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February 24, 2022 madisoncatholicherald.org
WE SHALL OPEN THE WAY FOR THE GOSPEL
BY AMY YANZER
Associate Director, Office of Worship, Diocese of Madison
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hrough your support of the Annual Catholic Appeal, the Office of Worship opens the way for the Gospel. Quite literally. My name is Amy Yanzer, and I serve as the associate director of the Office of Wor- ship. My role, in a nutshell, is to help people pray. Under the direction of Fr. Greg Ihm, the Office of Wor- ship coordinates and executes large Masses and liturgies for the bishop, priests, and peo- ple of the diocese. We provide answers and formation about the liturgy and ministries to pastors, parishes, and laypeople who love Jesus Christ and the Church and want to do what is right, ac- cording to Church teaching.
How does the Office of Worship open the way for the Gospel?
This year, the Office of Worship presented a new, in- teractive, and participatory Lector and Reader Work- shop. Lectors and readers pro- claim the readings at Mass, leading to the Gospel. Visiting parishes to train and catechize is a great privi- lege and joy of the Office of Worship. When you read these words on this piece of news- paper, you hear them read in your own voice, silently in your thoughts. At Mass, a lector gives an audible voice to the scripture readings. Lectors and readers really do breathe life into, or ani- mate (from the Latin anima ) the Word of God! Without the breath of the one proclaiming the scrip- ture, it's just black ink on white paper, like this article.
Words move hearts
A 16-year-old young woman proclaimed the Scrip- ture with such poise, such ex- pression, such wonderful ar- ticulation that the entire group of workshop partici- pants was stunned. A retired gentleman was moved to tears after he read from the book of Proverbs: "When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls . . . " He was over- whelmed by the deep love he has for his wife. You see, when we take the time to think deeply about the words we use and speak them with care, expression, and conviction, the meaning of those words moves the heart and touches the soul. How much more can the Word of God inspire and strengthen us at Mass when proclaimed with conviction, reverence, and spirit.
Music moves the soul
The words of scripture open the way to the Gospel, as does the music we sing. In the fall of 2021, Dr. Patrick Gorman retired as the Director of the Office of Worship. He had been mak- ing music in the diocese for over 25 years. A few weeks later, he died, leaving a great legacy and a huge hole in the lives of those he knew and loved. One way that huge hole is being filled is through the hiring of Andrew Kreigh as part-time director of music for the Diocese of Madison. Andrew is a native of the east side of Madison. He proposed to his fianc at a Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball game and she said yes and they will be married in October. He currently serves as the director of music and liturgy at St. Bernard Parish in Madison and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona. Andrew completed his master's degree in organ per- formance at the University of Iowa, he holds a bachelor of music from UW-Oshkosh, and prior to his time in Iowa, he was an apprentice to sev- eral cathedral music direc- tors. He will be working with Glenn Schuster (our diocesan organist) to lead the Dioce- san Choir and select music for the upcoming liturgies this spring. Andrew officially begins his role this fall. The Office of Worship counts on, and is grateful for, the support of the ACA to open the way for the Gospel - the "Good News" who is Jesus Christ. Visit our website at www.MadisonDiocese.org/ worship or contact us at worship@madisondiocese.org
Full and active participation
Donate online at madison diocese.org/ch
A lector reads at Mass.
(Contributed photo)
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Giving Societies
Perpetual Steward Society
The Perpetual Steward Society was created to recognize donors who set up recurring credit card or EFT gift with no end date. In addition to continuous supporting the ministries of the ACA, you will also receive the following ben Invitation to Mass and reception with the Bishop of Madison Small token of gratitude blessed by the Bishop of Madison For more information or to make a gift, visit madisondiocese.org/stewards
Lumen Christi Society
The Lumen Christi Society or the "Light of Christ" Society was established as a way to thank donors who give to the ACA in an exceptionally generous wa Membership is automatic with a yearly gift of $1,000 or more and includes un recognition benefits at each level to convey the Bishop's gratitude for your su Bishop's Circle $1,000 - $4,999 Mazzuchelli Circle $5,000 - $9,999 St. Pope John Paul II Circle $10,000 - $24,999 St. Raphael Circle $25,000 + For a complete list of benefits included at each level, visit madisondiocese.org/lumenchristi a sly nefits: s ay. i nique pport:
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