Category: News

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Taking the pledge

MADISON — Eddie Cotter, executive director of the Dead Theologians Society (DTS) headquartered in the Diocese of Madison, took the pledge 26 years ago.

Cotter met members of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart (PTAA, also known as the Pioneers) while visiting Dublin, Ireland.

Taking the Pioneer pledge

“I didn’t have a history of drinking,” said Cotter, “but I thought it would be a good thing to take the Pioneer pledge.”

This meant that Cotter promised to abstain from all alcoholic drink, wear the Pioneer emblem featuring the Sacred Heart, and recite the Pioneer prayer twice daily.

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Dick Jones, for the Catholic Herald

Former members of Diocesan Choir will return for special performance on May 3

The current Madison Diocesan Choir under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman. (Contributed photo)

MADISON — In celebrating 40 years of music ministry, the Madison Diocesan Choir will present a free spring concert like no other at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center on Friday, May 3.

The evening concert will include former members in performing favorite, heartfelt hymns of the past, as well as relatively new songs of praise.

Choir will swell to over 100 voices

The choir has more than 70 active members representing parishes throughout the diocese. On this festive occasion, however, its numbers will swell to more than 100 as the former members, some of them founding members, join in singing sacred music, including signature pieces the choir has sung from its beginning.

For Dr. Patrick Gorman, now in his 21st year as director, the biggest challenge may be finding space for them all in the O’Connor Center chapel. Assistant Director Glenn Schuster will accompany the anniversary choir in the concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of the center, located at 702 S. High Point Rd.

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Kevin Wondrash

Pregnancy Helpline Sharing Center relocates to CMC, schedules open house

MADISON — The Pregnancy Helpline (PH) Sharing Center has relocated to the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC), 1862 Beld St., in the lower level.

To celebrate its new location, PH will be holding an open house on Saturday, May 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

“We are so pleased to be in this beautiful location, partnering with an organization that has a similar mission to ours — to serve all people in a holistic and caring way,” said PH Executive Director Alissa Hirscher.

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Chris Lee

Family Adoration at Ashton

ASHTON — Family Adoration is a time of guided prayer and song that is perfect for families with children who would like to learn more about Eucharistic Adoration and experience this powerful prayer time together.

Adoration lasts 30 minutes and is followed by a potluck meal and fellowship.

 

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Scott Jablonski ordained to the diaconate

A packed St. Joseph Church in Baraboo witnessed Scott Jablonski ordained to the diaconate on Sunday, April 14. To view more photos from the diaconate, visit St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo Facebook page here. (Contributed photo/Bryan Thompson)

BARABOO — Scott Jablonski was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Robert C. Morlino during the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church in Baraboo on Sunday, April 14. He is expected to be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Madison next year.

‘Witness’ to the faith

In his homily at the Mass, Bishop Morlino spoke about the “beauty” of the Office of Deacon, and how a deacon is called to “testify” and proclaim the Gospel at the liturgy and in their daily life.

“Our new Deacon Scott is a very great witness — he loves to testify, and he’s one of the most pleasant testifiers I’ve ever met,” said Bishop Morlino. “The Lord has given him such marvelous gifts, that he’s now put at the Lord’s disposal.”

You can read more on the bishop’s message in his column here.

Journey to ordination

Deacon Jablonski, originally from Appleton, returned to Catholicism after years searching for answers and learning about different religions. He received first Communion as a youth, but says his family members did not practice the faith. He was recently interviewed by EWTN for The Journey Home series telling the story of his personal journey getting to know Christ more fully.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Catholics at the Capitol

In his encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), Pope Benedict XVI said, “The Church . . . cannot and should not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice. She has to play her part through rational argument and she has to reawaken the spiritual energy without which justice, which always demands sacrifice, cannot prevail and prosper.”

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

St. Ambrose presents Beauty and the Beast

MADISON — It’s a “tale as old as time,” as the song goes.

With an opening night of Thursday, April 25, students at St. Ambrose Academy in Madison will present their production of Beauty and the Beast.

It will be the first time the school will produce a full-length musical production with full orchestra. In past years, the musicals have been so-called “junior” versions, with piano accompaniment only.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Diocesan seminarian has lead role in production

ST. PAUL, Minn. — “It’s quite an honor and a blessing to have this opportunity,” said Diocese of Madison seminarian Tyler Dickinson in talking about playing the lead role in a play about the last man sentenced to death by the guillotine in France.

Dickinson, a native of Edgerton, Wis., acted in productions at Edgerton High School and performed in community theater while he was a student at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. He is in his second year of theology studies at St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity.

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