01.02.98

t ea ,C VOL. 42, NO.1. Friday, January 2, 1998

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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$14 Per Year

Permanent deacons gather for family Mass

By JAMES N.

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER-Within a few years there will be as many permanent deacons in the Fall River diocese as there are priests, "offering a new face, a new reality in today's church that no one ever imagined," says Father John F. Moore, director of the permanent dia<:onate program.

His comments came at the 22nd annual Diocesan Diaconate Family Mass and social held Dec. 26, the feast of St. Stephen - the first martyr and a deacon - at St. Stanislaus Church.

Father Moore, who was principal celebrant and homilist, told the congregation that in the Boston diocese, there will be more retired deacons in the next five years than active deacons, "so they are looking, as all of us are, at where the permanent diaconate program is and where it is going."

"We are very pleast:d that the

power of God has been with us to help us to have a sense of identity, and I am going to ask all of you to do that as we begin a new semester to welcome approximately 28 candidates in the new diaconate class the 24th in the diocese."

As permanent deacons increase and take a special active role in the church community, "We have to realize the changes that are coming and that we must be inclusive, not exclusive," Father Moore noted. ''That is very difficult to do, because change in our lives is constant and daily. We face the loss of what we thought was a wonderful, nice, small group of people. When we think that way, we are thinking very small. So the increase in the diaconate is something we must have faith and hope in. What many are now realizing is that we cannot get along without our permanent deacons in our parish ministries and developing ministries; that he is a catalyst, not a lil.urgiqll function-

Former Navy chaplain to skipper So. Attleboro Parish

By JAMES N. DUNBAR SOUTH ATTLEBORO-Just days after being named pa'>tor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, former Navy chaplain Father James W. Fahey took time out from unpacking his sea bags and with a cup of black coffee, settled into an easy chair in the rectory off Baltic Street.

How was it going? "I've always been a missionary since I began as a teenage seminarian with the Columban Fathers and I think I've been on the go ever sincl~, so this is nothing different," the 53-year-old Taunton native said with a wide smile three days before Christmas.

"I'm making the adjustment."

Having retired from the Navy in 1997 with the rank ofcommander, the

REV. JAMES W. FAHEY

priest received a call from his home diocese alerting him to the fact that he would be succeeding Father David M. Andrade, who has been serving as administrator of the parish.

"We have a very active parish of 1,225 families, and they seem very receptive and have been very kind to me," Father Fahey said. "I've seen them handing out food and toys, which makes me extremely pleased.

1can see they work awfully hard."

The new pastor will also be busy.

"I'm the only priest, and there are five Masses on the weekends. I do have a permanent deacon, Bob Nicholson of the Diocese of Providence, R.I., who is the religious education coordinator and he is helping me out. I am excited and truly glad to be here. I've always said I knew how to be a priest, but I wasn't always good as being a Navy officer - although the Navy has been good to me" Although he intended to serve only three years in the Navy, "The needs were great. The recruits were indeed 'Prodigal Sons' away from home for the first time and trying out everything. They came back to the church empty and hungry."

The call to a religious vocation came early for the future priest. In his teens he completed four years of high school and a college year at the Columban Fathers' seminary in Silver Creek, N.Y. While Latin posed no problems, Greek subsequently did, the new paStor recalled.

It prompted his leaving to study for the diocesan clergy at St. Mary Seminary in Kentucky.

"It was then Monsignor Turn to page J3- Fahey

ary."

In Cape Cod communities, such as Martha's Vineyard, where more than 50 percent of the population is Catholic year-round, "deacons are indispensable," Father Moore asserted. Current and future needs point to the use of deacons not only in parishes, but in diocesan ministries as well, he said. Deacons need to be involved "where there is poverty, need and hopelessness. We must move on in this direction ... in order that hopefully, God's will and work be done."

Father Robert S. Kaszynski, pastor of St. Stanislaus, in his greetings to the deacons, their families and all who attended the Mass, said that God's message is that, "'I have called you to be servants and witnesses' and that is the summation of the whole Christian mission. St. Stephen is a marvelous example of those deacons and candidates for the diaconate who are always hoping to see God's power. This gathering is an opportunity to share in the work of the diocese and let the Turn to page 5- Deacon Mass

DIACONATE GATHERING-Concelebrants of the annual Diocesan Diaconate Family Mass at St. Stanislaus Church, Fall River, on Dec. 26, were, from left, Father Robert S. Kaszynski, pastor; Father Craig A. Pregana, vocations director for the diocese; and Father John F. Moore, director of the Permanent Diaconate Program and homilist.

Citizens For Life celebrates 25 years

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

MASHPEE-Ifyou want to know what Massachusetts Citizens for Life is all about, ask Roy R. Scarpato.

When members of the Cape Cod chapter of the pro-life organization with a long history in Massachusetts gathered at Christ the King Parish here for its reunion and pilgrimage celebrating the 25th anniversary of the group, Scarpato, the group's first president- in 1972, made the issue perfectly clear.

"Our culture has become one where self-gratification is the be-all and end-all of life," he asserted. He contends that the American culture has been sliding down a slippery moral slope sinct: the I970s and that it is becoming tougher to sacrifice anything for the sake of ethics. On the premise that things need to change, Scarpato maintains that the MCFL continues to promote life in a positive and ethical way.

"These are very loving people, not those who espouse any kind of violence," he said. "I wouldn't have spent 25 years of my life in an organization that did."

His pride is in the group's 30,000 members statewide as well as its purpose - to promote all human life from conception through old age.

Members coordinate many educational activities throughout Massachusetts and last year raised $500,000 to air pro-life adds during nationally broadcast television proTurn to page J3- Pro-life

MILESTONE-The Massachusetts Citizens For Life held a reunion and brunch at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

The event featured pro-life speakers and celebrated its anniversary. Pictured from left to right are: Anne Scarpato, Madeline McComish, former president; Eleanor Rafferty, current MCFL president; Roy Scarpato, first MCFL president; Cynthia Klopfer, chairman, Cape Cod chapter; and Dr. Mildred Jefferson, keynote speaker and vice-president of communications and public relations.

Four to be ordained transitional deacons FALL RIVER-Four men studying for the priesthood will be ordained transitional deacons by Bishop Sean F. O'Mally, OFM Cap., in ceremonies at St. Mary Cathedral on Jan. 3 at II a.m.

To be ordained for the Diocese

of Fall River are: Paul C. Fedak, son of Lucas and Lois H. Fedak, formerly of Shelton, Conn., and now of Florida; Hernando Herrera, son of Hector and Cecilia Herrera of Falls Church, Va.; and John M. Turn to page J3- To be ordained

2 -

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River --,-,; Fri., Jan.·2, 1998_ '

news Brit: Drawing ire with painl

NEW YORK (CNS) -- An oil painting·depi9.~ ....,.'.~ant~"' Claus crucified, intended as a response t6 thecommercial-" ization of Christmas, has drawn the ire of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights. Catholic League president William A. Donohue called the painting offensive and ask~9 the Art Students League in Manhattan to remqve 'itfr<:>llJit~·. window on West 57th Street. The painting '~~gqSiIlS!-JJtt9 injury by further triviallzing Christianity," DOf1<?~~~,~fli(:tin~i letter to the school's executive director. Joanne:;Ktiebler;'~x-" ecutive director of the Art Students~e ."zy" Jected Donohue's request, saying the piece will r~. .' ,Window through the holidays, Th~artist. R,opert~., ,<le!la, a Catholic, said the painting is meant to confroot th~'viewerj with the fact that "the public has~ccepted Santa as the perw ter of Christmas, rather than Christ." .,.

New currioulum

SAN DIEGO JCNS) '>,R~ligi()~$edYCato($,~r()uQ!:tthQ" country ar~l~arnil1g".~~t;apew tQol aim~at'helpi' "". . is,h. q;at~pt'lists better 99fTlrTlunicat~, t~,~faifl1 to tho mental retarcl;a!i9n.•<;.1r~~ Harging,. directQrof~tJ1 Persons'Afit~[)iSaOm~esin the DioC9se OfPift$l)!J cat~t1is,ts. mos,tfrQIlJ the Diocese of San 'Diego;' shop this fall tqpromqt~.TheRose Fitzgerald Ke' gram to ImproveC~tholicReligious Education' and Adults with Meptal Retardation. Althoughth developed the new program had plann~t6· 13 training seminars to' introduce it to~Jec has been so high that in the first year, t~~y. ye'.a r , given 37 training sessions around the natiOi')Ha , -'. " , , "\ y""":,

AmeriCans givinglei:t"t'

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CHAMPAIGN, III. (eNS) ~ Americah~tg1",~ of their income to their churches. in 1995;,th~n 1994, says a new national study, Their.totaJ . rose somewhat, but it did not .keep pace wft:% ,'egl) their disposable income, said the report, "T~~. §lateof; Giving'Through 1995:' by John and Sylvia;Ronsval Ronsvalles are founders of Empty Tomb, a nqriprofit and service organization in Champaign, .

Iraq wants out of embarO:

VATICAN CITY' (CNS) - The Iraqi Parl,C ..,.

Pope John Paul II to redouble his effortsA trade embargo against Iraq, saying the, blo . ready killed more than a"million innocent peopJet' .' ~9f them children." The Iraqis made the appe~1 inta·Yhrl~.mas message to the world, The pop.e has s~v~raI1imes'sp6ken out against the humanitarian costs of the trade •ejJ!p';argo, which was imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1~~W' .

.

,Justice in Chiapas , ,

CASTEL GANDOLFO: Italy .(eNS), TPope John Paul 11 condemned the massacre of 45 Mexican peasantsand,called for continued dialogue toresblve the social tensions in the southern Chiapas state, Mexican authoritieSchargedafnayor and some 40 others in the Dec. '22 attack on the '1i11ageof Acteal. Men, women and· children - m~ny ' . ,had been praying in chumh - were ~lail1 by.~g,Heir. bodies disfigured afterward with machet~s./ this.

Christmas holiday has bean disturbed by in a church of the San Cristobal de las . i n Mexico, where a number, of people gather¢'d'iffi~p massacred," the pope said ata noon bleSSl1)'t ' .. villa outside Rome. . .";:";"

.

Couple winspeace~ijiZ.·~' ._t,." ..•.,...•

DAVENPORT, Iowa (CNS) - Jim and ~1i~IIf;lY activists opposing sanctions against Iraq. have reo 1997 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award is the first husband- wife team to receive theawar by the Davenport Catholic,lnterracjal Council in 19 individuals who exemplified the teachings ofP in his 1963 encyclical, "Pacem in Terris,"vv peace among all nations. In 1976, the award.,. ,~e by the Quad Cities PacerrHn Terris Coalition 'after'then,t racial Council disbanded. The 1997 coal.l!iP. .' cl~de~~J~m1 Davenport Diocese, St. Ambrose Universi M!,!gu~.tana College and the Stanley Foundation.>'. ,,;j'

CREATIVE ARTISTS Students

at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bed-

ford· work on'deccmltions for the 1998 Bishop's Charity Ball under the direction of Janice. Machnowski. instructor.''';;, . . . . . . "

Diocese prepares for Bishop's Charity Ball ton; St. Stanislaus School, Fall River; Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford and Holy Trinity School, West Harwich.

Mrs. Claudette Armstrong, chai'tperson of' the· Decorations· reports thatthe w6rkis ' pr~paring'stairied' Committee, on. schedule: • ',I: ; ''''.'' . ~' ..

Proceeds from the anilUal char-' , ..glass"~itindow"" . ity ball will benefit the many insti. table decorations~ tutions, apostolates and ministries in all sections of the diocese which SWANSEA-;The unity and the are funded by the Catholic Charidiversity of the diocesan "family'~ , ties 'ApP,eal. An invitation is ex- . will be celebrated at the annual mid_ winter Bishop's Charity Ball to be held Jan. 9 at the Venus de Milo in ' Swansea.' ',: Thirty-three young women iep-" resenting their respective parishes from across the diocese will be for- BVCATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE m.alfy presented by their e~corting WASHINQTON~Pope John parents to Bishop Sean P. O'Mal1ey...

AccclIl1p'anying th~ bishop in the Paul II named Jesuit Father Gordon receiving line will be Theresa' D: B'en:riett, president of' a:tosAnLeWIS, president or'the Diocesan' geles Catholic high school, as an Council of Catholic Women, and' auxiliary bishop for tl).e Baltimore .

Horac¢ Costil; presjdentof the Di- Archdiocese. . Aichbish'opAgos,tino Cacocesan Coun.CiI of the Society of St. ciavillan, apostolic pro-nuncio to, Vincent de. Paul. ' .

Guiding the women in the pre- the United States, .imnoun~ed the sentation will be Claire O'Toole of ap~ointmerlt Dec. 23 in WashingFall River, chairman of the Presen- ton.

The installation Mass for the tee Committee, reports Msgr. Tho'~ mas 1. Harrington, director of the new auxiliary bishop is scheduled for March 3 at the Cathedral of ball. , An innovation this year finds Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.

Bishop-designate Bennett is curdecorations for the ball being prepared with the cooperation of hun- rently president of Loyola High dreds of children enrolled in the School in Los Angeles. Prior to that post, ~e was rector and master of diocese's parochial schools.

The production of "stained glass novices at Queen of Peace Novitiate windows," which wiII adorn every in Montecito, Calif., and principal table at the ball, is being done by of Loyola High School.

He was born in Denver on Oct. fifth and sixth grade students at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North 21, 1946~ and attended Loyola High Attleboro; St. Mary School, Taun- School and the Jesuit College of Queen of Peace in Montecito. He 11111111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-S4S-ill0) Periodical also has studied at Mount St. R:!stage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published Michael's in Spokane, Wash., the weekly except fur the first two weeks in July Jesuit School of Theology in Berani the week after Christmas at 887 Highland keley, Calif., and Fordham UniverAvelUle, Rill River, Mass. 02720 ~ the Catholic sity in New York.

Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription Bishop-designate Be'nnett made price ~ mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

Postmasters send address changes to The his first vows in the Society of Jesus in 1966 and was ordained a priest Aochor, P.e. Box 7, Rill River, MA 02722.

• Hundreds of parochial school children are

tended to prospective donors to subscribe to the attractive sou venir pro" gram book, which will be prepared in conjunction with the ball. There are a variety of support categories available to individuals, organizations 'and businesses. ' ". Eor .information; call.i:he Dioc-, i esan Offices; 344 Highland Ave., at.

(508) 676-8943, to submit a subscription prior to the printing deadline for the program boole.

Tickets for the ball are avai lable at all of the diocese's III parishes.

. Los Angel~s priest namted auxjliary bishop' of Baltimlore June 14, 197'5. He holdS'maste'r's degrees in theology and e~ucati(jh.

The Baltimore Archdiocese includes the City of Baltimore and nine Maryland counties and has a Catholic pbimlation of ,bore than 480,000 out of a total population of nearly 2.9 million people.

[~mJ January 4

1961, Rev. Eugene L. Dion, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River

January 6 1906, Rev. James F. Roach, RJunder, Immaculate Conception, TalJnton 1997, Rev. Rene G. Gauthier, Pastor, St Jean Baptiste, Fall River

January 7 1970, Rev. Alfred R. RJmi, Pastor, St. Francis ofAssisi, New Bedford 1989, Rev. Guscave Gosselin, M.s., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro

January 8 . 1885, Rev. John Kelly, Fbunder, St. Patrick, Fall River 1940, Rev. Alfred 1. Callier, Founder, St. Jacques, Taunton 1944, Rev. Arthur C. Lenaghan, Chaplain, United States ArOlY

January 9 1982, Rev. William F. Morris, Pastor, COIpUS Christi, Sandwich

Pope remembers poor, victims of violence in address

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - In the joyful climate of Christmac;, Christians must not forget the plight of the poor, victims of violence, refugees and families under a variety of pressures, Pope John Paul II said.

"All are called to share in the joy of Christmas," the pope said at midday Dec. 25 as he gave his 'solemn blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world).

In his Christmas Day message, the pope said the holiday's calls for peace and brotherhood sharpen the sound of "the imploring cries of peoples who long for freedom and harmony in situations of disturbing ethnic and political violence."

At the same time, he said, the voices of those who work for reconciliation among peoples of different origins, races and religions also are highlighted.

"Today there appear more tragic to us the sufferings of peoples fleeing to the mountains of their own land or seeking a safe haven on the coasts of neighboring countries in order to pursue the faint hope of a less precarious and more secure existence," the pope said.

Addressing thousands of people gathered under bright sunny skies around the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul did not mention specific countries or regions of the world in his speech.

However, his remarks about people fleeing to the mountains and coasts were understood as references to those running from violence in Chiapas, Mexico, and c(:ntral Af-

rica.

And during his midday Angelus address Dec. 26 at Castel Gandolfo, the pope condemned the Dec. 22 massacre of villagers in Chiapas state.

In his Christmas address the pope said the season's joy also underlines "the tenst: silence of the ever growing multitude ()f the new poor: men and women without work and without shelter, infants and children injured and violated, adolescents enlisted in the wars of adults, young victims of drugs or attracted by deceptive myths."

As he did at the midnight Mass, the pope prayed that people would recognize Jesus as savior and open their hearts to the gift of his peace.

"God's love for us has been revealed," Pope John Paul proclaimed at the Mass. "By setting us free from the darkness of sin and death, he has become the firm and unshakable foundation of the hope of every human being."

For Pope John Paul, Christmas 1997 was once again a polyglot holiday. The midnight Mass included the Italian homily; Scripture readings in Spanish, English and Latin; and prayers in French, German, Swahili, Polish, Tamil and Portuguese.

Marking the Dec. 28 feast of the Holy Family at Castel Gandolfo, the pope focused his midday Angelus address on the pressures modern families face and the obligation of the church to proclaim the original meaning and purpose of family life.

"In our time, when the family often suffers difficulties and is placed

under social and economic influences which undermine its interior unity, the church feels itself called to bring its contribution of orientation and support," the pope said.

A family founded on marriage and open to having children is the foundation and safeguard of a truly free society marked by solidarity, he said.

The pope asked Christians to look to the Holy Family of Nazareth as a model for family life and to draw from Jesus, Mary and Joseph the strength and wisdom to confront their daily challenges.

Among the "attacks and challenges" to family life listed by the pope were "persistent threats which have laid siege to the life of many nuclear families: extreme poverty, unemployment, (and) the lack of housing."

The pope decried "a mentality contrary to the gift: of life and sometimes even in favor of the elimination of life through abortion and euthanasia."

He urged a fight against "the individualism which ignores or uses another and is the origin of so much of the solitude which afflicts modern society," and especially the aged.

"Even more serious," he said, are direct attacks against "the structure of the family" andl attempts to "disfigure its character and its role in society."

Strong church pastoral programs in which families play an active role are needed "to resist and defeat the negative forces which aim to destroy this bastion of every authentic civilization," the pope said.

GOP battle looms over abortion backers

By NANCY FRAZIER O'BFIIEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON-A group of Republicans who support keeping abortion legal has vowed to fight efforts to penalize Republican candidates and incumbents who do not support a ban on partial-birth abortions.

Susan R. Cullman, president of the Republican Coalition for Choice, announced Dec. 19 that her group was "pulling out all the stops" to defeat a proposal to deny campaign funds to Republicans who fail to support the ban, which has twice been vetoed by President Clinton.

If approved by the Republican National Committee's nine-member Resolutions Committee, the resolution would go before the full RNC for a vote Jan. 16 during its winter meeting in Palm Springs, Calif.

"With the support of thoughtful Republican leaders, pro-choice and pro-life alike, we will defeat this," Cu II man said ina state men t.

"People recognize the dangerous precedent such a litmus test would have for the future of the Republican Party."

Jim Nicholson, RNC chairman, said in a statement that "the overwhelming majority" of Republicans oppose partial-birth abortions, as "reflected in our platform and in the lopsided Republican support in both the House and Senate for ban-

ning (them)."

"Nevertheless, we are a free and diverse party with well-established procedures for considering all resolutions, reflecting virtually every point of view," he added. "If the resolutions committee sends this particular proposal to the floor, it will be fully and freely debated something that would never happen in the other party."

The legislation vetoed by Clinton in October would have banned a procedure in which the unborn child is partially delivered, feet first, before surgical scissors are stabbed into the base of the infant's head. The child's brain is then removed by suction, allowing for easier delivery of the collapsed head.

The partial-birth abortion ban was approved in the House by a veto-proof majority but was three votes short of a two-thirds majority in the Senate's October vote.

Veto override votes were expected in each house of Congress sometime early in 1998.

Cullman said the proposed resolution "is destructive on many levels."

"Not only does this resolution threaten Republican majorities more than any vote taken in the I 05th Congress, but it alienates sitting Republican legislators," she added.

Cullman vowed that many Republican officials would speak out against the resolution at the winter

meeting and that grass-roots efforts were being made to convince state Republican chairmen and national committee members to vote against it.

Nicholson said that although Republicans "will always have our differences, we should focus on the items that unite us - a strategy that has achieved for us victory in every major contested election in 1997."

Local doctor to address club Dr. Francis James will speak at the men's First Friday Club dinner meeting Jan. 22 following a 6 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral, Fall River. Father David Costa, men's club chaplain and pastor of Sacred Heart Church will celebrate the Mass.

James will discuss changes in medical practice today under new managed care ammgements and the effects upon physicians, hospitals, and other providers, and the impact these changes have on the public, particularly patients. He will also talk about maintaining a sense of mission in service and the need for continuing commitment to ethical principals and practices, regardless of the changing forms of third party payment arrangements.

All men are invited. Future speakers will be Deacon Edward Murphy of Holy Name Church, Fall River, for February and James Gibney, superintendent of schools for Fall River, in March.

THE ANCHOR I

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Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorge December 25, 1997 Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina "Dear children, also today I rejoice with you and I call you to the good. I desire that each of you reflect and carry peace in your heart and say: I want to put God in the first place in my life. In this way, little children, each of you will become holy. Little children, tell everyone I want the good for you and he will respond with the good and, little children, good will come to dwell in the heart of each man. Little children, I bring you the good of my Son who gave His life to save you. That is why, little children, rejoice and extend your hands to Jesus who is only good.

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall.River.,,-- Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

themoorin~

.

the living word

New Year Musings As we enter the New Year the custom of listing resolutions is always an interesting beginning. The media spends countless hours reviewing the past year and frequently fails to propose new paths and direction for the coming year. It is so caught up in the tapestry of the past that few guidelines are offered for the future.

With this in mind, it would be encouraging if some positive suggestions were advanced as we begin this new year.

For example, it would benefit the human family if we establish life priorities for the months ahead. Day after day we read or hear of efforts to save endangered species of animals and plant life. Massive sums of money are spent to save whales and birds. Recently, the sea turtle was the subject of countless hours of ecological comment. In the theology of creation there is indeed a demand for ensuring this most frail and fragile world. The concept of stewardship is not a mere passing fad. It permeates the very life of us all. Accountability and responsibility are the dynamics which encompass our very existence.

However, in a world where life is seen through false ideologies we have lost all sense of priorities. People are encouraged by the secular world to preserve all that is comfortable or fashionable, yet fail to respond to issues that are our heartbeat. Babies are imirdered and the ill put to sleep while so many do not care because ofa false sense of what is beneficial. It· is simply horrendous to expend life-saving efforts towards endangered species while we commit moral and ethical suicide.

If we believe that we are created in the image of God and that he has carved our name in the palm of his hand, then why are we rushing headlong to exterminate the most worthy ofall, ourselves and our land?

The politics of our plastic society is making fools of us all. In the new year could focus rightly be placed on the real priorities of life?

In the realm of the foolish, could we not reject the avarice and greed that has turned our sporting world into a slave market, the buying and selling of athletes? The fun of sports has been replaced by the dollar. What counts is not winning but how much we make in the process. Again, the media, especially television, has bought out sports. Colleges and universities allegedly need these funds. Athletes are bribed to leave school and, ridiculously, become professional. Owners, managers, and lawyers keep the party going as long as they make a profit. The public is also to blame by their willingness to pay exorbitant sums just to be entertained. The priority of being a good sport, has moved to being paid off to be a well healed one. Even the Olympics have become managed by the media. The incentive to win is no longer national pride but rather gleaming financial endorsements. Right focus must come to the world of sports in order that sportsmanship may regain its true meaning.

Of course government, "big brother," must be called to task if people are to be well served. Aside from the issues of fund raising and lining party coffers, it was sad to see our country refusing to lead the international community on the issue of land mines and environment. The so-called leader of the free world failed miserably in his leadership role. The world family is the worse because the United States has been hesitant to assume right direction on these issues.

There are alternatives to land mines because there are environment procedures readily available. Why do we accept as public policy the administration's refusal to say "no" to weapons that are causing such human suffering and procedures that are polluting our natural life support systems? Again, it is the buck of capitalism run amuck. Our industrial world makes huge profits on arms sales which contaminate the environment. The outcry in Congress was a resounding "no" to save the planet. If we have real concerns for the human family, then let it become a priority with all elected officials.

All of life, be it in the womb, the playing field or the ocean are offered as a reflection for the quality and care we must give. Until we think rightly and recapture our priorities, we will not have too many happy New Years in future days. However, for now, Happy New Year.

The Editor

the ancho.(S)

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River P.O, BOX 7 887 Highland Avenue Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 Send address changes to P,O.

EDITOR Rev. John F. Moore

BOll

7 or call telephone number above

GENERAL MANAGER Rosemary Dussault ~

NEWS EDITOR James N. Dunbar

L£t,AY "'E55 - FALL RIVEA

•

"Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in high heaven, 'peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests.'"

Luke 2:13-14.

THE VISIT OF THE MAGI TO THE INFANT CHRIST IS DEPICTED IN THIS 16TH-CENTURY PAINTING TITLED "ADORATION OF THE MAGI"

BY NICOLA DA URBINO. IT IS A HOLDING OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART IN WASHINGTON.

Faith prompts care for neel(Y less social Darwinism or the survival of the fittest. Those who read One of my favorite quotations is this book will find themselves from Noah Webster who wrote not strongly agreeing or disagreeing only the most famous dictionary with the political positions taken on ever published, but these words of problematic issues concerning eduwisdom: "The man who weakens cation, health care, crime and punor destroys divine authority in the ishment, gangs, drugs, unwed nation, may be an accessory to all mothers and welfare.

What is refreshing about the the public disorders which society book's dialogue is the civility of its is doomed to suffer."

I recently finished reading tone. Jewish, Roman Catholic and "Building Wisdom's House" by Episcopal traditions vary, but there Bonnie Menes Kahn, Stephen S. is enough commonality to engenPearce, John P. Schlegel and WilI- der a respect and a common love iam E. Swing, which was published for human dignity and to find comlast month by Addison Wesley. The mon ground on almost any issue.

Wisely, the authors avoid any authors include a sociologist, a rabbi, a Jesuit priest and an Epis- . conflicts over our nation's most copalian bishop. contentious issue of all, abortion.

I can wholeheartedly recom- The book is rich in storytelling and mend this book to any politician provides a sense of reassurance that who wants to understand how reli- no matter how troubled our nation gious faith can shape the values of may be, we have the tools through our nation for our common good. reason and revelation to deal with The book also under'scores them.

Webster's wisdom.

In a nation as broad and as diThe authors make a convincing verse as ours there can be a true case that our current political trends forming of consensus between are not part of our'better traditions. varying religious traditions. ReWhile congregations and parishes gardless of our religious traditions, have had a proud history of help- faith has always given people ing people in need, the authors per- throughout our nation's history the ceptively acknowledge the present courage to care for the needy, to trend of governmental abandon- treasure the gifts of our bounty and ment of people in need as well as to respect our diverse differences. the strain it places upon people of HistoricalIy, when our political inreligious faith. Churches and syna- ' stitutions stop aiding the needy, our gogues may find themselves sanc- religious charities and community tioning citizens·who have turned step up their efforts to take over the their backs on their felIow citizens. tasks.

"Building Wisdom's House" adRugged individualism is a dangerous philosophy; akin to a heart- vocates an authentic partnership of

By FATHER KEVIN J. HARRINGTON

all three entities. It avo::,ds a selfrighteous approach that would give an impression that religious people must preach charity to uncaring politicians. It does this through the use of storytelling that employs the best of anecdotes and parables from our rich religious heritage.

A typical anecdote shared by the authors is a story told by the American envoy, Cyrus Vance, who assembled a group of religious leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina from the three religious faith, Muslim, Croatian (Roman Cath 01 ic) and Serbian (Orthodox). They are to find some common ground for peace.

After two hours of li:.tening to these religious leaders screaming at each other, Vance said: "The meeting is over. But I need t.:> tell you how disappointed I am. Because there are so many I ives at :;take, and you are all the heads of religions here. And all you could do was yell at each other. Why?" They answered, "What do you mean? We always yell at each other~" The authors challenge America's religious leaders to provide the inspiration that our politicians of late have not provided. Their ,:hallenge is both timely and thought provoking.

Vance was unable to provide an antidote to the divisions and hatred plaguing the people of Bosnia. To achieve a sustainable peace in Bosnia as well as here, We need to find the courage and wisdom to put into practice some of the authors' suggestions and keep the faith.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

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\JJ;J,/ FINDING JOY IN SONG-Students in grades 1-4 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School of Religious Education, New Bedford, gather to sing traditional Christmas carols. The Very Rev. Henry S. Arruda led the children through the song and narration of The Christmas Story and'teachers hosted birthday parties for Jesus to celebrate the Christmas season and mark the end of classes for the first semester.

Deacon Mass Continued from page I

PERMANENT DEACON Franciszek Mis proclaims the Gospel during 22nd annual Mass and gathering of ' his colleagues at St. Stanislaus Parish.

community experience the excitement of what is happening."

Father' Kaszynski and Father Craig A. Pregana, vocation director, were concelebrants of the Mass, Father Moore said he was grateful not only for the annual invitation to celebrate the diaconate offered by Father Kaszynski, "but his ongoing total support and his prayers as welL" Lawrence St. Onge, a permanent deacon and assistant director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, said in a interview following the Mass that there are currently more than 70 deacons in the diocese. One of the first to be ordained was Franciszek W. Mis, who is assigned to St.Stanislaus Parish and who proclaimed the Gospel at the celebrations Mass.

"This gathering at St. Stan's has been a wonderful, longstanding tradition for us and it began very small in the beautiful, old church. I remember coming as a candidate many years ago and I still have vivid memories," St. Onge recalled,

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

South Korean presidentelect faced death, kept faith

By CATHOLIC

NEWS SERVICE

SEOUL, South Korea-South Korean President-elect Kim Dae Jung, who converted to Catholicism as an adult, faced kidnapping, exile, the death penalty and beatings under previous government administrations.

He once said that when faced with the threat of death and imprisonment, "I was able to remain peaceful and firmly resolved in my mind to face the threat of death because of my resolute faith in the risen Jesus Christ and my belief in the existence of the living God.· On Dec. 18, Kim became the first opposition candidate to win the South Korean presidency.

During much of the country's past four decades of military dictatorships, Kim, 73, was under house arrest, imprisoned or in exile. He lost three previous bids for the presidency, in 1971, 1987 and 1992.

A convert to Catholicism in the late 1950s, Kim, whose baptismal name is Thomas More, was awarded the Union Medal of New York's nondenominational Union KIM DAE JUNG Theological Seminary in 1994.The award's citation described him as a man whose Christian faith became the source for his efforts for "the liberation and empowerment of the Korean 'minjung' - the oppressed.· The following year, while speaking at a Lenten lecture hosted by the Seoul archdiocesan social department, Kim spoke of his faith in the face of death. In his lecture, titled "Jesus Christ, Risen Lord and Reunification,· Kim also outlined a three-stage plan for reunification that he said could be accomplished by 2020.

The day after his election, Kim proposed holding direct talks with communist North Korea. ''Through direct dialogue with the North, we shall search for a way to settle our problems between our two separated people.... I, therefore, proposed to North Korea a resumption of the inter-Korean dialogue,· Kim said in a Seoul news conference.

An outspoken critic of the 1963-79 rule of South Korean President Park Chung Hee and the other right-wing governments that ruled South Korea since 1961, Kim called the Catholic Church "the centrifugal point of the spiritual struggle against the Park dictatorship."

During his unsuccessful run against Park in the 1971 campaign, Kim suffered a serious hip injury in an automobile accident, which was later acknowledged to be a secret-police assassination attempt.

After Park declared martial law in the fall of 1972, Kim went to live in the United States where he lived until 1973, and again from 1982 to 1985.

In 1974, the Korean-American Citizens Committee for the Protection of Kim Dae Jung called Kim "psychologically vital to the Korean people in their struggle fm democracy."

In 1989, Pope John Paul II received Kim, then-president of the Party for Peace and Democracy, and 43 South Korean parliamentarians at the Vatican. The pontiff called on South Korean Christians to assist in national efforts to forge a "perfect democracy."

Kim founded the Seoul-based Kim Dae Jung Peace Foundation for the Asia Pacific Region in 1994 to work toward reunification of Korea, democratization of Asia and world peace.

At a Dec. 20 meeting, Kim and South Korean President Kim Young Sam agreed to grant amnesty to two former South Korean presidents and 23 of their associates, all convicted in 1996.

Former presidents Chun 000 Hwan, in office from 1980-88; and Roh Tae Woo, in office from 1988-93, left prison Dec. 22 amid protests of human rights groups drawing attention to the many cases of imprisonment, torture and murder committed under their military regimes.

Chun was serving a life sentence and Roh a 17-year sentence for mutiny and treason charges following a 1979 coup which put Chun into power with Roh's assistance. Chun and Roh also were found guilty of accepting bribes and, although pardoned, each still must pay hundreds of millions of dollars in fines.

Kim received a death sentence under Chun's government .for his alleged role in a 1980 uprising in the southern city of Kwangju, South Korea. Nearly 200 people were killed by the army in that uprising.

The death sentence was suspended in 1982, with the stipulation that Kim leave South Korea. He went to receive medical treatment in the United States. During his exile, Kim founded the Korean Institute for Human Rights in Alexandria, Va. Kim does not officially take power until Feb. 25, when the current president's five-year term ends.

'He has said repeatedly since hil:) win that South Korea would abide by the conditions of the nearly $60 billion International Monetary Fund aid package. He had alarmed investors during his campaign when he said he would attempt to re-negotiate the terms of the package.

Getting· to the roots of anti~se~tism

A recent three-day symposium at the Vatican focused on the roots of anti-Judaism. Pope John Paul II called the conference precisely to make a clear statement that "anti-Semitism is without any justification and is absolutely to be condemned."

The pope made a specific reference to Holocaust victims, pointing out that "the misguided understanding ofChristian teachings concerning Judaism was one of the enabling factors of the Holocaust, in that many Christians lacked the will to stop it." The pope has made clear in his writings that, as someone who lived in Poland during World War II, he knows well the suffering of the Jews at the hands of the Nazis.

As coincidence would have it, the very week of the symposium I received a book written by a Jewish friend who survived the Holocaust. Suzanne Loebl, only a few years older than I, was all too familiar as a teenager with how the war disrupted and divided families.

Only in her case, her survival was threatened at all times because she was Jewish, dependent on non-Jews helping to hide her.

I had known Loebl as a fellow member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, an organization of professional, mainly non-fiction writers. She is a science writer, with a degree from the School of Journalism at Columbia University, whose first book, dealing with the discovery of viruses and vaccines, was published in 1967.

Now, exactly 30 years later, she said she has found the courage to tell the story of her teen years. Her book, published by Pacifica Press, is titled "At the Mercy of Strangers, Growing Up on the Edge ofthe Holocaust."

I was very moved by her book, partly, I think, because I could relate strongly to her needs and desires, so normal for a young girl that even the daily fear of death couldn't erase them. This could have been me or you.

..

WhIle non-JeWIsh people .helped her by giVIng .her domestic work and pretendIng she was. n(~t JewIsh, Loebl rem~kably found streng~ deep wlthm herself.

She fantasized about love, danCIng, freedom, education, ~nd only rarely di~ she succumb to temporary despaIr. And so she survived. ., At the end of the war, Loebl got to America With

The Bottom Line

By Antoinette Bosco her family and somewhat later met and married Ernest Loebl, a chemistry professor. They had two children.

What I found most remarkable was her attitude about growing up at the edge of the Holocaust. In her words: "It made me a stronger, more compassionate human being. And strange as it may sound, the experience provided me with a deep faith in humanity."

I think it takes a kind of nobility to come out of the crucible and still have this kind of spirituality.

Having known people like Suzanne Loebl, I have become a student of the Holocaust and Christian-Jewish understanding. After I attended an international conference ofChristians and Jews in Jerusalem a few years ago, my admiration for Pope John Paul II zoomed.

He continues to ask us Christians to take responsibility for contributing to anti-Semitism down through the centuries and to end this evil forever. He will go down in history as the pope who sought to heal those wounds and forever end enmity between Christians and Jews.

Don't stereotype me, please Perhaps I speak for most,Catholics in the United States, with the possible exception of Phil Donohue, when I say I make ugly snorting sounds through my nose when I read stuff that stereotypes Catholics as some kind of cult of morons who blithely tag along behind a band of men wearing robes and pointy hats, hoping for a pat on the head.

It makes me want to fight stereotypes with stereotypes.

It makes me wonder what response you might receive if you asked every secular journalist in the country the following: "Do you agree that on a given day the average Catholic keeps a sharp eye out for Marian apparitions, particularly weeping statuary, while he or she drives his or her children to Catholic school listening to the car radio in hopes it will provide news of an episcopal letter or court case involving a sexual matter, and then goes home to write checks to groups advocating the nuclear destruction of abortion clinics, Planned Parenthood and anyone who makes a disparaging remark about the late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy?"

I venture about 73 percent would agree.

The other 27 percent would also want us to know the Catholic Church is an incredibly wealthy institution operated by men in black who suck the income from duped believers during hypnotic services picking up any loose change later at bingo. At the same time, if you asked these same media folk how they would define an "enlightened" Catholic, would it be one who: a) Is pro-choice on abortion? b) Finds the concept of celibl,lcy laughable? c) Smirks when asked about the teaching "authority" of the church? d) All of the above?

Of course it would be "d." And all the better if the enlightened Catholic can provide caustic sound bites on women's ordination.

See, you knee-jerk journalists? How do you like being stereotyped?

Here's some more for you: My own personal stereotyping of journalists based on several years in the biz along with insights gained by watching Barbara Walters "specials," an increasingly popular folk medicine method to increase one's resistance to nausea.

As a matter of fact, if you are inclined to air sickness, watch Barbara Walters specials every day for a week before you climb on your next jet to Hawaii.

~.~

You might be able to tear up your Dramamine prescriptions.

- To me, the stereotypical media type views religion in general as uncool, very uncooI. Faith i~, suspect.

Articulated religious values and religious motivation

TOhe offbeat

world of

Uncle Dan

By Dan Morris

are thought to serve as a smoke screen for basic mental weakness.

Faith-based statements almost by definition are presented as questionable. Sometimes subtly. Often not.

Even shining "exceptions" like the coverage cfMother Teresa's life often underplay or darn near ignore the fundamental role of God; of Jesus; of Mary; of faith.

Of course it's wrong to clump all reporters, writers, anchors and editors in this assessment. But it's awfully tempting at times.

Snort.

Your comments are welcome always. PlEase send them to Uncle Dan, 25218 Meadow Way:, Arlington, Wash. 98223.

Daily Readings Jan. 5 Jan.6 Jan.7 Jan.8 Jan.9 Jan.10 Jan. 11

1 Jn 3:22-4:6; Ps 2:7-8, 10-11; Mt 4:12-17,23-25 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4,7-8; Mk 6:34-44 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72:1-2,10,12-13; Mk 6:45-52 1 Jn 4:19-5:4; Ps 72:1-2,14-15,17; Lk 4:14-22a 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15,19-~!0; Lk 5:12-16 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149: 1-6,9; Jn 3:22-30 Is 42: 1-4, 6-7; Ps 29: 1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Lk 3:15-16,21-22 Option: Is 40: 1-5, 9-11; Ps 104: 1-4, 24,·25, 27- 30; Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Lk 3:15-16,21- 22

The various bibles available for purchase Q. It's been a long time since I was in a Catholic bookstore. This Christmas I wanted to buy a Bible for a sick friend and was amazed at the number of different editions. We have several Bibles in our home, including the Jerusalem Bible, the New English Bible and the New American Bible. Even my cursory examination shows there are differences, but they're not that great. Are there deeper, more significant differences? The essence seems to be t.he same. (Indiana) A. Whenever a work is translated from one language to another, multiple differences in wording are possible, and all may be quite acceptable. This is particularly true of ancient documents. With languages long dead that have no word separations, no quotation or other punctuation marks, even the experts often cannot be sure what an expression meant to people centuries ago.

Thus, it's not surprising to find an array of Scripture translations. The variations result from many factors.

One is, of course, which ancient manuscript of a biblical text is being used. Good scholars differ, in some instances, about the authenticity of one text over another. And more still are being discovered in our own lifetime.

Another, which I mention above, is the precise meaning of a word with which we are not familiar and which perhaps is used only once or twice in the sacred text. There's simply nothing to hint at what it means.

Newly discovered ancient Near East libraries help scholars greatly in this part of the task. They may, for example, discover in 3,OOO-year-old business records clues to the meaning of a word in the Scriptures that had previously been a total puzzle.

Then there's the question of style and readability of the translation. How does one keep it true to the original texts and still understandable to the average reader?

Of course, modern languages themselves always are changing. What may have sounded right to (

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John J. Dietzen Bible was produced mainly by Protestant scholars; the other two you mention appeared under Catholic auspices.

As far as careful translation is concerned, however, scholarship in these fields has so developed that one might say there is no such thing as a Protestant or Catholic translation of Scripture, any more than there can be a Catholic or Protestant appendectomy.

There may be good ones or bad ones, but religious leanings are generally no longer significant.

Denominational differences, when they do arise, are found more in accompanying notes and interpretations than in the texts themselves.

As you know, I'm sure, some Old Testament books in the Catholic biblical canon have been, untU recently, omitted in most "Protestant" Bibles. The reasons are much too involved to discuss here. , Finally, in an effort to reach a more popular and young audience, some Bibles (the Good News Bible is one) tend to move away from a more literal reading of the sources.

The Living Bible, which many find an enjoyable and meaningful path into the Scriptures, acknowledges in the introduction that it is a "paraphrase" of the authentic Scripture texts, thus not an a~tual transIll-tion. . j'

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How to find time ,for th~'.family'·. '. .

Dear Dr. Kenny: Our family is going in too many directions, and we have no time together, no family time. We have three children, all in school and all in afh~r-school activities. My husband and I both work. We still attend almost all of our children's events, but I have the helpless feeling that our lives and time are being dictated by everyone but us. How do we get off this merrygo-round? (New Jersey) I commend you on realizing the importance of your presence at the children's activities. Years later they will remember that you came.

Keep supporting your children. Nevertheless, you have an additional problem that is both real and common.

From the time we s~art school, each one of us has our own individual agenda. All too often within a family, these individual agendas conflict.

The danger to the family unit, as you rightly point out, is that each member will go his or her own way.

The family becomes irrelevant, nothing more than a boarding house.

I have a key word to offer you. If you remember nothing else from this column, take this with you and do it. The key word is "schedule."

An obvious reason why family activities take second place to work and school events is that the work and school events are: scheduled. They appear on a calendar. We accommodate those dates and times, and plan around them.

To make matters worse, when there is time free from outside demands, we are too tired or brain-dead to be spontaneous and initiate a family activity. So we plunk ourselves down, one by one, in front of the television or computer to be entertained.

The first step to remedy your problem is to select some family activities which all might enjoy. If possible, pick things where family members can interact. Here are some ge:neral ideas: -Plan at least one family meal per week. Make it special in some way, with candles or music or ethnic foods. Sunday brunch or Monday night are pos-

Diocese of Fall River -

sibilities.

-Plan one hour of games per week. Play cards or table games. Let the kids pick. Be sure to schedule the time and evening (e.g. 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays).

-'-Identify one children's individual activity

Family

Talk which all family members' might like to attend (e.g.

Friday night basketball games).

-Let one night be family video night. Take turns selecting a video. Don't be too distressed if not everyone can make it. Serve popcorn.

-Pick one or two popular TV programs during the week which all might enjoy. Plan to watch them as a family.

-Have each family member plan a weekend family outing. Get out your calendar and write in one per month.

The second step is to identify the times during the week when all or most family members are likely to be free.

The third step is to schedule the activities by writing them on your calendar. Sometimes you will have a last-minute conflict and may have to reschedule.

But otherwise stick to your schedule.

Start small. Begin by adding one (two at the most) weekly family activities. Make them fun. And "schedule" them by writing the specifics on your kitchen calendar.

7

Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

Speakers say Catholics lack understanding of Eucharist •

Failure among Catholics to believe in presence of Christ in Eucharist 'disheartening. '

By MICHAEL Cox CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

By Father

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Americans in 1850 could sound strange today. Some words in the King James version of the Bible mean nearly the opposite of what they meant when that translation was made 400 years ago.

As you discovered, many modern translations are available, most of them excellent. The New English

THE ANCHOR -

WORCESTER, Mass.-Speakers at a conference on the Eucharist ourned the apparent lack of Catholic understanding of the sacrament and attributed it to a failure of religious education.

The Dec. 13 conference titled "In the Presence of Our Lord" was sponsored by Assumption College's Institute for the Study of the Magisterial Teaching of the Church.

Keynote speaker Father Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal and director of spiritual development for the Archdiocese of New York, said it is disheartening to hear that, according to media polls, less than half of all Catholics believe the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ.

In an age of rationalism, where most things can be explained by science and technology, he said, "It is very difficult for Catholics to believe that a piece of unleavened bread can contain the body and blood of Christ."

But the foundations of Christianity are built on faith and ystery and 1I1J\tfSS believers can accept mystery. of part of their faith, they will not. be able to proceed peacefully with Christ, he addecJ. Speaking to the media later that afternoon, Father Groeschel said most Catholics are severely .uneducated when it comes to the Eucharist.

"It's very tragic that (religion) is not taught the way it was taught to me as a boy," he said. "Religious education should not be merely fun and games. Children should be taught the mysteries of faith, the content of faith and reverence for the Eucharist.

"I find young people coming to me saying, 'I want to go to confession, but I don't know how,''' he added. "That's a wretched example of miserable religious education."

Earlier in the day, Bishop Daniel P. Reilly of Worcester expressed similar sentiments on the Eucharist and said, "Don't let anyone water that (teaching) down because some can't accept it."

As part of a panel discussion, Bishop Thomas L. Dupre of Springfield also expressed concern about polls that show that only half of all Catholics believe the Eucharist contains the body and lood of Christ.

"If true, it would certainly be a serious indictment on the way we are teaching our faith," he said.

"It's certainly a reason to be concerned."

Father Alkiviadis Calivas, professor of liturgy at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School in Brookline, provided an ecumenical response to Father Groeschel's talk, which also discussed the similarities and difference between Catholic and Orthodox beliefs about the Eucharist.

As for Catholics, the Eucharist

is the center of church life for the Orthodox, Father Calivas said.

"While baptism brings us into the church, the Eucharist constantly renews and advances the Christian life," he added.

At the conference, Joseph H. Hagan, Assumption College president, presented Father Groeschel with the President's Medal. It was expected to be the last public act as president for Hagan, who was to resign Dec. 31.

Since the Institute for the Study of the Magisterial Teaching of the Church was founded in 1994 at the Worcester Catholic university, it has sponsored several daylong conferences related to the church's magisterium.

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

Anglican bishops welcome unity encyclical • However they warn that 'Ut Unum Sint' does not signal conformity.

By PAULINUS BARNES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

LONDON - Church of England bishops welcomed the 1995 papal encyclical on Christian unity, "Ut Unum Sint," but warned that unity should not be confused with uniformity.

The official response - more than two-anda-half years after the encyclical was first published - came in a paper produced by the Church of England's House of Bishops. The response, titled, "May They All Be One," was published mid-December.

The Anglican bishops welcomed Pope John Paul II's contribution to the deqate on ecumenism, saying: "The fact of the encyclical is in itself a source of great joy."

They said they were glad the encyclical was addressed to all Christians, to church leaders and theologians of other communities, and not just to Catholics.

They said they shared the pope's conviction that ecumenism "requires of all of us conversion and a change of heart."

"The pope speaks for all Christians in ac-

knowledging, in the words of 'Unitatis Redintegratio' (the Second Vatican Council decree 'on ecumenism) that in many schisms 'people of both sides were to blame.'''

The Church of England recognizes the sharing of blame "and therefore recognizes its own need for reform and for penitence for the wrongs inflicted on Christians of other traditions," the bishops said, While welcoming the pope's assertion that visible unity is God's will for the church and that it should be integral to the nature of the church, theAnglican bishops warned, "Unity is not to be confused with uniformity."

"The Church of England has long had this vision of unity in legitimate diversity. Such a vision requires a careful understanding of the source of unity in the nature and purposes of God and of the God-given diversity of human existence."

The bishops highlighted a number of areas of particular concern: the teaching authority of the church or the magisterium, and the place of Mary, mother of Jesus, in Chris-' tian theology.

On the role of Mary, the bishops reaffirmed the Anglican church's view: "There is one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. Mary's place in Christian faith and devotion is determined by God's choice of her to be the Mother of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ....

"We recognize that the honor of Mary and the saints attests in a special way (to) the

unique mediation of Jesus Christ and the power of the Gospel. We welcome the pope's injunction 'not to impose any burden beyond that which is strictly necessary' and believe that his authority could be enhanced if this principle were seen to be applicable to this question."

The bishops said there is a lack of clarity in both traditions about the nature and exercise of the church's teaching 'office, and that this must be resolved if visible unity is to be achieved. Their concerns with "Ut Unum Sint," center on its view of the relationship between the pope, as bishop of Rome, and the other bishops of the church.

"In matters of discipline and the oversight of the communion of the church, we should not minimize the serious obstacles that still exist because of the present Roman Catholic understanding of the jurisdiction attributed to the primacy of the bishop of Rome," the Anglican bishops said.

"The claim that the bishop of Rome has by divine institution ordinary, immediate and universal jurisdiction over the whole church

is seen by some as a threat to the integrity of the episcopal college and to the apostolic authority of the bishops, those brothers Peter was commanded to strengthen."

The bishops called for an examination of the role of the papacy during the first millennium of Christianity and an exploration of how the church at that time maintained unity.

"The structure of the papacy as it has developed during the second millennium has been very different from the apostc,lic and patristic pattern, and we therefore welcome an approach which looks into our common heritage," they said.

They reiterated their welcome for the encyclical.

"We...express our own hope that thc: pope's desire for his ministry to be a service of unity for all Christians be speedily realized.

"We welcome the insistence throughout the encyclical on the inseparable relal~ion between the mission and the unity of the church," the bishops wrote. "May God hasten the day when ...we shall all be one.. so that the world may believe."

Pope cites separate dutit~S of laity and ordained

By LYNNE WElL CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

New Jersey overrides veto on partial~birthabortion ban

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II emphasized the separate duties of priests and lay people in an address to the visiting archbishop of Luxembourg.

"Pastors are called to realize their mission along with the laity, in a coordinated manner free of confusion," the pope said in a letter given to Archbishop Fernand Franck during a Dec. 19 audience.

Archbishop Franck 'was on an "ad !imina" visit to the Vatican. Bishops from arO'lInd the suctioning out the brain and fluids to collapse world make this trip every five years to report on conditions in their dioceses.

By CATHOLIC NEWS. SERVICE it before drawing it through the birth canal.

The pope said that by maintaining a "perspective in which the richness and diversity are Bishop McHugh said the New Jersey vote put to the service of all, priests are invited to recognize sincerely a~d to promote the dignity TRENTON, N.J.-New Jersey became the 17th state to ban partial-birth abortions also "represents an effort by the Legislature of lay people and their role in the mission of the church."

Dec. 15 when the Senate overrode Gov. to prevent infanticide."

A Vatican instruction on the limits of lay involvement in ministry issued in November The legislators who voted for the ban prompted dissent in some European countries, most notably Luxembourg's neighbor, GerChristine Todd Whitman's earlier veto of a partial-birth ban law. "should be recognized many. as men and women The instruction on "the collaboration of the nonordained faithful in the sacred ministry of by a vote of 27- I 3.

Just II days earlier Bishop James T. McHugh who clearly under- priests" was considered by some critics to be dismissive of the role lay workers play i.n daily the New Jersey Assemstand the issue and church matters. of Camden said the who have a sense of Pope John Paul unbly overrode the veto measure offers protection principle and integ- derlined in his letter that by a 60- I 5 margin.

The state's Catholic rity," he said. "the faithful know that bishops, who were to "unborn children who The American they do not substitute for are threatened bll Civil Liberties Union a priest or it deacon, but meeting when the Senate vote was anJ immediately chal- . that they collaborate in nounced, said the veto clearly barbarous abortion lenged the constitu- a communal work, the override "signals a procedure, popularly tionality ofthe law. On edification of the Body very positive determiDec. 16 U.S. District of Christ, the church."

J . Mother Teresa nation by the New Jerknown as partial-birth Court JudgeAnne ThHe also noted with )....

Nobel laureate and missionary to sey Legislature to proabortion." ompson issued a stay approval that Luxem:pthe world's poor turned ouer the teet and sustain the life 1 .. against implementing bourg had recently re>\t:teade~ship of her order to another of the unborn child.... the law until the con- structured its adult for;'ii:;ttun in March. On Sept. 5 she mation program so that Their action reflects the value: of human life stitutional challenge is settled. and assures the protection of the law to those New Jersey Attorney General Peter more lay workers can . died at her Calcutta home. India who are most defenseless."

Veniero - who before Gov. Whitman's veto participate in "different national holiday and day of Helen Alvare, pro-life spokeswoman for last June issued an opinion that he consid- ecclesial tasks." ~iJ.for her funeral Sept. 8. the U.S. bishops, said she was delighted by ered the proposed law unconstitutional - deAnd he applauded sted Suicide the vote. c1ined to defend it against the ACLU chal- the archbishop for "It's a sign of a couple things," she said. lenge. strengthening his 'rlion "One is how strong people feel about this. And William F. Bolan Jr., executive director of country's youth forma,~Mines two is how even hard-core abortion advocates the New Jersey Catholic Conference, told tion program, resulting "p:6f Bishops for America in legislatures will respond to public pressure." Catholic News Service that the Legislature in "a new vitality of ~,.~". ':'; She said the Senate override squeaked plans to hire counsel to defend the law. He youth movements."

Pope John Paul through when one senator, citing constituent said there have been other cases in New Jermail running 200-1 in favor of a ban, sey in which the Legislature has taken up the praised Luxembourg's switched his vote to the pro··ban side. The court battle for legislation that the attorney priests for their efforts, "especially in an era critical swing vote came from Sen. Andrew general's office opposed.

Ciesla, a Republican representing Monmouth Bolan praised the" extraordinary" grass- when the lack of priests >.erTeresa and Ocean counties on the Atlantic shore. roots efforts of New Jerseyites to get the Leg- begins to make itself .;John Paul II Bishop James T. McHugh of Camden said islature to override the veto, saying they had known in a difficult .'erese of Lisieux the measure offers protection to "unborn chil- a clear impact on the final vote. manner." cess Diana "I exhort them not to dren who are threatened by a clearly barbaHe said the New Jersey statute was modrous abortion procedure, popularly known as eled after the language of the federal ban become discouraged," -hbishop Francis E. George partial-birth abortion." enacted twice by Congress but vetoed by he added, "to remain The procedure involves inducing partial President Clinton. "We are confident that it vigilant in prayer and in . birth, drawing the body of the child out of is constitutional and that the court will so their spiritual lives." © 1997 CNS GraphilS the lJirth canal, then piercing the head and declare,'~ he said. . . ,,~ •.. , . . .. . ... .

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.Church, state relations reported advancing in Cuba • Government's allowing celebration of Christmas seen opening up exercise of religious freedorn as papal visit ap proaches.

would make an "exception" this year and reinstate the holiday.

In his Christmas message, Pope John Paul wrote, "It is a source of

By LYNNE WElL CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY-Pope John Paul II and church leaders in Cuba greeted a rapprochement between church and state in the communist island country one month before a papal visit.

President Fidel Castro allowed a Dec. 20 Christmas message from the pope to all Cubans to be printed on the front page of Granrna, the Communist Party newspaper, and to be read on the government-controlled Radio Reloj news station.

A week earlier, he cleared the way for the first legal Christmas celebrations in Cuba in nearly three decades. He announced that he

POPE JOHN PAUL II great joy that in (Cuba) this luminous day should be recognized as a holiday also in the civil sphere." He added that the Christmas tradition is "deeply rooted in Cubans' hearts."

He also noted that the holiday was meaningful for all Christians and celebrated by people "around the world."

The pope said he hoped Cubans would be have "the necessary freedom" to "testify to their faith ... in everincreasing measure," even after his Jan. 21-25 pastoral visit.

Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega Alamino of Havana read the papal text to the faithful during an outdoor Mass.

The cardinal and several Cuban bishops delivered the pope's message during a rare meeting with Castro Dec. 18; the meeting reportedly lasted eight hours. Castro had met " with individual bishops and cardinals in the past, but never with the leaders of the Cuban bishops' conference as a group.

A report on the meeting carried in Granma Dec. 20 described it as "constructive and friendly."

In an interview published Dec. 21 in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Cardinal Ortega said Castro assured the bishops that the pope would have complete freedom of expression and movement during his . visit.

Tht~ cardinal also said the papal visit would open a "dynamic process" of revitalization of the .church in Cuba.

In the course of his Dec. 13 announcement allowing Christmas celebrations, Castro also told the Cuban parliament that the government would provide public transport to papal Masses and would let the church advertise the pope's visit in state-controlled media.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

9

Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

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J have no doubt in the presence of God and His ability to use me for His purpose. Many pieces combined led me to religious life. ManJ' grace-filled moments lead me through each and every day. J look back only to thank God for the gift of my life mul ofbeing part of the Hawthorne Dominicans. J look forward with trust and prayer, knowing the strength and wisdom to respond to the Ho(V Spirit is there each day, if J continue to say yes to grace."

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THE ANCHOR --:- Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Jan. 2,

199.~

News from area Councils On Aging

Christmastime at our !I diocesan nursing homes::

ones in need, but many times needs an outlet themselves. They need The Council On Aging (COA) five people for the group. .

Two painting programs, one m is sponsoring a book dub for seniors and will meet once a month oil and the second in watercolors f. beginning Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. Club will be offered in January. Interr members will choose a book to be ested seniors should call the COA , read each month and will provide a at 487-7080 to preregister.

If any senior can use the assisforum for discussion about the work. If you would like more in- tance of a volunteer or if you know . formation call the COA at 888- of someone who would enjoy the 4737. company of a new friend, the The recreation department of the friendly visitor program can help. : COA will soon be starting programs Volunteers in the program visit se" at the recreation community build- niors each week to spend time and '. ing and is looking for donations of assist with simple household tasks. .. floor and table lamps, a TV or VCR. Call the senior center for details. :' If you or someone you know can You may be eligible for finan- .

MARTHA MARTIN, who ,'help out call the office at 888-4361. cial assistance with dental work celebrated her 100th birthA program called the Friendly through the Mass Dental Society. b k ( " Visitors seeks men and women to . Services cover emergency exams, day in Decem er, ma es : join and visit homebound people. x-rays, initial and periodic exams, Christmas cookies with the . These weekly visits provide com- cleaning, fluoride treatments, ex- encouragement of Denise panionship, friendship and can tractions, fillings, and deiltures. make a big difference in people's Find out if you're eligible by call- Dogan, a therapeutic aclives. If you are a dependable and ing 1-800-342-8747 for more infor- tivities' assistant at Marian patient person and are interested in mation.

Manor, Taunton, The becoming a friendly visitor c o n t a c t , cookl'e bakl'ng workshop, Jan Timmons the eOA office. Help Dighton senior n e w s . . them to reach out to those who have The Dighton Council On Aging special entertainment and asked for help! seeks volunteers for many different programs helped make tt)e George Nevan of Mashpee has areas and needs y~)Ur help. If you , , a supply of used medical equipm~nt can spare and hour or two a week Chnstm~s season espethat he will pass on to an.yone with, to help with publicity, public rela- cially 'TIerry for the manor's a disability. If you are m, need of., tions, current events,' programs or r~~id~nts and staff. certain items you can reach him at the Literary club pleil se call the '_," 477-6966. eOA at 823-.0095. The center is : Every Thursday and Friday ~he "also. looking 'for"sraft Ite~s," o,!d . eOA prbvides door-to-door servI.ce .' cards:,"rjbb'oii, Cc路aft.' b'opJ( Sl arjd : for those wishing to go toStop and 'f1ower/seedCatalb'gs.路', . , Shop, a,bank or pharmacy. Those Seniors who are i'nterested in interested should call the office b.y 'having large 'print books delivered Wednesday at noon to make theIr to their home should call 669-6421 , reservation.' " to make arrangements. .

A counselor is available to asThe COA is looking to start sist with health insurance questions. some new and in,teresting programs The eOA also offers outreach as- next year and needs talented people sistance regarding programs or re- "to help. If you feel you have a talsources you may be entitled to. ent and would like to share it or if Interested parties should call .the you have ideas for'programs or a eOA office to arrange an appomt- : special hobby please call-the eOA ment. office at 823-0095 and help them make 1998 an exciting year.

News from Sandwich

HOLIDAY FUN AT CATHOLIC ME~MORIAL H 0 ME-Romeo Desmarais got in on the Christmas fun with his wife Loretta during an entertaining holiday social at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River. Mr, Desmarais is a dedicated volunteer at the home and often helps out with activities.

r

Dennis COA

The Dennis Development Corpo, ration is planning to build a congre, gate housing/senior social day care , facility on land adjacent to the Den'. lIis Senior Center and residents at a . town meeting recently approved the '- donation of a 1.5 acre parcel of land T to do so. This facility would greatly , aid the large and growing,rni'rriber of seniors in Dennis.

Fuel assistance is available to income eligible seniors. Those who would like to find out more information should call 385-5067 to speak with a volunteer.

There is a volunteer librarian available on Tuesdays in the library from 12:30-2 p.m., and a lamp repair man is available at the COA office. Bring your broken lamps in and he will fix them foJ' you.

The Rug Hookers club will meet on Tuesday mornings at the eOA and invites you to join and share this fun hobby. They meet from 9:30 a.m.- noon.

I.-

lNews from Provincetown The eOA is looking for persons interested in joining a Care Givers Support Group. The Care Givers group supports and helps loved .""....

Chatham COA A swim program will be made available this month and will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon-l p.m. Also starting in January is a walking group and they will be traveling a different route each time they get together. Interested seniors should call the eOA office at 945-5190.

The Alzheimer's support group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 10 a.m.

The group is for family members and caregivers and is facilitated by Monomoy Community Services.

The eOA has walkers, wheelchairs, and shower stools available for loan to any Chatham resident.

There is no charge for usage.

If you are interested in playing pool on Thursday afternoons at the eOA please call and leave your name. There is also non-competitive bowling every Thursday at the Orleans Bowling Lanes at 10 a.m.

Cribbage games take place every Monday from 1-3 p.m., and the oil painting group meets every Wednesday from 1-4 p.m.

. DECK THE HALLS-A festive party brought- the Christmas spirit to Bethany Adult Day Health Care, Taunton, and residents took part in decorating and Christmas caroling.

Manuel Santos (left) and Kim Barros show off a beautifully decorated tree they helped to trim.

NANCY ROBINSON, a freshman at North Attleboro High School and a member of thel Student Awareness Club, helps Lea Arthur send Christmas . greetings to family and friends during a Christmas card workshop at Madonna Manor, Attleboro.

Students in the- program visit residents frequently and also helped them to bake cookies during their recent visit.

\'

"

Blues legend gives guitar to :pope

By LYNNE WElL CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY-None of B.B. King's hits begins with, "Woke up this mornin', gave my guitar to the pope."

But after his first visit to the Vatican, the 72-year-old blues legend just could come up with a lyric like that.

He may still sing "The Thrill is Gone," but King seemed pretty thri lied when he spoke to journalists shortly before performing in the Dec. 19 Vatican Christmas concert. "I'm so excited, I'm a little at a loss for words," he said.

"My guitar usually docs t.he talking for me."

In eloquent testimony to his esteem for Pope John Paul n, King gave the pontiff his guitar, famously named Lucille. He once made a similar gesture to U.S. President George Bush at the White House.

King was one of II soloists and small groups performing alongside three choirs, a Scottish pipe band and an orchestra in the annual program, which was launched in 1993. As in years past, the event was meant to raise funds for building 50 new churches in Rome before the year 2000.

Its organizers said eight of the churches had been completed, while another 23 were either under construction or on the verge of it.

Among the performers in past concerts were Dionne Warwick, Gloria Gaynor, Jose Feliciano and the late John Denver. This year's list included Chaka Khan and the Virginia State Gospel Choir, plus well-known artists from such diverse places as Portugal, Ireland,

Chile and Monaco.

Monaco's Prince Ranier and his children, Albert and Caroline, reserved seats for t.he event. Performers got to meet the pope in a private audience Dec. 18. He wished them "satisfaction and joy in this show, as in every other artistic and cultural endeavor."

For those who could not attend the concert, it was to be broadcast nationally on Italian TV and radio Christmas Eve. In addition, recordings from the program were destined to be packaged and sold in music shops, as has been the case with selections from past concerts.

French chanteuse Mireille Mathieu, who was to perform two seasonal songs in French and in Italian, revealed that she was doubly delighted to take part: She could help raise the funds for new churches in Rome and sing before her mother in the Vatican.

"I am one of 14 children in our family," she added. "So this is a special present from me to her."

Bulgarian-born singer Raina Kabaivanska, now living in northern Italy, said she was honored to meet Pope John Paul.

"He has placed his mark on this century," she said. "He is a person who has moved history and contributed much to the fall of communism."

Despite his reticence to speak, B.B. King was coaxed into relating the story of how-his guitar got its name.

He told of how, in the winter of 1949, he was playing in an Arkansas club when two men got into a fist fight, knocking over a barrel of kerosene being used to heat the single room.

"It looked like a river of fire," he recalled.

In the rush to escape the crumbling wooden building, King ran off without his guitar. Realizing

THE ANCHOR -

Pressed by a reporter, King admitted that he owned 16 Lucilles.

However, he said, he hoped the pope would "enjoy this guitar as much as I have."

King was to hit the stage about half-way through the show. His

By GERRI PARE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE NEW YORK-"Mr. Magoo" (Disney) as a live-action movie arrives dead in the water.

The late Jim Backus can rest in peace that his voice talents as the visually challenged cartoon character have not been surpassed by Leslie Nielsen in the flesh. Not that Nielsen isn't a game Magoo; it's just that the feeble script is largely bereft of funny situations for him to explore or exploit.

In the action-oriented hands of director Stanley Tong, whose last film was Jackie Chan's "Rumble in the Bronx," comedy plays second banana to martial-arts style confrontations.

The thin story has Magoo obliviously at the center of a mad scramble for a priceless ruby stolen from a museum, then accidentally tossed in Magoo's tackle box.

The two thieves (Kelly Lynch and Nick Chinlund) are out to get it back while the FBI and CIA (in the person of Ernie Hudson and Stephen Tobolowsky) decide Magoo's in cahoots with the bad guys.

And let's not forget the thieves' boss (Malcolm McDowell in a wasted role) and a Bra2.il-based

11

debut number from the hall where Pope John Paul holds his weekly general audience: "Merry Christmas Baby."

That's a long way from having your act spoiled by a fight in a one-room firetrap in Arkansas.

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BLUES LEGEND B.B. King gives his beloved electric guitar Lucille to Pope John Paull! during their meeting at the Vatican Dec. 18. The pope gave King a small cross as a gift from the Vatican. (eNS/Reuters photo) his mistake, he dashed back in among the flames and saved the instrument.

Later, he learned the men were scuffling over "a little lady ... called Lucille." He gave the name to his guitar to remind himself that he'd risked his neck for it.

'Magoo' in the flesh is not so funny gangster (Miguel Ferrer) anxious to present the gem to his bride.

Except for the far too occasional sight gag (as when agent Tobolowsky disappears into a coat rack) there is a lot ofdull racing and chasing going on. The devious Lynch dresses like a cast-off Catwoman and acts as if she's James Bond's kickboxing partner in "Tomorrow Neve.r Dies."

At least Magoo's canine companion, Angus the bulldog, provides needed comic relief as he constantly paves the way for his stumbling, blissfully bumbling master.

And Nielsen does have a chuckleworthy action scene: as he is chased down the ski slopes, besting his pursuers, thanks to an overturned ironing board.

By the time everyone ends up romancing the ruby in BraZil, it's time to put this less-than-comic gem to rest.

The filmmakers were probably ill advised to open and 'close the movie with cartoon scenes; it's a vivid reminder that Magoo played better as an animated figure. The movie ends with a pri/lted disclaimer lest the visually challenged feel ridiculed by the Magoo character, but just as many viewers may feel cheated by the movie's lack of comic insight.

Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

Diocese of Fall River -

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Ffi., Jan. 2, 1998

Pope urges youth to learn about Holy Spirit â&#x20AC;˘ Pontiff issues reminder that the year 1998 is devoted to the Holy Spirit

Spirit.

"I invite you to regard, in communion. with the whole church, the Spirit of the Lord, which renews the face of the earth," he wrote.

While "our times seem disoriented and confused," Pope John Paul said, the mystery of the Holy Spirit "sustains and nourishes our

By LYNNE WElL life."

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE World Youth Day is observed VATICAN CITY-Pope John on adiocesan level each year and Paul II encouraged young people with a globa.l gathering every two to consider the workings of the years. The pope attended World Holy Spirit in his annual address Youth Day 1997 celebrations in for World Youth Day. Paris in August.

Referring to various Gospel "As I assured you during the:" recent, unforgettable World Youth accounts of Jesus' life and the Day in Paris, the pope is thinking Holy Spirit's involvement in it, of you and cares for you," began the pope said "that which took his message for the 1998 com- place yesterday continues to memoration. verify itself in the Christian comNoting that the theme is "The munity today."

Holy Spirit Will Teach You Ev"The Holy Spirit gives the erything," Pope John Paul re- Christian ... gentleness, freedom minded young people that he has and faith," Pope John Paul said. devoted the next year of prepara- Turning to a chapter of the Old tions for the year 2000 to the Holy Testament, he added, "He is, in o

fact, 'a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord.'"

The pope said this same Spirit "makes us brave, pushes us to contemplate the glory of God in existence and in everyday work ... (and) to work tirelessly for the continual renewal of the church."

Pope John Paul encouraged young people to participate actively in the lives of their parishes and to become more familiar with the words and works of Jesus.

"Education in the Christian life is not limited to favoring spiritual development of the individual, even if the initiation to a solid and regular life of prayer remains its principal and the foundation," the pope wrote.

"Familiarity with the Lord, when it is authentic, leads necessarily to thinking, choosing and acting as Christ thought, chose and acted, putting yourselves at his disposition to continue the work of salvation."

SPIRIT 1998-A dove representing the Holy Spirit is depicted in this stained-glass image.¡ To prepare for the new millennium, Pope John Paull! called on the church to reflect on Holy Spirit and the virtue of hopH in 1998.

Pope proclaims Padre Pio vener;able .

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Consecration to the Divine Will Oh adorable and Divine Will, behold me here before the immensity of Your Light, that Your eternal goodness may open to me the doors and make me enter into It to form my life all in You, Divine Will. Therefore, oh adorable Will, prostrate before Your Light, I, the least of all creatures, put myself into the little group ofthe sons and daughters ofYour Supreme FIAT. Pros- . trate in my nothingness, I invoke Your Light and beg that it clothe me and eclipse all that does not pertain to You,Divine Will. It will be my Life, the center of my intelligence, the enrapturer of my heart and of my whole being. I do not want the human will to have life in this heart any longer. I will cast it away from me and thus form the new Eden of Peace, of happiness and of love. W:ith It I shall be always happy. I shall have a singular strength and a holiness that sanctifies all things and conducts them to God. Here prostrate, I invoke the help of the Most Holy Trinity that They permit me to live in the cloister of the Divine Will and thus return in" me the first order of creation, just as the creature was created..

Heavenly Mother, Sovereign and Queen of the Divine Fiat, take my hand and introduce me into the Light of the Divine Will. You will be my guide, my most tender Mother, and will teach me to live in and to maintain myself in the order and the bou~ds of the Divine Will. Heavenly Mother, I consecrate my whole being to Your Immaculate Heart. You will teach me the doctrine of the Divine Will and I will listen most attentively to Your lessons. You will cover me with Your mantle so that the infernal serpent dare not penetrate into this sacred Eden to entice me and make me fall into the maze of the human will..

Heart of my greatest Good, Jesus, You will give me Your flames that they may burn me, consume me, and feed me to form in me the Life of the Divine Will.

Saint Joseph, you will be my protector, the guardian of my heart, and will keep the keys of my will in your hands. You will keep my heart jealously and shall never give it to me again, that I may be sure of never leaving the Will of God. My guardian Angel, guard me; defend me; help me in everything so that my Eden may flourish and be the instrument that draws all men into the Kingdom of the Divine Will. Amen. ( In Honor of Luisa Piccarreta 1865-1947 Child of the Divine Will)

By

CINDY WOOqEN .

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY-Pope John Paul II officially recognized the

"h "heroic virtues" of Padre Pio da Pietrelcina, proclaiming him venerable.

The cause for the beatification

PADRE PIO-The sainthood cause of Padre Pio da Pietrelcina, who bore the marks of the stigmata and who died in 1968, sprang forward with the recent declaration of venerable.(CNS file photo)

of Padre Pio, a popular but controversial Italian Capuchin confessor, was one of IS. that took a step forward Dec. 18 with the promulgation of papal decrees.

Among the decree.s was also a recognition of the heroic virtues of Sister Delia Tetrault, the Canadian founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.

Padre Pio, who was born in 1887 and died in 1968, had been investigated several times during his lifetime by the V2.tican for alleged immorality and financial irregularity.

But hundreds of pe:ople continued flocking to him, asking for his prayers and confessing their sins.

Padre Pio allegedly had supernatural powers and bore the stigmata, the marks of Christ's crucifixion.

The proclamation that he lived a holy life worthy of imitation means that the only remaining hurdle to his beatification is the Vatican recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession.

The other decrees published Dec. 18 included the recognition of miracles attributed to the intercession of two Italian and two Spanish nuns, as well as to an Italian layman, Giuseppe Antonio Tovini, who died in 1897.

The pope also proclaimed the heroic virtues of: Carm'elite Sister Teresa of S1. Au,gustine, the daughter of King Louis XV of France; and of Cesare Pisano, a blind Italian hermil: known as Brother Ave Maria, who died in 1964.

Fahey: Navy chaplain is pastor Continued from page olle

Medeiros, later Cardinal Humberto Medeiros, who signed me up. When they found out 1was prelty good academically, 1 taught classes. The Columbans had very high standards and had done a good job preparing me academically."

When former Bishop James L. Connolly learned surpringly of seminarian Fahey's high marks, he sent him to study at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Md. "I was ordained by him on May 12, 1970 in St. Mary Cathedral, Fall River. My first assignement was to Our Lady of Assumption in Osterville." In 1971, Father Fahey was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in North Easton, serving there until June, 1977.

At that time, Bishop Daniel A. Cronin allowed the Military Archdiocese to solicit priests of a certain age group and Father Fahey was one of two priests allowed to serve the military.

"1 joined the Navy because I hated camping, only to tind out later that Navy chaplains served the U.S. Marines," he said with a loud laugh.

"My first assignment was to the Marine Corps - the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa. After a year I came back, still hating camping, but I loved the Marines. They are very forthright and wonderful people to work with."

After a two-year stint at the Navy Station in Charleston, S.c., he went , to Subic Bay in the Philippine Islands. Two years later he was assigned to Mississippi, and in 1984 was sent as Catholic chaplain to the aircraft carrier Ranger. Subsequent assignments were to the First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton in 1987 and then off to Thailand.

His most challenging assignment, he said, was the three years spent at the Naval Hospit.al in San Diego, Calif. "My job was to work with the chronically ill, the cancer

patients and those with AIDS. All those I was responsible for were terminally ill. It was a really wonderful but demanding experience."

One special three-year tour of duty found him as Catholic chaplain to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. "I was the recruit regiment chaplain, and it was like the old seminary. I loved it. I uSed to joke that the Columbans were the Marines of the church. Little did I know until I was with the Marines that the psychological training given the recruits was exactly the way I was brought into the seminary and the priests then were the drill instructors."

Father Fahey said he was able to relate well with the recruits. "I could tell them exactly what they were thinking and what they were scared of, because I had gone through the same things."

The final military assignment for Father Fahey was to the Nuclear Power School at the Naval Base in Orlando, Fla. "There were 2,400 students who are the top one percent academically of the top 10 percent of the Navy. It is a very intense course. It was the first time that I ever quoted Nietzsche. 'The kids would quote him back and then ask me what other books I had read. I was outclassed."

It all ended on Aug. I, 1997, when Father Fahey retired after 20 years serving th(: military. " I had spoken to Bishop Sean P. O'Malley in June as I began to get my things together. He was most gracious and said he needed priests atld wanted me to come back to the diocese."

Then, suddenly there was a lelter from Msgr. George W. Coleman, the vicar general. "He said he wanted me here. I drove straight through from Florida and began unpacking on Dec. 18. That brings our story up to date, but unfinished really, because I have so much to do and learn about my parish and its people," the new pastor said.

Transitional diaconate Ordination: Jan. 3

grams which MCFL will air again this year.

"Getting people to think about the issues," said Scarpato, is the impact the adds hopefully will have.

Brunch chairman Claire Twitchell said that, "We are everyday people, committed to defending pre-born babies." She and 100 others joined in the pro-I ife mccti ng, the sixth and final one in honor of the anniversary. It featured a panel of pro-life speakers including keynote speaker, Dr. Mildred F. Jefferson.

Jefferson is one of the founders of MCFL and was the first AfricanAmerican to graduate from Harvard Medical School. She told the assembly that she believes in the sanctity of human life and when the American Medical Association in 1970 decided it would not penalize doctors performing abortions, she was one of the first doctors to sign a petition against its decision.

"It is the ethical health of the nation that drives my campaign against abortion," said Jefferson, who also serves as the group's communications and public relations vice-president. She explained that population control invariable ends lip being exercised on the poor under the belief that the lower classes will be the prilIlary cause of a population explo-

sion that will exhaust the world food supplies. She believes that "a physician's knife should. be a healing instrument and not an instrument enforcing a social philosophy."

Dr. Joseph Stanton, a pro-life pioneer and member of MCFL, was reo membered during the gathering for his many contributions to the prolife movement. Stanton died last year after a long bout with illness.

Catherine Horgan, chapter advertising chairman, spoke about the importance of making babies available for adoption and said "adoption should take the place of abortion in dealing with unwanteQ children.

There are many couples longing to adopt a baby and pro-lifers have compassion for what a pregnant woman is going through. We need to urge them to go to Birthright and other pregnancy care centers for assistance." The MCFL supports an number of such agencies that help pregnant women place their children in homes.

On Jan. 22, the March For Life will take place in Washington D.C., and Jefferson said that MCFL hopes to send 25 buses of pro-lifers to the event. Between 750,000 and I million pro-life demonstrators are expected to march this year and anyone interested in going to Washington can call the Cape Cod Chapter at 771-2255 to make arrangements.

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Pro-life: 25 years of dedication' Continued from page one

13

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Jan, 2, 1998

LOVING INFALLIBLE CHARITABLE

PRO-LIFER HELPER ADVISOR RESTORER MEDICATOR ANTI-ABORTIONIST CAREGIVER INSTRUCTOR SPECIALIST THERAPEUTIST

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To be ordained COlltinuedfrom page one

Murray, son of Michael Murray, a permanent deacon, and Carol Murray, of Taunton.

Also to be ordained is Franciscan Broth(:r Bonaventure M. McGuire of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, Our Lady's Chapel, New Bedford.

Rev. Mr. Fedak has been on assignment at St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth. Rev. Mr. Herrera has been serving at St. Mary Cathedral Parish in this city. Rev. Mr. Murray, a member of St. Ann Parish, Raynham, has been serving his pastoral assignment at Notre Dame Parish here.

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CONTEST WINNER! Colton Newell, kindergarten student at Espirito Santo School, Fall River, recently won a "Best Dressed Contest" sponsored by Donnelly's School Apparel .

Inc. With Colton is principal Patricia A. Benoit.

Stang students excel in math, music NORTH DARTMOUTH- coach Joyce Menard who will be' Bishop Stang's Team I Math preparing for their next conference Team finished in first place at the meet January 14, in Wareham.

Southeastern Massachusetts ConJunior Owen Hartnett has ference (SMC) meet been selected to play which the school rewith the Fall River cently hosted. Team Symphony following II finished in fourth a recent piano audiplace out of a 20 tion with the group. school field.

The opportunity Senior Leah came when Owen Makuch ofFall River, was invited to parjunior Joel Maxwell ticipate in the Young of Westport, and jun7 Artist Competition ior Keith Biaquiere of sponsored by the East Falmouth all Fall River Symwrote perfect rounds. phony Society last Senior Matt Jarvis of November. He will Fairhaven and sopho- OWEN HARTNETT perform with the ormore Rachel Stopka chestra on February of Dartmouth both had two per- 8 at 3 p.m. fect rounds. Senior Tim Wojcik Kevin Oliveira has been seof Fairhaven had a perfect meet, lected as a State Finalist for the scoring 18 points. Congratulations 1997 Wendy's High School goes out to the team and their Heisman Award. The Stang se-

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CELL MATES - Members of Joa~ La Croix's ninth grade Bishop Feehan High School honors biology class sit inside a huge cell model they created. Students spent two weeks creating the classroom sized cell and organelles and other components can be seen hanging from the ceiling.

nior is part of an elite group of 20 students in the Commonwealth chosen as a finalist based on academic achievement, athletic accomplishments, and community service. Ten young men and women were named finalist.

Kevin was prese,nted with a Heisman Medallion by school principal, Mary Ann Miskel to commemorate his achievement.

Art students soar ATTLEBORO-Fine arts department chairperson, Brenda Loiselle, has announced that juniors Erin Savolainen and Catherine Servant are Bishop Feehan High School's 1997 art allstate nominees. In making the selections, Loiselle indicated that both students demonstrated a "keen interest in visual art, had imagination, flexibility and a willingness to experiment in new situations."

The Massachusetts Art AllState Program annually brings together 140 high school juniors of exceptional artistic potential and commitment to work with practicing artists. The student nominees must submit their resumes, which include selected art works, and then be interviewed for a. chance to attend the prestigious program, held in May at the Worcester Art Museum.

Freshmen Erika Hoffman has qualified to represent the United States at the Swedish Precision International Competition Dec. 25-31. Erika is a member of the Warwick Figure Skaters Suprerettes, ajunior level team of 20 skaters, ages 13-18.

Erika will be competing in Roeun, France, at the "Coupe International Paitnage Synchronie" in February. She is the daughter of James and Donna Hoffman of Pawtucket.

- FIFTH GRADER COLLEEN KANALEY leads students' from the St. Margaret Regional School, Buzzard's Bay, in song at their annual Christmas concert at St. Margaret's Church. Colleen, daughter of music teacher I<athleen Kanaley, is seen here during a solo rendition of "<?CI Tell it on the Mountain."

. Students share stories and food NEW BEDFORD-Students first hand what living in the at Holy Family - Holy Name 1600's was really lik,e. While School in New Bedford recently there, children visited many difshared their favorite recipes at the :ferent homes, and s.ites and annual "Onederland" Thanksgiv- learned how to cook a turkey over ing cookout. Each child brought and open fire and how a musket in a recipe and they worked to- was fired.

The holiday season brought a gether to make food. First graders made homemade com muffins Christmas book celebration to and butter to share with class- students and after readi ng a holiday themed work, students parmates.

Second graders have been ticipated in a book report studying the colonists at Plimouth orament project. Thes,e student Colony and read books about made ornaments were used to children who lived at Plimouth decorate the class Chri!;tmas tree Plantation. At the end of their and students had fun sharing unit, students visited the planta- their book reports wi th fellow tion for the day and experienced classmates.

AWARD WINNER-Bishop Stang High School principal Mary Ann Miskel presents senior Kevin Oliveira with the Wendy's High School Heisman Award. Kevin was olle of 20 students honored in Massachusetts for achievement in academics, sports and community service.

THE.ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River -

Our Rock

Coming

and Role

of

Respond to loneliness by' making connect,ions

By CHARLIE

MARTIN

As Long as You Love Me Although loneliness has Always been a friend of mine I'm-leaving my life In your hands People say that I'm crazy And I'm blind Risking it all in a glance How you got me b.lind Is still a myste'ry I can't get you out of my head Don't care what is Written in your history As long as you're here with me Refrain: I don't care who you are Where you're from What you did .. As long as 'you love me Who you are Where you're from Don't care what you did As long as you love me

,. :ih .

Every little thing that You have said and done Feels like it's deep within me Doesn't really matter If you're on the run It seems like we're meant to be Repeat refrain I've tried to hidle it so that No one knows But I guess it shows When you look into my eyes What you did And where you're comin' from I don't care As long as you love me baby Written by Ma): Martin Sung by Back!.treet Boys Copyright 1991 by Zomba Recording Corp.

IS IT important to know something about the person you fall in love with? Not according to the guy in the Backstreet Boys' "As Long as You Love Mc." In his words, "I don't carc who you arc," or "what is writtcn in your history." In fact, "what you did and wherc you'rc

Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

comin' from I don't carc, as long as you lovc me."

His reason for such disregard is simple: "Loneliness has always been a friend of mine."

Apparently, any kind of relationship would be better than being lonely.

Indeed loneliness hurts. But there are better apporaches to

the pain than heading blindly into a romance. Getting involved with som(~one without knowing anything about his or her history, values or how he or she treats others is to invite even worse hurt.

What can one do when life feels very lonely? Here are some suggestions: 1. feeling lonely is actually about feeling disconnected from others. Consequently, building connections is the way to diminish this feeling.

Reach out to others. Invite others in your class to share a common interest, like getting - together to enjoy music or to play sports; .

2. without denying your own hurt, reach out to others who also may be lonely. For example, many elderly people in nursing homes never have visitors: Some physically'or enio: tionally handicapped children seldom have playmates.

Find out from someone on your parish ministry staff who these people in y.our area might be; 3. consider becoming a pen pal to· a teen somewhere else on our planet. Our world needs to recognize that we: members of the human race comprise a global 'family. But that means . building better connections among human beings. We can't wait to take action until govem. ments aGkknowledge our common, human identity as images and likenesses of God; 4. all of us need to foster our connecti'on with God. Our creator is a friend whose phone is never busy. God never loses interest ih you. God doesn't follow ·the crowd or drop you if someone popular doesn't consider you part of the "in" group.

Bring whatever you are feeling, including your loneliness, to God. I realize that my suggestions don't address the question of having someone to date. However, romantic love is only one way to be connected with others. Expand your vision.

Loneliness need not be a prison of hurt. Tum it into an incentive to establish real connections with others.

Your comments are always welcome. Please address: Charlie Martin, 7125 W 200S, Rockport, Ind. 47635.

.

15

fige • ABOOT YOOTtt The downside of

FORYOOTtt

"going together"

By AMY WELBORN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

basketball court where he plays and she cheers.

A friend and I went out to dinNow, I want to contrast that ner the other night. We were sit- little couple with Jeff and Mary, . ting at one of the very busy 10- two seniors. cal Tex-Mex types of restauWhenever you see them torants, sharing a bowl of chips gether, they're talking and and stories about our week, laughing. They have an easy, rewhen some new customers laxed rapport, tell each otherevwalked in arid sat in the booth ' erything and clearly spark one across from us: Two students of another. mine, of course!

But if you ask them, "Are you Now, student sightings don't t~o dating?" they'll turn, eyes bother me. I'm never doing any- wide in horror and practically ~hing I wouldn't want them to shout, "No!" see and I don't interrupt what Jeff and Mary are friends, I'm doing to go engage in con- best friends, to be sure, but versation. A simple wave and a aren't "romantically" involved. "hj" is enough.

They each date other people, but But, I'll admit, I did watch are emotionally close to each this pair out of the corner of my other in a healthy, supportive eye. They were juniors, a boy way. and a girl, who have been datOf these two couples, who do ing for a couple of months. They you think would have more fun stroll around school together on a Friday night? hand-in-hand, hold onto each So what's the difference? other in the halls between It's clear that Tony and Jen classes until a teacher appears started going together for the from around the corner. Typical same reason many teens do teen-age courting. . simply for the sake of having a So this evening, as I listened boyfriend or a girlfriend. to my friend fret about an up- They're at the age where they coming wedding in her family, can start car dating for the first and I shared my own little dra- time, so they grab the opportumas with her, I spent some time nity. Just because they can. So observing, >firsthand, exactly they.do. . what those creatures called teenAnd more often than not, they agers do on what they like to call end up miserable. a "date." _ Jeff and Mary are more fun Let me tell you, I have no to watch because they're having doubt we "ladies" were having. more fun. Their friendship is a more much fun than the young natural thing, grown out of mufolks. tual interests and concern, not For as we laughed, talked and for the sake of maintaining an gossiped, Tony and Jen sat, appearance or playing a role. stony-faced, staring past each So when it comes to relating other. They briefly discussed the to the opposite sex, try not to food when it arrived and the bill date just for appearance's sake: right before they paid it.

You end up wasting your time Then they left. Big night out, and being miserable. Hang out I tell you. with the people you like - reThey were interesting to ally like- and enjoy them for watch. I didn't sense that they who they are. were angry with each other. No, And have a good time, for the reason for the silence prob- heaven's sake! ably lies in the same reason I was surprised when I heard these two were going with each other.

They have little in common and spoke very infrequently before they started "going together." They just seemed to have drifted together across the

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16

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THE ANCHOR -

ST. THERESA'S CHAPEL, SAGAMORE All area women are invited to a morning of recollection Jan. 9, 10 a.m.- noon. Confessions will be heard by a priest of Opus Dei.

Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Jan. 2, 1998

PUBLICITY CHAIRMEN are asked to submit news items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town should be included, as well as full dates of all activities. Please send news of future rather than past events.

Due to limited space and also because notices of strictly parish affairs normally appear in a parish's own bulletin, we are forced to limit items to events of general interest. Also, we do not normally carry notices of fundraising activities, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from The Anchor business office, tel. (508) 675-7151.

On Steering Points !tems, FR indicates Fall River, NB indicates New Bedford. All telephone numbers without area codes are (508).

CATHEDRAL, FR The First Friday Club will hold a dinner meeting on Jan. 22 following the six o'clock Mass. Dr. Francis James will be the featured speaker and all diocesan men are welcome.

CATHOLIC NURSES, CAPE COD The Cape-Islands chapter of Catholic Nurses will meet at the Corpus Christi Parish Center, Sandwich, on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. It will cover the topic of "St. Clare's House for Women in Transition," and all Catholic health care professionals are welcome. Information: Deb Searle 420-1387.

OFFICE OF AIDS MINISTRY There is currently an opening for a part-time bookkeeper!c1erical assistant. It would be ideal for a parent with children or a retiree who wishes to supplement their income.

Hours are negotiable and training will be provided. Please write to: Dr. Krysten Winter-Green, Office of AIDS Ministry, Clemence Hall room 225, 242 Forest Street, ER., MA 02721.

STONEHILL COLLEGE The Journeying Together in Faith Committee of the Catholic!

Jewish Dialogue of Stonehill Col'Iege is sponsoring a program en-

titled "Two Religions: One God?" at the Martin Institute Auditorium Jan. 11,3-4:30 p.m. Presenters will include Father Francis Cloherty of St. Patrick's Church, Brockton, and Rabbi H. David Werb of Temple Beth Emunah, Brockton. All welcome.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, FALMOUTH The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a men's retreat at the Calvary Retreat Center; Shrewsbury on Feb. 6,7, and 8. It is entitled "He Was Made Known to Them in the Breaking of the Bread," and all are encouraged to come for rest, relaxation, and time well spent. Information: Mel Gonsalves 548-5774 or Phil Fullin 548-5555.

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CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUPS A morning gathering of praise and prayer is being sponsored by the Diocesan Service Committee on Jan. 3, 9:30 a.m. - noon. It will fcature a teaching by Father Pierre LaChance and will be held at St. Stanislaus Church, Fall River. All welcome.

Vatican m.~dical ethics expert decries abortion method By

lYNNE WElL

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY--A Vatican authority on medical ethics decried a new abortion procedure that lets a woman end her pregnancy as few as eighl: days after conception.

The new technique threatens "to anesthetize consciences," Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, said in an interview published Dec. 23 in the Italian Catholic daily newspaper

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MARCH FOR LIFE A pilgrimage with Bishop Sean O'Malley to Washington D.C., for the annual March for Life is being organized by the Pro-Life Apostolate in the diocese for Jan. 21-23.

The pilgrimage will include Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and a group Mass for diocesans with the bishop. A special youth bus is being arranged to accommodate young persons at a reduced • fare. Information: Apostolate office 997-2290.

ship with God. For details contact Father Craig Pregana 675-1311 or via E-mail: FRVocation Office@Juno.com.

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The technique, now available in 23 Planned Parenthood centers across the United States, employs a hand-held syringe to remove the embryo rather than the vacuum pump used in later-l:erm abortions.

It is made possible I:hrough the development of more ~,ensitive ultrasound imaging and tests that can detect pregnancy as soon as the embryo is implanted in the womb, one week to 10 days after fertilization.

The likelihood of getting false positive results on :?regnancy tests, along with the probability of an incomplete abortion, have traditionally made doctors reluctant to perform abortions before the sixth or seventh week.

Bishop Sgreccia said that for several years, the Vatican had been aware of organizations that had been developing new means of ending pregnancies early. . "These techniques are presented as a 'continuatiDn' of contraceptive methods in order to spare a woman the pain and suffering of an abortion. But that is not the case," he said.

"These are authentic abortions.

"From an e~hical point of view," Bishop Sgrecda added, "this is still the suppressing of a human life."

Bishop Sgreccia expressed concern that teen-agers in particular would be more inclined to underg'o an abortion with the availabili~y of the new technique because of the speed and privacy it can offer.

And in those countries where abortion is prohibited, or kept in check by legal reporting requirements, he added, the abortion rate might be boosted by the early pregnancy method.