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FRII)AY, JANUARY

19, 2007

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Diocese gearing up :Ifor Pro-Life rally, lDarch in Washington

THE ROSARY B.

A WORlD AT PRAYER IS A WORLD AT

By DEACON JAMES

PIAC~

A ROSARY CELEBRATION

May 19,2007

Holy Cross Family Ministries part of Rosary at the Rose.

Bowl team this spring

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contingent from the diocese will attend a 10 a.m. Mass at the " with Archbishop Wuerl as principal celebrant, and NORTH DARTMOUTH - Students from the Fall River Verizon Center Diocese's four Catholic high schools as well as adults and clergy Bishop Gebrge w. Coleman and several priests from the Fall River from parishes across the region will travel to Washington, D.C. Diocese as concelebrants. for the 34th annual March for Life January 22 that speaks out The m짜ch at noon that day normally follows a route from the against abortion in all its phases.

National Mall and continues down Constitution Avenue, formally ''We have more than 300 right now in the various groups of ending at the Supreme Court building. There will be several speakPro-Lifers planning to attend the Masses, rally, and protest march ers, traditi6nally Pro-Life members of the Congress. on this 34th anniversary of the decision by the U.S. Supreme In the Bast, President George W. Bush and parents ofTheresa Court in the case of Roe v. Wade that made abortion legal in our, Marie ''Terri'' Schiavo - the 26-year old woman the courts in nation," reported Marian Desrosiers, director of the Pro-Life 2005 declkd in a permanent vegetative state and ordered her Apostolate in the diocese. feeding tube be removed - were among the speakers.

"Joining us this year will be a group of male and female stuNellie Gray, the president and permit holder for the annual dents from Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, R.I., and we're glad March fot, Life, will also address the marchers. to accommodate them as well as a group from Notre Dame ParThe ~ual peaceful demonstrations are traditionally aimed at reminding the government's legislative, judicial and administraish in Fall River and its chaperons," she said.

"And another distinct adult group from parishes that travels tive branches of the concerns by many Americans of diverse relithe hotel circuit in its yearly trek to the March will be joining us gious affiliations about the evils of abortion in general. In the past too," she added. the marc~ has also targeted euthanasia.

Following a long bus ride, the diocesan pilgrims will attend This year's focus will be on the need to better inform the pubthe vigil Mass on Sunday, January 21, at the Basilica of the Na- lic about the immorality of embryonic stem-cell research, as the tional Shrine of the ~aculate Conception in Washington, cel- Church teaches. ebrated by Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, archbishop of Wash''Thery is a rising concern and need across the nation to eduington. cate people that there are positive and more successful results On Monday, January 22, following a rally at 8 a.m., the youth Tum to page 18 - Life

By DAVE JOLIVET, EDITOR

EASTON - Through the years, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., has been the site of many a Hail Mary pass heaved into the end zones with hopes of a miracle finish. On May 19, Holy Cross Family Ministries, with world headquarters in Easton, teams with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to raise thousands of Hail Marys heavenward as part of The Rosary Bowl prayer celebration for the miracle of peace.

"A World at Prayer Is a World at Peace: A Rosary Celebration, The Rosary Bowl," carries forward the tradition and mission of Servant of God and famed Rosary Priest Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton. The event, free and open to the public, will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and includes workshops, songs and prayers of praise, witness talks, a banner procession, a eucharistic procession, adoration, recitation of the Glorious Mysteries, a homily by Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Benediction.

"This has the potential of having a significant effect on , Catholics not only in southern California, but across the country," Beth Mahony told The Anchor. Mahony is co-facilitator of The Rosary Bowl, and mission director of Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton. "We hope this can be a huge public witness of our faith in the spirit of Father Peyton's mission of fostering world peace and support of the spiritual

Tum to page 18 - Rosary

Terry and Jim Orcutt's selfless devotion to spreading the hope and love of Jesus through deliveries of furniture and food to needy people, is reflected in ''The Luminous Mysteries: Compassion to Service," the latest DVD in the "Mysteries of the Rosary, Mysteries of Life" series produced by Family Theater Productions. (HCFM photo) THEIR BROTHERS' KEEPERS -

DVD on Luminous Mysteries relates to couples' work helping the poor

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR AND FAMILY THEATER REPORTS

EASTON - Profoundly affected by the 1988 TV movie "God Bless the Child" depicting a struggling mother and young daughter battling to overcome poverty, Jim and Terry Orcutt prayed for knowledge of how to help.

"That fact-based tragic movie was undoubtedly the

moment of actual grace when God entered into our lives and touched us," recalled Jim Orcutt, who, with his wife Terry, is a member of Holy Cross Parish in Easton.

"Actual grace is when God used the ordinary events of our I'lives to touch us. We knelt down to pray before the crucifix because we knew we had to do something.

We made a covenant with the Lord," he said.

Tum to page 18 - Orcutts II

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$ JANUARY 19, 2007 Publish or perish? Church struggles to judge communist collaborators

NEWS FROM THE VATICAN

By JOHN THAVIS

Hungary, where, on the basis of Pope Benedict XVI no doubt already newly released files, retired Cardinal knew that the secret police files would VATICAN CITY - The resigna- Laszlo Paskai was accused of being raise tough questions for the Church. tion of a Polish archbishop over spy- an informant for the communist se- He addressed the issue in a talk with ing revelations has highlighted a ten- cret police from 1965 to 1974. Car- clergy in the Warsaw cathedral- the sion between judgment and forgive- dinal Paskai said simply that what- same cathedral where Archbishop ness in the Church, one that has taken ever he did was for the good of the Wielgus announced his resignation on new meaning in post-communist Church, and that speaking with "the January 7 - saying it was important powers of the state" was a necessary for the Church to confess its sins Europe.

In the broadest sense, it's a ten- evil. openly. sion found in the teaching of Christ, Which raises the question: How "Yet we must guard against the who preached forgiveness but told his did Pope John Paul II handle this di- arrogant claim ofsetting ourselves up followers to ')udgejustly" the wrongs lemma? The answer, according to to judge earlier generations, who of society. those who knew him well, is that he lived in different times and different The question emerged in a more had as little contact as possible with circumstances," the pope said. specific way during Holy Year 2000. Poland's communist regime, know"Humble sincerity is needed in As the Church began an "examination ing that any such dealings could dam- order not to deny the sins of the past, of conscience" to ask forgiveness for age his ministry. . and at the same time not to indulge historical sins, cardinals vehemently In an article written for the Italian in facile accusations in the absence debated whether it was proper tojudge paper La Repubblica, Joaquin of real evidence or without regard for past actions like the Inquisition or the Navarro-Valls, Pope John Paul's the different preconceptions of the former spokesman, said that as time," he said.

Crusades by modem standards.

In today's Poland, the timeline has Krakow Archbishop Karol Wojtyla The pope went on to note that as been abbreviated. The alleged spying the pope made sure never to ask for the Church asks pardon for wrongs activities involve living people and favors that would allow the Polish of the past, it should also remember living memories, many ofthem docu- government to blackmail him. to praise the good that was accommented in the immense archives of Yet the pope also maintained a plished.

Poland's National Remembrance In- large margin of understanding and In that sense, it's worth rememstitute. forgiveness for priests and bishops bering that the vast majority of PolLike much of Eastern Europe, the who were forced to cooperate with ish priests and bishOps did not colChurch has quietly struggled over communist authorities in order to do laborate with the communist regime, whether to examine such files and their work, aware that they all lived even though virtually all ofthem were publish the findings, aware that the . in "a continual tension between hero- approached. The National Rememdisclosures may damage the Church ism and compromise," Navarro-Valls brance Institute estimates that apin the eyes of the faithful. wrote. proximately 10 percent of clergy Now that Warsaw Archbishop Not even Archbishop Wojtyla acted as informers under communist Stanislaw Wielgus has resigned after could avoid all contacts with the re- rule in Poland, which lasted from it was leamed he was an informant to gime.

1947 to 1989. the communist-era secret police, the Navarro-Valls said the late pope Seemingly lost in the Archbishop Church may have no choice but to once told him how he was sometimes Wielgus affair is the fact that last summoned for questioning by police, August the Polish bishops issued a make full disclosure.

"We need to face the problem as who would ask him his views on po- long and detailed document on priestsoon as possible and with the great- litical, social and other issues. The collaborators in the communist era, est commitment, shedding light and pope decided to answer these ques- with guidelines to determine the liberating our own path from the land tions at length, explaining his person- moral gravity of different forms of mines that have been placed there," alistic conception of man, citing an- collaboration. said Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek, cient and modem philosophers, wamIt said priests who collaborated former secretary of the Polish bish- ing of the dangers of solipsism in with the secret police should admit ops' conference. modem thought and expounding on so publicly and meet with superiors He suggested putting more than the distinction between ethics and val- to devise a way to "repair and expi100 experts at work to evaluate the ues. ate the public scandal." In some cases, communist-era documentation and At the end of these long mono- it said, resignation from Church ofpublish whatever is important. logues that they did not understand, fice would probably be inevitable.

The risk is that full disclosure of the police would wave him out the The process, it added, should lead secret files, which were written by door. Later, the pope told Navarro- to a spirit of forgiveness, not venpolice agents in a continuing effort Valls, he discovered that the police geance. to co-opt Church leaders, may end had written in his files: "He's not dan- .

The jury is still out on why these up disgracing good men or tainting gerous," and hoped one day he might recommendations were not applied them with suspicion. Sifting the truth be convinced to collaborate. to the Archbishop Wielgus case befrom the propaganda in these cases When he visited Poland last year, fore it became a front-page scandal. is not easy, even for experts. ,..........- ----_._---_ .._--_.__ _---_. . --_._-_ ..__. _.._-----_ _- - ..

Moreover, "collaboration" is an OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ambiguous term that can mean difDIOCESE OF FAll RIVER ferent things to different people.

Vol. 51, No.3 Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service Archbishop Wielgus signed an agreePublished weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after ment to inform for the secret police Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, so that he could study abroad, but he Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 - FAX 508-675-7048, email: still claims he never harmed anyone theanchor@anchomews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address by providing information.

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman Indeed, some have argued that pro EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchomews.org forma contacts with police may have EDITOR David B. Jolivet daveJolivet@lanchornews.org been a proper sacrifice to make in NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@lanchornews.org REPORTER Mike Gordon mlkegordon@anchornews.org order to maintain the Church's free~ OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org dom to operate in communist coun- .

Send Letters to the Editor to: futherrogedandry@anchomews.org 1 tries.

POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall ~ver, MA 02722.

The question surfaced last year in L._ TH;eANCHOR (USPS-545-020) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mns!_.

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LINE OF DIPLOMACY - Pope Benedict XVI greets ambassadors to the Vatican during his annual meeting with them at the Vatican recently. The pope condemned armed conflicts and said dialogue and negotiation hold the only hope for lasting solutions. (CNS photo/ Catholic Press Photo)

Pope says Christians should embrace persecution as source of blessing VATICAN CITY (CNS) The Christian community and its members always will face persecution and suffering, but they should embrace it as a source of blessing, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Speaking at his January 10 general audience about the ministry and death of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, the pope said the persecution of the early Christian community is what pushed the disciples to leave Jerusalem and bring the Gospel to the world.

"Even in our lives the cross, which is never lacking, becomes a blessing," the pope said.

And by accepting suffering in the knowledge that it will lead to growth and blessings, "we learn the joy of Christianity even in moments of difficulty," Pope Benedict said.

St. Stephen, he said, "teaches us to love the cross because the cross is the path Christ always uses to arrive in our midst."

The pope also spoke about the ministry of St. Stephen, who was elected by the Christian community and confirmed by the Apostles as one of "seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom," charged with distributing charity.

The fact that St. Stephen and the other six also preached the Gospel, he said, is a reminder that "charity and proclamation always go together."

The pope touched briefly on

the fact that before having them begin their ministry, the Apostles laid hands on the seven, which is why many Christians see them as the church's first deacons.

Pope Benedict did not refer directly to theological discussion over the possibility of ordaining women deacons based on New Testament texts describing community leaders laying their hands on the heads of women chosen to carry out specific tasks on behalf of the community.

However, he said, the gesture of laying hands on someone's head "can have different meanings. In the Old Testament the gesture mostly has the significance of transmitting an important charge."

SS. Paul and Barnabas were anointed that way before being sent off to evangelize the gentiles, as was St. Timothy, he said.

Pope 'Benedict said that St. Paul's descriptions of the power of the laying on of hands and the need for discernment prior to anointing someone in that way demonstrate an evolution in the meaning of the gesture, which later developed "in the line of a sacramental sign."

At the end of the audience, Pope Benedict greeted 30 members of an international soccer team made up of priests. The priests gave him a yellow jersey with his name in Italian, "Benedetto," and his number in Roman numerals, "XV!."

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JANUARY

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THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH "

Polish cardinal says archbishop who resigned should take legal action fended him, since he's an injured party. _ The Dziennik daily said that in seWARSAW, Poland (CNS) Poland's leading cardinal defended the He was given no right to defend him- cret police files it had found the code newly resigned archbishop ofWarsaw self and was condemned without be- names of 12 Polish bishops, who were' and urged legal action to clear his ing able to use the civilized forum ofa allegedly recruited in 1978 to help influence the choice ofa new compliant name, as local-newspapers made fur- hearing."

The president of the Polish bish- primate to succeed Cardinal Stefan ther claims about clergy collaboration under communist rule. ops' conference, Archbishop Jozef Wyszynski, who died in 1981.

"I don't think this case is over- Michalik, said Poles should "humbly FatherTadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski, he deserves a defamation trial and thank God that truth prevailed;' but he, - a priest who researches clergy collaboshould demand this. If he doesn't, too, criticized the media for "passing ration, told the PAP agency he believed some other body will," Cardinal judgment" on the archbishop. the code names were genuine but said Jozef Glemp, retired archbishop of "There isn't a different moral they could have been assigned to drivWarsaw, sl\id about Archbishop code for lay Christians, priests and ers, nuns or chaplains working with Stanislaw Wielgus, who resigned bishops. There's one code, and ly- the bishops. Twice Cardinal Dziwisz after just two days as Warsaw arch- ing is always wrong - so is col- ordered Father Isakowicz-Zaleski to bishop. "The real need isn't for laborating with improper people in . stop making statements to the media change in Church structures but for improper matters," Archbishop after claiming to have uncovered the change in· structures of our state, Michalik told Poland's Catholic in- identities of 130 more clergy agents while writing a book. which needs to liberate itself from formation agency, KAI. The head of Opus Dei in Poland, media pressure."

The Polish bishops' conference The cardinal spoke in a prime-time was widely expected to impose a Father Stefan Moszoro-Dabrowski, Polish TV interview January 9, two deadline for the screening of priests told the Rzeczpospolita daily January days after Archbishop Wielgus re- by diocesan committees investigat- 8 that he believed the countIy needed . "a change of generation of bishops" signed. Archbishop Wielgus initially ing collaboration charges. denied media charges that for 22 years The cardinal said he expected it to allow younger clergy ''who do not he had been a ''trusted collaborator" would take "a few months" to find an have to explain their past to anyone" _of Poland's secret police, the Sluwa alternative Warsaw archbishop. Car- to assume office.

Bezpieczenstwa, or SB. Later, he ad- dinal Glemp will continue to adminmitted collaborating, but,denied hurt- ister the archdiocese. ing anyone or spying and said, The Radom Diocese refused to ''through the fact ofthis entanglement, comment on newspaper reports that I harmed the Church."

Bishop Zygmunt Zimowski of "I harmed it again when, in recent Radom, who worked at the Vatican's days, facing a heated media campaign, Congregation for the Doctrine of the I denied the fact of my cooperation. Faith from 1983 to 2002, had emerged This weakened the q-edibility ofstate- as the likeliest candidate. ments by people ofthe Church, includAllegations.ofclergy collaboration ing those bishops who were in soli- have been around for years. Poland's darity with me;' he said. official National Remembrance InstiCardinal Glemp said A(chbishop tute estimates that approximately 10 Wielgus had fallen victim to an "or- percent of clergy acted as informers ganized media action," backed by re- under communist rule in Poland, searchers and prominent lay Catholics which lasted from 1947 to 1989. who "surrendered to a wave of pres- Church sources say v:irtually all clergy sure." were approached, with the highest re''I don't conceal there were failures - cruitment rates recorded in the 1980s and fears, but we are as we are;' Car- during the commUnist struggle with dinal Glemp said. ''I've naturally de- the Solidarity labor movement.

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TROUBL~D

HEART - A woman prays at a Catholic church in Warsaw, Poland. Cardinal Jozef Glemp, the retired archbishop of Warsaw, defended recently resigned Archbishop Stanislaw Wielgus, who admitted coll~borating with Poland's secret police during the communist era. (C~S photo/Katarina Stoltz, Reuters) I'

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Lithuanian cardinal says active bishops unlikely have KGB ties VILNIUS, Lithuania Lithuanian Church leaders said a situation similar to the recent resignation of a Polish archbishop who admitted collaborating with former communist secret police is highly unlikely in Lithuania '~the restoration ofLithuania's independence in 1990, the ecclesial hierarchy has undergone major reorganizations, so at least on the hierarchicallevel such problems shoi.lld not arise," Cardinal Audrys Backis of VIlnius said in a recent statement.

During the 1990s, all active bishops who were appoin~d under communism were replaced. Lithuania was - part of the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1989. Three ofthe seven current heads of Lithuanian dioceses - including Archbishop Sigitas Tarnkevicius of Kaunas, the current head of the bishops' conference who was imprisoned in the 1980s - were members of the

anti-Soviet movement. _ Meanwhile,Arunas Streikus, a pr0fessor at VIlnius University who studies the relationship of the Lithuanian Church and the KGB, the former Russian secret police and intelligence agency, said there is no chance a former KGB agent coi.lld become a bishop because the process of elimi: nating KGB links from the countIy's Church hierarchy has already occurred.

Approxim~tely one of every 10 priests in Lithuania worked for the KGB when the countIy was part of the Soviet Union, Streikus said. During the 60s and 70s almost all acting bishops were KGB agents, Streikus said, and a majority of chancellors, vicars general and seminary rectors were linked to the KGB. All seminary candidates "had conversations" with the KGB before joining the seminary,' he added.

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4; THE CHURCH IN THE U.S..~

JANUARY

19, 2007

Pro-Life official decries passage of 'misguided' stem-cell bill WASlllNGlDN (CNS)-A Pro- ing and attention while there has been Life official ofthe u.s. Conference of "an exaggerated and almost exclusive Catholic Bishops criticized House pas- focus on destructive embryo research sage January 11 of a bill that would in the political and policymaking expand federal funding of stem-cell arena" research that involves'the destruction "Even the national cord-blood ofhuman embryos, but expressed con- stem-cell bank that Congress approved fidence that an expected presidential a year ago, which could benefit many veto of the "misguided and ~ethical thousands ofAmericans immediately, legislation" would stand. has received minimal funding," he Richard Doerflinger, deputy direc- said. tor ofthe bishops' Secretariat for ProOther forms of stem-cell research LifeActivities, said in a statement that made news recently based on a report the 253-174 vote indicated that there from scientists at Wake Forest and were not enough votes to override the Harvard universities that said the amveto that President George W. Bush niotic fluid surrounding a child in the has promised. womb can be the source o( medically The bill now goes to the Senate for useful stem cells. The report was puba vote; if it passes there, it will be sent lished in an online edition ofthe jourto the White House for action by Bush. nal Nature Bioteclmology. . But Doerflinger said both houses In a letter to House members reof Congress should tum their atten- leasedJanuary 10, Cardinal Rigali said tion "to stem-cell research that poses the lawmakers should support ''better no moral problem - constructive re- solutions" than the "most speculative search that is already beginning to help and most divisive type of stem-cell patientS with dozens of conditions in research;' that which involves the declinical trials." struction of embryos.

"Unlike embryonic stem-cell re"On a practical level, embryonic search, research using stem cells from stem-cell research has been as disadult tissue, umbilical-cord blood, . appointing in its results as it has . amniotic fluid and other sources is been divisive to our society," he showing enormous promise and is said. "After almost three decades of likely to produce new treatments for research in mouse embryonic stem patients now living;' he added. cells and nine years in the human Noting that most Americans pre- variety, researchers can scarcely fer stem-cell research that takes place point to a safe and effective 'cure' "without harming or destroying hu- for any condition in mice let alone man life at any stage;' Doerflinger human beings" using embryonic said, "The truly statesmanlike ap- stem cells. proach to this issue would be to take "At the same time," he continued, up this challenge, supporting medical "ethically sound research using progress that all Americans can' live nonembiyonic stem cells has continwith." ued to advance, helping patients with During the House debate on the over 70 conditions in early peer-relegislation, Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ., viewed studies." decried the abundance ofmisinforma"Since Congress debated this issue tion surrounding the debate on stem- last summer, further evidence has cell research and called for federal re- emerged on the versatility of adult sources to go to effective, ethical stem- stem cells, and on the likelihood that cell research. they can be reprogrammed to enhance Before the vote, Philadelphia Car- this quality;' he said. dinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the Cardinal Rigali told House membishops' Committee on Pro-Life Ac- bers also to consider "the fundamentivities, urged House members to "con- . tal moral line" they will cross by apsider the fundamental moral line" ~ey proving the measure. would cross if they approved H.R. 3, 'Thefederal government has never the Stem Cell Research Enhancement taken the crass utilitarian approach of Actof2007.. forcing taxpayers to support the direct Cardinal Rigali called it a "sad re- killing of innocent human life, at any ality" that other forms ofstem-cell re- stage of development, in t!'te name of search have received inadequate fund- progress," he added. .

U.S. strikes on Somalia questioned VATICAN CITY (CNS) While he has said for years that terrorists were hiding out in Somalia, the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Mogadishu said more U.S. airstrikes would only make things worse.

Bishop Giorgio -Bertin of Djibouti, who also oversees the Church in Somalia's chaotic and violent capital, spoke to the Vatican's Fides news agency January 9, the day after a U.S. Air Force gunship fired OIi suspected al-Qaida terror-

ists in southern Somalia.

"Prudence must guide all human activities, and it is even more important when taking action in a country like Somalia," Bishop Bertin said.

"This act risks throwing more fuel on an already explosive situation." .

The bishop said international support and assistance is absolutely necessary for the stability of Somalia and the cdnsolidation of its new government, but it must be the people of Somalia who make the final decisions.

AN AODRESS OF THEIR OWN - Anti-war protesters shout slogans through the fence outside the White House in Washington January 10 after U.S. President George W. Bush delivered a live television address on U.S. military strategy.and the situation in Iraq. Bush said he plans to send 21,500 additional troops to Iraq. (eNS photo/Jason Reed, Reuters)

Bush's new plan for Iraq draws support, criticism By

the plan "seems to me too light on the troops" to achieve the goal of sufficient security for a transition to Iraqi control.

WASHINGTON - A CathoMore importantly, "it ignores lic Army chaplain who was stathe diplomatic elements altotioned in Iraq and a Christian gether," he said.

Iraqi-American military adviser He s'aid increasing U.S. forces said they stand behind U.S. Presiin Iraq from about 130,000 to dent George W. Bush's most re150,000 does not come close to cent plan to send more troops to the ratio needed, he said, noting Iraq. some have estimated it But international policy would take about 350,000 experts contacted 'by to 400,000 for an effective Catholic News Service Maryann Cusimano Love, a prooccupying' force, a n d sharply criticized the plan fessor of politics at The Catholic "the military is being and questioned whether it University of America, Washington, stretched extraordinarily can succeed. and an expert on terrorism, said lilt's thin."

"If this is what the leadMaryann Cusimano ers are asking for, then four years too late: I think he recogLove, a professor of politics that's what they need," said nizes now that there should have at The Catholic University Father Brian Kane., who been more troops at the get-go, but of America, Washington, seryed as an Army chaplain that doesn't mean that more troops and an expert on terrorism, for the 67th Area Support said "It's four y.ears too late.

Group at Al Asad Airfield, are the answer no~ " I think he recognizes now 'in the Iraqi Al Anbar rethat there should have been gion. more troops at the get-go, but enough, and more troops are Father Kane said the White that doesn't mean that more needed in Baghdad."

House's goals for the Iraqi govtroops are the answer now."

The Iraqis, particularly in ernment to ease sectarian vioGerard F. Powers, director of lence and stabilize the country Baghdad, "were ecstatic when are "a positive step" and a more troops were transferred to policy studies at the University Baghdad last August; they had of Notre Dame's Kroc Institute "healthy direction."

The Iraqi government "needs hoped Baghdad would be cleaned for Peace and head. of the bishto show the world that they are up," she told eNS in an email ops' Office of International Justice and Peace 1998-2004, said capable. of taking care of their January 10.

However, Jasim said Iraq has there "are some positive proposown country," he said..

Using such goals, about which "lost all hope in its government, als" in the Bush plan and "the stated goal is the right one - a Bush did not elaborate,. will en- coalition forces and the world."

"The secular and the educated united, stable, nonsectarian govable Americans to evaluate the Iraqi government's progress, and population has fled .... They have ernment. We're in a real hole" bethey also act as "a reassurance to become the most hopeless people cause the United States does not the U.S. people that we are pre- in the world, ~tranded in the have the troops needed to estabparing to turn things over to the neighboring countries," she said. lish security for civilians in Iraq."

"It would only be feasible if the Jesuit Father Drew Iraqis," he told CNS in telephone Christiansen, editor of the na- United States were able to conand email interviews.

In his address to the nation tional Catholic magazine vince other nations, get the interJanuary 10, Bush made no spe- America and director of the U.S. national community involved in a cific mention of penalties for bishops' Office of International serious way. And it's probably too Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- Justice and Peace 1991-98, said late for that," he said.

REGINA LINSKEY AND JERRY FILTEAU CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Maliki for promises not kept.

Bush said he plans to send 21,500 extra troops to Iraq, but he set no time limit for the deployment or for' when he plans to totally withdraw troops.

Pauline Jasim, a military bilingual and bicultural adviser in Baghdad, Iraq, said it was "about time Washington realized the (number of) troops were never

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Bostorl cardinal calls abuse scandal ~dark truth' in Church ,

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BOSTON (CNS) In a column themselves to emulate Christ and marking the fifth ann~yersary of the were further enabled by the failure crisis over clergy sexual abuse of of the Church -leadership to respond children, Boston CaJidinal Sean P. appropriately."

O'Malley said that s~andal was a Cardinal O'Malley,took the oc"dark and unremitting truth" that casion of the anniversary to apolo~ had to be confronted. gize again to all those who had'been I! Cardinal O'Malley's comments abused by priests. "Your wounded appeared January 7~s an opinion hearts and shattered spirits have a piece in the Boston Globe, the daily special claim on the Church," he newspaper whose unrelenting ex- said. pose of child sex aouse by priests To their families, whose "trust in the Boston Archctioceseturned ~as betrayed," he said, "You will the secret of such abuse into a na- always remain in my heart and tional crisis five years ago. . mind."

Cardinal O'Malley noted that on ''The impact of the clergy sexual January 6 CatholicS celebrate the , abuse scandal has reached deep into Epiphany, "the mlinifestation, of the lives of parishionyrs' and the God's love for all hllmanity." faith-filled priests who minister to "Five years' ago, as we marked them. They have borne the shame, II the feast on Jan. 6, i2002, the dev- grief and confusion of these devasDEVELOPING A PLAN -..:.. Stephanie Baldwin, a 23·year-old single mother, speaks at a Catholic astating revelation$ that Cath~lic tating revelations with heroic faith," Charities USA press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington where the agency unyeiled its plan to clergy had sexually ~b!Jsed children he said.

"During the course of the past cut poverty in America in half by 2020. Father Larry Snyder, the president of Catholic Charities USA, shook the Archdioce'se of Boston and the wider comniunity," he said. , five years we have learned much watclJes Baldwin speak. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) "The contrast between the feast, due to the generosity of so many which celebrates th~ light of Christ, who have committed themselves to " ,and the dark and uqremitting truth the rebuilding of the Church," the of clergy sexual abuse seemed, at cardinal wrote. "There is much yet first, impossible to accept." to be done to regain confidence and "But the truth of the abuse had trust. The feast of the Epiphany re"Over the last several years, our WASHINGTON (CNS) - The 'men 'and women work full time (0 be confronted:~ he added. "These minds us that the Church's mission U.S" bishops and Catholic Chari- and still live in destitution," he agencies have been coping with critries against children were all the is to make God's universal love visties USA have called for an in- -added. steady dOUble-digit increases each .

I , ible more hemous beciluse they were in the manner in which we live crease in the federal minimum "Our nation needs a persistent year in requests' for emergency as~ out our faith." committed by m~n who vowed wage. and determined effort to overcome sistance becaus~low-wage work"The minim,um wage needs to poverty," Bishop DiMarzio told the ers simply cannot earn enough to be raised not just for the go~ds and members of Congress. "We hope cover rent, child care, food, utiliservices a person can buy but for you will work together across par- ties and clothing for their families," the self-esteem and self-worth it tisan and ideological lines to shape said Father Larry Snyder, Cathoaffords," said Bishop Nicholas a l;.omprehensive strategy and com- lic Charities USA's president.

"Many people served by CathoDiMarzio of Brookl~n, N. Y., chair- mon commitment to lift all of our man of the U.S. bishops' Commit- btothers and sisters out of poverty." lic Charities agencies are poor de., tee on Domestic Policy, in a JanuIn its statement Cathoiic Chari- spite full-time employment at the A Tradition of EJccellence in Theological Education for Ministry since 1971 ary 8 'letter to members' of Con- ties said the minimum wage should bottom of the labor market: cleanCONTINUING EDUCATION be indexed to account for inflation. ing houses and' office buildings, gress.

SPRING SEMESTER 2007 In a statement Catholic Chari- The last time the minimum wage harvesting and preparing food, and I , ties USA joined in the call for in- was hiked was 1997. The current watching over children of working WORKSt-jOPS, COURSES AND ONLINE LEARNINC , creasing the mi~imum wage, as it $5.15 minimum wage is equivalent parents," he said in the_ statement.

JAN UARY !F~:EBRUARY; DATES prepared to unveil a pl~ called the to only $3.95 in 1995 dollars, "People who work full time should WQrhhop: Grant Writing and Fundralsing (C/irls Kowalcky and Usa Hastlngsr. Jan. 27 Campaign to Reduce Poverty in lower than the $4.25 minimum not live in poverty; they should be Feb. 1 ,8. 15. 22, Seminar Series: Pr~ching for lay Persons (Rev. James Mongelluzzo) l Ma~1,8 America, with a specific target for wage level before the 1997 in- able to support themselves and Workshop: A Diverse Church: Meeting the Challenge, Celebrating the Gift reducing the poverty rate over crease. their families."

(Nancy Pineda.~adrid) Feb. 3 time.

In Dialogue: SUPlfrting Parents of Gays and lesbians (Michael SL dair) Feb. 7 The House was expected to vote DATES MARCH!AP,IRI L/MAY; , on a bill to' raise the minimum Workshop: Care at the End of Life: Current Challenges and Ethical Issues wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 Mar. 3 (Ron Hamel) : an hour by 2009.

Workshop: Responding to the Roots of Religious Violence and Fostering Hope for Religious Peacebuilding (R. Scott Appleby) Mar. 24 "As pastors, bishops see the Lecture: Speaking as a Woman: Reflections on Contemporary Catholicism tragic human and social conseApril 18 (Colleen Griffith) quences on individuals, their famiLecture: Good Management Enhances Parish Life and Mission (Charles Ceschke) May 2 lies and society when workers canTuesday', January 23 not support themselves and their DATES ON LI N E: (Gredit/Audit) Courses for CEUs - 8)75 Hybrid Course (Online/On·Campus Format) TH 644.01 Foundations of at 4:00pm families by their own labor," Theology: A Pastoral Perspective (Barbara Radtke) Credit/Audit Ian. 17·May 4 Bishop'DiMarzio said in his letter.

Grades Prek-8f~ The Creed (CEU~)' ' Ian. 29"Feb. 23 At $5.15 an hour, a person Parents Handing' on the Faith (CEUs) ,a~. 29-Feb. 23 , working full time would make Women Envision"ing Church (CEUs) Ian. 29·Feb. 23 j , Encountering Mark, Matthew and Luke (CEUs) .feb. 19-Ma,. 8 $10,700 a year, "nearly $6,000 beApril 16-May 21 What Makes Us Catholic (CEUs) low the poverty level for a family SPRI NC OPEN HOUSE: January ~5, 2007 of three," he said.

WEEKEND COURSE: {Credlt/Aud,t/CEU~j is "Raising the minimum wage Psychological Resources for Mintstry, I. A. Loftus, 5J only one step needed to address the *01/'920; 02/9-'0; 03/'6-17 (Friday 4:00-g:oopm; Saturday larger, more pressing problem of http://WWW.bc.eduJirepm 9:ooam-3;00pm. each weekend.) poverty in America. In ,our shelters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: space available Fall 2[1[17 , and soup kitchens, in our parishes Maureen lamb Chestnut Hill. MA 02467-3961 and schools, we see working fami1\00-41\7-1167 or 6'7-552-1\057 Boston College Institute of ReligiOUS Wrentham Road, Cumberland, RI call 401-333·5919 'lies who can't make ends meet. We Education and Pastoral Ministry (IREPM) email: irepm@bc.edu, fax: 617-552-0811 convenient to your town just minutes from /-295 and /-495 J serve too many families where I!

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_6

The connection between the Commandments 'IWo weeks before Christmas, for ignominious reasons, New Bedford became the center of attention for most in the state and for many across the nation. At 2 o'clock in the morning on December 12, 35-year old Scott Medeiros allegedly burst into the Foxy Lady Strip Club on Pope's Island with an assault rifle. He allegedly proceeded to kill 33-year old bouncer Robert Carreiro and 30-year old manager Tory Marandos. He wounded four others, including two police officers, before he took his own life. The motive for his rampage seemed to be revenge against Marandos and Carreiro, who had kicked him out of the club for harassing his ex-girlfriend, club bartender Jamie Tavares, who, before dating Medeiros, had had a relationship and a child with Carreiro.

The initial reaction was, well, surreal. The Foxy Lady became a makeshift shrine. Under the slimy shadow of the silhouetted stripper on the club's street sign, votive candles featuring the image of the VIrgin' of Guadaiupe ~ on whose feast day the violence occurred - were placed. If ever there was a contrast between two ladies, there it waS! .

In press interviews, Carreiro's friends compared him publicly and favorably to Mother Teresa and approvingly mentioned he was the product of New Bedford Catholic schools. Marandos' uncle, club owner Tom Tsoumas, called him one of the best people one could meet and proudly spoke of how good an altar boy he was at his Greek Orthodox Church in Nashua, Those who knt:w Medeiros heaped accolades on him, too, and professed their incomprehension of. how he could have done what he dId. Listening to the praise, one might have thought for a moment tlllit the senseless violence had occurred against volunteers at a food pantry run by'the Missionaries of Charity rather than at a strip club that makes money off of objectifying women, perverting men and poisoning souls, The club changed the words, on their street sign to wish Carreiro and Marandos "God-speed," while at the same tinie speedily tried to re-open for business. They needed to be persuaded by the police chief to mourn a little longer. Not even the murder of its manager and bouncer, however, could rob the club of its distinctive spirit. In the days of mourning leading up to its reopening, it ran advertisements in the daily newspaper that said it all: "XXXmas Party! ... Join us here for the best XXXmas Party around! ... Get into the holiday spirit and 'spread a little Yule tide joy! !... Come and join Santa's naughty helpers!" , ' Public officials wanted and obviously needed to condemn what had occurred, but spent most of their breath focusing on the need to ban assault weapons. Few politicians were politically incorrect enough to state the obvious: that, however tragic and unanticipated the murders, should we really be surprised that evil acts rather than good ones emanate from a strip club?

Simply stated, breaking the Sixth Commapdment greases the slide toward breaking the Fifth. Perhaps the most famous illustration of this connection happened in the life of King David. He first lost custody of his eyes as he caught sight of the naked Bathsheba. Then he lost custody of his heart' and lusted after her. The!! he summoned her and committed adultery with her. After finding out she had conceived, he attempted to conceal his crime by deceiving her just husband. He called Uriah home frqm battle, got him drunk and tried to cajole him into having relations with her. When that failed, the king wrote the order to have his army abandon Uriah on the front lines so that he might be slain. David's sexual sins led to his oeception and then, most tragically, to having a just man killed.

The connection between sex', lies and crime-scene tape occurs with shock_ing frequency, as domestic violence adv.ocates attest. Set~ngs that elicit and celebrate sins against the Si~~ Commandment make it 'more likely rather than less that other sins, including sins against the Fifth, will flow.

Stoking the fires oflust'can eventually lead to fires burning out of control.

If we wish as a culture to learn from terrible tragedies like what hap.' pened on Pope's Island in December, we' must candidly look at the causes and seek to eliminate them. . '

***

This connection between breaking.the Sixth Commandment and breaking the Fifth is seen readily in the horrible tragedy of abortion. Almost every abortion flows from a previous sexual sin, sl,lch as premarital sex among teenagers leading to unwanted pregnancies, or contraceptive sex among married or UJlll1arried adults in which their anti-child attitude simply adopts a more lethal form. Sins against the Sixth Commandment and sins against the Fifth are, as Pope John Paul,II once said, fruits of the same tree. .

As we prepare to mark, on Monday the dreaqful 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in our country, we would do well to ponder what the real Mother Teresa said in 1994 at the National Prayer Breakfast. This faithful lady described not only ,the link between sexual sins and abortion, but between the violence of abortion and other types of savagery, like'the deplorable December bloodshed in New Bedford: ''The greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child - a direct killing of the innocent child - murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? ... By abortion, the mother does not learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems. And by'abortion, the father is told that he does not have to take any responsibility at all for the child he has brought into the world.... Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching the people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want."

We reap what we sow. Therefore we have to be very vigilant about the seeds we plant.

lAN_U_AR_Y_l_9,......2_00_7_1 .

the living word

AN ARTIST CARVES A SNOW ~CULPTURE FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A PARK IN MUOANJIANG, IN NORfHEAST CHINA'S HErLoNGJIANG PROVINCE, RECENTLY. (CNS PHaro/CHINA DAILY,

REuTERs)

''SHOUT JOYFULLY TO THE Lo~, ALL YOU LANDS; WORSHIP THE LoRD WITH CRIFS OF GLADNESS; COME BEFORE IDM WITH JOYFUL SONG" (PSALM l00:1-2)~

Utilitarian ethics the moral and ethical violations it Last week, we heard the poses. And in defense of this exciting'news that scientists have position, these proponents do not discovered stem cells in amniotic even hesitate to invoke the theory fluid, and that these cells can be of utilitarian ethics, which holds extracted without harm to either that the ends justify the means, mother or child. It was reported According to this theory, the that these stem cells offer the moral value of a given act is same promise as embryonic stem determined by its utility, by how cells in the search for cures to various 路diseases. More specifically, the amniotic stem cells are able to grow into different tissue cell types, such as brain, \th~'"O~ep heart, liver, and bone, [ ';~, :-:' ',/ " apd may provide a source "''''>\\'. ~ (~ for tissue repair and

By Fat~er~1)JViefi ,c .

A. Pignato"'路" regeneration of damaged organs.

The new,s is exciting, useful it is in achieving a desired because it suggests that many of good result. the potential medical advances Every time a 'valid moral that are believed to be possible objection is raised against the through stem-cell research may destruction of human embryos, be attainable without having to supporters of such action simply commit the unethical and im'restate the possible good results moral act of destroying human that may be achieved, such as the embryos. Instead of cloning discovery of important cures, human embryos in order to without discussing the morality of destroy them by extracting their the means. The immoral act of stem cells, these same promising destroying a human life is either , stem cells can be withdrawn denied and ignor~d, or admitted harmlessly from amniotic fluid . without conc~rn. and other possible sources. The What's so frustrating in this discovery confirms the position of debate is that the supporters of many scientists who have longed argued th;lt stem-cell research can embryo destruction would probably never support other be. conducted in a completely immoral means, even if they were moral and ethical way.

Notwithstanding this important effective in producing good ends.

For example, most agree that you breakthrough, however, some can't rob a baI)k to feed the poor; scientists, and many of our you can't abuse a child in an legislators in Washington, still to discipline him or her; effort insist that embryonic stem-cell you can't lie to the public to research should continue, at the prevent"a scandal; and you can't tax-payers' expens~, regardless of

'c/;~putting Into ,

torture a suspect to prevent terrorism: In other words, most agree that good ends don't justify immoral means. There are some acts that are wrong, and cannot be justifi芦d, even if they bring about good results. This is a classic element of moral analysis, and it is a rejection of utilitarian ethics.

Yet, when the issue is embryonic stem-cell research, proponents seem so focused on the possible good results, that they are unconcerned with the immoral means. They even scoff at those who dare to utter objections to the obviously immoral act of destroying human embryos. Or they fire back that any such objections are motivated on,ly by politics, as if there \yere any possible political advantage to opposing medical research.

The public debate over embryonic stem-cell research requires faithful Catholics, and all people of good will, to put into the deep by speaking out in defense of innocent human life in its earliest stage, and by condemning the immoral act of destroying human路embryos. It requires that we force society to examine the means, as well as the ends, and insist that the debate be conducted according to solid and acceptable moral principles, principles which reject immoral acts, regardless of their possible results.

Father Pignato is chaplain at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth and is secretary to Bishop George If. Coleman.

JANUARY

$ ,The Anchor $

19, 2007

71

Recognizing the blessings ,in church during the few weeks of Tllis Christmas season our Advent to collect the clothing.

Diocesan Mission has been the beneficiary of a nU,mber of Then we waited to see the "Giving Trees" that were set up in response.

One parishioner who sells parishes of the 'diocese. From St. Joseph's in Woods Hole to SS.. shoes reviewed his inventory and donated shoes that have not sold.

Peter & Paul in Fall River, A mother of six grown children parishioners boughf clothes, school items, medical supplies, and toys, to be shared with the parishioners at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Guaimaca. The response was generous and overwhelmjng. We. are blessed in the diocese and part of the purpose of the Mission is to recog-----------looked through the children's' nize those blessings and share from our bounty with our brothers clothing she had saved and donated all the baby clothes she and sisters in need. had. All in all the response was The desire to offer help is a incredible, not so much in the . universal one. Even among the quantity of clothing that was poor in the Mission, there is a desire to care for those who live . donated, but rather in the quantity in extreme poverty. During the of parishioners who made a Advent season, Sister Gloria and donation: perhaps one shirt, or a the members of the St. Vincent de pair of pants, a pair of used shoes Paul Society of the parish - 'we' or a baby blanket. From their poverty, the parishioners gave to are only six members - invited help their brothers and sisters, in parishioners in Guaimaca to greater need. We were touched by donate clothing. Parishioners their desire to help! were asked to review the clothes they might have at home, God has blessed each of us and children's clothing that is no given us the wisdom to underlonger needed, or clothing that stand what are the essentials of they do not lise any longer. Two life. For our brothers and sisters young people in the Society, here, the gift of faith which leads Andrea and Luis Orlando, made a to salvation is the most cherished couple of cardboard boxes to put gift. Other things, such as house, I

food, clothing, are essential but take second place to faith. It is thIs faith that moved their hearts to reach out to meet the extreme needs of the poor. In the same way, parishioners from the diocese recognized the bounty of God's blessings and made a donation through the Advent Giving Tree to help the poor.

As Sister Gloria began to organize the donated clothing with a few of the young people of the parish, she invited them to select an item for themselves, for they noticed how some of the clothing was almost new. Each of them, however, decided to forego the gift and let others benefit from the donations. In a way, their participation in the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is heiping them to recognize not their poverty but their blessings.

Instead of considering the things they do not have, they are able to see the ways God has blessed their lives.

There is a lesson for all of us under the Giving Tree and it does not come in brightly colored paper or with ribbons and bows. The lesson comes in the act of giving, which begins by recognizing our blessings and then blessing the life of a brother or sister. www.HonduranMission.org

ADVENT路UROUS;HELPERS - Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Guaimaca, Honduras collected clothes for the needy during the Advent se~son. Top, Andrea and Luis Orlando, Mauricia and Sister Gloria are pl~ased with the generous response. Below, Mauricia and Andrea begin ,the process of sorting out the donations.

Tom's revered ride' With thanks and apologies to . watched as Drew bled so. . Me: H.W. LOngfellow: In came Mr. Brady so calm and Listen you children am/men and collected, ladies, Our spirits renewed, our hope Ofthe incredible run ofone Tom resurrected.

"Who is this?" we cried after Bra4Y. On the third day ofFebruary in each passing win, 2004 .

"Where did you come from and He made the Pats champs for me andfor you.

We basked in the glory, it was no longer shady.

I

He said to the faithful, "Hop onfor a ride, After years ofdespair, it's timefor Patriots'pride. .

We'll win by the air and we'll win by the In the 21st century, we'll be second to none."

Three for afield goal and sixfor

run,

whe~

have you been?"

A few years before, he was a young Wolverine, And now he's the best thing that we've ever seen.

aTD,

What ever it takes, we don't think it's greedy, To end up on top, year after year, From Middlesex County to upper New Hampshire, Thanks to the greatest Patriot since old Paul Revere.

There once was a time when New England was so low, 'nl that Buffalo day when we

He handled St. Louis and slapped down the Colts, The same with the Eagles'and Panthers and Bolts.

After the battle, with the game On the line, . .

It's Tom who stands tall, time after time.

There are times when it seems when old Tom lost his magic, But when the clock strikes zero,

it's triumph, not tragic.

Whether it be in the snow, or on a synthetic carpet, His passes are lasers, no DB can stop it.'

His favorite receiver is the one that is open, He's the pigskin savior for which we've been hopin'.

With years still to play, he's afavorite offans, Like Orr and the Splinter, Bill Russell and Birdman.

C'mon LaMontagne, pick.out a strong tree, , And commence chipping out a wooden Brady.

So listen good children and dear mom and dad, To the tale ofthe bim quarterback we ever had.

It'sjun while it's lasting, and when his ride's done; We'll think back so fondly of Super Bowls won..

Whether you're six or whether you're eighty, Enjoy this incredible ride of Patriot Tom Brady. .. davejolivet@anchornews.org

'St. John's Seminary 127 Lake St, Brighton, MA 02135

. welcomes

J. Ffancis Cardinal Stafford I'

-

Major Penitentiary of the Holy See' For Laity: Saturday. Februan 3 "

.

4:00 pm The Role of the Laity regarding Reconciliation , within the Church's Life 5.:30 pm Mass followed by light recepti~n (please RSVP)

. For Priests: Monday. Februan 5 12:00 Daytime prayer 12:15 Lunch (please RSVP) 1:30 liThe Role of the Bishop and Priest regarding Reconciliation within the Church's Life

For Seminanans: Monday. Februan 5 .

5:oo,iHoly Hour 6:00 Dinner (please RSVP) 7:od!Ministry of Reconciliation: with special focus on the Apostolic Penitentiary For more information or to RSVP for meals, : 617-779-4369 FAX 617-787-2336 email srmpierrejean@sjs.edu

,

8

The Anchor ,

JANUARY

19, 2007

Babylon now symbol, I was immediately referred to as the "Second Temple As a Maritime Cadet, some 22 years ago; I recall marching in the scolded by an old combat vete~ Period." ~t is their opportunity to who happened to be standing at color guard in the annual parade rebuild and to reconstitute their identity as the people ofYahweh. of the Ancient and Honorable the door. He had probably risked Artillery Company. It was a his life for those colors, and he But many decades have passed by wasn't about to give me a break blustery spring day, and the winds the time the people re-enter their with respect to appropriate were intensified by the tunnel heritage, the promised land. Some had been born in Babylon and had effect of the big buildings around handling of the national symbol.

I relate this story with the financial district of Boston: My place in'the color guard respect to the meaning of the Stars and Stripes as a fOlmation was to bear the mily of the Wee symbol of national unity American Rag. One of my Third Sunday and representative of a colleagues carried the state colors, certainsetoforganU±ng ~-~-ih'O:rdinary Time the other carried school colors, and the rest had rifles on their principles which .make us

By Father a nation. These ideas shoulders. As you can imagine, A. Mathias Gregory the wind made the task of bearing relate to our first reading any large flag very difficult for this Sunday of the .become quite comfortable with indeed. We struggled to maintain . Church year as we hear from the our ranks as we processed with life there. And to what were they none-too-familiar book of returning? Desolation. Hostile Nehemiah. This book, along with other school and military units.

I recall the wind making every that of Ezra, recounts the restoratribes from the north. Few attempt to wrest the flag from my tion of Judah after the tragic exile resources.

And so, you can imagine, like of God's people in Babylon. Next grip as we marched. Our faces the Israelites during the sojourn in to the Exodus event, the Exile were constantly being covered by the desert who yearned for their ranks at the top of the list of the nylon fabric, thereby blocking "fleshpots" in Egypt (the comforts events of national significance for the view of one more of us as of slavery), many of these we marched. Finally, as we Israel in the Old Testament period.

Judahites probably wanted to While the Exodus represents the arrived at Fanueil Hall, exhausted return to Babylon. Thus, we hear creation of a people peculiarly from the ordeal, we attempted to the priest, Ezra, leading the people God's own, the Exile represents gather in the flags in order to enter in a worshipful reading of the law it's opposite .,. disintegration and into the building. It was at that we find of God, probably Deuteronomy. It a loss of identity.

Thus, very moment that I allowed a is the law of the Lord which will the people of Judah in the midst comer of Old Glory to touch the be the organizing principle which of a return to their homeland at pavement at my feet. For this the end of this tragic period, unintended affront to the national reconstitutes a people: From the

or

beginning of their creation as a to fulfill the law ... these and other people, the law is their very realities underscore the need for a . identity. And Ezra will apply the fulfillment of those wonderful law with great vigor and a strict events of the Exodus and the interpretation in order to reinforce Restoration of the Second Temple this sense of identity which, in the period. case of many, was gravely The promise of our Lord is for weakened or altogether lost in a truly comprehensive liberation if Babylon. Babylon may we so choose to place our faith in look good by comparison; his works and his words. Within it may seem much more such faith we must not settle for comfortable to the former the comforts of "Babylon" or exiles. Indeed it may have "Egypt." We avoid such miswithin it many things guided longings by a certain which recommend it. detachment from the world, and a Babylon, however, is not critical appraisal of the prevailing the land of promise but culture in which we live. It may be, rather the land of Exile ... for example, much more comfortan insult to the dignity bestowed able to "live and let live" than to speak the truth ... the truth about upon this people.

The Gospel reading teaches us, the human person, the embryo, the in no uncertain terms, of Jesus' right to life, marri~ge, and a whole claim to be the very fulfillment of host of other hot topics. I speak the Exodus-Exile-Restoration here of the "Babylon" of the message of the Old Testament. culture of death, the culture of freedom without any positive Subsequent to his declaration in the Temple, of which we hear content, and the culture of today, Jesus demonstrates the relativism. In contrast, we know surpassing way in which he is that the Lord has given our lives a such. We leam that his salvation is positive form and a goal. May we a rescue from a slavery and an be willing to bear the banner of truth and faith in favor of the siren exile which runs much more deeply into the human condition song of Babylon.

Father Mathias is pastor ofSt. than a captivity in Egypt or Babylon. Demonic possession, sin, . Julie Billiart Parish in North futility in merely human attempts Dartmouth.

Upcoming Daily Readings:Sat, Jan 20, Reb 9:2-3,11-14; Ps 47:2-3,6-9; Mk 3:20-21. Sun, Jan 21, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Neh 8:2-4a,5-6,8-1O; Ps 19:8-10,15; 1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:1214,27; Lk 1:1-4;4:14-21. Mon, Jan 22, Heb 9:15,24-28; Ps 98:1-6; Mk 3:22-30. Thes, Jan 23, Heb 10:1-10; Ps 40:2,4,7-8,10-11; Mk 3:31-35. Wed, Jan 24, Reb 10:11-18; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 4:1-20.

Thurs, Jan 25, The Conversion of Paul, Apostle, Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22; Ps 117: 1-2; Mk 16:15-18. Fri, Jan 26, 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Ps 96:1-3,7-8a,10; Mk 4:26-37.

Two giant figures of the contemporary Middle East recently died within days of each other. One was a great murderer, a man who mailed the body parts of his . shredded victims to their families, which perhaps explains why he never slept in the same place two nights in a row. The other was a great builder, a mayor who kept his home phone number listed in his city's telephone directory. One destroyed the very possibility of "politics" in his country, which was why, in the end, he had to be destroyed. The other was it consummate politician, who wheeled-and-dealed with the best of them, in order to make the

Two men' of the Levant -

world's most bitterly contested city a place worthy of its narrie.

One, of course, was Saddam Hussein, executed in Baghdad on December 30. The other was Teddy Kollek, mayor of Jerusalem for almost three decades, who died on January 2.

Babylonians, Byzantines, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Ottomans, Persians, Romans, ..

Saracens,and Seleucids ,each ruled Jerusalem, in their turn, as conquerors. From 1965 until 1993, Teddy Kollek governed Jerusalem as a trustee.

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make things happen. And Teddy Kollek made things happen.

The original U.N. partition plan for mandatory Palestine envisaged Jerusalem asa corpus separatum, an international enclave "., not part of any state. That was an idea going nowhere; so in 1948 the city was divided by barbed wire, between Israel and Jordan, and remained that way until its reunification in 1967 during the Six-Day War (which Israel's leaders had begged intelligence work for David BenJordan's King Hussein not to enter).

Gurion;'as Mayor ofJerusalem, he Teddy, in response to renewed calls conducted himself as a servant of for some sort of international people of all faiths, determined to oversight, created a non-governmaintain free aCcess to the city's mental body: the Jerusalem holy places for all who wished to Committee, an eclectic gathering of worship there. His critics,perhaps lawyers, statesmen, academics, . resentful of his success, called him "the last pasha," the last Ottoman in theologians, and architects from all over the world - all dedicated to style if not ethnicity. And it's true ' religious freedom, all committed to that Teddy was, at the same time, an open and undivided Jerusalem, politician, statesman, impresario, ,and all invited by Teddy to "conurban planner, gardener, judge, us when we get it right, gratulate host, construction-gang boss, and us when we get it and correct world-elass shnorrer (fund-raiser). as Teddy said in inviting wrong," But perhaps in a region where the me to join the Committee (as the politics of consensus and compromost junior of subalterns, I should mise are planted in rocky soil, it iiI 1990. confess) takes a pasha - in this case, a We did both. Long before my thoroughly democratic pasha - to caught in the cruel web of violence, Teddy embodi~d civility, decency, and tolerance.

He was a proud Israeli, who in his youth had run guns and done

.

brief service on it, the Committee helped Teddy prevent tile city from getting overbuilt. In fact, the Jerusalem Committee encouraged and supported some of the greatest exercises in urban design of the late 20th century. I also remember Teddy's intense interest, at our 1990 meeting, in the Sheikh Jarrah health clinic he had built for poor Palestinian children, even as he took in hand the Committee's criticism for the municipality's failure to entice the local Palestinian population into municipal politics (which, in truth, wasn't Teddy's fault, but the first intifada's).

Jerusalem is hardly an oasis of tranquillity today. But it is a far more tranquil place - and a far more beautiful place, and a far more open place - than it would have been absent the tough love lavished on it for decades by Teddy Kollek. This great and good man, who was the human antithesis of the brute who died 72 hours before him, embodied the promise that Jerusalem might one day be in reality what it pas long been inspiration: the city of peace.

Gathered to the fathers, may he rest in peace.

George Weigel is a seniorfellow ofthe Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

r JANUARY

,

19,2007

The Anchor ,

Going downhill fast Sunday 14 January 2007 son might mistake me for an athHomeport - Andy Rooney's 88th lete. birthday My most dreaded period at Anchor Editor Dave Jolivet, in Normandin Junior High School, his column "My View from the Stands," has made several references recently to sports-related injuries he has incurred' over the years. So, Dave, let's raise the bar, shall we? You want sports injuries? I'll give you sports injuries!

Let me be perfectly clear, dear New Bedford, was gym. When it readers. I'm certified by my doctor came time to scale the ropes, I hung as athletically challenged. I carry a .there like a codfish set out to dry in card and wear one of these bracelet the sun. Baseball? They assigned alerts just in case some foolish per- me to a position across the street

on the lawn of St. Mary's Church.

My pastor, Father Joe Hayes, seemed perplexed by his new lawn ornament in red satin gym shorts.

Dodge ball? I stood perfectly still, hoping to get it over with so that I could just sit on the sidelines and watch. Nobody in his right mind would pick me for a sports team.

High school sports w'ere not something I would ever choose. Ah, but then came college. My college was in Canada. Canada had a national program called 5BX. It was a mandatory exercise program designed by the military. My team

Housework and heaven's work Know what I love most about housework? Getting it done! Know what I love least about housework? It's never done. Call me odd, or Type A, or whatever you want, but I like to clean and organize.

Once a week, on Saturday morning, I try to persuade the family to see housework my way. I cheer them on with statements like, "Housework teaches teamwork. Housework builds character.

Housework improves your health!" Well, okay, maybe I'm a bit grumpier than that with those unfortunate offspring of mine who try to sleep in, but I at least refrain from using the bullhorn until after eight 0' clock.

A while back, there was this fantastic Saturday when we actually checked everything off the "to-do" list. It felt like we had won Olympic gold.

Driving home from kids' sports events and jobs that evening, I was relaxed, ready to make some pizzas, and eager to enjoy a family movie. As I moseyed into the house, however, there stood one of our cats, using a basket of clean laundry as a litter box!

That was a topper; an eyepopping act of unspeakable insolence. What spiritual lesson was I supposed to learn from such absurdity as the cat's relieving itself in my clean laundry? I pulled out the bullhorn immediately.

When our children were babies, everyone used to cajole me, "Let the house go. Your baby won't stay little forever, you know."

"Oh, yeah," I'd mutter under my breath and keep

cleaning, "And just which fairy godmother do you think is going to fly in and tidy up this place with a flick of her wand?" Letting things go was a surefire guarantee that a neighbor would drop by and cock an eyebrow at the mess, that I'd lose an important bill, or maybe even lose a kid

amidst the chaos. Truthfully, if my house was undone, I was undone.

Obviously, with a household of five children and upwards of 12 pets at anyone time, I needed to either adjust my expectations or put in for a vocational reassignment. My adjustment happened one day through a friend who, of course, stopped by in the middle of one of "those" days.

As I madly tried to explain . away the disaster, my friend simply turned me around to look at the kids. A couple were at the table painting. Two were building mazes for our guinea pigs in the living room out of couch cushions and Legos.

Another child had a friend over and was baking cookies.

As if I had just been given a new pair of glasses, I saw what my friend saw; that creativity, learning, play, and people were more valuable than cleanliness and order. That night I was inspired to create a kind of life slogan to frame and hang on my wall. I wrote, 't9a-~ 910me iJ a g-~ cfla(/~ NOT A MUSEUM DISPLAY."

Like a theater production, life is, well, lively. Unlike a museum display, life includes people that don't always fit together nicely and events that cannot always be showcased neatly.

My slogan reminds me that housework is not an end in itself. The purpose of keeping an orderly home is to help us focus"on the people we live with, not to showcase either tIle home Or the people.

Trust me, though; I haven't given up my desire for order and cleanliness entirely.

Doing so would make me as ludicrous as our cat. What I have embraced is the fact that life at our house is often like a theater production in full swing, and cleanliness and order cannot always have center stage.

Other people may have the opposite reactipn to housework. They may run from it like the plague, but to ignore the care of our homes isn't right either. Housework is important because it prepares the stage for the physical, spiritual, and intellectual development of everyone who lives there. In its proper priority, housework is heaven's work. I read of a grandmother who put it like this: "Keep a house that is neither so messy nor so tidy as to make guests uncomfortable." Sounds to me like another inspired slogan to hang on my wall.

Heidi is an author, photographer, and full-time mother.

She and her husband raise their five children in Falmouth. homegrownfaith@yahoo.com.

called itself "The Klutzes." The name fit perfectly. Preschool children would whiz past me on the ice as I struggled unsuccessfully to stand upright. Canadian tots are very big into hockey.

I did go canoeing once - nice, but boring.

I went horseback riding one day.

They wisely gave me the oldest, slowest horse in the stable. At last, I thought, I have found my sport.

Then some unthinking person let my horse's girlfriend out of the barn. The filly neighed becomingly and my sleepy stallion perked right up. I fell off.

I switched from horses to bicycles. I pedaled from Falmouth to Woods Hole, took the ferry, then peddled from one ~nd of the Vineyard to the other, took the ferry back to Woods Hole, drkgged myself to St. Joseph Rectory and collapsed immobile on Father Jim Dalzell's couch. "Now I've ~!een everything," exclaimed Jim Dalzell. He retired the very next day. am not making this up..

One time, on a Jark, I decided to take up cross-c~untry skiing. I drove to the Van!1 Trapp Lodge. I knew the manager of the ski shop, Pat Schwienbeck.l! I bought myself a spiffy outfit - laser blue with a raspberry red lightening bolt from shoulder to shoulder - very stylish, Pat assured nie. Then, dressed to the nines, I headed for my first ski lesson. The instructor ordered, "Everybody, put Ii on your skis." I raised one foot" six inches and promptly fell over. "I've fallen and I can't get up!" "Well, at least you're dressed like you know what you're doing," said the instructor, trying to be encouraging. He was no help at all. I' ended up on the "Bunny Slope." I failed that, too.

Then came the day some parishioners invited me to join them for downhill skiing. I accepted the challenge. I dug my Nordic ski outfit out of the closet, intending to dazzle them. They were not impressed.

"You need DOWNHILL ski clothing, not THAT." I and a buddy, Bob Adams, are the same size. He offered me the !I

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use of his Alpine ski equipment. I went to Cape Cod to retrieve it.

Leaving his house, I fell down the front steps. I never saw the black ice. Paramedics were summoned.

Off I went in the ambulance, a ski pole wrapped around my arm. You would think Cape Cod had never seen a skiing accident. Hello? Are there no ski resorts on Cape Cod? Actually, no. There wasn't a flake for a hundred miles - except me.

The emergency room staff gathered around my gurney to witness this historical occurrence. How embarrassing.

My broken arm took six months to heal. Celebrating Mass was a bit awkward. There was no way I could raise both arms in the classic orans prayer position. For months, I had to get by with only my left arm raised in the air. It was the best I could do under the circumstances.

At one Mass, there was a class of children in attendance. I announced the Lord's Prayer and glanced at the first pew. The kids were loudly reciting the prayer all with only their left arms raised in the air.

"I see you've incurred a sports injury," said then-Bishop Sean O'Malley. "I hereby order you to give up skiing."

"I have given up skiing, bishop.

I've learned my lesson. Now I'm into parasailing." This is why bishops go prematurely grey.

Top that, Dave Jolivet! What do you mean, "You're fired"? Who do you think you are, Donald Trump?

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Assonet.

Comments are welcome at StBernardAssonet@aol.com.

Previous columns are available at www.StBernardAssonet.org.

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4; The Anchor 4;

Val Monteiro inspires those around him

By MIKE GORDON, ANCHOR STAFF

Monteiro taught CCD at the parish for three years FALL RIVER - Good Shepherd parishioner Val before taking a hiatus because of his busy work schedMonteiro finds joy in working with young Catholics. ule. He plans on getting back involved with it next year.

They inspire him and he inspires them.

He taught confinnation age students and continues to The Fall River native lives with Beckers, a form of be involved in retreats. muscular dystrophy that gets progressively worse over "It's been close to 10 years that I've been giving time. Monteiro was diagnosed at age five and the 31- witness talks and assisting. Working with young people year-old is now confined to a wheel chair. But he does gives me hope for the future. It keeps me going. After a not let that stop him from being involved at the parish long day of work, especially with a disability, you get and from leading a busy life. tired. But working with young people reinforces my His pastor, Father Freddie Babiczuk, has been im- faith. You don't feel tired working with young people." pressed with Monteiro and his strong dedication to God He~s given witness talks entitled "God's Love, New and the parish.

Life in the Spirit" and "My Commitment to Christ," "From the moment that I met him I admired the focusing on living with his disability. way he didn't allow a physical disability to become a "It's very important that young people have a strong handicap," said Father Babiczuk. "He could have be- relationship with Christ and it's great when you see come a bitter person who was angry with God, but he that happening," said Monteiro. "You see them get more . is not. He lives a full and complete life." involved in their parish as volunteers and their faith He attended Durfee High ..-=--,-..,.-------:-:----,...-=c'"---,---, and that's exciting. I enjoy helpSchool and graduated from ing to lead them to Christ and I UMass-Dartrnouth where he mathink my wheelchair helps with jored in textile science. For the that."

He added that by Sunday, Stupast four years he has worked as a claims reviewer for flexible dents on retreat who were less than spending accounts at Benefit enthusiastic about being there are Concepts in East Providence, R.I.. the ones who don't want to leave.

"They've changed and become Previously he worked as a clerical aid at the Disabled Student Ofmore open to Christ," said fice at the college.

Monteiro. " "An important part of his life "I think they see that Jesus is is his involvement with the youth right there. He's always there to and young adult ministry at Good turn to. It's amazing to see the Holy Shepherd and Holy Trinity," said Spirit working on those kids. It Father Babiczuk. "I think because makes me smile." of his ability to overcome his He was on team for the Chrisphysical disability he is an inspitian Leadership Institute for sevration to young people." eral years and has also been inIt's not a surprise that he's involved in four Emmaus retreats. He volved in the parish. His parents is helping out with the next one have always been involved with scheduled for February 23-25. various activities and are mem"Emmaus is an awesome expebers of its Portuguese choir. rience. You see the same type of In the fall of 1993 he was havrelationship development between ing trouble walking and said he attendees and Christ. The more I went through a difficult period in VAL MONTEIRO learn about my faith the more I love his life. "It was a spiritual low it." point." But hearing a Gospel reading in church changed Monteiro's major involvement these days is with the him. ''I remember it was the ninth chapter ofJohn verses young adult ministry group to which he is an advisor. It 1-3. That awakened me," said Monteiro. is open to young people ages 18-30 and gives those The story told ofJesus healing a blind man. Monteiro who have graduated from high school a place to go thought to himself, "If Jesus could work through the after youth ministry. blind man, why can't he work through me and my ''It'sbeenveryenjoyable,''saidMonteiro. ''This year wheelchair?" we've planned several trips to see the Providence BruHe added that the late Pope John Paul II has also ins and recently saw the Christmas lights display at the been a big inspiration in his life because of the brave National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette." way he lived his last days with Parkinson's disease.

It meets twice a month for prayer, discussion and "He wrote a piece on the Christian meaning of hu- various activities. They've had trips to Canobie Lake man suffering and that had a big impact on me," said Amusement Park, car washes and yard sales and he is . Monteiro. That piece, the Apostolic Letter Salvifici hopeful that membership in the group will increase.

Doloris, focused on the connection between people and "On the last Sunday of each month we have a youth Christ through the cross. Afterreading it, Monteiro con- Mass and a social follows. We have refreshments, discluded, "I believe that God is working through my dis- cussion and games. It's a lot of fun." ability." He began to dedicate his suffering to the souls His disability has not limited him to activities in just in purgatory and "for whatever purpose God deems it the United States either. In 2002 he, along with his for. What I'm going through is for something greater," mother, joined the diocese on the pilgrimage for World he added.

Youth Day in Toronto, Canada. "It was terrific. It was When his parish formed a youth group that same actually quite easy to get around and my biggest thrill year, Monteiro immediately became involved. Now was seeing Pope John Paul II pass us on the street. It . 16 years later he is an advisor for the young adult min- was amazing." istry group and assists with the youth ministry group as Monteiro is also a member of Immaculate Art Minwell. istries, aka. I AM. They use the arts to bring the Gos"That's where my faith journey started," said pel to life through acting and song. They have given Monteiro. "Something was missing from my life and I numerous "prayformances," throughout the diocese in wanted to get more involved in the Church. It's been several languages. "We've done performances of the wonderful."

Luminous Mysteries and Psalms which we put to origiIt has not been an easy journey, but he says that the nal music. At each mystery people would act and sing. love of his family and their help has been a key to his It's been great. I've really enjoyed that." success.

Monteiro also enjoys reading books about his faith "It's been tough having to rely on others for help, and following the Red Sox. He also has a devotion to but I know my family doesn't mind helping me out Mary and said, "I enjoy praying the rosary and do so and I am grateful for them," he said. He lives with his each day. Each night I ask the Blessed Mother to bring parents, Dda and Joseph Monteiro, and because he can my petitions to Christ." no longer drive, his mother takes him to work each day Deb Jezalc works with him at Good Shepherd Parin Providence. His younger sister Lisa is a nurse at ish and praised him. "He's been an excellent catechist Charlton Memorial Hospital. and great in our confirmation retreats. Although his iIl''They help me so much and always instilled good ness is taking its toll, he continues to be an inspiration values in me. They always encouraged me growing up to the young people in our parish. He gives a powerful to do as much as I could." witness of enduring faith." j

To lay down one's life "This is my commandment," Jesus tells us, "love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" (In 15:12-13).

For most of us, the expression of "laying down one's life" is made manifest most often through our actions of selflessness and sacrifice. On any given day, in deed both large and small, we may express our love for others by thinking of others first and putting ourselves aside.

Moms and dads know about this type of sacrifice. Whether it is the effort given to earning a living to provide for children, or the countless day-to-day acts of giving and putting their children first, parents know what it means to "lay down their lives" for others.

Caregivers, who day after day look after one who is ill, know what it means to put another first. " \ Those who ", By, Greta serve in the medical profession, doctors and nurses, give to those they serve by often putting themselves aside.

Teachers and educators on many different levels know about this type of sacrifice when extra time and effort is often given to better serve their students.

And there are many other professions, many different day-to-day circumstances in which we are all called to love one another and make sacrifices.

But then there are those who truly "lay down their lives."

Many of those who serve in the military, most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan, have given their lives in service of our country. Firefighter~, policemen and rescue personnel risk their lives in the hope of saving others, as seen most dramatically in the September 11 rescue efforts where so many heroes gave their lives. Those who serve in missionary work in far away countries often risk their lives trying to bring the word of God to others.

But every now and then there is an unexpected set of circumstances when someone lays down his life in a way that is both poignant and heartwarming, when one man's actions truly reflect those of Christ.

A few weeks ago on January 2, Wes Autrey a Navy veteran and construction worker, was waiting with his children for a train in a New York subway. A 18-year-old college student, Cameron Hollowpeter, fell onto the tracks after apparently suffering a seizure.

Autrey jumped onto the tracks to try to save the young man. He said that the college student was incoherent and confused and in a split-second decided not to try to bring Cameron up out of the track area, but rather to lay down with him in a small space between the two subway tracks.

Autrey lay down over Cameron Hollowpeter, protecting the young man from the train, as the train passed over them, two inches from Wes Autrey's head.

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Unbelievable.

I can only imagine what it would be like to lay beneath a speeding train, wondering if at any moment part of the train, some lower mechanism or protrusion would suddenly strike, causing great pain, great injury and possibly even death.

Wes Autrey did not seem to be shaken in this situation.

When asked if the bottom of the train touched his head, Autrey said, "It could have."

Did Jesus breathe just enough space between this brave man's head and the moving train? Was it some kind of miracle, or was it just a case of actual physics, a fortunate situation where two inches was all that was needed to keep both Wes Autrey and Cameron Hollowpeter safe and out of harm's way. Mr. Autrey after his generous act of kindness and heroism. Genuine gratitude. Free subway rides. Cash gifts. But even more so, he gained the admiration, prayers and goodwill from the hearts of many people who saw in him the humility, the courage and the compassionate heart of Christ.

Greta is an author and illustrator. She and her husband George, with their children are members of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

& The Anchor

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Atlanta archbishop visits 'family of God' at prison

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE - The Kartause Maria Thron, a restored Carthusian monastery, seen in Gaming, Austria is now the campus of Franciscan University of Steubenville's study abroad program, the Language and Catecheticallnstitute and the International Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. Students from the U.S. and from Central and Eastern Europe have the opportunity to study together at the campus. (CNS photo/Michael Herrera)

International study program in Austria illustrates universal Church GAMING, Austria (CNS) - The international study abroad program at the church at Kartause Maria Thron, a fonner monastery in Gaming, has been an example of the interplay of the Eastern and Latin-rite Catholic churches and the universality of Catholicism.

The Gaming campus hosts students from 1520<;:ountriesin the study abroad progrll!TIS for the Franciscail University ofSteubenville, Ohio; Ave Maria University in Naples, Fla.; the Language and Catechetical Institute, for Eastern and Central European students; and the International Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.

Students at Gaming are from different schools, countries and rites of the Catholic Church, which allows several opportunities for experiencing different expressions of communal prayer.

Liturgies and Masses from different rites are offered weekly, and the Marian devotions of the rosary and the Byzantine Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God are organized events.

Franciscan Father Dennis Gang, who has served as chaplain for Franciscan University's study abroad program since 2000, said, "For us growing up during a time when the U.S.S.R. was an enemy, it is wonderful to come here and fonn strong friendships (with) brothers and sisters who grew up behind the Iron Curtain and were fonnerly enemies."

Father Juraj Terek, chaplain of the theological institute and a married Byzantine priest, said, "In Gaming the universality of the Church is

lived in a very unique way, almost as a family."

Father Terek, quoting Pope John Paul II, said the church must "breathe with two lungs," the Eastern- and Latin-rite Catholic traditions.

'The universality of the shared experience of living, praying and working together provides for a beautiful firsthand experience ofboth lungs of the Church," Father Terek told Catholic News Service.

Currently 15 students, including four men from China, study Catholic education and formation with the catecheticallanguage institute, created for students of the East and West to interact. Through English classes and religious education, the one-year program equips students to spread Catholicism in their home country.

Jenny Healy, co-director ofthe language institute, said she believes all Catholics are called to participate and understand the unity of the church.

"It is a unique thing to see that unity is not uniformity," she said. 'The authentic diversity found is the different expressions of the same Catholic faith."

Healy said the living situation in Gaming provides "young Americans the opportunity to leam what it is like to come from atheistic communism, and Eastern youth learn how to face consumerism and materialism."

'This is a chance to see a visible expression of unity and diversity. Here we have different cultures, languages and liturgies, but all are united in Christ and the Holy Father," said Healy.

Cardinal calls for revival of practices of piety LONDON (CNS) - Cardinal Cormac them," he said in a letter read at Masses January Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster, England, 7.

He said there are many other ways in which called for the revival of the traditional Catholic Catholics "can develop those practices which are practices of piety.

Cardinal Murphy-O' Connor said he la- truly rooted in Catholic tradition" and bring them mented the decrease in acts ofpiety such as fast- closer to Jesus. ing, abstinence, Stations of the Cross, praying "How many people pray before meals or, inthe rosary and adoration of the Blessed Sacra- deed, after them, recognizing that all we have is ment because they are a "good means of deep- a gift from God?" he asked. "How many parents ening our faith." pray, not only for your children, but with your The cardinal said the acts, as well as confes- children as they grow up? sion, which is also in decline, were "truly part of "How happy I am when so many children Catholic tradition and devotion and are a nour- tell me they pray at home at night with their parishment to our faith, and I would encourage . ents before going to bed," he added.

JACKSON, Ga. - During a visit to a st~te maximum security prison in Jackson, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta told a group of inmates that they were not forgotten and were integral members of the Body of Christ and the Church of Georgia. ': "You men are part of our family of God, the believing community, and so we com~, to share the mystery of Jesus being born here anew," he said during his recent homily;, in the prison chapel.

He assured the dozen inmates at the Mass that Jesus is present for those who are sick, imprisoned and others on the margins of ~o­ ciety where "the family of the Church may more perfectly recognize the Lord."

After Mass, he greeted the inmates in "attndance. He then celebrated a private Mass in the prison barbershop for five death-rbw inmates. , About 2,000 male prisoners are incarcerated at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, which also houses the state's 103 death-row inmates.

Just prior to the Mass, the archbishop'described visiting prisons as one of Christ's clearest mandates. "The prison ministrx of the Church is part of the Gospel mandate. It says, 'I was in prison.' ... It's not sometljing new or optional."

He also thanked those involved in prison ministry, saying they "do an important .service and provide a true Gospel ministryf' Deacon Tom Silvestri of Holy C~oss "

Church has been ministering at the Jackson facility almost weekly since 1989, and Father Austin Fogarty accompanies him.

Steve Cirri, an inmate who attended the Mass in the prison chapel, spoke with The Georgia Bulletin, archdiocesan newspaper of Atlanta, about his faith.

Cirri, who is in his mid-50s, has 14 months left to serve of a three-year sentence for obscene Internet contact with a minor. Cirri, who said he is Catholic, regrets his crime.

Cirri is completing his third entire reading of the Bible since his incarceration.

These days he finds comfort reading the Book of Job, he said. "This man lost everything, the devil gave him sores, and he never lost his faith .... This gives me comfort, to say, 'Hey, what I'm going through ain't nothing compared to what he went through,'" he said.

He looks forward to Mass each week and he sometimes shares his faith with other inmates and encourages them to study Scripture. Cirri said the Mass makes him feel that Jesus is with him giving him strength.

During the archbishop's visit, Department of Corrections official Arnold Depetro urged more involvement from the Catholic community in helping support prisoners transitioning back into society upon their release.

Jim Powers, coordinator of the jail and prison ministry of the Atlanta Archdiocese, is currently working to implement a program called Thr~sholds for released prisoners.

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JANUARY

19, 2007

DVD/video reviews

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NEW YORK (CNS) - The fol- Maupin novel - "inspired by true lowing are capsule reviews of new events" - about a gay radio host and recent DVD and video releases (Robin Williams) who deveiops a from the Office for Film & Broad- paternal phone friendship with a casting of the U.S. Conference of young fan (Rory Culkin) who has Catholic Bishops.

AIDS and was sexually abused as a "Cadence" (1990) child, but then begins to doubt the An Army private (Charlie Sheen) boy's existence, and wonders ifhe's confined in the post stockade infu- not actually speaking with the teenriates his racistjailer (Martin Sheen) ager's blind adoptive mother (Toni by bonding with the black prisoners Collette). Director and co-writer and rejecting favored treatment. Di- Patrick Stettner's gloomy but susrector Martin Sheen turns out a penseful film is part psychological subtle, understated film about big- drama, part mystery in the M. Night otry, mixing humor with drama and Shyamalan manner, but though the fleshing out the characters without performances are solid and there resorting to empty ~tereotypes. Brief are some chills the result is, on the violence, some racial epithets and a whole, unconvincing. Profanity, fleeting sexual reference. The rough and crude language, sexual USCCB Office for Film & Broad- elements including brieffootage of casting classification is A-II an orgy with partial nudity, innuadults and adolescents. The Motion endo and some violence. The Picture Association of America rat- USCCB Office for Film & Broading is PG-13 - parents strongly cau- casting classification is L - limtioned. Some material may be inap- ited adult audience, films whose propriate for children under 13 (Re- problematic content many adults FEARY TALE - Prince Humperdink, voiced by Patrick Warburton, and Ella, voiced by Sarah Michelle public Entertainment). . . would find troubling. The Motion Gellar, are seen in the animated film "Happily N'Ever After." For a brief review of this film see eNS "The lllusionist" (2006) Picture Association ofAmerica rat- Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Lionsgate) Grippingly atmospheric roman- ing is R - restricted. Under 17 retic tale set in turn-of-the-last-century quires accompanying parent or set in a storybook realm where a a Los Angeles street dancer (CoVienna about a mysterious stage adult guardian (Miramax). wicked stepmother (voiced by lumbus Short) relocates to Atlanta magician (Edward Norton) who "Quinceanera" (2006) Sigourney Weaver) swipes a to attend a prestigious black uniloves a noblewoman (Jessica Biel) Beautifully crafted coming-ofwizard's magic staff, which enables versity, where he is recruited by unwillingly betrothed to the crown age drama about a good-hearted her to rewrite classic fairy tales so members of a fraternity impressed prince (Rufus Sewell) who demands Los Angeles teen-ager (Emily Rios) they have unhappy endings, leav- by his hip-hop moves to help them that the chief inspector (Paul who finds herself unaccountably ing it up to Cinderella (Sarah dethrone their campus rivals as Giamatti) prove the magician a pregnant and her sexually confused Michelle Gellar) - here called reigning national champs of "stepfraud. Writer-director Neil Burger's cousin (Jesse Garcia), who are (C~~ ~'I()viile "Ella" - to set things right, while ping," a traditional style of synsepia-toned adaptation of Steven taken in by their gentle uncle (Chalo finding herself torn between her chronized dance popular among (Ca.IJ)~Ulllle~ Millhauser's short story, with a Gonzalez) after their families reject vainglorious Prince Charming African-American fraternities. He haunting score by Philip Glass and them. Writer-directors Richard NEW YORK (CNS) - The fol- (Patrick Warburton) and his belea- falls for the girlfriend (Meagan excellent performances, brilliantly Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland's lowing are capsule reviews of guered but brave manservant Good) of his cocky competition captures the period, and beneath the colorful Sundance Film Festival . movies recently reviewed by the (Freddie Prinze Jr.). Though pro- (Darrin Henson) and, complicating compelling story such themes as winner with its moving themes of Office for Film & Broadcasting of duced by John H. Williams, who the romance further, her protective popular superstition, the rise of sci- tolerance, redemption and forgive- the U.S. Conference of Catholic also produced the "Shrek" movies, father (Allan Louis) is the school's entific thought and the decline of the ness overcomes some plot elements Bishops. director Paul J. Bolger's parody president. Directed by Sylvain aristocracy are unobtrusively woven. that may not be to every taste. Brief falls well short of those films' sharp White, the athleticism of the cho"Code Name: The Cleaner" A brief sexual encounter with sug- violence, some rough and crude wit, superior animation and charm, reography and Short's charisma (NewLine) gested nudity, some domestic vio- language, sexual banter, premarital Forgettable comedy about a jani- but its lively tone, colorful look and energize a flimsy and formulaic lence, a suicide and a few crass ex- sex, a couple of nongraphic homo- tor (Cedric the Entertainer) who cute premise nevertheless prove script. Some brief violence includpressions. The USCCB Office for sexual encounters and drug use. wakes up in a hotel room with total modestly entertaining as family ing a shooting and brawling, sexuFilm & Broadcasting classification The USCCB Office for Film & memory loss and, believing he's fare. Some mildly crude humor and ally suggestive dance moves, ~ is A-III -adults. The Motion Pic- Broadcasting classification is L really a secret agent, sets out to expressions. The USCCB Office for condom reference, sexual innuture Association of America rating limited adult audience, films whose piece together his past with the help Film & Broadcasting classification endo, some crude language and a is PG-13 - parents strongly cau- problematic content many adults of his waitress girlfriend (Lucy is A-I - general patronage. The few instances of profanity. The tioned. Some material may be inap- would find troubling. The Motion Liu). All the while, he's targeted by Motion Picture Association of USCCB Office for Film & Broadpropriate for children under 13 (Fox Picture Association ofAmerica rat- a siren (Nicollette Sheridan) who America rating is PG - parental casting classification is A-III Home Entertainment). ing is R - restricted. Under 17 re- claims to be his wife but works for guidance suggested. Some material adults. The Motion Picture Assoquires accompanying parent or a high tech company whose shady may not be suitable for children.

"The Night Listener" (2006) ciation of America rating is PG-13 Adaptation of Armistead adult guardian (Sony Pictures).

"Stomp the Yard" CEO (Mark Dacascos) thinks the - parents strongly cautioned.

(Screen Gems) Some material may be inappropriamnesiac has proof of his criminal After his brother's tragic death, ate for children under 13. activities. Saddled with such vacuous material, Cedric provides only modest laughs, and director Les Mayfield's unfunny, at times lewd, shenanigans could have been FALL RIVER - A video of the cable channel 17, Jan. 23 and 30 cleaner; Crude and sexual humor, 2006 Marian Medals Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. and recurring crass language. The thattook place on November 19 at - Easton, cable channel 9, Jan. USCCB Office for Film & Broad- St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River 23, 30 and Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. casting classification is A-III - Fairhaven, cable channel 95, is airing on several cable television adults. The Motion Picture Associa- public access channels.

Jan. 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 11 a.m. tion of America rating is PG-13 Scheduled celebrant is - Raynham, cable channel 9, - Acushnet, cable channel 95, parents strongly cautioned. Some Jan. 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 11 a.m.

Father T1Ill Goldrick, pastor of Jan. 23, 30 and Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. material may be inappropriate for - Somerset, cable channel 9, - Barnstable, Chatham, DenSt. Bernard's Parish in Assonet, children under 13..

Jan. nis, Harwich and Yarmouth, cable 19 at 10 a.m. and Anchor columnist.

"Happily N'Ever After" The video is also available for channel 17, Jan. 23 and 30 at 9 a.m.

(Lionsgate) - Brewster, Eastham, purchase. Contact 508-675-0211 Computer-animated adventure Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, for information.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, January 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Marian Medals cable TV air times

JANUARY

$ The Anchor $ Church worker: 2006 a tough year for aid workers in Darfur

19,2007

By REGINA UNSKEY CATliOUC News SERVICE WASHINGTON - A Church aid worker in Darfur said 2006 was tough for humanitarian workers but noted that the United States and United Nations have increased their efforts in the western Sudanese region.

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Sudan program for Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops' interna,tional aid and development agency, said U.N. observers and logisti~ staff have been deployed to Darfur. The Sudanese government has agreed to set up a "protection force," he said, without providing further detail.

The U.S. "is by fM tJ1e largest donor contributing emergency services," he said in response tojournalists' questions during a conference call from CRS headqumers in Baltimore January 10. Snyder has been based in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, since 2005; CRS has been working in the

region since 2004.

The conflictin Darfur began neMly four yeMS ago, when rebel forces attacked the government because they . thought the government was neglecting the region politically and economically. Humanitarian efforts have been blockedby violent clashes that involve government forces; governmentbackedArab militia, orJanjaweed; and rebel groups, some of whom fight among themselves.

The Janjaweed militias are especially notorious for pillaging villages and raping women.

In May 2006,' a cease-fire agreement between the government and one rebel faction was reached, but deadlines have been ignored.

The situation has become more complex as violence increases then wanes. Nongovernmental organizations estimate that more than 400,000 people have been killed, and more than . two million civilians have been displaced- some live in camps in Darfur

while others have fled to neighboring Chad.

In MeaS where the situation is more stable, CRS has been working to train students to work so they can return to their homes. The Khartourn vocational program has successfully trained and facilitated the return of more than 300 displaced students to their homes in southern DMfur, Snyder said.

Sudanese President Omar alBashir said Januafy 10 that U.N. peacekeeping forces Me not needed, and the thousands of African Union troops in the region are sufficient to provide security. African Union troops have expressed their willingness to step aside.

Meanwhile, the violence and ground fighting that increased in 2006 kept CRS from reaching some people .in need, and many of the programs suffered, Snyder said. .

But, he added, the group food distribution program was successful because of CRS' strategy of coordinat-

ing local leaders and the UN. World " Food Program. The local leaders distribute the food packages t~ families, he said.

'I Snyder said the local·leaders make it easier to manage large n~bers of people who converge on food dropoff points. "

cRs feeds approximately 150,000 people in 40 rural communities and 20 camps for displllC¢ Sudanese.

CRS and its mostly Sudanese staff of 125 members assist any Sudanese, regMdless of beliefs, with water sanitation, sChools and health education, Snyder said~

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.Rev. King's legacy 'alive and well,' says leadership conference head

By PAUL STORER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - "I have adream," the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said more than four decades ago from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

This simple phrase still has the compelling strength to evoke the slain civil rights leader's likeness and message in the minds of countless people throughout the world.

"His legacy is alive and well," said ChMles Steele, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, speaking about his institution's founder in a telephone interview with the Catholic Explorer, newspaper of the Diocese of Joliet.

Rev. King's was born Jan. 15, 1929, and the federal holiday commemorating his birthday was held Monday.

Launched by Rev. King in 1957, the conference is an Atlanta-baSed advocacy organization committed to achieving social, political and economic justice through nonviolent actions, said Steele. Staff counselors and other employees advocate "Kingian nonviolence,''' a philosophy designed by Rev. King that underlines . peaceful problem-solving strategies and techniques, he explained. .

Adapted from Rev. King's principles to address modem-day aggressive behaviors, the Kingian model describes nonviolence as being courageous rather than passive. A willingness to accept suffering, if necessary, is also part of the model, but inflicting suffering is never permitted.

Homicide is the leading cause of death for African-Americans, ages 10 to 24, in the United States, according to Steele. To change this statistic, the concepts for peaceful conflict resolution as outlined in the Kingian model Me being brought to light for teens and adults, he said. Law enforcement professionals at many inner-city locations across the United States Me adopting the model as well, he noted.

At the same time, through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Rev. King's nonviolent principles Me being promoted as a way to peace in certain unstable Meas such as the Holy Land. The aim is to introduce Kingian methods for nonviolent conflict resolution to stop the ongoing bloodshed in the area, said Steele.

"We want to change the society without firing any bullets," said Steele.

Only 39 yeMs old when he died, Rev. King was . responsible for laying the basic foundation for those people interested in bettering their situation, said ChMles Jones, who serves as the as-' sociate vice president for diversity and community partnership at Romeoville's Lewis University.

Rev. King personified the notion that everyone has equal rights and deserves just treatment, Jones told the Catholic Explorer in a recent interview in his office.

Over the yeMS, i'm~grants, disabled people, those with AIDS, incMcerated individuals and countless others, along ~:~\-........ with their advocates, have adopted the '. / Kingian model and specific strategies . / ./ for achieving legislative and policy . changes that favor equality.

"Dr. King focused on equality across the bOMd. He had an ability to empower other people," he said.

A member of Sacred Heart Parish in Joliet, Jones has seen the strength that people of faith can display when they Me bent on challenging injustice.

U.S. justice groups and individuals must continue Rev. King;s work, said Jones. Prejudices still have an impact on communities and personal opinions, he said, and many still feM that property loses value when African-Americans move into mostly white neighborhoods.

Jones said it is crucial for all Americans, especially young people, to continue to learn about his self-sacrifice and "the struggles that allow them their freedoms today."

LACKING THE BASICS - A woman and her son from the Darfur region of Sudan collect their monthly rations of oil and corn-soy blend from a food pistribution center at the Gaga refugee camp in eastern Chad in this file photo. They are among an estimated two million Sudanese civilians who have been displaced by violence in Sudan. (CNS photo/Claire Soares, Reuters) 'I

Our Lady of Fatima to Sister Lucia, Blessed Jacinta apd Blessed Francisco July 13, 1917 "I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be conv~rted, and there will be peace. If not, she spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will ,have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate R,ussia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved, etc."

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JANUARY

Pro-Life challeng~s in Massachusetts Editor's note: This is the first of two articles. This week's article examines current legislative challenges to life in Massachusetts. Next weeH' willhighlightPro-life lay efforts.

By GAIL BESSE ANCHOR CORRESPONDENT

BOSTON - .Abortion activists filed legislation just days into the new legislative session to ensure that abortion up to birth remains legal in Massachusetts even if a U.S. Supreme . Court ruling restricts it in the future.

They also reintroduced a bill that would mandate a radical K-12 sex education program for the state's one million public school children. Another proposal would choke off federal funding of abstinence-omy programs.

Emboldened by the support of Gov. Deval Patrick, the Coalition for Choice hosted aJanuary 8 State House strategy session and signing ceremony to publicize the bills. The coalition includes NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts and_ is headed by Angus McQuilken, ~ice president for public affairs for Planned Parenthood League ofMassachusetts, according to a State House News Service report.

"They're going for the jugular;' Marie Sturgis, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, said in an interview.

Nearly 25,000 abortions were reported to state Department of Public Health in 2004.

Attorney Philip D. Moran, president of the Pro Life Legal Defense Fund, said that in Massachusetts as in all states since the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton court cases - a woman can legally al;>ort her unborn but viable child up to birth: States can technically regulate the procedure, but restrictions have been challenged and aren't necessarily enforced.

Such is the case in Massachusetts, Moran said, where a 1974 law still on the books would require secondand third-trimester abortions to be done in hospitals with surgical facilities.

But a bill sponsored by 'Sen. man life is looming with a predicted .

Harriette Chandler ofWorcester and attempt to allow human embryo Rep. Ellen Story of Amherst would farming for stem-cell research, repeal both that law and an earlier ban Sturgis warned.

When the Massachusetts Legislaon all abortions. A NARAL fact sheet calls the move a hedge against any ture passed a May 2005 law to allow future U.S. Supreme Court "restric- "somatic cell nuclear transfer" (cloning) for stem-cell research, it rede-' tions on choice."

The bills were filed by January 10 fined in law that life "begins" at 14 and will be sent to committees within days or implantation, instead of the moment of conception. . a month.

However, thelaw's language still Sex education would come under a health bill that reintroduces legisla- prohibits scientists from setting up tion that died in committee last year embryo "farms" or from importing after bein&, vigorously opposed by embryos ~r stem-cell lines from other Massachusetts Citizens for Life and states. But under a bill filed last year by concerned parents and pro-family groups s.tatewide. Sponsored by Sen. Sen. Cynthia Creem of Newton, and Edward Augustus of Worcester and expected to return this session, this Rep. Alice Wolf of Cambridge, the regulation would be thwarted and a bill would mandate lessons on homo- "gateway for human embryo farmsexuality and human reproduction as ing" would open, Sturgis wrote in the elements of a core health curriculum winter issue of MCFLNews.

Sturgis urged people to contact from pre-kindergarten to grade 12.

Opponents of the proposed Mas- legislators to oppose this measure. sachusetts Comprehensive Health ''The present legal restrictions must Curriculum Frameworks protested stay on the books because human last year that the sexuality component . beings are not a product of the state would usurp parents' rights to present or a commodity for scientists to play with," she wrote. these issues within a moral context.

On the positive side, at least one .Planned Parenthood's McQuilken .said that a lobbying group called the Pro-Life bill was re-introduced for Coalition Advocating Responsible MCFL this session.

The Woman's Right to Know Bill, Educ~tion for Youth is pushing the resurrected bill. Among members sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Poirier listed on its Website are: the ACLU, of Att\eboro and Rep. Michael Massachusetts Teachers Association, Knapik of Westfield, would give a National Organization for Women, woman considering abortion the right Boston College Women's HealthIni- to know its medical risks, i\s alternatiative, and Massachusetts Gay and tives, and medical facts about her unborn child's development.

Lesbian Political Caucus.

"Pro-choice" groups have opAnother act sponsored by Rep. Ruth Balser of Newton would ban posed similar informed choice laws, any state agency or political subdivi-, but thousands of lives are &aved each sion from applying for federal grants year in states that have such legislato teach abstinence-only education. tion.

To locate a local chapter of MasLast year Massachusetts received sachusetts Citizens for Life, call $800,000 in such federal funding.

Larry Cirignano, executive direc- 617-242-4199; for Catholic Cititor ofBoston-based Catholic Citizen- zenship, call 617-755-7668. State ship, said people must organize to legislators can be reached at 617oppose this agenda. ''We need people 722-2000 for the House of Reprein every parish to help," he said, not- sentatives and 617-722-1246 for the . ing that opponents are well funded, Senate.

Gail Besse is a Massachusetts backed by national groups, and use paid full-time staff. freelance writer. She can be reached And another assault against hu- at gailbesse@comcast.net.

World Food Program head praises Church aid for poor VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The head of the World Food Program, James Morris, praised the Catholic Church's commitment to the poor after meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican.

The pope spoke with Morris in a private audience January 15, a week after the pontiff emphasized the need to reduce hunger in a speech to diplomats accredited to the Vatican.

"I wish to thank His Holiness for his continuous personal commitment, as well as that of the Catholic Church, to the poor and desperate people in the world," Morris said

in a statement released from his "I am so grateful for their good Rome office. will, encouragement, faithfulness Morris noted that the World Food and especially for the Holy Father's Program works closely with a num- special concern for vulnerable, atber ofCatholic humanitarian organi- risk people around the world. His zations, including Caritas spirit uplifts all of us," he said.

Internationalis, Catholic Relief SerMorris said the world needs to vices, the Daughters of Charity, Je- do more to help the more than 850 suit Refugee Service, the Interna- million people who don't have tional Catholic Migration Commis- enough to feed themselves. The sion and the Sant'Egidio Community. World Food Program executive di- . ''The spiritual, moral and mate- rector encouraged the fulfillment of rial support of Pope Benedict XVI the United Nations Millennium and of the Catholic Church repre- Development Goals, which (falled sents a real.hope to provide a fu- . on richer countries to commit reture "to millions of children," Mor- sources in order to halve global ris said. poverty by 2015.

19, 2007

â&#x20AC;˘ The .Anchor news briefs u.s. federal judge allows sex-abuse lawsuit against Vatican (CWNews.com) - A federal judge in Kentucky has ruled that sex-abuse plaintiffs can proceed with a lawsuit seeking damages from the Vatican.

Judge John Heyburn allowed three men to begin collecting evidence to support their charge that Vatican officials were negligent in protecting them from abusive clerics. The ruling would allow the plaintiffs to demand documents from the Vatican and testimony from officials in Rome. Judge Heyburn based his ruling on the plaintiffs' claim that the American bishops were acting as agents or employees of the Holy See when they allowed known abusers to remain in clerical ministry. In his ruling the judge reported that lawyers for the Church had declined to contest that claim. H the Holy See can demonstrate that U.S. bishops are not Vatican employees, he said, the ruling could be reconsidered. The Kentucky ruling marks the first time that an American court has allowed plaintiffs to pursue a sex-abuse lawsuit in. which the Vatican is the sole defendant. In past cases, lawyers for the Church have argued successfully that the Holy See is immune from suits as a sovereign power. In this case the court found that- if the US bishops are Vatican employees- the case could qualify for treatment under US law allowing suits against sovereign powers whose employees or agents cause harm while acting in their official capacities. While allowing the plaintiffs to proceed with theirefforts to demonstrate negligence on the part oftheVatican, the judge threw out two other claims, which had alleged that the Vatican engaged in deceit about sexual abuse and failed to protect children under the care of the Church. The decision by Judge Heybum in a U.S. district court is likely to be appealed.

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Bis~op Skylstad says Iraqi security, dignity are key to Iraq policy

WASHINGTON - Every U.S. action or policy in Iraq "ought to be evaluated in light of our nation's moral responsibility to help Iraqis to live with security and dignity in the aftermath of U.S. military action;' said Bishop William S. Skylstad ofSpokane, Wash., president ofthe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In a recent statement, Bishop Skylstad said the new U.S. policies announced by President George W Bush January 10 or any alternatives to them must be viewed within the framework of"a key moral question that ought to guide our nation's actions in Iraq: How can the U.S. bring about a responsible transition in Iraq?" He said "benchmarks" for progress toward such a transition include "minimally acceptable levels of security; economic reconstruction to create employmentfor Iraqis; and political structures and agreements that help overcome divisions, reduce violence, broaden participation and increase respect for religious freedom and basic hurnan rights." Bishop Skylstad, who was traveling in the Holy Land, issued his statement from Jerusalem, released through USCCB offices in Washington.

Catholics join in efforts to close military prison at Guantanamo Bay WASHINGTON - Pax Christi members from four chapters of the Catholic peace group were among several hundred demonstrators at a federal courthouse in Washington January 11 calling for the shutdown of the U.s. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Jean Stokan, policy director for Pax Christi USA in Washington, said participants came from the Baltimore, metro Washington, Northem Virginia and Springfield, ill., chapters to join in the protest. Pax Christi USA was among 16 sponsors of the demonstration, which marked the fifth anniversary of the detention of military prisoners at Guantanamo. Among the dozens of groups endorsing the demonstration were the Justice and Peace Office of the Adorers of the Blood ofChrist in Red Bud, ill.; various Catholic Worker houses; the Catholic Peace Ministry; the Anti-War Committee of the Thomas Merton Center in Pittsburgh; the Sisters ofthe Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio; and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scranton, Pa. US. poverty called a major moral, policy challenge WASHINGTON - "Poverty remains our nation's most serious political blind spot and one ofour nation's most profound moral failings," says a new policy paper of Catholic Charities USA, ''Poverty in America: A Threat to the Common Good." The policy paper, published in the form of a 28-page booklet released January 10at a briefing on Capitol Hill, sets the framework for Catholic Charities' new CampaigJi to Reduce Poverty in America The paper is also available in Spanish. The goal ofthe campaign is to cut poverty in halfby 2020: That would mean that the 37 million Americans now living below the poverty line, who fonn 12.6 percent of the country's population, would have to drop to about six percent within 13 years. ''Poverty in this nation is an ongoing disaster that threatens the health and well-being of our country, which our children will inherit;' the paper says. It says the spread of poverty in America ''has been largely ignored" in recent years by politicians and the media, while the federal government "has substantially reduced the resources" devoted to assisting the poor. The policy paper and other resource materials are available on the Internet at www.catholiccharitiesusaorg.

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Vatican paper hits Iraq. executions, says country veering" ofT course ,,' VATICAN CITY i:- The nals in the direction of dialogue I'

Vatican newspaper criticized and reconciliation," the newspacontinuing executions in Iraq as per s~iid. . a "cruel manipulation" 'Of justice "But at the moment, it does and said the country is veering not seem such a change of course in the wrong direction;: has occurred," it said. .

The comments on lithe front Vatican Radio carried an inpage of L'Osservatort; Romano terview with the head of A"mJanuary 15 followed :,~the grue- nesty International in Italy, some hanging of former Iraqi Riccardo Noury, that was President Saddam Hussein's sharply critical of Iraq for prohalf-brother, who was decapi- ceeding with executi~ns. Noury tated by the hangm~n's noose said the hangings we.re done in when his body dropp~d through a hasty manner following "irthe gallows floor. regular" trials, and do not serve • I A video showed t~e body of justice. the dead man, Barzan Ibrahim, "The death penalty should the former head of the Iraqi se- have been abolished in the new cret police, lying ort the floor, Iraqi Constitution. It would have with his severed head 'several feet been an important sign that the away, still hooded. Ir~qi authori- country was breaking with ties said the decapita~ion was ac- Saddam's tradition of violating - cidental. human rights," Noury said. . He faulted the Iraqi governExecuted at the sa,me moment was Awad Hamed al~Bandar, the ment for threatening diplomatic head of Saddam's r~volutionary . repercussions against the many court. His body sw:ung from a countries that have criticized the executions. He said the methods rope in th~ video. ' Both men were fonvicted of and actions of the current govresponsibility in th¢ torture and ernment are not very different killing of i48 Shiitys in 1982. from the previous regime. , "A cruel manipulation of jusCommercial & Industrial tice once again has :,used the galGas/Oil Burners lows as its instrument," the Vatican newspaper ;said~ "After the e~ecution of LEMIEUX HEATING, INC. Saddam Hussein -+- which was Complete Boilerl8umer Service also turned into a spectacle in a way that seriously::damaged hu2283 Acushnet Ave. New Bedford, Mass. 02745-2827 man dignity - many people 508-995-1631 Fax 508-995-1630 noted the urgent neled to give sig"

A UNIFIED FRONT - Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., joins Christian clergy for a vespers service at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, N.Y., in June last year.

Churches around the world observe the Week of Prayer-for Christian Unity January 18-25. Pictured "from left are Bishop Orris G. Walker Jr. of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, N.Y., Bishop Murphy, Bishop Stephen P. Bouman of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Rev. Laurie B. Cline of St. John's Lutheran Church in Bellmore, N.Y. (CNS photo/ Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic)

Unity week highlights what religions have in cOJ11.mon

By TOM BURKE

Abraham, "the father of faith." lng witnessed today in the MusOrdained in Ireland in 1950, lim world. "This is what the MusSAN FRANqSCO - The Father O'Rourke said his com- lims are having to contend with commonality that religious faiths ing from a country divided by in their own religion - an exshare goes back thousands of" faith has given him a special un- tremist group literally gonewi!d." years, and Jesus' intent wa,s for the derstanding and approachability Father 0' Rourke said the different faiths t() Work together, to ecumenism and interfaith world has to be careful to "not said a San Francisco priest. work. condemn a religion because of the The annual Week of Prayer for "If I did not consider that an -evil of some person within that reChristian Unity, observed January asset, I would think my'self ligion."

18-25, offers an opportunity Jor blind," Father O'Rourke said. "I Pope Benedict XV, who served· religions to celebrate what they was inspired even back to child- at the beginning of the 20th cenhave in common and to promote hood. My town was largely tury, was a "pope of peace who dialogue among them.

Catholic but I was impressed saw the need for all Christians to The weeklong observance was with how my parents respected a work together," Father O'Rourke started in 1908 by Father Paul neighbor family who were not said; noting that Pope Benedict Wattson, founder of the Atone- Catholic and how that family re- XVI has chosen an appropriate ment Friars,' said Father Gerard t\lrned that respect." modef in that regard.

O'Rourke, who recently retired as "The religion Jesus gave to us "This work will continue to be director of the Office of Ecumeni- is not a religion without risks," he a chalIenge for us," Fa'ther cal and Interfaith Relations for the said with a laugh, "and trying to O'Rourke said. "We need to open Archdiocese of San Francisco. work with one another across all our ears to the voice of Jesus and "Dialogue between and among kinds offences presents risks. But .look at how he lived on earth with the different faiths has ,been the if we are not willing to do it we people of other faiths and how infocus of the friars and the week are not following the will of spiring that c!m be." of prayer gives fuel to the 'effort Jesus."

UPDATE each year," he told Catholic San "The biggest expectation and The Holy Hour for vocations Francisco, the newspaper of the _hope of the week of prayer is that o'n February 2 at St. Pius X Pararchdiocese. we will deepen our relationship ish in South Yarmouth is at 6 Ecumenisfn means getting with each another as Christians p.m., not 7 p.m. as previously realong even with differences of and see this was really close to the ported. opinion, Father O'Rourke said. heart of Jesus," Father O'Rourke "The unity Jesus talked about said. ,"He wanted us to reach out didn't mean conformity and lock to other Christians." stepping and marching down The week can be a time to "not through life. The spirit of defend our.faith but to live our Sales And Service ecumenism inclQdes that we are . faith and give ourselves and othable and committed to work to- ers permission to be the way we Fall River's Largest gether. That was Jesl;ls' intent. are," he said.

Display of TVs when he says, 'That all may be "There is an extremist element one,' in John's Gospel." in us humans and it shows up in ZENITH • SONY Father O'Rourke also pointed individuals and sometimes in inout that in their faith systems stitutions and a fertile area for it 1196 BEDFORD ST. FALL RIVER Christians, Jews and Muslims seems to. be religion," Father 508-673-9721 . trace their origins to the biblical O'Rourke said about what is beCATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Eastern Television

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

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I 'promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday of I five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 deca4es); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of . making reparation to me."

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

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

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YOUTH PAGES

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JANUARY

19,. 2007

World Youth Day t~'base fees on wealth of pilgrim's country

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - With the approval of the Vatican, organizers of the 2008 World Youth Day events jn Australia will charge registration fees

middle- and low-income countries.

Pilgrims from cou.nt!ies in the South Pacific that have been classified eitperas "lower middle" or "low income" such as Fiji, East Timor and

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.and support . wealthiest nap i I g rim s world youth day sydney 2008 tion~ wanting from lessthe full packaffluent' nations," said an an- age will be asked to pay $395 nouncement on the event's of- Australian (US$308).

Registration just for the ficial Website.

Organizers said the four- weekend of July 19-20, includtiered registration fee system ing three me~ls and transporwas based on national income tation, will cost $175 Austra~ classifications developed by lian (US$136). the World.Bank.

The price list is published Pilgrims from Australia, the on the. World Youth Day United States, Canada and Website, www.wyd2008.org.

Western Europe, but also Po- , -Organizers said registration land, Mexico and several Car- for groups would open by late ibbean countries will be,asked March while individual enroll, to pay higher registration fees ments would be accepted startthan pilgrims coming from ing in the middle of the year.

·IT'S IN THE BAG - Students from St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth display gift bags they helped fill for those in need at Christmas. From left are: Luccas Mariano, Gus Duvall, Marissa Stone, and Mackenzie Johnson.

MAKING MUSIC - First- and third-grade students and the school choir-at St. John the Evarigeli~t School in Attleboro perfo~m for their peers and faculty members during a recent Christmas concert.

THE SPIRIT 01= THE SEASON - Seventh- and eighth-grade students from SS. Peter and , Paul School in Fall River deliver holiday cheer to residents of Catholic Memorial Home. They performed a holiday choral program and presented handmade decorations as gifts. With residents from left: Angel Ortiz, Antonio Verissimo, Amanda Faria, Anna Stankiewicz and Adam Souza.

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NUMBER ONE WITH NUMBERS - Robert Morrissette, president of Bishop ConnollyHigh School in Fall River, congratulates Senior Lauren Watts for her perfect score of 800 on the math section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test. ,

COMMANoPERFORMANCE - Second- and third-graders from Holy Trinity School, Fall River, sing Christmas carols to residents at the Niagara Senior Center. They were led by teach" . ers Alison Pimental and Molly Ja.nuse.

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JANUARY

YOUTH PAGES

19, 2007

ily.

"When I was deathly sick as a little boy in thejunglesofGuatemala, wonderful Catholic missionaries not only helped me medically, but they flew me home and paidfor my medical help so I couldrecover," he added. "lowe a great debt of gratitude to the Catholic Church and their ministries to people just like Daniel and myself."

Writing on his Website before his death, Feterick called Metzgar "my mental salvation."

17

Be the one in 'If Everyone Cared'

Dying teen's CD helps repay debt to Catholic missionaries NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS)Rock guitarist Daniel Feterick may have lost his battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, but his music lives on, thanks to a Nashville record producer who wanted to repay a debt to Catholic missionaries in Guatemala. ' Father David J. Buckles celebrated a funeral Mass in late December for FeteriC(k at St. Mary Catholic Church in Frankfort, Ind. The 19-year-old musician died December 27 at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis of acute myelogenous leukemia.

But Feterick achieved one of his life's goals when he recorded the 12track compact disc "Waiting for the Sun to Find Me," launched just two months before his death. Record pr0ducer Robert Metzgar signed Feterick to the Platinum Plus Universal label in Nashville and produced the CD. "I have always been so touched by the ministry of the Catholic Church," Metzgar said in a news release. "I was touched by their ministry to Daniel Feterick and his fam-

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By CHARLIE

"We have two options in life both medically and emotionally. We can give up or fight," he added. "When you are in a difficult place, realize that the Lord either placed you there or allowed you to be there for reasons perhaps unknown for now, known only to him. The same God that led you in will certainly lead you out" Feterick was first diagnosed with cancer in August 2004 and underwent three rounds ofchemotherapy.

He graduated from Frankfort High School in 2005 and entered Anderson University in Anderson, Ind., to study Bible and Christian ministry.

While in school he worked at the Clinton County (Ind.) Boys & Girls Club and the Jim Dandy restaurant, where he often sang with his guitar and his band, called Rustik Roots.

Feterick said recording .his CD "was the most incredible experience of my life. No one scrimped on my album. I could have never afforded to do this without his help. I couldn't wait until the CDs arrived."

But a month before the CDs arrived, doctors told Feterick that his cancer had returned, requiring more chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. He died about six m0!1ths later ofcomplications from the transplant Metzgar said the title track on Feterick's CD was especially appropriate for him. "I know my day will come, when all the hurting's done. I don't know how and don't know when," the lyrics read "I'm waiting for the sun to find me, a ray of hope so bright it blinds me. Oh, I sure could use a rainbow now."

IF EVERYONE CARED From 'underneath the trees, we watch the sky Confusing stars for satellites I never dream(!d that you'd be mine But here we are, we're here tonight Singing Amen, i'm alive Singing Amen, I'm alive If everyone cared and nobody cried If everyone loved and nobody lied If everyone shared and swallowed their pride We'd see the day when nobody died And I'm singing Amen, I'm alive Amen, I'm alive And in the air the fireflies Our only light in paradise We'll show the world' they were wrong And teach them all to sing along Singing Amen, I'm alive Singing Amen, I'm alive (Repeat second verse.)

And as we lie beneath {he stars We realize how small we are If they could love like you and me Imagine what the world could. be (Repeat the second verse.)

We'd see the day, we'd see the day When nobody died We'd see the day, we'd see the day When nobody died We'd see the day when nobody died Sung by Nickelback Copyright 2005 by Roadrunner Records A reader from Houma, La.;

MARTIN -

CATHO~IC II

NEWS SERVICE

asked me to review:: Nickelback's "If Everyone Cared." Commenting bn the song, she exclaimed: ,j,If this could be' true in the real world!" The song is off the group's most recent disc "The Long Road."

I The song's lyrics are timely at the start of a new year. We all are given a new opportunity at this time of year to move the song's ideas closer to reality.

The song's character remarks, "If everyone tared and nobody cried, if everyone loved and nobody lied, if ~veryone shared and swallowe:d their pride, we'd see the <lay when nobody died." Thos~ ~ords reflect the pain and ~uffering that people experience. And few doubt that enhallced "caring," "loving" apd "sharing" are needed on ~:)Ur planet.

To act in these way~ would align our world more with Jesus' teaching and::vision.

I' Witnessing the suffering 'I caused by war, vio'lence, hunger, malnutrition and deceit, we wonder if there::is any way we can help. Any dr us might feel discouraged. But we who are today's disciples will continue our efforts to respond to this suffering in!1 peaceloving, generous and couraI geous ways. " There is also another ap- , proach to bringing God's. presence to our world. We can stay focused on the good that also is happening: Despite all the :isuffering,

God's goodness cannot be stopped. Every day thousands, maybe millions of acts of kindness affect peoples' lives.

Do these caring gestures make the papers or the TV news?

Rarely! But they demonstrate how God's care is changing our world. , I suggest that as we begin 2007 we focus on this miracle.

You can be the individual in your family, school or group of friends who shows this resolve.

You can be the person who' cares, loves and shares so that more of the suffering in God's family is addressed. You can be the "one" in "if everyone cared"!

I encourage you to join groups working together to manifest this miraculous presence of kindness and healing. Start right where you are. How are your parish youth group, high school Key Club, local 4-H Junior Leaders or other organizations fostering active concern for your community? After you find out, join in.

Think that you don't have time? Think again! Jesus' 'disciples often need to reconsider their priorities. I challenge everyone who reads this column to volunteer at least one' hour a week in demonstrating that you are the "one" in "if everyone, cared.'"

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@swindiana.netorat 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN

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God-incidences can handle. In him, there are no In an instant things were about , face in trying to get her the to change. It was Christmas necessary medical assistance. To coincidences, just God-incidences. weekend and my wife and daughOver the next several days, our make matters more difficult, she ters were planning to go shopping was only to be home until the 27th family experienced many 'God-and then would be returning to incidences' as we tried to take care on the day after Christmas. But after the conversation was over, my Budapest, where she works for of the situation. The day after Christmas I s~nt trying to reach eldest daughter came to my wife' General Electric. and me and said that perhaps we My first reaction was to needed to rearrange our priorities ask "Why her God?" for December 26. At first I thought "Why again?" "Why she was saying that we should have now?" Once I settled more spiritual priorities on the day down, my thoughts turned after Christmas than shopping. But to a statement that I've what came next was like a slam to heard and used for many

By Frank ~ucca the stomach: "I found a lump," she years in my retreat work v' ~ said. with young people: "God never promised us a rose We asked when she had . discovered it, she replied a few days garden." None of us are exempt doctors. The physician who had earlier. She held it all inside so as from heartache or heartbreak. Jesus' diagnosed her several years ago had retired several days before Christown mother suffered greatly as a not to "ruin" Christmas. Several years earlier, she had a growth that mas and the replacement doctor parent, from losing her child in the was found to be non-cancerous, but wasn't beginning until late January.

Temple area when he was twelve to still we were filled with fear and holding his lifeless body at the foot' We tried to reach her surgeon but of the cross. Why should any of us dread. We knew we needed to put no one answered. I spent much of forth a strong front and jump into the day praying for guidance and feel exempted from living a human action but realized that wasn't direction. I sent a fax to the life which for most of us is filled going to be easy. During Christmas with both joy and turmoil? surgeon's office asking the week many doctors take time off I truly believe, however, that secretary to contact me at ~er and we had no idea what we would God never gives us more than we earliest opportunity. Little did I

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operating room. A coincidence? know that they had::the entire week The surgery went well and Steph off and that most likely my fax was probably going to sit there for seven returned home that evening. When I thanked the surgeon for going out . or more days. " of his way to help us, he said to me, But on Wednesday morning, out "I have two daughters, too." A of the blue, the surgeon called me. coincidence?

By chance he had gone into the Today she heads back to _ office and:saw the fax on Budapest. I've learned during these the secretary's desk. A last few weeks how God blesses us. coincidenCe? He told us If we turn to him, he sustains us. He that he would stay in his puts others in our lives to help us at office in Boston until we the darkest times. arrived. We shot right up to It's true - we Christians were Boston. ije examined her never promised a rose garden. But and said ~e should operate when those thorns start to prick and after he, returned on hurt us, we can count on God and on January l each other for the Band-Aid, or the Steph contact¢ her superiors in tweezers or just a helpful hand or a Budapest and was told to stay as smile ~o take away the pain. There is long as she needed. Word got out and folks all over the diocese began , absolutely nothing that we and God together cannot get through. to pray for her ~d for us. What a Lucca is a youth minister at St comfort! A'coincidence?

DominiC's Parish in Swansea. He We kept our New Year's plans and is the chair and a director ofthe went to New York for the weekend, YESl Retreat and the current which was a blessing to help us director ofthe Christian Leaderkeep our mind off things. She had ship Institute (Cll). He is a surgery the day after our return. husband and a father oftwo girls.

The surgeon w~ able to get a free

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I 18 Rosary

~ The Anchor Continued from page one

well-being of the family by encour- Mahoney.

While the event is focused on aging daily family prayer, includ- . ing the rosary." bringing families to prayer, the For nearly a year, Mahoney has one-year planning stage is very been working closely on the project much prayer-based. "Every meetwith Holy Cross Father Willie ing we have begins with the roRaymond, national director ofFam- sary," said Mahoney.

The Rosary Bowl follows Faily Theater -Productions, a member of Holy Cross Family Ministries in ther Peyton's "Six Mountains for Los Angeles, and with Bishop Os- Our Lady" method.

1. Forty holy hours will be ofcar Solis, vicar for Multi-cultural Ministries for the Archdiocese of fered throughout the Los Angeles Los Angeles. Father Peyton founded Archdiocese for the intention of Faffiily Theater Productions in Hol- the Rosary Bowl.

2. Forty Masses will be offered, lywood in 1947.

"The Rosary Bowl is our first eight in each of the Archdiocese's celebration of this magnitude since five regions.

3. At least one homily on the Father Peyton's death in 1992," said Father Raymond. "I believ~ importance of family prayer will most bishops and Catholic Church be given at each parish.

4. A Formation of volunteers leaders in North America will be watching to see how this large will gather pledges from families event unfolds. I think all the faith- promising to pray the rosary and ful will be eager to participate in attend the rally. An educational this kind of a large public gather- program will be designed to teach ing celebrating the Catholic faith school children about the history of the rosary, how to pray it, and and the power of prayer."

Mahoney said that despite the to encourage them to attend the . fact the event takes place on the rally with their families.

5. Encourage the sick to pray West Coast, it can impact the rest of the country. "Father Peyton used for the event's success. Volunteers this method often," -she said. "He will visit the sick in hospitals, nurscoordinated rosary events for fami- ing homes, and the homebound lies all across the world including and invite them to offer their pains, a huge gathering at the Golden anxieties, fears, doubts, hopelessGate Bridge in San Francisco in ness and other hardships as.a 1961 that drew more than 500,000 prayer for the Rosary Bowl's sucpeople, and-a rally in the Philip- cess.

6. The Rosary Bowl its_elf will pines in 1985 that gathered two . have a ~ection on praise and wormillion faithful. ship, a procession, recitation of "We~re hoping for a wonderful turnout and ultimately for an in- the rosary, a homily, and Benediccrease in families praying together. tion.

Mahoney told The Anchor that Our hope someday is to be abie to offer rallies such as this all across the preparations are running very the country, including the New En- smoothly. "There are moments when I'm really excited about the gland area." cooperation of all involved and The rally may be taking place nearly 4,000 miles from the Dio- . how we're coming together," she cese of Fall River, but Mahoney said. "And other times I step back pointed out that faithful in this area in awe at the magnitude of this can be part of the event in several event and the great response we're ways. "First of all, anyone can at- getting."

Fat~er Peyton, whose cause for tend the rally and if they would like sainthood was opened in the Dioinformation about going they can cese of Fall River in 2001, is favisit the Website at mous for the phrase "The Family rosarybowl.org." But those who That Prays Together Stays To- . can't attend can be a part in other gether."

His mission lives on and ways. "The Website also allows the Rosary Bowl in Pasadena this people. from all over to pledge May gets back to the roots of the prayers for the success of the event, Rosary Priest's mission ---.:. encourlike pledging a rosary a day, offering up sufferings and hardships . aging family prayer.

"Holy Cross Family Ministries and making holy hours. We also hope to make available on the site is very excited about implementa link where people can send in ing Father Peyton's vision of gathprayer requests." She also said they ering to pray the rosary," said are looking into having the event Mahony. "We have seen many blessings come from the preparacovered on live television.

Mahoney doesn't come into this tion of this event, and I know God venture without experience. She will continue to shower blessings helped as a consultant represent- during and after the Rosary Bowl."

For more information and/or to ing Holy Cross Family Ministries on a similar program at the Cotton make a prayer commitment or a Bowl in Dallas, Texas in 2005. financial contribution for ~he Ro"That event drew more than 20,000 sary Bowl, visit rosarybowl.org, faithful, and we had only four email info@rosarybowl.org, or call months to p~t it together," said 1-800-874-0999.

...

Orcutts

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JANUARY

Continued from page one

"Even through we both were urdayat 11 a.m., Sunday at 10:30 working full-time jobs at the Paul a.m.; and on January 22 and 25 at 6 A. Dever School for the Mentally p.m. The channel is available on Retarded, the next day we put up some cable services in the Fall flyers at work and local supermar- River Diocese.

"The meditations on the DVD of kets that said we collect used clothing and people started calling us," the Luminous Mysteries are comprised of the story and work of Our Terry added Working from the basement of Brother's Keeper," Jim Orcutt extheir home in Taunton and using an plained. "For instance, the fifth old truck, the Orcutts, who de- mystery, deals with the Last Supscribed themselves at the time as per ... and service." "empty nesters" whose three grown children were offliving their own lives, set about helping the poor through donatiOns from volunteers before founding My Brother's Keeper in Easton near Brockton in 1988.

Their selfless devotion since founding the nonprofit organization devoted to spreading the hope and love of Jesus through deliveries of furniture and food to needy people, is reflected in "The Luminous Mysteries: Compassion to Service," the latest DVD in the "Mysteries of the Rosary, Mysteries of Life" series 'produced by Family Theater Productions.

The new 28-minute DVD dramatically describes the experience of the Orcutts while relating it to, and guiding viewers through the five Luminous Mysteries, often called the Mysteries of Light: the Baptism of Jesus, WedCurrently in their 60s, and long ding Feast at Cana, Proclamation of involved in the Cursillo movement, the Kingdom of God and Calied to the Orcutts since 1999 have been Conversion, the Transfiguration, members of the lay-clergy team and Institution of the Eucharist. that operates the Holy Cross ReIt is the fourth and final install.treat House at Stonehill and is inment in th~ "Mysteries of Life" sevolved in more than 30 retreats ries, which relates the rosary to evannually.

Jim is program director ery day life. and Terry is in charge of food serThe moving video will receive vices.路 . its world premiere screening on ''That's our occupation, but our Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Martin Institute of Stonehill College in vocation is My Brother's Ke~per," Jim acknowledged.

Easton.

"We don't collect clothes As part of the screening weekany more. We focus on furniend, CatholicTV of the Boston ture and food. And those who Archdiocese will show the program want to donate should first on its cable network. "Compassion to Service" is scheduled to run Sat- check out our Website at

Life

19) 2007

www.mybrotherskeeper.org to see ifthe pickup is within our area," Jim suggested.

Last year the organization, now using four trucks and working with donated goods from a variety of sources - mostly residential and from hotels - and monetarily funded through private donations, made 5,000 deliveries of furniture and food.

But Terry Orcutt made it clear that she and Jim - who are devoted to the rosary - believe they are only instruments in bringing Christ to others.

"We ,do not exist to bring furniture and food to people," she stated. . They have a one-sentence mission statement: "To bring . the love and hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve," Jim told The Anchor. "It stems from that covenant we made with the Lord back in 1988."

As a corporate policy, after delivery of items to the needy, "we make it clear that the it is not from us," Jim noted. "We give the recipients a crucifix, and tell them, 'This is the person who sent you the furniture. We carry furniture ... but we deliver hope:'" Family Theater Produc. tions is a member of Holy Cross Family Ministries, which has its world headquarters in Easton. It was founded in 1947 by Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a media pioneer and sainthood candidate.

Other DVD's in the series include "The Joyful Mysteries: Journey to Joy:' "Jlte Sorrowful Mysteries: Grieving to Grace:' and ''The Glorious Mysteries: Shadows to Sunlight."

For more information on Family Theater Productions or to reserve a seat at Sunday's screening, call 800-299-7729; email events@hcfm.org; or visit www.hcfm路org.

Continued from page one

being found in the use of other than embryonic research which don't brings about the death of living human beings:' said Desrosiers..

"We also need to educate the person in the pew, especially in Massachusetts," she added.

AUhe same time, the Pro-Life movement is watching the government ban on partial-birth abortion that remains in place, despite attempts from several quarters to have it declared lawful, she added. ."We're hoping by this summer to get a positive result from the

U.S. Supreme Court upholding the current ban," Desrosiers noted.

"We've besieged Washington with millions of postcards over the years resulting in the U.S. House and Senate approving the ban which was then signed into law by President Bush."

While no glimmer of rescinding legalized abortion is on the imme<liate horizon, national polls reveal a greater cross-section ofAmericans becoming "distasteful" as newer forms of abortion make the news.

Hopes are it might spark a wider Re-

spect for Life ,culture that moves from ecclesial into societal circles.

That finds Pro-Lifers eagerly and prayerfully eying the current membership of the U.S. Supreme Court - including Chief Justice John Roberts - among five other Catholics on the nine-member court, to see if there is chink in the feelings on abortion legislation.

The theme of this year's march is "Thou Shalt Protect the Equal Right to Life of Each Innocent Human in Existence at Fertilization.

NoE~ception! No Compromise!"

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The Anchor

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FALL RIVER - Sacred Heart Church, 160 Seabury Street, will host exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Monday following the 8 a.m. Mass until 2:30 p.m.

WEST HARWICH - Perpetual eucharistic adoration is held at Our Lady of Life Chapel at Holy Trinity Church. For more information call 508-432-4000. r---

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ATTLEBORO -A healing service in Portuguese will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. La Salette Father Manuel Pereira will lead it.

For more information call 508-2225410.

~ct;~~brti~;;";-"---'-'I EASTON - Holy Cross Family Ministries will premiere its latest video, "Compassion to Service," Sunday at·1 p. m. at the Martin Institute. A reception will fol1ow. To be part of the screening call 508238-4095.

FAIRHAVEN - Hospice volunteer training sessions will begin January 29 and run through February 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, located on Center Street.

Hospice volunteers provide support for patients and family members coping with terminal illness. A light lunch will be provided. For more information call Jo-Ann Beaulieu at 508-992-6278.

FALL RIVER - The program "Adoption by Choice," will be presented January 21 from 1-3 p.m. at the Catholic Social Services Office, 1600 Bay Street. It is for individuals and families interested in adopting a domestic newborn. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 508-674-4681.

FALL RIVER - A catechists' workshop, "Prayer and Spirituality," an approved course of the diocese's Catechist Certification Program, will be presented January 14, 21, and 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish school hall, 64 Lamphor Street, by coordinator of Religious Education Pat Pasternak.

For information call 508-673-1284.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence College's Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies will sponsor the college's annual St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture January 24 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Aquinas Hall Lounge on campus. Eleonore Stump will speak on "Aquinas on the Nature of Love." A reception will follow. For more information call 401-865-2870.

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FAIRHAVEN - Our Lady's Haven seeks volunteers to assist at the nursing facility in transporting residents to and from their rooms to meals, activities and daily Mass.

People are needed during the week and on weekends. For more information call Manuel Benevides at 508-999-4561.

FALL RIVER - A soup kitchen is open on Mondays from 5-6 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church Hall, 160 Seabury Street. Volunteers are welcome to assist beginning at 4 p.m.

SOUTH DARTMOUTH - The Knights of Columbus Bishop Stang Council No. 4532 is seeking good Catholic men to become new members. It meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the basement of St. Mary's Church, 783 Dartmouth Street. For more information call Brock Cordeiro at 508-979-8930.

WEST HARWICH - A Holy Hour will be held at Holy Trinity Church at 3 p.m. on January 22, the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legaliZing abortion. Come and pray for an end to the killing of millions of children.

Retreats CENTERVILLE - Echo of Cape Cod, a retreat program for high school students is now accepting applications for its upcoming retreat weekends at the Craigville Conference Center. A Boys' weekend is scheduled for February 9-11. Applications may be downloaded from www.echoofcapecod.org. For more information call Mary Fuller at 508759-4265.

rS;pp;;rt Groups

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Father Ralph D. T~trault, 68; was retired priest and pastor

Around the Diocese ~ I Eucharistic Adoration

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ATTLEBORO - Catholic Social Services is sponsoring a support group for women experiencing the challenges of midlife. It will begin meeting January 23 from 6-7 :30 p.m. at 10 Maple Street. Meetings will continue on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information call 508-2264780.

BUZZARDS BAY - The Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre will offer support groups for families and friends of those with emotional troubles, depression and mental illness, beginning January 28 at 3 p.m. at St. Margaret's Church, 141 Main Street. For more information call Timothy Duff at 508-759-1903.

NEW BEDFORD - Courage, a support group for people dealing with same-sex attraction while striving to lead chaste lives, will meet January 27 at 7 p.m. in the rectory of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church, 233 County Street. The group is faithful to the Catholic Church's teachings on human sexuality. For more information call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408.

NORTH DARTMOUTH Project Rachel, a ministry of healing and reconciliation for post-abortion women and men is available in the diocese. If you are hurting from an abortion experience and want help call 508-997-3300. All calls are strictly confidential.

NORTH DARTMOUTH - The diocesan divorced-separated support group will meet January 31 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. Refreshments will be available. For more information call Bob Menard at 508-965-2919.

FALL RIVER - Father Ralph D. Tetrault, 68, former pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Wareham until retirement from active ministry in 1998 due to failing health, died January 13 at the Catholic Memorial Home. , Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Norman G., and the late Mary Jesse (Langford) Tetrault, he attended Holy Name School in New Bedford and graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1956.

Following studies at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Conn., and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Md., he was ordained a priest May I, 1965 by Auxiliary Bishop James 1. Gerrard in St. Mary's Cathedral.

He was a parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Fall River, St. Patrick's in Wareham, Sacred Heart in Fall River, and St.

Thomas More in Somerset. He served as pastor at St.Mary's in North Attleboro and St. Patrick's in Wareham.

In retirement, he resided at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence for Retired Priests in Fall River, while celebrating Mass at the former Our

FATHER RALPH

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Lady of Fatima Parish and St. Dominic's, both in Swansea; and St. Thomas More Parish in Somerset.

He leaves four brothers, Norman Tetrault of Margate, Fla., Wayne and Paul Tetrault of New Bedford, and Gregory Tetrault of Westport; four sisters, Susan Bryan-Royster of Gloucester, Nancy Rochon of Cumberland, R.I., Pamela Silva of Dartmouth, and Valerie Fogarty of Worcester; and nieces and nephews.

He was also the brother of the late Maryann 1. DeMelo.

His Mass ofChristian Burial was celebrated Wednesday in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in New Bedford. Bishop George W: Coleman was the principal celebrant. Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery there.

The Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home in New Bedford was in charge of arrangements.

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Mrs. Anita I. (Levesque) Arseneault Mrs. Anita I. (Levesque)Arseneault, 91, of Fall River died January 10, in the Catholic Memorial Home. She was the wife ofthe late Henry A. Arseneault, and mother of Mrs. Lorraine 1. Lecour, secretary in the office ofBishop George W. Coleman.

Born in Fall River, she was a daughter ofthe late Napoleon Levesque and Sophie (Cyr) De~rochers. She was the

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks January 23 Msgr. Henri A. Hamel, USAF, Retired Chaplain, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1983

January 24 Rev. Aaron L. Roche, O.P. Immaculate Conception mission, North Easton, 1870 Rev. Louis A. Casgrain, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1920 Rev. Edward H. Finnegan, S.J., Boston College Faculty, 1951 Rev. Thomas F. McMorrow, Assistant, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, 1977 Rev. Cornelius J. O'Neill, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1999 January 25 Rev. Jack Hickey, D.P., Dismas House, Nashville, Tenn., 1987 January 27 Rev. John T. O'Grady, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1919 Rev. Joseph M. Silvia, Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 1955 Rev. Thomas E. Lockary, C.S.C., Stonehill College, North Easton, 1988 January 28 Rev. Joseph M. Griffin, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1947 Rt. Rev. Msgr. John 1. Shay, V.F., Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1961 January 29 Rev. Christiano J. Borges, Retired Pastor, St. John the Baptist, New Bedford, 1944 Rev. Albert 1. Masse, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1950

stepdaughter. of the ll\te Arthur O. Desrochers. A life long resident ofFall River, she worked at the former Sagamore Manufacturing Company in Fall River for many years. She also was a housekeeper at St. Anne's Hospita! for 16 years, retiring in 1978.

She was member of the former St. Mathieu's Parish and a member of St. Anne's Parish, where she was a member of the Ladies ofSt.Anne's Sodality.

Besides her daughter, Mrs. Lecour,

she leaves a granddaughter, a greatgranddaughter; a goddaughter; and nieces and nephews.

She was also grandmother of the late twin boys David and Marc I..ecour.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated January 13 in St. Anne's Church in Fall River. Bishop Coleman was the principal celebrant. Burial was in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River.

The Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute in Fall River was in charge of arrangements.

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Congregation of the Sacred Hearts hosts celebration for Florence Caron FAIRHAVEN Florence tures found in differing regions of Caron, administrative assistant to the the continental U.S. where the EastProvincial of the Congregation of the ern Province served in mission, as Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary well as the foreign missions in Jaretired Dec. 29, 2006 after 44 years pan, the Bahamas, India, and the with the Congregation. In apprecia- Philippines.

Testimonials prepared by six of tion for her dedicated service, Eucharist was celebrated at Sacred the former SS.CC. provincials were Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham presented during the dinner by Faon January 14.A ther Gabriel reception and Healy, SS.CC., dinner followed director of the Mass.

Damien's Food Caron started Pantry. None of her career on the commendaMarch 9, 1962 at tions overlooked 3 Adams Street, Caron's compeFairhaven, now tency in comDamien Resipassion nor the dence. As a laynatural appropriperson and a ateness by woman, her apwhich she cared pointment herfor those she alded social served. In spite changes that in of the routine today's Church rigors she faced seem common. ea~h day, both at With the excep- FAITHFUL SERVANT - Florence home when her tion of the first, Caron spent 44 years working with grandmother she has worked the Congregation of the Sacred was bedridden with every pro- Hearts. (Photo by Jack Iddon) and later when vincial in the her mother Eastern United States Province needed extensive in-home care, formed in 1946.

Caron's concern for the health and Guided by an ingrained sense of welfare of the provincials never falprofessionalism, Caron adapted to tered. changes and challenges since the Father Bill Petrie, SS.CC., the Vatican Council during her long lIth Eastern U.S. provincial, noted tenure. Every three to six years, that in the 101 years of the when the SS.CC. community Congregation's history in elected its new provincial, she Fairhaven, Caron, called Florence would help the newly chosen leader by SS.CC. priests, brothers, sisters, adjust to his duties. Over the years, associates and friends of the comher abilities made it easier for new munity, had only one assignment leaders to adapt to a variety of cul- "and she lived it."

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GRAND OPENING - Bishop George W. Coleman blesses the new St. Vincent de Paul Center and Pennies From Heaven Thrift Store on Washington Street in Taunton on January 7. Assisting the bishop is diocesan seminarian Jason Brilhante, right, and Father Jay T. Maddock, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Taunton. Richard Silva, president of the Taunton District Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society welcomed the guests and past president Richard T. Vincent thanked everyone for their hard work in making the center a reality. Father Maddock and Taunton Mayor Robert G. Nunes also spoke.

(Photo by Eric Rodrigues)

Weekend collection to fund TV Mass and other communication ministries FALL RIVER - Parishioners throughout the Fall River Diocese will be invited to contribute to the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) at parish Masses this weekend.

This annual national campaign is designed as a shared collection, meaning half of the proceeds stay in the local diocese and the other half is forwarded to the Catholic Communication Campaign office of the U.S. Bishops' Conference. .

The portion remaining in the Fall River Diocese is used to fund the weekly Television Mass, which airs at 11 a.m. each Sunday on WLNE-TV, Channel 6.

For more than 43 years, the diocese has sponsored this televised Mass for the benefit of those who are unable to attend a parish Mass usually because of infirmity or advanced age.

"It's a wonderful ministry and it's something the Fall River Diocese has been providing since shortly after Channel 6 went on the air," said Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, diocesan director of the Television Mass

Apostolate.

"But it doesn't come without cost," he continued.

"The diocese must pay for the production and the half-hour airtime."

In addition to proceeds from this weekend's CCC collection, the Television Mass is also supported by the Catholic Charities Appeal.

Msgr. Avila expressed on behalf of Bishop George W. Coleman his gratitude to those who support the TV Mass through the CCC collection. He said that donations may also be sent directly to the Diocesan TV Mass at P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

At the national level, the U.S. Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign Office produces Catholic programming specials that are aired on ABC, NBC and PBS stations as well as on some cable networks.

It also produces weekly Catholic radio programming, movie reviews, daily reflections on Mass readings, podcasts, English and Spanish public service announcements, print materials and many Website features.

Pope marks migration day, urges policies to benefit refugee families VATICAN CITY - Political policies and humanitarian assistance to help migrant and refugee families stay together or reunite will benefit host societies because they help newcomers integrate, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Marking the World Day for Migrants and Refugees January 14, the pope used his Sunday Angelus address to ask the international community and individual nations to adopt policies aimed at safeguarding the family bonds of migrants and refugees.

In the Gospel account of Jesus, Mary and Joseph being forced to flee to Egypt, he said, people can see ''the painful situation of many migrants:' especially refugees, the displaced and the persecuted.

Forced to leave their homes beEach of those people is part of a cause of poverty, war or persecution, family or even the head of a family, the families of the migrants can be- the pope said. come extremely fragile, the pope said.

Pope Benedict said nations must Pope Benedict told a crowd gath- develop policies to regulate migration ered in St. Peter's Square that the in a way that respects the rights ofeach United Nations estimates there are 200 . person, promotes family unity, safemillion migrants in the world who guards women and children and, at the have left their homes for economic same time, encourages an orderly and reasons, nine million refugees forced legal movement of peoples. ''The proper integration of (mito flee and about two million young people who have left their home coun- grant) families into the social, ecotries in order to study. nomic and political systems of the To the official figures, he said, one countries that welcome them," he also must add the millions of people said, will be possible only if the huwho have been displaced within their man dignity of the migrants is reown nation and those who have im- spected and ifthe migrants recognize migrated without going through offi- the values ofthe society offering them cial channels. a home.