01.27.12

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , January 27, 2012

Retreat focuses on following Christ as young adults

Catholic schools celebrate faith, academics and service

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

WAREHAM — Fourteen young men and women gathered last weekend at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham for a young adult retreat offered by the Fall River Diocese’s Office of Faith Formation. Even a Saturday snowstorm did little to sway the focus of the group. The three-day weekend retreat had all participants following an itinerary that was born from an idea that had been in the back of Crystal Medeiros’ head for a few years.

“I appreciate other retreats, like Emmaus,” said Medeiros, assistant director of the Youth and Ministry Program of the Fall River Diocese, “but I wanted to offer a retreat that has a different theme that people would want to come to. The Emmaus is wonderful but once you’ve made an Emmaus retreat you can’t attend as a participant again. The only time you can return is as part of a team. While you’ll always be a part of the Emmaus community, that’s not where some people are at. This is a different type of spirituality; it speaks to a different group of young adults.”

“Come Follow Me” was based on Scripture, and Medeiros took that theme and hashed out the entire three-day schedule with her colleague at the Office of Faith Formation Deacon Bruce Bonneau, assistant director of Adult Evangelization and Spirituality, and Father David Frederici, the chaplain at UMass Dartmouth.

Knowing they would close out the retreat with Mass, “We took the Mass and backtracked,” said Medeiros of how the theme developed. Some past talks done by the three fit into the theme, she Turn to page 16

POWERFUL MOMENT — Bishop George W. Coleman lays hands on Jason Brilhante during his transitional diaconal ordination inside the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption last Saturday morning. Deacon Brilhante is finishing his studies at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Diocesan Pro-Lifers march in Washington

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

SPEAKING OUT — Students from Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton march from the National Mall to the Supreme Court during the annual March for Life Monday. The group was one of several from the Fall River Diocese that attended the annual Pro-Life march in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Sarah Mawn)

of thousands braved the chilly, damp weather to participate in the annual March for Life in our nation’s capital Monday, one day after the 39th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.

And once again, the Fall River Diocese was very well represented at the event, with students from several Catholic high schools and parishioners boarding buses to Washington, D.C. to show their support for the unborn.

“We had to run a second bus this year,” said Kevin Ward, organizer of the Cape Cod Bus for Life for the past 12 years. “Between our two buses and the high schools, the Fall River Diocese had great representation at the March for Life. It was unbelievable today, seeing people walkTurn to page 14

ATTLEBORO — Father Gilles M. Genest, M.S., a member of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, died Jan. 17, 2012 at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River.

Father Genest was born on Oct. 15, 1934 in Manchester, N.H., son of Lucien and Rosanna (Poisson)

Genest. He graduated from La Salette Seminary High School, Enfield, N.H. in 1953 and La Salette Junior College in East Brewster.

Father Genest entered the La Salette Novitiate at Center Harbor, N.H. on July 1, 1955 and made Turn to page 19

WASHINGTON, D.C. — De-

spite overcast skies, intermittent rain and temperatures that were hovering in the 30s, hundreds

Founder of La Salette Retreat Center, Father Gilles Genest dies

FALL RIVER — In summarizing his first six months as diocesan superintendent of schools, Dr. Michael Griffin quickly points out, “the strong spirit of community in the Catholic schools across the Diocese of Fall River, and the great dedication and knowledge exhibited by the teachers and principals. There’s a vibrancy in the classrooms, academically and spiritually.”

Griffin, who took over for the retiring Dr. George A. Milot last July, hit the ground running by attending a summer institute for principals to discuss the topic of the Catholic identity in the diocesan schools. The program, a collaboration with other New England dioceses, will be repeated this summer.

The new superintendent also made a point to visit each of the schools across the diocese, having already fulfilled the plan. “Everyone has been so welcoming,” he told The Anchor. “From the principals and school leaders to the students, it was very impressive to see a good understanding of the faith and academic dimensions of our school communities.”

Griffin has also visited some of the deanery meetings, and plans to visit them all by the end of the school year. “I have met with a good number of priests so far,” he added, “and have seen their commitment and dedication to Catholic education in the diocese.”

In addition to working with school staffs to insure a strong commitment to the Catholic faith, Griffin has consistently met to review and discuss Turn to page 15

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The Anchor

January 27, 2012

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News From the Vatican HHS delays, but does not change, rule on contraceptive coverage

January 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Although Catholic leaders vowed to fight on, the Obama administration has turned down repeated requests from Catholic bishops, hospitals, schools and charitable organizations to revise its religious exemption to the requirement that all health plans cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge.

Instead, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced January 20 that nonprofit groups that do not provide contraceptive coverage because of their religious beliefs will get an additional year “to adapt to this new rule.”

“This decision was made after very careful consideration, including the important concerns some have raised about religious liberty,” Sebelius said. “I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”

But Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the Obama administration had “drawn an unprecedented line in the sand” with the decision.

“The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation,” he added. “We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision.”

Sebelius announced the mandate and a narrow religious exemption to it Aug. 1, 2011. Under the plan, after August 1 of this year, new or significantly altered health plans will be required to provide all FDA-approved contraceptives, including some that can cause abortions, without co-pays or deductibles as part of preventive health care for women.

The only religious organizations ex-

empt from the requirement would be those meeting four specific criteria — “(1) has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose; (2) primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets; (3) primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets; and (4) is a nonprofit organization” under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

Those sections “refer to churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches, as well as to the exclusively religious activities of any religious orders,” according to a footnote to the interim final rule.

Catholic groups, including the USCCB, the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA, called that exemption too narrow, saying it would require Catholic groups to stop all services to those who were not Catholic and would inappropriately involve the government in decisions about whether an organization is “religious enough” to be exempted.

Sebelius’ announcement brought an outcry from Catholic leaders and a sigh of relief from groups such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America, which had opposed any moves to weaken the contraceptive mandate or strengthen the religious exemption.

In a video posted on the USCCB website, Cardinal-designate Dolan said the decision put the Obama administration “on the wrong side of the Constitution” and should be rescinded.

“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” the cardinal-designate said in a separate statement. “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their health care is literally unconscionable. It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically

Pope warns of threat to freedom of religion continued from page 20

“language” of natural law, he said, the Church should promote social justice by “proposing rational arguments in public square.”

Coming at the start of an election year, Pope Benedict’s words were clearly relevant to American politics, a connection he made explicit by mentioning threats to “that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion.”

The pope said that many of the visiting bishops had told him of “concerted efforts” against the “right of conscientious objection ... to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices” — an apparent reference to a policy by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, opposed by the U.S. bishops, that all private health insurance plans cover surgical sterilization procedures and artificial birth control.

In response to such threats, Pope Benedict said, the Church requires an “engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholic laity” with the courage and critical skills to articulate the “Christian vision of man and society.” He said that the education of Catholic lay people is

essential to the “new evangelization,” an initiative that he has made a priority of his pontificate.

Touching on one of most controversial areas of church-state relations in recent years, the pope spoke of Catholic politicians’ “personal responsibility to offer public witness to their faith, especially with regard to the great moral issues of our time,” which he identified as “respect for God’s gift of life, the protection of human dignity and the promotion of authentic human rights.”

The pope was not specific about the bishops’ relationship with such politicians, merely encouraging the bishops to “maintain contacts” with them and “help them understand” their duty to promote Catholic values.

While acknowledging the “genuine difficulties” facing the Church in the United States, the pope concluded on a hopeful note, pointing to a growing appreciation for “Judeo-Christian” civic values, and a “new generation of Catholics,” who he said will play a “decisive role in renewing the Church’s presence and witness in American society.”

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this represents a challenge and a compro- gious institutions to broaden the exempmise of our religious liberty.” tion.

Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Klein, “With the existing restrictive definiwho chairs the board at Franciscan Alli- tion in this mandate, the ministry of Jesus ance, a system of 13 Catholic hospitals, Christ himself would not be considered a characterized the decision as “nothing religious entity,” he said. else than a direct attack on religion and “Just as the identity of Catholic ChariFirst Amendment rights.” ties is firmly rooted in the teaching of Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of its Church, the identity of this nation inCharity who is president and CEO of the cludes a mandated respect of religious Catholic Health Association, said the an- beliefs,” Father Snyder added. “It is this nouncement was a “missed opportunity to long-standing history that gave us hope be clear on appropriate conscience protec- that as a religious institution we would be tion.” granted the freedom to remain faithful to “The challenge that these regulations our beliefs while also being committed to posed for many groups remains unre- providing access to quality health care for solved,” she added. “This indicates the our 70,000 employees and their families need for an effective national conversation across the country.” on the appropriOFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ate conscience DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER protections in www.anchornews.org Vol. 56, No. 4 our pluralistic Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service country, which Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the has always re- Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. spected the role Telephone Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses. of religions.”

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address Father Larry PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman Snyder, presi- EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org dent of Catholic EDITOR OFFICE MANAGER

Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org Charities USA, ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org said he was “exREPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org tremely disap- REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org pointed” that the Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org administration chose to ignore PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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The Anchor

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By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

BOSTON — The people who pray outside of abortion clinics are truly the last line of defense for the unborn. Their quiet witness and gentle offers of assistance are often the only thing standing between a child and death.

In 2011, more of these children were confirmed saved outside Boston-area clinics than in years past. The final total came to 117, a nearly 60 percent increase from the previous year and the only triple-digit number

The Anchor

January 27, 2012

Boston-area abortion saves hit high in 2011 in the years since the Supreme generations of people who are and I really want to help them.”

Court legalized abortion 39 going to be born.”

Sometimes she throws baby years ago last Sunday.

McCullen has spent two days showers and purchases strollers They are tabulated from three a week for the last dozen years and baby clothes. She and her facilities — Planned husband have helped Parenthood in Bright was a good year,” said El- some women finanton, Women’s Health eanor McCullen. “Each save cially, providing them in Brookline, and a priwith rent, furniture, vate clinic in Haverhill. is not just one child. We’re talking groceries and home Members of the Boston generations of people who are going repairs. chapter of Operation to be born.”

McCullen said that Rescue, which records the success stories the saves, called the are like “pebbles in news “encouraging.” the ocean.” For each “It was a good year,” said El- outside Planned Parenthood in save, there are many women eanor McCullen. “Each save is Brighton. She approaches wom- who come to the clinic and have not just one child. We’re talking en coming to the clinic with a abortions. Most of the responses “good morning” and offers her she gets to her offer of help are assistance. “not friendly.”

If the women want informa“This evil is entrenched in tion, McCullen has ultrasound our culture,” she said. pictures and illustrations of fetal Many of the women with development. She offers to take whom McCullen speaks are them to a pregnancy resource young and concerned about fincenter and freely gives out her ishing their education or holdphone number. If they provide ing down their jobs. They see theirs, she follows up. abortion as a quick fix to their “It’s important to let them dilemma. know someone cares. They One young woman had an made the right decision, but abortion because she had just they won’t be alone,” she said. started a new job. Three months “I really do love these women, later, she called McCullen and

“I

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said she was so depressed that she could not get up to go to work in the morning.

“That’s what happens. You think it’s going to be alright, but that grief settles over you. She was paralyzed with grief,” she said.

Ron Larose, coordinator of 40 Days for Life in Attleboro, said that he believes more people are recognizing the toll of abortion now than ever before.

“There seems to be a much greater awareness of abortion and the negative effects of abortion,” he said. “I think the tide is turning in our favor.”

He said that 40 Days For Life — a nationwide campaign of prayer, vigil and fasting — is having a positive effect, particularly on young people. A group of youth participated in the past fall’s campaign in Attleboro.

“Getting these young people involved is a blessing for us, and the Pro-Life community at large,” he said.

The first 40 Days for Life was conducted in College Station, Texas in 2004. The first nationally-coordinated 40 Days campaign was held in the fall of 2007. Since the beginning, 5,045 lives have been confirmed spared from abortion.

The Attleboro vigil began in fall 2008 outside the Four Women Health Services building, the only remaining abortion clinic in the Diocese of Fall River.

During the last campaign, the Attleboro group recorded two saves of its own. The next campaign begins on February 22.

Bill Cotter, head of Operation Rescue Boston, said that it is difficult to pinpoint the reasons for the record number of Boston-area saves in 2011. He added that the group has strict criteria for a definite save and that there are likely more that are never reported.

Anecdotal evidence certainly points to that. At least a couple of times a year, a woman will approach sidewalk counselors and say counselors outside that clinic saved her child two, five or 14 years ago, he added.

Cotter called sidewalk counseling the “retail sales pitch” for crisis pregnancy centers, which he believes are the most effective Pro-Life ministry on the front lines. He encouraged everyone to support such centers, which are usually “shoestring operations.”

Though there are some 2,500 pregnancy assistance centers in the country and 700 abortion clinics, the clinics still have the upper hand. They tend to be better financed and have larger staffs.

“Three crisis pregnancy centers do not equal the firepower of one abortion clinic,” he said.

January 27, 2012

The Anchor

5 Pope says martyrdom, virginity of St. Agnes is an example of faith

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI held up the life of a young virgin and martyr as an example to seminarians of the total commitment to Christ required by young men seeking to enter the priesthood.

The pope spoke in an audience with students from one of Rome’s oldest seminaries, the Almo Collegio Capranica.

He told them that while martyrdom marks a final and heroic act, the “informed, free and mature” choice of virginity is rather the “fruit of a long friendship with Jesus” developed through close knowledge of his words and constant prayer.

Legend says St. Agnes died in 304 or 305 at the hands of the suitor she spurned so she could remain faithful only to Christ.

Pope Benedict said the saint faced her fate with exemplary courage. Her martyrdom illustrates “the beauty of belonging to Christ without hesitation.”

The path to the priesthood requires a similar level of commitment, the pope said, as well as integrity, well-roundedness, ascetic exercise and “heroic faith.”

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The Anchor A matter of parental rights and basic justice

Next week is Catholic Schools Week throughout the Church in the United States, which is a time to focus on the importance of Catholic schools in the life and mission of the Church. It’s also an opportunity for society as a whole to recognize the enormous impact Catholic schools have had in the development of our country. Catholic schools have been the engine of assimilation and advancement for tens of millions of children of immigrants, forming them not only to love our nation but to serve it with virtue and dedication. Especially in overcrowded metropolises where public schools have historically struggled, Catholic schools, connected to communities of faith, neighborhoods and larger nexuses of support and accountability, were able to foster a culture of learning that spurred even kids from the most difficult of familial circumstances to excel, rise from poverty and become leaders in all segments of society. Catholic schools were able to do that not because they patented secret ways of superior pedagogy, but primarily because of the selfless dedication of religious Sisters, teaching Brothers and communities whose vocations were focused on giving children not just instruction, but education, not just information but formation, seeking to raise children to become men and women capable in turn of fulfilling their vocation to serve God, this nation, and those in need. Catholic schools made the American dream achievable for millions and this is why Catholic Schools Week should be celebrated not just by the Church but by the whole country.

Casting a shadow over the celebration of Catholic schools, however, is the fact that in several places Catholic schools are in crisis, a reality that for the reasons above should concern not merely Catholics but all those who love our country and have high hopes for its future. The economic and demographic realities faced by Catholic schools are forcing many of them to close. Even with continued academic excellence and per-pupil costs one-third of those in nearby public schools, many Catholic schools just do not have the number of tuition-paying students to stay in the black, despite Catholic school teachers’ working for a fraction of what their public school colleagues receive and despite routinely deferring technological upgrades and building maintenance. Many Catholic families in a challenging economy can no longer afford a Catholic education in addition to all their other bills. This is leading many good Catholic schools to close.

On January 6, a Blue Ribbon Commission of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia recommended closing or merging 44 of 146 elementary schools and four of 17 high schools in order to try to put Catholic education on a firmer financial footing for the future. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s network of Catholic schools was once the greatest in the nation, at its peak educating 271,000 students, with several schools educating more than 4,000 students each. As the Blue Ribbon Commission reported detailed, however, more than a quarter of the schools educating the 68,000 present students are deep in the red, even though the parishes with which they are associated are giving an average subsidy of $320,000 a year.

In response to denunciations of the Blue Ribbon Commission for recommending school reductions, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput forthrightly challenged critics to recognize the economic realities and to redirect their anger to where it can and ought to make a difference: “The resource challenges we face in 2012 are much harsher than 40 or 50 years ago when many of us attended Catholic school,” he wrote after the closures were announced. “No family can run on nostalgia and red ink. Every parent knows this from experience. And so it is with the Church.” But then he urged them to acknowledge one of the reasons why many Catholic schools are failing economically and hold the proper parties accountable: “Some Catholics — too many — seem to find it easier to criticize their own leaders than to face the fact that they’re discriminated against every day of the year. They pay once for public schools; then they pay again for the Catholic schools they rightly hold in such esteem. Something’s wrong with that equation. … Catholics should hold public leaders — beginning with our elected officials in Harrisburg — to an equally demanding standard.”

He was referring to the recent failure of the Pennsylvania legislature to pass a school vouchers bill.

In September, the Keystone State Senate approved a bill authorizing school vouchers, but after intense lobbying by the public school teacher unions, the House of Representatives killed it in December. “It’s useful to wonder how many of our schools might have been saved if, over the last decade, Catholics had fought for vouchers as loudly and vigorously as they now grieve about school closings,” Archbishop Chaput continued. “School choice may not answer every financial challenge in Catholic education; but vouchers would make a decisive difference. They’d help our schools enormously. To put it simply: Vouchers are a matter of parental rights and basic justice.”

Chaput couldn’t have framed the matter in clearer or stronger terms. Taxing parents to pay for the education of children and then not allowing any of that money to be allocated to their kids’ actual education in a private setting, Catholic or otherwise, is wrong and discriminatory, a violation of parents rights and a fundamental injustice. School vouchers have been shown to be enormously successful in Washington, D.C., Milwaukee and Cleveland in helping kids, especially from underperforming public school districts, attend and excel in private schools. It’s part of a larger movement of programs, including tax credits for businesses and families, that give parents the economic possibility to have a real choice in selecting the best education for their children.

The way vouchers work is that instead of all local revenues and state subsidies going to the public school district for every child in a geographical area — regardless of whether the student attends public school, goes to private school or is home schooled — a portion of that money is given to the family in the form of a voucher that can be used to attend a private school, a parochial school, or, in some cases, a school in a nearby city or town. With vouchers, the public school districts still receive some funding for every kid in the district, including a lesser amount for those they’re not educating, but economicallychallenged families also receive the possibility to choose where their kids go to school. A school voucher system not only helps keep public school districts competitive — a healthy phenomenon that we’re already seeing with the increase of publicly-funded charter schools — but also works for the long-term financial good of public schools themselves. The more Catholic schools close due to financial pressure from parents who can’t afford to pay twice for the education of their children, the more students out of necessity have to attend public schools. Better for public schools to retain roughly half of the average $14,000 per pupil subsidy for students they don’t educate than to see Catholic schools close and public schools now have to spend the entire subsidy to educate those children, not to mention in some places to have to build new schools to accommodate that huge infusion of students.

Here in Massachusetts, the discrimination against those who want to send their children to Catholic schools — whom, we should note, are not merely Catholic parents — is far more severe due to the Anti-Aid Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution passed by the virulently xenophobic, antiCatholic Know-Nothings on Beacon Hill back in 1855. This provision not only forbids any aid whatsoever from going to non-public schools, but also forbids citizens from petitioning the legislature for any form of private school funding. The only ways to overturn this is through amending the Massachusetts’ Constitution or through getting the provision overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, both of which are time-consuming and complicated.

An easier path forward that could help to achieve much of the same outcome would be through tax credit programs, like those that now exist in Arizona, Florida and Pennsylvania. These allow corporations or individuals to receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of taxes they would owe for every dollar, up to a given limit, they put into scholarship programs at private schools. There are also programs in Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota that give similar, but limited, state tax credits to families for education-related expenses for their children.

The need for such programs in Massachusetts to help Catholic schools is acute. They are not merely a matter of justice, but of simple civic prudence, recognizing how important Catholic schools continue to be in helping whole generations of students, especially recent immigrants and those in inner cities, aspire to and achieve the excellence that our country needs to secure its future.

T

January 27, 2012

Sacraments of Service

oday we turn from the SacraRecently, the Church celebrated the ment of the Anointing of the Sick, feast of the Holy Family, which each year with Reconciliation the, “Sacraments of gives us the opportunity to reflect on the Healing,” and turn to the “Sacraments of nature of marriage and the family, and Service.” The Sacraments of Matrimony certainly to entrust to the intercession of and Holy Orders fit into this last category. Mary and Joseph all married couples, I would first like to turn our focus to the especially those families that might be Sacrament of Marriage. going through difficult times.

There has been much said in the last In a beautiful address on Dec. 28, couple of years about the Sacrament of 2011, at his Wednesday audience, Pope Marriage, what it is and what it is not.

Benedict XVI spoke of the life of the There has been much said about the Holy Family in Nazareth. He explained, “crisis” surrounding the state of mar“The house of Nazareth is a school of riage, especially the high rate of divorce prayer where we learn to listen, to medi(and remarriage) and the push to legalize tate, to penetrate the deepest meaning same-sex marriage. of the manifestation of the Son of God, From the outset, I want to say that I drawing our example from Mary, Joseph will not be addressing these issues. My and Jesus. intention in this series of articles on the “The Holy Family is an icon of the Sacraments is not to be polemical or to domestic Church, which is called to pray even contribute to this highly sensitive together. The family is the first school of debate, but rather to focus on the beauty prayer where, from their infancy, chilof the Sacraments that Christ has given to dren learn to perceive God thanks to the His Church, on teaching and the grace that example of is accessible their parents.

Putting Into to us in our An authentireception of the Deep cally Christian them, and how education canthey enable us not neglect the

By Father to build up the experience of Jay Mello Kingdom of prayer. If we God here on do not learn earth. to pray in the As I mentioned in an earlier article, family, it will be difficult to fill this gap Christ Himself instituted all the Sacralater. I would, then, like to invite people ments. But we also know that marriage to rediscover the beauty of praying existed before Christ established the together as a family, following the school Church. Marriage was a natural instituof the Holy Family of Nazareth.” tion from the beginning of human history.

I bring up this beautiful passage God established it because “it is not good from our Holy Father because I think he for man to be alone,” as we read in the touches upon the real “crisis,” namely opening chapters of the Book of Genesis. that families do not pray together. The Christ took this natural human institu- Sacrament of Marriage isn’t just the tion and elevated it to the level of a Sacra- wedding ceremony. It is the living out of ment. He did so for the same reason that those vows made at the wedding each and He established the other Sacraments, so every day. If that’s the case, then prayer, that married couples would have access to and praying together, is an essential part His grace and assistance to be able to live of the Sacrament of Marriage. out their vocation, not just on their own, Turning back to the wedding feast at but with His divine help.

Cana, our Lord’s first public miracle, we He did this at the wedding feast at are continually able to find deeper meanCana. A couple that had just been married ing about the Sacrament of Marriage. ran out of wine. Without the intervenThe “Catechism” explains, “The Church tion of Christ, they would have been attaches great importance to Jesus’ presembarrassed and unnecessary anxiety ence at the wedding at Cana. She sees would have consumed their celebration. in it the confirmation of the goodness But Christ (through the intercession of of marriage and the proclamation that the Blessed Virgin Mary) interceded thenceforth marriage will be an efficaand brought His divine assistance to the cious sign of Christ’s presence” (CCC problem.

1613).

Often couples experience problems, God destined marriage to be an “efanxiety, and stress that are much greater ficacious sign of Christ’s presence!” I than running out of wine at a party. Often think that last statement from the “Catsadly, they don’t go to Christ (or seek the echism” reminds us that marriage isn’t intercession of our Blessed Mother), but just about what Christ can do in the life too easily just give up when things get of a married couple. It is also about the difficult. They forget about the grace that responsibility that married couples have. is accessible to them through the SacraBy their love for each other and their ment. They forget that Christ is there to children, married couples witness to the strengthen them in these difficult times. love that Christ has for His Church. Too Recently, a priest friend shared a often the discussion about marriage does story of a couple that was preparing for not include reference to Jesus Christ! marriage and was encountering some That is a real crisis! difficulties. The stressed couple said to Next week, I will focus on the signs him, “Father, we want to get married in and symbols that make up the rite of a Church because we want God to be a Marriage as a way for us to recall their part of our lives.” I think this simple line meaning and purpose. captures the essence of the Sacrament of Father Mello is a parochial vicar at Marriage.

St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

January 27, 2012

O

ver the past month we have seen how Matthew and Luke arranged parables to present theology concerning the Kingdom of Heaven, i.e. the Church, and the equality of personhood for men and women. We now return to parables with somewhat less editorial arrangement.

The Two Sons, in which one son says yes to what his father wants, but doesn’t act and the other initially refuses but then goes to work, is another parable found in Matthew alone (Mt 21:28-32). This parable illustrates the maxim, “Actions speak louder than words.” Lip service is not what God commands of us. When our words and our actions are not in complete agreement, our actions carry the greater weight.

The lesson of the Two Sons is repeated and sharpened in the parable of the Tenant Farmers (Mt 21:33-46, Mk 12:1-12, Lk 20:9-19). The first generations of followers of Jesus understood it to be directed against elements of corrupted or lax religious leadership in Israel. For later generations of Christians, the interpretation

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hen studying another culture, we rely mostly on texts. There are literal texts — letters, diary entries, plays, poetry, prose. There are also, however, other sorts of “texts,” imprinted into the cultural phenomena of the day.

Architecture is particularly good at expressing the otherwise inexpressible. Sometimes, ideas are inexpressible because the culture has barely even discovered itself yet; like pyramids, like sky-scrapers, men literally, as tortured, Catholic theater artist Antonin Artaud once wrote, try to build their way out of hell.

Other times, ideas are inexpressible because they are being censored. The funny thing about humans beings is we don’t do well with secrets.

Social secrets especially seem to seep out through the pores of culture. Queen Elizabeth, invested in controlling how Englishmen practiced and thought about their religious selves, created a pulsing subculture that could barely contain itself. In a very particular sense, silencing Catholics was one of the surest ways to fertilize Catholic culture. If you want something to become instantly tantalizing, try forbidding it. Repressed Catho-

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Matthew’s eschatological parables

was often applied to the differof the discourse. The disciples ent response of the Jews and the ask about three aspects of the Gentiles to the plan of salvation eschaton: the destruction of the revealed by God over the centuTemple, the definitive coming ries and brought to fulfillment in of Jesus, and the end of the Christ. To everyone, this parable age. Matthew gives answer to is a warning against the presump- these questions in 24:4-31, and tion that God doesn’t care how we respond to the call to grow in holiness of life. The second interpretation has an anti-Semitic aspect to it and should be rejected

By Father in favor of the third.

Martin L. Buote Matthew arranged his editorial plan around five discourses.

The first of these is the Sermon then expands on the answer on the Mount. The last is the with a series of parables for Eschatological Discourse of the rest of the discourse. The chapters 24 and 25. Since this parables direct our attention to discourse is about the eschaton, the individual, the Church, and the last things, there is much then to all mankind. in this discourse reminiscent Part I: The Fig Tree — The of apocalyptic literature. Here ordinary signs of nature tell us is not the place to delve deeply there will be an end of the presinto that type of literature or to ent situation. examine whether this is simply The Flood — Whether prophecy after the fact. (Matpeople are ready or not, the dethew was written after the fall cision of God will not make alof Jerusalem.) It is perhaps lowance for stragglers who had better to think of the events of warning. The use of the image the Jewish-Roman War as illus- of Noah’s flood in a parable trations of the ultimate reality does not say anything about the

Parables of the Lord

historicity of that flood.

One Taken, One Left — Don’t think that because you are a nice fellow that you will be exempt. Don’t play the odds!

The Thief — Constant vigilance is called for.

The Order of Society — Even the ordinary conventions of society which at that time included slavery, indicate that behavior will be judged, and there will be consequences.

Part II: Ten Virgins — Several parables in Matthew, chapter 13, pointed out that the Church, as the Kingdom of Heaven, is not perfect, but has a mixture of positive and negative elements.

This parable develops that theme a little further. It is not enough to be a member of the group (the Church). People must be vigilant and do the works appropriate to their membership.

Talents — The similarity of the opening of this parable to the last (verses one and 14) shows we are still considering the Church. The previous parable spoke of individuals as members of the Church. This

‘Seeming’ and false appearances

lic impulse is everywhere in describing in detail hiding in Elizabethan culture: popular one of Owen’s enclosures as entertainments, fashions, cusTopcliffe’s men tapped at the tom. Nowhere, however, is it walls with poles inches from more apparent than in Elizathe man’s face. So ingenious bethan architecture.

Architecture is not quite as ephemeral as other cultural forms. It persists. It remains.

St. Nicholas Owen was an Oxfordian Catholic with a talent

By Jennifer Pierce for carpentry. Born at the height of the Penal Laws designed to censure “religious nonconwere these structures, some of formity,” Owen’s natural gift them have remained hidden all for carpentry became a talent of these centuries later as still, for dissent; the eventually today, more are being discovmartyred workman built hidered. ing places for priests into the It is into this world of false structures of Catholic homes. fronts, hidden staircases, He became well-known for priest-holes, underground tunthe cleverness of his work, nels, and secret passageways building all manner of secret that Shakespeare was born. In compartments to hide the achis world, a beggar, a fop, or a coutrement for secret Masses, gambler all could be priests in sacred books and the priests disguise; a knock against the themselves. When Elizabeth’s wall might be answered with a “priest hunters” were on the knock back. Is it no surprise, prowl, sometimes priests then, that “seeming” and false hiding in a “priest hole” died appearances are some of the from suffocation, starvation, most predominant motifs or dehydration. Jesuit John of his dramaturgy? Women Gerard, who was an underdisguise themselves as men, cover priest in Elizabeth’s gentlemen disguise themselves England, has left us a writas beggars and servants, and, ten account of his mission, in a witty twist, a fool disguis-

Hidden Shakespeare

es himself as ... a priest. One can pithily quote the loaded Latin phrase cucullus non facit monachum (the cowl does not make the monk, or things are not always they seem).

While disguise is a literal and concrete device in the plays, more subtle forms of dissembling are also a recurring motif. Mistaken intentions, mistaken identities, and hidden motives lead characters to contemplate the nature of “seeming,” “plastr’ing arts,” and the nature of theatrical play and playing a part in public all the while concealing a hidden, inner nature. “All the world’s a stage,” says the melancholic Jacques in “As You Like It,” “And all the men and women merely players: / They have their exits and their entrances; /And one man in his time plays many parts.”

We know that it was likely that Shakespeare encountered undercover Jesuits and that his cousin Robert Southwell was one such Jesuit, hiding, using disguises and aliases, and then tortured and murdered by the state for his dissembling.

Even that personal connection aside, culturally, Jesuits became so deeply associated

parable speaks of individuals as leaders in the Church.

Certain members of the Church have responsibilities. Since each person in the parable is asked to work according to his abilities, no one has an advantage or a disadvantage; each fails or succeeds according to his own merits and efforts.

Part III: The Nations — The people in the first set of parables were treated simply as individuals, and experienced either a positive or a negative outcome, ultimately expressed in verse 51 as “wailing and grinding of teeth.” The people in the second set of parables were treated as members of the Church with the same outcome in verse 30. This last parable uses for God the age-old image of the Shepherd, judging the individuals of all nations on the world for his or her behavior.

The outcome is Heaven or hell.

Father Buote is a retired priest of the Diocese of Fall River. For more than 30 years, he has been leading Bible study groups in various parishes and has also led pilgrims to visit sites in Israel associated with the Bible.

with subtle misleading that the word “Jesuitical” became a term meaning equivocation.

We also know that drama was one of the primary tools in the Counter-Reformation arsenal, where it was used as both a teaching device and as a protective mode of being, teaching the faithful how to survive Protestant rule, while remaining secretly faithful.

Interestingly, Shakespeare was accused of playing a part that some thought was not his to play: “There is an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tiger’s heart wrapped in a player’s hide, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you; and being an absolute Johannes Factotum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country.”

While, obviously, Robert Greene had a sour grape or two in his mouth when he penned these words, there seems to be a black insinuation in here.

“Wrapped in a player’s hide”?

What, exactly, did Greene think he was hiding?

Jennifer Pierce is a parishioner of Corpus Christi in East Sandwich, where she lives with her husband Jim and three children.

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opefully we have all been held in amazement by a teacher at various times in our lives. Our most memorable teachers possessed a mastery of the subject matter and spoke with great authority and passion.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue at the beginning of His ministry.

Mark tells us that “the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” The scribes would typically quote respected rabbis as their authority for their teachings. Jesus, on the other hand, spoke with firsthand authority, often using phrases such as, “But I say to you…” The people had not previously heard someone speak to them in such a direct, authoritative manner, and they reacted with astonishment at His words and the manner of

January 27, 2012

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The ultimate authority

His teaching. ageable that he or she has Jesus not only spoke with received the gift of desperaauthority; He acted with tion, a willingness to make authority. He demonstrates dramatic changes. Conversethe power of His authority ly, a practicing Catholic who by performing a miracle, an might appear to be closer to exorcism, while He was teaching in the synagogue. While an Homily of the Week exorcism might seem Fourth Sunday foreign to some of of Ordinary Time us, we can all relate to having “unclean

By Deacon spirits,” or aspects of Michael T. Zonghetti our lives that distance us from Christ.

The teachings and miracles of Jesus effect a Christ might be lulled into conversion in the lives of His a false sense of security and subjects. Likewise, Christ’s may be less willing to turn in teachings are calling all of us a more dramatic way towards to a conversion towards Him. Jesus. Hopefully we appreciParadoxically, someone ate that conversion to Christ who may appear to be furis a continual process that is ther apart from Jesus might never finished. Jesus wants be more receptive to such a us to grow ever closer to Him conversion. That person’s life and the good news of His may have become so unmanteachings.

What is our role as the students of Christ’s teaching?

The message of even the best teacher will fall on deaf ears if the student is not positioned to absorb the teaching.

Today’s first two readings and responsorial psalm provide us guidance as the recipients of Jesus’ teachings. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses talks about the coming of Jesus and implores the people, “to Him you shall listen.” We need to listen actively to the teachings of Christ at Mass and throughout our daily lives.

The second reading from Corinthians calls for “adherence to the Lord without distraction.” We should strive to be focused on Christ and not lose sight of Him in the busy-ness of our lives. Prayer

and meditation are invaluable in this regard. Finally, the responsorial psalm reminds us that it is insufficient for us to listen with our ears; we also need to listen with our hearts.

Psalm 95 tells us, “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” By listening attentively with our ears and hearts, we will hear and feel Christ’s message in our lives.

Today’s readings provide us with guidance to better hear and internalize the Good News of Jesus. By listening to Christ without distraction, with our ears and hearts, we will better hear His message and grow closer to Him. Like the people in the synagogue, let us pray that we will listen to Jesus with amazement and witness a continual conversion in our lives to Christ, the ultimate authority.

Deacon Zonghetti serves as a permanent deacon at St. Mary’s Parish in Norton.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Jan. 28, 2 Sm 12:1-7a,10-17; Ps 51:12-17; Mk 4:35-41. Sun. Jan. 29, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Dt 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2,6-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28. Mon. Jan. 30, 2 Sm 15:13-14,30;16:5-13; Ps 3:2-7; Mk 5:1-20. Tues. Jan. 31, 2 Sm 18:9-10,14b,24-25a,30—19:3; Ps 86:1-6; Mk 5:21-43.

Wed. Feb. 1,2 Sm 24:2,9-17; Ps 32:1-2,5-17; Mk 6:1-6. Thurs. Feb. 2, Presentation of the Lord, Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32. Fri. Feb. 3, Sir 47:2-11; Ps 18:31,47,50-51; Mk 6:14-29.

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he Hebrew Bible is not for the squeamish. And its harshest maledictions are called down upon those who practiced the abomination of child-sacrifice.

Thus the Psalmist: “They sacrificed their sons and daughters to the demons/ they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood./ Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the harlot in their doings./Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people, and He abhorred His heritage./… they were rebellious in their purposes, and were brought low because of

Child sacrifice in 21st-century America

Thirty-nine years after Roe their iniquity” (Ps 106:38-40, v. Wade created an unrestricted 43). abortion license in the United And the prophet Ezekiel, States, and during the week delivering the Word of the when hundreds of thousands Lord: “And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured.

Were your harlotries

By George Weigel so small a matter that you slaughtered My children and delivered of Americans pray and march them up as an offering by fire for life, all Americans ought to to them? Behold, therefore, I ponder these words — and the stretched out My hand against kind of country to which Roe v. you, and diminished your allotWade led. ted portion, and delivered you It was supposed to be a to the greed of your enemies” country in which women were (Ez 16:20-21, 27). liberated; it became a country in which women were ever more the victims of predatory and sexually irresponsible men, left alone with their “rights” to find a technological “fix” to the dilemma of unwanted pregnancy. It was supposed to become a more humane country; it became a country in which morally coarsened pundits can describe as “extreme” and “weird” the faith-filled response of the Santorum family to the loss of a newborn shortly after birth. It was supposed to be a country of greater equality; it became a country in which the fantasies of those who believed

The Catholic Difference

that America was for white Anglo-Saxon Protestants only, with emphasis on “white,” were realized beyond the wildest imaginings of the most crazed racists and eugenicists of the 1920s.

These hard truths have too often been hidden, especially where abortion is widely prevalent.

Thus it is to the immense credit of the New York-based Chiaroscuro Foundation that it has compelled the New York City Department of Health to itemize separately abortion and pregnancy statistics in its annual reports. The 2010 numbers, just released, would make both the psalmist and Ezekiel blanch: Of the 208,541 pregnancies in New York City in 2010, 83,750 were terminated by abortion: four in 10. Among non-Hispanic blacks, there were 38,574 abortions and 26,635 live births: thus for every 1,000 African-American babies born, 1,448 were aborted. Those numbers were even more chilling among non-Hispanic black teen-agers: for every 1,000 African-American babies born to teen-agers, 2,630 were aborted. The overall teen-age abortion rate was 63 percent in a city where 16 percent of all

pregnancies were teen pregnancies.

New York City is not America, of course. And there is encouragement on various fronts in the battle for life. The national abortion rate is down over the past several decades.

Science has vindicated the Pro-Life position. The Pro-Life/ pro-choice opinion balance has tilted, if slightly, in favor of the Pro-Life cause. Younger people are more likely to be Pro-Life than aging baby-boomers.

Legislated regulation of the abortion industry has driven abortuaries out of business in many places.

Yet the fact remains that America is a country in which almost one in four pregnancies ends in the willful, violent death of the unborn child. And this slaughter of the innocents has been going on, often in higher percentages, for almost four decades.

As the psalmist and Ezekiel might have told us, feeding the demons inevitably leads to a terrible hardening of sensibilities. The warnings from ancient Israel about where that hardening leads are worth pondering in this election year, and indeed in every year.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

January 27, 2012 Monday 16 January 2012 — at the church on Three Mile River — National Nothing Day t what age is a person capable of committing sin? The short answer is at the age that person becomes capable of love. Love is positive; sin is the negative opposite.

Sin is the purposeful absence of love in thought, word, or deed. And when exactly does an individual become capable of love? That would be what many call “the age of reason” the point at which an individual begins to freely form an intellectual judgment as to what is to be done as good and avoided as evil. We call it conscience.

The first self-motivated steps in moral development are taken around the tender age of seven years. By that age, the conscience has begun to form.

One of the joys of being a priest is the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time with second-grade boys and girls.

They’re busy discerning what is good and what is bad; what is purposeful and what is accidental; what is of God and what is not. This is the beginning of a journey to God in a community of believers.

It’s a great privilege to be privy to those initial stirrings of a sense of holiness and wholeness. The child’s innocence can be amusing to those who are more experienced in the ways of the world, but under no circumstances should a confessor laugh out

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Second-grade sinners

loud. That would be the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit.

Once, many years ago in a place far, far away I was hearing children’s Confessions in an old-style confessional. I slid open the door. In the darkness, I could see not one but two shadowy figures.

The young penitent began, “Bless me, Father.”

The voice came from somewhere above my head. I was perplexed.

Come to find out, it was a young boy unfamiliar with the confessional. He noticed the little shelf on which to rest one’s folded hands. He figured it was some sort of step (although an unusually high one), so he climbed up on the shelf. I was face-to-face with two knee caps.

On another occasion, again in an old-style confessional, I slid open the door. In the darkness I could see not one but two shadowy figures. I was perplexed. “Are there two people in the same confessional?” I asked. The response was, “It’s me, Jimmy. My friend Joey is here with me. He’s a Methodist. Methodists don’t have the Sacrament of Penance, so I invited Joey to come in with me and find out

LIVING AND EFFECTIVE WORD — On January 15 at the North American College in Rome, Fall River diocesan seminarian Jack Schrader, right, was installed to the Ministry of Lector. Here we see Schrader before the Most Rev. Timothy Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, USA, as Archbishop Broglio says the words, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.” Schrader is a first theologian at the U.S. bishops’ seminary in the Vatican.

what it’s like.”

Here’s one more old-time confessional story. I slid open the door and a young girl began: “Father, I don’t have any sins to confess, but my brother has plenty.

I’m going to tell you his sins in case he forgets to mention all the nasty things he’s done to me since his last Confession.”

Sisters can be so helpful.

Here in Dighton, it was time once again to celebrate First Penance. There was a smaller second-grade class this year, only 48 students. Nevertheless, it took four priests a full hour to hear them: Fathers Jim McClellan, Jack Andrews, Jay Maddock, and me. A confessor can’t rush through such sacred times. The four priests were given the opportunity to offer rudimentary spiritual guidance as the young children made their first bumbling steps on the way of holiness.

Who knows what lies ahead for those students? Nobody does but God. There are certain things the Lord will not expect of them on the path to holiness.

Jesus does not expect any disciple of

9 His to be perfect in every way. We all make mistakes. Even our holiest saints were flawed human beings. And try as we might, we are bound to pick up some of the prejudices of the time and place in which we live. Nor does the Lord expect a disciple to be above the struggles and challenges of life. These crosses may very well be the very door to holiness.

Jesus does, however, expect all of His disciples to be aware of their personal inadequacies and sinfulness. The holy ones stand before God in humility, not denying the gifts they may have but attributing them to God. Jesus expects all disciples to listen to God’s Word and to make it the foundation of their lives. Jesus expects disciples to be prepared to sacrifice everything, if necessary, for the faith. Jesus expects disciples to serve their neighbors here and now and thereby translate their words into action. Jesus expects disciples (even those who choose to live apart) to be intimately connected to the community of believers we call the Church. More than anything else, Jesus requires a loving heart.

Now, 48 more souls are on the road to holiness. I wish them all God’s blessings, those little second-grade sinners.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.

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By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

SOUTH EASTON — When Rob Tarallo first moved to South Easton with his wife, Anne, more than 25 years ago, he noticed how she immediately began to get involved with various groups and committees at Holy Cross Parish.

“She actually took on a big project. The parish used to have a holly fair every year,” Tarallo said. “She also was involved with the parish women’s club. After that, she really got involved and I think that drew me in as well.”

After volunteering to assist her “behind-the-scenes” with a few tasks, Tarallo soon found himself joining a variety of parish committees as well.

Now, a quarter-century later, Tarallo has done everything from teaching Faith Formation classes to students in grades six through eight; leading the parish Confirmation group; serving as co-chairman for the parish golf fund-raiser; and working on the committee that plans the parish’s annual Italian Dinner-Dance fund-raiser.

He also serves as an ex-

The Anchor

No task too small for dedicated parishioner traordinary minister of Holy One good example of his Mass faithfully every Sunday,” Communion; provides rides charitable work is something he said. “From that standpoint, for those who don’t otherwise called “Brown Bag Lunches.”

I had a strong Catholic faith have transportation growing up. I then to Sunday Masses; married a nice Irishand is a member of Catholic girl and we the Fund-raising continued that tradiSteering Committion with our chiltee. dren as well.”

“All in all, I try Teaching about to give whatever I their faith and catcan in terms of time echesis have always and it does keep us been top prioribusy, but we get ties for Tarallo and a lot back from it his wife, who has in return,” Tarallo served as the direcsaid. “I have to say tor of Faith Formait’s been very fultion at Holy Cross filling.”

Parish for the past Tarallo said he 12 years. The couenjoys not only the ple also made sure spiritual benefits of their three children helping others, but were given the benalso finds that makefit of a Catholic ing a personal coneducation. nection with people “Our two boys is just as important. went to Xaveri“Just a nice gesan Brothers High ture or a smile or a School in Westwood friendly hello in the Anchor Person of the week — Rob Tar- and our daughter, morning can go a allo. the youngest, went long way,” he said. to Bishop Feehan “I think we need High School,” Tarmore of that in the world we “My wife and I help pre- allo said. “They were very live in.” pare lunches for the Brockton good schools and helped them Homeless Shelter,” Tarallo to get a well-rounded educasaid. “They get as many vol- tion as well as Catholic values. unteers as they can to come Even though all our children in to make brown bag lunches are now grown and out of the — everything from peanut but- house, Tarallo said he and his ter and jelly to cold cut sand- wife are just as busy as ever. wiches with cookies and chips.

“As the director of Faith We have an assembly line and Formation, my wife always we get it done in a couple of needs something done and I hours. We put together about do things like photocopying, 100 or so lunches every Mon- binding, or picking up and day night.” delivering items for ConfirTarallo is also involved with mation,” he said. “She’s very the Social Action Commission, devoted, so she spends a lot of which assists anyone in need, time at the parish.” regardless of his or her parish In fact, the Tarallos’ pastor, or religious affiliation.

Father James Fenstermaker, “I try to do little things over CSC, said it’s not uncommon the years,” he said. “Again, it’s for the couple to work late duroff and on; it’s not something I ing the week. do all the time. But I try to do “Anne puts long and unwhatever I can.” usual hours into her ministry, As a boy growing up in the and they often end up eating Hyde Park section of Boston a late-night dinner once she where he attended St. Pius X returns from programs that Parish, Tarallo said his faith keep her at the parish through and the Church were always dinner time,” Father Fenvery important to him. stermaker said. “Rob, along “My parents were first-gen- with Anne, also participates eration Italians, so we were in many parish activities, and devout Catholics and went to is very supportive of the life

January 27, 2012

and mission of the parish. I know that I could turn to Rob if there were a particular parish project or need that would benefit from his experience and assistance.”

Of the many activities that Tarallo is involved with, one of the most touching and personal for him would have to be his weekly visits to bring his mother Holy Communion.

“She’s 87 now and for the past few months she’s been pretty much home bound,” Tarallo said. “I’ve been bringing her Communion every Sunday morning for the past six months. I spend a couple of hours with her and I’ve been getting a lot from that experience. Just thinking about all she’s done for me over the years and how she genuinely appreciates that time we spend together is special.”

Tarallo said he’s proud of the fact that the faith his mother enkindled in him has now come full circle.

“She was extremely influential in my faith; both parents were, really,” he said. “My father passed away in 1996, so he’s been gone quite some time. But both had a strong sense of faith and family. My dad was very involved with his parish, too; he and mom were both extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and were daily communicants for a number of years. They were definitely a major influence on me growing up.”

When asked what he’d say to encourage others to get involved with their parish, Tarallo doesn’t hesitate to respond.

“I think there’s so much people can get out of being involved in their parish — not only the spiritual aspect, but through the people they meet,” Tarallo said. “The more you give, the more you get back.

Even getting involved as a music minister or an usher: I would just encourage people to get involved.”

To submit a Person of the Week nominee, send an email with information to fatherrogerlandry@anchornews. org.

January 27, 2012

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’m doing my part for Catholic Schools Week. Since this edition of The Anchor is chockfull of education related copy and advertisements, I’ve been relegated to this small space for this

The Anchor

January 27, 2012

Yes, this is My View From the Stands

week’s column. I’m even giving up my column head shot (which is a bonus for Anchor readers).

Since I’m wasting copy space with patting myself on the back, I best get started on this week’s

topic.

I still cannot believe that Baltimore Ravens’ kicker Billy Cundiff’s chip-shot of a field goal floated left of the goal post in the chilly New England night

last Sunday.

I’ve watched replay after replay and I still expect the kick to go through.

People are claiming the Patriots got lucky and are going to

be decimated by the N.Y. Giants’ defense in Super Bowl XLVI. The bottom line is, the Patriots played just well enough to win last week, and one can’t win “Dancing With the Stars,” if one doesn’t go to the dance!

There are several optimistic signs to ponder, even as New England fans still feel like we lost on Sunday.

Number one: Tom Brady was awful, and we still won.

Two: The Pats’ muchmaligned defense stood up and made all the big plays when it had to.

Three: Like the Patriots, the Giants have had a Jekyll-andHyde season. They look like world beaters one week and egg beaters the next.

As each day passes, I like our chances in February 5’s big dance more and more.

Granted, I’m not quite sure why the Patriots are favored at this point. I feel the teams should be even-up come game day.

To win, the Pats will have to play their best. If they do, we’ll have two champs in town again.

But one thing’s for sure. They can’t rely on an easy field goal wafting off mark again. Not that we wouldn’t take it.

January 27, 2012

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ear the end of January, I attended a terrific conference in Framingham, Mass. concerning “The Persecuted Church.” When I say terrific, I mean the full riveting, appalling sense of the word. The speakers ranged from young participants of the “Arab Spring” protests to sage professors to political operatives, and each hammered home two distressing points: first that Christians are routinely harassed, intimidated and slaughtered across the Middle East and deep into African continent, and second, that Christians elsewhere are doing very little to help them.

As the conference progressed, it became evident that the prevailing narrative in our mainstream press and academia deliberately misrepresents the situation. History textbooks consistently fail to teach children about the scope of the early Church, which spread from Je-

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The persecuted Church

rusalem across many continents minorities are causing unrest. with amazing rapidity. All Chris- Only when one looks at the local tians should know that there were [often “subversive”] accounts many tribes and nations who does one discover that Christians embraced the Gospel, such as are being dispossessed or killed, Egyptians, Persians, Arabs, Assyrians, Berbers.

Many of these peoples are mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, and their ranks only spread and grew over the centuries.

Thus, by the time that the

By Genevieve Kineke Muslim invaders spread through Asia Minor and into Europe, they were attacking centuries-old instituIslamicists are waging the usual tions and native peoples long jihad, and those who try to tell considered Christian. the truth are harassed or silenced.

The media builds on acaSurely, even the previous demia’s myopia in refusing to paragraph would be considered explain the nature of the “sec“hate speech” on any college tarian strife” currently found in campus and in many media the region. The premise offered outlets. Even the human rights is that Arabs are native to all of activists so absorbed in Palestinthese regions, the lands are Mus- ian minutiae ignore the creeping lim by nature, and that unnamed genocide beyond that one place, and even western feminists curiously delight in the very “multi-

The Feminine Genius

cultural” display that marginalizes women and makes a mockery of their “right to choose.”

Sadly, in all the presentations I found two important elements missing that cannot be overlooked. Although Christendom spread widely in the earliest centuries, we have to acknowledge that this broad array of Christians fought constantly — not only over doctrine, which had to be hammered out accurately, but also over primacy and territory, which is a scandalous reality of all ages.

Secondly, and this is a more egregious point, there was no call to prayer. The activists lamented the lack of American support for their protests, which are without a doubt enormously courageous.

The scholars called for a better vetting of textbooks and for students to publish papers so that the truth is more widely known.

The political advisors stressed the

need for stronger agitation in order to make our politicians aware of the real nature of the conflict.

All of these are valuable and practical steps, but they ignore the wider reality that this isn’t merely a matter of “human rights,” but part of the larger Christian narrative: “They will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name” (Mt 24:9). Prayer is needed now as much as ever, because our antipathy towards their persecution within the Mystical Body belies ignorance about our own inevitable challenges. Secular academies and governing bodies will be of very little help if we are inhibited from making the case for Christ and His redemption, for that truth alone will truly set us — and our persecuted brethren — free.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books) and blogs at feminine-genius.com.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4, 2012

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Faith. Academics. Service.

Our Lady of Lourdes School

“a small school with a big heart” 52 First Street, Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, January 29, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Msgr. John J. Oliveira, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford.

REGISTRATION FOR SEPTEMBER, 2012/2013 SCHOOL YEAR PRE-KINDERGARTEN — GRADE 5 Saturday, January 28th • 11 AM - 2 PM — OPEN HOUSE Ongoing registration beginning Monday, January 30, 2012 1:00 - 4:00 PM Birth and Baptismal Certificates Required Call (508) 822-3746 for additional information Website: ololtaunton.com Email address: olol@tmlp.com

14

The Anchor

Diocesan Pro-Lifers march in Washington continued from page one

ing in the rain. Every year it gets bigger and it amazes me. God bless them all for coming out.”

Ward told The Anchor while traveling home from the event that he thinks people, in general, are paying more attention to the issue and many are siding with the Pro-Life stance.

“I don’t want to sound too optimistic, but I think we’re on the right track,” Ward said. “With the help of our bishops and Church leaders, I think we’re making an impact. It’s one thing I think all Catholics can be proud of.”

Theresa Sullivan, a parishioner of St. Mary of the Nativity Parish in Scituate, has faithfully attended the March for Life for the past 30 years and she traveled on the Cape Cod Bus for Life this year. She was very impressed with the turnout.

“I couldn’t have believed how many people were there,” Sullivan said. “First of all, it was the coldest march I’ve ever been on.

But that didn’t stop people from coming. I saw people of all ages.

“I think it just gets bigger every year. With the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade next year, I expect the largest turnout ever.

It’s wonderful to see the younger

people getting involved, because it affects people of all ages.”

One of the younger people in attendance was Andrew Bostrom of St. Margaret’s Parish in Buzzards Bay. “This is my first time at the March for Life,” Bostrom said.

“There’s a really interesting dynamic of people who attend from all over the country. I spoke with people today from Ohio, Texas and California. Seeing all the young people at the vigil last night, it really made an impression on me.”

Bostrom said he wasn’t as surprised with the number of people at the march as he was with the variety of ages and backgrounds.

“I talked to a group of people next to us who originally came from Mexico and I was amazed with how dedicated people are to this cause,” he said. “I think our being here will definitely have a major impact. I even heard a Congressman say he was impressed with the number of people that turned out.”

“Being with all these people, it makes you feel so small, but also so special,” agreed Sarah McGuire, a fellow parishioner

from St. Margaret’s Parish. “I just loved being a part of it. When you see all these people marching in the pouring rain and gathering at the basilica, it’s so encouraging that so many people have so much zeal for this cause.”

McGuire said she looks forward to the day when Roe vs.

Wade is overturned.

“There were so many people here today and everyone was so united, I think that will eventually help to change minds and change hearts,” she said.

“It made me feel much better to know we are not alone and that there are so many supporters of Pro-Life out there,” said Eric Cabral, a student at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth.

“And seeing how many young people were there gave me hope.”

Although she’s preparing to graduate this year, fellow Stang student Tiffany Gutierrez said she is considering coming back to the March for Life next year as a chaperone.

“I would come back,” she said. “It really did have an impact on me.”

An indication of the increased number of attendees at this year’s March for Life was that some

January 27, 2012 events had to either be relocated or expanded to multiple venues to accommodate the crowds.

“We had Mass at the Verizon Center and they had to open it up to the National Guard Armory, with a video feed that went back and forth,” said Phil Rondelli of Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton. “There were so many more people coming this year that they had to get two places for one event.”

Rich Zopatti of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham made his seventh trip to the March for Life this year and said it was one of the best attended to date.

“We celebrated Mass last night at the basilica and it was just packed,” Zopatti said. “The main floor was filled with people.”

More than 10,000 people gathered on the evening before the march for Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, who also serves as chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life, was the principal celebrant and homilist at the opening Mass, which was followed by confessions, a Rosary, night prayer and holy hours throughout the night.

“You are a good infection,”

the cardinal told the youth gathered for the National Prayer Vigil for Life. “Do not underestimate your presence.”

“Cardinal DiNardo was great,” said Coyle and Cassidy High School student Rachel Malloch. “He broke everything down so even the younger kids there could really understand what he was talking about. He kept it interesting and entertaining.”

Zopatti said they also attended Mass at the Church of the Holy Rosary in Washington, D.C. on the morning of the march, with Father Tom Washburn, pastor of St. Margaret’s Parish in Buzzards Bay, and Father Ron Floyd, parochial vicar of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham, concelebrating.

“It was a very full and exciting day,” he said. “It’s been off-andon sprinkling down here all day, and everyone walked in the rain.

But all the roads going up to the Supreme Court were packed with people.”

A rally on the National Mall preceded the trek to the Supreme Court, where thousands of Pro-Life marchers — the majority of them high school and college-age youths from across the country — gathered to hear from congressmen and Pro-Life leaders.

January 27, 2012

The Anchor

Catholic schools celebrate faith, academics and service continued from page one

school curriculum in light of the new national corps of curriculum standards.

“We’re currently using a mapping process, where teachers and staff in our five high schools and some elementary schools are, through a software application, sharing ideas and suggestions and identifying areas of future grown with regards to the national standards,” explained Griffin. “This is part of a twoyear process. Out goal is not only to meet the national standards, but to surpass them.”

While diocesan schools are seeking to grow and improve, Griffin pointed out the successes already achieved in the diocesan school system. “I’m pleased to see that, compared with national results, the students in our schools are above the national averages in the SAT tests for high school students, and the Iowa testing for elementary and middle school students,” he said.

In keeping with the plan to look to the future of academic success, diocesan teachers are also upgrading in the spiritual aspect as well. “Our middle school teachers are in the second year of a certification program for teaching religion,” Griffin said.

“Having attended a number of liturgies and services in diocesan Catholic schools, I see a genuine celebration of the Sacraments and elements of our faith,” Griffin added.

Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro has a little bit more to celebrate this Catholic Schools Week, as they are in the midst of a year-long commemoration of its 50th anniversary.

“It’s been a great year so far,” said Feehan president, Christopher Servant.

“And there is more to come. We decided against a single ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ celebration and planned events for the whole school year. There’s been a lot of excitement.”

Servant told The Anchor that celebrations were for everyone ever involved with Bishop Feehan High School; graduates, benefactors, parents, teachers, “anyone who ever was part of this school.”

The celebrations include on-campus events, off-site events and correspondence. “We set out to acknowledge 50 people this year, whose lives carried on and fulfilled the school mission,” said Servant. “They will or have received a special 50th anniversary medallion. So far we’ve acknowledged benefactors and trustees.

“Our next celebration, coinciding with Catholic Schools Week, will recognize parents, who have made the sacrifice to send their children to a Catholic school, and teachers, other than the religious who have taught here, since they have already been recognized.

Representing the parents are Bernard and Rolande Poirier whose 15 children attended Feehan. And two of our senior teachers will accept the medallions on behalf all those who taught here.”

Servant said that the school has made a point to invite all those in the Feehan family back to the school. “Feehan is really growing and those who have not

been here for a while and have returned for a visit are astounded how it’s grown, campus-wise and education-wise.

“We’re proud to represent the Diocese of Fall River. Bishop Feehan High School is alive and well and flourishing.”

Across the bridges on Cape Cod, St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School in Hyannis is in the midst of its 15th year.

Headmaster Robert H. Deburro told The Anchor, “This is a very exciting time for us, and we’re proud to be part of the Catholic education system on Cape Cod, where students can attend a Catholic school from pre-K through high school.” St. Francis accommodates the middle-school grades.

“One of the great things about being 15 is that the school is now older than our students when they graduate,” he quipped. “Our older grads are now embracing their adult careers.”

Deburro mentioned that he has received “dozens and dozens” of letters from graduates “praising St. Francis Prep for the organizational skills and study preparation habits they developed while here.” He cited examples from students who attended such illustrious institutions as Notre Dame and Duke universities, and are moving on to medical school and the like. Many of the alumni are entering successful and challenging careers, and giving credit to the formation they received at St. Francis Prep. One graduate, Riley Williams, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fall River last year.

There are other spiritual success stories, too. Deburro noted one student who wrote to him after he received a letter “from himself” that was written while he was on the spring retreat held each year for the eighth-graders. “We have the students write a letter to themselves that we mail to them 10 years later.”

Shea Quinn from the Class of 2001

recently received his and wrote to Deburro, “I guess that’s because we aren’t meant to know our future — God has a plan for every one of us that only He can foresee. The world has changed greatly since May of 2001 — events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the economic collapse in 2008 have shaped the way each of us thinks, acts, and lives our daily lives.

Yet somehow, with God’s guidance, we have been able to continue living faithfully in His grace and modeling our lives towards serving Him. The future isn’t ours to know — it’s ours to create with the guidance of our family, friends, and heavenly Father.”

Deburro, who has been the headmaster for 12 years, said the greatest change he’s witnessed over the years is the “massive integration of technology. When I started here, we had chalk boards, then white boards, and now every classroom in the school has smart board technology.”

The school is also equipped with

15 wireless service so faculty and students can gain access to the Internet from any location in the school, “Even the gym,” said Deburro.

Another state of the art addition has been the electronic expansion of the school library. “Thanks to e-readers, we’ve gone from a small library to a large one. All the students and faculty have either a Nook or a Kindle available to them, and the devices can hold hundreds and hundreds of books.”

The school held a celebration Mass on January 8, inviting former students, parents, staff, and parishioners to join the current St. Francis Prep family. A reception followed where attendees shared old year books, photos and stories.

“It was a low-key celebration, but it was great to see some of the ‘early brave families’ who elected to send their children to this new school that was just starting out,” said Deburro. “It was a joyful celebration, of our beginning to the present.”

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The Anchor

January 27, 2012

Retreat focuses on following Christ as young adults continued from page one

said, and other talks were created specifically for the weekend.

“We all knew that we wanted to focus on young adults who really struggle with the journey of our faith and the path to God,” said Medeiros. “We all know that everyone has a journey and struggles, but we also know that if we look around in our parishes, the young adults are pretty much not there. This was a way to try and reach out to them and see if this can help them come into a closer relationship with God and want to share that either with the parish they’re currently in or find another parish where they’re comfortable doing that.”

Those in ministry should do a retreat every year, said Father Frederici, adding that starting a retreat for young adults is an opportunity to build a young adult retreat program that can also meet on an annual basis.

Parishes are geared towards an older crowd and children, said Father Frederici, “which is fine and they are important too, but we need to do a better job as a Church for that mid-range group, and this is one of the ways to do that.”

“For this age group, their experiences are very different,” he said, and a retreat offers the opportunity to share in ways that can be an eye-opening experience: “They realize that they are not alone in their strug-

gles.”

Applying for graduate school has 25-year-old Colleen Schoeck at a transitional period in her life, and she said she went on the retreat to reach out to others her own age after not seeing many young adults at her church, Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich.

“I wanted to take some time in prayer,” said Schoeck. “I’m looking for people who have the same mind-set and understand where I’m coming from.”

Having already established connections with the new faces she met through the retreat, she said gatherings like this are important to young adults because “you get so caught up in everything that’s going on in your life — take time to realize where you are and to appreciate that. I would recommend going on a retreat, and I really appreciate that it’s with people in the same age group; there’s something special in that.”

Having men and women participate was just as important since we live life with others, said Father Frederici: “Each of us has his or her own unique gifts. We all grow and we all change; it just depends on where we are at that particular moment in life.”

Catherine Fraga, a parishioner of St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth, was

COME FOLLOW ME — UMass Dartmouth chaplain Father David Frederici and Crystal Medeiros, assistant director of the Youth and Adult Ministry Program at the Office of Faith Formation, participate in a group discussion during a young adult weekend retreat, the first such retreat led by the Office of Faith Formation. (Photo by Becky Aubut)

“optimistically hopeful but wasn’t sure” if she would make connections beyond the weekend retreat but said she did, including with a young lady who had started a young adult group in her Fall River parish.

“We’ll be able to continue to connect beyond this weekend,” said Fraga, adding that retreats for this age group are vital.

“It’s important because it’s guidance and a sounding-board for us to affirm each other and our faith, and how our faith shapes our lives, especially at this time in our life where we’re choosing careers or starting families,” said the 25-year-old, who was able to attend with her husband, Brian. “We can either look at that through a secular lens and try to make decisions, or we can look at it with other adults who are also making those decisions in their lives, but from a faith perspective.”

Nineteen-year-old Anne Parsons, a member of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee and the youngest retreat participant, found herself struggling with how to pray and said discussions offering new tools, like journaling or picking a random Scripture to meditate and focus on, helped tremendously.

“I think I’ll probably develop a deeper relationship with God, figure out how to get peace of mind, and pray more,” she said.

The common thread of the retreat was

prayer and building your own personal relationship with God, said Medeiros, and while the itinerary was laid out well before the weekend arrived, the entire group allowed some fluidity in the schedule and that less structured atmosphere led to some intense discussions.

“It’s amazing because one of the things you’re concerned with as facilitators of the retreat is that no one will share anything, that you won’t have any feedback or conversation. The three of us have been pretty impressed by the depth of the questions and the insight of the responses,” said Medeiros. “There’s no fear, which I did expect. I expected them to be more apprehensive and they all came in and just all connected. Not everyone knew each other; some people came with a couple of friends but we created a safe environment where they can really express themselves and their thoughts and struggles.”

An annual weekend retreat for young adults is a possibility, said Medeiros, acknowledging that it’s tough for young adults to carve out entire weekends of time; but perhaps an upcoming day or twilight retreat can help continue to nurture the faith of the young adult members of the Fall River Diocese.

“It’s important for parish communities to recognize the young adults that are present in their parish,” said Medeiros. “Those in their 20s or 30s who may or may not be married with children, and to welcome them with open arms and listen Full Academic Program to what they Latest Technology: Smart Boards & Wireless have to say, and help guide them Art, Music, Physical Education on their journey NEASC Accreditation of faith. It’s reBefore & After School Care ally a challenge, Hot Lunch Program I think, for a lot Extracurricular & Sports Programs of our communities. They’re Family Atmosphere in a new phase of their lives, be Open House part of it and emTuesday, February 7, 2012 brace it — just be present for 9-11 AM & 2-5 PM & 6-8 PM them.”

January 27, 2012

17

The Anchor

Mass. Appeals Court overturns ruling, blasts judge’s order to force abortion

BOSTON — A Massachusetts Appeals Court reversed a probate judge’s decision to order a 32-year-old schizophrenic woman to undergo an abortion and then to be sterilized following the procedure, saying the woman had consistently expressed her opposition to the abortion on the grounds of being a Catholic.

“No party requested this measure … and the judge appears to have simply produced the requirement out of thin air,” State Appellate Court Associate Justice Andrew R. Grainger wrote, reversing newly-retired Norfolk Probate and Family Court Judge Christina Harms’ January 6 ruling in the case. Harms retired January 11.

In December, the state Department of Mental Health filed a petition to have the woman’s parents named as guardians for the woman — known only as “Mary Moe” — so they could give consent for an abortion, according to the court. During the hearing, Harms approved guardianship,

ruling Moe could be “coaxed, bribed or even enticed … by ruse” into a hospital where she would be sedated and an abortion performed, the appellate ruling states.

The decision notes that Moe, when asked whether she would have an abortion, told Harms she “wouldn’t do that.” Harms, however, declared Moe was not competent to make a decision about abortion, citing “substantial delusional beliefs,” and concluded Moe would choose to abort her pregnancy if she were competent. Additionally the judge directed that any medical facility that performed the abortion also sterilize Moe at the same time “to avoid this painful situation from reoccurring.”

Along with reversing the order, Grainger also concluded that Harms improperly decided the matter of Moe’s competence and noted that a court-appointed guardian had determined Moe would decide against an abortion if competent.

“Needless to say, I thought

that the Appeals Court decision was correct,” said Dwight Duncan, a law professor at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth.

“The legal test for such situations in Massachusetts — i.e., patients who are incompetent to make decisions regarding their medical treatment — is substituted judgment; that is, what the patient would choose if the patient were competent. Here, even if because of mental illness the woman was considered incompetent, it seems clear that she didn’t want an abortion, and also that she considered herself a devout Catholic who shares the Church’s view of the sanctity of human life.

“Thus, the idea that a trial court could override that and allow her parents to choose an abortion for her, and even to deceive her in the process, is wrong, even as just a legal matter. And, of course, the idea that the trial judge would order her to be sterilized is really over-the-top, particularly since no party was requesting

that, as I understand the facts.

The result is certainly more consistent with the Catholic Church’s teaching about both abortion and sterilization than the original trial court’s decision.”

The court’s decision was

based on a 1982 Supreme Judicial Court ruling that stated that the “personal decision whether to bear or beget a child is a right so fundamental that it must be extended to all persons, including those who are incompetent.”

18

The Anchor

Friends, family, parishioners reflect on deep faith of missing couple

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn.

(CNS) — Friends and parishioners of St. Pius X Church in White Bear Lake reflected on the lives of Jerry and Barb Heil at a recent evening prayer service. Divers continued the search for 19 people still missing after a Costa Concordia cruise ship cruise ship crashed into the Italian

coast January 13. The Heils are the only Americans unaccounted for among the more than 4,200 passengers. Eleven people died.

At St. Pius X, about 450 people gathered to sing, pray, reflect, light candles and pay tribute to the Heils. “It was a fantastic tribute to the way they lived their

Around the Diocese 1/29

St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth will host an informational open house Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. Prospective families are invited to come tour the school and find out why parents all over Cape Cod are choosing St. Pius X School. Bus service from Mashpee and Barnstable is available. For more information call 508-398-6112.

1/29

St. Mary’s Parish in Fairhaven is coordinating a pilgrimage to Molokai in Hawaii to celebrate the anniversary of St. Damien on October 11. An informational/sign-up meeting will be held Sunday at 11:15 a.m., immediately following the 10 a.m. Mass, in the St. Mary’s parish hall. The pilgrimage will take place October 8-15. For more information call 508-992-7300.

2/3

The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet February 3 at the Parish of the Good Shepherd, 1598 South Main Street, Fall River. Following the 6 p.m. Mass celebrated by Father Freddie Babiczuk, there will be a hot meal in the church hall. The guest speaker is Attorney John Polak, who will talk about tax preparations. Any gentleman wishing to attend may do so. For reservations or information call Norman Valiquette at 508-672-8174.

2/4

The Placement Exam for prospective high school and eighth-grade LEAP students of Bishop Connolly High School, 373 Elsbree Street, Fall River, will be February 4 at 8 a.m. To reserve a space or for information call Anthony Ciampanelli, director of admissions, at 508-676-1071, extension 333.

2/4

A Day With Mary will take place February 4 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street in downtown New Bedford. It will include a video presentation, procession and crowning of the Blessed Mother along with Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for Reconciliation. There will be a book store available during breaks. For more information call 508-996-8274.

2/9

The Divorced and Separated Support Group will continue its Divorce Care Series with a video screening of “The Road to Healing and Help” on February 9 beginning at 7 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Parish, 494 Slocum Road in North Dartmouth. This session will help identify the losses that occur as a result of divorce and discuss ways to begin the process of healing. Discussion will follow and refreshments will be served. For more information call 508-678-2828, 508-993-0589 or 508-673-2997.

2/10

The diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate is sponsoring its annual essay contest to focus on the upcoming anniversary date of Roe v.

Wade and Doe v. Bolton. The theme this year is “I came so that all might have life and have it to the full!” The deadline for submissions is February 10. For more information, contact your parish office or call 508-675-1311.

2/11

Courage, a welcoming support group for Catholics wounded by same-sex attraction who gather to seek God’s wisdom, mercy and love, will next meet on February 11 at 7 p.m. For location and more information, call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408.

lives,” said Carri Petronack, St. Pius X social ministry coordinator.

“A lot of people knew them, and they lived their life to be ready for Heaven every day and go to the Lord.” Several people commented on the Heil couple’s tremendous display of faith, including their granddaughter, Lexi Heil. They are “amazing people (with) such a strong faith,” she said. Barb Heil has been active in a close-knit parish Rosary group.

Jerry Heil is a member of the Knights of Columbus, which he joined in 1969 but rejoined more actively in 2002, said fellow Knight Duane Jabas. “He would keep out of the spotlight,” Jabas said. “He was very active in our church.”

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Jan. 28 Rev. Joseph M. Griffin, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1947 Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Shay, V.F., Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1961 Jan. 29 Rev. Christiano J. Borges, Retired Pastor, St. John the Baptist, New Bedford, 1944 Rev. Albert J. Masse, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1950

January 27, 2012

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

Acushnet — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds eucharistic adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. until January 27, 2012, and from January 7 to November 17, 2012.

ATTLEBORO — St. Joseph Church holds eucharistic adoration in the Adoration Chapel located at the (south) side entrance at 208 South Main Street, Sunday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Brewster — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays following the 11 a.m. Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and Mass. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

East Freetown — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

East Sandwich — Eucharistic adoration takes place at the Corpus Christi Parish Adoration Chapel, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, 24-hour eucharistic adoration takes place on the First Friday of every month.

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, eucharistic adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has eucharistic adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at noon. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration. Refreshments follow.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Notre Dame Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has eucharistic adoration on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the chapel.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has eucharistic adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has eucharistic adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

Jan. 30 Rev. Raymond F.X. Cahill, S.J., Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1983 Rev. Sebastian Slesinski, OFM, Conv., 2006

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has eucharistic adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass until 6 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel. There is a bilingual Holy Hour in English and Portuguese from 5-6 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Jan. 31 Rev. Charles J. Burns, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1901 Rev. William F. Sullivan, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1930 Rev. Manuel C. Terra, 1930

HYANNIS — A Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration will take place each First Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church, 347 South Street, beginning immediately after the 12:10 p.m. Mass and ending with adoration at 4 p.m.

Feb. 1 Rev. Msgr. Michael J. O’Reilly, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1948 Rev. Msgr. Patrick H. Hurley, V.F. Pastor, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1968 Rev. Anatole F. Desmarais, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1975 Rev. Msgr. Gerard J. Chabot, Pastor, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, South Attleboro, 1983 Rev. William F. O’Connell, Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1995 Rev. Arthur T. deMello, Retired Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 2004 Feb. 2 Most Rev. William Stang, D.D., First Bishop of Fall River: 1904-07, 1907 Rev. Patrick F. McKenna, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1913 Rev. John L. McNamara, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1941 Rev. P. Roland Decosse, Pastor, St. Hyacinth, New Bedford, 1947 Rev. Daniel F. Morarty, Assistant, St. Brendan, Riverside, R.I., 1991 Feb. 3 Rev. Antonio O. Ponte, Pastor, Our Lady of Angels, Fall River, 1952

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has eucharistic adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m.

Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of eucharistic adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and Confessions offered during the evening.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and every Friday from noon to 5 p.m., with Benediction at 5 p.m.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has eucharistic adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

WAREHAM — Adoration with opportunities for private and formal prayer is offered on the First Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, High Street. The Prayer Schedule is as follows: 7:30 a.m. the Rosary; 8 a.m. Mass; 8:30 a.m. exposition and Morning Prayer; 12 p.m. the Angelus; 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet; 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer; 7 p.m. Sacrament of Confession; 8 p.m. Benediction.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All from other parishes are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

WOODS HOLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Joseph’s Church, 33 Millfield Street, year-round on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No adoration on Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. For information call 508-274-5435.

The Anchor

January 27, 2012

La Salette Father Gilles Genest dies continued from page one

profession of vows there the following year. He completed his studies in philosophy and theology at La Salette Seminary, Attleboro and was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 2, 1962 in Fall River by Bishop James L. Connolly.

He would have celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on February 2.

In the course of his many years of ministry, Father Genest served his La Salette Province as provincial superior, assistant provincial, community superior at the La Salette Shrines in Attleboro and Enfield, N.H. He was the founding director of the La Salette Center for Christian Living — currently known as the La Salette Retreat Center. In this capacity, he began the Cursillo movement in the Diocese of Fall River and was the spiritual director for the movement for more than 30 years. He Father Gilles M. also created famGenest, M.S. ily retreats as well as retreats and programs that responded to the needs of people.

Father Genest served briefly as chaplain at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Montreal, Canada and was associate director of the Family Life Center for the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. Father Gilles also served in parish ministry as co-pastor and as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon, N.H. As his health declined, Father Genest retired from active ministry and lived in the La Salette Communities of Attleboro and Hartford, Conn. In recent months he became a resident at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River.

In addition to his La Salette Confreres, Father Genest is survived by a niece, Doris Genest of Manchester, N.H.; two nephews, Paul of Allentown, N.H. and Steve of Nashua, N.H.; a sister-in-law Eloise Genest of Manchester, N.H. and a very close cousin Reggie Brunelle.

A Funeral Mass was held January 21 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, with arrangements by Sperry and McHoul Funeral Home in North Attleboro. Interment will be at La Salette Cemetery in Enfield, N.H. in the spring.

Memorial donations in memory of Father Genest may be made to the La Salette Retreat Center, 947 Park Street, Attleboro, Mass.

02703 or to the Missionaries of La Salette Retirement Fund, 915 Maple Avenue, Hartford, Conn.

06114.

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The Anchor

Pope warns of threat to freedom of religion, conscience in U.S.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI warned visiting U.S. bishops that “radical secularism” threatens the core values of American culture, and he called on the Church in America, including politicians and other lay people, to render “public moral witness” on crucial social issues.

The pope spoke January 19 to a group of U.S. bishops who were in Rome for their periodic “ad limina” visits, which included meetings with the pope and Vatican officials, covering a wide range of pastoral matters.

Opening with an analysis of the state

of American society, the pope told the bishops that “powerful new cultural currents” have worn away the country’s traditional moral consensus, which was originally based on religious faith as well as ethical principles derived from natural law.

Whether they claim the authority of science or democracy, the pope said, militant secularists seek to stifle the Church’s proclamation of these “unchanging moral truths.” Such a movement inevitably leads to the prevalence of “reductionist and totalitarian readings of the human person and the nature of society.”

The pope drew an opposition between current “notions of freedom detached from moral truth” and Catholicism’s “rational perspective” on morality,

January 27, 2012 founded on the conviction that the “cosmos is possessed of an inner logic accessible to human reasoning.” Using the Turn to page three

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