01.07.05

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anc VOL. 49, NO.1¡ Friday, January 7, 2005

FALL RlVERD~ -':=~~~~OR"SOt:1TREASTQ:=<::i'ni" ::m"' . -- MASSA~~CH:HmE'R'&-I

CAPE COO &THE ISlANDS

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly â&#x20AC;˘ $14 Per Year

Fall River diocese's centennial jubilee topped 2004 local news By

DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - From the northernmost communities of Easton and down into Fall River and New Bedford and out to Cape Cod and the Islands, people in every parish played a major part in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Roman Catholic Diocese ofFaH River throughout most of 2004.

Many diocesan organizations and agencies and their members offered Masses, prayed, processed, sang and socialized at formal and casual events, contributing to the jubilee, thereby earning the honor of the top news of 2004.

Pope S1. Pius X established the Fall River diocese on March 12, 1904 by separating from the Providence diocese all of southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands.

Fall River became the See City and its S1. Mary's Church designated the new Cathedral. Within its 1, 194-square mile territory, the new diocese already had 44 parishes serving some 130,000 Catholics.

As this past year's celebrations began there were approximately 346,000 Catholics in the 101 parishes who took up the cause.

The yearlong jubilee actually

2004

began in mid-2003 under the guidance of Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye, pastor of S1. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro, chairman of a hardworking celebrations committee that planned the months of various activities.

Using a theme, "The Spirit Gives Life," the planners successfully not only looked back at the people and events that played a key role in the founding of the diocese, but also focused on what was currently happening. At the same time they also took a keen look at the future needs of the Church here, the clergy and the Turn to page J3 - Local

1. Catholics and politics Controversy swirlsfor months over moral responsibilitie ofCatholk voters and eatholk public ojftdQls

2. Presidential election 3. Clergy sexual abuse 4. Iraq 5. Same-sex marriage

2004: Clergy sex abuse fallout and hard debate on Catholics in poli~ics

By JERRY FILTEAU CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - For the third straight year fallout from the Catholic clergy sexual abuse of minors was one of the biggest ongoing religious news stories in the United States, followed closely in Catholic circles by a wide debate over the relationship between Church teachings and the political responsibilities of Catholics.

Results of the first nationwide

diocesan sex abuse and child protection compliance audits were published in January. In February two major reports on the abuse scandal - one on its nature and scope and the other on its causes and context - made headlines.

In the course of the year Church settlements with hundreds of abuse victims around the country, many with clai"ms dating back to the 1960s and '70s, mounted into tens of millions of dollars.

By year's end three Western

Newsmakers 1. Pope John Paul II

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QJV'" ',." dioceses had entered bankruptcy protection proceedings, saying they did not have enough assets to cover the damages sought in lawsuits against them.

With Democratic Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts as the first Catholic presidential candidate to appear on a major-party ticket in 44 years the conflict between Church teachings on abortion and human embryonic stem-cell research and Kerry's political posiTurn to page JJ - World

Enters 26th year o/papacy, launches Year ofthe Eucharist, remains active despite declininB health

2. Catholic voters

3. Sen. John F. Kerry 4. President George W. Bush 5. Mel Gibson 02001 CNS GrIFt*s

National Vocations Awarerless Week January 9 - 16, 2005

New Vocations director enlists help from clergy, laity

By DAVE JOLIVET, EDITOR FALL RIVER - When Father Craig A. Pregana accepted an assignment to the diocesan mission in Guaimaca, Honduras, last August, he left some big shoes to fill as diocesan director of Vocations.

What could have been a difficult transition was made seamless by his successor, Father Edward E. Correia.

Father Correia recently told The Anchor that the Church, worldwide and locally, is at a very important crossroad in history.

"We need to foster vocations because the future of the Church could face great difficulties in the not-too-distant future," he said.

Citing the Church sex abuse scandals and the growing shortage of priests as great obstacles to overcome, he also sees great hope for the Church.

"We must do all we can to recruit and promote vocations in this diocese," said Father Correia.

"This can be done by the clergy and the laity alike."

Early into his duties as director, Father Correia has overseen changes and improvements to the diocesan Vocations Website (story on page eight). The userfriendly site provides valuable tools for clergy and laity to become involved in the vocation process.

Additionally, the new director has surrounded himself with five

FATHER EDWARD E. CORREIA

young, talented priests (story on page 10), who, along with Father Correia, will work in each of the deaneries, bringing information and encouragement to diocesan youth in schools, parishes and Religious Education programs.

The Vocations Office is sponsoring a Vocation Awareness Day Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., at S1.

Julie Billiart Parish Center, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth.

Themed "Come and See," the event will help answer questions and provide information to men and women 18 years old and older who are considering a life of service as a priest, religious Brother or Sister, or deacon.

Sunday's TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 at II :00 a.m., will feature Father Correia as celebrant, along with Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, diocesan Religious Episcopal Representative for Religious, who will present a reading. Also involved will be diocesan seminarians and local Serra Club members.

Father Jeffrey Cabral will celebrate a vocations-themed Mass in Portuguese the same day, on the Portuguese Channel.

On April 17, the Vocations Office will host a Holy Hour for Vocations at S1. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River at 3 p.m.

Turn to page two - Vocations

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Friday, January 7, 2005

Vocations'

Continued from page one

Father Correia also told The . last two years of college and his Anchor that many there are a four years of theology.. number. of parish Vocation..

Father Correia was ordained Teams across the diocese that a priest for Diocese. of Fall work diligently to pray for~and ·River by Bishop James L. Confoster vocations, and to support nolly on May 18, 19.68 in St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River.. ' the diocesan seminarians.

"Folks like Barbara Dunn in His first assignment was at Somerset are so vitarto encotir- Our Lady of Victory Parish in aginR fu~ure vocations/' he Centerville frol)1 June to Octo- . said. "We all must work. to- 'ber, 1968. He 'spent the next gether to k~ep the future oftheeight months o~Martha's Vineyard until he returned to' Cen-' Church bright and strong: ' "It's very important that -te~yille to serve there until Ocy'0u'!g peop~e realize t~at, de- tqber. of ~ 972.:.. ._ FALL RIVER - Catholic So- comprehensive home studies for spite the great difficulties fac• His next assigqments sent cial Services has announced the persons interested in adoption reing .the. Church today, ,in .par- . him to' Our Lady of ML·Carmel;. new name 'of its adoption~preg-' 'siding in the 'Diocese' of Fall ticular the sex abuse scandals, New Bedford (l972~ 1977) and nancy counseling, arid foster care River. the Church needs goodmen and St. Anthony 'of Padua, Fall progntm:Adoption By Choice.

Individuals and families from women to carryon the tradition River (1977-1982).

CSS held an employee Adop- Rhode Island are also welcome as . that Jesus .handed to his disFrom 1982-19.86, he served tion Program Naming Contest in Catholic Social Services is liciples more than 2000 years as' chaplain of Saint Luke's. November to generate ideas for censed in Rhode Island. ago."

Hospi.tal in New Bedford, white a·program name. The winning enThe new name· reflects the , As far as his own vocation residing at St. John the Baptist try was submitted by Debbie many choices available to both is concerned, Father Correia Church there. ' Scholes, CSS Business Finance birth parents and adoptive parents. "knew I had a priestly vocation He was named pastor of St. manager, who has worked at the Birth parents and adoptive parents as early as the second grade:". Bernard Parish, -Assonet in agency for nine years. 1?ebbie can choose the extent of openness . He was born on July.6, 1942 . 1986, serving there until 19.?1. was awarded the prize of a beau- .and contact that they are most comi~ New Bedford,and grew up. He was subsequently named tiful fall basket created by ·fortable with- always considerin Immacul~te Concepti.on Par- pastor of St. Anthony of .i>adua Jeanine Gangloff, wife of Absti.ish. In .high school, he became in Fall River (1991-1993) and nence Program coordinator, a member of St. John the Bap-. St. James in New Bedford " Steve Gangloff. tist Parish in New Bedford. .

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Adoption By Choice, an adopAfter high s~hool he. entered . Father- Correia is currently · tion' and pregnancy counseling' St. Thomas the.Apostle Semi-. the pastor of St. Michael Par.:. '. program of Catholic Social. Sernary in Bloomfield, Conn., for ish in Ocean Grove and was vices offers pregnancy. and decihis.. first ~wo years of college, named' dioces~n director of Vo- sion-making counseling for birth .' then tni'nsferred St. John c'ations effeEtive Aug. 18, mothers, birth 'fathers, .an(j adopSeminary in Brighton, for his 2004. tive parents. ~\ '. f

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Diocesan C:S'Sagency has new name"

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ing the best interests of the child.

The next information session : for becoming iuloptivejuirents will be held January 23 from

1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Catholic Social Services, 16,00 Bay Street, Fall River. The snow date is January 30.

There is no chargefor this informational session. Refresh. ments will be served and handouts will be available~ Call' . Catholic Social Service's at 508.674-4681 for further informa- lion and registration.

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Over 35 Years ·pl~ced ,children fo'r adoption. of Satisfied Services . since-l924 an,d js Ucensedby the.

Reg. Ma~terPlu'mber 7023· ~ ·Office of Child Care Servi~es, of.' . JOSEPH RAPOSA;· JR:. . ·the Commonwealth of M a s s a - , 0_. , . " ... ' ": ,;~' ',. , 43i:JEFFERSONSTREET . chuseHs. The'ag~~cy, ·perfo.rms '., FALL RIVER . 508~675-!496 ..' .'. . ' ... '.. BETHANY··HOlisE 'Adu'lt .Day Health Care participant: '

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Jan. 1~ \ ' ~ p~rritits me: I intercede for each'of you wi.th ,gre~t love., THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020) PeriOdical' : 1948, R~v. Thomas F;.Kenriedy, p,~t~S~ Joseph, Wo?ds'I-!ole .. .' d II " Postage Paid at' Fall River, Mass. Published' '. . ~9~2,.Rev. Vil)ce~t ~~childon, P:P.; 'trector, St. ~ne s Shriile, , . " . "~ank you,for.hflvmg r~§pondel() ~y .~a. "~. weekly except for two weeks in July and the,.

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Fall River"Mass. 02720 by' the Catholic Press' ofthe Diocese ofFall River. SubsCriptionprice "by mail;'postpaid. $14.0Q p.eryear.

POSTMASTERS send address chimges·to The. Anchor. P..O,. Box 7. Fall Riv~r,:MA '~?iL

Spiri~Life Ce~ter ofl\farlan Community ~

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Pope appeals for aid; world agencies mobilize. for relief

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - As the death toll from the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis soared, Pope John Paul II invited international agencies and individuals to give generously toward relief efforts.

The pope said he was especially concerned about the risk of epi-

demics in the wake of the catastrophic flooding, which left beaches from India to Thailand littered with corpses. As of Monday, the magnitude nine earthquake in the Indian Ocean and resulting tsunamis killed more than 150,000 people in 12 countries, primarily in Asia, but also in Mrica.

"The reports coming from Asia

Bishop approves parish collections for tsunami victims FALL RIVER - In the wake of the devastation and death resulting from the tsunamis that struck Asia and Africa, Bishop George W. Coleman has approved a special collection in coming weeks to assist international efforts, Msgr. John 1. Perry, Vicar Genenil, and moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Fall River, announced.

Msgr. Perry's message, released December 30, reads: "At this most holy time of the year, we are faced with news of devastation and death as a result of the tsunami that hit communities throughout South Asia and as far away as eastern Mrica on December 26. The death toll is rising by the day. Catholic ReliefServices is quickly responding by providing food, shelter and medical support to the thousands left homeless, especially in the hardest hit areas in

reveal more and more the enormity of this immense catastrophe," Pope John Paul said.

He praised the international community for rapidly mobilizing aid efforts and said the Church's charitable agencies were doing the same.

The Vatican said at least $12 million in Church aid had initially been earmarked for the affected areas.

Caritas Internationalis said Caritas India was helping with the vital task of recovery and burial of bodies - a necessary fIrst step to

prevent the spread of water-born diseases and epidemics.

The statement said Caritas member organizations had already sent medical professionals and fund supplies to support local staffs and hospitals that were providing immediate care in the hardest-hit areas of India and Sri Lanka, it said.

In India, Caritas Asia's executive director, Father Yvon Ambroise, told UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, that a Caritas emergency response team had arrived in Sri Lanka, as well as in India and Indonesia.

Father Ambroise also was

scheduled to visit Thailand and, with local Church officials, plan ways to get relief to hard-hit villages on Thailand's western coast, which is dotted with island resorts.

Foreigners reportedly account for half the casualties in Thailand.

In Baltimore, Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops' international relief and development agency, committed an immediate $35 million for emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation programs in Asia. A CRS statement" said the agency's response was expected to increase.

Across the United States, bishops called for special collections to help relief efforts.

India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand. After the initial emergency phase is completed, the focus will shift to providing shelter, sanitation and access to potable water as the devastated families and communities begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.

Given the enormity ofthis tragedy, Bishop Coleman has authorized a collection to be taken within the next three weeks. I ask that returns be made to the Chancery Office marked ''Tsunami Emergency"

by Friday, January 21.

During this time of tragedy, it is important for us to come together in prayer for our brothers and sisters throughout Asia and Africa. For them this is sadness beyond comprehension. May our prayers and sacrifices express our Christ-like care and compassion during this holy season," Msgr.

Perry stated.

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the anchof(S)

themoorin~

Friday, January 7, 2005

the living word

A purpose of intent The ongoing evaluation ofdiocesan and parish life is indeed a prime concern for most of the American Church.

Given the tenor of the times, this process is not without its own unique difficulties. It's not just a matter of staffmg and population trends. We simply cannot look at ecclesiallife from a purely mundane vision. To be sure, we must face the nuts and bolts issues and seek solutions that are practical and just. However, that being said, there is also the matters of soul and spirit that have a unique precedent that must be acknowledged and respected. Sad. to say, much of the secular media reporting on Church issues completely ignore this reality. No wonder people are confused and uncertain. They simply have been given bias and faulty news reporting as if it were something handed down from on high. Like the Wizard of Oz, the publisher pulls strings and bylines off his paper,and so much is an excessive smoke screen. It is imperative that in seeking solutions to problems and difficulties in the Church family, we take our lead from the institution itself, wi~ all that means in the life of the Spirit, which dwells in the Church; a Church built on the rock of Peter, and not from the subjectiveness of secular intent. . This past month our Holy Father addressed two issues that are very important in our American Church life. In an address to American bishops from the Midwest, the pope zeroed in on the relationship that should exist between bishop and priest, and the place of parish in the Church. He reminded the bishops that they be particularly concerned for the welfare of their priests, treating them as, sons and friends, and constantly cultivating that supernatural charity which brings about a union of wills in the service of the people of God. He also felt that the . bishop is responsible for cultivating within the presbyterate a sense of co-responsibility for the governance of the local Church..

The pope also stated that the parish is "pre-eminent among all the other communities in a bishop's diocese, for while he has primary responsibility, the parish is, and should be, the first and foremost place where the faithful encounter, and are invited to share fully in, the life and mission of the Church. The diocese should always be understood as existing in and for its parishes."

Next, he shared with the visiting bishops his concern for the future.

This issue of The Anchor centers on the subject of vocations. "No one can deny," the pope said, "that the decline in priestly vocations represents a stark challenge for the Church in the United States, and one that cannot be ignored or put off." He urged that the bishops of the United States annually set aside a national day of prayer for priestly vocations. In this regard, he noted that concern for the future demands particular attention to seminary training. In addition, bishops are encouraged to spare no effort in ensuring a sound continuing education for their clergy. ' It is obvious that in regard to vocation possibilities we need a new and revitalized vision. The pastoral needs of the Church in America call for a renewed commitment in the proclamation of the Gospel,' which in tum promotes an authentic holiness. This work encompasses the entire people of God in the prom~tion of vocations.

It is in this spirit that all of us in the Church family must be energized in our mission to reyitalize the Church, to revive our sense of evangelization, and to regenerate our dioceses, parishes and seminaries. These objectives and goals cannot be accomplished by division and infighting:, We cannot allow the secular to drag us down to its level of subjective headlines' to sell papers. May the Spirit indeed guide the Church in her attempt to face the challenges of the times.

The Executive Editor

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, OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX 508-675-7048 E-mail: TheAnchor@Anchornews.org Send address changes to P.O. Box, call or use E-mail address

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore EDITOR David B. Jolivet

NEWS EDITOR James N. Dunbar

OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase

BISHOP GEORGE

W.

COLE-

MAN ENJOYS A MEETING .WITH EIGHT-MONTH-OLD DYLAN ANDREW CASTLE AND HIS GRANDFATHER, THOMAS

F.

CASTLE, AT THE

RECENT MARIAN AWARD CEREMONIES. CASTLE IS A PARISHIONER OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH, SEEKONK.

"REMEMBER YOUR LEADERS WHO SPOKE 'IHE WORD OF GOD TO you.

CONSIDER 'IHE OUTCOME OF TIIEIR WAY OF LIFE

AND IMITA'ffi THEIR

FAITH" (HEBREWS

13:7).

Christ's first Vocation Director After John the Baptist had pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God, St. Andrew and a friend ran after Jesus and spent the rest of the afternoon with him. Then Andrew went to find his brother Simon. He said to him, "We have found the Messiah" arid brouglifhim to meet Jesus.

Little could Andrew have anticipated what plans Jesus had for his brother! Jesus looked intently at Simon and said, "You are Simon, son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter or 'rock') (In 1:42).

Andrew probably would have been the last person to foresee, when introducing his brother to Christ, that the Lord would make his brother the rock on whom he would build his Church (Mt 16:18). Well before the Lord would send Andrew out as an apostle, he had already become a fisher of men - by simply being a good brother and a faithful Jew, sharing with the one he loved the great news of the coming of Christ.

St. Andrew was Christ's first "vocation director" and his eXlj.Illple is a paradigm for each of us in the Church today. Andrew shows us that vocations recruitment is not the exclusive work of specialists with fancy titles and particular commissions. It need not involve elaborate strategies. In fact, it is not supposed to be at all extraordinary, but rather the ordinary practice of doing what Andrew himself did: (1) running after Christ; (2) spending time with him; (3) bringing joyful, enthusiastic word of him to those we know and love; (4) leading them into direct contact with Christ; and (5) allowing Christ to do the rest.

Like Andrew, none of us knows what plans the Lord has for our relatives, friends, colleagues, teammates and even adversaries.

Some young man we know the Lord may want to be St. Peter's . successor. Some girl may have the vocation to be a 21 st-century Mother Teresa.

But just as Simon, and Agnes Bojaxhiu, might never have realized their vocations unless others had brought them into direct contact with Christ, so future saints, apostles, priests and religious might nev.er become aware of God's plans for them unless we, like Andrew and Mrs.

Putting Into the Deep

By Father Roger J. Landry Bojaxhiu, bring Christ to them and them to Christ.

I think there are three places in particular where we must bring those we know to meet Christ.

The first is in prayer. Most of us know that when Pope John Paul II was a teen-ager, he dreamed to become an actor. One day, however, he met a 40-year-old tailor named Jan Tyranowski, who, with St. John of the Cross' writings, helped the young Karol Wojtyla and his friends learn how to encounter the Lord more deeply in prayer. Jan told his young friends essentially, that he had found the Messiah and wanted to show them where to find him. The Lord did the rest.

The second is in the sacrament of penance. Here the Good Shepherd cares individually for each of his lambs. His mercy helps young people not be discouraged by their falls. The heart-to-heart guidance he gives them through his priests helps them mature in selfknowledge and self-mastery. And his grace helps them to say "yes" to

him in all their choices, preparing them to say "yes" to him when he at last makes his plans for them plain.

The third is in the Eucharist, at Mass and in adoration. Most young people entering the seminary and religious life today state - as so many recent vocational testimonies on the Web attest - their whole lives changed when they started to receive the Lord daily and go regularly to adore him.

It's no surprise that priestly and religious vocations have plummeted at the same time that the practice of frequent confessipn, daily Mass attendance,andeucharistic adoration have nosedived in the Church. Vocations will increase when the Church as a whole, and young people in particular, begin again to encounter the Lord there more regularly. We see this already happening in those parishes and dioceses where contact with Christ in these ways is vigorously promoted.

A young man who treasures the Lord's forgiveness in confession and his abiding presence in the Eucharist cannot help wondering about the priesthood that uniquely makes them possible.

A young woman who falls in love with her merciful and eucharistic Lord cannot avoid marveling about whether she might spend her life wedded to that love.

For us to bring them to Christ in these ways, however, we must be able to say, first, that "we have found the Messiah" there ourselves, and then not be bashful about inviting others to experience the same joy.

The Messiah and Harvest Master, who never ceases to call young people to follow him all the way, will take it from there. And what he does may surprise us.

Father Landry is a parochial

vicar at 51. Francis Xavier Parish ill Hyannis.

Clearing up the static If the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," is true, than the reverse should be just as correct - if it is broke, fix it!

Well, as difficult as it can be to admit, our beloved Church is "broke."

She's at a period in history when her members must rally and "fix" her.

Does that mean that the Church Christ instituted more than two millennia ago will collapse and be no more?

Of course not! The Almighty would never let that happen. But it does mean that as members of the Church, we must dust off the old prayer beads, fall back on our knees and do our part to restore and resurrect this great gift of God - our Church.

Her reputation is tarnished by sex abuse scandals. Mistrust in her leadership is contributing greatly to a decrease in the numbers of vocations in the so-

called civilized nations.

Has the Father cut back on calling young men and women to a life of service to him and the Church? Hardly.

My View From the Stands

ATILEBORO - Catholic Social Services, 10 Maple street, is sponsoring a support group for women struggling with relationship issues that have resulted in feelings of abandonment, loneliness and anxiety. It meets on the second and fourth Tuesday ofeach month from 6-7 p.m. For more information call 508-226-4780.

FALL RIVER - A healing Mass will be celebrated at St. Anne's Church on January 13 at 6:30 p.m: The rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Benediction and healing prayers will take place after the Mass.

FALL RIVER - The Hudner Oncology Center at Saint Anne's Hospital invites area cancer patients to participate in an education and support program held from 5-6 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 220 of Clemence Hall. For more information call Mark Theodore at 508674-5600 ext. 2279.

FALL RIVER - The Fall River Area Men's First Friday Club will meet tonight for the celebration of Mass at 6 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 160 Seabury Street.

A meal will follow in the church hall. John Jurczyk will be guest speaker. For more information call 508-672-8174..

FALL RIVER - A holy hour is held every Tuesday from 7-8 p.rn. at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street. It includes recitation ofthe r0sary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A prayer meeting consisting of Bible readings and discussion

By Dave Jolivet God is as active as always, but we're not listening as well.

In the "old" days, vocations were fostered in the home, and nurtured in schools and parishes. Not so today.

Parochial schools are no longer filled with religious to be role models for potential priests, Sisters or Brothers. That being said, logic would dictate that families and parishes should pick up the slack and teach our youngsters that a religious

and music will follow. For mQre information call 508-679-6732.

FREETOWN - Mother of the Sorrowful Heart Rosary Crafters are actively making and sending handmade cord rosaries to missions throughout the world and are available for demonstrations. Individuals or groups interested in learning how to make rosaries should call Carol Spoor at 508-644-2645.

MISCELLANEOUS Catholic Social Services has openings at three of its locations for adults who want to learn English.

New classes are beginning in Fall River on Tuesday evenings and in Hyannis on Wednesday evenings.

Classes in New Bedford on Thursday evenings and Monday mornings will also accept new students during January. Classes are free. For more information call Sheila Sullivan at 508-674-4681.

NEW BEDFORD The Donovan House, a tmnsitional home for women and children, seeks volunteers to share theirtime, knowledge and skills. Tmining and ongoing support will be provided. For more information call 508-999-5893.

NORTH EASTON - The public is invited to participate in the praying of the 20 mysteries of the rosary on Sundays at 5 p.m. in the chapel of the Father Peyton Center at Holy Cross Family Ministries, 58 Washington Street. Daily rosary is recited at 9 a.m. and Mass is celebrated at noon every weekday.

POCASSET -

St.Francis of

vocation is as noble and important a career move as one in medicine, law-enforcement and any of the countless professions our children can pursue.

God doesn't call everyone to this life, but wouldn't it be nice for those who are called to have us help clear up the static that could hinder the message?

The calls are going out, but some are not getting through - and that's our fault.

And if we're not in a position to foster a vocation in a family member or friend, we still have a role to play - and it's really not that difficult. Prayer.

We must pray for vocations; pray for the callees; pray for the Church.

The fact that far too many individuals used the Church for illicit purposes shouldn't hinder our efforts. On the contrary, it should firm our resolve to ensure that good, holy men and

women step forward to lead the Church into the new millennium, still in its infancy.

The Church has had her fill of evil. She longs for good, and God knows who they are - and he's calling them.

Let us all fall to our knees and help the messages get . through.

In 2005, let's visit the

SEEKONK - Behind-the-ear hearing aids in good working condition and batteries are being collected for our diocesan mission in Guaimaca. An audiologist from Our Lady ofMt. Carmel Parish will visit the mission in January and conduct a hearing clinic to .help those with hearing loss. Please send behi~d­ the-ear hearing aids to the attention ofL. Bredemeier, Our Lady ofMt. Carmel Church, P.O. Box 519, 984 Taunton Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771. For more information call 401-683-3799.

Comments are welcome at dave;olivet@anchornews.ore·

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the Cape Fratemity will be gathering January 9 at St. John's Parish Center, at 2 p.m. Liturgy of the Hours and a Rosary for Peace will be recited with prayers for National Vocations Awareness Week. Refreshments will follow. All are welcome. For more information call 508-759-3130 or 508-548-6338.

Also, to join others on a calendar to offer a Holy-Hour for vocations, call 508-759-5744.

SEEKONK - The local food pantry Doorways, Inc., is seeking volunteers to stock shelves during the week or assist clients on Saturday momings. For more information call Katie Malo at 508-7615491.

diocesan Vocation Website FallRiverVocations.com, print out a couple of vocation prayers and put them to good use.

God is counting on us, and the Church needs us.

The Almighty can work miracles if we only ask. Just look at the 2004 Red Sox!

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'D\.UNTON - The St. Jacques Choir seeks new singers for its upcoming season. Requirements are attending rehearsal, enthusiasm and the ability to sing on pitch. For more information call Frank Wilhelm at 401-639-0742.

WESTPORT Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary is sung each Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 569 Sanford Road. The rosary is recited 20 minutes before Mass.

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16

Team of diocesan priests stands ready to promote vocations

By DAVE JOLIVET, EDITOR SWANSEA - Sensing the impending urgency of the need for a new generation of priests, Father Edward E. Correia, diocesan director of Vocations, has surrounded himselfwith a young, talented group ofpriests to help promote vocations and recruit area , individuals who feel they may have a calling to the pri~sthood or religious life. "In the next few years, we are going to have a serious problem in the Church ifwe don't reach those men and women who God is calling to serve him," Father Correia recently told The Anchor.

FATHER J EFFREY For that reason, Father Correia . CABRAL has assemble a team of five diocesan priests, one from each ofthe deaneries, to spread the word in parishes, area schools and Religious Education programs. Making up this formidable team are Father Jeffrey Cabral, a parochial vicar at St. Anthony's Parish in Taunton and chaplain at Coyle and Cassidy High School there, representing the Taunton Deanery; Father Kevin A. Cook, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, New Bedford, representing the New Bedford Deanery; Father Scott A. Ciosek, parochial vicar at St. Michael's Parish, Fall River, and chaplain at Bristol Community College there, representing the Fall River Deanery; Father Dariusz Kalinowski, parochial vicar at St. Mary's Parish in Mansfield, representing the Attleboro Deanery; and Father John M. Murray, in residence at FATHER SCOTT Our Lady of Victory Parish in A. CIOSEK Centerville, and chaplain at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, representing the Cape Cod Deanery.

"These young priests are just what we need to get the word out about vocations across the diocese," said Father Co:-reia, who also noted that each of the five priests have only recently been ordained, and they have a fresh perspective about pursuing a vocation to the priesthood, and know what is going on in the minds of potential candidates, having been there not too long agQ. The longest tenure of the quintet is six years, that being Father Murray who was ordained in 1998; 'followed by Father Kalinowski, 1999; Father Ciosek, 2000; Father Cook, 2001; and Father Cabral, 2002.

The priests, including Father Correia, are more

than willing to speak to the boys and girls across the diocese about religious life. "There are many opportunities during the course of , a school year to focus a lesson on vocations to Church ministry and there are many creative ways to present the topic: from vocation fairs, to panel presentations, to workshop sessions or lesson plan for creative teachers," said Father Correia. "The diocesan Vocation Office wants to help the ministry FATHER KEVIN 'of invitation that is ours in fosterA. COOK ing a generation'ofyoung people who serve their brothers and sisters in the Church."

While Father Correia realizes that often the seed ofa vocation to the priesth~od is planted in the home, it's equally important to n4Jture that seed in a school, Religious Education, or parish environment. "That's where the deanery coordinators come in," he addeq.

It is the ardent hope of Father Correia and his team that area schools, parishes and Religious Education programs invite them to visit and share their important message to diocesan FATHER DARIUSZ youth.

KALINOWSKI Upcoming Vocation presentations include: January 9: Father Correia will speak to students at St. Julie Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth; January 25: Father Correia will speak to students in grades five through eight at Holy FamilyHoly Name School in New Bedford; Also this month: Father Cook will speak to students at St. Killian's Parish, New Bedford; and Father Murray will speak to ninth and 10th graders at St. Joan FATHER JOHN of Arc Parish, Orleans; M. MURRAY March 14: Father Kalinowski will speak to ninth graders at St. Mary's, North Attleboro.

To schedule a visit by one ofthe Vocation Team, contact the Vocation Office at 508-675-1311, or E-mail: vocationsÂŽdioc-fr.org; or contact Father Cabr,al at 508-822-0714; Father Cook at 508-9934704; Father Ciosek at 508-679-6732; Father Kalinowski at 508-339-2981; or Father Murray at 508-775-5744. '

Elusive ,happiness seen triggering ,a new look -at religious yocations ~ Extending a welcoming

and supportive hand might be the clincher for those mulling religious life.

By DEACON JAMES N.

DUNBAR

FALL RlVER-Although vocations to the priesthood and religious life are currently in a slump, two Dominican Sisters of the Presentation say indications are that the tide is about to tum.

As the diocese observes National Vocations Awareness Week ]anuary9 through 15, Dominican Sisters Mary ]0 Leverette- and Faye Medina offered The Anchor their views and what effective steps might be taken to give those discerning a vocation an inside

look at religious life. _ Both Sisters said that while most single people in today's marketplace set goals for themselves to lead satisfying lives, the reality for, some is that the level of happiness falls far short of what they expected.

"Then they, start thinking, â&#x20AC;˘What am I missing or what else should I be doing, '" Sister Mary Jo said. "The resultant bright news is that for vocations, things are slowly beginning to turn around."

Sister Faye noted that while the large number, of vocations witnessed 40 years ago "was unusual," young people are still searching for God" and "we are not at the panic stage yet."

But she says young people

can't "find" religious to talk to because most no longer wear their religious garb; and that older nuns "are too scared" to get involved in the society of today's young people.

Both Sisters said that reaching out to the young adults is what is needed most if vocations are to flourish.

"Vocations everywhere are in 'some kind of a struggle, but it looks like there is a renewal be~ ginning to take place," Sister Mary Jo indicated. "And I can tell you that I was part of it." , Hers is an unusual story. Hailing from the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina, her family's religious background included five generations ofpreachers who .

Turn to page 10 - Religious

Friday, January 7, 2005

On the cusp of the priesthood, seminarian recalls his journey Thomas E. Costa Jr. will be ordained a transitional deacon Satllrday at St. Mary's Cathedral. He is scheduled to be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fall River in July of this year.

Costa graciously took the time to respond to some questions from The Anchor regarding his calling to religious life.

Who and what influenced my decision to study for the priesthood?

I've been blessed to know so many wonderful and holy priests over the years who are fine examples and role models.

They've taught me the faith, inspired me in good times and bad. The way they faithfully served the parish and the diocese is a tremendous source of inspiration for me.

I also have to include the many teachers through the years both in my public schooling and CCD classes who gave of their time to teach me the faith. Their importance can't be overlooked. ' Most importantly, my parents and family who have always been supportive and encouraging. Especially my Grandmother Alice Bandilli who I often remember seeing as a little boy, always praying the rosary, always kneeling down to say her prayers before bed time, always attending Mass faithfully. Whatever she did or said was always with God in her heart, in her mind and in her words and deeds.

There are so many little God moments along the way. You never realize at the time these little acts of kindness and words of encouragement from people are actually seeds of hope that people helped plant and eventually set the foundation for a vocation. It's overwhelming to think of the many times somebody offered support either as an altar server, CCD student or youth group member or as a friend.

What must be done to ensure future vocations, especially during the present difficulties facing the Church today?

There is no easy answer to that, you can study all the statistics about the priest shortage, and advertise as much as possible but it all comes down to God calling the Church to a deeper faith and comrnitnient, in all aspects of our lives. How we worship, how we treat others, and how we bring the faith into the world, that will be what inspires vocations and help those being called by God to hear his message in their lives.

We all need a deeper faith commitment not only once a week at Sunday Mass but in our daily lives, taking the nourishment we receive from the Eu-

charist at Mass and then sharing our faith with others after as we go out into the world, whether it be in our work, family or daily routines.

We certainly need to pray more for vocations. God always hears the prayers of his people.

There are so many things to pray for in the world today.

Prayer definitely can be a fulltime commitment.

All of us are called by God to serve him and each other lovingly. There is nobody who doesn't have a vO,cation, it may not always be to priesthood, but in some way we are all called to fulfill our obligation to serve the Church. We must not be afraid to ask what God wants from me. We must stop being afraid to say "yes" to God. We should ask ourselves, "how,can I use the gifts he has given me and put them together for the good of the Church and each other and God." If everybody, young and old took more time to ask themselves those question, we certainly would find there are many vocations to the priesthood and religious life among the various vocations given each one of us.

What am flooking forward to in my new vocation?

I'm open to whatever God has planned for me. That may sound rather vague, but it's the best approach; a vocation to priesthood must be open to all possibilities and not be obstructed by set limitations on what you will or will not do.

Realize that whatever I do in his 'name is with his help. I dedicate my life to serving him and the Church and whatever the future has in store for me, it's through him and \yith him.

There are endless possibilities when you stop and ponder the question. It's almost overwhelming to think about one particular thing.

What graces have f received in my preparation thus far?

God gives you whatever you need to make this vocation fruitful. I entered seminary, naturally very nervous, and somewhat uncertain as to whether this would all work out in the end, thinking I might not be able to get through these years without the job, the money, or learning to adapt to a better way of life. etc. But eventually you realize that God is with you every step of the way providing you with everything needed. The seminary has helped me in this process to recognize the grace.of God at work in my daily life by its formation in the areas of human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation. The seminary years are a time of growth and spiritual strengthening, it's a time to help those preparing for priesthood to better realize God is calling me.

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NOTES FROM ROME

By JAY MELLO

his unmatchable intelligence serves ROME, Italy - It was March of as not only an inspiration but also a 2003, shortly before my graduation. model of what priesthood means to from Franciscan Uniyersity when me. He is a man who is stricken with Bishop Coleman, then administra- obvious frailty and illness and yet tor of the diocese, phoned me to dis- never ceases to call us to further hocuss my future academic formation. liness. He writes, "Christ needs holy It was then that he first asked me to priests! Today's world demands holy go to Rome and study at the North priests! Only a holy priest can beAmerican College and the Pontifi- come, in an increasingly secularized cal Gregorian University, of which world, a resounding witness to Christ he himselfis an alumnu,>. The bishop and his Gospel. ("Gift and Mystery," was asking me to go to Europe to p.89). prepare myself to serve as a diocAnother influence of the Roman esan priest in Fall River. experience on my vocation is unAfter returning home from col- doubtedly the notion of the Church lege, we were able to have a personal universal, helping me to see that the meeting to discuss the decision more Church extends much beyond the thoroughly. It was then that Bishop borders of our own diocese and .

Coleman spoke to me words that country. While the Church is spread would take on a much fuller mean- throughout the entire globe, and each ing when I finally arrived in Rome. region has it own particular needs, He said "Jay, I am sending you there God has called me to serve the needs to learn Rome, not just theology." of those in Southeastern MassachuThe bishop was echoing the words setts. My time in Rome has certainly that were also spoken to Pope John allowed me to broaden my educaPaul 11 when he was a young priest tion, experience, and preparation for sent to Rome to get his doctorate. this task. Our diocese is one that has The pope reflected on this in his always had a high immigration, book, "Gift and Mystery" a book· which puts the challenge to the diwritten on the 50th anniversary of ocesan priest of being knowledgehis priestly ordination. He goes on able in the areas of languages and to say that "it is more important to cultures. The decreasing number of learn Rome itself than simply to priests and· increasing number of study, as theology can be studied Catholics adds another difficult chalanywhere" ("Gift and Mystery," p. lenge to the mix. These are also many 52). other issues that continue to raise difWhen I arrived on Rome in late ficulties for the diocesan priest, inAugustof2003, those words became cluding abortion, contraception, gay more vivid to me as ~ began to un- marriage and the recent sex abuse derstand what it meant to study in crises. the heart of Christendom. That first Archbishop Fulton Sheen once visit to St. Peter's, thinking to my- said that the diocesan priesthood is self, I am here at the ccoter of Ca- a vehicle and instrument of the Intholicism, I am home. The first time carnation, allowing Christ to use men seeing Pope John Paul II only after throughout history to continually being in Rome a few days is perhaps proclaim the mysteries of faith. As 1 the most memorable of experiences said earlier, walking the streets of ofthose first days in the Eternal City. Rome has encouraged me to seek It was a year later that 1 was able to this deeper holiness as a priest. And, personally meet His Holiness with while I will probably not be put to Bishop Coleman during his "ad death like Peter and Paul, the dioc/imina" visit. esan priesthood does call me to die Being able to study in a city so to self every day so that 1can serve rich with faith, history and art has God's people as a true instrument of been one ofthe greatest blessings of his love. my life certainly, for it has strengthFor me, this means coming back ened and broadened my understand- to Fall River in a few years ready to ing ofthe pri~thood ofJesus Christ. take up the many challenges that face Reflecting omwhat it means to "learn our diocese, whether it be the mi-· Rome," I have come to see that this gration of another ethnic group, the entails embracing a 2000 year his- consolidation ofparishes, or the need tory ofChristianity marked with city to re-evangelize and re-catechize the streets soaked with the blood of faithful. Learning Rome has helped many martyrs who made this expe- .me to see that it is in these particular rience possible. SS. Peter and Paul, works in each diocese that we con- . the tw() great Apostles ofRome were tinue the work of Christ and build each put to their death here because up the entire Church throughout the of their living testimony to the Gos- world. It is here in Rome that this pel ofJesus. There is nothing as awe- vocation to the diocesan priesthood some as praying at their tombs for of Jesus Christ has become a pr0strength, wisdom and guidance, and found reality. then walking through the very streets 'Therefore, brothers, be the more were they lived the Christian faith. zealous to confirm yourcall and elecMy studies in the EtemaI City will tion, for if you do this, you will never eventually come to an end, and it will .. fall; so there will be richly provided be back to the Diocese of Fall River. .for you an entrance into the kingdom This reality has caused me to reflect of our l.ord and savior Jesus Christ" upon how "learning Rome" will (2 Peter 1: 100ll) - "Love Your impact my vocation to the diocesan Priesthood" (John Paul II, "Gift and priesthood in our diocese.l think the Mystery"). most obvious things that I will take Jay Mello is a second-year theback with me are the teadhing and ology student at Pontifical Norlh personal experience of Pope John American College in Rome. EPaul. His witness offaith, as well as mail: jay_mello@hotmaiLcom

Gregory Bettencourt Fourth Year College . Franciscan University Pre-Theology Program 1235 University Blvd.

Steubenville, OH 43952 Home Parish: Holy Family, E. Taunton Thomas Costa Jr. Fourth Year Theology Blessed John XXIII National Seminary 558 South Avenue Weston, MA 02193 Home Parish: St. Mary, Seekonk

David Deston Third Year Theology Mount Saint Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Home Parish: St. Thomas More, Somerset

Ron Floyd First Year Theology Pontifical North American Colleg~

00120 Vatican City State Europe Home Parish: St. Patrick, Wareham

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Rev. Mr. Karl Bissinger Fourth Year Theology Pontifical North American College 00120 Vatican City State Europe Home.Parish: St. Joseph, Fall River

Robert Lepage Second Year Theology Mount Saint Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Home Parish: St. Anne, Fall River.

Daniel Nunes Fourth Year College Our Lady of Providence Seminary 485 Mount Pleasant Ave. Providence, RI 02908 Home Parish: St. Dominic, Swansea

Peter Fournier Second Year Theology Pontifical North American College 00120 Vatican City State Europe Home Parish: St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro

Jay Mello Second Year Theology Pontifical North American College 00120 Vatican CitY State Europe Home Parish: SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River William Sylvia First Year Theology Mount Saint Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Home Parish: Holy Name, Fall River

Riley Williams Second Year College Franciscan University Pre-Theology Program 1235 University Blvd.

Steubenville, OH 43952 Home Parish: Our Lady of the Assumption, Osterville

Diocesan Prayer for Vocations Almighty and etemal God, in your unfailing love your provide ministers for your Church. We pray for those whom you call to serve the Church of Fall River as priests. Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve your people. May their lives and service call your people to. respond to the presence ofyour Spirit among us that, faithful to the Gospel and hope of Jesus the Christ, we may: announce glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, set prisoners free and renew the face of the earth.

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Diocesan vocation Website is a wealth of information

By DAVE JOLIVET, EDITOR

tion : Diocesan Information, which provides a brief history FALL RIVER - While the Church has remained con- ofthe Fall River diocese, as well as information about Bishop stant in her sense of duty for the past 2000-plus years, she George W. Coleman, Father Correia, the current diocesan has also changed with the times as much as possible to en- seminarians, the diocesan deanery vocations directors, the sure Jesus' Gospel is preached and taught to the four comers vocation council and the Vocation Office; Recent and Upof the world. coming Events related to vocationsiand the Vocation Office; Locally, the Church in the Diocese of Fall River is mak- Cpurch Ministries, including information on the diocesan ing every effort to continue that trend - and that includes priesthood, permanent diaconate, Consecrated life, and men's the Vocation Office housed here in Fall River. Directing that and women's religious communities; and Resources and Inoffice is Father Edward E. Correia, pastor of St. Michael's formation which provides the Web surfer with parish vocaParish in Swansea. Father Correia began his current assign- tions resources, forming a parish vocation prayer team, voment as director this past August when former director Fa- cations links to other Websites, the application process for ther Craig A. Pregana went to serve at the diocesan mission becoming a priest, vocation visits to local schools and/or Rein Guaimaca, Honduras. ligious Education programs, the vocation cross, which is a One project that Father Correia has been hard at work special cross kept by a different parish family each week, . updating and maintaining is the diinformation for parents, the qualiocesan vocation Website, located at - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ties of a candidate, and vocationswww.fallrivervocations.com.

'We mustall work together to en- related Scripture passages.

"We must make a very concenThe fifth category is directed at trated effort to continue to nurture sure the future of the Church. We everyone who is concerned about vocations to religious life in young must let our young people know the future of the Church - Prayers men and women today," Father Cor- that the Church is indeedgoodand and Reflections. In this section, the reia told The Anchor. 'The future of holy, and it needs good and holy surfer can visit vocation pastoral letters from Pope John Paul IT and the Church in the Diocese of Fall River depends on it. As far as the individuals to dedicate themselves former Fall River bishop and current Archbishop of Boston Sean P. priesthood is concerned, we currently to God and his people. " O'Malley, OFM Cap., printable vohave a group of young men who cation prayers for individuals, famishould be ordained as priests for the lies, and parish groups, a format for a vocation Holy Hour next few years, but after that, things could get very lean."

In his conversation with The Anchor, Father Correia re- for individuals and groups, and a vocation prayer calendar, a called the days when a priest was always visible in area Catho- printable calendar that has a different vocation'intention for lic schools, and the faculty consisted primarily of religious each day of the month.

The Website is constantly "under construction," meaning Sisters and Brothers. He said back then youngsters could see religious life in action. At home, some parents fostered voca- that new features and information will be added as they betions in their children. And the combination of home and come available.

'The Church is undergoing a crisis today with the sexschool produced a decent number of vocations.

Today, things are a bit different. Many parents don't see abuse scandals and dwindling numbers of priests to go ' the need to at least consider a religious vocation for their around," said Father Correia. "We must all work together to children and consequently don't foster it, and in the schools, ensure the future ofthe Church. We must let our young people know that the Church is indeed good and holy, and it needs a very small percentage of the faculties are religious.

'Things like the diocesan vocation Website can provide good and holy individuals to dedicate themselves to God and some much needed exposure for young men and women who his people."

In the vast sea of electronic media, the Fall River Vocafeel they may have a calling," said Father Correia.

On the site's home page, visitors are greeted with a warm, tions Website can be a port in a storm for the right individ4al friendly welcome sign and the following quote: "Welcome - and that would benefit the whole Church.

100 Website is located at www.faIlrivervocations.com. and thank you for visiting our Diocesan Vocations Website.

From the comfort of your school, home, or workplace, you or by visiting the Diocese of Fall River site at can discover more about ministry in the Church. This Web- www.faIlriverdiocese.org and clicking on the ''Vocations site is designed as just another way of sharing the invitation - Called to Be God's People" icon.

Further'vocation infonnation can be ohtained by conto service. We hope the accessibly of this information is helptacting the Vocation Office at P.O. Box 2577, FaIl River, ful to you as well as a benefit to our local Church."

The Website has five main categories from which to MA 02722-2577 or c3lling 508-675-1311 or via E-mall at choose, four of which directed at those with a potential voca- vocations@dioc-fr.org.

ROME

By PETER JOHN FOURNIER ROME, Italy - The streets are bustling with pedestrians making their way to different cafes. The motorini are buzzing through the streets dodging their way through the traffic, and seminarians dressed in black are trying to dodge traffic to make their way to class.

This is a typical morning in Rome for a seminarian at the North American College. The College in Rome has about 150 seminarians from different dioceses from the United States and Australia, four of whom from the Diocese of Fall River. In many ways life in Rome is quite different than in the United States, so different that one would need a quantum computer in order to actually calculate the number, but it is these differences that aid in our formation to the diocese.

The first thing that I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night from my bedroom window is the Basilica of St. Peter. The church is something that I will never grow tired of seeing, for as one of my friends once said of the church, "That is the faith."

Here in Rome it is possible to experience the faith in many different ways. It is possible to go to papal liturgies here and celebrate the Eucharist with people from allover the world. It is even possible to make small pilgrimages to see the relics of great saints, or lesser-known saints. Through this, it truly is possible to see how universal the Church is, and though we celebrate the faith in different ways there is always three things in common - faith, hope and love.

Being away from family and friends is probably . the number one challenge that seminarians go through throughout their time here. The way that this longing for home plays out will vary depending on the seminarian but it is something that everyone goes through.

This longing has a two-tiered effect; on one hand, one begins to appreciate their home and diocese in a way that might not be possible everywhere; and second by talking about this longing, friendships are strengthened by mutual self-sharing ofone's feelings. In many ways the friends made here cease to become friends and become brothers, with the joys and annoyances that come with such a title. With this longing, an appreciation for all our benefactors grows. By the grace of God, whenever I am homesick, there always seems to be a letter or an E-mail from someone that I know and even someone I do not know saying that they are praying for me. It is one of the most humbling things to experience and a great gift.

One aspect of living here in Rome is that one learns to rely on God in a 'new and unique way. When trying to deal with classes in the Italian language, trying to make it through the holidays without family, when the small "necessities" oflife are no longer present, there is only one person to go to in order to find strength to continue on this adventure - God. As cliche as it sounds, it is the truth. My relationship with God has strengthened since being here, and in many ways, it has enabled me to be more dependent on him. It is this dependence that enables me to wake up at five in the morning and to be joyful of what I am doing. In today's Church where scandal seems to be on the first page on local news Websites, God helps me to see the home in today's Church. In a seminary of 150 men spanning the globe, I do not know one person who has not been affected by the scandals; at the same time I do not know one seminarian who is not truly full of hope of what God is doing in his own personal life and in the life of his diocese. As a priest told me three years ago, if anything, God will teach us during this period of trial to cling to the Eucharist. For our daily lives truly do count on it.

Peter John Fournier is a second-year theology student at Pontifical North American College in Rome. E-mail: chaplainpj@hotmaiLcom

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110 Religious

theanc~ Continued from page six

Friday, January 7,2005

Was -baptism 'a ·commo.n practi.ce before Christ?

were mainly Methodists and Bap- Mary Jo asserted. "We have told, 'pray, that the Lord of the harvest tists.

Q. We know that some Jews She earned her first master's may sent more workers' and this degree from the.Franciscan Uni- we must do in a concentrated ef- practiced baptism in the time of versity at Steubenville, "and there fort. Our Sisters are doing this all Jesus, and after Christmas we are tons of vocations there. I came the time in adoration before the have the feast of his baptism (Jan. 9 in 2005). Wa<> baptRn a' into the Church there in Easter of Blessed Sacrament."

Sister Faye Medina's opinions common religious practice 1990.1 made thatjoumey because it was the. Lord's mercy in my life. are gleaned from her work in di- before Christ or did John the It was very difficult to make that verseministries. Sheis in part-time Baptist start the idea? (Missistransition, but when he gave me campus' ministry work at Bristol sippi) A. Ceremonies something like the grace to know of his presence Community College; is director for in the Eucharist, there was only vocations for the Dominican Sis- baptism (from the about six months offighting it, and ters' U.S. Province; helps care for Greek verb "baptein," then I just had to say, 'OK Lord, elderly Sisters; and is also a to wash or dip) go back Webmaster who built and operates to ancient human this is it.'"

She said, '!I think vocations sto- her Order's international Website; history. A notable A Texan: Sister Faye is also a example is that the . ries' are about people who reach out and extend the invitation. I met late vocation, entering the religious waters of at least three many religious women at life at age 35. She professed in rivers, the Ganges in Steubenville ready to tell their story 1998. She subsequently studied at India, the Euphrates if) and invite me into their prayer New England. Tech in Warwick to Babylonia (now Iraq)' meetings, so that I could be able earn a degree in programming as and the Nile in Egypt to sense whether God was calling a Webmaster; She received her were considered sacred; me again. It was about seeing how master's degree in'theology in 2000 bathing in them was a sacred act. . Greek and other cultures had their lived their lives and the joys from Providence College. of their experience ... and to know "If we look at theJ.listory of re- their own mystery cults, which that is where God was calling ine iigious life, what happened to us· nearly always involved a ritual in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, so many bathing. to be."

Because she. came from so vocations was'out of the ordinary,~' However, none of these many generations of preachers, "it Sister Faye said. 'There hasn't al- baptisms (l,lsually in water, . waS a good fit that I would join ways been such large numbers. .sometimes' in a sprinkling of . the Dominicans, .the Order of . Although we are not close to. the. blood)had a nieaniiIg sinlilar to .

Preachers," Sister May Jo said, panic stage yet, many of our Sls- Christian baptism. People l~ughing .. ters, in their 60s and 70s, feel it is generally believed these washings She made her first profession just that." had two effects: a cleansing from of vows in 2003, and is currently .

She said that today's young ritual impurities, defects for pursuing a master's degree. in min- people are-indeed searching for .example which made them istry at Providence College.

God. "But they don't know where tqlsuited for worship or prayer; . "I think vocations will explode to ·go. There is little visible pres- • and an increase'of life stren~, '. '. iIi the Church when people realize '~nce of religious.. Sisters don't even immoitality.. and see that all that goes on in our stand out like. they did, because During one period, ancient society is not bringing the happi- many don't wear their religious Egyptians considered any person' ness people were looking for. habits anymore. We Dominicans Twenty or 30 or 40 years ago are probably the few in this diowhen a person' got out of high cese who do, and so people find it school he or she were either head- easier to connect. Nuns are not I bet this also has happened to ing for college or marriage. But approached like they once were today, there are many more op- because the young people don't you. You have purchased a ticket' tions. We learn that the distractions have a clue to who we are," Sister on a discount airline with no assigned seating. You have shown that arise in life aren't everything. Faye said candidly.

'The crisis I see in the Church up as early as possible (the day There are so many distractions and is that we religious are not doing before) to obtain a blue boarding people are losing their way."

Sister Mary Jo added, "And our part. And that mainly is be- pass.

A blue boarding pass allows because we are living in very tense cause we don't speak the 'lingo.' times, I think people will begin to Many of us are afraid to reach out you to be a member of the slow down and realize that while to young people and find them first herd of two dozen there are traditional choices, there there in their culture because we called to push and shove are so many other choices; and will have become so set in our ways. one another down the begin to ask, 'what is 'the purpose Change, fear, always sets people passenger loading chute at of life and what is the purpose of off kilter. Older sisters feel it is tob departure time. There is my life? What should I be doing late for them to become involved." always some wag who about that?'"

At the Sisters' Provincial House goes, "Mooo," while you Sister Mary Jo says it seems "a in Dighton, the Sisters hold many . shuffle and bump down revival of people looking to a reli- interaction meetings for BCC stu- the ramp. gious vocation as Sisters and Broth- dents to give them a feel for reliYou suffer a thigh ers and priests too, is a,bout to sur- gious life. "At the same time, our contusion at the hands of face. Then they will begin to hear . Sisters are becoming free of the an 80-year-old wielding a carryGod's call a little more clearly. Then fear and discovering that one just on bowling ball. the proportions - in holy marriage needs to be present to the young But that's OK. It is still good to and in religious life - will return to people, who easily connect with be ill the Blue Group. The Blue the older Sisters." . the way God intends."

Group gets on the plane first. You In the Dominican Sisters' house Of course, there must always have your choice of overhead in Providence there is currently be prayer: asking God for more luggage bins, even if you are the only one novice, Sister Mary Jo re- vocations, Sister Faye asserted. last of the Blue Group. You caD. ported. "But because we are an "Young people are searching for a snag a window seat. You can set Order internationally - 37 coun- spiritual presence, even if they your coat on the seat next to you tries - we are still reoeiving can- don't know what to call it. There as a sign to the next group - the didates; however not as many as is so much 'new age" and 'cre- Red Cards - that you'd like to be we once did, but some neverthe- ator God' ideas out there and it is alone, thank you. .less. The U.S. is our smallestprov- confusing .. What's sad," she.

It was worth giving up your ince and we have no postulants at added, "is that bften', because'their fingernail clippers, yoUr aerosol this time." parents don't practice the faith, spray deodorant and your What to do? "Pray," Sister these young people have no place. eyeglass repair kit during the to tum. It makes it very clear to me that we must reach out to thern.".

who drowned in the Nile to have become a god.

The Hebrew Scriptures (our Old Testament) prescribed numerous rites of cleansing with water after being cured of leprosy, for example, or after touching a corpse. In later Judaism, baptism was one of three rituals required for gentile converts or proselytes.

Questions and Answers

By Father John J. Dietzen

of believers in Christ, the Gospels tell us it symbolized a confession and conversion from sin. John connected it with his proclamation of the coming kingdom of God, and he offered this baptism to Jews and gentiles alike.

This is the ritual washing Jesus accepted at the Jordan River when he became a disciple of the Baptist. He received it not as a sinner who needed conversion, but to establish his solidarity '!" with.the sinful h~manity he came to redeem.

The symbolic' presence.pf the Father and Holy Spirit with Jesus at his baptism (Mt 3: 16-17) is reflected in . "the typical Christian baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is the . sacrament Which immediately after our Lord's ascension assumed its new Christian meaning and became the first step of initiation into the Church.

A free brochure in Englis'tJ or .Spanish answering questions' .

CoIholks ask about baptism· practit:es and sponsors is avaiJilble by sending a stamped, self~essed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 32J, Peoria, IL 61651. .'

Questions may be sent to " Father Dietzen oJ the same address, or E·mail: ijdietzen@aoLcom.

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. Only after being circumcised, baptized and offering sacriiice did they share in God's covenant with the people of Abfaham.

These also, however, were believed to be ritual purifications.

They h~ no direct moral PUfPOse or consequences.' ., The rifuals of John the Baptist are particularly interesting.

Though many movements and . cults practiced baptism rituals along the Jordan River around the time of Christ, none of them reflected.the moral and messianic message JOM the Baptist.

While his baptism was not, of course, the Christian sacrament . of initiation into the COJilIIlunity

of

Blue bo~rding passes for Mass? security check. You have earned a blue boarding pass.

Being Catholic, you feel slightly guilty about the unearned sense of superiority you experience while,seated in the waiting area. You notice others sneaking envious peaks at your blue

Can the Church learn a lesson here? Think about it. What if we were required to wait outside tl!e .church until Mass time? What if no one'were allowed to enter the church until "boarding time?" .

At a security checkpoint there would be scrutiny of cell phones, two-year-olds, pew envelopes and AK-47s.

We could make the Knights of Columbus or the'youth ~np'ksP,tjh-~j . l'siHWfor handing out!> ~1' "bOarding passes" as r, worshippers arrive. We could even construct plywood boarding chutes that lead from a parking lot holding pen into the church.

Might this build enthusiasm for attending Mass? Arriving early?

Being ready to bustle and bump others to worship God? Healthy competition to be a Blue Group Catholic?

Of course, the aged, infirm and others needing special assistance would be allowed to board (aka enter) first. Note: Beware of elderly people swinging objects that resemble bowling ball bags.

Comments are welcome. Email Uncle DO.n oJ cnsuncleOl@yahoo.com.

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The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

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By Dan Morris

boarding card, especially the people who have orange ones.

"Orangies" board last.

You pity them. You've been there. You know what it's like to beg for bin space. You know what it's like to stuff· a carry-on under the seat in front of you and fly 1,500 miles with your knees in your face. You know what it's like to end up seated between a couple airing the bad things abouttheir 20-year marriage or between two '320-pound defensive linerrianjust rejected by the 4gers. . .

• Yes, 'it is good to be in the Blue Group. .

World

Continued from page one

tions on civil law governing those matters led to a major, sometimes rancorous debate in Catholic circles over the political responsibilities of Catholics. The most divisive discussion centered on whether Catholic public officials who hold political positions in conflict with fundamental Church teachings should be allowed to receive Communion.

Legalization of same-sex marriage was a major issue in many parts of the country, starting with such marriages becoming legal in Massachusetts in May and culminating in voter decisions in 11 states November 2 to affirm by state constitutional amendment that only unions between one man and one woman are marriages.

Anti-American insurgents in Iraq used suicide bombings and a wide range of other attacks to drive American forces and other foreigners out of the country and to undermine the country's interim government and stymie the U.S.-set goal of democratic national elections in January 2005.

Revelations in late April that some American military guards at the Abu Ghraib prison tortured and degraded some of their Iraqi prisoners dealt a serious blow to U.S. moral standing in the war against terror.

As he entered the 26th year of his papacy, Pope John Paul II's health continued to decline and his lack of mobility and growing difficulty in speaking became increasingly evident.

Yet he traveled to Switzerland and France, met with world leaders including Bush, presided over several canonization and beatification ceremonies and met with each contingent of U.S. bishops during the course of the year as the heads of dioceses tra'veled to Rome in regional groups to make their official five-year reports on their dioceses'. ' He met with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the chief patriarch of the Orthodox world, and returned relics of two fourth-century Eastern saints to ~p.~ q~wgl,Ort~95i?X Church.

He also returned a: revered 18thcentury icon, spirited out of Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution, to the Russian Orthodox Church.

In October he launched a worldwide Year of the Eucharist to promote understanding of and devotion to the Eucharist in preparation for the October 2005 Synod of Bishops on that subject.

While most U.S. attention abroad focused on Iraq, it was not the world's only trouble spot.

Palestinian-Israeli conflict continued to wrack the Holy Land, and Taliban guerrillas continued to fight U.S. and government forces in Afghanistan. Civil strife continued in several nations in sub-Saharan Africa, most notably in Sudan where governmentbacked Arab militias terrorized black communities in the Darfur region, causing thousands of

deaths and leading more than 1.5 million people to seek safety in refugee camps.

In Africa the crisis of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic continued to take its toll, nelt only in human lives but in the economies and social structures of entire nations. Pope John Paul praised those who have lowered the price of antiretroviral drugs 'for people in such nations and called on the world's wealthier nations to increase their aid to countries devastated by the disease. Catholic Relief Services was part of a consortium of humanitarian groups handling more than $300 million in U.S. aid to combat AIDS abroad.

The U.S. clergy sexual abuse crisis erupted in January 2002 with the explosive revelations in Boston of the Church's light treatment of abuse allegations and mishandling of priests accused of molesting minors. As the Church entered the third year of the scandal in 2004, it was still dealing' with the many ramifications of the harm done to children over several decades.

In January the bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection 'and National Review Board published the results of the first sex abuse and child pro~ection compliance audits in 191 dioceses across the country.

In February, within hours after Bishop Thomas L. Dupre of Springfield, Mass., announced his early retirement for health reasons, The Republican, the local daily newspaper, reported on its investigation into allegations that as a priest in the 1970s he had molested two teen-age boys.

A grand jury subsequently handed down child rape indictments against Bishop Dupre, making him the first U.S. bishop in history to be criminally indicted for sexual abuse of a minor, but the district attorney declined to prosecute the case, citing the statute of limitations.

"A Report on the Crisis in the Catholic Church in the United States" was prepared by the alllay National Review Board that the bishops formed in 2002 to help them address the abuse crisis. The report was highly critical of a clerical culture that did not recognize the seriousness of child abuse and of the way many bishops in the past handled abuse allegations and the accused priests.

The second released study, "The Nature and Scope of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States 1950-2002," was prepared

by New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice. It reported that a total of 4,392 priests, or four percent of those active during that period, had been accused of sexual abuse of children. It said 10,667 individuals claimed to have been abused during that period.

Among numerous financial settlements between dioceses and

abuse victims that were reached in 2004, several were global settlements with a number of victims that went into millions of dollars.

The number of claims and amount of compensation sought forced three dioceses to take the unprecedented step of a Church body filing for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Act. Portland, in July, was the first to file. The Diocese of Tucson, Ariz., followed suit in September. , In December the Diocese of Spokane, Wash., did the same.

Linked at least in part to the sexual abuse crisis were the church closures announced in 2004 by Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley of Boston. In May he began implementing a plan to close 83 of the 357 parishes in the archdiocese. He cited declining church attendance, fewer clergy to serve the parishes and financial austerity measures needed to offset a 50 percent drop in archdiocesan income since the abuse scandal broke there in 2002.

The question of Communion for Catholic politicians whose policy positions conflict with basic Church teachings began to tum into a national debate in January when Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis told reporters he would give Kerry a blessing, not the Eucharist, if Kerry approached him for Communion while campaigning in his archdiocese.

In the months that followed a number of other bishops weighed in, some suggesting Communion should be denied to dissenting Catholic politicians and others saying they considered it pastorally inappropriate to use the Eucharist as a weapon in such circumstances.

They said all Catholics are required to examine their conscience on their worthiness to receive Communion, but added that a canonical decision to deny Communion to anyone rests with each bishop in his own diocese because of "the wide range of circum-

stances involved in arriving at a prudential judgment" in each case. . Just nine days before the election Kerry belatedly sought to address directly the controversy over how his Catholic faith relates to his values and public policy stands.

He noted that the bishops "have suggested that as a public official I must cast votes or take public positions - on issues like a woman's right to choose and stem-cell research - that carry out the tenets of the Catholic Church." He said his response is,.

"I love my Church; I respect the bishops; but I respectfully disagree."

The Bush campaign's Wybsite had a special section addressed to Catholics, prominently featuring photos of the president's meeting last summer with the pope. The Bush strategy of focusing on weekly churchgoers succeeded.

According to exit polls, Kerry won a majority of the votes among Catholics and Protestants who do not attend church regularly, but the Bush majority among weekly churchgoers, both Catholic and Protestant, gave him the winning margin in the election.

Many political commentators were surprised that the exit polls showed 22 percent of Americans ranking "moral values" as the issue that mattered the most ahead of terrorism, the economy,

Iraq, taxes, health care or education. Those who cited moral val.ues as their chief concern voted for Bush by better than a 4-1 margin.

Although the exit polls did not seek to specify the moral values voters were concerned about, three of concern to the Church were abortion, embryonic stemcell research and same-sex marriage.

There were referendums in 11 states November 2 and in two other states earlier in the year to add language to state constitutions that would explicitly define marriage as a union of a man and a woman. Voters approved all 13 referendums, by margins ranging from 56 percent in Oregon to 86 percent in Mississippi.

The flurry of activity to add constitutional protection to laws against same-~ex marriages came in reaction to a 2003 decision by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts declaring it unconstitutional to bar same-sex couples from marrying. The, state's bishops led an intense campaign for a state constitutional amendment that would overturn the court ruling and uphold the traditional definition of marriage. They also sought to bar legalization of civil unions. They got a partial victory as the Legislature gave first-round approval of an amendment that would bar same-sex marriages but World - Continued on page 13

Education Principal Position: Bishop Hendricken High School, an a11boys diocesan high school in Warwick, RI, is seeking candidates for the position of principal beginning July 1, 2005. The school is administered by the Congregation of Christian Brothers and uses the president/principal administrative model. Candidates must be practicing Catholics, hold a masters degree, and have at least five years successful teaching and administrative experience in a Catholic secondary school. Competitive salary. Attractive benefits.

Application materials are available at www.catholicschools.org, or interested individuals may send a letter of inquiry and a resume to Hendricken Search, c/o Catholic School Office, One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903-3601. The closing date for inquiries is February 11, 2005. Information about the school is available at the school's Website: www.hendricken.com

CATHOLIC Website: SOCIAL SERVICES cssdioc~org

CAPE COD FALL RIVER NEW BEDFORD TAUNTON 261 SOUTH ST. 1600 BAY ST. 238 BONNEY ST. 78 BROADWAY HYANNIS P.O. BOX M - SO. STA. 508-997-7337 508-824-3264 508-771-6771 508-674-4681 • COMMUNITY ORGANIZING • ABUSE PREVENTION • COUNSELING • ADOPTIONS: INFANT • HOUSING COUNSELING • IMMIGRATION, LEGAL EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL AND ADVOCACY PROJECT SPECIAL NEEDS • INFORMATIONIREFERRAL • ADVOCACY FOR: SPANISH & PORTUGUESE SPEAKING • INFANT FOSTER CARE • PARENT/SCHOOL CRISIS INTERVENTION FISHERMEN • REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PERSONS WITH AIDSIHIV PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES • HOUSING FOR WOMEN: ST. MATHIEU'S CAMBODIANS DONOVAN HOUSE • BASIC ENGLISH FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING ST. CLARE'S/ST. FRANCES' • CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT • BASIC NEEDS 'SPONSORSHIP: SAMARITAN HOUSE SOUP KITCHEN SPECIAL APOSTOLATES: COMMUNITY AC;TION FOR APOSTOLATE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BETTER HOUSING APOSTOLATE FOR SPANISH SPEAKING ATTLEBORO 10 MAPLE ST. 508-226-4780

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Friday, January 7, 2005

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2005 Confirmation Schedule

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'Most Reverend George W. Coleman Tues.

Mon. Mon. Wed.

Mar 01 Mar 07 Mar 14 Mar 16

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

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Reverend Monsignor John J. Smith

St. Mary Parish, Seekonk St. Mary Parish, Mansfield (Group 1) St. Mary Parish, Mansfield (Group 2) St. John Neumann Parish, E. Freetown

Mon. Fri. Fri.

Apr 04 Apr 08 Apr 29

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m: 7:00.p.m.

.,

St. Joan of Arc Parish, Orleans Corpus Christi Parish, E. Sandwich Our Lady of the Cape Parish, Brewster

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Sun.

Sat. Sun. Wed. Sun. Sun. Tues.

Thurs.

Apr 02 Apr 03 Apr 06 Apr 10 Apr 24 Apr 26· Apr 28

Tues.

Thurs.

Sun. Sun. Thurs.

Sun. Sun.

May 03 7:00 p.m.

May 05 6:00 p.m.

May 08 11:30a.m.

May 08 5:00 p.m.

May 12 7:00 p.m.

May 15 10:30 a.m.

May 15 5:00 p.m.

Fri. Fri.

Oct-pr-

May 01 12:00 p.m.

St. Pius X Parish, S. Yarmouth Our Lady ~f Guadalupe.Parish, New Bedford /Mo~ May 09 7:00 p.m. . Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Osterville St. George Parish, W e s t p o r t / 'f9urs. May 19 7:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville (Group 1) St. Mary Parish, Fairhaven /// Thurs. May 26 7:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville (Group 2) Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Ne,/&dford / St. John the Baptist Parish, Westport / Very Reveren~ John J. Oliveira, V.F. St. Ann Parish, Raynham (Group St.Mary Cathedral Parish & H~ly Rosary Parish @ Mon. Feb 07 7:00 p.m.

St. Julie Billiart Parish, N. Dartmouth (Group 1) St. Mary Cathedral,Fall Rive1 Mon. Feb 14 7:00 p.m.

St. Julie Billiart Parish, N. Dartmouth (Group 2)

4:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

11 :00 a.m.

7:00 p.in.

7:00 p.m.

y/

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I

St. Ann Parish, Raynham (Group 2) St. Mary Parish, Nantucke~ Holy Redeemer Parish, C!iatham Good Shepherd Parish, Mlmha's Vmeyard St. Patrick Parish, SomerSet I"~, Notre Dame Parish, Fall River \ Adult Confirmation at St. Mary Cathedral, Fall River \ \

Rev,erend

MOnsign~aniel

JSun~

II

F. Hoye\ .

\

\.

Mar 05 11 :00 a.m.

Mar 12 11 :00 a.m.

Mar 12 4:00' p.m.

Mar 14 7:00 p.m.

St. Mark Parislh Attleboro Falls (Group 1) \ St. N,l~k Parish,'Attleboro Falls (GrQup 2) : St. ~Wy Parish, Ta~to[1 . " st.ler~s~ld of !esus'Pari~Attleboro

Sat. Sat. Mon.

Apr 02 11:00 a.m.

Apr 09 11:00 a.m.

Apr 11 7:00 p.m.

St. John the EvaQgelist Parish, Attleboro 1) St. Jo~n the Evange~ Parish, Attleboro (G~ouJl2) St. Stephen & St. Josep Parishes @ St. Ste~ en's Parish\Attleboro

Mon.

May 09

St. Jacles Parish and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish a St. Jacques Church, Taunton

7:00 p.m.

Mon.

Mar 21

7:00 p.m.

Sun. Tues.

Mon. Tues.

Tues.

Apr 03 Apr 05 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 26

5:00p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. .

7:00 p.m.

i

(G~OUP

~

Mon. Sat. Mon. Mon. Sat.

Apr 03 . 12:00 p.m.

1\pr 04 :Apr09 Apr 11 Apr 25 Apr 30

7:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

St. Kilian Parish, New Bedford Immaculate Conception Parish, New Bedford SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Fall River Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, ~New Bedford

~"

St. Lilwrence & St. Francis of Assisi Parishes, New :'.

Bedford @ St. Lawrence Church, New Bedford St. Patrick "Parish, Wareham Sacred Heart "Parish, Fall River Santo Christo P~rish, Fall River St. Rita Parish, Mfu;ion St. Thomas More Parish, Somerset

i

Sat. Sat. Sat. Mon.

Very Reverend Jay

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Our Lady ofMt. Carmel P.Jish, Seekonk(Group 1) (jii,,L~dY of Mt. Cmmel p,"",\eekOOk <?'"op 2)

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I· I I I I I I I I I

Mar 06 Tues.-__M.ar08 Sat. Mar 12 Mon. Mar 14

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OchS" 7,00 ~:;;;:

~un.

10:30 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

7:00 p~~",

Maddock, V.F.

Reverend Monsignor Tues..

Wed' i Mon.l

Mar 01 Mar 02 Mar 14

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

\

St. J~n the Baptist Paris , New Bedford St)?omi?ic Parish, Swan ea Josepp Parish, Taunton

/t.

~t.

Mon.,: Apr 04 7:00 p.m/ Anthiny of Padua Paris , Fall River Sun. i Apr 10 12:00 {Y.Ill. Holy Cr6ss Parish, S. Easto Wed.! Apr 13 7:80p.m.

St. Bemkd Parish, Assonet I Sun. (-Apr-17~7:00 p.m.

Espiritd Santo Parish & Ou1 Lady of Health Parish, Fall Riter @ Espirito Sant9 Church, Fall River AI" 25 7,00 p.m.

St. Anlhony of Padua New B~dford Mon.

PariS!'

Mon: Tues.

Fri.

May 02 May 10 May 13

7,00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

St. Paul Paris, Taunton

SacredHeartP ·sh,N.Attleboro .\ aculate Conc :i'on Parish, Taunton ~t. Michael Parish, wansea .

I~aculate Concepti Parish, N. Easton St. Stanislaus Parish, Fa~River . ~ Annunciation of the Lord Parish:raunto Holy Family Parish, E. Taunton

/

StePhe~\J. Avila

Therese~ar'Sh'

St. Jj,eph/st.

New Bedford St. Mary Parish, S. Dart uth St.,Michael Parish, Fall 'ver /

t

Reverend Monsignor John A. B rry, V.G. Sun.

Feb 13

; 12:00.p.m.

0

Holy Trinity Paris, West Harwich _

Mar 06 Mar 08 Mar 13

5:00 p.~ 7:00 pdh.

11:86 a.m.

------

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I

St. Francis XaYl~r Parish, ~~ushJ.1et Of! m~l11, gOlllllJ I St. MargareyPansh, Buzzari:ls~Bay • '1 fJI ourzad6"f Fatima Parish, New:Bedford I Tues.

May 03 7:00 p.rp. ~ .'

I Wed. May 18 7:00 p.m.

Sat. ~pr 02 5:30 p.m.

S7 rancis Xavier Parish, Hyannis I Sun. Apr 03 5:30 p.~.Christ the ~ng Parish, Mashpee I Wed. Apr 06 7:00 p.rn St. John of God Parish, Somerset \ Reverend Monsignor Johil~. O~veira, P.A. Sat. k.pr 09 6:00 p..

St. Anthony Parish, E. Falmouth Thurs. Apr 14 7:00 (m.

St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Provincetown & Our .~ ~ Tues.

Mar 08 7:00 p.m.

Good Shepherd Pari~ & Holy Trinity Parish, Fall - \ Lady of Lourdes Parish, Wellfleet @ St. Peter the River @ Good Shepherd Church, Fall River \ \ Apostle Church, Provincetown Mon. Mar 14 7:00 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Fairha~n " Wed. Mar 30 7:00 p.m.

St. Mary P~sh, New Bedfo~ Sun~ax. O} 11:30 a.

St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, N. Falmouth "'~ Sun. May 15 11:15 a.m.

St. Patrick Parish, Falmouth Fri. AprOI 7:00p.m.

St. Anthony Parish, Mattapoisett --------..~___ Sun. May 22 10:00 a.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Woods Hole ----~-~ Mon. Apr 04 7:00 p.m. .St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pocasset Thurs. Apr 07 7:00 p.m.

St. Anne Parish, Fall River Reverend Michael K. McManus, Chancellor Mon. Apr 25 7:00 p.m.

St. Louis de France Parish, Swansea Tues.

Apr 05 7:00 p.m.

St. Anthony Parish, Taunton Tues.. May 03 7:00 p.m.

St. Mary ~arish, Norton Wed. Agr 13 7:00 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Fall River Mon. May 09 7:00 p.m.

St. Mary Parish, N. Attleboro Wed. Apr 27 7:00 p.m.

Holy Name Parish, Fall River Wed. May 11 7:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Westport Tues.

May 17 7:00 p.m.

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, New Bedford Mon. May 09 7:00 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, N. Dighton Sun. Tues.

Sun.

~-------------------------------------------------------~

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4

,

I

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1,2005

Local

Continued from page one

As January 2004 began, Rev. Mr. John P. Harrington, 47, whose home parish is in Braintree, was ordained a transitional deacon for the diocese

by Bishop Coleman. He was ordained a priest on June 5; leaders of the Catholic Chari. ties Appeal, director Msgr.

Thomas J. Harrington, and diocesan director of Development Michael J. Donly, were looking to last year's championship New England Patriots for tips as they opened their own successful season; Msgr.

John F. 'Moore, executive editor of The Anchor, opined in his editorial that the U.S. needed a new immigration policy to assure freedom and justice; and the diocese announced it was not only in compliance with the U.S. bishops' abuse policies charter, but was cited as a model.

Even as religious, lay people and legislators rallied to defend traditional marriage in opposition to the same-sex marriage approval by the Massachusetts Supreme Court, 375 adults and young people were heading to Washington, D.C., with Bishop Coleman to show solidarity for the Pro-Life Apostolate's right-to-life movement; Bishop Coleman donned a Coyle and Cassidy jacket sporting his name and graduation year during a visit to the Taunton school; Catho-

people themselves.

In the fall of 2003, the celebrations were launched with the enthronement of an icon in every parish on the weekend of November 29-30. On that weekend parishioners also received centennial prayer cards and an attractive and informational calendar that pointed up the milestones in the diocese's history.

The calendar would, in December, win a Proclaim Award Certificate of Merit from the national Catholic Communications Campaign.

In December of last year, people were invited to participate in a program of "I 00 Days of Prayer" leading up to the March 12, 2004 anniversary date.

The Anchor began publishing weekly histories of all the parishes in the diocese using a timeframe that began as early as the 1700s, when Masses were said in homes and buildings by missionary priests ministering to the needs of immigrants representing nearly every heritage - some of whom landed on our local shores even before the Pilgrims arrived.

Father Barry W. Wall, diocesan archivist, in early spring authored and published "Bear-

ing Fruit by Streams of Waters," a complete and detailed· history with rarely seen photos of the diocese. .

The ethnic weave of the people was also described in The Anchors' special centennial edition published March 12.

The principal event for the jubilee was the multi-lingual Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop. George W. Coleman on March 14 in St. Mary's Cathedral. Three generations of life in two families were seen as they assisted in the intercessory prayers.

Two former Fall River bishops, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley of Boston and Hartford Archbishop D,aniel A. Cronin, were among the concelebrants.

A banquet at White's of Westport followed the Mass.

Other official events marking the anniversary included a diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi; and an outdoor Centennial Rosary Celebration at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, in October, which concluded the formal events.

But there were hundreds of parish Masses, liturgies, gettogethers, bar'becues, picnics and dinners that contributed to the celebration.

World - Continued jrompage 11 legalize same-sex civil unions.

The proposed amendment still needs a second legislative approval before it goes to the citizenry for a vote.

The U.S. bishops backed a federal constitutional amendment to uphold the traditional definition of marriage and Bush declared his support for such an amendment.

Kerry said he supported restricting marriage to heterosexual partnerships but opposed a federal amendment for that purpose; he also said he supports legalizing same-sex civil unions without calling them marriages.

In November, describing the weakening of marriage as a major social, cultural and Church problem, the U.S. bishops approved a project to write a national pastoral letter on marriage that will serve as a focal point for a multifaceted pastoral plan to strengthen and support marriage.

On the ecumenical front the bishops approved the USCCB becoming a founding member of a new national ecumenical body, Christian Churches Together in the USA. The organization is intended to provide a forum that will bring together church leaders of the Catholic, Orthodox, historical Protestant, historical racial and ethnic, and evangelical and Pentecostal traditions, promoting greater mutual understanding and common prayer and Christian witness.

Earlier in the year the Vatican's chief ecumenist. Cardinal Walter

One of the most notable pubKasper, visited Moscow in an effort to smooth the troubied rela- lic figures who died in 2004 was tions between the Catholic and former President Ronald W. Reagan, whose nuclear saber-ratRussian Orthodox churches.

One sticking point for the Rus- tling in his 1980 election camsian Orthodox is the renewed ef- paign sparked a concern among forts of the Ukrainian Catholic bishops that led to their landmark Church in 2004 to be elevated to 1983 pastoral letter on nuclear a patriarchate by the pope. Most warfare and deterrence, "The other Eastern Catholic churches Challenge of Peace."

Notable Church leaders who are patriarchates. Pope John Paul urged more ecumenical dialogue died in 2004 included: ....:-- Retired Cardinal Franz in Ukraine.

In other news of special Catho- Konig of Vienna, Austria, 98, one of the foremost figures at Vatican lic or religious interest in 2004: - Pope John Paul announced II and in the postconciliar Church, plans for a new regional synod of a world leader of dialogue with bishops of Africa to meet the other Christians; - Bishop Kenneth E. Untener needs and challenges of the rapof Saginaw, Mich., 66, a nationidly growing Church there; - The Vatican published a ally known expert on liturgy and "Compendium of the Social Doc- preaching, much in demand for trine of the Church," the first com- priests' retreats and workshops - Msgr. George A. Kelly, 87, prehensive compilation of official Catholic social teachings, in En- a New York priest, educator and author who was a founder of the glish and Italian; - Mel Gibson's film, "The Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, Passion of the Christ," opened in .a leading figure in U.S. conservaFebruary. It grossed $370 million tive Catholic intellectual circles in U.S. theaters alone and its vid- and a longtime critic of dissent in eotapelDVD release in August set the Church; - Retired Cardinal James A. a first-week sales record of nine Hickey of Washington, 84, who mj))ion units.

- Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien, made Catholic education and serwho resigned as bishop of Phoe- vice to the poor two of his top prinix after he was arrested in June orities during his 20 years in the 2003 for a fatal hit-and-run acci- nation's capital; - Father Clarence 1. Rivers, 73, dent, was convicted in February and sentenced in March to 1,000 a pioneer African~American liturgist, hours of community service and composer and musician from Cinfour years of probation. It was cinnati whose priestly career was believed to be the first time a U.S. devoted to promoting inculturation Catholic bishop has been con- of the liturgy in the African-American Catholic community. victed of a felony.

lic Schools Week was celebrated by a total 8,700 students who personified the intellectual, moral, physical and social values they represent; and Catholic Social Services offered an abstinence program for teens via a $125,000 Health and Human Services Department grant; and wannabe Democratic candidate for president Howard Dean was talking wildly about his religious beliefs.

February found the marriage amendment drawing many Catholics from the diocese to rally for traditional marriage at the State House; Anne Marie Kelly, director of pain managements at the Catholic Memorial Home, received a national award; and religious in consecrated life were cited at an observance at the cathedral; Todd Holmes, an international professional leader with Catholic' Relief Services dropped by The Anchor to talk of the needs of those in Haiti, while en route to visit his mother in North Attleboro; Father Paul T. Lamb was named pastor of St. Rita Parish in Marion; and Father David A. Pignato was named secretary to Bishop Coleman; people waited impatiently to view Mel Gibson's film, "The

Passion of the Christ," even as Lent began; Bishop Coleman issued a Lenten message, "A Time to Heal" pledging his firm resolve to prevent any abuse of children by any representative of the diocese; and Holy Cross Father Thomas Feeley wrote a Lenten series for The Anchor. He died suddenly on April 30.

March witnessed Father Mark R. Hession, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville, reele'cted president of the National Organization for the Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy; Margaret Penicaud, a member of the Parishes of Local- Continued on page 15

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PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name tho.t I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for the salvation of their souls, all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

-....

"I1""'fU"i'!,~-• •

, •

/14

Friday, January 7, 2005

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CUB SCOUTS from Pack 74, Holy Trinity School, West Harwich, display their banner after completing a community service project. The Scouts washed the fence outside the John Simpkins School in South Yarmouth.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION students from St. Louis de France Parish, Swansea, work on a project during a recent clas!?

THIS CHRISTMAS card was designed by eighth-grader Robbie Champagne of St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro and along with one by classmate Lauren Walsh offered holiday greetings to parents and friends of the school. Each card depicted a wish for world peace.

JOSEPH MOORE COSTA, a fourth-grader at SS. Peter and Paul School was recently inducted as the 13th postmaster of the Fall River school's Wee Deliver Program, one of the oldest Postal Programs in the city. From left: Greg Lavoie, Post Office representative; Costa; Father Stephen Salvador, pastor; and Joseph's mother, Patricia Moore.

KYLE MCGUIRE and Grayce Rose of Saint Mary-Sacred - EIGHTH-GRADE class officers at St. Mary's School, New Bedford,.took time out for a -Heart School, North Attleboro, lead classmates in the school's' photo before a recent meeting. From left: Nicholas Abaray, treasurer; Kyle Carney, secre- annual walk-a-thon. Two-hundred students participated in this tary; Kevin Magalhaes, vice president; and Lea Noonan, president. They are involved with year's event and helped raise more than $23,000 which will planning many activities for their peers. be used for capital improvements.

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Friday, JanUat\t 7,1005

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Local - Continued from page 13 Martha's Vineyard, reported on her seventh humanitarian trip to Haiti in a feature article for The Anchor; Marie Guy, an eighth-grade teacher at Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford, was chosen as the recipient of the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School Excellence in Education Award; 34 catechumens from 19 diocesan parishes, signed the Book of the Elect in preparation for their Easter baptism; Anchor Editor Dave Jolivet took aim at Patriot's comerbacklY Law, Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, and Baltimore Ravens' Terrell Owens for being pride':fIlled crybabies; the four, Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts were formulating plans to get Catholies to realize their moral obligation to take part in the political process and vote in the national presidential elections; FatherTunothy P. Driscoll, parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish in New Bedford, authored "Simplicity of life for the priest," in the monthly Homiletic & Pastoral Review; and Saint Anne's Hospital was hosting another of its education and support programs for cancer patients.

April was hostto Holy Week and Easter, as well as a Pro-Life Mass and essay contest winners Timothy Fitton, Rebecca Pitcher, Annie Cervin and Sarah Arruda; Republican State Rep. Philip Travis of Seekonk was cited for his legislative battleagainst same-sex marriage; St. Bernard's Parish in Assonet featured an Easter Garden from Meruterranean-based traditions; renovations at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Taunton draw approval from parishioners; Immaculate Conception Parish in North Easton observed its centennial as did St. Paul's in Taunton; Nick and Peter Krafka and Kathleen Boyland of Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, auditioned for music awards; and denying communion to presidential candidate and Catholic John , F. Kerry, was becoming a hot issue for discussion groups.

In May, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women hosted its 51 51 annual convention with speakers former Providence Bishop Louis E. Gelineau anq surgeon and Pro-Life pioneer Dr. Mildred Jefferson; diocesan priests gathered in Brewster for the pilot progmrn "Leading from the Heart: Presiding at Eucharist," to discuss their ministry as presiders; pilgrirnsfrommanyparishesretumed from a visit to Rome as part of the diocese's centennial; Bishop Coleman took part in Santo Christo feasts in Portugal; Our Lady ofFatima Parish in New Bedford received a grant , for'liturgy and music; the "new," Our Lady of.the Cape Parish in Brewster was dedicated after a $3.1 million expansion-renovation; the May 8, 1904 ordination of Bishop Stang, Fall River's first bishop, was remembered in an Anchor story and photos; the Jazz Choir of Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, performed during a concert in Foxboro; the retirements ofNew Bedford pastors Fathers Martin L. Buote, Roger 1. Levesque, and Msgr. Thomas 1.

Harrington were announced; newly-

ordained Incarnate Word Father Samuel H. Leonard, a widower and father of 10, became parochial vicar at St. Kilian's in New Bedford; 14 men were admitted to candidacy for the permanent diaconate; and, 14 Bristol Community College students spent their spring break working among the poor in Guairnaca, Honduras.

June found the Ministry ofMorns Sharing launched at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee; a Rosary Celebration at La Salette Shrine marked the end of the diocese's centennial observances; 58 diocesan youth received the Pius X awards for service; the new Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum at Notre Dame Cemetery was dedicated; Anchor pages memorialized the graduates of the FATHER' EDWARD J. Healey, rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Fall four diocesan high schools; long lists River, leads a group on a tour of the diocesan mother church. Tours were plentiful as many ofdonors to the Catholic Charity ~ turned out as the diocese celebrated its centennial in 2004. (Anchor file photos) peal were published and the camdents readied to return to school as his column that he had lost hope in for four more years and rejected paign set a record with a $3.946M total; former Boston mayor and Am- the summer recess ended; St. Pius the Boston Red Sox. The Sox nailed Democratic candidateJohn F. Kerry. bassador to the Vatican Raymond X School in South Yarmouth opened its first World Series in 86 years giv- The nation did the same; Bishop Flynn joined Massachusetts' four its doors for the first time; and An- ing Jolivet the November Thanks- George Lucas of the Diocese of Catholic bishops to press Catholic chor writer Mike Gordon began his giving of his life; The Anchor pub- Springfield, nl., was the spiritual laity to become politically involved; column "Looking Back, Looking lished its annlial Respect Life Issue; guide at the annual retreat for diocthe Diocesan Office of Youth Min- esan priests in Duxbury; leaders of Father Philip N. Hamel was named Ahead" September saw implementation istry held its annual convention at the St. Mary's Education Fund prea first-time pastor, and posted to shepherd St. Joseph-St. Therese of new guidelines of the Child Pr0- Bishop Connolly High School in Fall sented a check for $633,739 to tection Act by the diocese; Sacred River; pastoral planning assemblies Bishop Coleman to help provide Parish in New Bedford.

July hosted Father Marek S. Heart Parish in North Attleboro began in deaneries across the dio- need-based financial scholarships to Tuptynski, who also becomes a pas- hosted its centennial, as did Espirito cese; a new Alzheimer' unit was hundreds of Catholic students in eltor for the first time to lead St. Santo Parish in Fall River; the Msgr. opened and blessed at Marian Manor ementary and middle schools; tours Patrick's in Somerset; Father Craig Prevost High School Alumni Asso- in Taunton; A Catholic Citizenship of historic St. Mary's Cathedral in A. Pregana was released from dioc- ciation honored its Class of 1954 at Voter Guide for the presidential elec- Fall River, led by rector, Father Edesan duties as director of vocations a reunion; Bishop Coleman met with tions was featured in The Anchor, ward J. Healey, were becoming as he requested to serve as a mis- Pope John Paul IT at the Vatican dur- Holy Rosary Parish in Fall River Popular; Marian Awards for service sionary in the diocesan missions in ing an "ad /imina" visit with other marked its centennial; national con- were presented to more than 100 paGuaimaca, Honduras; Father bishops from New England; Cross sultant author, St. Joseph of Roch- . rishioners; an AIDS pilot minTadeusz Pacholczyk, who holds a.nd Passion SisterMary Jane Holden ester Sister 路Carol Cimino was the istry program for teens was begun graduate degrees- in molecular and was welcomed as principal at St. keynote speaker at the Religious . by the diocesan Office ofAIDS Mincellularbiology, in Ghemistry and bio- John the Evangelist School in Attle- Education Convention at Bishop istry; Msgr. John 1. Moore, execuchemistry as well as doctorates in boro; the RENEW program' began Connolly High -School; and Msgr. tive editorof The Anchor, and Msgr. neurosurgery and surgery, was also its fifth season reaching out to Catho- Daniel F. Hoye, pastor of St. John Ronald A. Tosti, pastor ofChrist the released from diocesan duties to lics missing from the pews; the Di- the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro, King Parish in Mashpee, become director of education at the ocesan Health Facilities hosted a Pain was electedvice-presidentlpresident were invested in the Order of the National Catholic Bioethics Center Managem~nt Resource Fair; Mem- of the Canon Law _Society of Holy Sepulchre; and more than 90 coiJples 路marked significant wedin Pennsylvania; the suppression of bers 'of religious communities. of America.

In November, Taunton Catholic ding anniversaries at a liturgy in four New Bedford parishes and the men and women attended an annual formationofanewparish,OurLady Day of Recollection coordinated by.路 Middle School students held a mock St. Mary's Cathedral. of Guadalupe was approved; and Mercy SisterElaine Heffernan, Epis- election and returned Republican Local -:"'" Coniinued on pag~ 16 Father Richard D. Wilson named its copal representative to religious; George W.Bush to the White Hou~e Corpus Christi Parish in Sandwich pastor; Rev. Mr. Karl C. Bissinger 226 Great Neck Road was ordained as a transitionaldea- blessed and' dedicated its new 60 Wareham, MA 02571 con to serve the diocese by Bishop stained glass windows; St. Jacques Ofe: 508-295-0100 Coleman; Nicole Patricio of Our Parish in Taunton closed o,=,t is cenFax: 508-291-2624 , tenary celebrations; and Chief JusLadyofMountCarmelSchool,New E-mail: retreats@sscc.org Bedford, demonstrated how to make tice Manuel Kyriakakis, Chief Jusice cream sundaes; Father Gerard tice Robert E. Terry, Attorney Walter O'Connor earned a doctorate in lit- R. Smith and Sgt. Brian F. Coyle, a urgy from the Pontifical Liturgical former prosecutor, were awarded . Institute in Rome, visited the dio- St. Thomas More medals at the ancese briefly, and returned to his desk nual Red Mass that honors memat the Congregation for the qergy bers of the Criminal Justice System.

October opened with Respect in the Eternal City; ,and more than 300 youth attended SteubenvilleEast Life Sunday and Madeline ''Maddy'' Lavoie washonored by the diocesan retreats at La Salette Shrine.

August news featured an excit- Pro-Life Apostolate with the John 128 acres of forests, trails & private beach on Cape Cod ing partnership between Our Lady Cardinal O'Connor Award For the Call Ahead Anytime of Victory Parish in Centerville and Gospel of Life; the Emmaus ~ Retreats for Clergy Providence College inRhode Island gfam celebrated 30 years in the dioRespite - ~ Time Apart for Clergy + Spiritual Direction regarding a new spiritual formation cese; the Religious of Jesus and and continuing education program; Mary bid "adieu" i6 the diocese af- . national politics was heating up as ter 127 years of service; Dominican * CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER - Golden Silence incumbent Republican President Sister of the Presentation Joanna 01/21-23 Fr. Bill Heffron, sscc George W. Bush and Democratic Fernandes left as chairman of the * LENTEN RETREAT FOR WOMEN 0:2/18-20 Mrs. Jane Griffin MSW (back for the 3rd year) nominee Sen. John F. Kerry ofMas- Board of St. Anne's Hospital to be* LENTEN RETREAT FOR MEN . sachusetts clashed and presented come a member ofher community's 02118-20 Deacon Frank Tremblay clear differences on abortion issues; international governing council in Bishop Coleman in an open letter to Rome; pastors planned specialliturFor more information contact: Sacred Hearts Retreat clergy, religious and laity outlined an gies after Pope John Paul IT declared Center 226 Great Neck Road ongoing process to examine the cur- a world-wide Year of the Eucharist; Wareham, MA 02571 rent and future pastoral needs of the Editor Dave Jolivet's fans pressed 'diocese; approximately 8,000' stu- for his recanting after he wrote in

SACRED HEARTS RETREAT

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Friday, January 7,2005

Local - Continued from page, 15 December moved quickly through Advent as parishioners at St. Ann's in Raynham "burned" the mortgage and enjoyed an Italian luncheon; Father Roger J. Landry began his Anchor column "Putting Into the Deep;" the diocese marked World AIDS Day at a Mass; upperclassmen in the fifth- and sixth-grade at St. Mary's School in Mansfield, as a Thanksgiving project gathered 1,485 pounds of food for Our Daily Bread food pantry that serves the needy; Father Mario Lachapelle replaced the late Holy Cross Father Thomas Feely as vice-postulator for the cause of famed Rosary Priest Father Patrick Peyton; Paul C. Deston, a Fall River native and seminarian, was admitted to candidacy as he pursues the path to the priesthood; St. Mary's Parish in Mansfield dedicated a

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new ambo in memory of Anna'P. Palanza. It was designed by her architect son, Deacon Thomas P. Palanza; Bishop Coleman issued a Christmas message to the diocese, and Catholics set a course for attending Christmas Mass either on the Friday night or Saturday during the day - and again for the Sunday obligation that followed.

As the new year arrived, the faithful here - like their colleagues across the globe continued to pray for an end to war in Iraq, for peace in the Middle East, freedom from terrorism, a surge in the economy, respect for life and respect fOf traditional marriage, for justice and peace - and new beginnings.

Among those who died in the past year, were: Edmund A. Harrington, father of Father Kevin J. Harrington, pastor at St. Francis

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This Message Sponsored by the Following Business Conicems in the Diocese of Fall River GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY FEITELBERG INSURANCE AGENCY

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FATHER RICHARD L. Chretien, pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes in Fall River, was among many happy sports fans in the diocese, including Anchor editor Dave Jolivet, when .the Boston Red Sox became World Series Champions for the first time in 86 years. of Assisi Parish, New Bedford; Mrs. Maria Lagoa, mother of Father Raul M. Lagoa, pastor of St. John of God Parish, Somerset; Holy Union Sisters Mary Oliveira, Rita Galligan, Simone Brien, Elaine Sirois and Belmira Oliveira; Sister Mary Fraga SSD; Congregation of Holy Cross Fathers John J. Murphy, Thomas Feeley, Henry F. Bourgeois, Clair Stephen Lambour and William Beston; Good Shepherd Sisters Mary Morrison, Elisabeth (Escobar) and Mary Loretto; Atty.

Edward J. Harrington, brother of Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, pastor of the Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford; Father Raymond Graham SMM; Mrs. Anna P. Palanza, mother of Deacon Thomas P. Palanza; Mrs. Margaret Edward, sister of Father Paul J. Price, SS.Cc., chaplain of Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford; Father Renry R. Creighton, SS.CC; Mrs. Alma M. Pelletier, sister of retired priest Father Louis R. Boivin; Mrs. Beatrice B. Vezina-LeDuc, stepmother of Father Roger D. LeDuc, a retired diocesan priest;

Sister Blanche Benoit SSJ; Mrs. Isabel Harrington, mother of Father Kevin J. Harrington, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, New Bedford; Mrs. Helen Fitzpatrick, mother of Permanent

Deacon John J. Fitzpatrick Jr.; of Holy Family Parish, East Taunton; and Albert S. Perry Sr., father of Msgr. John A. Perry, vicar general and moderator of the Curia for the Fall·River diocese.

YOUNG PEOPLE enjoy a class on archery during the summer day camp sessions at Cathedral Camp, East Freetown.

Hundreds of young people enjoy activities such as swimming, boating and sports each year.

SUPPORTERS OF traditional marriage display signs en.route to the State House where they hoped to. influence a joint Massachusetts Constitutional Convention into accepting marriage as the union of one man and one woman. (Anchorfile photos)