Thursday, August 12, 2010

Woo-hoo!

The installation of Bishop William Patrick Callahan was fantastic! Great liturgy, great music, a great start to our shared pilgrimage of faith.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Update: Installation of Bishop Callahan - Vespers

After taking my parents out to dinner in honor of their 48th wedding anniversary, we proceeded to St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral for Vespers. Bishop Callahan was welcomed into the Cathedral for the first time and, after prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, Solemn Vespers began. Wow!!!

The music was gorgeous! Dr. Brian Luckner composed much of the music and it was glorious - an emminently prayerful experience.

I had a little surprise once we started, the new Noack chancel organ (14 ranks) has been completed and was used tonight. Very beautiful. Makes me even more excited for the completion of the main gallery organ (58 ranks) which will be dedicated on Nov. 7, 2010.

Fr. Paul Hoffman, newly ordained priest of the diocese, gave an excellent homily.

Afterwords, many commented on what a beautiful cathedral we have in La Crosse. (I would agree most heartily. I think it's the most beautiful and worthy cathedral in Wisconsin, and one of the top cathedrals in the upper mid-west. I might be a little biased, but I also think it true!)

All in all, a worthy reception for our (almost) new bishop!

In the receiving line, Bishop Callahan gave my parents a blessing for their anniversary which will be tomorrow. A connection for the three of them in the sharing of an anniversary from now on.

It was wonderful to see Archbishop Listecki, our Metropolitan, again. He will always be remembered with fondness and respect. And, of course, it's also wonderful to see folks from around the diocese. It's very much a "family reunion" or sorts.

Tomorrow will be even bigger! Oh, boy!

Faith in Action!

Thomas Peters over at "American Papist" is publishing a talk he gave on Catholic Activism. It's definitely worth a read. Especially for any laity out there. So, here's a link. Enjoy!

Bulletin Letter for August 8, 2010

This week's letter is a short reflection on the installation of our bishop-designate and a little encouragement for our servers. Enjoy!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Wow!

Great meeting today in preparation for the installation of the Most Rev. William Patrick Callahan, O.F.M. Conv., the tenth bishop of La Crosse. If you can make it, Evening Prayer at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral is open to the public. It begins at 7:00 pm. A short reception follows.

If you couldn't snag a ticket for the installation it will be on WKBT-TV 8 (La Crosse), WXOW-TV 18/19 (La Crosse / Eau Claire), EWTN, and live streamed on the internet (Diocese of La Crosse, WKBT, WXOW). I will be doing "color commentary" for WKBT along with Mike Thompson and Martha Koloski. If you can't be at the Cathedral, tune in!

After the Mass there will be a reception at the La Crosse Center which is open to the public. Come on down and shake hands with our new bishop!

To learn more about him go to our diocesan web-site.

As a dean of the diocese, I've had the privilege of meeting and dining with Bishop Callahan already. I've also been in contact with a couple of friends who have had the opportunity to spend LOTS of time with him (one even lived with him). Everything I have heard makes me VERY excited for the future of our diocese.

In any case, WELCOME BISHOP CALLAHAN!!! :)