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Only in the Print Edition ... |
Undergrad, grad students can share St. Norbert theology class: "Liturgy and Spirituality: Parsing Rituals of the Sacraments" starts Jan. 10

28-year-old tradition of Christmas cookie baking began in family, is now Chilton-wide holiday treat and even reaches soldiers in Iraq

Lawsuit targeting federal abortion conscience clause is attempt to force all medical workers and institutions to perform abortions, says U.S. bishops' representative

Catholics should experience joy and wonder of Christmas every time they receive Eucharist or pray before Blessed Sacrament, said pope's preacher in Advent talk

Iraqi foreign minister thanks pope for help given Iraqi people, pledges country's new government will promote full religious freedom

Fr. Ron Rolheiser -- Most Americans have harder time finding Jesus than poor do

Loraine Zephyr -- By paying attention we can find gift that means the most to another person

Fr. John Dietzen -- Why Epiphany is sometimes called "Little Christmas"

Fr. Richard McBrien -- Reviewing 38 years of Christmas columns results in a patchwork tapestry

George Weigel -- The feasts of martyrs we celebrate right after Christmas remind us of link between Christ's birth and death

Kids Chronicle: Angry and fearful King Herod tries to kill Baby Jesus

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Movie and Video Reviews:
Provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the above site contains brief overviews of many movies with the USCCB's classifications and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings. Reviews include information on whether the film contains inappropriate language, violence, problematic behavior (including sex, questionable morality or use of drugs) and nudity.
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NOTE: There will be no Compass issue published on December 31, 2004. The next issue will be January 7, 2005.
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New since the print edition ... |
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-- Posted: 12/29/2004, 2:04 p.m. Central Time
-- Updated: 12/29/2004, 4:30 p.m. Central Time
Pope names new bishop for La Crosse
ROME -- Pope John Paul II named Bishop Jerome E. Listecki, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, as the new bishop for the Diocese of La Crosse, Wis. The announcement was made at the Vatican on Dec. 29.
"I am thrilled by the appointment of Bishop Listecki as the new bishop of La Crosse," said Green Bay Bishop David Zubik. "He is both scholarly and sociable. He is energetic and enthusiastic. He is truly a man of the church. Full story ...
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New since the print edition ... |
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-- Posted: 12/24/2004, 4:18 a.m. Central Time
-- Updated: 12/27/2004, 3:49 p.m. Central Time
-- Updated: 12/28/2004, 4:48 p.m. Central Time
Kellnersville parish mourns fire victims
Exact cause may never be known for fire that killed Sr. Marlene Greatens and Sr. Joleen Van Dyke
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Sr. Marlene Greatens |
Sr. Joleen Van Dyke |
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An exact cause may never be determined for the Dec. 23 fire that killed Sr. Marlene Greatens and Sr. Joleen Van Dyke of St. Joseph Parish in Kellnersville, a Manitowoc County Sheriff's Dept. official said.
As of Dec. 28, there had been no determination as to the cause of the fire, which occurred at the residence connected to St. Joseph Church, but it appears to have been accidental, said Robert Hermann, a Sheriff's Dept. inspector. The fire started in the living room area, where there were Christmas decorations, lights and candles, he said. But Hermann said he does not anticipate there will be a final determination as to the cause. Full story and additional photo ...
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C H R I S T M A S 2 0 0 4
Christ came for all people
This painted mud Nativity scene was made by 12-year-old Joseph Deng. He attends the school Comboni Fr. Dave Bohnsack of Green Bay set-up for homeless youth in Nyala, Sudan. Joseph was abducted by slave traders while tending the family goats, as are many of the "street kids" who end up in Nyala.
Many of the children were too young when captured to remember their family name or have forgotten their names because of the trauma they've been through, said Fr. Bohnsack, who served for eight years as a missionary in Sudan until leaving the strife-torn African nation earlier this year. Other "street kids" have seen their parents killed when Arab militias invaded their village.
Once in a while it is possible to find the parents and bring about a reunion, Fr. Bohnsack said, but usually, because of the instability of the country where whole villages of people are forced to flee, the children never see their parents again. "It's hard to know the exact numbers but many hundreds of kids disappeared the years I was in Sudan and the majority were probably taken outside to other countries. Joseph now stays with a family that has taken him
in and is currently in the second grade," Fr. Bohnsack said.
Mud manger scenes were not common in Sudan, although there is one in the cathedral in the capital, Khartoum, so it was new to most people. Because of the situation - especially the poverty - homes have little or no decorations. It is common to white-wash the mud houses for the holiday to make them look clean and new. People also bake cookies to offer visitors.
Making mud creches was an activity Fr. Bohnsack started in Nyala with the "street kids." On Christmas Eve and Day crib scenes were displayed in a classroom and the people appreciated them, he said. He has been told the tradition of making and displaying the scenes is being continued. (Fr. Dave Bohnsack photo)
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Mass Times
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Christmas Masses
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Bishop ordains two as deacons
Brian Belongia and Carl Schmitt are both to be ordained priests in May
Exchange students share customs (Christmas)
American host families will have a bit of Europe included this year
Bishop: Diocese maintains safe environments
SNAP again asks diocese to release priests' names
Auxiliary bishop to become pastor
Bp. Robert Morneau will get his first pastorate after years of teaching, Chancery work
Vicar general to become senior priest
Msgr. John Dewane will become a senior priest and begin a sabbatical in Rome

Help Wanted Ads

Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --
May our lives reflect reality of Jesus' birth (Christmas)

Reflection on the Readings by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --
December 26, 2004: Prayer, communication and sacrifice
January 2, 2005: Where there is gratitude, there is joy

Explaining the Scripture by Fr. Richard Ver Bust --
December 26, 2004: Families should be united in faith life
January 2, 2005: A call to participate in the mystery

Editorial -- Looking for the Lord (Christmas)
Those who seek out Jesus will find him

Foundations of Faith --
Trappist monks continue a rich Christmas tradition (Christmas)
With holiday fruitcakes, it's those homemade secrets that make the difference

Saint of the Day --
A pope of the free times
Sylvester reigned when Christianity first became legalized in Roman Empire

Tom Rinkoski --
Celebrating the 12 Stories of Christmas (Christmas)

Calendar of Events

Articles on Bishop's Appeal 2004:
Bishop's Appeal hits $4.67 million (September 3, 2004)
Giving to Bishop's Appeal makes some major gains (May 21, 2004)
Gifts to annual Bishop's Appeal top $4 million (May 14, 2004)
Gifts to annual Bishop's Appeal near $4 million (Apr. 30, 2004)
Appeal tops $3.4 million (Apr. 2, 2004)
Diocese offers helping hands in many ways (Mar. 26, 2004)
Sidebar: Bishop's Appeal
Sidebar: Topping $3 million
Providing an escape from financial quagmire (Mar. 19, 2004)
Sidebar: Nearing $3 million
Parish finds help from diocese only a phone call away (Mar. 12, 2004)
Sidebar: Appeal giving up
Consultant helps parishes tune up Sunday liturgies (Mar. 5, 2004)
Sidebar: Appeal tops $2 million
Camp draws generations of diocesan youth (Feb. 27, 2004)
Sidebar: Appeal at 30%
Befriending persons in need (Feb. 20, 2004)
Diocese helps engaged prepare for marriage (Feb. 13, 2004)
Appeal theme mirrors Catholic way of life (Feb. 6, 2004)
Pie chart of Bishop's Appeal use

Bridging the Gap by Bishop David A. Zubik --
Blockbuster action and beyond (Feb. 6, 2004)
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