Mary and Joseph adore the Christ Child in the nativity scene at Christ the King Parish in McFarland during the Christmas season. The nativity set, which also includes shepherds, wise men, and sheep and stable animals, is a hand-painted work from the Demetz Art Studio, located in Ortisei, a small village in the north of Italy. (Photo courtesy of Fr. D. Stephen Smith, pastor at Christ the King Parish, McFarland) Dear Friends in Christ, Christmas is a very special time to look into the face of Jesus Christ and place all of our other hopes in perspective and under the burning glow of His own light. Let us gaze into the face of Christ at Christmas - the one who is the anchor of all of our hopes, the one who alone fulfills our deepest hopes, the one who defines our humanity. May you have a truly blessed Christmas and a New Year of health, safety, and above all deeper faith in the Lord who alone is our Hope! Cordially yours in Christ, Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino Bishop of Madison

	2007 Madison Seminarian Christmas Caroling Tour Saturday, Dec. 22 8 a.m. Sinsinawa Main House, Sinsinawa 8:30 a.m.  Sinsinawa St. Dominic Villa 10 a.m. Bloomfield Manor, Dodgeville 1:45 p.m. Greenway Manor, Spring Green 2:30 p.m.  Greenway Terrace, Spring Green 6 p.m. Cistercian Monastery, Prairie du Sac Sunday, Dec. 23 9 a.m.  Nazareth House, Stoughton 2 p.m. Central Wisconsin Center, Madison
	News & Features: • Picture Hope: Highlights Catholic Multicultural Center • Special Christmas Section • Parishes celebrate: Advent and Christmas • Look who's in the kitchen: Bishop Morlino cooks for St. Ambrose Academy Columns: • Question Corner by Fr. John Dietzen -- Marriage according to Church law • The Pope Speaks by Pope Benedict XVI -- Saint Paulinus, Bishop of Nola • Subscribe to print edition Future special sections: Safe Driving: Dec. 27, 2007 Vocations: Jan. 10, 2008 Call 608-821-3070 to advertise or subscribe.

Come down under!
Spots available for pilgrimage
to World Youth Day in Australia

MADISON -- Exciting. Awesome. Inspiring.

That's how young people have described their involvement in previous World Youth Days (WYD).

These events - held about every three years - are opportunities for young Catholics to gather with the Holy Father to pray, worship, learn, serve, and mingle.

Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from around the world will be traveling "down under" for the celebration of World Youth Day in Australia in the summer of 2008.

Diocesan pilgrimage

Joining them will be a delegation from the Diocese of Madison. "We're all excited. The diocesan plan is going well," said Fr. Paul Arinze, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Dodgeville and chairman of the diocesan pilgrimage planning committee.

	You can still go Seven slots are still available for the Diocese of Madison's pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Australia in July of 2008. The openings will be filled on a first come, first served basis. For more information call Fr. Paul Arinze at 608-930-3392 or e-mail [email protected]

He explained that 63 people are registered for the diocesan group. These include almost all of the diocesan seminarians as well as some high school and college-age students and young adults.

Father Arinze said there is still an opportunity for young people from the Diocese of Madison to attend World Youth Day. "We have about seven openings for young people aged 16 to 35," he said.   Full story ...