t eanc 0 VOL. 38, NO.2.
Friday, January 14, 1994
F ALL RIVER, MASS.
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New perils for unborn WASHINGTON (CNS) - Resumption of federal funding of fetal tissue research is the latest step in the Clinton administration's efforts "to reduce the moral seriousness of abortion," according to a U.S. pro-life officia.l. Helen Alvare, director of research and information for the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for ProLife Activities, commented last week, two days after the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke announcl~d that it had awarded $4.5 million to three institutions for Parkinson's disease research using fetal tissue from elective abortions. In one of his first acts as president last January, Clinton lifted a ban on use of federal money for research involving tissue from voluntarily aborted fetuses. President Bush had ordered that such research use only tissue from miscarried fetuses. Ms. Alvare said Clinton and other supporters of fetal tissue research "have never attended sufficiently to the ethics" involved with this work and have been "divorcing science from ethics." In addition, she said, scientists disagree about the value of research involving fetal tissu.e, with many saying that "there is no evidence to show that it is effective." The grant will be shared by Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York; North Shore University Hospital on Long Island; and the Unive:rsity of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. The fetal tissue transplants will actually take place at the Denver facility. After evaluation at the New York health facilities, 20 Parkinson's patients will receive injections offetal tissue into their brains. Another 20 patients similarly evaluated will receive placebo injections. Neither the patients nor their doctors will know who gets the fetal tissue. Parkinson's disease, a progressive brain disorder that causes a gradual loss of the ability to control various muscles, affects about 500,000 Americans. Its cause is unknown.
Fetal Egg Proposal Meanwhile, in Britain, Catholic and pro-life groups have called for a national campaign to prevent use of aborted fetuses to provide eggs for infertility treatment. • The groups have asked churchgoers to write members of Parlia-
ment and the regulatory body, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, protesting what was called a "barbaric" practice. The authority was considering whether to permit scientists to extract ova from aborted babies to implant in women who could not otherwise have children. It planned to publish a consultation document on the issue and has invited the public to comment. Nuala Scarisbrick, of the pregnancy counseling group LI FE, said she feared for the well-being of any child born in such a way. She told the Catholic weekly newspaper The Universe: "At some point the truth will be made known. It will be extremely damaging to the child." Phyllis Bowman, director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, said the procedure was "taking us one step further to the total manufacture of humans." She said the Briti~h government had been warned of this type of development, "but, they took the
BISHOP SEAN O'MALLEY imposes hands on Pawel Swiercz as he is ordained to the transitional diaconate. Deacon Swiercz will serve at Corpus Christi parish, Sandwich. Others, from left Rev. John F. Moore, seminarian Michael Racine. (Kearns photo)
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"It is killing a baby to produce another," she added. "It is macabre in the extreme." Pro-life Member of Parliament David Alton said the issue must not be left to the hierarchy. "The burden shouldn't always fall on bishops. More and more people should get involved in prolife groups," he sai~. Dr. Peggy Norris, speaking for the World Federation of Doctors Who Respect Human Life, told The Unive:rse that babies born from this method would have no genetic history and it would not be· possible to tell anything about the baby's health from its family medical background. She said pressure for this method was increasing because there is a shortage of ova for in-vitro fertilization treatment of infertile women. Ms. Norris said many people believe they have a right to a child: "A child is a gift, if you have faith, it's a gift from God; if not, it's a gift from nature." She added that [she feared] children born as a result of the aborted fetus process would be treated as objects and if not up to "quality" would be disposeq of.
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Increased emergency needs lace Catholic Charities USA WASHINGTON(CNS)- With statistics showing that demand for their agency's help has gone up 1,000 percent over the last 10 years, Catholic Charities USA officials say they feel caught in the middle. They say they are often forced to choose between providing either immediate or long-term help to millions of clients. "We are so busy helping people fight poverty that we are much less able to help them overcome poverty," said Jesuit Father Fred Kammer, president of Catholic Chari-' ties USA, the nation's largest private social service network. In 1992 alone, Catholic Charities served 2 million more people than it had the previous year, and 10.6 million people came to the agency's diocesan offices for food and shelter, according to the organization's annual survey results released in December. The results reflect a dramatic increase in the number of clients receiving emergency servicl;s such as food and shelter. Ofthis number, the greatest increase was in the number of children needing food from the agencies' soup kitchens
and food banks. For example, in 1991, the agencies served 1,493,252 children; a year later, the number nearly doubled to 2,704,788. "The facts in this survey should sound a siren of alarm for every American citizen, parent and politician," said Father Kammer. An analysis of survey results of the past decade shows a drastic
NOTICE At press time, The Anchor was notified by FatherStephen A. Fernandes, director of the Diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate, that the winners of an essay contest on "Why My Choice Is Life" have been named by U.S. Representative Peter Blute. The top essay in each of the two contest categories of grades 8 through 10 and 11 through 12 will appear in next week's Anchor.
change in the challenges facing Catholic Charities. In 1981, one in four clients received emergency aid; in 1992, three in four received such help. Father Kammer said the current survey reveals how Catholic Charities has been "forced to take up where the government and the economy have failed to ensure the basic necessities of life for millions of people." Another finding showed that the agency has been helping more people with the same or fewer resources as well as 20 percent and fewer volunteers than in the previous year. According to Rosemary Winder Strange, director of social services for Catholic Charities USA, 70 percent of the organization's diocesan offices now have waiting lists for social services and half of those agencies have waiting lists for counseling. "This is unfortunate," she said, "because when families are in trouble, they need a big infusion of help and they need it right away. Turn to Page Seven
Tonight! The Bishop's Ball i
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The Anchor Friday, January 14, 1994
OBITUARY
Papal support for Card. Bernardin
UNESCO' wa~ts UN .
to supervise Holy Sepulcher repairs
VATICAN CITY (CNS)路- Chicago Cardinal Joseph L. E:ernardin, the target of a sexual abuse allegation, said Pope John Paul II personally offered his support and solidarity in a Vatican meeting. "It is very clear the Holy :Father feels very strongly - as I do that when abuse occurs it IT: ust be dealt with forthrightly," the cardinal told Catholic News Service in Rome. But the pope also knows that "false accusations, like thi> one, hurt a great deal, both personally and for the church," Cardinal Bernardin said. The Chicago prelate was in Rome earlier this month for the episcopal ordination of B',shopdesignate Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa. Okla., a priest of the Chicago archdiocese. Cardinal Bernardin said he informed the Vatican that he would be in Rome and asked abollt the possibility of a papal audience, The Vatican's response was a half-hour private meeting with Pope John Paul, followed by supper with the pope and his two personal secretaries. "I was very moved by thl: support he gave me. the 'concern he showed me," the cardinal said. Cardinal Bernardin said he and the pope "did not get into the specifics of [the) legal case," ;l $10 million lawsuit filed in Novc'mber by Steven Cook, who claims the cardinal and a Cincinnati archdiocesan priest abused hir:~ between 1975 and 1977, "The Holy Father's concern was for me and for the impact on the church" that the allegations have had, the cardinal said. A May 9 trial date has been set' for the suit.
PARIS (CNS) - UNESCO has threatened to take the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem off its World Heritage List unless Christian leaders allow the U ni~ed Nations to supervise repair work. The Mass of Christian Burial Federico Mayor, director-generwas offered Jan. 8 at Presentation of the U.N. Educational, Scienal of Mary parish, North Providence, tific and Cultural'Organization, RI, for SistertSt. Colette Sampappealed to representatives of three son, RJM, 106, who died Jan. 4. Christian communities in JerusaShe was the oldest member of the lem to save the church. community of the Religious of If they did not allow UNESCO Jesus and Mary and the only one "to conduct safeguarding operato have marked her 80th annivertions," the mcinumen~ would be in sary in religious life. danger of losing the value that A native of Laurierville, Que., Canada, she was the daughter of earned it a place on the World Heritage List, Mayor told the the late Onesime and Delvina (Pageotte) Samson. She entered 'agency's executive board. ' The World Heritage List numreligious life in 1904 and served in bers 378 historic monuments and Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New sites of natural beauty in 86 counHampshire, Texas, and Rome, tries around the world. They are Italy. , protected by an international conHer assignments included ministry as a teacher of business sub- vention, supervised by an intergovernmental commission. jects, a principal, a supervisol' and The Church of the Holy Sepula member of the staff of her comcher is built on the presumed sites munity's motherhouse in Rome. She retired in 1975 at agc 87, of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrecIN THIS 1987 photo, Father J. Donald Monan, SJ, moving to a retirement Cf'nter tion. Most of the building dates president of Boston College, listens as former Speaker of the back to the Crusader period. where she organized activitie~ and House and Boston College alumnus Thomas "Tip" O'Neill The church, in the Israelicontinued participation in the reannexed Old City of Jerusalem, is about his congressional career in a campus room reminisces ligious observances of her comin the custody of the Roman Cath- re-creating his Capitol Hill office. The room's furnishings munity. She is survived by nieces, ne- olic, Greek Orthodox and Armen- include a desk used by President Grover Cleveland. (CNS/ U PI ian churches, each of which jealphews' and cousins in the United photo) ously guards its rights. States and Canada. Monks sleep in the building at night, and the key is traditionally held by a Muslim family because Christian sects did not trust each BOSTON (CNS) - Former John's School in North Cambridge other to keep it. Speaker of the House Thomas took care of his father and the the Ethiopian and Coptic "Tip" O'Neill will be remembered three O'Neill children when his Many pro-life diocesans will be both as a powerful symbol of the mother died. churches also have chapels attached among participants in Jan. 16 and Democratic Party for half a cen'" had 12 years of 'sister schoor to the Holy Sepulcher. .. 21 gatherings to be held inBoston AU NESCO statement said tury and a proud Irish Catholic and though they were all good, my and Washington respectively. Mayor urged Christian leaders and from Boston who always rememfavorite was Sister Agatha in the Illinois Congressman Hf'nry 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 governments that are guarantors bered his roots. parish high school," O'Neill said. Hyde will be featured at the 20th ing aid for EI Salvador and ;'IIicaO'Neill, 81, died Jan. 5 at a Bos- "Sister Agatha was the one who annual Interfaith Assembly for Life , of the religious status quo at the ragua and policy in Lebanon. site - France and Russia - to toil hospital after a heart attack. put me next to Mildred Miller at at the John Hancock Hall in BosUnder Reagan, whose nar~e he He also had fought a long battle those Friday afternoon dances ton from I to 3 p.m. Jan. 16. Over "consider the consequences of initially pronounced "Ree-gan" in ongoing work, to rethink this work with cancer. and now'M illie and I have been 1200 people of various faiths, Boston fashion, O'Neill fought a The Mass of Christian Burial married 52 years. as well as future projects in the including Boston Cardinal Bernard losing battle against a flood of leg"She's also the one who stopped Law, will be present. Winners of context of the monument's intrin-was offered for him last Monday islation which O'Neill viewed as the Pro-Life Family of the Year sic value: at St.John the Evangelist Church, me after graduation when I was turning the clock back on every "Failing this, the very principle North Cambridge. Among the driving a truck for Warren Bros. award and the Ruth Pakaluk schosocial program he had fought for of the monument's inscription on mourners were former presidents 'You should be ashamed of yourlarship essay contest for high school students will be honored. the World Heritage List could be Jimmy Carter and Gerald R. Ford self,' she said. 'And I'm ashamed over the ~ears. . On Jan:21, hundreds of Massa- compromised," the statement said. andVice President AI Gore. Hunof you. Because you should be in He wrote about the exper'ience chusetts residents will attend the dreds of people who could not get college.' By golly, I got myself into At the Catholic office in Jerusain a highly entertaining,autobiogannual March for Life in Washing- 'Iem that has custody over holy into the crowded church stood B.C. (Boston College) on those raphy in which he said he thought ton and a special rally for Massaplaces, FrilOciscan Father Castor' outside il) bitter cold to hear the words.", , Reagan would have made a great chusetts pro-lifers in Room 50 of Garcia said the Christian churches ,-, seryice over loudspeakers; and the Boston College, a Jesuit univer~ king but was not much of a presi'the Dirksen Senate Office Building. ': dent. were committed to carrying ,O"ut previous weekend thousands paid sity, honored O'Neilll;ly naming a They will then lobby their n;prethe restoration project ,~'through,' their respects at the Boston State library. for him, re-creating his, In a 1987 interviewwith'j;~eut颅 our own efforts." ',",': ' ',' " ,Hou'se, where O'Neill's body lay in former Washingtor office On the ers, O'Neill said the differenbe besentatives and senators until noon, when they will gather <;In the corner The churches are willi~g to acC'~Rt . state. , , campusandes~ablishing a chair if! ' tween them was simple - O"Neill of E Street, N.W. and 15th Street UN ESCO advice but:did ilofwa:rit.:' A'private b4rial service in Harpolitical ~cience in ~isname, which never lost touch with' his Irish to. begin marching as a group. , American roots, he said; v{hile the U. N. agency to direct the work.,' wichp,ort;wh,eJe O'Neill had'a re- ; he filled upon ret\remei1t.... Over 20 buses from across the he said, He said UN ESCQ ~'xp,erts: tiremenfhonie followed the Mass.' Among many ,honors, O'Neill" Reagan had. state, including two from the Fall had visited Jerusalem' early;~his", ,"Tip O'Neill gave his life,. hear.!, received, the University of Notre O'Neill, who ran an' insur,wce River diocese, will leave for the year and discussed th}; res,toratio;n, . ll'llc;l s,oul路 to the, people of his dis- : Dame's Laeta're Medal in 1980. agency business forl6 y'ears while March on Jan. 20. plans with church le\lders:, :' ' : :trict,: s.tate and country," sai,d a T1W Qlc;le~~ honor gi~en t9distinhe was a state lawmaker, never Father Garcia n.o~ed th~t':the" . statement from Rep. Joseph Ken- gui'sheq ArQeriean,Caiholics, the: claimed to make any money in work is complicated'becausesome,,~' riedy, who won. O'N~ill'.s' Massa-, , medal was aWflrded him,as ,"a man' politics., In 1985; with retirement of the chapels are consideredpri-'':chusetls congressional district after whose personal integrity and praclooming, he accepted an offer for vate areas belonging to individ uar . O'Neill retired ill 1986. ,, " tical wisdom have. wonthe'affec, his autobiography worth more::than churches. he said. .... O'Neill inherited the congres- ' tion of his constit~tents and col$1 million. .., i sional seat vacated when John F. leagues over' niore' thllO lour decBorn on Dec. 9, 1912, O'Neill Kennedy ran for the Se'nate in ' ades of public se~vic,e." .. '" .: camefro'm a working-class family 1952. ' Though he differed with church For Transformed headed by a bricklayerfather. 'From his college days the color- leaders on some issues such as his Heart He is survived by hiswife,\1il.W AS H I NGTON (CNS) -ful lawmaker' from Cambridge, support for legalized abortion, lie, whom he married in 1941, their Americans must turn their frustraMass., was a politician whose caO'Neill was a strong ally on antiGive me, 0 Lor'd,'a heart tion about crime into the energy to reel' spanned nine presidencies, poverty programs, civil rights leg- five children and grandchildren. ' completely transformed into take back their communities. says islation, housing redevelopment 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 from Franklin Roosevelt to,Ronald you by love; give me a life Reagan: but he always kept in and aid for Northern Ireland. FBI director Louis J. Freeh. "The THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020). Second that shall be all yours,' a touch with the community where He nearly always sided with Class Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass, fact that Americans are fed up Published weekly except the week of July 4 presidents on foreign policy, until with crime can actually provide us he was raised and that sent him to quiet death that shall be the and the week after Christmas at 887 Highgreat source of strength." with a 17 times. he became the first big-city DemoCongress beginning of eternal life. Freeh told the National Press Club. In an October 1992 tribute to crat to split with Democratic Pres- land Avenue. Fall River. Mass. 027,20 by , the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall That is what I seek from "It can energize this great country womenreligious published by The ident Lyndon Johnson over the River, Subscription price by mail. post paid you, my eternal God. and enable our citizens to take Pilot, newspaper of the archdio- Vietnam War in 1967. $11,00 per year. Postmasters send address Amen. He also split with Republican changes to The Anchor. P.O. Box J. Fall cese of Boston, O'Neill recalled back their streets. their neighborRiver. MA 02722. hoods. their to'wns. their cities," how the Dominican sisters at St. President Reagan on issues involv-
Oldest Jesus-Mary nun dies at 106
Tip 0 'Neill is laid to rest
Pro-lifers off to Boston, Washington
praye~
Box
Take. back streets
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Conditions ,~orsen in desperatE~ Haiti VATICAN CITY (eNS) - living conditions for Haiti's povertystricken population are worsening as the Caribbean country's political impasse drags on, said the nation's bishops. The bishops asked for an end to international economic sanctions against Haiti and accused the world community of being "without a heart" in dealing witftl the country's problems. They also urged a halt to the domestic political polarization over efforts to restore democracy. They said the fomenting of political antagonism has paralyzed national life. The bishops' position was stated in an eight-page Christmas message made available by the Vatican press office. The message deplored the ongoing violence in the military-ruled country, but did not take a stand on whether ousted president Father Jean-Bertrand Aristide should return. International sane:t ions were placed on Haiti to pressure for Father Aristide's return. However, an Oct. 30 deadline passed without the military letting FaKher Aristide re-enter the country. Haiti is one of the world's poorest nations, with a yearly per capita income of $440. The bishops said past experience shows that economic sanctions seldom work and only cause hardships for innocent people. "The solution to a political problem is not obtained by putting in peril the lives of thousands of human beings," they said. The bishops also questioned the motives of some countries which support the economic sanctions, without mentioning any by name. The bishops said they have heard officials of some countries say that the measures were taken to keep Haiti's problems from spilling over into their territory. Meanwhile, Haitia.n life deteriorates, the bishops said. Thousands of babies die from disease and lack of medicine while thousands of others under age 5 "are condemned to physical, intellectual and spiritual underdevelopment" because of malnutrition, they said. Strikes, mass firings and the rapidly rising cost of !basic necessities are throwing families into economic despair, they added. The majority of the population lives on the margins of society while a minority seeks to preserve its privileges, said the bishops, adding that this leads "to a polarization of human relations" based on the interests of groups and social classes. Violence includes attacks on churches and worshipers, they said, alluding to kidnappings and murders of opposition politicians during church events.
The Anchor Friday, January 14, 1994
3
the differences between churches will be resolved through deeper understa nd ing. The commitment to faith and to the unity willed by Christ "will break our immobility so that which up until yesterday seemed unimaginable will be finally possible and realizable," the pope said.
Life Has Value One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion. - Simone de Beauvoir
LIGHTHOUSE
Christian Bookstore • • • • •
THIS TIMES Square billboard in New York City began tallying 1994 U.S. gun killings at midnight New Ye~r's Eve. By Jan. 3, 233 persons had been slain, an average of one death about every 18.5 minutes. (CNS/ Reuters photo)
Church Unity Week observances set With Catholic News Service reports The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be observed in several ways in the Fall River diocese. In the Fall River area, Bishop Sean O'Malley will host a prayer breakfast for mini~ters serving various denominations at 8 a.m. Jan. 18 at White's of Westport; in New Bedford, Congregationalist Eric Lindell, who is a,ctive in many interfaith initiatives, will speak after 4 p.m. Mass Jan. 15 at 5t. Joseph's Church, where Father Marc H. Bergeron is pastor. I n the Attleboro area, a prayer service for area clergy followed by luncheon in the parish center will be held at noon Jan. 19 at 5t. Mary's Church, Notth Attleboro. On Jan. 22, Rev. Charles Hume, pastor of Orthodo,x Congregational Church, Mansfield, will speak at 4 p.m. Mass at St. Mary's and on Jan. 23 Father Ralph D. Tetrault, St. Mary's pastor, will speak at the Mansfield church. Pope Discusses Unity Discussing Christian unity during a visit to the Jesllit-run Oriental Institute in Rome, Pope John Paul 11 said that when there seems no movement toward Christian unity, it is often bi:cause church members focus on' what divides them rather than l what unites them. The Oriental 1nS,titute specializes in graduate studies on the theology and spirituality of the Christian East. 1nits 75 years of existence, said the: pope, it has contributed to Catholic-Orthodox unity through a system of studies based on "a parallel exposition of Catholic and Orthodox doctrine." By building a "~ommunity of life and thought" among Catholic and Orthodox students, the institute is preparing the way "for a future which will see Christians of the East and West more intimately
united at the service of the truth which saves," the pope said. "To make the seeds of unity
sprout," he said, the church must hold on to the essential elements of its faith while living in hope that
People who go to emergency rooms need two kinds of care. First, they have to .' be treated for whatever brought them there in the first place. And John Arcuri, M.D. Chief of Emergency Medicine
high level of care for patients with minor injuries without making them wait while more urgent cases are attended to. (Although in the case of a sprained ankle, it would probably be a limp-in service.)
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Despite all our modern
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though, some of our
At Saint
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any situation that might arise, from heart attacks to. sprained ankles.
Reverend M r. 'Pawel Swiercz. Deacon at Corpus Christi Parish. Sandwich. Effective January 9.1994
Mon.-Sat., 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM 282 Union St. • New Bedford Tel. (508) 997-1165 Fax (508) 824-9052
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795 Middle Street. Fall River, MA 02721
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THE ANCHOR -
Diocese of Fall River -
Fri., Jan. 14, )994_
.
the moorina.-,
the living. word
A Life and Death Issue As we venture into the New Year, our area faces one of its most difficult challenges. Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod are on the verge of losing prized industries. Never before have our shellfishing and deep-sea fishing been in such peril. Much of this crisis is due to complete disrespect for our natural resources. For too long our work ethic has been based on the principle of"e'{ery man for himself and God for us all.", Such unenlightened self-interest has brought our environment to a tragic state. Our rivers and streams are polluted. Indeed, one of the most seriously affected waterways in the nation is our own Acushnet River. Not only it but many other urban waters have been contaminated by toxic w~stes to the point that they have become industrial sewers. Meanwhile cotton barons and other industrial moguls have looked only to their profits while workers and the environment were considered, if thought of at all, as disposable items. In only one situation, that of the cotton mills, thousands died of white lung disease as a result of breathing the fiber-filIed air. There have been many other such cases of trifling with human life. With regard to our rivers, as a result of pollution, it is now impossible to harvest shellfish in many areas of Buzzards Bay; and even on what we consider pristine Cape Cod, the scallop industry has alI but disappeared, while clambeds are more and more restricted. The cause there is both chemical run-off and poor septic systems, leading to such high bacteria counts that miles of shoreline are unfit for harvesting.. Another factor in the shellfish problem is· Yankee independence. Over-harvesting and disregard of ecological guidelines have brought a once-thriving industry to the edge of extinction. Although some areas remain available to shellfishers, even with today's stronger governmental regulations, it is estimated that Cape.Cod has lost over 40 percent of its former harvest area. ' . , . . \ .. ' . ..' , .. ., . ;. In the area of deep-sea fishing, we have tl;1e Georges:Bank situation, where the taking of codfish has been limited', thus . impacting on deep-seafishing fleets. In short, 9ver-fi,shing and generallacj« of.respect for the Jaws of n.ature, especially by the huge "fishing factories" that work in inte'rnational waters, have ,', led to the present pro blems in the industry. . , If it is to survive, its members must develop,environmental :awareness and nations must join in iniplementi~g consistent laws regulating Earth's priceless waters and their harvests. Not :only must we all work t()gether to repair past damage but we must resolve to become faithful stewards of this irreplaceable treasure. It must be recalled that the Lord has made us stewards of creation. If we ignore this responsibility we will inevitably self-destruct. We must promote educational programs that will' restore hope of livilllg in an environment that is lifenurturing rather than life··destroying. The Editor
Letters Welcome Letters to the editor are welcomed. All letters should be brief and the editor reserves the right to condense any letters if deemed necessary. All letters must be signed and contain a home or business address. Please type if at all possible. '
the
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 Send address changes to P.O.. Box 7 or call telephone number above
GENERAL MANAGER
EDITOR Rev. John F, Moore ~. Leary
Rosemary Dussault Press-Fall River
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Unborn bahy N weeks ufter conception
, , I PR0TESTSARE'WIDESPREA-D'bY'ER IUSE0F FE:FAL:EGGS Tb PERMlt-WOMENPAST . CHILDBEARiNGAGETO BECOME PREGNANT AND OVER RESEARCHTO 'DETERMINE IF FETAL TISSUE INJECTIONS CAN HAL-T PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
'~A~d they called ~pon the Lord that~...he would reme'mber the most un,lust .
deaths of innocent children." 2 Mace. 8:2',4 '
Religion coomes before lunch By Father Kevin J. Harrington
thew, who heralds Christ's coming through a tongue-twisting list of I once asked a fourth-grade altar 42 generations from Abraham to server who attended a parochial Joseph. Matthew, in my book, school what he liked best about his gets far more down to earth, putreligion class. After a thoughtful ting the family of Jesus in the parpause he answered: "It comes just ticular context of the history of before lunch." Israel; and, of course, the closer Something about that response down to earth you get, the earthier said something truly profound you get and the more profound about religion. Christ's kind of that fourth-grade altar boy's insight religion comes right before lunch, becomes! during lunch, just after supper, in In liturgy I have never chosen the messy midst of life and death, the short form when confronted of old failures and fresh starts. with the genealogy as the Gospel Through the turmoil' of almost of the day. I think the reading is 20 centuries, men and women have long for a reason. It teaches us the seen and sensed in the'mystery of patience that God's chosen people the Incarnation what the poet, had to exercise as they faced the John W. Lynch, wrote: "God's daunting challenges embedded in way with men has been t9 take the squalid realities of human life, men's way. And that's the glory sex and politics. and the scandal both. With all our The family tree is filled with simplicities unmarred, with no re- heroes and villains as well as with jection of the flesh we bear, the the famous and the obscure. Some hearts we love with, and the pain names are known only as part of we know, he slept our sleep, and the chain of ancestors; but howwith us dreamed our dreams." ever weak the links, the fulfillment The coming of Christ is heralded of God's promise was never thwartin different ways in the Gospels of ed by the sinful proclivities of one John, Luke and Matthew. St. John or another. When reading the genealogy, one begins his introduction to Jesus with the words: "In the beginning has to refrain from snickering when was the Word, and the Word was nearing: "And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of with God." St. Luke narrows the scope Uriah." Scripture never makes any somewhat by tracing Christ back . attempt to hide a scandal. However, with a little bit of imaginato Adam. My favorite by far is St. Mat- tion, one could hear famed news-
caster Paul Harvey share w:ith us the rest of the story in these words: "David fell in love with a girl he chanced to see bathing naked one evening; he arranged for her husband to be murdered, slept with her and became the father of Solomon." If you're still not tired of hearing about Amy Fisher, open the Second Book of Kings! If a London tabloid cross-referenced all the other persons mentioned in the He:brew scriptures with their sins, David would be judged a veritable saint by comparison. Thankfully the genealogy ends on a happy note. St. Matthew is very succinct when he desc:ribes Joseph as ajust man. Considering the family from which he wa!, descended, that would indeed seem a pleasant surprise and a fact worth noting! " While St. Matthew states that Jesus belonged to the family of Joseph, he makes it clear that Joseph was not the Savior's physical father. The Semitic world of that day was not so obsessed as is our present world with the exact biology of the situation, Howl~ver, it was very aware that God's plans can work not only among the pious. but in the nitty-gritty of everyday life. Jesus belonged to us, came to heJp us and gave us hope. Yes, religion does come before lunch!
We ar(~ important people 1 Sam. 3:3-10,19 1 Cor. 6:13-15,,17-20 John 1:35-42 The recent Call to Action meeting in Chicago had a very interesting theme: "We are the Church. What if we really m{:ant what we say?" One of the most significant things the Lord's first followers received from him wasn't a new theological dogma or moral principle. It was a better understanding of their own importance - an understanding which completely changed the way they looked at all dogmas and morality. Many of us start our faith journcy with a tremendous inferiority complex. We believe, for instance, that the Lord calls only special persons to follow him - important, deeply holy people, like those we find in Scripture. Obviously none of us can squeeze into that category. Our "ordinariness" takes us off the hook from actually having to live our faith. If that's our belief, we're forgetting an essential part of the biblical message. The Sacred Authors never describe divine calls just so we can "oh and ah" over ihem because they're amazing events, but rather so we can reflect on how such everyday events are also a part of our lives. In some sense, for instance, all of us can identify with the young Samuel, asleep in the Lord's temple at Shiloh, not imagining the Lord would ever speak to him. And when the call actually comes, he doesn't realize who and what it is. (His confusion leads to some "sacred comedy": a primitive Abbott and Costello mistaken identity routine with Eli the priest.) The older, more experienced person knows what's happening, and tells Samuel what to do. Yet Eli's advice to the boy is really directed to us. When such an event happens, we shouldn't waste time worrying about our "worthiness." Our immediate response should be "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Listening seems to be the key. Deutero-Isaiah oncl~ described the perfect disciple as someone who ..... awakes each morning to hear."
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By FATHER ROGER KARBAN And just the other week, one of our parishioners, Julie Belt, mentioned that she thinks God is always "transmitting." We simply don't know how to tunc the "machinery" to reach the correct frequency. Inferiority can never be a reason for inaction - especially after we hear what Paul says in our second reading. "God, who raised up the Lord, will raise u$ also by his power. .. Do you not see that your bodies are members of Christ?.. You must know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is within-the Spirit you have received from God." No wonder our bodies are "not for immorality." Christian morality is based on our importance, not on our weakness. I do or don't do certain things not because I'm a nobody. but rather because I'm a somebody in the Lord. Important people are always called upon to do important things; if only they're listening intently enough to realize their importance. John's "call narrative" incorporates some of thes!; same themes. Revolving his account around Jesus' question, "What are you looking for?", he introduces the Lord's first disciples as people who are willing to "come and see." The evangelist seems to be saying that there must always be a special curiosity in those who wish to follow the Lord; a desire to go beyond what others accept as natural boundaries. If we show even the slightest trace of such a desire, the Lord will fulfill it.
But while the Lord's satisfying our longing, he's also changing us into new people. Simon discovers this when Jesus tells him, "You are Simon, son of John; your name shall be Cephas (which is rendered Rock)." A name change in Scripture always signifies a change in personality. Simon doesn't have to , worry about being inferior. Once' he responds to the call, Jesus takes care of his deficiencies. We who follow the Lord not only are, we also are becoming. It's certainly much easier to control people by making them think they're inferior than by convincing them of their importance. But God never seems to be interested in control. The Lord's much more concerned with growth and evolution. Only free and important people can take part in a constant process of change. Such persons really mean what they say they are.
Diocese of Fall River -
Fri .. Jan. 14. 1994
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Letters Welcome Letters to the editor are welcomed. All letters should be brief and the editor reserves the right to condense any letters if deemed necessary. All letters must be signed and contain a home or business address.
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SET YOUR C.E:CILD ON TIfE PAT.E:C TO SUCCESS
Enroll her at DOMINICAN ACADEMY Elementary School for Girls K-8 37 .Park Street Fall River, MA 02721 (508) 674-61 00 Contact the school for information on registration and to make an appointment to visit .
usee aids migrants WASHINGTON (CNS) - As East European nations find increasing numbers of migrants and refugees within their borders. the U.S. Catholic Conference is offering technical assistance to Catholic social service agencies in the region. The latest USCC effort was a series of seminars in Poland. Slovakia and the Czech Republic for workers at Caritas and other agencies. They complemented an earlier session in Vienna sponsored by Catholic Relief Services and funded by the USCC Office to Aid the Church in ~entral and Eastern Europe.
King remembered Rev. Horace J. Travassos. chairman of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission. will participate in an Interfaith Council of Greater Fall River service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King.lr. at 3 p.m. Sunday at Bethel African Methodist-Episcopal Church. 146 Hanover St.. Fall River. The guest speaker will be Robert Gray of Bethel AM E Church. Boston. and local participants will include representatives of area Jewish. Protestant and Cambodian communities.
DIRECTOR
OF CATHOLIC
SOCIAL SERVICES
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River is seeking an Executive Director for its Catholic Social Services, amulti- purpose human services agency providing counseling services, adoption placement, and advomcy programming in four sites throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cope Cod. Candidates should have experience in Human Services and Mental Health delivery systems, have administrative management and supervisory experience, and have knowledge and competency in fiscal management. Candidates should also be experienced in staff and community relations, be knowledgeable in seeking third party billing from both private and public sectors, and be thoroughly familiar with all relevant licensing and regulatory issues. Candidates should also be knowledgeable of all aspects of counseling practice, possess good communication and interpersonal skills, and, in a particular way, have an appreciation for being part of a greater system of service delivery. The successful candidate will be knowledgeable about and adhere to the Cmholic Church's social justice and moral teachings and be able to articulate it within the greater human service and mental health delivery system. Preference will be given to applicants who possess a DSW or MSW degree; applicants with an equivalent degree may also apply. Applicants must have a minimum of five (5) years administrative management experience and have an appreciation for cultural diversity Acompetitive salary and program of benefits are offeredo Please send resumes by JanulIIJ 31,1994 to: c.sS., &ecutiva DinIdor Seanh Cammtt. 2425 Highland Avenue Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 0
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THE ANCHOR -
SISTER DOROTHY COST A, SSD, (left) is joined by her sister, Sister Almerinda Costa, in celebrating her golden anniversary as a Sister of St. Dorothy and her retirement from teaching Ou'r Lady of Mt. Carmel School, New Bedford. Sister Almerinda ministers at 51.. Patrick's parish, Staten Island, NY. Background photograph is of S1.. Paula Frassinetti, the order's foundress.
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6:0.n't drink. the water
The Anchor Friday, Jan. 14, 1994
was the result of the water alert we son, and in his kindness invitingly were then experiencing in Washing- draws that person to himself." ton, D.C. My colleagues are coffee The water alert was humbling ,drinkers and rely heavily on its and revealed much. !FATHER Molly Moore, Washington Post energizing effects to carry them through the day. No water. no foreign service writer, wrote an EUGENE coffee! article titled., "Around Globe, Washington wascut offfrom its Water Quality Is Matter of Life HEMRICK water supply due to a threat of and Death." It said that "throughcontamination. This caused all out the developing world, waterI walked into the office of a coltypes of bizarre behavior. related diseases are the single bigleaguerecently who looked as ifhe Peopie swarmed into super- ,gest killers.of infants 'and the was nursing a terrible hangover. markets and bought up huge supprincipal cause ofillness in adults." Upon exiting, I ran into an irriplies ofhottled water. Fear spread Despite the United Nations' destated colleague - someone who that many would become sitk, as ignation of the 1980s as the drinkusually is mild-mannered.. did people in Milwaukee when' ing water and sanitation .decade, In fact, most of my associates that city experienced' a' similar 1.3 billion people still do not have that particular day seemed to be disaster. .. , . .' access to' go'od water or proper turned' upside down in terms of . Thomas a Kempis wrote in "The sanitatio'n facilities. Many of the Imitation of ,'Christ" that "God world's greatest rivers are com-. their personalities..' It finally dawned on me that this reveals his secrets to a humble per- . pleiely polluted. By
One reason cited for the lack of progress in these areas is that cities are crumbling and the taxes needed to renovate them are at their limits. Interestingly, the reason given for Washington's water alert was human negligence. It was indicated that, those responsible for taking action when water levels become clouded with pollutants failed to do so. ' The water alert. scary as it was. should be seen as the kind of blessing that 'comes from a humbling experience. Without water life cannot exist. A, water, alert stops our normal way of life. giving us the opportunity to meditate on water's mysterious power and on its source and Creator. To think that something as sim-
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pie as water maintains a ba'lance in our lives. and that life shifts quickly into chaos when water is lacking! A water crisis alerts us that we ought to cherish this rich source of life that many nations don't enjoy. And we ought to raise the ~Ievel of our respect for those wh,) make safe water possible. Again, we are reminded by a water crisis that we need to work at finding innovative ways to renew our crumbling cities and our stewardship of the earth. During the water alert I didn't actually hear anyone say. "I personally have to be more responsible for the safety of the wHter." If the alert is to prove a true blessing, those ,are'the kin'dsof words that need to be heard.
._----~---------------_ ...._.;..-----------------------...._----------------------~. More thoughts on job loss depression By
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sis, but his life, his dreams;' his "structure precedes function." In in motivating someone to get going ending your life?" Importa'nt matpurpose for living has been shat- other words, if the situation is again, and in knowledge of the ters deserve straight questi,)ns. tered by being told he is of no use causing the problem, do what you resources available to h~lp. If there is any talk. of suicide, to his employer, and, as he per-' can to improvethe situation before A new resume may need writ- however vague, you need to take MARY ceives it, to any employer. Do you you start to work on the feelings. ing. The person may need sugges- precautions. See that your spouse not recognize that the words writYou are taking the psychologi- tions on where to look and how to or friend is not alone for at least KENNY cal position; that is, if someone is ~pply for.a job. He or she 'Pay three days. Clear the area of pills ten may signify thoughts of suicide? upset. deal with the feelings. The even need someone to go,along. and guns and other threats. And Dear Dr., Kenny: I read your If a person is unemployed and sociologists. however. are right. Persons with job loss might see thaI he or she avoids alcohol (a reply on ways of coping with de- deeply depressed about their situaThe obvious and compeliing prob- . consider retraining. Help is offered depressant). If the person tdls you through federal and sta~e job a specific plan for suicide or the pression following job loss. Your tion, they need someonetotalkto, lem is that he has lost hisjob. To response was much too superfi- someone who can offer them not begin with a totally sympathetic training and v,ocational rehabilita- suicide talk is repeated, make an only a listening ear, but a sense of approach may undermine the very tion programs. 'appointment with a mental..health cial. To reply with the question, "What do you want to do?" sounds their ~elf~worth;'(New Jersey) self-confidence thacit is so impor- '. If the ,job, loss is related to prpfessionaIwithout waiting. like the educated. approach to the' . Th,ank you for an eloqiJent des- tant to preserve and rebl,lild. 'a,medical problem, the unemployjob 'ipss, is oftel) "a: crushing situation. Next you suggested a cription of how hard it is to expeFamily, and fr,iends can help" ed p'erson might co~sid~r apply- .. blow., Sympathy and. undel;st,andcareer counselor. From there you" rience sudden employment. 'l'don't with sympathy and hugs· and 24ing for Social Security disabil- ing are needed. Thfj firs,'t step,. addressed leisure time. Finally you disagree with you' about the ser-' hour-a-dayavailability. ' ' i t y . "however; is to look ·foremploYment. tell him to keep. trying in both iousness and the ,pain. .I do dis.CoOn.selor~sh.ould, be! sy.mpa- ,:',' \yh~~ a~9ut..suicide?, You should , Reader q~estionsto be an':r~ered work and leisure areas. agree abqlltwhat to do: " . I thetic, and; understand ing too. . not as~um.e' that all.depression is' in p'rint are invite~ by T,he Kennys; This person is hurting. ,N ot ,only S,ociologis$s '!.a~,e a~gued 'with ,However,: t!ley. need to be s.OlTlesuicidal. However, if you are con- 219 W. Harrison; Renssehler, IN is his plea reflective of mid-life c,ri- , psychologists" insisting t,nat ',' .~hingm,?nll'TtheY.,need.to:be;sk:ilJed·"terned:·as1<."·Are'yoil thirtking Of '47978.' 1
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By FATHER JOHN J. DIETZEN
Q; I recently attended a marriage that took place on a boat dock. The whole thing was odd, but what was' most strange war> that the officiating "minister" was a man who had been a priest; left the' church and is now married. We were told he still had authority, or power, to perform the ceremony. The bride and groom signed some documents afterward.
,A .ne wsla·nt on forgiveness By ANTOINETTE I .
BOSCO
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It was a Tuesday night in
December. I had been wat(:hing the late news, appalled by what I was seeing: people milling around in shock at a railroad station on Long Island; a gunman had opened fire. randomly shooting people on , their way home from work. It was a senseless massacre, and even the TV reporters 'could not contain their human shock and grief at seeing what had happened. Just then, my phone rang. It was Montana's Lake County Sheriff
Joe 'Geldrich. "I have some news for you," he said. "You're the first I'm calling." ' He told me that authorities in Montana had arrested a suspect in the murder of my son and daughterin-law and that the suspect had led them to the murder weapon.' My son John and his wife Nancy were shot to death in Montana as they slept, sometime during the early morning hours of Aug. 12. The suspect is the 18-year old' son of the people from whom John and Nancy bought their house in January 1993. What can be pieced together is searingly pain·ful. The suspect is' apparently a youth everybody con'siders nice. He was a good student at his high school, said aM ontana. reporter working on the story. The
..youth·s parents are fundamental. ist Christians, "very religious" people, he says. And the boy went to Christian schools. The question for me remains why? What happened? As of this writing, investigators had yet to come up with a motive. I have been called' by many reporters asking my comments. They want to know how I feel, and I answer, simply and honestly, "incredibly sad." I am learning so much.·I.remember once' in an ethics class when I was getting my masters' degree and the subject of capital punishment came up: I was adamantly opposed ·to it.' But then, in all honesty, 1 had to add. "But if someone. raped and murdered my daughter, I'd say, kill the bum."
Now, though, the scenario is . slightly different. I face the actuality of crime against my family. And where do 1 stand? To my surprise, 1 feel no anger, only sadness. I wondered earlier if I would . become' hardened' by this brutal crime. But then the Lord helped me to understand that one thing I was to gain from this blow was a new slant on forgiveness. With God's help 1 have been able to stay firm in my belief in all that is promised to us in the Gospels.
who we really are when we are the victim of brutal evil. Jesus is still my model, and on the cross with him, to my surprise. I find myself saying, "Father, forgive ..... I add, Fat,her help this youth who is the suspect in a crime that permanently has altered so many lives. And 1 fall on my knees in gratitude to God. who gave me the seven children I have so greatly loved.
I have not fallen into the pit of letting this sword of sorrow erode my soul with hatred or a desire for revenge. That, I think, is what forgiveness really is about - putting the spotlight on ourselves to reveal
"Sin is a tyrant. It exiles man from himself and from his conscience and sends him elsewhere, anywhere, everywhere in his search for peace and rest."-Igr.,atius Smith .'
Elsewhere, Anywhere
Prayer jor' priests Dear .Editor: The commandment oflove opens the human heart to God and neighbor, for "love is the bond of perfection" (Col. 3: 14). Through charity man and human fraternity come to fuller maturity. For this reason, love is the greatest gift. The vocation of the priesthood is of vital importance to the spiritual life of the community. Priests give us, through the grace of God, the sacraments which nourish us and help us grow in holiness on our earthly journey. As a community, we are responsible for each other. A family cannot grow unless it has the love and support of each member to one another. Prayer is an act of charity, a giving of oneself for the sake of another. We offer to God, in thanksgiving for his humbly giving himself to us, prayers for his servants. Let us be apostles of this needed unity of prayer that we may grow in holiness together. Elizabeth Lee Third Order Franciscan North Dighton
A disgrace Dear Editor: It was a disgrace that many of our Catholic politicians in the United States Sena.te and the U.S. House of Representatives cast their votes on the so-called Abortion Clinic Access legislation, House Bill 796, and Senate 636, making it
a federal crime to use physical obstruction or to interfere with anyone seeking to obtain or provide an abortion. The Massachusetts politicians include Senator "red" Kennedy and U.S. Representatives Neal, Meehan, Markey, Kennedy and Moakley. The vote$ of these Catholic politicians were in favor of those who operat~ the abortion mills in our nation. The operators who run these abortion mills slaughter the defenseless unborn. The latter certainly are entitled to live on this planet!· As many Catholic bishops and priests have emphasized over and over again, the code of moral conduct for Catholic office-holders in public life should be the same code as used in private life! Thomas A. Walsh, Esq. Roslindale
Likes editorials Dear Editor: I used to be assigned to St. Anne's Monastery [Fall River] and was the pastor of St. Anne's Parish just before Father Foister replaced me. Thanks to him, I have been receiving The Anchor ever since I left Fall River in 1978. I have been wanting to congratulate you for YOllr excellent work as the Editor of that newspaper for a long time. Finally here I am. I particularly appreciate your editorials which manifest deep knowledge of the problems of your country and a forceful capacity of expressing them. May the Prince of Peace continue to inspire you. Father Roger Blain, 0.1'. Montreal, Quebec
Catholic Charities USA Continued from Page One Catholic Charities agencies are being hampered from giving the strategic help that can bring people out of poverty because they are responding to survival needs of food and shelter." Ed Orzechowsk.i, executive director of Catholic Charities in the archdiocese of Washington, said the experiences in Washington reflect what is happening with local Catholic Charities offices across the country. . "Programs that keep families from going hungry today are competing with programs that make an investment in strengthening lives;"· he said. "'That dilemma, that tension, is becoming more acute each day and the choicesare becoming more painful." For example, he said that in early December, a young woman "graduated" from one of his agency's transitional shelters for pregnant women or mothers recover-
ing from substance abuse. The woman was able to find a job, be reunited with her children who had been in foster care, and move into her own place. But the same day, his agency had to turn away four families who came for food because its monthly allocatibn for food and financial assistance had run out. "Catholic Charities of Washington is committed to providing services that will help individuals and families maintain self-sufficiency. But we pay a price," said Orzechowski. , Although the agency's 1993 data are not in yet, Father Kammer told reporters th~ trend of increasing emergency needs is continuing. In response, Father Kammer' said, Catholic Charities' efforts "must 'now be matched with new commitments .of business, labor and government to steri'fthe flood' of poverty and hopelessness in which so many families are drowning."
THE ANCHOR -
Diocese of Fall River -
Merit Scholarship Corporation and Scholastic Publications. Aided by a Carnegie Educational Foundation Grant, he set up a national data bank for Catholic education in the United States. He spent his last 15 years at Daylesford Abbey, where he was
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FATHER KOOB
Father Koob was NCEA president PHILADELPHIA(CNS)- The Mass of Christian Burial was offered Dec. 30 at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli. near Philadelphia. for Norbertine Father C. Albert Koob. 73. a former president of the National Catholic Educational Association. A Philadelphian. the priest was ordained in 1945. He joined the NCEA staffin Washington in 1961 and in 1967 became NCEA president. but in 1971 a serious accident forced him to curtail his activities. In 1974 he resigned the presidency. Remaining in Washington, in 1979 he earned a doctorate in education from The Catholic University of America and thereafter taught in Philadelphia. Father Koob was an adviser to President Richard M. Nixon on matters of nonpublic education and to the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education. He served on the advisory boards of the Educational Testing Service, National
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NEW YEAR, OLD WAR: Mourners cry at the grave ofa Bosnian Catholic in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. A cover of snow marked the second New Year under seige in Sarajevo, where temperatures continued to hover around the freezing mark. (CNS / Reuters photo)
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spiritual director and gave workshops, retreats and courses in spirituality and Christian thought. "We'll never know how many people he counseled," said friend and associate Father William R. Craig. "He was very kind and very caring."
HAVE YOU HEARD.HIM
• FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
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Fri., Jan. 14, 1994
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THE ANCHP'R -
Diocese of Fall River -:- Fri., Jan'. 14, 1994,
[-mJl Jan. 15 1948, Rev. Thomas F. Kennedy, Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole '1972, Rev. Vincent Marchildon,
,O.P., Director, St. Anne's Shrine, Fall River 1977, Rev. Msgr. John E. Boyd, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham Jan. 17 1967, Rev. John Laughlin, Retired Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro
LEARY
Jan. 20
PRESS
1952, Rev, Roland J. Masse, Assistant, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River
MAILERS
Jan. 21 1983, Rev. Msgr. Henri A. Hamel, Retired, St. Joseph, New Bedford
OUR LADY'S RELIGIOUS STORE
WHEEL OF JEOPARDY? CCO students from St. John the Baptist, Westport, and St. Thomas More, Somerset, compete in the finals of "Catholic Challenge," which combined elements of popular game shows.
Quiz game challenges CCD students
Mon· Sat, 10.'00· 5:30 PM,
GIFTS CARDS
What is the word used to des- eral hundred questions which comcribe the Church's mission of prised the "Catholic Challenge" quiz competition created by relispreading the Good News? Who was the pope who called gious education coordinators of the Second Vatican Council? the eight parishes in Somerset, 673-4262 What did Mary tell the servants Swansea and, Westport for Dioce936 So. Main St,. Fall River , san Religious Education Awareat the wedding feast at Cana? These are just a few of the sev- , ness Month in November. Members of the winning team, St. John the Baptis~, Westport, received parish and individual. trophies from Bishop Sean O'Malley during Christmas break. " " Patricia P~sternak, Agnes Rocha, Jeanne Nadeau, Jean Prio,r, and Sisters Rqger Mills and De~ isita Sullivan devised the game to Your opportunityto,help one very poor child is much quiz fifth- through 'eighth-graders too important to miSs·:, And Christian Foundation for Chilon their knowledge in' six categodren and Aging is the only Catholic child sponsorship program working. in the twentY'desperately poor countries ries: Worship and Prayer, Mary, Saints, Scripture, Morality and we serve. ' Commandments, and Church and , ' F'or as little as $lQ;lnon~hly, you i:.an help a poor c~ild, ,\ Sacraments. at a Catholic mission site receive nourishing food, medical Booklets containing questions care, the chance to go to school and hope for a brighter and answers were distributed to future. You can literally ch{1nge a life. students wishing to tryout for parish teams. Semi-final competitions were held in each town, with the Through CFCA you can sponsor a child with the three winning teams advancing to amount you can afford. Ordinarily it takes $20 per month to provide one of ourchildren with the life changing bene- final competition at St. Thomas More parish, Somerset. fits of sponsorship. But if this is not possible for you, we Participants in the finals were: invite you to do what y.ou can. CFCA will see to it from St. John the Baptist, Westport: other donations and the tireless efforts of our missionaries Samuel Busenbark, Sarah Chase, that your child receives the same benefits as other Seth Lawton, Elizabeth Mahon, sponsored children. Joel Maxwell, Ryan Trepanier. St. Thomas More: Beth Ann And you can be assured your donations are being magBoulay, Karin Cordeiro, Sean Farnified and are having their greatest impact because our programs are directed by dedicated Catholic missionaries relly, Kerri Hague, Mike Tetrault. St. Louis de France, Swansea: with a long standing commitment to the people they serve. James Boyer, Justin Hague, Jon Heisserer, Matthew Langevin, Plus,' you are your child's only sponsor. To help build Danielle Lavoie, your relationship, you will receive a picture of your child Little Conchita lives in a small village in the (updated yearly), information about your child's family and mountains of Guatemala. Her house is made of country, letters from your child and the CFCA quarterly cornstalks, with a tin roof and dilt floor. Her father newsletter. struggles to support the family as a day laborer, Your concern can make the difference in the lives Please take this opportunity to make a difference in the of children like Conchita. life of one poor child. Become a sponsor today!
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I Yes,. 111 helpone child: I 0 Boy 0 Gir1 0 Child in most need In 0 Latin America 0 Africa 0 My monthly pledge is: 0 $10 0 $15 0 $20 0 $25 0 $50 0 $100 I My support will be: 0 monthly 0 quarterly 0 semi-annually 0 annually Enclosed is my first sponsorship contribution of $
I 0 Icannot sponsor now but I enclose my.,gift of $ , o Please send me further information regarding: I 0 Sponsorship 0 Volunteer Program 0 U.S. Homeless Program Name ' I Address City
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During the social that followed, as participants shared storie!; of their preparation for the competition, a St. Louis de France family said they had spent three evenings' foregoing TV and studying together the Challenge. There were many such stories of siblings and friends gathering to study the quiz booklets, all examples of the success of Religious Education Month in "spreading the Good News"-i,n a word, evangelization. Incidentally, the patron saint of farmers is St. Isidore, say the kids from St. John the Baptist.
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. OneChristian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) Elmwood Avenue / P. O. Box 3910/ Kansas City, KS661,03-0910 171
An audience of about 100 gathered to cheer the youths on as points added up and scores stayed close. When it came time for'the game's "Final Challenge," the category wheel was spun for the final time and settled on "sai rlts." The teams decided how mar:,y of their hard-won points they would wager before John Mahon, in the Alex Trebek role, read the crucial question: "Who is the patron ~:aint of farmers?" ' '. , Each ,\eam, answered correctly, but St. JO,hn the Baptist, ha,Ying ,earned the h,ighest numbe:r of points, emerged victorious and members were awarded gold medals by Sisters Eugenia Brady, ~UC, and Elaine Heffernan, RSM, associate directors of religious ed'Jcation for the diocese. Silver medals went to St. Louis de France and bronze to St. Thomas More. All the finalists received mall gift certificates.
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~ber: u.S.cathOlicMi~io~A;sSoCiati~n.Nat'l.catholicDe~elopmen,tConf~rence',Catholic.Press.As~cia~o~
I I I I I I. ' BISHOP SEAN O'MALLE . Y presents trop~ies to memI, bers of the St. Johnthe Baptist, Westport,CathohcChallenge
(from left) Seth Lawton, Joel Maxwell, Sarah Chase, ,d' "team: CCO coordinator Jean Prior, and (front) Ryan Trepanier. Beth Mahon and Sam Busenbark were a l so ' on th e t earn.
_Int'I Ualson _ of lay _ Volunteers _ In_MISSion_c Nat I Catholic _ _Stewardship _ CounCil· _ Nat _ I Cathollc.C:9un~,11 _ _ fpr Hlspar:lIc _ _Ministry
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Balancing budgets with the Bible WINTER PARK, Fla. (CNS) - When it comes to balancing family budgets, many Orlandoarea Catholics are turning to the Bible as their financial-planning guide. And the benefits they reap go beyond getting out of a life ruled by debts and credit ca.rds. Many say they have developed a fuller prayer life and are more involved in their parish than they used to be. They attribute the change to what they learned through Crown Ministries, a biblical financial studies program that has been offered in 26 Catholic parishes and more than 40 non-Catholic churches in and around Orlando. Sincc its founding in 1985 by an Assembly of God congregation in Winter Park, the program has spread through the United States and abroad and has had more than 30,000 participants. "The Bible is a blueprint for living, and that includes finances," said Don Tauscher of St. Margaret Mary parish in Winter Park, an Orlando suburb. Tauscher is coordinator of Catholic community i.nvolvement in Crown Ministries in the Orlando diocese and has recently begun to interest other Catholic dioceses in the program. A former banker and real estate investor who once was $1 million in debt, Tauscher credits his involvement in Crown Ministries in 1985 with turning his own life around. Crown Ministries participants
in his own parish, where hundreds have taken the course since it was first offered in 1987, recently reported an average debt reduction of $8,000 and an average increase in personal savings ·of $6,000 since they got involved. "There are over 2,350 verses in the Bible about handling money, and the lessons there still apply today," Tauscher said, "Everybody struggles to keep control offinances, and some of us end up in debt," he added. "The Bible is clear about the Lord's intentions for his children, and he wants us to be free of debts and money burdens." I The purpose of the program is summarized in its brief mission statement: "Training people to be financially faithful in order to know Christ more intimately and to be freed to serve him." The program, a 12-week course of small-group sessions, applies Scripture lessons to daily life, touching not only on principles and practical strategies of money management, but also on attitudes toward debt, investment, savings and priorities in life from a Christian perspective. When his own parish surveyed its current and past Qrown Ministries participants: last year, Tauscher said, they reported not only substantial· increases in sav-' ings and reductions in debt, but changes in their spiritual life. Nearly two out of three respondent's said they had lkcome more involved in serving the church and other people since graduating from
the program. Two-thirds said they now spend more time studying the Bible, and 89 percent reported an increased prayer life. "The promotion of giving [to church and charitable causes) is not a primary purpose of the program, but there was an average increase of 49 percent in giving," Tau~cher said. Tom and Linda Franz of St. Stephen parish in Winter Springs described the impact of the program on their lives since they took the course together three years ago. "Linda and I were spending $800 more than we were bringing in each month," said Tom, who is now a facilitator helping to teach the program to others. "Credit card debt was eating us up, and with five children that obviously had to stop." The program gave them a new understanding of Scripture and of God's plan for their lives, said Linda. "We now have two checking accounts," she said. "One is ours and one is God's. We put $100 a month in God's account for church collections, and more money as necessary.... The giving will increase as our debts come down, and we can already see a difference in the gifts God has given us as a family." Crown Ministries, said Tauscher, has been used by churches of more than 30 denominations. . He said that when he wanted to use the program in his parish, his pastor and a theological consultant reviewed the course materials first to make sure they were in accord with Catholic teaching and practice. With encouragement from Orlando Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, the number of Catholic parishes offering the program has begun to grow rapidly, he said. In 1991 the bishop approved Crown Ministries in the Catholic community as a private lay association. When Tauscher presented the program at weekend Masses at one area parish recently, he said, "we had 87 people sign up. The demand is unbelievable." "Most people don't realize that they could gain control of their· financial health with a dose of Scripture. Once a student discovers that God has a plan for all; and that plan involves givi.ng, discipline and character development, they open their eyes to a new world of stewardship and spiritual fulfillment."
THE ANCHOR -
Diocese of Fall River -
Fri., Jan. 14, 1994
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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall R,iverT"-Fri., Jan: ),4,1994. .
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Whe'n an aging parent is snowboundl By Monica and Bill Dodds
When the weather outside is frightful, it's especially. important for an adult child to have a plan in place that will make sure an aging parent stays safe, warm and well fed. Winter storms can quickly down power lines and restrict travel, leaving an aging parent in a dark cold house 'or apartment with no help in sight. Here are some points to help an adult child and an aging .parent better prepare for that type of emergency. - Even the, most independent person can feel uncomfortable when bad weath.er m.eans that for days on end it will be impossible By Mick Conway If parents do not confront the for him or her to get out or for When drinking becomes an problem of a teen's excessive anyone to get in. A daily telephone ingrained part of a teenager's social drinking, they are enabling him or call can work wonders in providlife, the red flags are up; Repeated her to continue a dangerous prac- ing needed reassurance.. -Be sure' a list of iinportant episodes of overindulgence can only tice. Addictions develop innocently mean one thing: tro.uble. enough, and once in place can ~umbe'rs (family. friends, neighParents sometimes look upon become a permanent fixture in bors, doctor, parish and community resources) is posted by your teenage drinking or drug abuse as someone's life. parent's phone. a stage that will pass. In most cases It can be extremely difficult for -Arrange for help before storms they are correct. But all too often parents to face the reality that' hit. If it's going to be impossible to parents fail to recognize danger- their son or daughter may have an travel from your part of town to ous warning signs. alcohol or drug problem. Parents your parent's part - or if you live Most parents are defensive about may rationalize or deny what they a distance from your parent, artheir teenagers. That's usually a see because the truth is so painful. normal reaction. But when parParents often act out of good ents consistently blame others, intentions and love for their childcover up for their teens' mistakes, reno .But in parental codependency rescue them from the consequen- those intentions take on unhealthy WASHINGTON (CNS)- Offices of breaking the law, the par- behaviors such as covering up or cial Washington seems to be coments have crossed the line to paren- making excuses for teen misconing around to the viewpoint long tal codependency. duct. expounded by the V.S. Catholic In the face of all evidence, the When parents cover for teens, bishops - America needs to put parents insist their child is being those young people get the mesits children first. picked on, harassed or held up to sage that they never have to take ~·It is certainly true that this public scorn. Whatever infraction responsibility because their parcountry would be better off if our has taken place, they say someone ents will always bail them out. babies were born into two-parent else is responsible. They get to feel there is no need to families," said President Clinton "The cops are always after my conform to laws because mom and at a Decem ber fund raiser in Hollyson," they say. "He can't even dad can fix things if they go wrong. wood. drive down the street without a' It's a false message because If parents "slow down the pace policeman stopping him. It. isn't sooner or later all of us must conof their lives" and spend more time fair. Why don't they go after the form to society'snorms or personwith their children away from the real law breakers?'" ally be held accountable for our television set, said Education SecMaybe this teen has had pre- behavior. retary Richard W. Riley in late vious run-ins with the police. If he Parental codependency is no November, "we will transform this and his friends have been busted different from any other form. nation." for underage possession of alcohol Adults too sometimes try to con"All things considered, twobefore, the police may be watching trol 'difficult situations in in-. parent families are better on averhim. appropriate ways. age for a child than a one-parent Parents sometimes forget there But real growth can only occur family." said Vice, President Al is an age limit for drinking, and aV . wh~n we are all able to seek help Gore in a Dec. 5 appearance on teen who violates that law is head- for ourselves and our loved ones NBC's "Meet the Press." ing for deep ·trouble., . • when we need it. Those comments' echo some of the points raised by the bishops in t heir new pastoral mes~ageito fa mo ili~s. "~ollow the, ';Nay of.Loye." .:' ....' 1 . . . ,. ....'.. 'j'... ",:' , The message was presented to the By Dan Morris' of hoarding an·immoral share of V,f1ited Nations Dec. -7 as part of New Year's resolutio'ns have bee~' the Free::W orld's'supply of photo the U.S. Catholic contribution to ,,~:downers for,we in,th,~Rast: so\h!~ ~Ibums.·;,·· .... ',". . :. the 1'994 I ~ternationil! Year of the 0', year ~ am trying ~~~ch.ologic~I·., : Modestl~: hO~;v'er, I ~o possess . Fljmily, ' , .. ;:'.experJIp~l1t: I'm Qot making any. ~hat I feel IS an. Impressive coll~c . ,. A comrrii'tted, peqnanent: faith··'Instead of;'·es6r~tions:·1 am cdi1~' .'Hpn;ofalbum's,lI)clftding,the mo,<;lfuJ relationship' of :husband and : ' sidering severallntentio~s:~' ,ernesq)Je.<?neswith peel"b.ack sticky wife is the root of a (arnily," the '.: 0 f "th I·····~·, .::';.. , .:" ," pageos~"old~c)assic onE:S with fake bish.ops said. "When children a're ., .' ne 0 ' e_, eaull1g 1IIten,lOns I h f ff' . . ':'(Ii' h' t I'-~ ~ h:I<'~" :eat er, rame·rages·,.e ,lClentones born, both mqther and father are g w t l~k"ln ere t1ll y enoug Ilears . with slid'c-in photo slots. traditional impprtant in.nurturing.and forma·s n Ing resem b lance-to a ong. . 'h bl k ' ,, . . I . ).. I' ones Wit ac pages and a box of ing them." runnI~g reso ~lIon,~s to conso 1corner stick~rs. . The bishops also comrnented on date M'y favon"tes , thO oug'h",.. are th e .' f f and'1 0rgalllzetheseveral boxes" "the incre9ible busyness of family o am.1 y snap~hots. ,gra,duatlOn, .ones with thick. soft. aging bcige life" today and said that it is "hard portraits, hChnstmas 'plctu.rcs .. 'paper pages. Exposed to a water to imagine how a family can. live camping p otos. etc .. etc., 1II,to source (such as the vapor in room faithfully, be life-giving and grow one room (maybe the whole room) . . .. . b" I . . h' . air). these pages wIll promote wIld, . d h in mutuality without deliberately an t en egln p aC1llg t ern 111 rapid. turbid mold growth. albums. choosing to spend time.together." Whenever possible, "hours on This will be called the World's O,K, OK. I .k~ow,1 started out . 0 fU' nate d d M'IS- talkIng .about IntentlOns:and the job need to be weighed against Larges t C 0 II cctlon . . .I do cell M' F '1 Ph have more than the compIlatIon their impact on family life," the anheoCus ·?I rn.s apml'y fotdo- project. Returning my neighbor bishops said. They'urged all family grap s ompl atlon rOJect e B d' I" . eral t d . . I U S sp Ittlng maul IS one. The members to "see what individual . gran ~ an envlronmenta problem here is that I've grown pursuits could be given up or rereview studies have not been ruled h f d f' out rat er on 0 It: placed with family activities." . BeSides. Bud has three others A recent survey by the Family Right hand over my heart. I and said to return this one when I Research Council in Washington hav'e purchased over the years; was donewith it - and I'm st:veral showed that many believe the conenough empty photo albumli to years from that point.
Parents must not bailout irresponsible teens
range to have a neighbor grocery shop Mom or Dad, Even if your parent doesn't need anything from the store, ask that person to stop in and make sure your parent is all right. -As anyone who ever lifted a half dozen shovelfuls of wet snow knows, removing snow from a sidewalk puts a tremendous strain on the heart. It's not something an aging parent should attempt. Ask a neighborhood youth ahead of time to shovel your parent's sidewalk. Be sure to let the worker know you'll pick up the tab. -Encourage Mom or Dad to stay 'indoors, Ice lind snow often lead to falls and broken bones. - Have emergency supplies ready at your parent's house in case the power goes out. This would include a nashlight with fresh batteries, tansistor radio. non-electric clock, nutritious food ·that doesn't need to be cooked and a manual can opener. -If your parent is taking medication, be sure there is enough on hand to last through any snowbound days. Remember that though your parent might not be able to get out, others probably,
can and many pharmacies make home deliveries. -I f your parent is on some type of life-support system, such as a respirator or oxygen, contact his or her doctor and the local electric company ahead of time to see what they recommend. -Your mother or father will stay warmer in a home or apartment without heat by wearing.layers of clothing rather than one bulky winter coat. -If the fireplace is going to be used, be sure the chimney is clean and the screen is in place. :;{emind your parent not to try he:ating a ,room wit~ a barbecue. hibachi or some other type of indoor burning that will emit carbon mon,)xide. -If the furnace has gone out but the electricity is still on, make sure Mom or Dad: a) Does not try to heat with an appliance (such as an oven with the door wide open). b) Does not overload an electrical outlet or extension co::d with an electric heater. -Does not have anything near an electric space heater. -Does not use candles br light or heating,
Children first: officials are listening
New Year's "lntentfoll's" a
macy, pornography and abortion been abandoned," he said. "Others - could be resolved if adults were see a failure by society to provide to look at them from a child's government services that could rempe rs pective. edy these ills. Still others see mere cultural shifts that are morally Asked to view the issues through neutral in themselves." children's eyes, 83 percent said But the latest study shows that they believe that "it is better for a child to be born into a two-parent "many family issues that divide Americans could be resol.ved if family than to a single mother" and 93 percent believe that "child- people were to consistently agree ren .suffer when their parents di- that the needs of children supersede the preferences of adults," vorce." Eighty-four percent of the res- Bauer said. "The key, then, to resolving these pondents said "children are harmed issues is building a public c,)nsenby the presence of sexually explicit materials and adult entertainment sus that Americans should give paramount consideration 'to the in our society," and 64 percent said they thought "unborn children . needs of children - that Americans, in short, should 'put children should have the right to life." first," he added. The survey was conducted by The V.S. bishops, whose Camthe Voter/Consumer Research firm during September 1993 among paign for Children and Families has entered its third year, put it 1,I 00 randomly selected adults. The poll's margin of error is plus another way in their 1991 document;."Putting Children and Famor minus 3 percentage points: ilies First: A Challenge fo,r Our A~co.rdi~g to Gary L. Bauer, Church, Nation and World.'" preSIdent of the Family Research .. As believers and citizens, we Colin'cil, nearly' eyeryohe agrees need - each of us - to use our that most societal changes' in the values, voices and votes to hold last 30 years or so have been for our public officials· accountable the ~or~e.,But'there is little agree- and to shape a society that puts ment abo.!!t what. brough( about ·ourchildren first," .the bi:;hops 'the changes.' ' .said.. ,"Some se~'.~ wh'olesale aban.' ~orethan two years later, there donm~nt' Qf moral and cultural are signs that some public officials norms that ought never to' have are listening.
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handle most of the venture. As a matter of fact, my wife accuse~l me
However, maybe Bud could use a good photo album.
tentious "family issues" of our time - such as divorce: illegiti-
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.·,StopSpiritual Neglect TAKE YOUR KIDS TO CHURCH.
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SPIRITUAL MESSAGE: Boys Town, the natiohwide care and treatment program, is sponsoring public s,::rvlce announcements on billboards like this one in Florida and Rhode Island. (eNS/ Boys Town photo)
~outh
St. Vi-ncent children attend
The Anchor Friday, January 14, 1994
Zeiterion Theater shows Children ages 6-10 in the McAuley. Vnit at St. Vincent's Residential Center, Fall River, have been attending performances at New Bedford's Zeitt:rion Theater with the assistance of the theater's new corporate sponsor program. The yet unnamed program seeks to "match corporate sponsors with ... people who would normally not be allie to afford to come to the theater on their own," said Chris Langlois, the theater's sales director. "It's been wondl~rful for the children," who have attended The Pied Piper and A /addin, said McAuley V nit director Rita Capotosto. "It's broadening their horizons and giving them a taste for the arts that few if any of these children have had in their lives." For more information on the program, call Ms. Langlois at 997-5664.
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Seven Bishop Connolly High School students spend two hours a week in the McAuley Unit as part of the Fall River high school's community service program. The 40 seniors Im'olved in community service also meet for class four times a week with Father Donald MacMillan,. SJ. "We reflect on their service experiences and cover a lot of contemporary issues," said the priest. "But the primary message is that to be Christian you ha ve to follow a peace-filled approach to life and
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have a sensitivity and concern for .. Jeanette justice in the world." , Father MacMillan meets with Fro 111 the fall /993 Provider, students Individually at the beginnell's/etJer (IrSt. Vincent's Home
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Ending family poverty seen tied to welfare, child aid WASHINGTON (CNS) - Reforming the U.S. welfare system and strengthening child support laws are two keys to getting U.S. families out of poverty, said speakers at a Washington "Future of the Family" teach-in. Teach-in speakers agreed that poverty was just one issue damaging families, and the problems so complex that solutions are not easily found. "The trends are not only economic, they arc cultural and moral," said William Galston, a Catholic who is a White House adviser on domestic policy and a member of the Communitarian 'Network, sponsors of the teach-in. Communitarian positions borrow from traditional tenets of Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives. Educational achievement over the last 10 years, Galston said, has been "stagnant, and violent crimes and homicides arc up, while real income has fallen 20 percent overall since 1973, and fallen 30 percent for parents under 30. "We need a two-track approach" to family issues, Galston said: social responsibility and personal responsibility. The Family Medical Leave Act and the Earned Income Tax Credit la ws signed by President Clinton, he said, arc examples of government help for the family. Galston said welfare reform would be "big on the agenda for 1994." He added that "teen pregnancy is the gateway to welfare dependency," but "we don't know
The emotional rewards of sponsoring Cr\latian children arc far greater than those derived from most other CRS-funded projecls, Zelenka said. "You rarely hear from adult beneficiaries about how your support has had a positive impact on their lives. I get letters every day from these children or their families thanking us for our help," he said. The need. however, outstrips what CRS and the Dora Foundation can offer. While 2,500 are being helped, another 1,000 children still awaiting sponsorship. CRS, the V.S. bishops' international relief arm, has provided assistance in the former Yugoslavia since 1991. It established a presence in Croatia in early 1993 and currently operates a $32 million program in Bosnia-Her7.egovina, Croatia and Macedonia.
ning of the course to help them "discover their talents and decide how to employ them to serve the needy." The program at St. Vincent's has been popular, sllid Ms. Capotosto, "and we actually had to limit the number or students we could accept because of an overwhelming response; The program is good for our kids, and a positive learning experience for the Connolly students as w~II." Peter W. Smith is the new clinical coordinator for the Cronin Vnit for boys aged 13-18. A graduate of Northeastern University, he holds a master'$ degree from Boston College in e:ducation with a concentration in special needs. Previously he was director of treatment at the Behavior Research Institute in Providence, RI, and a special education teacher. The home seeks volunteers for a variety of activities from assisting with mailings and special events to serving as caregivers. Caregivers arc asked to provide family-oriented leisore-time act ivities for home -residents, such as visiting a child at St. Vincent's, providing outings and occasional overnight stays, or developing a ,long-term relation~hip with one child. Foster and aqoptive parenthood may be explored. For information on the Caregivers progra m, con.tactJeff Chace, 679-8511 ext. 318. For other volun-
how to prevent teen pregnancy.... If we don't solve this problem, we;: won't be able to. solve welfare reform." David Ellwood, assistant secretary of health and human services, said child support iaws lack teeth. He said an estimated $50 billion could be spent on child support in the V nited States, but that only $16 billion has been awarded by the courts, and only $11 billion of that is actually paid. Communitarian Network founder-director Amatai Etzioni suggested child support insurance to guarantee payments. While a welfare reform plan to have people on welfare for two years then be taken off has been discussed, the emphasis on reform should be "jobs first, income second," Ellwood said. During those two years on welfare, recipients should be trained for jobs in the private sector. But if . none exist, "we'll have to find you [welfare recipients] some kind of public job.... This is very controversial," according to Ellwood. Etzioni cited "ali enormous parental deficit" in the V nited States, noting the estimated" 10 million children who come home to a televi$ion set and a liquour cabinet." While some thinkers still refer to the United States as "the American experiment," Etzioni said that· "when we have children killing children and they don't even show remorse. then we have to rethink the experiment." No time is too $oon, he added, to "save this endangered species."
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678·5201 MARIO (front) and his 4-year-old sister Nicoline are among 20b children in Zagreb, Croatia, being sponsored by Catholic Relief Services. The aid is made possible through contributions from U.S, Catholics. (eNS/ CRS photo)
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ZAGREB. Croatia (CNS)'- . they don't know if he is still alive. Karel Zelenka puts a human face They too have· been living in a 428 Main St. • Hyannis, MA 02601 on V.S. Catholic Relief Services Zagreb refugee hotel with their efforts to hf:lp Croatian children 508-775·4180 Mon.-Sat. 9-5 mother. vicitimized by the Balkan war. "It goes to your heart." he says. Zelenka, CRS country representative in Croatia, said war's effects FATHER DAMIEN on children are devastating. "While they don't understand the war or BEATIFICATION what is happening, their lives are destroyed. Their schooling is disPILGRIMAGES rupted. their families arc torn apart. Fr. WIIIIrn Drill, SS.CC. V... DImIIn Tour 8J*I'a1 lllr8ctlr or t.tllokII, ss.cc. All the child is left with arc institutions." POPE JOHN PAUL II WILL BEATIFY FATHER DAMIEN OF CRS. which is supported by MOLOKAI, Apostle of the Lepers, IN BELGIUM, MAY 15, 1994. contributions from V.S. CatholFATHER WILLIAM DAVIS, SS.ce. IS LEADING AN 8 DAY ics, is working with the Dora PILGRIMAGE MAY 10 TO MAY 17 FOR THE CEREMONY IN Foundation in Zagreb to assist 200 BRUSSELS FROM NEW YORK, THE COST IS $1248.00 PER PERSON. children who have lost one or both FATHER MICHAB. ANNUNZIATO, SS.ce. WILL LEAD THE parents in the war. Th.e foundaMAY 12 TO MAY 23 PILGRIMAGE THAT INCLUDES THE tion, which was founded just after BEATIFICATION CEREMONIES PLUS ROME AND ASSISI. THE COST IS $1798.00 PER PERSON FROM NEW YORK. the Balkan war broke out in 1991 and operates out of a. small two. FOR DETAILED PROGRAMS CONTACT SIR JOHN HODGSON room office in Zagreb, is aiding CATHOLIC TRAVEL OFFICE • 4925 ST. ELMO AVENUE 2,500 children. TEL: (301) 654-4681 • BETHESDA,· MARYLAND 20814 Some stories of the children CRS is sponsoring: - Four-year-old Nicolina and her older brother Mario left their home in Glina when the Serbs REQJST==~~':IST9 invaded and occupied the area. Invalid Equipment For Rent or sale Their father, shot during the conflict. is unemployed and the family Surgical Garments - BiId· IPPB Machines - Jobst receives assistance from the Croa~ • Honser - Crutches - Elastic Stockings tian government while living in a Surgk:a1 &Ollhopedic Appliances refugee hotel. - Twelve-year-old Igor and his .-::~, • Trusses - Oxygen - Oxygen Masks, Tents & ~ :..-:... _ Regulators· Approved For Medicare II-year-old brother Mario lost their father when the Serbs invaded 24 HOUR OXYGEN SERVICE Vukovar and occupied the terriI : M().~~;~" ! ' 24 HOUR EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTION SERVICE tory. Vukovar, which was destroyed in the conflict. was the only home 673 Main St, Dennisport - 398-2219 the boys had known. Now they 550 McArthur Blvd., Ate. 28, Pocasset - 563-2203 live with their mother in a Zagreb refugee hotel. 30 Main St, Orleans, - 255~132 - Ivana, 15, and her sister 509 Kempton St., New Bedford - 9~92 Andrea. 12, also left Vukovar when (PARAMOUNT PHARMACY) war broke out. Their father disappeared during the conflict and
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I The following article is the fourth and last in a series tracing the history of the Fall River diocese. It was originally presented as a talk by Father Barry W. Wall at the recent opening session of the Emmaus spiritual renewal program for priests. Our Jan. 7 article discussed diocesan growth from missionary days and the beginning of the episcopate of Bishop Fellhan. Bishop Feehan's letters reflect his concern for the current events of the. day. Forexample he directed the priests, once women's suffrage became law, to encourage women to regi.ster to vote regardless of how they [the priests] may have felt about the matter previously. In another letter concerning priests' funerals, he directed the chancellor to write that at the transfer of the body from the rectory to the church, priests were "to wear cassock, surplice and biretta. Hats will not be tolerated in the procession." In October of 1918 the dreadful influenza epidemic was at its peak; the bishop took the unprecedented action of closing all the churches for two Sundays.
and Mrs. Taft's 25th wedding anniversary. Before he died in 1934 Bishop Feehan had established 38 parishes and ordained 138 priests. Bishop Cassidy The life and times of the third Bishop, James E. Cassidy, are perhaps better known than those of his predecessor. His convictions were deep and his expression of them unequivocal. To say Bishop Cassidy was outspoken would be an understatement. He was fearless in speaking out on public morality and against things that he considered dangerous to the spiritual well-being of the faithful. Particularly well known was his opposition to alcohol and to gambling. Onone occasion, when he was diocesan vicar general and rector of the Cathedral, he so angered the mayor of Fall River by his opposition, among other things, to' theaters being open on Sunday that the mayor went to Washington to complain'about him to the Apostolic Delegate.
In the same month the diocese lost three very young priests, Fathers James Ryan, curate at Immaculate Conception in North Easton; Ma~thew Lowney at Sacred Heart in Taunton; and Simon O'Rourke who contracted thl: disease as a navy chaplain. Even in smaller points of pasOn a more pleasant note, Bishop toral life he could make his presFeehan is the only bishop to have ence felt. When people complained received the president of the Unithat they had· difficulty reaching ted States at the episcopal resisome rectories because the phone' dence on Highland Avenue in Fall was listed under the pastor's name, River. In June of 1911 President he directed the chancellor to write William Howard Taft came to the to the pastors to the effect that city for its Cotton Centennial ceieregardless of any private phones, bration. His motorcade stopped each rectory was to have a'phone briefly at the bishop's residence, listed in .the name of the parish but it was no mere courtesy call.. and, the letter .added, "a copy of. the bishop and the president had this instruction has been sent to been boyhood friends since the the telephone company who, at young Taft had come regularly . the earliest opportunity, will make from Ohio to spend summer vacathe changes even should you negtions with his grandparents in Milllect to do so." .' bury, Mass., where the bishop Bishop Cassidy's tenure pretty grew up. In fact, the bishop had much spanned the years of the recently been at the White House, depression and World War II. He for the celebration of President supported the war effort and al-.
lowed many priests to serve as military chaplains. A very significant contribution was his reorganization of the St. Vincent de Paul Society into an effective agency of charity in each parish when it was most needed during the depression. Fresh Air Bishop Ifin 1959 PopeJohn XXIII was to open a window, James L. Connolly beat him to it in 1951, when he succeeded. to the See of Fall River. The fresh air could be felt. Respectfully and carefully, old restrictions were mitigated and programs and apostolates initiated: Cana and Pre-Cana, guilds for the blind and the deaf, the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, the Legion of Mary, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, the Serra Club - all had a beginning or a renewal in the mid-1950s. Later there would come The Anchor, diocesan high schools and a great increase in vocations to the priesthood. He was fond of saying "Not the best, not the worst, look around, match us if you can." At times Bishop Connolly fell victim to depression but the Second Y.atican Council energized him. As a student of church history, he had a deep appreciation of what was taking place and he set about with characteristic common sense to implement the conciliar decrees, ably aided by Msgr. Humberto Medeiros and Msgr. John Hackett. It was a blow to him and to the diocese when they were called from us, one to Brownsville, the other to heaven. During this period also we sustained the loss of several tal- . ented priests who resigned from active ministry. In many ways it was fortunate the ·bishop's retirement was near. Bishop Cronin Daniel A. Cronin was installed as fifth bishop in 1970, a decade that would see great political and social strife in the country and inuch controversy. in the church. His was the task amid this confusion to continue to foster authentic conciliar renewal which he did with deliberate but steady progress. An Anchor editorial put it well:·
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"He preserved us from much of the highjinks of renewal." The restored Permanent Diaconate, the departments of Social Services, and Pastoral Care of the Sick, and the Office of Family Ministry are an enduring part of his legacy. 1n the place attractively set apart for the celebration of the Eucharist during these days, we have the processional cross from St. Mary's Cathedral, a sign of our unity in this local church. The cross was given to the Cathedral by Bishop Cronin in memory of his parents who were frequent and welcome visitors to Fall River during the 1970s.
I
Looking Ahead BISHOP JAMES E. CASSIDY Now in the 1990s we come together with Bishop Sean O'Malley who brings his own gifts and spiritual heritage but who has the same mission and commission as the five bishops of Fall River, the two bishops of Providence and the four bishops of Boston who have preceded him in this corner of the· Lord's vineyard. We are encouraged to recall the way we were so we can more easily travel along the way to what we can be. "We are God's children now; what we shall later be has not yet come to light. We know that when it comes to light we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (I John 3:2). This Letter of John expresses uncertainty about BISHOP JAMES L. CONNOLLY the future but not doubt, only h·ope. We may face an uncertain future but not one without hope. We have the Lord's promise, "I am with you all days." , Atthe 1954 Mass commemorating the golden jubilee of the diocese, Bishop William O. Brady, the preacher, said the growth of the church in the diocese of Fall River was not the work of bishops and priests alone "but the work of the people of God who have brought to it the culture of various places, the traditions of various peoples, the melo'dies of various tongues, the customs of various lands. The people of God in the Diocese of Fall River make up a Pentecostal list." May the gifts of Pentecost be BISHOP DANIEL A. CRONIN always evident among us here. ..._-...i_ _...
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Reviewed by Mary Kenny Catholic News Service ~ Hard-hitting and no-nonsense might best describe this paperback book., "Why the Homeless Don't Have Homes and What to Do About It." Author Michael ElIiott, an ordained minister, is a veteran of 15 years of work in the field of h9melessness.
the homeless will still be without them beCOme functioning ",embers jobs, education, friends and the of a socially accepted group. The . m~ny other supports which keep: 'good news' is that these social people going in hard times. networks are Ii vailable to' those But however well-f11eaning, pro-" who will take ad'vantage ofth'em:~:. viders cannot do everything for Tobe sure, this is a different view everyone, thus because the homethan most religious'peopl~have of less population is so diverse, Ellieva!1gel~sm." ott endorses efforts to downsize Church members, he asserts, like and speciC\lize. to associate with people like them.' For the uninitiated the basic Particularly interesting are EIIi- selves. Thus, they see outreach to facts of homelessness are a revela- ott's views of both the success and the homeless as a mission endeation. Most Americans, Elliott sug- the failure of churches in dealing' vor and a side issue in the business gests, cling to the stereotype of the with the homeless. of being church. Churches offer homeless person: male, 'alcoholic, "The church universal is one of charity rather than community. middle-aged. Such persons do exist. the few, if not only, groups with Unless people are willing to However. today one-fourth to one- the potential to facilitate social provide more than food, clothing third of the homeless are children. networks on a massive scale. The and shelter, he says. homeless ness and another one-fourth to one-' structure and the mandate to intewill' not go away. "U ntil enough third are women. Even among grate the homeless and the margipeople believe that homelessness men the stereotype does not en- nal into mainstream society are compass the many subgroups .of already in place. The religious' should not exist, the homeless will not have homes.'" homeless: unemployed. minimally community simply needs to take ~mployed, veterans, the mentally:; seriously the fulfilling of one of its At your bookstore or order for Ill. . . primary goals. Specifically, the $10.95. including. shipping and ;P'roviding food,' clothing and religious community is charged handling,Jrom Beacon Press, Harsh1:lter are. \>asic but unless shelters with 'evangelizing' those who are per & Row. Keystone Industrial als.o.~orktocreit'te s~cial net~orks. o.utside of a cong"egation to help Park, Scranton. Pa. 18512.
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ONE OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICA'S
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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River
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Fri., Jan. 14, 1994
Doctor-nun star graduate of her grade school class BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) Elementary school classmates of Medical Mission Sister Eileen Niedfield point to her as an example of the contribution made by Catholic education. She was the featured speaker when the 1933 class of St. Saviour Parish elementary school of Brooklyn gathered for a 60th anniversary reunion. Sister Niedfield graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1951, then qualified as a surgeon with a residency at the Georgetown University Hospital. Her missionary service of 34 years was spent at hospitals of her order in India, except for two years in a government hospital in Bhutan, a small border kingdom between India and Tibet. There were many connections between her order and Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity, Sister Neidfield said. "She worked in one of our hospitals briefly to learn about medical work, we've trained her sisters and she talks at our graduations," she said. Now 73, Sister Niedfield is again living in the United States, but not thinking of retirement. She is living with other members of her order in San Diego, and has taken on three jobs there. She said she did not want to continue surgery, but in order to
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do general practice she had to pass a California exam. That done, she works parttime in three clinics, at one of them seeing HIVand AIDS patients. "I was interested in AIDS because I felt there was a great need not just medically but also socially and spiritually," Sister Niedfield said. Many patients express a desire for God and for changing their lives, she said. So she has opportunities to help them "turn their lives around," and sometimes offers suggestions such as the reading of certain Psalms, she said. Sister Niedfield also volunteers parttime at the St. Vincent de Paul Joan Krock Medical Clinic, which mostly serves homeless people. Her third job, also involving some AIDS patients, is at a clinic operated by the Episcopal Church. One reason for the founding of the Medical Mission Sisters, said Sister Niedfield, was to care for women in areas of the world where men objected to having women in their families examined by male doctors. In San Diego too, she said, women themselves often indicate greater comfort in talking with a woman doctor. "I will be seeing them to deal with one thing, and they will bring up other problems because I am a woman," she said.
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TOP PICTURE, the peaceful grounds and bt,lildings ofSt. Joseph Abbey, Spencer; below, Trappist Father Adrian Proback watches jars of Trappist Preserves as they emerge from pasteurization. (eNS/ Fred LeBlanc photos)
Preserves help pres'erveTrappist life By Peggy Weber The Catholic Observer Springfidd SPENCER, Mass. (CNS) -It's a gooey, sticky business. But these monks know how to do it. During the holiday season, many people give or receive Trappist preserves made and packed by the monks of St. Joseph Abbey in Spencer. The 75 Trappists own nearly 2,000 acres in rural Spencer. Most of their buildings are made of stone and were built by the monks who came to the an:a in 1950. The manufacturing facility contains cooking, bottling, packing and shipping areas for Trappist Preserves. For about five and a half hours on most days, a dozen monks are involved in production of the jams, jellies and marmalades, with another eight helping with the packing of orders. The monks make the preserves 10 months out of the year. "Last year we sold about 95,000 cases of preserves," said Father Dominic Whedbee, director of Trappist Preserves. Each case holds a dozen 12-ounce jars or 48 threeounce jars. On one recent clay, the monks were making 600 cases of seedless red raspberry jam - one of the most popular selections. Other favorites are strawberry and blueberry preservf:s and red raspberry jam.
For those unfamiliar with the distinctions 'among spreads, Father Whedbee explains: Preserves are made with whole fruit, jellies from the juice of fruits, marmalades with fruit juic~ and peel, and jams with pureed fruit. The monks also make conserve from whole fruit, raisins and walnuts. The jam was being prepared under the watchful ,eyes of Brother Francis Mohr, director of quality control, and Brother William James, head cook, who has been making the preserves since 1963. "He hovt:rs over each batch as if it were the first he eVer made," said Father Placid Sweeney, director of public relation~ for the Trappists. "It is this kind of quality and care that makes our preserves so good. The monks use "no preservatives, artificial colorings or artificial flavors," he said. "A while back our strawberry preserves won an award from a cooking magazine and the judgeS said that it was unfortunate that artificial coloring had to be used. They couldn't believe that such good color could be attained naturally. But it is." The Trappist monks were not always in the pre~erves business. Father Sweeney said Father Patrick Brown's stovetop operation of making wine jellies got the abbey involved. Father Whedbee also recalled that Brother John Berchmanns grew mint in the monks garden
and made mint jelly for a neighbor. The neighbor,pleasantly surprised that the jelly was not cloudy, asked for more. Soon it was being sold at the abbey. From those beginnings the business mushroomed and now includes 25 fruit and six wine flavors. The operation was automated in the late 1950s and then Trappist Preserves were picked up by a variety of distributors. They are also sold by mail and at the abbey's gift shop. "We export to Japan and Canada and have customers in all the United States, but most of our business is on the East Coast," said Father Whedbee, noting that the food industry by nature has its ups and downs. "We've been carried by many good and loyal distributors but last year we lost four," he said. "It's a hard thing to predict because it is seasonal. It's a tough market and very competitive." The Trappists rely chiefly on their preserves to support their life in Spencer although they also have another industry, the Holy Rood Guild, which manufactures vest- ' ments. . "You must remember that, unlike Smucker's, we are not here for the sake of producing Trappist Preserves," said Father Sweeney. "We could expand, but we do this work to make income to preserve our monastic life."
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THE ANCHOR-Dioqese of Fall River-Fri.,,Jan. 14,19.94
By Charlie Martin
THE NORTH Have you seen the North That cold gray place Don't want its shadow any more On my face A man grows bitter We're a bitter race Some of us never get to see A better place, In the northern skies , There was a steel cloud It used to follow me around Butt'don't see it now TJier~'s a farm in th'~ rain And a little farmhouse There were a young man's eyes Looking south The North was my mother ~ut I no longer need her You trade your roots and your dust For a face in the river And a 'driven rain'that washes ,you To a different. shore, There's a North in.us all But my North can't hold me, anymore W'ritten by Elton John and Taupin. Sung by Elton John (c) 1992 by Big Pig Music Ltd.
nun, prayer was almost impossible fo'r her because she could not When we hear that President concentrate. Clinton has eaten at McDonalds 'She was, however. a determined and has a' weight problem, he and as, the years went on person, , seems not quite so remote, not she scaled the, heights of holiness. quite so "great." It's 'muchthe same when we find Her books a~eclasslcs now. Yet even after she had acquired that someone like composer (ud-, an ability to pray well, she wrote wig von Beethoven was messy with the details of housekeeping. That about how one's thoughts sometimes wander. , brings him down off his pedestal. "There 'are occl).sions when 0I1e For some reason, we tend to think that the movers and shakers, cannot help doing this: times of ill the great heroes and the' great health; or times when ()ur heads saints, were flawless and had eve- are tired, and however hard we try, rything under control. But if we we cannot concentrate; or times think that, we are likely to believe when' ... 'God allows his servants that greatness of any kind is be)'()nd for days on end to go through great storms." " our grasp. Doesn't Teresa sound like' one It isn't. Consider one of the finesi women in,' the history of the of us? For many years' she suffered church, St. Teresa of Avila. This Spanish riun,.a singularly beauti- from tinnitus, an affliction of the EVER BUY a disc for its hits ful person who lived some 400 ear. She says: "As I write this, the but discover that you like the years ago, is one of only two noises in my head are so loud that I other cuts even better? women given the title "Doctor of am begi'nning to wonder what is Most of us have had this the Church." This means her writ- going on in it. ... They have been experience. A good example is ings have been unusually effective making it almost impossible for me to obey those who commanded Elton John's "The One." in promoting Christian life. me to write. This ,disc contains not only Certainly she must have had "My head' sounds just as if it John's hit by the same name, everything under control! But wait. were full of brimming rivers~ and but also "Simple Life" and "The Listen to Teresa: Last Song." If you follow this "The reader must have patience then as if all the water in those column. you know that previouswith me, as I hiwe with myself rivers came suddenlyrushing downly I have reviewed all three. when writing about things of which ward." What very human difficulties Off the same disc is a cut I know nothing; for really, I sometitled "The North." Typical of times take up my paper, like a per- Teresa had to deal. with! Do you John's writing, it is full of metfect fool, with no idea of what to feel some kinship with her? Does your life also feel oui of control aphorical images. His message say or of how to begin." Teresa definitely did not have occasionally? Does the world look hopeless to you at times? Do obeverything under control. As a teenager, she was proud stacles, few or many, seem overand quick tempered, sometimes whelming on some days? If so, then when you feel bewil-. falling into "terrible rages." Two diocesans Were among seven She was preoccupied with plea- dered by events, think of this brave, alumni receiving awards during but ordinary woman who once sure, clothes, romance novels and Alumni Weekend 1993 at Salve horseback riding. She loved to be referred to our days on earth as Regina University, Newport, Rl. liked, and ~he talked too much, a "this farce of a life." Janet Lynn Robinson,'n, vice So think of Teresa,' and revice she deeply regretted in later president of ad'vertising sales at member how. she hung in there years. the New York. Times Co. and .a. Despite ,these failings; she",.vas with great determination. Amid Somerset native, received one of drawn to G<;>d - and to convent the ordinariness of life, she achieved four Distinguished Alumni Awards life. But for her first 20 years as a great goodness. for graduates Who exemplify exceptional c()mmunity, family and professional service. ~ean Sheehan, '87,a probation officer in the. Barnstable Juvenile Court, received one of two Alumni, Achievement Awards for gr~du . ~. ates who have earned t\:teir degree .' within the past·.\O years,. have made important professional and , : civic contributions, ,demonstrate , great potential for future distinc~ , ' tion and serve as excellent role . models for students ~nd alumni. Ms. Robinson taught in elemen, ' tary schools iq Somerset a!1d Newport bef()re launching. a second, career in publishi,ng, focusing on advertising sales. In 1983 she becam~ a sales representative, then , . account manager, for Tennis,Magazine in New York. She was the : publication's top salesperson i~ 1985. As the magazine's advertisGETTING A JUMP on things during Taunton Catholic ing director in 1987, she assisted in negotiating a contract with the Middle School's recent win over Mulcahey School is David United States Tennis Association, Chaves, who sets up to make a basket while TCMS teammate which named the magazine its Ryan Colton looks on. official publication. By Tom Lennon
is heard by reflecting on these images. The song appears to speak about 'deep and enduring disappointment. Most of us have days when the "steel clouds" of the old, gray, "N orth" darken our lives. When, this occurs, how can we move past our depression and hurt? How can we join with the person in the, song and state: "There's a North in us all but my North can't hold me anymore." Perhaps the best thing we can do is tell the truth of how down
we.feel. Sharing o:u'f sadni~ss. hurt, or'disappointment lessens power over us. Talk with some-, one who will listen with care but w.ho 1IIso won't try to 'fix our feelings .. At times, we need to be ~,ad and depressed. When someone only tries to cheer us up, that person is not necessarily helping us. Rather, we need a person who can be present to us emotionally without putting us on a quick schedule to get I~e yond our feelings. Secondly, avoid catastrophizing. A deep disappointment doesn't mean, that everything in our lives is going badly. Try to keep perspective. Indeed, the current loss or grief hurts, ~IUt attemp.t to observe other aspe,:ts of your life and see what is going well. Further, remember to be ki rid to you·rself. Listen' to some'.of your favorite music, or engage in, some' activity that you usually enjoy. S'ometimes our mood changes simply by acting Ii ke we are feeling better. For example, you may not feel like playing tennis or some sport that you normally enjoy, but once you start, the activity itself can lift how you feel. ' Finally, share how you are feeling with God. Ask God how you can attain heilling for'your pain. As you pray, be open to surprises. Sometimes God's care comes from the least expected sources. That special letter, phone call. or whatever, that arrives in your life may be the result of your prayer for guidance. Visits by the "N orth" don't last forever. Sometimes, tlte passing of time itself allows liS to rediscover the promise and opportunity still available in our lives. Trust that much goodness awaits you. Your comments are welcoml~, by Cha'rlie Martin, RR 3, Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.
Diocesans earn Salve alumni awards Ms. Robinson was next appointed vice president of advertising sales and marketing for the New York Times Company Women~s Publishing' Division, of the New York Times Company Magazine Group, which includes Fam-, ily Circle, McCalls, Child, American Homestyle Remodeling and Fitness magazines. , Promoted to senior' vice president of corporate advertising sales and marketing in January 1992, she developed bu'siness from sev~ erallarge corponitionsand created a multimillion dollar cross-media promotion with 'CBS, featuring a . 25-city mall toudor 1993. She was named vice president of .advertis~ ing sales last June'. A member of t!l:e' Advertising Club of New York and Advertising Women of New 'York, Ms. Robinson was named one of the 100 Best Advertising Sales People by Advertising Age. She is ·also involved with the Literacy. Volunteers of America. Sheehan began working iii Bos~ ton early last year as a probation ,officer'in the Juvenile Court De- ' partment of the Trial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after returning from four years in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica and Ecuador. ' , In Boston he provided case man- , . agement and counseling to 45
youths and families in crisis. Visiting their homes and schools, he evaluated the children's needs and referred them for services at community agencies. Recently Sheehan transferred from Boston to the Barnst.able Juvenile Court, where he serves in the same capacity. 'His clients, ages 7 to 17, have not committed' crimes, but are before the court because of such behaviors as truancy, running away from h0rTle, or disobeying curfl:WS. Others need protective services due to abuse at home or' have me:~tal health problems and require co urtordered services.. ' Sheehan earried a degree in social work- hom Salve before entering the Peace Corps. His experiences in CQsta Rica'and. Ecuad,or, were the topic ofan August 1991 An~hor feature story.
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, . . Spirit of 'Pray'er ' ,
......th« SP.i~i~ of prayer i.s for all times and all occasions. It i:; a lamp that is't~ be~lw~ys burning, a light to be ever shining; everything calls for'it, everything is to be done in ,it and, governed by it. because it is a means and wills nothing else but the whole totality of the soul not doing this or that, but wholly, incessantly given up to God to be where and what and how Gol;I pleases."---,William Law
â&#x20AC;˘ In our
THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Jan. 14, 1994
schools .
Bishop Stang
Coyle-Cassidy Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton, will host the 1994 American Drug-Free Powerlifting Association's New England States High School Powerlifting Championship Meet on the weekend of March 12-13. The meet will be a one pliltform, two-day affair. All girls and boys who weigh between 114-165 pounds will compete on Saturday. Boys from 181 to super hl:avyweights will compete on Sunday. Weighins on both days will be from 78:30 a.m. and the meet. will s'tart at 9:30 a.m. Lifters from any New England high school are eligible. Competitors must have proof of age and the fact that they are current high school students. Lifters will be placed in specific age and weight classes. Individual awards for the first five places in each age and weight class will be given. Team trophies for the five top teams will be awarded based on points. All lifters under age 21 must have a waiver form signed by a parent or guardian and this form must be presented at the time of the weigh-in. Application for the meet and more information may be obtained by contacting meet director Howard Waldron at Coyle and Cassidy High School, 823-6164.
Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, will administer a make-up placement exam 8 to II :30 a.m. Jan, 22. Eighth grade students unable to take the previously scheduled exam should preregister for the make-up test with Irene Silva, admissions director, at 993-8963.
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MOCK TRIAL: Katie O'Tool swears in Merrilee Fazio as she prepares to testify in a mock trial of soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre, St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, principal Alberta Goss (back) served as judge. The trial was the culmination of a research project by the seventh grade American history class taught by Mary ~llen Smith.
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Bishop Connolly
It's~ not 'Catholi"c WASHINGTON (eNS) - Catholics for a Free Choice, which supports legal abortion, "has no affiliation, formal or otherwise, with the Catholic Church," says the U.S. bishops' Administrative Committee. "Because of its opposition to the human rights of some of the most defenseless members of the human race, and because its purposes and activities deliberately contradict essential tcachings of the Catholic faith, we state once again that Catholics for a' Free Choice merits no recognition or support as a Catholic organization." said a committee statement.
Kathy Crosson, chairperson of the Bishop Stang science department, is a member of the Leadership Team of the Buzzards Bay Rim Project. The project involves all towns on the Buzzards Bay Rim, from Somerset to Falmouth, as they unite to study the issues facing the Bay and its future. This collaborative between Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, The Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies and UMASS-Dartmouth is coordinated by Dr. Tim O'Sullivan of U Mass-Dartmouth, who obtained grants to fund this project through the National Science Foundation.
The initial phase of the project will involve elementary schools within the "Rim" area in a "hands on" science collaborative. District Leadership Teams will develop the district science program vision and mission together with the students, teachers, administrators, school councils, community members, and parents in their districts. Fall River diocesan schools comprise Ms. Crosson's district. She will help establish science curriculum for diocesan elementary schools and, eventually, the high schools. Senior Kara Roth auditioned for and earned a place in the chorus of 1. he Southeast District Musical Festival. Rehearsals and the Musical Festival concert were held Jan. 9 at Bridgewater State College. A South Dartmouth resident, Miss Roth also earned a place in the chorus during her sophomore year at Bishop Stang.
College students help community
,STUDENT GOVERNMENT Leaders,hip Scholarship recipients at Bishop Connolly High School, with principal Father John Murray, SJ, are, from left, Holly Brooder, Melissa Eslinger, Mary Noone and Carla DiCorpo.
ON ICE: There was plenty' to slip and slide on outdoors last week, bllt the Coyle-Cassidy Warriors were busy mastering the indoor ice, defeating Dar~mouth :6-2. Senior captain Mike Mountain contributed t,wo gl?als, to ~he Taunton team's "iet~ry. .' ,',
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Robert Javonillo, a senior at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, has been named a'Sylvan Scholar as the school winner of 1. he Century III Leaders competition sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Sylvan Learning Centers. Javonillo, a Fall I{ivcr resident, is now cligible to compete for one of two $1.000 scholarships to be offered in the state and an allexpense-'paid trip to the' spring National' Century III Le,\ders Con~ ference in Baltimore. There state delegates will compe'te 'for a national $10,000 scnolarship.' The Cef\t.ury III p'rogram IS d~- , signed to recognize stu,dents whq show ~tron/1: leadership abilities, and an inter~~t in the f~ture of America. Javonillo is active in the National 'Honor SocietY.,o~Qccer, student government, the academic team, and the drama, science and National Beta 'cIub~. .' ' Hannah Sullivat., an Advanced Placement English teacher at Con" nolly, is among six area instructors recently rec'ognized by Tufts University. Four years ago,'1Tufts instituted the recognition program to give university students an opportunity to thank teachers who have had a profound influence in their lives, providing not' only information but inspiration. Over the years, teachers from every state in the nation, and many countries overseas have received letters of recognition for their special contributions from Tufts Uni' versity.
"We know that it is because of the interest and quality of teaching of so many secondary school teachers that a university like Tufts receives such a capable and talented student body," said David Cuttino. dean of' admissions, who founded the program. "These teachers are the key to our future, and we know from the responses we have received over the years that. nothing mea!ls more to them than h~lping students fulfill all their potential. Ea'chstory is a testament to'these teachers' dedication, '''We hopeihis program 'aills in the quality of education today by hon'oring'some of our frequently unsung heroes." 'Sci'ence teacher Tim Watters recently brought one of his chemistry classes to the'nuclear reactor at the University of Rhode Island's Bay Campus iwNarragansett. Students were able'to look down into' the reac(or core and witness the, "blue glow"emitted by the fission reattion occurring 32 feet below. The reacto'r is used primarily for "neutron activation analysis" of air, water, and' soil samples coilected from all over the world. The class also visited some of the laboratories on the campus. Watters also recently attended a conference at Pioneer Finishing with local chemistry teachers, guidance counselors, textile business representatives and administrators from the University of Massachusetts Textile Science Program. Academic preparation and opportunities for students majorin!;1: in textile sciences were discussed.
BALTIMORE(CNSj -- SOS is a symbol that means someone is in distress and in need of help, Several freshmen at Loyola College in Baltimore are answering the call for help from Baltimore's disadvantaged, It's part ofa new program called Student Orientation to Service. or SOS. crcated to give incoming frcshmen an awareness of social needs in the Baltimorc area, , The program is sponsorcd by L9yola's Center for Valucs and Service and includes not only discussion about social issucs hut hands-on experience in a soup kitchen and an outreach center. During the three days. participants learncd about urban PO\'crty and service opportunities in Baltimore, The 10 participants worked at Bcans and Bcans soup kitchen and at St. Ambrose Outreach Center. "My new home is Baltimoreand I want to know how to help out hcrc." said I.oyola freshmen Missy Patton from Connecticut. "I used to fear homcless people hut the SOS project made me realize th~y are people just like anyone else. We even met a homeless man who. took us on a tou,r of the city,"
Another SOS participant. Jcnnifer Stackhouse, said she applied to be part of the project so she could get a "head start." "I was afraid once I got involved in schoolwork I might procrastinate [aboutj volunteering." she said, "Now I know where to go and where the nceds arc, It will be easier for mc to remain involved." Most participants. like Molly Devlin from New Jersey. already had some experience volunteering. "( have taught CCD classes and I worked in a soup kitchen." said Ms. Devlin, "I want to continue reaching out to people now that 1 am in college," At Stonehill College in North Easton, Mass., the mandatory "Into the Streets" program requires each member of the incoming freshman class to devote at least one day during freshmen orientation to community service projects. Among the volunteer sites from which students could choose were My Brother's Ke'eper donation center and Mainspring House soup kitchen; Regent Park home for the elderly; Easton Children's Museum; American Cancer Society; Old Colony YMCA and Brockton Boys arid Girls Club.
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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-"Fri., Jan. 14, -1994'
Iteering pOintl CORPUS CHRISTI, SANDWICH Food pantry collection this weekend. O,L, CAPE, BREWSTER Ladies' Guild offers college scholarship to students completing second year in four-year ins.titution or first year in two-year institution; information: Mary Bond, 385-2100; Marguerite McGirr, 896-3594; Marion Lupica, 896-3073. Application deadline: April II.
ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON Children's winter coats in good condition may be left at Dermody Cleaners, which will clean them and give them to the St. Vincent de Paul Center for distribution. Calix group for persons recovering from addiction will meet 6:30 p.m. Sunday, parish center. John Mark Traverse of Troop 40 will be honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor 7 p.m. tomorrow.
SACRED HEART, N.ATTLEBORO The parish seeks donation of a piano for church use. HOSPICE OUTREACH, INC., FR Eight-week training course for Hospice and bereavement support volunteers begins Feb. 8 with classes to meet 7 to 9 p,m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at FR YMCA. Sessions cover emotional and spiritual care. comfort measures. confidentiality. listening skills. grief and loss. Volunteers asked to spend a few hours a week with a patient and families to provide emotional support, respite care, transportation, bereavement support. ST. JOAN OF ARC, ORLEANS Vincentians seek volunteers to visit shut-ins; information: Pat Rotman, 255-5780, or Kay O'Brien, 255-8546.
Vatican d'ocument offers guidelines for ecumenical cooperation for sharing,with other Christians VATICAN CITY (CNS) - All and for working for the unity of Catholics are called to work for the churches, the document exChristian unity while fully respectplains. ing Catholic doctrine and rules At the same time, Christians governing sharing with non-Cathomust understand and be commitlics, says a new Vatican document. "To live our baptism is to be ted to their own community's caught up in Christ's mission of teaching before they can explain it ',making all things one," said the to others with a hope of finding Vatican's revised set of dire'ctives ' true common ground, it says. The Roman Catholic Church, for ecumenical activity. the Directory points out, professes The "Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms of that "the entirety of revealed truth, of sacraments and of ministry that Ecumenism" was released by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christ gave for the building up of his church and the carrying out Christian Unity. Cardinal Edward of its mission is found within I. Cassidy, council president, said the document "confirms once more the Catholic communion of the in the present circumstance~, and church.". At the same time, the Catholic 'with new and unequivocal force, Church recognizes the baptism and the ecumenical commitment of the faith of other Christian communiCatholic Church." ties and believes that "the Spirit of The document revises and exChrist has not refrained from using pands 1967and 1970guidelines.lt thein as means of salvation." opens with an explanation of the The document explained that theological reasons wlJy the Cathobetween the Roman Catholic and lic Church is committed to work- Orthodox churches "there is still a ing toward Christian unity. very close communion in matters It then explains how the church of faith." organizes its ecumenical activity, Because it recognizes the validpresents guidelines for educating ity of Orthodox sacraments and church members about how to ordination, the Catholic Church promote Christian unity, discusses allows and even encourages "some types of shared prayer possible sharing in liturgical worship, even with other Christian churche!l and of the Eucharist, with these explains other forms of ecumeni- churches,'~ the document said. cal cooperation. While shared prayer and even A common baptism is the basis liturgical worship may be permit-
ted under many circumstances, the sharing of sacraments is more restricted because a community's celebration of a sacrament "is the sign of the reality of its unity in faith, warship and community life." The document called for education in ecumenism for all members of the church and said ecumenical formation must begin with personal conversion. Commitment to true ecumenism in the Catholic Church, it said, begins when a person seeks unity with Christ and c. with neighbors. It then moves to A YOUNG LIBE"RIAN girl holds a year-old boy wfferunity through one's local church with the universal church, then 'ing from malnutrition at a hospital near Cape Mount, Liberia. expands to seeking u,nity with all , (CNS/ Reuters photo) Christians. ' Specific training in ecumenism must be part of the formation of seminarians and priests and of others who work in the church, the documenfstressed. It encouraged bishops' c6nferences and EasternWASHINGTON (CNS) "I would say that 20 percent of r'i'te synod§1 of bishops to work Thousands of young Liberians are the soldiers are 15 and under," with other Christian communities in danger of starving because of Father Vavrina said. "Some of on agreements about recognizing the ongoing rivalry among various these are as young as 9 or Ill" and the validity of each other's sacrapolitical-military factions, said can "barely carry an AK-47" asment of baptism. Father Kenneth Vavrina, head of sault rifle. In marriages between Christians But the factional leaders prefer of different church communities the Catholic Relief Services proto have the "boy soldiers" as body"the primary concern of the church gram in the country. He said that children are starv- guards because they trust th{:m, he is to uphold the strength and staing just 30 miles outside the capi- said. The youths "don't have a bility of the indissoluble marital tal, Monrovia, where thousands of hidden agenda" in a conflict which union and the fam'ily life that flows tons of food are waiting in warehas seen its share of betrayal and from it," the Vatican document houses for distribution - blocked assassination. said, adding that pastors and othby the activities of warring facLiberia's pre-civil war pc.pulaers preparing couples for marriage tions. tion was more than 2.7 million. An must discuss potential problems, "Since August I would guess estimated one-half oflhe Liberian particularly those related to the that 35,000 to 40,000 children have people became refugees as a result religious education of children. starved to death" nationwide, of the conflict, which began in The pastoral approach should Father Vavrina said in a recent December 1989. be to "stress the positive aspects of interview before heading back to At least 150,000 people -- 5.5 what the couple share together as the West African country. percent of the population - have Christians in the life of grace," it "Up to two months ago, we had been killed in the four years of said. been able to go into 80 percent of fighting. ' the c.ountry,",he said. The Economic Community of But the rise of new tensions and West African States sent a p,~ace dangers have forced the aid orkeeping force, the Cease-Fire Monganizations to pull back to a relaitoring Group, into the country in The Couples Club of St. An~ tively small enclave hinging on the 1990 in an effort to end the fighttho ny's parish, East Falmouth, re- coastal cities of Monrovia and ing and help re-establish stable cently held a 25th anniversary celeBuchanan. government. An interim adminisbration with present and former Life outside that area is tenutration was established. priests of the parish as guests. ous, Father Vavrina said. But the force soon became emEstablished by the late Father broiled in combat with the strong"The entire 'country has been George Amaral to promote est of the factions, the National looted." and schools outside the "friendship through religion," the Patriotic Forces of Liberia, which capital have not been in session for club has grown from its founding controls most of the country. two years, the CRS official said. six couples to a membership of Now, a mixed force from East Along with its feeding program more than 60. Four of the original Africa is being dispatched to Lifor the areas it is able to reach, couples are still active in the club: beria to help the stabiliza'tion Father Vavrina said CRS is also effort. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Marshall, Mr. supplying seed rice to farmers in and Mrs. Frank Souza, Mr. and Catholics comprise about 3 perthose areas and plans to provide cent of Liberians. Mrs. Norman Thayerand Mr. and 4,000 tons of it in 1994. Rice is the Mrs. Robert Sylvia. Beautiful Things The Couples Club has held sup- country's staple food. pers and dances, sponsored a child Starvation is not the only threat "For everything give praise and in Haiti, donated a Companion children face. They are also a sig- thanksgiving in these words: 'How Response System to Falmouth nificant element of the 45,000 many beautiful things God has Hospital and donated to Catholic armed militia members estimated made for me on this earth in order Charities, the parish building fund, to be under the control of the three that I may love Him.' "-Si. AIand other charitable causes. main factions. phonsus Liguori
Starvation, combat threaten Liberian children
Couples Club marks 25th anniversary
BISHOP SEAN O'MALLEY speaks at a re~ent celebration of the sixth apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, held at'the World Apostolate of Fatima National Center in Washington, NJ. (Barnes photo) , ,