The Madison Diocesan Choir directed by Dr. Patrick Gorman — joined by a chamber orchestra and four guest soloists — presented what Bishop Robert C. Morlino called a “spectacularly beautiful” concert of choral masterworks at its spring concert on Friday, May 9.
Tag: diocesan
Choir presents final O’Connor Center concert
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The Madison Diocesan Choir will bid farewell to the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison when it presents its final spring concert in the center’s chapel on Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. Here they sing at the 2013 Lessons and Carols with Dr. Patrick Gorman directing and Glenn Schuster accompanying the choir along with guest musicians.(Catholic Herald file photo) |
MADISON — On Friday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m., the Madison Diocesan Choir will present its final concert at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, and under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman, members will bid farewell to their principal venue for many years with a spring concert to remember, featuring an orchestra, guest soloists, and two seldom-heard, but stunning and inspiring pieces.
Only a year ago, it was in the O’Connor Center chapel that the choir celebrated 40 years of music ministry. Its more than 70 active members from parishes throughout the diocese swelled to over 100, as former members returned. Together, they performed a spring concert as an anniversary choir.
Leaving the center
Since then, the Diocese of Madison announced its decision to leave the center, located at 702 S. High Point Rd., and lease it to a developer. Under the tentative agreement announced last fall, the former seminary will become an apartment complex with up to 150 rental units.
“I think everybody’s sad in their own way, but it seems to be a practical move,” said Gorman, choir director for 22 years in addition to being director of the diocesan Office of Worship.
“I trust that that’s what needs to be done. But as I’ve said before, my favorite place to sing in the diocese always had been St. Raphael Cathedral. It was such a lovely cathedral. I was very sad when that burned, and there’s a similar sadness here in that we have a nice home, it’s convenient, it’s a good acoustic. People like to come here. Good parking. That’s all going to have to change.”
Faith opportunities for women
Diocesan convention
BARABOO — Join Catholic women from the diocese to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) and “Find Grace through Faith, Trust, & Patience” at the annual MDCCW convention.
The Sauk Vicariate will host this event, beginning the afternoon of Tuesday, May 20, and continuing the next day at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center, 626 Hwy. 12, Baraboo.
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.”
Diocesan Pastoral Council welcomes new members
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) received a boost and an influx of fresh perspective as Kevin Kelly, chairman of the DPC, introduced 13 new members at the council’s recent meeting held at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. The bishop had asked that the DPC, which is his consultative body on pastoral matters, be renewed — especially with members providing more representation from parishes in all corners of the diocese.
Pray for teachers, students as school year begins
Dear Friends, Well already it’s “back to school” time for so many of our young people.
This has always been a time of tremendous hope and of excitement for me, personally.
It may come as no surprise that I always enjoyed going to school myself, and even wanted to make “school” my chief ministry as a university professor and then seminary faculty member.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development grants
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino has announced the distribution of three local grants from the diocesan portion of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection.
CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families, and communities.
Former members of Diocesan Choir will return for special performance on May 3
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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.
Madison Diocesan Choir has openings for tenors and basses
The Madison Diocesan Choir is a music ministry dedicated to the mission of fostering and encouraging full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy throughout the Diocese of Madison.
Cathedral parish purchases former school building
MADISON — “Alert parishioners may have noticed that a ‘sold’ sign has been put on the former St. Raphael School building at the corner of Henry St. and W. Washington Ave.,” Msgr. Kevin Holmes, rector of the Cathedral Parish in Madison, wrote in the June 19 parish bulletin.