Church Beat: And the Trumpets Rang Out with Joy; St. Paul's Church Celebrates 100 Years

(Ed. note Photo courtesy of Tim Rooney. Click on lower right corner for largest version.)




In an exhuberant joyous celebration of the Mass last night that was followed by dinner and a movie, the congregation of St. Paul's Parish noted their 100 year anniversary.

Bishop Morlino as well as former pastor Father Bob Hughes were in attendance. As the service began, it was an adjustment to see the new, and slightly older Fr. Hughes on the altar, and it was also an adjustment to hear Trumpets blaze out during the opening hymn. The congregation adjusted. It did bring back memories of trumpets ringing out at the cathedral in Madison on Christmas Eve. Many remembered those Sundays when Notre Dame would play and Fr. Bob would keep the congregation up to date on the exploits of the Irish. And Father Bob's photographic memory of every EHS Blue Devil stat of any parish teen. Yes. It bought back fond memories.

Bishop Morlino, in a shorter sermon than normal, spoke to the readings for the day, and reflected on why bad things happen to good people. How can there be such terrible suffering to children for example. How can this be? He went on to reflect that even when the Lord was on the Cross, there was no intervention.

So...Bishop Morlino went on, we are saved. It just does not look like we think it will look. We have to be always watchful to see how this transformation will occur in our lives.

Yes, it would have been nice if The Observer had taken the tape recorder and caught those trumpets on tape. I will make a note of it for the records so that for the next 100 year celebration, those who follow me with the Observer will catch this.

Thanks to all who made this occasion so special.