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MILWAUKEE — “And we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord,” goes the popular hymn, One Bread, One Body. It is that line which reflects and helps the Catholic community understand the diversity of cultures within its church. “We have a choice to embrace this growing cultural diversity or resist,” said Sacred Heart Sr. Mary E. McGann at a workshop for musicians at the National Pastoral Musicians Conference in Milwaukee. Sr. McGann is associate professor of liturgy and music at the Franciscan School of Theology and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif. “God...

MILWAUKEE — It can cause noses to wrinkle in disgust or it can create an environment more conducive to worship. Some pieces remind happy couples of their wedding day, others bring tears to one’s eye at the recollection of a funeral Mass. It is a vital, necessary, and integral part of the Mass. It is the music. While music can enhance or detract from a prayerful experience for one person, musicians are finding it impossible to make everyone happy, for a full-fledged style war is occurring in the Catholic Church. “I believe any style of music may potentially bear the...

UPDATE - TABLE-Chicago PMI index 65.9 in January Friday January 30, 10:59 am ET (Adds revised previous months data). NEW YORK, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said on Friday its index of Midwest business activity rose in January to 65.9 from upwardly revised 61.2 in December. The figures for the previous months reflect annual seasonal revisons. The December number was originally 59.2. . Jan Dec Nov Oct Sept Aug July (seasonal adj) NAPM-Chicago 65.9 61.2 62.9 55.8 53.0 57.9 55.3 Production* 76.5 68.9 68.3 63.9 57.1 61.4 57.8 New Orders* 69.7 66.1 68.5 61.6 54.8...

Chicago PMI index 59.2 in Dec vs 64.1 in Nov Tuesday December 30, 10:06 am ET NEW YORK, Dec 30 (Reuters) - The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said on Tuesday its index of Midwest manufacturing activity fell a bit in December to 59.2 from November's 64.1. . Dec Nov Oct Sept Aug July June (seasonal adj) NAPM-Chicago 59.2 64.1 55.0 51.2 58.9 55.9 52.5 Production* 63.4 69.0 62.0 55.8 61.6 58.4 56.5 New Orders* 65.5 73.3 59.2 53.2 60.5 61.7 54.8 Order Backlog* 50.8 59.6 47.3 50.7 51.0 49.4 45.8 Inventories 40.6 43.4 38.1 52.8 49.8 39.4 48.8 Employment*...

Chicago PMI index 64.1 in Nov vs 55.0 in Oct Wednesday November 26, 10:22 am ET NEW YORK, Nov 26 (Reuters) - The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said on Wednesday its index of Midwest manufacturing activity came in sharply higher in November at 64.1, its highest level since October 1994. The November result easily topped October's already strong level of 55.0 as well as analysts' expectations of 56.0. . Nov Oct Sept Aug July June May (seasonal adj) NAPM-Chicago 64.1 55.0 51.2 58.9 55.9 52.5 52.2 Production* 69.0 62.0 55.8 61.6 58.4 56.5 60.5 New Orders* 73.3 59.2 53.2...

Chicago PMI index 55.0 in Oct vs 51.2 in Sept Friday October 31, 10:06 am ET NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said on Friday its index of Midwest manufacturing activity came in for October at 55.0, up from 51.2 in September, but below analysts' expectations of 55.5. But the reading remained above the critical threshold of 50, which separates growth from contraction in the sector. . Oct Sept Aug July June May Apr (seasonal adj) NAPM-Chicago 55.0 51.2 58.9 55.9 52.5 52.2 47.6 Production* 62.0 55.8 61.6 58.4 56.5 60.5 51.0 New Orders*...

UPDATE - U.S. Midwest business expansion brakes sharply Tuesday September 30, 11:06 am ET By Ros Krasny (Adds quotes, prices)CHICAGO, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The pace of business expansion in the U.S. Midwest slowed unexpectedly in September, falling well short of market expectations, according to figures released on Tuesday. Business activity is rebounding from the worst downturn in two decades, but the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago barometer dropped to its lowest since April. The index plunged to 51.2 from 58.9 in August. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the September index to come in at 57.0, in a range...

Chicago PMI index 58.9 in Aug vs 55.9 in July Friday August 29, 10:06 am ET NEW YORK, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said on Friday its index of Midwest manufacturing activity came in higher in August at 58.9 from 55.9 in July, well above analysts' expectations of 55.5. The reading remained above the critical threshold of 50, which separates growth from contraction in the sector. . Aug July June May Apr Mar Feb (seasonal adj) NAPM-Chicago 58.9 55.9 52.5 52.2 47.6 48.4 54.9 Production* 61.6 58.4 56.5 60.5 51.0 49.1 62.4 New Orders* 60.5...

Chicago PMI index 55.9 in July vs 52.5 in June Thursday July 31, 10:05 am ET NEW YORK, July 31 (Reuters) - The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said on Thursday its index of Midwest manufacturing activity came in at 55.9 in July, up from 52.5 in June and above analyst expectations of 54.0. The reading remained above the critical threshold of 50, which separates growth from contraction in the sector. . July June May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec (seasonal adj) NAPM-Chicago 55.9 52.5 52.2 47.6 48.4 54.9 56.0 51.7 Production* 58.4 56.5 60.5 51.0 49.1 62.4 63.1 52.6...