01.21.94

t eanc 0 VOL. 38, NO.3.

Friday, January 21, 1994

F ALL RIVER, MASS.

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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Pro-tifle postcard campaign, march mark Roe vs. Wade anniversary WASHINGTON (eNS) - In preparation for Projl:ct Life Sunday Jan. 23, U.S. dioceses have ordered more than 6 million sets of postcards urging Congress to keep abortion coverage out of health care reforms.

Michael Taylor, director of the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, said 84 percent of U.S. dioceses have Qrdered postcards. Taylor's committee is a Catholic pro-life group that is cosponsoring the campaign with the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for ProLife Activities.

Father Stephen A. Fernandes, director of the Fall Riverdiocesan Pro-Life Apostolate, reports that postcards and manuals have been shipped to all parishc:s and implementation of the project will be accompanied by a letter from Bishop Sean O'Mall,~y to be read at all Masses this wl:ekend. Both Father Fernandes and the bishop are in Washington, DC, today with two busloads of diocesan pilgrims for the annual March for Life marking tomorrow's twentyfirst anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade deci_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _1

sion, which removed most state "Representatives from many restrictions on abortion. dioceses and parishes have told me The theme of the \994 postcard they ran out of pro-life postcards" campaign will be "Keep Abortion last year, Taylor said. "This year, Out of Health Care Reform." some dioceses have already run "Americans are becoming more out of cards and are placing lastacutely aware of how strongly they minute orders for more." object to the administration's plan The cam'paign involvesdistributo force them to pay for all abor- tion of sets of four postcards at tions through its health care plan, Catholic parishes during the' Jan. and the orders for postcards keep 22-23 weekend. Parishioners send rolling in," Taylor said. , postcards to each of their U.S. Last year, the committee and senators and their U.S. representhe bishops' agency' cosponsored tative. Another card goes to the the first Project Life Sunday with National Committee for a Human BALL HEADLINERS: Bishop Sean O'Malley with Bella a postcard campaign against the Life Amendment to track partici- Nogueira, president of the Diocesan Cou ncil of Catholic Freedom of Choice Act. That cam- pation in the campaign.

The health care plan proposed Women, and Joseph Gromada, president of the diocesan St. paign generated from 3 million to by President Clinton would in- Vincent de Paul Society, chairpersons of the 1994 Bishop's 6 million cards to ~ongress and was credited by some members of clude abortion coverage for all Charity Ball held Jan. 14 at the Venus de Milo, Swansea.

Congress with helping to prevent women. The U.S. bishops have Additional photos pages 2,7 and 8. (Hickey photo) passage of the legislation. backed aspects of the ClinFOCA "rests on the back burner ton planmany but strongly oppose the with the pilot light extinguished," inclusion of abortion coverage.

Father Fernandes commented.

The 1994 postcards carry this message: "Our nation needs to its health care system to CONFIRMATIONS reform protect the lives and enhance the SEE PAGE 9 for the dignity of all, especially the poor 1994 schedule of confirmaand vulnerable, the unserved and Father Charles A. Jodoin, pa- shops and seminars for those intions in diocesan parishes. the unborn. Abortion is not health rochial vicar of St. Patrick parish, volved in liturgical ministries.

Turn to Page 13 1111'__ 1 Director During his tenure at Cathedral Fall River, has Office been appointed .. of the of Youth Camp, East Freetown, from 1984Evangelization in the Diocese of 1991, he developed a drama pro::' Fall River. The appointment, by gram and chorus, established a Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM., staff supervision program and was Cap., was effective Jan. 19. a department head, program diLocal Congressman Peter Blute has named Carilyn Flynn and Karen Read winners of an Father Jodoin, ordained to the rector, and head counselor. essay contest for tl~cnagerssponsored by the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate to coincide with the During his priestly formation, priesthood last June by Bishop O'Malley, brings to his position a Father Jodoin was a religious eduJan. 22 anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. variety of experiences. From 1984- cation teacher, hospital chaplain, Essays for the contest on the topic "Why My Choice is Life" were accepted in two categories: 1986, he was youth minister for the prison chaplain and a therapeutic Grades 11 and 12 and grades 8 through 10. Mis,S Flynn is a senior at Bishop Feehan High New Bedford North End Youth clinician for adolescent juvenile School, Attleboro, and Miss Read an eighth-grader at Taunton Catholic Middle School.

Fellowship and director for its law offenders. This year he was Second-place winners are Nate Cote, also a Bish~p Feehan senior, and Keni Schoonover, a annual retreats. He was also artist chaplain for the Fall River Girl in residence at Carney Academy in Scouts.

10th grade confirmation student at SS. Peter and Paul parish, Fall River.

Known for his enthusiasm, sense New Bedford, where he taught Congressman Blute selected the winners from 10 essays in each category submitted to him speech and communications of humor and animated style of after initial judging of entries. He plans a meeting with the more than 85 diocesan pilgrims through use of the performing communication, Father Jodoin is including one of the contest winners - attending today's March for Life in Washington, DC. arts. He has conducted many workTurn to Page 13 The first-prize E~ssays follow. "

1--------------------------Youth evangelization director named

Winnillg pro-life essays announced

"Why My Choice is Life"

By Carilyn Flynn She was nearly 46 years old, had six beautiful children, and was looking forward to retirement from motherhood. "'You're pregnant/' the doctor said, and he explained to her the risks of having a baby at such a late age in life. It could mean danger for her or the baby, Downs Syndrome, or retardation.

When family and friends heard the news, they responded with congratulations or disapproval. All were worried of the dangers, yet some suggested a dark solution: ABORTION. The thought wrenched at her heart, for she had always believed that abortion was murder. Although she feared for her own life, she also feared for the life of her unborn child. She wrestled with her thoughts and feelings, and discovered that the risks did not frighten her. She put her faith in God to protect her and her child, and placed the situation in His hands.

Months passed, and she began to be reminded of the chance she was taking as her baby grew. Family and friends, although fearful of what her decision might lead to, stood behind her in faith and prayer.

Turn to

By Karen Read Sometimes 1 wonder how moral our society is when we permit the murdering of innocent, unborn babies. Our society suffers from a lack of responsibilIty, maturity and a basic love and respect for human dignity. I question how intelligent people can be when they destroy a human fetus just because they are not "ready" or "prepared" to raise a child. 1 can relate when young girls say they'cannot raise a baby ~ince they are only children themselves. How could they possibly assume such a task when they are so young and immature?

Abortion is not just the killing of an unborn baby, it is the destroying of a soul, will, and intellect. An unborn baby has a right to be loved, to love, and to grow in the world. The fetus, even though it is in its e1TIbryonic stage, deserves the opportunity to develop and to fulfill its pro'mise and potential. God has given the gift of life, which should be respected and loved.

When we abort life, we fail to accept God's most precious and cherished gift - the gift of life.

The harsh facts on abortion are upsetting. For example, three out of 100 women between the ages of Page 13 .

Statement of the Diocese of Fall River Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., acting in consultation with the sexual abuse review board of the diocese, after thoughtful and lengthy deHberations has concluded that charges of misconduct against Rev. Thomas O'Dea are insufficient evidence of improper activity, The board's finding of innocence regarding Father O'Dea was unanimous.

The bishop is grateful for the open, attentive and balanced manner with which the board has dealt with these troubling charges. He is also grateful for the cooperation of Father O'Dea in this investigation, including his willingness to submit to psychological testing. He regrets the pain that this process has caused both the accuser and the accused and prays that there is healing for both individuals. , In this difficult process, there must always be a presumption of innocence as an inherent American right of any accused person.

While acknowledging this concern, the diocese remains committed to an open and complete response to all accusations of abuse against its clergy. The Fall River diocese cberishes its children and is profoundly committed to making this church community a safe place for all of them.

In the approach of the Fall River diocese to the disturbing issues surrounding childhood abuse, Bishop O'Malley seeks reconciliation and education and is committed to a continuing process of healing for those whose lives have been affected by this tragedy.

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Church responds after L.A. qU:ike LOS ANGELES (CNS)·- Vatican officials conveyed their sorrow over the Jan. 17 Los. Angeles earthquake in telegrams to Cardinal Roger M. Mahony.

"The Holy Father shares your sorrow and pastoral concern" over quake victims, said Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano to Cardinal Mahony in a Jan. 18 telegram.

Pope John Paul II "com.mends the victims to our heavenly father's eternal love and expres!:es his heartfelt sympathy to the families left in mourning," Cardinal Sodano said. ., "In this time of particul<:r need we hasten to express our fraternal solidarity in the Lord," said a Jan. 18 telegram from Cardinal BerBACK TO THE BALL; Three presentees from the 1969 Bishop's Charity Ball returned 25 nardin Gantin, head of thl: 'Vatiyears later to serve on the Ball's hospitality committee. They are, from left, 'Ann Marie' can Congregation for Bisho:~s, and (M urphy).Cowan of Holy Family parish, East Taunton, which she represented in 1969, ",np he.r "Ar~h~ishop Justin. Rigali, pre~i­ husband, Robert; Janet (Cummings) Girard of St. Louis de France parfsh, Swansea, w.hi,cl1 she' , . ~en~ .of the, Ponttfical Ec:cleslal also represented 25 years, ago arid her husband, Richard; and Susan (Ca,mire) Felipe. ~f Our . cAa ,ehb~' h . R" I' .. 'V'" . . . ' d h h b d F l' M F l' t dOL d ' f rc . IS ()p Iga I, 111 ahcan. . h' W L a d.y 0 f G r~ce pans, estpo~t, an er .us an e Ipe. rs. e Ipe represen e ur a yo· - diplomatic servi~e since 1964'; is a .

Fatima pansh; New Bedford, 111 1969. (Hickey photo) Los Angeles native who was or, dained a priest of the archdiocese

LONDON (CNS) - The decision of the Duchess of Kent, a member of the English royal family, to become a Catholic has turned public attention to the relation of the established Church of England, the monarchy and 18th-century legislation designed to keep a Catholic off the throne.

Official comment on her reception into Catholicism has been low key and emphasizes the personal nature of her step.

A statement from her office in St. James' Palace said the deGision . followed years of careful thought and that the duchess had been· receiving i'nstructions for some time. A spokesman said it' was in no· way related to current problems afflicting Britain's royal family.

The duchess's husband, the Duke of Kent, is 18th in .line of successiort to the throne.

A private ceremony at ArchbIshop's House, the official residence ofCardinal George Basil Hume of Westminster, was the venue for the reception of the 60-year-old WASHINGTON (CNS) _ The duchess into the Catholic Church Jan. 14.

Supreme Court is being asked to' She is the first British royal to . rule on when life begi'ns in a case in" become a Catholic since King . which a New Jersey man argues Charles II, who turned to Cath- that he had an obligation to try to' olicism on his deathbed in 1685. stop his, fiancee's abortion 'and The spiritual leader of the protecfthe unborn child's right to Anglican Communion, Archbishop life.

George Carey of Canterbury, Eng-. ' In a Jan. 18 press conference. land, called the duchess's shift to Preceding the filing of the appeal.

Catholicism a "personal decision Patrick J. Mullaney. attorney for ofa devout Christian on a spiritual Alexander V. Loce of New Jersey, journey." said Mother Teresa intends to join "A spokesman for Queen Eliza- ISO individuals .~nd organ.izations" beth II, t\1e,head of the. Churc~of in asking the court to take the casc::, England, said the monarch had The question of when life begins accepted the duchess's decisions as a "purely private matter. has occupied theologians and scienThe duchess is best known to tists for centuries; the Catholic the general public for her annual Church teaches that life begins at presentation of trophies at the conception. But the question has Wimbledon tennis competition. .never been defined clearly by the' The duchess's choice has no U.S. high court. constitutional implication. She is Loce and 14 others were con- -, not herself in line to the English victed in April1991 of criminal' throne, and when she married the trespass for forcing their way into d~ke in 1961, he was an Anglican. a clinic in an unsuccessful effort to As a result her husband's remote stop' his fiancee from having an chances of becoming king are un- abortion. affected.

Witnesses including renowned A law remains on the English French geneticist Dr. Jerome Lestatute books, the 170 I Act of Set- jeune claimed at Loce's trial that tlement, which bars from alicen- the components necessary to consion to the monarchy "all and stitute human life are locked in at every person and persons, who... the momen't of conception. Loce is, are or shall be reconciled to or hoped to convince Morristown, shall hold communion with the see N.J .. Municipal CourtJudge Michor church of Rome or'shall profess ael J. Noonan that he acted out of the popish religion or shall marry legal necessity to protect a human a papist." life..

Papist was the term of the time Noonan said he had to find for a Catholic.

Loce guilty because the Supreme There are previous Catholic Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade deciconnections in the family of the sion protected the fiancee's "right to have an abortion, but the judge Duchess of Kent.

Her brother-inclaw, .Prince also s.aid he acct;:pted .as fact the Michael of Kent, had to renounce argument that the fetus was a . his own right of succession upon human being. ' marrying the Catholic Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz in New Jersey's SuperjorCourt' 1978. Her oldest son, the Earl of "and the state appellate court upheld St. Andrews, also' gENe u'p his' the trespassing convictions while, monarchical claim when he marnot commenting on the -argument,' rit;:d Sylva.na Tomasali, a divorce.d . ab.out when life begins, Mullaney Canadian Catholic, in iiJ"S'8 .. ! . . ,said. On Oct.) I, .th,e N.ew Jersey, .The Duchess of Kent has been a Supreme GOUr! W,lth,out comment friend of Cardinal Hume for years . declined to hear Loce's appeal. ,. from the time when ,he. was "kg been' a lesson for' m~ as an ," Abbot of Ampleforth in her native' attorney the 'fer:vor with" which the "; Yorkshire. issues was avoided,"'M ullaney told ,Formanyyearsshehasattended CNS. He maintains that signifi-"'.

Christmas celebrations at West-, cant scientific, technological and:"' minster CatHedral arid" has been· legal changes since the Roe vs.' iriYQlved;L~ the ca,th.e.d!~li.s~~p~s~age·,. ,Wa<;le:deci.sion: CFeat~a'new"en:vir" '"' day care center for the homeless. onment in 'which the Supreme

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in Mahony, ina·Jan. 17:message to priests, religious and Court should reconsider the con- Loce's case by the end of March. lai"ty in the archdiocese, said, "This In addition to the brief expected is a time when we need to work stitutional issues of abortion.

At the press conference, M ulla- from Mother Teresa, Mullaney closely with each other, support ney said the 'question of whether provided a list of nearly 150 organ- one another, and be there to assist an unborn child possesses consti- izations from around the world our neighboring parishes in. every tutional rights has been ignored by that are supporting Loce's appeal way that we can." . for the Supreme Court to hear his the Supreme Court.

He suggested that priests check "If the unborn child possesses . claim. The list includes physicians, parish buildings for structural churches, lawyers, family groups damage, avoid using any facility the interest of life, as the record in and religious organizations from where safety was questionable, and· this case demonstrates clearly as a matter of fact and as a matter of the United States and nine other report their situation to their dean. ' law, a profoundly important ques- ·countries.

Cardinal Mahony also suggested . tion is raised," Mullaney said, "does Mullaney also.sa.ld Mother Ter-' that priests "open your pariilh hall the law havethe authority to ignore esa', health 'permltt1l1~, would per- or 'other facilities if needed to: life its"elf, to render it m'eartingless ,sonally"dehver, her bnef on· behalf· . ~~comiTiodate those who a:re dis- ' and to classify it out of existenc,e?" ~f Loce to the C?Uft Feb. 4. Catho- placed in your community" and to hc News Ser,vlce, however, was "work with the local authorities as . Mullaney said he expects the unabl,e to confirm t~at· with her . fully as possible." court to decide whether to accept order s New York office.

The cardinal said that priests Last June, Cardinal John J. could "conduct any special Masses O'Connor of New York took on or prayer services that you fl:el are Loce's ~ause, asking, readers of appropriate for your people and Catholic New York, his archdi- your situation." ocesan newspaper, to help pay the Cardinal Mahony celebrated legal expenses of pressing the case.

Mass in a chapel of St. Vi biana "You don't have to be either Cathedral, offering prayers for all The Mass of Christian Burial resl'd ents a ffecte d b y t h~ tem bl or pro-life or pro-choice to recognize was offered Jan. 15 at Holy Name the 'enormously important impli- andemergencypersonnel]usthours Church. New Bedford. for Sister cations of this case," wrote Cardi- after the quake, which hit at 4:31 Mary Stephen Finnerty. RS M. 95. nal O'Connor, who is past chair- a.m. PST and registered 6.6 on the who died Jan. 12. . man or'the U.S. bishops Committee Richter scale. on Pro-Life Activities. ' In a Jan. 17 memo to the pope, A New Bedford native. she was Cardinal Mahony said that "all 17 the daughter of the late Patrick J. and Ellen T. ( McQuade) Fi nnerty.

In a February 1993 letter to the of our Catholic hospitals appear Entering the Sisters of Mercy in New Jersey Supreme Court, Mothto be in sound condition, and all 1920, she taught in, Fall River and er Teresa told the justices it was are open and receiving patients.

New Bedford schools during her their responsibility "to protect the They are offering care to all who entire active ministry, serving at rights of all of God's children that need medical attention," St. Patrick's. St. Joseph's and SS. come before you, regardless if they He added, "A beginning ,;heck Peter and Paul's schools in Fall can speak for themselves or not." of our churches, schools, con-vents, River and Holy Family High rectoriesandotherCatholic:faciliSchool and St. Kilian's and St. A • d ties does show some damage I I Y urge especially to the older buil~ings Mary's schools in New Bedford.CCOUn She retired in 1971, living first at WAS H IN G TON (CNS) here in the archdiocese. I am workSt. James Convent, New Bedford, China must be held accountable ing closely with our pastor:; and and subsequently at St. Mary's for lack of progress in protecting our deans to determine the extent Convent, Bayview and Mount St. human rights, particularly of poof the damage in our parishes."

Cardinal Mahony also cited Rita Heidth Center. both in Rhode litical dissenters, the underground Island. cb'urch' and opponents of populadamage to the Los Angeles freeway system, broken gas line~" colS he is s u rvi ved by .nieces, tion control laws, said a conlapsed buildings, .and darrlaged nephews, great-nieces and great- gressman who recently visited nephews and was the sis.ter of the there. Rep. Chris' Smith; R-N.J.,'. stores and shopping;centersin his' late Kathleen. Henry, Hugh, Ste-, called on the Clinton administramessage to the pope. .., phen and. Patrick Finnerty., "tion to hold firm in demanding Catholic Charities,·in the Los that China improve its human Angeles archdiocese was se,:king 1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIilllllllllllllllllillillllllllllllllllllllllllllll.lllili . rights record and withhold mostimmediate financial donations to .

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020). Second favored-nation trade status until it help quake victims with their c:merClass Po'stage Paid at Fall River', 'Mass, does so', Smith viS'i'ted c;hina with' . gency needs, according to its ~xecPublished weekly except the week of July4 and the \\leek after Christmas at 887 High- " Christian Solidarity Iniernational, utlve director, Father Gregory A. land Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by Cox. a ..human rights group based in the 'Catholic Press of the Diocese <)f Fall Switzerland; During 'the visit,'he Financial donations ·could be River. Subscription price by mail. postpaid met with government represen't'a-' 'made to Cath'olic Charities, Earth$11 :00' per year. Postmasters send address' tives. and members of the ,und,er-" _ quake.Disaster Fun<;l, .1400 W, 9th changes to The Anchor, P.O" Box 7. Fall grou-nd church.'" " , . ",' . ·St.; Los' Angele"s, CA90015:'" River. MA 02722.

OBITUARY "Sister Finnerty

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DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER 47 Underwood Street / P.O. Box 2577 Fall River, Massachusetts 02722-2577

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Dearly Beloved in Christ, Whenever I refld a Gospel narrative ofthe call ofthe disciples, I ponder what it must have been like to hear the voice of'lhe Master, to lock eyes with the person of Jesus Christ and marvel at the mystery of His call. Jesus Chriist seeks a response from each of us when He calls us to discipleship and, so often, there is an aspect of urgency and immediacy to that response. Our common call to the life of grace from Baptism takes shalle every day in the diverse demand~ of human existence, which the modern age imposes upon a belliever.

This weekend, I have been in Washington with pilgrims from our Diocese and with hundreds of thousands of Catholics and people of conscience who joined once more in the March for Life, marking the anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decisions which granted abortion on demand throughout our nation. I joined them as a fellow pilgrim, and together we have responded to the urgency of the Lord's call for the sake of the most fragile and defenseless among us.

Last year at this time, I invited every Catholic of this Diocese to participate in Nlltional Project Life Sunday, which was another way of responding to the demands of the Gospel. Millions of postcards, which were signed in churches across the country, flooded the Senate and House of Representatives to the extent that the House postmaster 'faced an unprecedented backlog of mail which required one month of overtime to manage. In fact, you participated with such fervor that our own Diocese ranked second for the number of cards sent to the Capitol. What is most important, however, is that the objectives were met and Project Life was a resounding success in these two crucial ways: Hyde Amendment restrictions on Medicaid funding for abortion, although threatened, were retained; and the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act" never generated the legislative action anticipated by the abortion industry.

Today, there is grave cause for us to energize Nat!onal Project Life Sunday once more. As our nation examines l1E:cessary health care reform, the Chur~h offers a potential constituency of conscience in the midst of a debate too often dominated by special interests and partisan needs. The best measure of any proposed health care initiative is the extent to which it combines universal access to comprehensive quality health care with cost control, while ensuring quality care for the poor and preserving· human life and dignity.

The abortion industry is now waging a campaign to convince the American people that abortion be included as a ba:sic benefit in any health care reform qteasure. However, abortion is not health care.

Abortion kills a child waiting to be born. Nothing could be less healthy or less caring. The preborn child is not a disease.

The inclusion of abortion coverage as a mandated health benefit would be an unprecedented move. For the first time, federalla w would force all citiz~ns, regardless of their beliefs or values, to help pay for others' abortions, either through taxes or through health insurance premiums. This action would increase the number of abortions, violate the consciences of citizens who oppose abortion as the destruction of innocent human life, and legitimize abortion.as just another "health care" service.

Shortly, your parish priest will ask you again to participate in National Project Life Sunday. He will read to you the simple message printed on the postcards and invite you to alert Senator Kennedy, Senator Kerry, and your Representative that you oppose the mandatory inclusion of abortion in ' federal health care reform.

Please join me once more in this faith-filled, concrete response to Christ's universal call to discipleship, and pray with me for all those affected by ~his threat to human life and for swift and just reform of our nation's health care system.

May God, thE: Author of Life, bless the courage of your faith.

Devotedly yours in Christ,

r~.e;" $'~/ ~ Bishop of Fall River

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Fast, prayer days asked for Balkans VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has designated today a fast day and Sunday a day of prayer aimed at stopping the suffering of people in the Balkans.

"Christ continues to die in the tragic events in that part of the world," the pope said a.t his general audience last week.

"The agony of Christ continues in so many of our brothers and sisters: men and wom«:n, children,

young people and the aged; in so many Christians and Muslims, believers and nonbelievers," he said.

The pope devoted his entire audience talk to the situation in the former Yugoslavia and to asking for humanitarian intervention and participation in the day of fasting and day of prayer.

Although a lasting and peaceful solution seems impossible, the pope said, "it is assumed that all those

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend Sean O'Malley, O.F.M., Cap., Bishop of Fall River, announces the following appointment: Reverend Char((:s A. Jodoin, Director of the Office of Youth Evangelization, effective January 19, 1994, while remaining Parochial Vicar at Saint Patrick's, Fall River.

involved reasonably want to avoid the worst, that is, the expansion of the armed conflict to the danger point of becoming the beginnings of a European or even a world war."

U.S. and Canadian bishops are urging Catholics to observe the prayer and fast days.

"There are no simple, clear or quick solutions to the conflict in Bosnia," said Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Policy. "But the seemingly intractable nature of this conflict is not an excuse for indifference or inaction.

"Rather, it calls for renewed prayer and hope for reconciliation in Bosnia and a continuing commitment on our part to help end . this human tragedy."

In Ottawa, Bishop Jean-Guy Hamelin, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the pope's request had "been transmitted to all Canadian bishops, and they will encourage Turn to Page 16

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The Vatican and Israel: ANew Hope Now that some of the speculative dust has settled, one can only praise the mutual agreement of the Vatican and the State of Israel to diplomatic recognition. The action has once again raised hopes for a truly lasting peace in the Middle East.

There is no doubt that both sides had to compromise on some issues, but this does not take away from the significance of their agreement to establish diplomatic relationships. Both Israel and the Vatican have much to gain in the world of international diplomacy by this move, which is also a major attempt of two of the great world religions to work together for peace.

Too often religion becomes a source of division instead of healing and when it serves as an excuse for nationalism it brings out the worst in those involved, as in the case of the horrendous hate manifested in Bosnia. There the Orthodox Serbs, Muslim Bosnians and Catholic Croats, all of whom worship the one God, seem incapable of reaching peace while religious passions are inflamed by nationalism.

Some extremists, traveling in one-way tunnels, still cling to such a nationalistic view of the Vatican and Israel. Some hurl accusations that the Vatican did nothing to help Jews in World War II, while there are Christians in Israel who resent the status of second-class citizens. Such divisions only cause further separation..But despite the efforts of those who would . cite the past to divide the present, the two nations came together and publicly acknowledged the need to heal past hurts in order to achieve present hopes.

It would be well for those who persist in critiyizing this mutual acknowledgment: to view the Vatican-Israel accord as a vital link in the Middle East peace process. Already this past week we have seen the efforts of the United States and Syria to affirm the peace process, while the negotiations of Israel and the Arabs have the potential to defuse the poli.tical powder keg not only of the surroundling territories but of the world itself.

No one is saying that all is now well. These two actions are but a beginning. Syria must act more positively to support the peace process. Together with Jordan and Egypt, it must withstand the devast~ting force of Islamic fundamentalists.

Admittedly, there will be much haggling. The danger of an Arafat assassination is real. Rightwing elements in Israel could explode without warning. Nevertheless, despite all these difficulties, what has already been achieved is a hopeful sign for the future.

As this most difficult process continues, it wou\d be well for each of us to remember that peace is not the mere absence of war, nor a mere balance of power. As the Church has stated so clearly in the documents of Vatican II, peace is rightly and appropriately called an enterprise of justice.

It results from the longing for harmony built into human society by the Lord himself and by those who thirst for justice.

A firm determination to respect other peoples and their human dignity is absolutely necessary for the establishment of peace.

We are constantly reminded that "blessed are the peacemakers."

War thrives on dissension. Peace builds on unity. All who are involved in the Middle East difficulties have much in common. These similarities should be the foundation of the peace process. To accept: difference is to divide and destroy.

Now is indeed the acceptable time to continue the work that has been begun by the diplomatic process. May the Vatican and Israel use their own accord to bring more people to the peace table to affirm that the time is now for hearts to change.

The Editor

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

EDITOR

GENERAL MANAGER

·Rev. John F. Moore

.,_',~. ~ .. ; .~; Lea'ry

Rosemary Dussault Press.":"'Fali Rtver

C<O;s phlll0

WHILE OTHERS HAVE WEARIED OF WINTER WEATHER, A FEW YOUNGSTERS IN BUFFALO, NY, STILL APPRECIATE THE TASTE OF A GOOD SNOWFLAKE

"Snow, ice, stormy winds... " Ps 148:8

Euthanasia ethics debated at conferenc,e BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (CNS) - Experts on both sides of the euthanasia issue debated its ethics at a conference in Bloomington which featured the kin of Janet Adkins, Helga Wanglie and Nancy Cruzan, three women who at different times were at the center of righHo-die controversies: Most at the conferencefavored assisted suicide, while those opposed cited religious reasons or Catholic social teaching.

The conference, "Managing Mortality: Ethics, Euthanasia and the Termination of Medical Treatment," was sponsored by the University of Minnesota's Center for' Biomedical Ethics.

Ruth Wanglie, daughter of Helga Wanglie, who slipped into a coma after a fall in 1989, said, "My mother had very strong religious convictions .... If anything happened to her, she wanted the family to try to save her life."

The 86-year-old Minneapolis woman's family won a court battle to prevent her doctors from shutting off her respirator after she was diagnosed as being in a permanent vegetative state. Helga Wanglie died shortly after the decision. Her daughter said she suffers from anxiety, depression and a nervous disorder brought on by the episode.

Ron Adkins, whose wife in 1990 was the first to die with the help of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, said Mrs. Adkins did not like the prognosis of her Alzheimer's- disease.

"The doctors told her that eventually she would have to be fed and bathed and dressed in a diaper," Adkins said, "and to Janet, life wasn't worth living without ideas in her head."

Family of Ms. Cruzan, the Missouri woman whose family fought and won a case to have her feeding stopped, and Joseph and Julia Quinlan, parents of Karen Anne Quinlan, were featured in other workshops.

"The question is not whether the person. has a right to die," said Rita Marker, director ofthe International Anti-Euthanasia Task force in Steubenville, Ohio.

"Rather, it's whether the family has the right to end the life of someone for the benefit of others.

Nobody has the right to remove food and water or to. get behind treatment that is intended to cause death."

Daniel Callahan, director of the Has'tings' Center in' Briiffcliff Manor, N.Y., attacked toe argument that euthanasia is a private choice.

"This is an inherently social choice," he said. "Once one brings in a physician, you've automatically gone from a private to a social realm.

"I like doctors, and as a whole I think they're wonderful people.

praye~

Box

Prayer for Life Lord God, Father of all life, we praise and honor you.

We thank-you for the gift of life that in your great love you have generously bestowed upon us.

Gather the church of Fall River to yourselfso that we might be transformed by your light. Strengthen us, that we may be willing always to speak and act on behalf of the sacredness of all human life. Guide and inspire us by the Holy Spirit with wisdom, mercy, love and patient endurance.

United with Mary our mother, and all the angels and saints, we beg the grace of c(;mversion for all whose acts an,d policies lead to the destruction of "fe. This we pray through Christ, our ,Lord.,Amen. " :" ..

But there's no reason to think that doctors have' a special moral ability that enables them to make those kinds of decisions."

Derek Humphry, founder ofthe Hemlock Society, a right-to-die group, blamed the "religious right" and ,th~.,Catholi~ Chu,rch for the defeat of ass'istecf s'uicide referendumsin, Washington State and California.

Charles Cernosky, chair of the ethics consultation committee at Fairview Riverside Medica.l Center in Minneapolis, said churches need to emphasize the dangers of right-to-die legislation.

"Y ou visit any nursing home and you'll have a hard time if you talk to them genuinely not hearing over half of [the residents] saying they feel like they are a burden to somebody," he ·said. "It would be very dangerous to add assisted legal suicide to that equation."

Dr. Steven Miles, member of the Center for Biomedical Ethics, said keeping people like Helga Wanglie alive is not practical in the health care system and causes health insurance costs to soar.

"The bottom line on our health care system is that people are asked to pool their resources for redistribution. It may very well be that people want to keep family members alive for religiolls reasons," Miles said.

"But if that is the case, then likeminded communities should form the Church of the Holy Respirator, because that kind of care is not the way most people see health care."

People on both sides of the issue agreed that terminal patients should consider hospice care before trying to end their own lives.

a

"The real value of hospice is that we learn about the real process of dying, not from an ivory -tower, but from the patient's bedside," said Dr. Timothy Quill, a right-todie advocate.

"I try to make a commitment o:.J.hat I'm not going to abandon them, wherever tKat process goes."

Literacy ·program seeks volunteers

God changes his w()rd Jonah 3:1-5,.10 I Cor. 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-:ZO , It's a shame we have only one

By FATHER ROGER reading from Jonah in our three KARBAN year liturgical cycle. There's no more interesting book in all of turned from their evil way. he Scripture. But we only understand repented of the evil that he had its significance when we underthreatened to do to them; he did stand the Bible's uniqueness. not carry it out."

1 often remind my 5t udents that Only one person refuses to the Bible is more than a book, it's a change: Jonah. He who is supwhole library. It's a collection of posed to transmit God's word. books embodying all sorts of literwon't change when the word ary styles and genres. Among othchanges. Jonah climbs the hill ers, this library boasts biographies. overlooking the city. still expectnovels. history. poetry. reference ing its destruction; then becomes works, and legal codt:s. all written furiously angry with Yahweh when by different people at different it doesn't happen, telling the Lord times for different purposes. Our that he originally rail away to TarSacred Authors wen: very free in shish because he had anticipated selecting the genres they thought such a disturbing turnabout. would best convey their messages.

Those who try to follow the So just as we must shift our mindLord appreciate the satire. The set when we put down a novel and laughter Jonah generates helps pick up a biography. we also must relieve the tension of pursuing a freq uently shift our mind-set when God who frequently changes direcwe turn the pages of the Bible - or tions. Yet it reminds us that we wc'll miss thc Sacrcd Authors' have given ourselves over to a permessages. son - to someone who relates To understand Jonah's message, with others and is faithful to them. a huge shift is required. We must Listen carefully to how Mark realize that the Sacred Author . describes Jesus' call of his first disciples. "Corne after me," he proopted for satire as the vehicle to convey his message ._- a satire so claims, "and I will make you fishers' biting that. since the breakup of of men." The Lord calls us to follow him. Yet at the same time it's a Monty Python, the Saturday Night Live crew is probably the only call to serve others: to imitate his ministry of giving himself. group that could do it justice were it presented in dramatic form ...

That's the problem.. If we were just following him, everything The message'is relatively simpl~: would be okay. He's not supposed we can't trust God's word. We can to change. All we'd have to do is only trust God. Just when we hear the word once, fix it in our think we've got the Lord figured memories and keep doing the same out, hel she changes what we conthings over and over again. But we ceive the word to be, and calls us follow someone who serves others. into a different direction. FollowWhen those others change. as the ingjust God's word, without underNinevities did, then we also must standing the relationship with the change. The word in which our people to whom that word is procall is encased thus becomes a conclaimed, can lead to big problems. stantly changing word.

As Professor Hans Walter Wolff, No wonder Paul uses such the world's expert on Jonah, frestrange language to describe those quently reminds us: "God doesn't who follow Jesus. "From now on." have to be faithful to his word as he writes. "those with wives should long as he's faithful to his people!" live as though they had none; Really heady stuff!

Almost everyone in the Book of those who weep Should live as though they were' not weeping.

Jonah repents: thl: sailors, the and those rejoice <\s though they Ninevites, even God. "When God were not rejoicing... for the world saw by their actions how they as we know it is passing away."

Knowing we have to' live with divine unpredictability might cause some of us to check the departure Jan. 24: 2 Sm .5:1-7.10; Ps time of the next bc>at to Tarshish.

89:20-22.25-26; Mk 3:22-30 We prefer running away from the God we're committed to follow.

Jan. 25: Acts 22:3-16 or As Wolff observcs, "Everyone alActs 9:1-22; Ps 117:1-2; Mk ready has his or her own Tarshish.

16:15-18 But since we won't admit it to ourselves, we probably won't admit it Jan. 26: 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti to God either."

1:1-5; Ps 319; Mk 4:1-20

Daily Readings

Jan. 27: 2 Sm 7:18-19.2429; Ps 132:1-S.11-14; Mk

4:21-25 Jan. 28: 2 Sm 11:1-4.510.13-17; Ps 51:3-7.10-11; Mk 4:26-34 Jan. 29: 2 SI1I1 12:1-7.1017; Ps 51:12-17; Mk 4:35-41 Jan. 30: Dt 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2,6-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28

THE ANCHOR -

Volunteers are sought for a Fall River program targeting those who cannot read or write the English language well enough to qualify for jobs requiring literacy.

Lisa Manning. coordinator of LEAD (Literacy Education for Adults). says the one-on-one program pairs a volunteer with a student. Volunteers receive 12 hours of training and commit to working with a student for two hours a week. usually for a six-month period.

"You need not be a teacher, just someone sensitive who loves to read and wants to help someone improve the quality of their life," she explains.

The need for instruction is great in the Fall River area. she says. with 53.3 percent of city adults without a high school diploma. a median educational level of 9.2 grades and a school dropout rate of 32 percent. Not surprisingly, these statistics are reflected in a per capita income of $10.966 in Fall River as opposed to a statewide per ca pita figu re of $17.224; in addition 12.3 percent of Fall River families live below the poverty level in contrast to 6.7 percent statewide. Similarly, city unemployment stands at 11.3 percent, while statewide the figure is 7.1 percent.

If the last paragraph has convinced you of the area need and if you are a person who can help do something about it, call Lisa Manning for further information. She can be reached at 324-2704 from I to 5 p.m. Monday. Tuesday or Friday.

5

Fri., Jan. 21,1994

COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.

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OF CAlHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River is seeking an Executive Directorfor its Catholic Social Services, amulti- purpose human services agency providing counseling services, adoption placement, and advocacy programming in four shes throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape. Cod. Candidates should have experience in Human Services and Mental Health delivery systems, have administrative management and supervisory experience, and have knowledge and competency in fiscal management. Candidates should also be experienced in staff and community relations, be knowledgeable in seeking third party billing from both private and public sedors, and be thoroughly familiar whh all relevant licensing and regulatory issues.

Candidates should also be knowledgeable of all aspeds of counseling practice, possess good communication and interpersonal skills, and, in a particular way, have an appreciation for being part of a greater system of service delivery. The successful candidate will be knowledgeable about and adhere to the Cmholic Church's social justice and moral teachings and be able to articulate hwhhin the greater human service and mental health delivery system.

Preference will be given to applicants who possess a DSW or MSW degree; applicants whh an equivalent degree may also apply. Applicants must have a minimum of five (5) years administrative management experience and have an appreciation for cultural diversity. Acompethive salary and program of benefhs are offered.

Please send resumes by Janu.., 31,1994 to: CS.s., &ecuti1I DinIdor Seanh Commit.

2425 Highland Avenue' Fall River, Massachusetts 02720

JEANNE T. MENDES, sixth through eighth grade science teacher at St. Mary's School, New Bedford, has been named a Peter Farrelly Teacher for the 1993-94 school year by the Massachusetts Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (M AS CD). The program, supported by an Eisenhower Demonstration/ Exemplary Programs Grant, recognized 35 teachers in the state for expertise in teaching science and mathematics.

Asa Peter Farrelly Teacher, Mrs. Mendes will be a presenter at a teacher leadership seminar in March and receive the Peter Farrelly Award at the MASCD conference in April.

The follOwing letter is from the war-torn former 1. Yugoslavia: "Much thanks to all donors to the Propagation of the Faith for your generous support. Because of war actions in Bosnia and around Sarajevo, we have displaced our seminary into the convent of Croatian Dominicans.

This is the second consecutive year of the seminary's activity in exile. The seminarians sleep in a nearby hotel, while the 15 professors are stationed in the convent. They all celebrate the Liturgy in the Dominican church and have classes in the convent. We have 56 seminarians; four of them will be ordained this June. Despite the war situation, the archdiocese of VrhbosnaSarajevo recently enrolled 13 new candidates for the minor seminary. Seminary superiors and students pray for all benefactors who make possible our quiet work in war conditions."

The Society for THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH

Suicide law rapped AMERSFOORT, Netherlands (CNS) - The Dutch bishops have criticized a new euthanasia Il\w that eliminates prosecution of doctors who assist sucides of extremely ill patients. The government must provide "an adequate and effective policy of punishment" for euthanasia, the bishops said. "We are not convinced that the act of actively causing death will be effectively punished" under the new law, even though euthanasia and suicide remain crimes, they.said.

Diocese of Fall River -

Reverend Monsignor John J. Oliveira, V.E. 4JO Highland Avenue, • Post Office Box 2577, • Fall River, MA 02722

.

No. 101 ANCH. 1/21/94

"Attention: Column."

'

o

Enclosed is my support for the Church in the Missions: $50

0 $1000 $25 0 $10

0 $

(other)

Name

_

Address City 1/94

_ State

Zip

_

Please remember The Society for the Propagation of the Faith .: when writing. or chWlging your Will.

I,

"

,".,

6

,

,I

-,-

The Anchor Friday, Jan. 21,1994

By ANTOINETTE BOSCO Here it was, barely two weeks after the start of the new year, and already a friend was telling me that she was ignoring all of her Jan. I resolutions.

She had resolved to start an exercise program, read a book a week, cut out her addiction to television and be nice to her niother.

First she began to feel that she had made too many resolutions.

Then she had been unrealistic, she insisted.

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.... .. ~.,

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...

Paying路the price fOf Tesolutions She was funny as she spoke of her own peccadillos and was finally convincing as she maintained that making New Year's resolutions was just an exercise in futility.

And clearly, what stops us from making the changes that would make us thinner, happier, wiser, wealthier, kinder and so on is a huge obstacle. In a word: commitment.

I didn't argue with her, but I did reflect on my own position. It's simple. New Year's has become the time to make resolutions because it's logical timing. We all like to feel that we can make a new start, and when the old year ends it makes us believe that a lot of old things we don't like can end too.

It takes a serious determination to make changes in our ways, our habits, our desires, our goals. That's sometimes too painful even to consider, so we beg off.

My attitude is that we don't need to make New Year's resolutions. We have to make resolutions at any point in the year, depending on what's happened in our lives and what we need to do to fix it.

I happened to turn on the television early on the first Sunday of January and there preaching was the Rev. Robert Schuller. He was telling of a man he met who told him that a sermon he had , given 12 years ago had c.hanged his life.

Mr. Schuller related how he had gone back into his file of sermons to find out what he had said that

had been so powerful. It was a talk during which he had communicated his strong belief that everybody can change for the better, and he gave a kind of formula.

"A commitment must be made; a plan must be laid; and a price will be paid," he said.

As I listened, I reflected upon my own life and began to accept the truth of that sentence. I also realized then and there why it is that people break resolutions.

It's not so much that they don't make a commitment. That's the easy part. But with every commitment there's a price to pay.

And that's the Waterloo for most of us. We don't want to pay the price required if we set out to change something in our lives.

Last year, I made a New Year's

resolution to write a book about what I had learned in the two preceding years when I had to deal with the death of a beloved son.

I wanted to share how God had helped me in my suffering with others who perhaps were undergoing their own pain from an excruciating loss.

I made the commitmc:nt, and even had a plan. But the price was high - so much reliving of grief, so much work, so much giving up of other more pleasant ways of spending my time.

I was tempted to give t::p, but I didn't. Now I know the price was worth paying. It led to my new book, "The Pummeled Heart, Finding Peace Through Pain" (TwentyThird Publications). If all goes well, it will be published this March.

Handling a child's school phobia

By

it Dr, JAMES &" MARY KENNY Dear Dr. Kenny: Our 4-yearold daughter refused to sta)' at day care school today. It was her first day. She cried and put up such a fuss that I took her back home with me. Did I do right? How do I get her to stay? I need to work, and she has to learn to stay there.

(Indiana) I would never second-guess a mother's instinct. Follow your

By FATHER JOHN J. DIETZEN Q. For three years I have been a eucharistic minister in our parish.

I also take communion to the sick.

Our pastor just asked me to take charge of our care for the sick.

Some are at home, but a large number are in hospitals and nursing homes.

All the group got together to discuss schedules, and some expressed concern that. we ought to

heart. You know your daughter better than anyone else. If you felt that her panic was so severe that you should not leave her, then you did right to bring her back home.

You do, however, want her to stay comfortably at her new day care and learn to relate to other children her own age. Here are a few suggestions which may help.

-Listen to what she says. She may well tell you what she fears.

One youngster I saw was afraid that her parents would move and abandon her while she was a way at school. Another youngster felt she was being shuffled off to school because her parents favored the new baby.

Avoid trying to reassure her that everything is all right without knowing what is wrong in her mind. Don't miniinize her fears.

I nstead, ask her what you can do to help her feel safe.

-Stay with her the first day, and for half the session ,after that.

Each day for a week, cut your time in half. This way you wean yourself gradually as she adjusts to her new experience. Be there, but don't try to interact with your daughter.

Let her relate to the school at her own speed.

-When you do leave. leave promptly. Don't wait around for her to make a scene and play for your sympathy. You might peek in

the window or check back later to see how she is doing. Many children will stop their crying shortly after their mother leaves.

- Leave a picture of yourself, or some other personal item, as a security token. Tell her that you will be with her in spirit, only a wish or thought away.

-Leave a tape-recorded message of reassurance to be played for her' by the teacher whenever she wants to hear her parent's voice.

-Leave a small food treat to be eaten only after you leave. This way she receives a reward or benefit from your departure instead of the pain of loss.

~Use the telephone. Call her or tell her she may call you once or twice if she is upset.

Your daughter needs to experience some pleasant day!: in her new school. She also needs to learn that when she comes back home everything is still the same.

You might start by weaning yourself gradually from her presence. Leave behind some tokens of yourself and your love to give her comfort.

Reader questions on family living and child care to be answered in print are invited by The lI:ennys; 219 W. Harrison; Rensselater, Ind. 47978.

Enriching ministry to the sick and 'aged do more than just take communion to the people we're assigned to.

We received a booklet from our assistant pastor, but would like more. Could you help us? (California) .

A.' You deserve a lot of congratulations for what you're already doing. The opportuni~ies you give to the sick in yOUr parish to receive this sacrament. far beyond what was possible in the past, are much appreciated, I'm sure. It sounds as if your arrangement for the sick is similar to the one in our parish.

We wonder also about how we might give further spiritual (and sometimes material) support to the sick and aged.

Every document of the church in the last generation relating to care of the sick points out the need for special pastoral care, since they are among those who are "in a special way united with the suffering Christ for the salvation of the world." (Vatican II Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 41 ) So, your concern is valid. As you are discovering, apparently. several publications by various companies deal in one way or another) with insights, guidelines and procedures for the sort of care you speak of.

They're available at good Catholic bookstores. even through catalogues.

without the Eucharist. Throughout the other chapters y,:lU will find numerous prayers, intercessions and Scripture passages to choose from.

Most people (even many If the parish has the money, it priests) think'ofthis book as primarily for administration of the would be worth giving one of these Eucharist and anointing of the rituals to all your people: who work with the sick. They are availsick. able in small, inexpensive, softIt does deal with these, natu- cover editions. rally, but there's much more. The' A free brochure answering various introductions, with a var- questions Catholics ask about iety of information and spiritual baptism is available by sending a reflections on this ministry, are stamped self-addressed envelope worth being read and prayed over to Father John Dietzen, Holy by ministers like yourself and the Trinity Church, 704 N. Malin St., people you work with.

Bloomington, III. 6170 I. Questions The first two chapters deal for this column should be sent to explicitly with visits to the sick the same address.

A neglected resource on this subject. in my view. is the official rite of the church for.pastoral care of the sick.

P.robing some of life's deepest mysteries By DAN MORRIS

How do you know which one is yours - the left or the right one?"

"Cute," he laughed. "Answer this: H ow can a tube of toothpaste be almost entirely gone after three days, when you can keep squeez~ ing paste from it for six months?"

"You know." I contributed, "I have always wondered how a car knows when you are thinkingabout trading it in. They instinctively turn on you and develop dead batteries, bald tires, loose mufflers "Here's a church mystery for and valve clatter." you," my neighbor Bud stated.

Bud nodded solemnly. "Ever try "Which way should you turn first explaining the connection between when it's time to do the Sign of lying down for a five~minute snooze Peace thing at Mass? And what if and the phone ~inging? Or ever try everyone' turned the same way at figuring out where the several the same timeT' thousand pads and pens you've laid by the phone have goneT' "The answer to that, Bud," my wife said, "is intrinsically tied to "Amen!" my wife agreed. "And the mystery of the theater armrest.路 'how is it that a 12-ounce bag of Our pastor's homily last week centered on how we should welcome the mysteries of life. So did our discussion at coffee and doughnuts after Mass.

potato chips can create 16 ounces of crumbs?"

We were on a mysteries-of"life roll.

What was the reason for making the dime smaller than a nickel and a penny? Does a six-pack of soda count as one item or six in the fast

Income tax evasion benefits homeless

checkout line? H ow can a I ~:-year-' old not hear you yelling at him or her, but will awake from a deep slumber at the sound of a spoon sliding into ice cream?

"This is certainly a lively group," we heard in a voice that sounded a lot like our pastor's.

"Oh, monsignor," said Bud. "We were just talking about your homily."

"And what. pray tell, did that have to do with potato chip crumbs and express checkout lines?" Msgr.

O'Kneel queried.

There's another mystery. Do . priests read lips or do they have radar ears?

MIAMI (CNS) _.. Camillus others by means of business techHouse. a shelter for' Miami's home c niquesdescribed bya fedcraljudge less operated by the Little Brothas a "corporate holocaust." ers of the Good Shepherd. has Posner said Camillus House was路 received $1 million from a multiin a "terrible situation" and needed millionaire as part of a sentence he the money' to help the homeless received for income tax evasion. during the Christmas holidavs. He . Following his conviction in 1988. knows firsthand of the hU~dreds Victor Posner was ordered to con"_, . of people who line ;up daily for tribute a total of t~ mill,iori t'o the 'food at the shelter. since he has homeless and to spend 5.000 hours served food there manv times to in service to the homeless. He comply with his community seragreed to the arrangement in lieu ,vice order.

Bad Masters of receiving a jail term.

Dr. Pedro Greer. volunteer med"It is with our passions. as it is Since the lateJ970s Posner had ical director at C~millus House. with fire an'd water. they are good acquired such companies as Roc said Posner's donation "'Ill help 'servants but bad masters."--:Roger Cola. Arby's. Nehi.'Rurlington and. offset cuts in public granis, L'Estrange

Assignnlent

to

ST. PEREGRINE

Dear Editor: The editorial on Bosnia [Anchor, Jan. 7] is slightly confused. The reason for the allowed destruction of that helpless country is simple: Bosnia has no oil, ontly humanity.

It does not belong to the "Seven Sisters," as the oil coulltries, which are in the most lucrative trade in the world, are called. When H ussein struck at Kuwait, Bush sent the full force of American power (with the exception of nuclear weapons) against him. And by a strange anomaly Hussein survived and continues to taunt us.

Bosnia and its people are doomed. The West has sanctioned it and for that the so-called Western powers will pay a price. As our nation sinks into barbarism, we should be aware that we are now second-class. One recalls a time when the earth itself shook under the tread of the Pattons, the Eisenhowers, the MacArthurs.

Bernard McCabe So. Yarmouth

FOR CANCER VICTIMS AND THEIR LOVED ONES Every Thursday • 9:30 A.M. ST. LOUIS CHURCH 420 Bradford Avenue • Fall River

St. Stephen Priory Spiritual Life Center 20 Glen Street, Box 370 - Dover, MA 02030 Tel: 5(S.785-0124

February 4-6

February 11-13

Letting Go: A Weekend on Co-Dependency

February 16

Gospel Reflection Day: Ash Wednesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm. Bring Bible and lunch.

February 18-20

Retreat on the Parables of Jesus Enneagram II Workshop with Virginia Sampson, SUSC

WESTON SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY O-P-E-N H-O-U'S'E

Jan.25i

Are you interested in education for profeSSional ministry in today's Catholic Church?

1987, Rev. Jack Hickey, O.P., Dismas House, Nashville, Tenn.

.

Programs Include: Master of Divinity • Master of Theology Master of Theological Studies • Licentiate in Sacred Theology Continuing Education Programs including the Sabbatical Program

1919, Rev. John T. O'Grady, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, Fall River 1955, Rev. Joseph M. Silvia, Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River 1988, Rev. Thomas E. Lockary, C.S.c., Stonehill College, North Easton

OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAYS February 9, 1994

Jan. 211

At Peace

Enneagram I Basic WOIkshop with Virginia Sampson, SUSC Stress Management Workshop Retreat on Thomas Merton with James Thuline, S.T.L.

January 28-30

Jan. 24· 1951, Rev. Edward H. Finnegan, S.J., Boston College Faculty 1977, Rev. Thomas F. McMorrow, Assistant, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville

"Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either God will shield you from suffering, or God will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace,"-St. Francis de Sales

l\'ineline gave basic crisis intervention. offering callers the names of social service agencies in their area from a list of 25.000 in the Nineline database. Coun~elors were also thcre just to listen.

"Roc" aircd the Nineline at the end of the episode. The phone number also aired on a Novemher episode of Fox's "Beverly Hills 90210" dealing with date rape and campus violence.

FRANCISCAN FRIARS MASS AND DEVOTIONS

Bosnia doomed?

1947, Rev. Joseph M. Griffin, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket 1961, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Shay, Pastor, St. John the Evangelist; Attleboro

The Nineline . (800) 999-9999 - isprimarilyknownasahotline for runaways to use. But in the wake of the "Roc" episode, "this waS one of the most effectivc outreaches to adults that we've ever done." Ms, Naidich said. "We felt we were able to provide a good service."

NEW YORK (CNS) - Covenant House's toll-free "Nineline" rang up an estimated 4.000 calls in the first three days that followed broadcast of an episode of the Fox series "Roc" dealing with kids and gangs.

Wendy Naidich. Nineline vice president. told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview from New York that "we got a good chunk of calls" after the episode was aired. Calls remained strong the following day. and were still being made three days later.

"We got calls from kids who had been in gangs. parents who had

Dear Editor: Our Declaration of Independence says "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable right:>, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Would you kindly look up in the dictionary the words "endowed," "certain" and "unalienable."

Then would you pllease write or call your three congresspersons and tell them you do not want your tax dollars and cents to pay for any abortion. And let them know you do not want abortion included in any health care plan.

Abortion is not health care!

Mary Rita Crowe Rochester, NY

Jan.2'J'

lost children, people who had been victims." Ms. Naidich said.

"Roc" sparks calls to Covenant House runa way hotline

BALL GOERS: Family and friends pose with Silvia Tajes, the first presentee from the new Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, New Bedford; presentee Laura Vandal of St. John Evangelist parish, Attleboro, with parents, bishop, and pastor Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye; Johanna Ward, S1. John Evangelist parish, Pocasset, and parents; Jennifer Sevigney of St. Bernard's parish, A~sonet, with parents (left) and uncle and aunt Deacon and Mrs. Lawrence St. Onge; Ball director Father Daniel L. Freitas (right) with bishop and Father James F. Lyons, DCCW moderator. (Hickey photos)

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1994 PRESENTEES: Rochelle Gomes of Our Lady of the Assumption parish, New Bedford, with parents and bishop; Stacy Varrieur of St. Stephen's parish, Attleboro; Amy Hill of St. Paul's parish, Taunton, and parents; Erin Daley of St. Patrick's parish, Falmouth, and family with bishop; Michelle Masse and· parents greet bishop. (Hickey photos)

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Most. Rev. Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap. March I - 7:00 P.M. Our Lady of Grace, Westport 4 - 7:00 P.M. S1. Anthony, Mattapoisett 6 - 11:00 A.M.S1.Joseph, Fall River 7 - 7:00 P.M. Our Lady of Fatima, Swansea 10 7:00 P.M. S1. Elizabeth Seton, North Falmouth II - 7:00 P.M. S1. Joseph. Fairhaven U - II :00 A. M .S1. Patrick. Fall River 14 - 6:00 P. M. Hoi y Red cern e r , Chatham 16 7:00 P.M. Holy Ghost, Attleboro 20 - 11:00 A.M.Our Lady of the Isle, Nantucket 21 - 7:00 P.M. St. Elizabeth. Fall River 23 - 7:00 P.M. Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford April 4 - 7:00 P.M. S1. Joan of Arc, Orleans 5 - 7:00 P.M. S1. Bernard. Assonet 8 7:00 P.M. S1. Patrick, Falmouth II - 7:00 P.M. S1. Mary, Norton 12 7:00 P.M. S1. Mary, New Bedford 14 - 3:00 P.M. Martha's Vineyard Island 15 7:00 P. M. Our Lady of the Cape, Brewster 19 7:00 P.M. St. Stephen. Attleboro 22 7:00 P.M. Holy Rosary, Fall River 24 11:30 A.M.OurLadyofPerpetual Help, New Bedford 25 7:00 P.M. S1. Margaret, Buzzards Bay 29 7:00 IP.M. S1. Louis de France, Swansea May 2 - 7:00 P.M. S1. Michael. Ocean Grovel Swansea 5 - 7:00 P.M. S1.Theresa,NewBedford 6 7:00 P. M. Our Lady of the Assumption,Osterville 10 - 7:00 P.M. S1. George, Westport 13 - 7:00 P.M. S1. Rita, Marion 16 - 7:00 IP. M. S1. Mary, South Dartmouth 18 - 7:00 IP. M. Sacred Heart, New Bedford 22 - 5:00 P.M. Adults at Cathedral 23 - 7:00 P.M. S1. Dominic, Swansea 31 - 7:00 P.M. S1. Mary Cathedral Rev. Msgr. Henry T. Munroe March 3

8 16 18 21 23 April

4

II 12 14 21 25 28 May

2 5

7:00 P.M. S1. Mark, Attleboro Falls - 7:00 P. M. S1. John of God. Somerset - 7:00 P.M. Notre Dame de Lourdes. Fall River - 7:00 P.M. S1. John the Baptist, New Bedford 7:00 P.M. SS Peter & Paul, Fall River 7:00 P.M. Immaculate Conception, New Bedford - 7:00 P. M. Our Lady of the Assumption, New Bedford - 7:00 P.M. S1. Anthony of Padua, New Bedford - 7:00 P.M. Santo Christo, Fall River - 7:00 P. M. S1. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth - 7:00 P.M. St. Peter, Dighton - 7:00 P.M. O. L. of Lourdes, Taunton - 7:00 P. M. Our Lady of Health, Fall River - 7:00 P. M. S1. Patrick, Somerset - 7:00 P. M. St. Thomas More, Somerset.

March 8 14 16 25 April

4

5 8 II 24 26 29 May

3 9 10 22 23 24

Feb.

23

March 7

9 15 21 April

May'

Rev. Msgr. Daniel f. Hoye 7:00 P.M. S1. Mary, Mansfield - 7:00 P.M. S1. Joseph, Attleboro - 7:00 P. M. S1. Mary. Taunton 7:00 P.M. Sacred Heart. Taunton - 7:00 P.M. S1. Jacques & Immaculate Conception at S1.

Jacques, Taunton - 7:00 P.M. S1. Paul, Taunton - 7:00 P.M. S1.JohntheEvangelist.

Attleboro - 7:00 P.M. S1. Mary, North Attleboro - 7:00 P.M. Stonehill College.

North Easton - 7:00 P.M. Our Lady o(M1. Carmel, Seekonk - 7:00 P.M. Holy Cross, South Easton - 10:30 A.M.Sacred Heart, North Attleboro - 7:00 P.M. S1. Theresa. South Attleboro - 7:00 P.M. S1. Mary, Seekonk - 10:30 A.M.Sacred Heart, No. Attleboro - 7:00 P. M. S1. Ann, Raynham - 7:00 P.M. St. Joseph, North Dighton Rev. Msgr. John J. Smith - 7:00 P.M. St. Michael, Fall River - 7:00 P.M. Holy Trinity, West Harwich - 7:00 P. M. Christ the King, Mas'hpee - 7:00 P,M. Espirito Santo, 'Fall River - 7:00 P.M. S1. John Neumann, East Freetown - 7:00 P.M. S1. Joseph, Taunton

6 12

-

26 29

-

2 13 16 24

-

7:00 P.M. S1. Patrick, Wareham 7:00 P.M. Holy Rosary, Taunton 7:00 P. M. S1. Anne, Fall River 7:00 P.M. St. Pius X, South Yarmouth 7:00 P.M. Immaculate Conception, North Eas.ton 7:00 P.M. St. Anthony, East Falmouth 7:00 P.M. S1. Anthony, Taunton 7:00 P.M. Our Lady of Victory.

Centerville

Rev. Msgr. John J. Oliveira March

-

2 8 13 15 23

April

7

II 15 24 26 28 May

7:00 P.M. S1. James, New Bedford - 7:00 P.M. Holy Name, Fall River - 12:00 M S1. Lawrence, New Bedford - 7:00 P.M. S1. Mary, Fairhaven - 7:00 P.M. Corpus Christi, Sandwich - 7:00 P.M. Holy Family, East Taunton - 7:00 P.M. S1. Anthony of Padua, Fall River - 7:00 P.M. St. John the Baptist, Central Village I - 7:00 P.M. Sacred Heart, Fall River - 7:00 P.M. S1. John the Evangelist, Pocasset - 7:00 P.M. St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis -

4

-

9 II

-

17

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26

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7:00 P.M. Our Lady of M1. Carmel, New Bedford 7:00 P.M. S1. Louis, Fall River 7:00 P.M. St. William. Fall River 7:00 P.M. St. Joseph. New Bedford 7:00 P.M. Our Lady of the Angels.

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Saturday, Jan. 22 - 6:30 P.M. COFFEE HOUSE Group: WITH FAITH Cafeteria - Good-will offering Sunday, Jan. 23 - 2:00 EM. HEALING SERVICE WITH MASS Rev. Andre Patenaude, M.S. WINTER CONFESSION HOURS Mon. - Fri, 2:00 - 3:00 EM. Sat. 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1:00 - 5:00 EM. No Confessions Jan. 24 - 25 - 27 - 28

ROSARY NOVENA Our Lady Queen of Peace Jan. 25 thru Feb. 2, 1994 7 PM Holy Hour of Prayer St. Dominic's Swansea, MA

PETITIONS Peace in Bosnia - Herzegovina- Reconciliation ofEnemies Prayer for Bishop O'Malley, the priests and religious of the diocese that they may respond to the Call to Holiness Prayer for Unity within the Church and among all Christians Prayer for an end to Abortion - A deeper respect for all life Prayer for healing, forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation of aU victims of sexual abuse Prayer for our young people that they may respect the virtues of chastity, obedience, honesty Prayer to end all domestic violence within families Prayer for all cities, towns and neighborhoods that are under siege from various elements of crime and drug abuse Prayer for an increase in vocations to the priesthood. and religious life

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 1994 Rosary for' Peace Wednesday, Jan. 26, 1994 Rosary of Healing Thursday, Jan. 27,1994 Rosary Joyful Mysteries Friday, Jan. 28, 1994 Rosary Sorrowful Mysteries Saturday, Jan. 29, 1994 Rosary Glorious Mysteries Sunday, Jan. 30, 1994 ROsary Scriptural Glorious Mysteries Monday, Jan. 31, 1994 Rosary Scriptural Joyful Mysteries Tuesday, Feb. 1, 1994 Rosary Scriptural Sorrowful Mysteries Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1994 Rosary of Reconciliation

10

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Jan. 21,1994

At diocesan health facilities

DEOLINDO SA, president ofthe resident council at Our Lady's Haven, Fairhaven, with nurse aide Maria Pereira.

DEOLINDO SA, or "Dooley" he likes to be called, was recently elected president of the resident council at Our Lady's Haven, Fairhaven. He takes his duties seriously, he says, as "it's the first time I've had such an important position."

For Dooley the post represents renewed activity, confidence and dignity. A stroke several years ago left him unable to use his arms and legs. Unable to use the home's standard wheelchairs, he spent his days reclining in a "geri" chair. But the heavy, bulky chair meant that he saw life "lying down," and it was difficult for staff and family to maneuver him to various activities.

"Dooley really needed a special lightweight reclining chair,'" said social worker Donna Marshall, who obtained one from a private charity which provides such chairs for children.

The new wheelchair is "very good" Dooley reported, "and much more comfortable. I can get around here, or go outside. I'm able to go on trips," including a summer boat trip aboard the Bay Queen.

He's seeing life "from a different perspective now," Dooley said.

From" Why we do what we do, .. a 1993 publication of Diocesan Health Facilities ~s

* * * *

THE GREATER FALL RIVER . Alzheimer's Support Group announces the addition of a daytime session for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other memory-impairing illness.

Sessions will be held 12:30 - 2 p.m. fourth Tuesdays beginning Jan. 25 at Catholic Memorial Home, 2446 Highland Ave., Fall River.

Paulette M. Masse, MS, LSW, co-founder of the group, said that it is designed to meet the needs of older caregivers who may not wish to drive at night.

The group will be facilitated by John Rogers, LSW, social worker in the Memorial Home's special care unit for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. Rogers has over nine 'vears experience working with elder~ and leading support groups for family members. .

The group will offer an opportunity for members to express feelings about giving care, and in turn, to receive support from their peers.

Educational programs will also be occasionally scheduled.

Evening sessions of the Alzhei-

iner's Support Group, facilitated

by Ms. Masse, will remain at 7 - 9 p.m. second Tuesdays, at Family Services, Inc., 151 Rock St., Fall River.

For more information about either session, call Ms. Masse at 997-9396 or Rogers at 679-00 II.

* * * *

MARIAN MANOR, located in Taunton's Historic District and home to 116 elderly men and women, has recaptured its tradition of elegance as the former Taunton Inn with the renovation of the building's exterior and the addition of awnings and a canopied walkway.

Rebuilt in 1938 after a fire destroyed the original, the Taunton Inn flourished as the location for wedding receptions and other special events. When purchased by the diocese of Fall River in 1960, it was converted to a health care facility and opened in 1962.

For Kevin McKay, who coordinated the recent renovation project, inspiration came after visiting New York and noticing how some. of the city's hotels resembled Marian Manor.

"Awnings and canopies added elegance to buildings that were already attractive. Since the physical buildings were similar, I knew the awnings would give a polished look to Marian Manor," said McKay, director of facilities engineering and administrative services for Diocesan Health Facilities.

He used vintage postcards of the Manor to guide renovations, and worked closely th..-oughout the project with the Taunton Historic District: Commission.

"The Commission is very pleased with the results of the restoration; it adds to the ambiance of the district," said Christine White, acting chairperson of the Taunton Historic District Commission.

Marian Manor administrator Thomas Healy agreed that restoring the home "brings back such good memories of the past for residents and visitors."

The Manor's new look has indeed captured the community's attention. Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, said, "The exceptional re,novation of Marian Manor is a strong signal that our Church is vibrant and is anxious to take its place in this locality: The Manor' stands out in our city and makes one proud to be associated with our Catholic community."

Pro-life action Do you realize that the U.S. Court decision making abortion a legal way of death in America came down on a date smack in the middle of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity?

The 7 to 2 Roe v. Wade decision came down 21 years ago tomorrow, on January 22, 1973, unleashing a holocaust of death from which this nation may never recover.

Christian Unity Prayer week has been celebrated from January 18 to 25 around the world for several score years, but we Catholics didn't jump in with both feet until Vatican 11 adopted its Decree on Ecumenism in 1964.

The arrival of the "Black Mon~ day" decision during Unity Week posed special problems for"me. during the 1970s. The diocesan weekly I was editing was sending annual unity issues to several thousand Protestant congregations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

The unity special was generally met with ecumenical enthusiasm.

When the 1974 edition came out however, it was loaded with antiabortion items as well as essays, features and articles on ecumenism. Requests to stop sending the issue began.

The objections were not numerous, but it was obvious the abortion emphasis was putting the rocks on a road to church unity that had only recently opened.

Like a family gathering where politics and religion are usually avoided, it was at路least awkward.

S~preme

So what's a poor editor to do? I knew the attack on abortion had to continue while the slaughter of the innocents went on. I halted the free ecumenical distribution. Two key sentences in the Ecumenism Decree guided me: "In ecumenical work, Catholics must assuredly be concerned for their separated brethren.... keeping them informed about the Church; making the first approaches toward them.

"But their primary duty is to make an honest and careful appraisal of whatever needs to be renewed and achieved in the Catholic household itself, in order that its life may bear witness... to the teachings arid ordinances which have been handed down from Christ...." . My primary duty was to inform . Catholics about the sin of abortion and what could be done about it. Who can remain silent when thousands of unborn children are chopped, burned or siphoned to death daily in'the nation's abortion mills?

Who but the Church is better equipped to bear witness to Gospel teachings about the value of human life? Leviticus (19: 16) declares: "Nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor's life is at stake."

Is not an unborn child your neighbor?

Each of us is.called to pray, speak out and take action in the defense of helpless human life.

Many of us are busy, too busy, but

By BERNARD CASSERLY

we seniors surely have more time to get involved.

There are so many ways in which we retirees can respond to the silent cries of the unborn a nd their frightened, helpless and d(:sperate, mothers that I hope no or.,e holds back - fe~ring there's nothing one person can do.

In the remote possibility that you are strongly pro-life but don't know what to do about it; do I have news for you! On the shelves of your favorite religious' bookstore is a great paperback with you in mind.

"52 Simple Things You Can Do to Be Pro-Life" is for pro-Lifers of every age, but especially for those of us willing to share our spare time 'and years of experie:nce by helping those most in need: Among the simple things are: Babysit for single' parents, volunteer in maternity homes, work at a pregnancy counseling center, speak out for chastity, hold a garage sale for infant needs, do research, picket an abortion clinic and much more.

"52 Simple Things," by Anne Pierson and Carol Risser is published by Bethany House, Minneapolis, MN 55438. Its !iUggestions could give new meaning to your golden years.

l06-year-old recalls changes. in Churcll MONTEREY, Calif. (CNS) Althea Seamark, 106, is a woman filled with the spirit of hope. It's seen in the sparkle of her eyes and it's heard in her voice as she des. cribes a special relationship she has always had with St. Anthony.

She is undaunted by the changes she has seen in the Catholic Church over the past century. When asked what advice she has for young Catholics today, she said, "Study the faith. Learn about the faith and listen to the sermons. They give good sermons these days."

Miss Seamark, who is undoubtedly one of the oldest Catholics in the Monterey diocese, never married. She raised a nephew in her native Nebraska and came to Cali.fornia years ago to attend his wedding. Since then she's found, a home - an apartment of her own in Capitola and a parish in. town, St. Joseph's.

One of the biggest changes she has seen'in the church over the years has been the involvement of lay people.

"I don't care how much they change things .... Change is good," she told The Observer, diocesan paper in Monterey. "Just so they don't change the host, and I don't think they ever will."

Remembering the many years of Latin Masses, she described today's Masses as easier to understand. As a little girl, she began singing in the church choir with her mother and stayed with it for 40 years. She said she likes the songs at today's Masses because "they jazz them up a bit these days."

When asked how she has kept such a strong faith through all her many years, she closed her eyes and thought for a minute or so.

"You must trust," she said. "You

can't get anywhere unless you trust. ... The good Lord probably wants that more than anything else." ' Concerning prayer, Miss Seamark say~ the rosary and the prayers she learned "by rote" as a child.

She attributes her devotion to Mary to her own mother who converted , to Catholicism because the church held Mary in high regard.

Marina Wood, a friend who cooks and cleans a few times a week for Miss Seamark, said her friend has a special prayer list that includes intentions for many of her friends. "She has a special relationship with St. Anthony and never fails to get us a great parking

space whenever we go out," Ms. Wood said.

"All she has to do is clc,se her eyes and concentrate for a few minutes, and then she tells me, 'Don't worry, Tony will take care of u.s.'"

Miss Seamark smiled in agreement and added that she has had the help of a wonderful guardian angel who takes good care of her.

Miss Seamark said she doesn't want to make plans for her 107th birthday in February, because she never knows what might happen.

"If I'm alive, we'll probably celebrate, and if I'm not ... they can celebrate anyway!"

Councils on Aging Rehoboth COA board of directors meeting 7 p.m. Feb. 14, open to the public. Birthday party for seniors celebrating birthdays October through March Jan. 26; reservations required by 3 p. m. today.

Tax filing assistance 9-10 a,m.

Feb. 1,8,15; appointment required.

Senior Citizen Club meets 1:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and 17. Morton Hospital's Speech, Hearing and Language Center will present program on "Swallowing" for stroke, accident victims 9 a.m. Jan. 28. Charlton Memorial Hospital Mobile Health Services Van will be at COA providing free exams Feb. II. Dennis Novelist and poet Robert Pease will moderate Men's Forum 2 to 4 p.m. Jan, 25. A pharmacist will review prescription medications 2 p.m. Feb. 2: participants should

bringall of their prescription drugs with them. Tax filing assistance by appointment Mondays and Wednesdays Feb, 2 through Ap:il 15, Information: COA. 385-506'7, Mansfield Participants asked to bring cultural or ethnic dish for Heritage Food Festival potluck luncheon noon Jan. 28; sign up with Althea Sankey at COA, 261-7368, ~I a.m. to noon weekdays.

Dighton Cardiovascular Exercise program 9: 15-10: 15 a. m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Charlton Memorial Hospital Mobile Health Services Van will be at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School I:30 to 4 p.m. Jan. 26. Free blood pressure screenings by appointment second Tuesdays at senior c(:nter.

Mass is celebrated 10 a.m. first Tuesdays. Information: COA, 8230095.

Ecumenical group works for unity WASHINGTON (CNS) When Suzy Isser was a young girl, she used to run to the other side of the street in fear if Shf: saw a priest.

Now the 84-year-old Jewish woman says she and Catholic priests not only walk the same side of the street, but they work together to fight prejudice and racial stereotypes.

Their work begins at home with members of their churches and synagogues who get together with 'a Jewish-Catholic dialogue group sponsored by Albany's Diocesan Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs,.

Twenty years ago, some members of the initial group began meeting occasionally in people's homes to discuss aspects of their faith in "living-room dialogues."

Today, the group continues to meet for discussions, workshops and trips. It has also formed two spinoff groups in the Albany area.

"We've come a long way," said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany. The bishop, who was in Washington touring the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum with Albany's Jewish-Catholic Dialogue Committee, said group members have gone beyond the "honeymoon" stage and now feel free to disagree.

Rabbi Martin Silverman of Albany agreed. "At first, our subject matter was light and there wouldn't be disagreement, but today we discuss the nitty-gritty of theology," he told CNS. He said although he had been involved with interreligious relations for years, he never would have imagined a Catholic-Jewish group going to a Holocaust memorial together. Other groups "didn't have the close relationships" the Albany group has, he added.

But getting to be friends did not happen overnight. Many group members say it took place gradually and was particularly strengthened by a 1986 reconciliation service led by Bishop Hubbard and Rabbi Silverman.

During the servicl~, attended by more than 1,000 Christians and Jews, Christians asked God for forgiveness for their past sins against the Jewish people; and Rabbi Silverman said he still gets calls from people askng, "How did you do it?"

Hundreds of dialogue groups, according to Eugenl~ Fisher, associate director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical Interreligious Affairs of the National Confl~rence ofCatholic Bishops, are meeting across the country. He added that it would be helpful if such groups could 'go to the U.S. ·Holoca.ust Memorial Museum together.

"I would like to urge this as a Lenten pilgrimage," he added, saying the museum forces participants to face "complex challenges."

Few, older, varied WASI-IINGTOI'\ (CNS) In 1993 U.S. Catholic seminarians

were fewer. older and from more divcrse backgrounds than in the past. says the National Catholic Educational Association. which foundtheill to be "pra~'erful men" who spcnd significant time in pri\'atc prayer. meditation and spiritual reading as well as in liturgical worship. On ,church issues. thcv "refuse to bc casilv stcrcotypcd .... Thc Iconscrvati\'~ or lihcrall fabcls do not WIld,."' said thc NCEA.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri .. Jan. 21.1994

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with a young Liberian who joined a guerrilla group at age 14 after seeing his family massacred by the forces of Charles Taylor. The youth, named Brahima, told how he spent six months in training and was at first used for surveillance operations, then armed patrols. .

Today, he said, he executes prisoners after they are interrogated by higher-ups. He described without emotion how he leads each prisoner down to the river, orders him to strip, fires the gun in the air to frighten him and then shoots him through the heart. The river turns red when he kicks the body in, he said.

It's no wonder that re-entry into society is often difficult or impossible for the child-soldiers. Father Brian Starken, a priest in the Sierra Leone Diocese of Freetown and Bo, told Le Monde that most of the 102 young soldiers at his rehabilitation center are not ready for normal social life. About IS percent will never be, he said.

Father Starken said some boys

11

have been welcomed back into their families. But other experts point out that, in many cultures, participation in atrocities makes the child-soldier a permanent outcast.

An Irish missionary who works with UNICEF in Sierra Leone, Father Michael Hickey, said one key in rehabilitation is teaching the child to be his own age again.

The youths he worked with were all hyperaggressive at first but eventually have learned to dance, to play and to sing.

He said it was wonderful to discover that "beneath these killing machines were still children."

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RIFLE SLUNG around hi~ neck, a 13-year-old Liberian rides a bicycle nea~ Monrovia. (eNS/ Reuters photo)

Another day behind a gun VATICAN CITY (CNS) Most children celebrated Christmas 1993 by singing carols and opening presents. But for thousands of kids in the world's trouble spots, it was just another day behind a gun.

The ranks of armies today are swelling with children, a fact that weighed heavily on Pope John Paul 1\ over the holiday season.

His me'ssage for World Peace Day Jan. 1deplored the "very sad fact" that boys and girls are increasingly "forced to join armed militias and have to fight for ca~ses they do not always understand."

UNICEF estimates that 200,000 children under age I 5 are currently enrolled in armies or militias.

Many are forced to join and are given drugs to render them insensible to the violence they are expected to commit, a UNICEF report said.

Other child-soldiers, like the notorious "small boys unit" in liberia, are routinely used by militia leaders to carry out executions and atrocities. A great many suffer from post-trauma disturbances; when the fighting stops, the task of reintegrating them frequently falls to church agencies r Children are most often forced to take up arms in civil wars where international monitoring is difficult. Experts poin~ to widespread kidnapping of youths by rebels in Mozambique in past years, forced enrollment by theSendero Luminoso guerrillas of Peru. and the indoctrinated and "fanaticized" ehild armil~s in Cambodia.

The pope has learned about these "children of war" during his trips to Angola, Mozambique and Uganda, among other places. Re-

cently, his personal envoy to many global hot spots, French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, gave a chilling first-hand description of young combatants in one such place.

"There were boys and girls about 12 years old, each with a weapon slung over their shoulder, who inspected me at about 20 checkpoints I had to pass through in order to rejoin the camp of a rebel chief," he told a Vatican conference on children in November.

On the same trip, the cardinal said he visited a refugee camp and found many maimed children; they had been Sf:nt on foot through heavily mined fields ahead of the regular militias. This is a task frequently carried out by childsoldiers.

Cardinal Etchegaray said he has seen 1O-year-olds used as full combatants in armed groups. Most are forced to join, and "are often subjected to cruel treatment or savage rites in order to harden them for combat," he said.

Under a 1989 U.N. convention on the rights of children, signatory countries agreed to take all possible steps to ensure that no one under age IS participates directly in hostilities. But particularly in civil wars, enforcement is practically impossible.

Experts point out that youths sometimes volunteer for armed combat after having witnessed the murder of family members in armed attacks. For these youngsters, revenge is only part of the motive; to them, life as a soldier may appear more promi~ing than life' as an orphan, a beggar or a refugee.

The French newspaper Le Monde recently published an interview

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Forward thinking ntatks,decade' of U .8.- Vatican diplomacy VATICAN CITY (CNS) ,- The 10th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the Uni: ted States and the Holy See was celebrated with a quiet luncheon at the U.S. Embassy.

Embassy personnel and Vatican officials describe the tenor of U.S.Vatican relations the same way: quiet, low profile, but important.

When the United States and the Vatican formally established ftill relations Ja'n. 10, 1984, some hailed the move as a breakthrough but others denounced it as'a violation of the U. S. Constitution.

Ten years and four ambassadors later, Vatican and U.S. diplomats stress the importance of their ongoing dialogue, particularly on issues of peace and social welfare.

Both sides have grown comfortable with the improved channel of communication and the opportunity it gives them to explain their concerns and actions.

Fears that diplomatic ties would drill a one-denomination hole through the wall of separation between church and state seem to be unfounded. Vatican and U.S. diplomats insist their discussions do not include theological questions, the appointment of bishops or any other internal church matters.

"What is the Vatican? Most people think it's a place to visit pI' pray," said the current ambassador to the Vatican, Raymond L. Flynn.

But the Holy See is more than that, he said. "It plays a role in the world community, and we profit from our relationship with the Vatican's highly professiona.l diplomats," Flynn, the former mayor of Boston, said that in politics a person takes big credit for small achievements.

His experience with Vatican diplomacy, he said, is just the oppo:;ite: Important developments - most to the benefit of the poor, the disadvantaged and the refugee - unfold quietly.

"The Holy See has a religious identity, but its proper contribution to the international community is its moral voice, interested in the good of human beings and the way human bei'ngs interact," said a Vatican official.

"Diplomacy is dialogue, not intrigue," he said. Full relations allow the dialogue to be maintained and grow over time.

Cameron Hume, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, said Vatican and U.S. diplomatic efforts

Sarajevo parish suffers from "road tax" on food SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (CNS) - In the shadow of a zone called "snipt:;r's alley" and of a hulking Holiday Inn, a team of St. J~seph's parish volunteers has been feeding upwards of 2.000 people per week at their church in Sarajevo. . But recently they said their goodwill mission was in jeopardy from a Serbian toll.

Bosnian Serb forces controlling roads leading to the besieged city have upped their "tax" on relief convoys to nearly one-third of all supplies being brought in, said St. Joseph pastor Father Ivan.

Unlike Sarajevo's 42 other public relief centers, St. Joseph's does not get supplies from the UN or the Red Cross. It relies on help from Caritas, a Catholic aid agency.

Most supplies for the parish mission come via a well-traveled road linking Sarajevo to the Adriatic seaport of Split, Croatia, and passing through' Bosnian Serb positions.

Once in the city, the trucks must run a gauntlet of sniper and. mortar fire before delivering their cargo.

Most UN and Red Cross supp~ 'Iies earmarked for central Bosnia travel a similar route, but because they are often escorted by armed United Nations Protection Force soldiers (UNPROFOR), they pay no "duty" at the checkpoints.

Some Serbs "take everything from the trucks, and sometimes harm the drivers," Father Ivan said. "They even take the trucks."

Bosnian Serb officials contacted in Pale, their principal siege garrison, denied their forces levy an unofficial duty on humanitarian aid.

Prior to the war, St. Joseph's mainly served the, city's Croats, , but now it makes no distinction among Muslims, Serbs or Croats, Father Ivan said.

"We give food to everyone," he' said. "We are open early in the morning, and there are a'lways lines of people."

SARAJEVO SHELLING: Smoke from an artillery shell rises next to a Catholic Church in Sarajevq, BosniaHerzegovina, where Serb forces intensified shelling in early January. Sarajevo Archbishop Vinko Puljic said the local church was "on the brink of extermination." (CNS/ Reuters photo) . _" ,,' " .â&#x20AC;˘ ". ',' ' ... _, " ' ,- <."'-,"

share the same persistence and farsightedness as they pursue goals which may seem impossible at the moment, but will bear fruit a decade from now.

The payoff can be seen in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, he said, something for which Vatican activity and U. S. cold war policies share credit.

The goal of diplomacy for the United States and the Vatican, Hume said, is to make sure that "the next century will be less tragic than this one."

As with any relationship, the 10 years of formal U.S.-Vatican ties have had their ups and downs.

Pope John Paul II has had public meetings and private discussions with U.S. Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton. The pope and presidents have had an opportunity not just to share concerns about specific world trouble spots, but to get to know a little bit about the personality behind the diplomatic communiques.

Church holds to. traditiollal definition of family

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - As the Catholic Church'celebrates the 1994 International Year of the Family, it is still defining family as Mom, Dad and the kids.

When the United Nations proclaimed the year, it dodged the question: "What is a family?"

The Catholic Church has a definition and continues to proclaim it despite alternatives portrayed in A highlight of the relations, acthe media or reflected in statistics cording to U.S. and Israeli offion modern life. cials, is the U.S. Embassy's efforts A family is an institution "based - under presidential order - to on the bonds of marriage, a stable encourage the establishment of relationship between a man and a Vatican-Israeli diplomatic relawoman, communicating love and tions. An agreement leading to the life, open to having children." said exchange of ambassadors was Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo. signed in late December.

The cardinal. president of the The tense times in the relationPontifical Council for the Family, ship proved the importance of said defending, the traditional having an established link for dis- definition of the family. celebratcussions. ing its strengths and lobbying for whi:n former Panamanian dic- pro-family government policies are tator Manuel Noriega holed up 'all part of the church's plans for inside a Vatican nunciature as in- the international year. vading, U.-S. forces tried, to arrest But 'the defenSe 'of tradition does him in December 1989, the U.S. not mean the Vatican is ignoring ambassador had repeated meetings the millions of people throughout with Vatican officials, the world living in broken or After assurances that Noriega wounded families. Nordoes it mean would receive a fair trial in the church officials are unaware of United States, the Vatican nuncio attempts to redefine the term in Panama convinced him to sur- family. render.

The United Nations, in its backOne of the lowest points in the ground material on the internadecade-long relationship was when tional year, did not enter the fray the United States led a multina- over terminology. tional force in the 1991 Persian "Families assume diverse forms Gulf War. and functions from one country to The Vatican had repeatedly call- another and within each national ed for caution in getting Iraq out society. These express the diver.of Kuwait, and Pope John Paul sity of personal preferences and asked President Bush to "avoid societal conditions," the material decisions which would be irrevers- said. ible and bring suffering to thouWhile the Vatican distributed sands of families." the U. N. material, it made it very As the 10th anniversary of clear that Catholic celebrations must stress the fact that "the famVatican-U .S. diplomatic relations ily does have its own fundamental came and went, the channels of identity and nature, inscribed upon communication were filled with it by God the Creator." concerns about another war - the That is the reality the church continued fighting in Bosniawill celebrate and promote, CarHerzegovina. dinal Lopez Trujillo said in an Joint efforts have included cointerview with Catholic News Seroperation in delivering h,umanitarian aid - usually paid for by the 'vice.

"But the so-called incomplete United States and distributed by local Catholic charities - and families. those in difficulty or at helping resettle refugees. risk or separated, can also profit Staff members at the embassy from a reflection, an encouragehave kept Washington informed ment and prayer." he said.

"The church wants to be with about papal and other Vatican statements about the international these people. It looks at broken community's response to the confamilies with sadness, but also with mercy," he said. "The church tinued fighting, and they have briefed Vatican officials on the cannot do any differently. It cannot accept divorce."

U.S. positions and plans.

As Pope John Paul told PresiAnother thing the church leaders say is unacceptable is "domesdent Reagan in 1987 on his first visit to the United States after tic partnership" laws that would ambassadors were exchanged: give homosexual couples the same "Diplomatic relations are meant legal standing as a married man to facilitate a more fruitful diaand woman. logue on the basic questions facing "Respect for God's will, so clearly ..the international community.': . revealed. in the. order of creation,...

demands that the church I)ppose any attempt to redefine marriage and the family on any other basis," Pope John Paul II told a group of U.S. bishops last spring.

The major papal celebrati on will probably take place at the Vatican in October after Catholics have had several months to reflect on themes related to the fami.ly, the cardinal said.

The Council for the Family has asked every national bishops' conference and every diocese in the world to participate in the international year with celebr2,tions, prayer, symposiums and lobbying efforts. ' The Vatican's 1983 "Charter on the Rights of the Family" is the church's "starting point for dialogue, including with politidans," the cardinal said.

The right to marry, esta':>lish a family and determine its size, to educate children and to freely practice one's faith are all proclaimed in the document as "inherentrights which are inalienable."

One violation of these principles that Cardinal Lopez Trujillo said is increasingly common is an, effort by international aid organizations to make population control a prerequisite for assistance in the developing world.

Vatican concerns for the rights of the family extend to its portrayal in the media as well.

Families have the right "not to be assaulted at home by materials which could upset family :.ife or undermine family values," said Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, in June.

"Is it too much to ask that the media not promote or glamorize divorce, premarital and extramarital sexual activity or homm,exual activity?" he. asked, adding that families have "the right to a positive image of the family" in ::nedia programs.

When Pope John Paul add ressed a preparatory meeting for the international year, he asked that Catholic celebrations show the church's Concern for families in difficult situations.

"Special attention must be reserved for families who live in poverty, in the midst of wars. who are forced to leave their own ,:ountries or who experience vRrious kinds of pain and suffering," the pope said.

------The Way to Speak

"I have never, never in my life succeeded when I spoke wil h the faintest trace of harshness. I have always noted that if one wishes to .move another's mind one must be ever so careful not to embitter that person's heart,"-St. Vince:lt de P.aul . . ..... :

~

Youth

THE ANCHOR-Diocete of Fall River-Fri., Jan. 21, 1994

13

Continued from Page One a popular presenter for religious education retreats and workshops.

For the past three years he was guest lecturer at Bos.ton College for a course on Evangelization in the Early Church.

Evangelization mcans inviting people to God's reign - to conversion and to discipleship.

"Spreading the Gospel to peers. and empowering young people to evangelize," Father Jodoin says, "is the simple yet enormous task which I hope for this office to undertake. What is most exciting are the countless ways available to communicate the Gospel to youth.

I will draw heavily on my past experience in the area of communication and the performing arts to lead young people toward a Christcentered lifestyle."

He said that one of his first tasks will be to establish an advisory committee of laity, religious and clerics to work with him on a diocesan plan for youth evangelization. The Office of Youth Evangelization will be located at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River where the Office for Youth Ministry services is also located.

Urider Bishop O'Malley's restructuring of youth ministry in the Diocese of Fall River, the new office wi'll work collaboratively with other diocesan services to youth , In 1976, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops published a document entitled "A Vision of Youth Ministry." In it the bishops declared that "no one aspect of youth ministry is independent of others; they are all interdependent elements of a unified total vision. The multifaceted nature of youth mini!;try requires a process of collaboration among all persons involved in it, rather than fragmentation or competition. In responding to the total young person, youth ministry touches on educational, psychological, social, and spiritual needs, and requires complementary skills of catechists, liturgists, coaches, young people, counselors, parents, adult advisors and others."

Pro-life postcard campaign

BISHOP O'MALLEY greets Msgr. Patrick J. O'Neill at a gathering of priests and seminarians of the diocese during the holiday season. (Studio 0 photo) ,

School fundraiser spreads MIAMI (CNS) - Catholic schools in south Florida are now the first large-scale extension of a fundraising plan in~ugurated five years ago in the dio'cese of Santa Rosa, Calif.

Thirteen elementary schools and three high schools in the Miami archdiocese, from Key West to Fort lauderdale, are participating in the $CRI P program begun by Msgr. Thomas J. Keys, vicar general and finance officer of the Santa Rosa diocese.

In 1988, when St. Vincent de Paul High School in Petaluma, Calif., was in danger of closing because of a' $25<);000 deficit, Msgr. Keys met with parent~ and $CRIP was among the ideas discussed.

Patrick Heffernan, director of the Miami archdi~cese's Education Endowment Fund, and the National $CRIP Center receives discounts from a variety of merchants, including national and regional chain food and department stores. Schools and other program

participants then purchase certificates in different denominations, and the schools or groups realize a profit on the difference between the face values paid by buyers and the cost of the discounted certificates.

Merchants who participate differ in each area of the country.

Although the Miami archdiocese is the only Catholic diocese participating in Florida, a large number of Christian schools elsewhere in' the state have joined the program.

Any nonprofit group is eligible to participate regardless of religious affiliation', including Scout troops, according to Heffernan.

Right now, he added, "the demand for certificates is so heavy that personnel are working around the clock in two shifts to fill orders at the national center."

For more information, contact ,Msgr. Keys at the Santa Rosa Chancery, P.O. Box 1297, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.

Continued from Page One care; it destroys human life, and most Americans don't want to pay for it. Please don't force me to pay for abortions against my conscience. As your constituent, I urge you to keep abortion out of needed health care reform."

In addition, a pro-life hotline is available. For $8.95 Western Union messages will be sent to the caller's Representative and two Senators urging them to keep. abortion out of health care reform. The number, established by the National Committee for a Human life Amendment, is 1-800-451-3344.

March for Life The theme of the 1994 March for life is "Yes America, the Intent of Abortion Is to Kill a Baby," and the focus will be on abortionrelated issues in health care reform, said the March's founder and president, Nellie J. Gray.

Participants and speakers will gather at the Ellipse behind the White House for a rally preceding the march.

Normally held on the Jan. 22 anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade ruling, this year's march and rally are a day earlier so participants may be able to reach members of Congress in their offices on a business day, Miss Gray said.

Next year, when the anniversary falls on a Sunday, the march will be moved to the following Monday, she added.

"People whose main purpose in coming is to go to Congress get frustrated when they can't even get in the building," she added.

For a second time. the annive,rsary observance includes a March for Life convention beginning tonight and continuing tomorrow.

The sessions, which are closed to the press, will consider "a,positive response" from the pro-life movement on the subject of health care,

Carilyn Flynn Her oldest daughter said to her, "M ummy, we'll love him or her no matter what."

On June 10, 1976, the time had arrived. She was brought to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, and family and friends prayed and waited.

The news "It's a girl!" brought tears to everyone's eyes. Mommy was fine, and now she cradled i'n her arms her new baby girl, who was perfectly healthy in every way. As this baby grew, everyone would be reminded of God and His faithfulness. Especially me, for I was that baby.

I am now 17 years old, and am eternally thankful to God and my mother fpr having the faith and courage to have me. Her faith has inspired me, and influenced and strengthened my own. Her sacrifice for me has shown how much she loves me, and taught me how precious life is. This is why my choice is life, for if my mother had not felt the same way, I would not be here today.

Karen Read 15 and 44 have abortions each year. However, 18and 19-year-olds ha.ve an abortion rate twice that of the national averagl~. I do not understand how a girl can be "mature" enough to become pregnant but cannot comprehend the consequences. Those who abort are selfish since their decision results in the death of an innocent, baby just because the)' cannot cope or handle it. Those who claim they arc not ready seem to be forgetting a, ;major i.s~l,le; What about the baby? Docs not a baby have a cnance for

life even though he or she has no control over the situation? We are wasting a valuable resource and an awesome chance to love a human being and be loved in return.

I choose life because it is the moral thing to do.

Those who choose abortion miss the chance to be a part of the miracle of life, given to us by God. If a child, adolescent or adult was walking down the street and was shot and killed for no apparent reason, many people would be aghast, shocked, and deeply saddened. I agree with these feelings completely, since an innocent human being has been murdered. However, ifan unborn fetus is murdered, no one is accountable and no one is punished by society. But respect for the dignity of life has been tarnished. I see no difference between these circumstances. Why should these killings receive totally different reactions? Does a fetus not have the right to be labeled as a human being just because it is unborn? How can abortion be permitted or allowed? .This senseless type of killing is still legal in 13 states.

In the area where I live, I am acquainted with many people who would love to have the opportunity to raise a child. I am sure that there are many more people in the world who also would welcome the chance to raise a child. Everyone, including a . young teenage girl, has the ability to love a child.

A pregnant girl who does not believe she is ready to become a mother should be willing to place her child up for adoption. Such a decision would bring joy to someone who may not be able to bear a child. I choose life because as a society we must take advantage' orihe beautiful, loving gift which God has given "u's; th'e gift6f a child.· , ,.

Food Stamp Recipients A record 27.4 million Americans enrolled in the Food Stamp Program in March 1993. More than 85 percent of recipients are children, women or elderly. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

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Why My Choice Is Life Continued from Page One

said a flier about the convention.

New York Cardinal John J. O'Connor will be keynote speaker at the convention opening session today. The annual Rose Dinner, to be held tomorrow, will feature U.S. Rep. Tom Delay, R-Texas, as speaker. Delay recently was successful in amending the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances bill to exempt parents of minor·' children from penalties related to protests at abortion clinics.

Speakers at the rally and other events are also expected to again focus on abortion-related changes made in laws under the Clinton administration, as they did last year when the march and rally fell just two days after President Clinton's inauguration.

Changes in federal policy instituted by the new administration include: the provision of Medicaid funds for abortions when the pregnancy results from rape or incest; the removal of restrictions on the scientific research use offetal tissue obtained from abortions; and the lifting of prohibitions against offering abortions at U.S. military installations overseas.

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14

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall R~er-Fri., Ja-n. 21,1994

By Charlie Martin

BELIEVE

By Linda L. Rome The long gray winter season of no vacation is now underway in schools. In homes. a winter season of routine has settled in. As we settle in. we also are temptl:d to settle back -- back to old· ways of doing things. All too quickly. our resolutions for the new year are lost from mind. .

But some of our resolutions were very practical. like getting homework done before: bedtime instead of by midnight. And ~.ome resolutions were spiritual. like being kinder to siblings or forgiving those who wrong us.

Sometimesa resolution combines both the practical and the spiritual. like practicing self-control by dieting or exercising.

Do we actually possess the ability to make resolutions and keep them? Yes. but we need some road map for the ordinary times ahead if we are to succeed in what· we resolve upon.

Here's encouragement when tlie inevitable happens: I, Remember. resolutions arc goals. not realities. We learn something about ourselves merel:-' by deciding what we want to make better and then striving in that direction. We make a resolution a reality by striving toward it.

2. New. habits aren't built in a day. You're not off the hook because you yelled at your sister or stopped exercising for a week.

Self-discipline takes time. and just because you're not perfect doesn't give you cause to give up on yourself.

Learning to control your temper or studying for tests ahead of time. or doing 100 push-ups every day takes practice. And. as they say. you practice because you make mistakes. Don't expect to run the four-minute mile overnight: it may take you months or: even more than a year to achieve your goal.

3. If you try. .try again. you win.'

Perseverance is a virtue. but not an easy one. We're disappointed with ourselves when we don't do what we set out to do. and it takes courage to try again.

In the end. to learn to keep trying in the face of disappointlllent is an important part of life. Once you know how to do that. you may discoyer that the journey can be as important as arri\:ing at ~:our destination.

4. Finally. give yourself credit.

Pay attention to when vou do sucl'e~d, Keep a daily log: even if ·it's only a quick note on your calendar.

Too often \\ e remember only when wc fail. A wri'tten rccord '01' our small steps can help us start again.

Rapping altar boys hit the right note· METAIRIE, La. (CNS) - Forget Whoopi Goldberg's sister act.

In the movies the actress's character, posing as a nun, tries to turn lives around through music, but in real life St. Francis Xavier parish in Metairie has gone one better -actually 10 better - with Bless You Boyz -n- the Hood.

It's a rapping altar boy act that has been a local hit and is bursting on the national and world scene with a message.

From their debut on a local cable access channel, the 'USA cable channel is featuring the 10 altar boys on its "Show in a Minute'" segments. The London-based BBC is also airing the USA spot.

"Their en'ergy was great and their style was phenomenal," said USA producer John Hornaday, who filmed'the gr,oup at the church, last summer.

"Some may consider them sacrilegious, but they. have a strong message. We have re'ceived a g~eat' number of positive calls. on thi~ spot."

USA's "Show in a Minute" is aired twice an hour daily. But with 66 segments, in the :series played randomly, Hornaday said, "You have to be in the right place at the right time to catch it."

In the group's USA song, "We're the Altar Servers," they rap about why others should give praise to God. '

"We want others our age to be more interested in Christianity," said 12-year-old T.J. Vesely, who wrote all three songs the group performs. _ "I try to keep the words simple, concentrating mostly on the message." T.J. said. "And that is God is always a friend and always there for you, but you have to reach out to him.

"We want to help 'others'praise God. and hopefully it will have an effect on' others where, they will say, 'I want to be like them one day,''' he told the Clarion Herald, newspaper for the archdiocese of New Orleans.

The group hears positive feed- . , back from small children and parishioners...

"We always. hear things like, 'I want my son to grow up to be like you,''' said 13-year-old Trey Partain. "It makes you feel good to know you are makinga difference i~ people;s lives." . .

The group first appeared on local cable access skits that showed that "kids who love God do normal stuff," said Fa'ther Dennis Hayes, parochial vicar and head of the altar' boys.

Then they developed the rap idea and performed in their cassocks and surplices, resulting in their soaring popularity. ' "It is their own creative and ingenious way of bringing the mes- .

I am you, and you are me, Why's that such a mystery?

If you want it you got to believe.

Who are we?

We're who we are Riding on this great big star, We've got to stand up If we're gonna be free If you want it you got it You just got to believe Believe in yourself 'Cause it's all just a game We just want to be loved.

The Son of God is in our face Offering us eternal grace If you want it you got to believe 'Cause being free is a state of mind We'l one day leave this all behind Just put your faith in God And one day you'l see it If you want it you got it You just got to believe Believe in yourself 'Cause it's all just a game We just want to be loved.

The future's in' our present hands Let's reach right in Let's understand . If you want it You've got to believe If you want it you got it You just got to believe 'Believe in yourself .'Cause it's all just a game We just all want to be loved.

Written by Lenny Kravitz and Henry Hirsch. Sung by, .Lenny Kravitz(c) 1993 by Miss Bessie Music/Henry Hirsch Music (ASCAP) ARE YOU a Lenny Kravitz life, consider these lyrics: fan? I like his recent release, I. "Believe in yourseJf." Per"Believe." The song's message haps no decision is more signifis important for us to hear, no icant than the choice' to have matter what our age. faith in yourself. Such faith The song talks about faith provides you with courage when and how it affects our lives on disappointments, mistakes or several levels. When considerfailures enter your life. ing the place of belief in your . We give ourselves a powerful sage of Jesus to kids," Father Hayes said. "They take the Gospel and make it come alive and make it relevant to kids their own age."

Popularity is an extra for the group. They see their mission to promote Jesus and' religion in a positive light.

gif~ when ~e ~ffir~'~~'r in~~t~:' dignity and goodness. All ot her acts of belief flow from such,an attitude.

2. "J ust put your faith in God." God's will for us is that we discover the best in ourselves and find happiness in our lives. God's strength and guidance are always available.

Our part is to put genu:,ne faith in our desires, dreams and abilities, and to back up this belief with ongoing effort and perseverance. Believing in God is to trust that his love and cro:ative power will assist us as we strive for our goals.

3. "If you want it you got it, you just got to believe." I agree with what writer Wayne Dyer says about the familiar saying, "I'll believe it when I see it." The statement needs to be switched around, for we will "see it when we believe it."

What we believe about a !:ituation often determines what occurs. F~r example,' if you beli!;ve you deserv!: love and friendship in your life, people ~ill emerge to form c,aring connectio~s with you. On the other hand, if you believe no one is ever going to be there for you, you are likely to experience painful loneliness.

Consequently, we need to ta.ke a period inventory of what il: is we believe about ourselves.

4. "The future's in 'our pn~s­ ent hands." We're given lots of choices in this life. We are r.,ot powerless victims. With God's help and guidance, we can get through any current hurt and find healing for our pain.

We can use the gift of ima,gination to visualize a differe:nt set of outcomes and circumstances. So, believe in your ability to turn your vision of the future into present reality.

Know that faith is powerful, "magical" stuff. Affirm your belief in yourself and in God, who is your ally.

And dare to dream big.

Your comments are welcomed

by Charlie Martin, RR 3, Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.

"We don't do this for the praise or television spots," T.J. said. "We have just made a promise to God that we will keep doing our bl:st to serve him."

THAT'S A RAp: T.J. Vesely (left) leads the rapping altar boys of Metairie, La. (eNS photo)

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In our

Catholic celeb'rations honor Dr. King

schools' Coyle-Cassidy Sister Mary Catherine Burns, SUSC, a physics teacher at Coyle & Cassidy High School, Taunton, was among 40 U.S. high school science teachers invited to "LabFocus '93" at Boise, Idaho, State University.

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the American Assn. of Physics Tcachers, the meeting brought together outstandin~ high school and college educators to discuss laboratory procedures.

"Your school can be proud to be represented by Sister Mary Catherine," said meeting dire:ctor Richard W. Peterson. He notcd that the high s«hool teachers drafted an "action putcome" staterpent at the end of.the conference, offering an agenda for high school laboratories and reminding the education communitythat laboratories will play a crucial role in quality science teaching in the 21st century.

GARY REGO of New Bedford, chairman of the art department at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, presented a gift of four framed paintings to Bishop Sean O'Malley during the bishop's recent visit to the school. The paintings depict four Marian symbols: Stella' Maris (Star of the Sea), the Mystical Rose, the Seat of Wisdom and the monogram • • • * for Mary.

In sports, Coyle & Cassidy sophA selection of Rego's work omore Eric Ferris is averaging' is on display at the New Bedover 27 points per basketball game ford YMCA this month. and is ranked among the top 10 players in Eastern Massachusetts boys' basketball scoring.

Senior track captain Sean FlaSophomore Derek Sousa has herty is thus far undefeated in one been nominated to represent Bishand two-mile races, running a 4.44 ' op Stang High School, North mile and a 10.25 two-mile, while Dartmouth, at the Hugh O'Brian Rachel Rothman is unbeaten in Leadership Seminar in June. The the 1000-yard run.

Tiverton, RI, resident, was selected Mike Mc;mntain, with seven goals and five assists, is seventh-ranking from among fellow sophomores scorer in conference hockey stand- for his leadership ability.

Sousa is class president and a ings. two-year member of the student council. He has served on the Academic Board and is currently on the Administrative Committee.

He is also active in campus ministry and soccer.

Bishop Stang

St . J ames-,St . J 0 h n The sixth grade social studies class at SI. James-SI. John School, New Bedford, recently presented projects on ancient civilizations in Greece, .Rome, Egypt and Sumer.

The'projects, which included maps, models of architecture and information on artifacts, were displayed for the fourth and fifth grades and principal Edmund Borges assixthgraders answered questions about their research.

In March the sixth grade will hold an International Day, for which they will research a country of their choice.

Bishop Connolly Two Bishop COflnolly sophomore runners won a medal recently at the Auerbach Fre~hman-Sophomore Track and Field Meet at the Massachusetts Institute of Tech-

ON TRACK: 'Coyle-Cassidy athletes Sean Flaherty and Rachel Rothman are undefeated in trade distance events.

Flaherty, a senior, has won a total of 10 races on, the onemile and two-mile events. Miss Rothman, a sophomore, has won all of her Eastern Athletic Conferen'ce I OOO:.y~rd· 'competitions.

WASHINGTON (CNS) - Tjle ideals of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. were brought to the forefront time and again in dioceses nationwide as they commemorated the national holiday for the slain civil rights leader.

Rev. HoraceJ. Travassos, chairman of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, participated in an Interfaith Council of Greater Fall River service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. last Sunday at Bethel African methodist-Episcopal Church, Fall River. The guest speaker was Robert Gray of Bethel AME Church. Boston, and local participants included representatives of area Jewish, Protestant and Cambodian communities.

Indlana Attorney General Pamela Carter, a Catholic and the first black woman to be a state attorney general, challenged students at Brebeuf Preparatory School in Indianapolis to work' for freedom and justice.

Calling Dr. King a hero, Ms. Carter said, "A hero is an ordinary person who does extraordinary things. It takes courage, it takes conviction, and it takes commitment. And you never, ever know who it's go'ing to be.

Bishop Feehan Bob L'Homme, teacher and track coach at Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, for the past 10 years, was named Division II Cross Country Coach of the Year by the Boston Globe. Feehan's boys' cross country team earned this, year's state championship.

L'H omme coached three seasons of track for eight years and for the last two years has coached fall and winter track.

Also a member of the Feehan social studies department, he teaches American history, world affairs and economics and is pursuing a master's degree in history at Providence College.

L'Homme became interested in track when he,was in high school.

He still loves t.he sport and "seeing the kids mature and progress," he said. He develops individual goals for each athl~te and specific training to meet those goals. The high points in his coaching career have come each time his team has won a class meet, which has been often.

Feehan has not lost more than two dual meets in anyone season.

"But it's not just the winning," said L'Homme. "It's the kid who runs two milcs in 15 minutes, and then runs it in 14:30!"

Winning the state championship was certainly another high point, but L'Homme considers teamwork the real accomplishment. While cross country is often viewed as an individual sport, "We ran' as a team. There were no exceptionally outstanding runn~rs on the team

"You don't plan to be a hero.

You don't plan to be a heroine. It happens when you take courageous steps," Ms. Carter said.

Also in Indianapolis, Father Clarence Waldon, director of the archdiocesan evangelization office. said at an archdiocesan celebration on the .Jan. 17 holiday that a prophetic voice like Dr. King's is needed amid a culture of violence.

Also in Indianapolis, Father Clarence Waldon, director of the archdiocesan evangelization office, said at an archdiocesan celebration on the .Jan. 17 holiday that a prophetic voice like Dr. King's is needed amid a cult ure of violence.

"Today, we need to hear the prophet Martin. We need to hear the word of Jesus. No one is talking about nonviolence today," Father Waldon said.

He did not lead children in their traditional march down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. in Indianapolis due to a below-zero wind chill that day. But inside Holy Angels Church he told the children that Dr. King ignored efforts to draw him into conflict.

"If someone hits you, you think, 'Well, I've got to hit them back,'" Father Waldon said. But he warned' against "getting down to their level."

"When somebody hits you, you do what Martin did. Martin just let them." Father Waldon said.

He told how Martin let them spit at him and call him names: "He just kept' on walking. You couldn't walk with Martin if you stopped every time somebody called you a name."

Divine Word Father Charles Smith, who ministers to youth nationwide through the John' Bow-

Mother Teresa's nuns aid Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNS) - Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity "can always provide a mat" for people in need, said the head of the home for the destitute the order has set up in Kandy, about 60 miles northeast of Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital.

"We have no limits. We welcome anyone, at any time, if they are rejected or destitute," said Missionaries of Charity Sister Ruth Sheela.

Since opening in 1989, "Daya

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this year, but there. were seven runners who ran aS,a team."

There were no seniors on the

nology, where the top six finishers in each event won a medal.

Andre Fernandes took fourth team this year, he added. "All the place in the 50-yard. hurdles with a boys who took us to the chamtime of 7.4 seconds. pion'ship were juniors or, underKevin Dorinelly,:competing (or tlassmen. And the girls' team is a the second time since' suffering very young team with mllny freshfrom shin splints last April, took -men. And tha~, s.ays L'Homme, IS 'th 4'57'1 ' ,reason for optimism for next year. fifth 1 I' Iace WI a '. ml e. .: I', . ' Other competito,i:s ~ere sopho~ . 1111111'1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 more Steve Palumbo, ~ho heaved 'Ioih in the 600-ya~d run, freshman a personal best 33 f~et m the sh?t- Ma~y';KatheJrineFasy ran th~ 300 P':lt, and fr~shman'Matt, CordeJro yards in 45.0 ~ecotlds, freshman' :",lth ~ per~onal best 9.4 ~econds in Tara, Agr,awalIan a. 46.6 in the the hurdles. , . , 300, and freshman Megan Burns Sophomore Amy Manning was ran the mile in 7:20.

man Project in Atlanta, compared Dr. King to Joseph of the Old Testament at t he Atlanta archdiocese's 10th annual celebration Jan. 15 in honor of the Atlanta-born Dr. King.

Joseph "had the audacity to dream," and thus became the victim of a plot by his brothers, said Father Smith.

But "Joseph didn't make up the dream by himself. The giver of the dream never took his hands off Joseph. The same God who gave the dream" used hardship to fortify the dreamer, Father Smith said. "Somehow, through it all, [J oseph) kept the faith."

"At the mountain is the crucifixion," Father Smith added, but beyond the mountain is the stone rolled away. Dr. King, he said, left "a value, a vision and a promise to sound the alarm." Those who remain are called to "move beyond the political to the prophetic," he said.

Dr. King was remembered as a builder of bridges at a Jan. 14 Mass at St. John Cathedral in Lafayette, La. Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Carmon of New Orleans asked those assembled to "focus on how we too can become bridge-builders in our communities today."

Bishop Carmon said Dr. King chose community over chaos.

"Community needs bridge-builders every day," he said. "Communities of peace need each one of us to search together for what we need most, we name it, and like Dr. King, we bring it to the Lord in prayer."

In Rochester, N. Y., a peace rally and prayer service inspired by Dr. King's message was held Jan. 14 at SI. Bridget Church.

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Sevana" (Refuge of Love) has served people with various types of physical and mental disabilities.

Its open-to-all policy has encouraged police to bring in many abandoned people.

Sister Sheela said many of those who come are critically ill and die within a few days - but not alone or uncared for.

She told of an 83-year-old woman, who arrived at Daya Sevana emaciated. She died a few days later, but she knew at least that she had not been rejected.

Rosemary, 32, one of 110 people now at the home, said that after a few months there she had come out of a deep depression and was looking forward to visiting her family .

The nuns' welcoming spirit also attracts many volunteers to the home. For example, college students cut residents' hair and nails and help those who require assistance bathing. ' M uthi, a female volunteer, brings her own sewing machine to the home to mend residents' clothing.

Sister Sheela said she considers her ministry a God-given chance to serve the broken and hungry Jesus, adding that she counts it a privilege to work 'with neglected persons.

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Useful Deeds ****~**.*****~***.******* "Sick or well, blind or seeing, THIS EYE-CATCHING bond' or free, we are' here for a purpose. and however we are situprayer card is the work of ated we please '.God better with Michae! lamele. It, was repro- useful deeds than with many pray'duced in the bulletin of Notre ers of pio~s resighation."- Hele'n Keller Dame' parish, Fall River.

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,'Fast, 'prayer days asked" for Balkans

THE ANCHQ~-~":Dioceseof Fall River-Fri., Jan. 21,1994

Iteering pOintl ST. DOMINIC, SWANSEA ST. MARY, NORTON All are welcome at 7 p.m. Mass AA meetings open to all al 7 p,m. each Friday. parish center; Monthly and prayer meeting each Wednesday. meeting for divorced/ separated Jan. CORPUS CHRISTI, SANDWICH 23: breast cancer support group All welcome at rosary and prayer meeting 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26. meeting beginning 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday, with Mass or EucharisNOTRE DAME, FR . The first Distinguished Graduate tic service each last Monday of month. award will be presented at 10 a.m, Mass Jan. 30. starting Catholic LaSALETTE SHRINE, CENTER, Schools Month. All present students. ATTLEBORO LaSalette Shrine announces a parishioners and alumni welcome. A reception will follow in the school Christian Coffee House series beginning 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 in its hall. cafeteria and continuing each SatSEPARATED/DIVORCED, NB Ninth anniversary meeting 7 p.m. urday through Feb, 12. The initial Jan. 24. Family Life Center. 500 program will feature "With Faith." a Slocum Rd .. N. Dartmouth. Mary Christian music group offering conDubois and other "graduates" of the temporary and traditional songs. group will speak on how it helped many sung in three parts by Alex Kuznezov. Joanne Kennedy and J 0them. Feb. 9 meeting: Harwich teacher Peg Hannigan will speak on anne Coughlin, All welcome. A healthe art of communication. Feb. 28: ing service and Mass will be offered Open discussion for those who wish at 2 p.m. Jan. 23 by Father Andre Patenaude. MS. with teaching. music either to listen or to be listened to.

CATHOLIC WOMAN'S CLUB, NB and the opportunity to be anointed and prayed over individually. Further Executive board meeting 7 p. m.

Wednesday. SI. Lawrencl: rectory. 'information: 222-5410.

The Center for Christian Living 110 Summer SI. adjacent to LaSalette Shrine is offering a women's retreat today through Sunday and private "Castle" retreats Jan. 28 to 30 and Feb. /1 to 13 at the LEARY large fonner seminary building on the shrine grounds. The private rePRESS treats are self-directed. with Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation available. Also on Jan. 28 to 30, a MAILERS Contemplative Prayer II retreat will take place at the Castle, during which the teachings of SI. Teresa of Avila and SI. John of the Cross will be presented by Sister Elaine Twitchell.

SND. Information on all retreats: 222-8530.

ST. MARY, N. ATTLEBORO Annual Serra Club Altar Servers' Night 6 p.m. Jan. 26. parish center.

ST. ANNE, FR Catholic Schools Week liturgy I p. m. Jan. 31. upper church. All welcome, O.L. ASSUMPTION, OSTERVILLE Canned and packaged foods may be placed in container at church entrance and will be distributed to needy.

those whose lives are threatened. , Conti~ue" from Page Three "Prayer always remains the most. prayer and penance in their respec~ powerful humanitarian interventive dioceses."

"We should not underestimate tion," the pope said. "It is an the power of prayer in countering, enormous spiritual power, above the evil being played out in the all when it is accompanied by sacrifices and suffering."

Balkans," he said.

The pope told visitors at his The Rev. John Reardon, a Uniaudience that most of the victims ted Reformed minister and general secretary of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, said: "It is good to be reminded by the pope that none of us should become resigned to war. We should PHILADELPHIA (CNS) pray continually for a conversion "He was born a long, long time of hearts." ago - nearly 2,000 years ago - at, At his general audience, the'pope a place called Bethlehem," wrote also repeated his call for the interCharles Dickens of the birth of national community to undertake Jesus. a program of humanitarian interHardly the stuff of Scrooge, or vention. is it?

"This is not primarily intervenDickens forever redefined the tion of a military type, but any spirit of Christmas with his tale of kind of action aimed at disarming family values, charity and personal the aggressor," he said. reformation in "A Christmas Vatican spokesman Joaquin Carol." But few fans of his literaNavarro-Valls said Pope John Paul ture may know that his popular composed the address before lead- stories had sprung from a deeplyers of the North Atlantic Treaty rooted faith.

Organization, meeting in Belgium Dickens' religious leanings are Jan. II, said they were prepared to evidenced by his 46-page manuscript, "The Life of Our Lord," on carry out air strikes "to prevent the display in the rare book departstrangulation of Sarajevo," the Bosnian capital, and other areas of ment of the central branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia the former Yugoslavian republic. through Feb. 25.

The pope, Navarro-Valls said, The original manuscript is part was presenting moral principles. of an exhibition of Dickens' Government and military leaders Christmas books and stories commust make the specific decisions memorating the 150th anniversary about applying those prinCiples to of the publication of"A Christmas the concrete situation.

Carol."

"In the moral teaching of the Dickens penned this version of church, every act of military agChrist's life according to the Gosgression is judged, morally evil," pel of St. Luke for his children in the pope said. "On the other hand, 1846. But he never let it leave the legitimate defense is maintained as admissible and sometimes obli- house.

"Because he felt it to be a pergatory." sonalletter to his children, Dickens Navarro-Valls said the' pope's did not want it published," Karen remarks, bringing together the Lightner, curator of the exhibit, principles of humanitarian intertold the Catholic Standard and vention and legitimate defense, Times, Philadelphia's archdiocesan were a development of traditional newspaper. church moral teaching by assertingparties outside a conflict sometimes had a moral obligation to intervene "to disarm the aggressor" and assist with the defense of

THE, '1'9;94 {DldOES'ANDI REieT~

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The Fali Rivet Diocesan DireCtory)andBU~ers'GiJidec(jntainsCbrnPI~!~diog~~~",I ,.,.',.,a and atelephone directory of priests,dir.ectors of dioQesan'institutiQns: parIsh rel(iouseaucai coorcjinators and,permanent d~acons.;? 'iii!:;< . ·,:;t!< ··.·.,.·i';':' ,.,'. <if··· Also included a~e addresses of retired Ciehiy~W(jthOs~ser~j'ijg'ou as a listing of pr:ie~ts by years ofordin.~tiona.:~.~:at~Rfeof bleJeast It may be cndered bymaiWusing:the c~Upori'ij~i6W: THE DIRECTORY I~ $5.00 (plus

of the fighting in the Balkans are i..n nqcent people. "And even among the soldiers, not many· (If them have full responsibility for the operations of War under \\'ay."

Like Christ on the cross, he said, people must pray for those involved: "Father,-forgive t.~em for they know not what they clo."

"Life of Our Lord" part of Dicklens exhibit in Philadelphia After the death of Sir Henry Fielding Dickens, the auUlor's last surviving child, the manusc:ript was published in 1934. The original manuscript was donated to the Philadelphia library in 1964.

Personal correspondence brings the writer to life in this exhibition.

One such letter responds to accusations that Dickens wam't religious enough in his writings.

In a letter to a friend wril:ten the day before Dickens died, he said, "I have always striven in my writings to express veneration for the life and lessons of Our Saviour, because I feel it; and bec:ause I rewrote that history for my children - everyone of whom knew it from having it repeated tl) them -long before they could read, and almost as soon as they could speak.

But I have never made proclamation of this from the housel:Ops." Dickens might have felt a direct expression of his religious ,beliefs would limit his commerical appeal, according to Ms. Lightner, but it's' not difficult today to see the,Christian values portrayed in many of his classic novels.

The exhibit also includell illustrated first and limited editions of "A Christmas Carol"; Dickens' own reading copies of "The Cricket on the Hearth," "The Battle of Life" and "The Haunted Man"; D:.ckens' first novel, "Sketches by Bm:"; and presentation copies of "The Posthumous Papers of the Pi<:kwick Club."

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WITH FAITH, a Chtistian music group with Alex Kuz-

neioY, Joanne Kennedy and Joanne Coughlin, will be heard at , LaSaleJte Shrin~cafeteria in ..Attleb_oIQ at.6:30 p.m ...Jan.22.