in both Spanish and Italian, for instance) that phrase is inserted at the time of the final dismissal. “The Mass is ended, let the joy of the Lord be our strength, and let us go in peace.”
Before the new English translation came out, I myself was known to use that dismissal. Blessed Pope John Paul II never left it out when he was celebrating Mass privately. “Let the joy of the Lord be our strength, and let us go in peace” — that is the perfect attitude with which we should leave Mass.
Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration, Spanish Masses offered in Darlington
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington held a Spanish Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Frassati Fest for youth to be held Jan. 31 to Feb. 2
WISCONSIN DELLS — Ask an average high school student about the level of stress they face in their lives, and he or she would have a lot to say.
Teens may be stressed about finals approaching, drama with friends, problems within the family, or how much pressure there is to live up to the expectations of coaches, teachers, and the world.
Young people in their teenage years are supposed to be joyful, optimistic, full of plans for the future, and whether or not they appreciate hearing it, still kids.
Why Fear of the Lord is an essential gift
Dear Friends,
This past Sunday — our Second Sunday of Advent — we continued to read from the Prophet Isaiah as he foretold Jesus’s coming. We heard of the coming Messiah and how “the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him (Is 11:2)” in the First Reading. …
Lessons and Carols could be Diocesan Choir’s last Advent service at O’Connor Center
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| Dr. Patrick Gorman directs the Madison Diocesan Choir at last year’s Lessons and Carols in the chapel of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. At right is Glenn Schuster, the choir’s accompanist and assistant director. (Catholic Herald photo/Joe Ptak) |
MADISON — When the Madison Diocesan Choir enters the chapel at the Bishop O’Connor Center on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 4 p.m., it might be the last time the choir presents its Festival of Lessons and Carols in this setting.
The traditional Advent prayer service celebrates the coming of Christ’s birth in Scripture and song. Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside this year.
“It very well could be our last Lessons and Carols at the O’Connor Center,” said Dr. Patrick Gorman, the choir director. “If all goes as currently planned, I wouldn’t anticipate singing Lessons and Carols there next year.”
Apostolate to the Handicapped holds annual celebration
A sun-filled sky, plus a chance to get together to celebrate the season, was more than enough to combat single-digit temperatures on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Hundreds of guests from all over the diocese came together at Monroe High School for the Apostolate to the Handicapped’s annual Advent/Christmas celebration.
Bless Our Priests collection
MADISON — All of us have been blessed to receive the sacraments in our lifetime by a faithful priest serving in our parish. The impact our parish priest has on our lives has shaped us into the Catholics we are today.
The Bless Our Priests collection gives us the opportunity to give back to those priests for all they have done for us throughout our lives.
As more and more of our diocesan priests reach retirement age, the need for support continues to grow. Not only do they need your continued prayers, but your financial support of the Bless Our Priests collection.
Trusting in God, helping others around the world
MADISON — For the first 11 months of 2014, Gina Neuville is going on a mission trip with a schedule resembling the closing credits to Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
She’ll go to Zambia, Malawi, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, China, Nepal, Cambodia, Mongolia, Thailand, and Vietnam “in no particular order,” she said.
Her trip to 11 countries in 11 months is part of the World Race, which has the purpose, according to its website, “to serve ‘the least of these’ while amongst real and raw community.”
Seminarians plan Christmas caroling tour
MADISON — The seminarians of the Diocese of Madison will hold their 67th annual Caroling Tour on Sunday, Dec. 22, and Monday, Dec. 23.
The seminarians extend an invitation for everyone to join them this year at any of their stops on the caroling tour. The times and locations are listed below.