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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Catholic Schools Week

January 29 — February 4

Brother Jordan (Timothy) Zajac, O.P., a 1996 graduate of St. James-St. John School in New Bedford and a 2000 graduate of Bishop Stang High School and a Dominican Friar currently studying for the priesthood at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., recently visited students at his former elementary school.

The Anchor - January 27, 2017

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Bishop, education center lead charge to strengthen diocesan school system

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — One of the first goals Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., set for himself and the Diocese of Fall River when he arrived here from Newark, N.J. in July of 2014 was to strengthen diocesan schools and make a quality Catholic education available to all who sought it, regardless of financial constraints.

Shortly after he settled in his new home diocese Bishop da Cunha established a Task Force on Schools to study the ins and outs of diocesan schools and to prepare a report of its findings and provide recommendations to address concerns that may exist.

For nearly a year and a half, the task force diligently reviewed all areas involving Catholic eduction in the diocese and presented Bishop da Cunha its report last October.

“The report was widely shared throughout the diocese,” Steve Perla, interim superintendent of diocesan schools told The Anchor. “The report was shared with pastors, principals,

Bishop to celebrate Mass for Catholic schools on Cape Cod

HYANNIS — In observance of Catholic Schools Week, which runs from January 29 through February 4 this year, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. will celebrate a 10 a.m. Mass on Monday, February 6 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis for students, faculty and administrators from Catholic schools within the Cape Cod Deanery of the Fall River Diocese.

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2017 is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to the Church, our communities and our nation. heads of schools, and put on the diocesan website. And principals shared the report with their faculties and included it on school websites and pastors were asked to put it on their parish websites.

“The bishop was very clear that this report be transparent and easily accessible to all, including parents of our students.”

After Bishop da Cunha received the task force report, he set out to establish an implementation committee to operationalize the task force’s recommendations. That committee included Perla, with Father David A. Costa, pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s parishes in North Attleboro, and Dr. Mary Pat Tranter, president of Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School in Taunton, serving as co-chairmen, along with nine other committee members.

Turn to page six

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The Anchor - January 27, 2017

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

Evangelizing youth one parent at a time

CHARLESTOWN — Though she is currently an evangelization consultant for the Archdiocese of Boston, when Elizabeth Cotrupi was growing up in Arlington she never thought she would be in ministry.

“I didn’t know anyone in ministry,” she said. “I mean I knew my pastor and I had a great relationship with him. I earned a business degree and managed restaurants. I never forgot about God. I still had a relationship with Him, but I wasn’t necessarily in the Church as an active member. I think God had a plan. ” Born and raised Catholic, Cotrupi admits drifting away from the faith as a young adult.

When she married and began to have children, she made her way back into the Church fold.

“As the kids got older I enrolled them in Faith Formation classes, and so, like a lot of us moms, I ended up [volunteer] teaching,” she said.

She also reflected within herself, and went on a Cursillo weekend retreat: “I had a major reawakening to the faith,” said Cotrupi. “Growing up, I really had a relationship with God the Father, but I never really had a relationship with Jesus Christ, His Son. So that really opened my eyes. I had an amazing weekend. This was not just Good News but great news, and we really need to be sharing this.”

Within a few years of the retreat, she became the Faith Formation coordinator of her thenparish, St. Joseph’s of Charlton. Realizing her business degree hadn’t quite prepared her for her new role, Cotrupi earned her certification in catechetics and youth ministry, as well as a Master of Theological Studies for the New Evangelization at the Theological Institute in Brighton.

In 2002, and still relatively new in her role as coordinator, Cotrupi attended a Life Teen Conference (www.LifeTeen.com), and it changed how she viewed the youth of the Catholic Church, and the potential the youth of her parish back in Massachusetts. Among the more than 2,000 attendees from all over the world, more than 500 teen-agers were in attendance.

“We were all crying,” recalled Cotrupi, as she thought, “this is what Mass and the Liturgy and being a disciple is all about. We’ve got to bring this back.”

Cotrupi said she always felt that the Faith Formation program could be done in a more vibrant and engaging way, “and when I saw it at the Life Teen conference,” she said she knew what she needed to do.

Six months later, Cotrupi kicked off the new high school Faith Formation program at St. Joseph’s Parish, where only a few weeks before

the middle school program at the parish had begun. The comprehensive blueprint of the new Faith Formation program blended some old ways of doing things with some new ideas, creating a new and energetic setting.

“We wanted to get away from the classroombased Faith Formation program,” said Cotrupi.

“We came together as a large group — the ninth, 10th and 11th grades — and we prayed together.

We created an evening Mass at five o’clock. It was very evangelistic. We made sure we had vibrant greeters. We had really wonderful music. We just made sure that every aspect of the Liturgy was going to do well. We were doing the New Evangelization before there was any buzz.”

From start to finish, it was all about engaging everyone in the Mass, not just in spirit but also in mind. That was never more present than right before each Mass when someone would present a “Mass Elizabeth Cotrupi Fact.”

“We found that if people understood what was going on [during Mass], it would help their participation,” said Cotrupi. “So we would offer in a minute or less before Mass started [with questions like], ‘Do you know why the priest breaks off a piece of the bread and puts it into the chalice?’”

It went over really well and helped explain what Catholics saw during Mass, said Cotrupi.

After Mass, dinner would be served. Parents of students would be asked to serve food once a year. A food coordinator would help oversee the feeding of roughly 125 students. By 6:30 p.m., teachers and students would have finished eating and were ready to learn. Opening with a prayer, there would be a lesson taught, then small groups allowed for more discussion, before coming back together to end the night by 8 p.m.

“A lot of programs end up being heavily catechetically-based — and not that we don’t want to stress catechism, it’s important — but we have to keep in mind that a lot of these kids haven’t been pre-evangelized,” said Cotrupi. “They don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so if you throw them into catechesis only, you’re not getting them to encounter Christ in a way that will last.

“Life Teen is connected to youth culture. Having an evening Sunday Mass means competing less with sports. It was a safe night. There were

hardly any sports on a Sunday night. Plus it’s at night, so they don’t have to get up early in the morning. When I hear of programs trying to do this at nine in the morning, it’s a little harder.”

For more than 10 years, Cotrupi continued to engage the youth at St. Joseph’s Parish with multiple engaging Faith Formation programs. She then moved to Charlestown where she became the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Worcester. During last year’s Faith Formation Ministry Convention for the Fall River Diocese, Cotrupi was a presenter and she talked about the “Mercy Challenge,” a program she introduced to the Diocese of Worcester that helped engage the youth of that diocese during the Year of Mercy.

Still found on the diocese’s website as of this writing (www.neworcester.org), The Mercy Challenge was a wide-ranging program that encompassed the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. A logo was created, silicone wristbands Turn to page 19

The Anchor - January 27, 2017

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Anchor Editorial

Catholic Schools Week 2017

As you can see from the many photos, advertisements and articles, Catholic Schools Week is upon us. The day before it begins we celebrate the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest teachers the Church (or the world) has ever known. In an 1879 encyclical on Catholic philosophy (Aeterni Patris), which made many references to this saint, Pope Leo XIII wrote, “[ Jesus] commanded the Apostles to go and teach all nations, and left the Church which He had founded to be the common and supreme teacher of the peoples.” Since the Church is all of us Catholics, we each are called upon by God to teach the world about God, each doing our own part as members of the Mystical Body of Christ. Parents have the preeminent role, since they are the first teachers of their children and have more exposure to their children than any classroom teacher might have.

As supports to the parents, the Church provides Catholic schools and Religious Education programs to help pass on the faith to which the children first become acquainted at home. The Second Vatican Council issued in 1965 a Declaration on Christian Education (known by its Latin title, Gravissimum Educationis), in which it said (at No. 2), “A Christian education does not merely strive for the maturing of a human person, but has as its principal purpose this goal: that the baptized, while they are gradually introduced the knowledge of the mystery of Salvation, become ever more aware of the gift of faith they have received, and that they learn in addition how to worship God the Father in Spirit and truth (cf. Jn 4:23) especially in Liturgical action, and be conformed in their personal lives according to the new man created in justice and holiness of truth (Eph 4:22-24); also that they develop into perfect manhood, to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ (cf.

Eph 4:13) and strive for the growth of the Mystical Body; moreover, that aware of their calling, they learn not only how to bear witness to the hope that is in them (cf. Pet 3:15) but also how to help in the Christian formation of the world that takes place when natural powers viewed in the full consideration of man redeemed by Christ contribute to the good of the whole society. Wherefore this Sacred synod (i.e., Vatican II) recalls to pastors of souls their most serious obligation to see to it that all the faithful, but especially the youth who are the hope of the Church, enjoy this Christian education.”

Dave Jolivet’s article, which begins on page two (as well as James Campbell’s column on page nine), describe how under Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.’s leadership the Fall River Diocese is looking to see how we can better carry out this mandate from the council (and from Christ) in our Catholic schools.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 61, No. 2

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The Anchor - January 27, 2017

The Vatican II declaration, in paragraph three, after discussing the parents’ crucial duty, speaks about the responsibility of the wider Church: “The Church is bound as a mother to give to these children of hers an education by which their whole life can be imbued with the Spirit of Christ and at the same time do all she can to promote for all peoples the complete perfection of the human person, the good of earthly society and the building of a world that is more human.”

The council fathers then present the duties before God that all (including public) schools have towards their students, after which they look at schools run by the Church in paragraph eight: “The influence of the Church in the field of education is shown in a special manner by the Catholic school. [I]ts proper function is to create for the school community a special atmosphere animated by the Gospel Spirit of freedom and charity, to help youth grow according to the new creatures they were made through Baptism as they develop their own personalities, and finally to order the whole of human culture to the news of Salvation so that the knowledge the students gradually acquire of the world, life and man is illumined by faith. So indeed the Catholic school, while it is open, as it must be, to the situation of the contemporary world, leads its students to promote efficaciously the good of the earthly city and also prepares them for service in the spread of the Kingdom of God, so that by leading an exemplary apostolic life they become, as it were, a saving leaven in the human community.”

The Diocese of Fall River is mindful of the need of that leaven in the human community, a leaven which would make our area more human (i.e., treating each other as we truly are — creatures created in the image and likeness of God) and more of a community (as opposed to people living in the same area but without feeling any responsibility for each other).

On Oct. 27, 2013, Pope Francis told families that they are called to be “missionary also in everyday life, in their doing everyday things, as they bring to everything the salt and the leaven of faith. The family which experiences the joy of faith communicates it naturally. That family is the salt of the earth and the light of the world, it is the leaven of society as a whole.” Our Catholic schools help the students and their families to be this leaven amongst us, but we realize that we are always in need of improvement, which is why Bishop da Cunha has had the schools themselves and the diocesan schools office do this thorough review so as to better respond to Divine duty. May we all do what we can to support them in this important effort — through our prayers, our donations, and our advocacy.

Daily Readings January 28 — February 10

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Jan. 28, Heb 11:1-2,8-19;(Ps)Lk 1:6975; Mk 4:35-41. Sun. Jan. 29, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Zep 2:3;3:12-13; Ps 146:6-10; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 5:1-12a. Mon. Jan. 30, Heb 11:32-40; Ps 31:20-24; Mk 5:1-20. Tues. Jan. 31, Heb 12:1-4; Ps 22:2628,30-32; Mk 5:21-43. Wed. Feb. 1, Heb 12:4-7,11-15; Ps 103:1-2,1314,17-18a; Mk 6:1-6. Thurs. Feb. 2, Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32. Fri. Feb. 3, Heb 13:1-8; Ps 27:1,3,5,8-9; Mk 6:1429.

Sat. Feb. 4, Heb 13:15-17,20-21; Ps 23:1-6; Mk 6:30-34. Sun. Feb. 5, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Is 58:7-10; Ps 112:4-9; 1 Cor 2:1-5; Mt 5:13-16.

Mon. Feb. 6, Gn 1:1-19; Ps 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,24,35; Mk 6:53-56. Tues.

Feb. 7,Gn 1:20—2:4; Ps 8:4-9; Mk 7:1-13. Wed. Feb. 8, Gn 2:4b-9,15-17; Ps 104:1-2,27-30; Mk 7:14-23. Thurs. Feb. 9, Gn 2:18-25; Ps 128:1-5; Mk 7:24-30. Fri. Feb. 10, Gn 3:1-8; Ps 32:1-2,5-7; Mk 7:31-37.

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or those who love St. John Paul II, last Saturday was a big family celebration, when Pope Francis authorized the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree of heroic virtues for Jan Tyranowski (1901-1947), the Polish tailor who played an indispensable role in helping the young Karol Wojtyla become a man of prayer and apostolate and assisted him to discern his priestly vocation. Without Jan Tyranowski, there likely would never have been John Paul II, and his life provides a compelling witness of lay sanctity that deserves to be better known and emulated.

In Jan we see a model of adult conversion from Spiritual mediocrity to the holiness to which God calls each of us. He was a nondescript 34-yearold used to fulfilling his religious duties but not much more when he heard a homily in which one of the Salesian priests at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Krakow emphasized, “It’s not difficult to be a saint!” They were revolutionary words at the time for a layman, because it was presumed that if one wanted to become holy, the path was as a priest or religious. That an accountant-turned-tailor not only could become holy but could do so in his day-today life was a thought that changed his life.

He began to go to daily Mass. He started to attend various parish events and adult education opportunities. He joined Catholic Action, a group to help lay Catholics transform society. He commenced reading good Catholic books.

He consulted priests. He

The beauty of a soul opened up by grace

ment in order to pass on became a man for whom prayer became the defining the fruits of his contemreality of his life. He made plation to others. After the Nazis invaded Krakow in a vow of chastity, despite 1939, they deported and interest in Marriage from killed in the concentration several women. In short, camps a third of Krakow’s he became serious about clergy, including 11 of the his faith, about his soul, and about the direction of 13 Salesians at Jan’s parish, leaving only two elderly his life.

That led him to form a plan of life Putting Into to grow in faith and live by it. As a the Deep trained accountant he was accustomed

By Father to caring for small Roger J. Landry details and he formed a business clerics behind. There was plan for the enterprise of his soul and began to keep no way these two priests alone could continue to a meticulous profit-andloss ledger of his Spiritual pass on the faith to the young at a time of severe life. He woke early, attended Mass, did Spiritual crisis. They needed help.

Jan was at first reluctant, reading and prayed the deeming himself too shy Rosary before breakfast, and incapable, but the desfollowed by reading of perate priests prevailed.

Sacred Scripture. Then he So he started to form did several hours of work Living Rosary cells, groups as a tailor — the profesof 15 young men, each of sion likewise of his father whom would commit to and grandfather that he praying one specific deadopted after a stomach cade of the Rosary each ailment and eventual day so that, together, they tuberculosis impeded his would recite the entire accounting work — conRosary for the needs of templating as he sewed each member and for the way the soul needs to be dressed with faith, hope the enormous needs and intentions of their people and love. After dinner, he under Nazi occupation. would pray the Angelus, The men would commit meditate and do Spiritual themselves to supporting reading before retiring each other as Spiritual at 8:30 p.m., giving him brothers. enough rest before awakOnce a week, the leadening early the next day. ers of each Living Rosary Seeing the change in him and the discipline with cell would get together with Jan Tyranowski for which he began to take a class on prayer and the his interior life, one of his Spiritual life, as he would parish priests said he was share with them the acquiring the virtue of a great athlete, dubbing him, thoughts of St. John of the because of the long prayer- Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, Adolphe Tanquerey and ful hikes he would take, a others. He would pass on “Spiritual mountaineer.” to them the way to grow Even though he was in faith so that they, in an extreme introvert, he turn, could better form eventually forced himself the others in their group. to overcome his tempera-

He would also offer them some individual Spiritual direction, where he would suggest Spiritual reading, review with them what God was communicating to them in prayer, and nurture their souls.

It’s noteworthy that it was only because of the dramatic reductions in the number of priests that his extraordinarily fruitful apostolate was unleashed.

It’s also, I think, not a coincidence that from the young men he formed through the Living Rosary, exactly 11 became priests, essentially taking up the torch of the 11 Salesians whom the Nazis had rounded up and executed.

Among those he recruited and made a leader of a Living Rosary group was Karol Wojtyla. Tyranowski was the one who introduced him to St. John of the Cross, whose writings would dramatically influence the development of his mind and soul and on whom he would write one of his two dissertations. The two would get together often in Jan’s apartment for Spiritual direction. Jan would accompany him on his long walks to the Solvay Chemical Plant where the future pope and clandestine seminarian did manual labor during the occupation.

John Paul, who retained a picture of him in his bedroom for the rest of his life, said about him, “He was one of those unknown saints [who] disclosed to me the riches of his inner life, of his mystical life. In his words, in his Spirituality and in the example of a life given to God alone, he represented a new world

that I did not yet know. I saw the beauty of a soul opened up by grace.”

His own soul would likewise be opened.

Jan, whom he called an “apostle of God’s greatness, the beauty of God, the transcendence of God,” would help him to see that the Christian life was not a bunch of rules, but ultimately a participation in the very life and love of God. He helped him to grasp that this was the meaning of a holy life and to become a saint was not difficult if one opened oneself to God and willed the means.

That was an understanding that the future St. Karol Wojtyla would eventually take to the chair of St. Peter as he promoted throughout the Church, and in particular through so many beatifications and canonizations, the universal call to holiness of life he had learned from Jan. Jan would die of tuberculosis at 46, soon after Wojtyla’s priestly ordination. But he would, in a sense, get an assist on every soul the priest and future pontiff would impact.

As Tyranowski is advanced on the road toward canonization, his life is a potent reminder that sanctity is in the reach of everyone whose soul is open to grace.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

The Anchor - January 27, 2017

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Bishop, education department lead charge to strengthen schools continued from page two

On January 12 the diocesan Catholic Education Center, including Perla, Sandra Drummey, and Denise Peixoto, assistant superintendents, and the imple-

mentation committee held a meeting/training session at St. Ann’s Parish in Raynham.

More than 150 individuals coming from all of the diocese’s 22 schools attended.

“Each school was previously asked to establish a planning group to attend the session,” said Perla. “The planning groups were made aware of what the strategic

planning process was about, what is expected from them and to clarify any questions they had.”

A three-year strategic planning process for each school was introduced to the planning groups along with a timeline.

“The three-year strategic plan is to develop a successful road map for each of the school’s vitality and long-term sustainability,” explained Perla. “We were very pleased with the positive participation from each of the school groups. People were very engaged, presenting questions and reviewing the plan’s processes and tools.”

Each school’s threeyear strategic plan is to be submitted to the Catholic Education Center by June 30. The Catholic Education Center’s leadership team will review each plan and approve it by September 1 to be able to set the plans in motion by October 2017.

Another of the implementation committee’s tasks is to establish a Central School Board of Limited Jurisdiction which will have the authority to make final decisions related to a limited set of issues specifically delegated by the bishop and as permitted by canon law.

“The implementation committee has been reaching out to potential members of the central school board, and we hope to have the board approved by the bishop and in place by March of this year,” said Perla. “Right now we are right on schedule for that date.”

According to the implementation committee’s Governance Overview presented at the January 12 meeting, the central board will consist of the diocesan chancellor, superintendent of schools, clergy from each of the diocese’s five deaneries not directly affiliated with schools, five regional representatives, and five at-large representatives.

At the heart of all the planning, from each of the committees and the School Task Force, are six “domains”: Catholic Identity; Academics; Finance; MarContinued on page seven

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The Anchor - January 27, 2017

Continued from page six

ket/Enrollment; Capital Needs; and Governance.

Some of the challenges facing the task at hand are rising school costs; decreased enrollment; and difficulty responding to today’s educational challenges because of a shortage of resources, leadership and flexibility.

The implementation

committee told the school planning groups, “We cannot afford to take a gradual and incremental approach, and we must think and act differently.”

“We are making great progress,” Perla told The Anchor. “There are some challenges, but for the most part our schools are on the right track and well-positioned

to carry on well into the future.”

Perla also praised the participation of diocesan pastors. “I have been absolutely encouraged by their participation,” he said. “They faithfully attend meetings, are active in providing ideas, feedback and questions, and all are very active in participating in the planning

process. I give them very high marks.”

To read the School

Task Force’s findings and recommendations, visit fallriverdiocese.org.

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Women’s Bible study program blossoms on Cape Cod

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

MASHPEE — When she retired as a social worker with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in 2009, Karen Mullaly-Sweeney knew she wanted to spend her time doing something productive. But she never dreamed she’d be coordinating a women’s Bible study program at her parish.

“At first I thought: ‘I’m not a holy roller. What would people think of me?’ It just wasn’t my image,” Mullaly-Sweeney said. “I had never done anything like this before, I wasn’t even a member of any women’s clubs.”

But a little nudge from the Holy Spirit — and a suggestion from her daughter-in-law — was enough to encourage her to organize the first meeting of the Walking With Purpose group at Christ the King Parish.

“Lisa Brenninkmeyer, who founded Walking With Purpose, began it at St. Andrew by the Bay Parish in Annapolis, Md., where my son and daughter-in-law live,” she said.

“And my daughter-in-law kept telling me: ‘Try this.’

So I sent for the information and prayed a whole lot. I talked to our pastor at the time, Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye, and he said: ‘Go ahead.’ So we started with a Lenten program at Christ the King Parish in 2012.”

If Mullaly-Sweeney had any doubts about this new venture, they were vanquished with that first meeting.

“I set up about 15 chairs and was ready with coffee and snacks,” she said.

“Well, 42 women walked in the door! Talk about knowing I was doing what the Holy Spirit wanted — I mean, when do 42 women ever show up for a Bible study? It was those 42 women who confirmed

that this was meant to happen and it encouraged me to keep at it.”

In the subsequent four years, Walking With Purpose has continued to thrive and grow here in the Fall River Diocese and across the United States. When the Mashpee chapter first formed in 2012, Mullaly-Sweeney said there were 872 members nationwide. Today, there are nearly 12,000 in the U.S. and more than 60 women are enrolled in the current Christ the King session that began in September.

“We were the first group in Massachusetts, believe it or not,” she said.

“But when you see how many parishes there are now, you’ll see how it’s just grown. We’ve already had one group spin off from us — there’s a new group now at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset — and another woman is trying to get her courage up to let the Holy Spirit guide her to starting one down the lower Cape.”

Founded in 2002 by Brenninkmeyer, a Catholic

convert, Walking With Purpose is a Bible study program that aims to bring women to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It offers personal study and small group discussions that link everyday challenges and struggles with the solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church.

According to its website, Walking With Purpose endeavors to meet women where they are, giving them practical Biblical teaching that is consistent with Church doctrine and uses the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” as an additional resource.

Walking With Purpose has three elements: at-home study, parishbased or independently run weekly small group meetings, and a monthly talk on relevant course material. Parish-based programs are offered during the daytime or in the evenings, and childcare is provided. All course materials have received the imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Baltimore,

Md., and vary in length and depth of study in order to meet the varying needs of participants.

“We have four groups that meet on Tuesday morning and three that meet on Thursday evening,” Mullaly-Sweeney said. “That means there are seven different groups with seven different facilitators. The facilitators of these groups are women who love their faith and care about other women.

Each group is on a certain lesson — right now we’re studying women of the Bible.”

Each Walking With Purpose program is comprised of 22 one-week courses and a weekly lesson is divided into five days of reading. Each lesson ends with participants making a resolution, based on what they have learned.

“For example, one (resolution) might be: prioritize my activities, giving God my best and not the leftover minutes of the day,” Mullaly-Sweeney said. “Another would be: let go of the past by going to Confession. And going to Confession has been a real weight lifted off of some of these women. The beauty of Walking With Purpose is where else can you express these thoughts to others and have others encouraging you to respond?”

The two-hour group sessions begin with food and refreshments, with members taking turns to bring in the goodies.

“Then we pray together as the Holy Spirit guides us, and in the groups is where real friendships are formed because you get to know people on a level that’s very different,” she said. “We pray Turn to page 14

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I

t is called an inflection point. In mathematics it means a point of a curve at which a change in the direction of curvature occurs. In life it means a time of significant change in a situation; a turning point. For the Catholic schools of the Fall River Diocese we have arrived at an inflection point. This is good news. When our bishop arrived more than two years ago, he called for a thorough, comprehensive and data-driven review of our schools. He wanted to discern the academic, financial and Spiritual health of our institutions of learning. More to the point, he wanted to engage the stakeholders; educators, pastors, parents and parishioners to fully understand the role of our schools in preparing our young people in the faith and in preparing them for meaningful roles in society.

Over the course of the past two years we have learned much and devised strategies to improve, grow and amend the 22 schools of the diocese.

As we launch Catholic Schools Week, an annual time to promote our schools, it is appropriate to get the perspective of the leaders whom the bishop has appointed to lead implementation efforts as well as reflect upon some of the tangible progress they are responsible for.

Dr. Mary Pat Tranter and Father David Costa are the co-chairmen of the Implementation Task Force that is charged with executing the recommendations of the Education Task Force. Each brings a lifetime of dedicated service to the task. Each is uniquely qualified to inform and lead. Their lives have been shaped by love of teaching, each called to lead by deep faith, inculturated by family and Catholic educational values to see service to others as a duty and a vocation.

Tranter is perhaps the only Harvard Medical School Ph.D. who eschewed a post-doctoral fellowship in physiology to teach high school science. Why did she do it? She discerned a gift for teaching and loved Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton. This was not an easy decision nor was it reached without careful consideration. Ultimately Dr. Tranter said yes to teaching as a vocation because she wanted others to get from a Coyle and Cassidy education what she had: “At Coyle I had learned how to think, how to reason, and more importantly what to value. Over the years I came to realize that instilling a sense of values in addition to facts was critical to forming

From inflection to inspiration

young people into contributors to our society.”

Since 1991, when Tranter began her career at Coyle and Cassidy, she has worn many hats. Science teacher, chairman of the department, director It’s What of Guidance, academic We Do principal,

By James A. principal and Campbell since 2007, president.

She has the vantage point of one who appreciates where she came from as well as a well-informed vision of what change should look like.

Father David Costa has been a priest in the diocese for 31 years. He is the pastor for St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and Sacred Heart parishes in North Attleboro. His ministry has included time as high school chaplain for Bishop Connolly in Fall River, director of music for the diocesan choir, and now as chaplain for Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro. Father Costa has an upbeat and optimistic nature.

He seems to have a perpetual smile and goes about his various tasks with fervor and élan. His perspective on the importance of our schools comes from his history as a product of elementary and high school: “Our schools are among the most important vehicles to bring Jesus and our Catholic values to the young. Our schools are tangible tools for evangelization and we must strive to make them vibrant places of learning where Catholic culture can be understood and promoted. The secularization of our society means that we need every opportunity available to us to reach the whole family with a message of hope and love.”

Tranter and Father Costa express a zeal for the process of renewal that has begun in our schools. Resources for principals and faculty to self-assess and improve the academic, financial; and religious dimensions of their schools are underway.

Due to the generosity and foresight of many donors our scholarship resources have increased dramatically.

Efforts to bring enrollment of more students into our schools have been launched.

Plans to increase our technological capacity, assistance to teachers seeking advanced degrees and continuing education and to make our schools even better incubators of informed and engaged Catholic citizens are signposts

of progress throughout our diocese.

Tranter stated, “Love is at the core of our schools. We accept the idea that when you send your son or daughter to us, they will be in the care of people who love them. We espouse that value and the lesson it imparts is that they matter. We are here to educate their conscience as well as their brain.”

Father Costa sums up his feelings about this moment this way: “What we are learning through this process is that we are stronger when we view ourselves as a system rather than an individual school. We have talent throughout all our schools and we can learn from one another. It is more apparent than ever that our schools

are an integral part of the mission of the Church. My pastoral perspective is that every parishioner should care about how our schools can grow, even if you don’t have a school in your parish.”

The goal is for thriving schools throughout the diocese; families and youth inflamed with the love and knowledge of Jesus’ message; teachers and staff embolden to serve better and smarter; and families better able to afford tuition. We are pointed in the right direction. We have the plan, we have the leadership, and we confidently seek greater resources to ensure our success. With help we will move beyond inflection to an inspiring, stronger and brighter future for Catholic education in the Diocese of Fall River.

Anchor columnist James Campbell is director of the diocesan Development Office/Catholic Charities Appeal/Foundation to Advance Catholic Education.

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Thirty-seven umbrellas Wednesday 18 January 2017 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Week of Prayer for Christian Unity id you know, dear readers, that we recently recognized International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity? The theme for 2017 came from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium: “The love of Christ compels us.”

This was a week to reflect on the Protestant Reformation and the pain of 500 years of scandalous disunity among Christian churches. The goal is reconciliation.

The Week of Prayer involved Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Reformed, United and Independent churches. That’s a barrage of prayer, but it’s sure taking a long time. We’ve

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been praying together over belong to this parish, so we were especially proud. this since 1908.

Then came the tragedy.

It seems to me that Two of the team members there are two things that bring people (and church- were involved in a horrific auto accident a few days es) together very quickly. thereafter. I happened to One is triumph and the be on emergency call for other tragedy. In the Town of Falmouth, we experienced both The Ship’s Log last month.

Reflections of a First came the Parish Priest triumph of our

By Father Tim high school football Goldrick team, the “Clippers.” I watched as the buses rolled Catholic patients at Faldown Main Street, transmouth Hospital. The Rev. porting the boys to GilSally Miller is the hospital lette Stadium for the Big staff chaplain. Rev. Sally is Game. The Clippers won affiliated with the Church the state division champiof the Nazarene. She was onship. Go, team!

I watched as our invinci- called in to provide grief ble team led the Christmas counselling to the family and to some 50 dazed parade. The whole town teen-agers gathered in the cheered. They had done emergency room lobby. us proud, as people say.

Five members of the team I waited for the two accident victims to arrive by ambulance so that I might administer the Sacrament of the Sick. I knew both boys were Catholic. I knew they were both 17 years old. The ambulances never arrived. It was worse than we first thought.

After everyone had left the emergency room, Sally and I stood outside in the darkness, one of us a Church of the Nazarene minister and the other a Catholic pastor. We were

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both experiencing the numbness that comes from such tragedy.

One of the young men, James “Jamie” Lavin, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other boy, Owen “Higgy” Higgins, was evacuated to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, R.I. He did not survive.

The Cape Cod Baptist Church on Nathan Ellis Highway, according to Pastor Ben Feldot, opened its doors as a “safe space” for church youth members.

The Rev. Nell Fields of Waquoit Congregational Church pledged her congregation would support students, teachers, and staff in the weeks and months ahead.

The Rev. Fred Meade, of North Falmouth Congregational Church and chaplain to the Falmouth Fire Department met with members of the football and hockey teams.

Before the funeral home doors opened to the general public, I led the Vigil Service of the Catholic Church for the Lavin Family. There were at least 500 young people and adults waiting in line. It took more than five hours for the line to pass by the casket.

Tragedy brings people (and churches) together.

James Lavin had been baptized here at St. Patrick Church, and here he had received his First Communion and Confirmation. It was here that I celebrated his Funeral Mass. The church was packed. There were people standing on the lawn.

The wake for Owen Higgins was held a couple of days later. Again the crowds arrived in droves. This time, however, it was pouring rain.

Due to the weather, the wake was transferred from the funeral parlor next door into St. Patrick Church. Our building was able to accommodate more people under one roof, but there were still hundreds of people outside, huddled under a sea of umbrellas. Msgr.

Steve Avila, Owen’s pastor, came to lead the Vigil Service. Our parish volunteers served hot cider and coffee to the mourners in the hall downstairs.

The Funeral Mass for Owen was held the next day at St. Anthony Church, East Falmouth, and both young men are now buried in St. Anthony Cemetery.

During this town tragedy, I witnessed many denominations step up to minister in their own particular way.

I thought to myself what a miracle it would be if those churches routinely worked together in ministry. For this we pray.

During the Higgins wake, the rain stopped. Afterwards, I went through the church tidying up. I collected 37 soggy umbrellas left behind by the mourners. Well, perhaps the sun would come out tomorrow.

During all this, so many people prayed in this church. Not all of them were Catholic. I know for sure that the love of Christ compels us all.

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

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ow that we have become accustomed to the new translation of Holy Mass, it is possible that we risk hearing and reciting texts without much thought for the words they contain. With this in mind, I’d like to consider the end of the Creed, in which we affirm our belief in the Church. What does it mean to believe in a Church that is one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic? Does this mean more than being a member of a particular parish?

How might it impact the way we live our lives as men, as women, as members of our families?

The first word that we associate with the Church, which I will

Pondering the Church I one and the same; there refer to with feminine pronouns for reasons that is also one virgin become mother, and I should like will become obvious, is to call her ‘Church.’” that she is one. If there Interestingly, in the is one God and Creator, Middle Ages St. Thomas and His triune nature is something that cannot be Aquinas explained that intuited, then we depend on revelaThe tion to know Him. Thus, in order to Feminine avoid confusion, Genius the voice that

By Genevieve Kineke tells of His nature and His plan for us must have everyone was a member one source. With this of this Church — in in mind, St. Clement of potential. Whether or Alexandria wrote within not this potential was a century of Christ’s actualized depended on Resurrection: “What grace, which is freely an astonishing mystery! available to all. The There is one Father of the universe, one Logos of response to God’s invitathe universe, and also one tion to love and partake of Communion in Him Holy Spirit, everywhere

is dependent on how we use our free-will, for God does not force Himself on anyone.

Of course there are many gradations between the potential for holiness and actually being holy, which explains the wide array of examples around us. While many people seem utterly immersed in the world, there are also many who seek a deeper meaning and yet become easily distracted, as well as those who search for the truth more earnestly, and finally those who manage to find and embrace Christ, attempting in their own way to imitate Him. What we must

accept, as we say in the Creed, is that there is one Church. St. Cyprian of Carthage, writing just decades after Clement of Alexandria, insisted: “He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother.”

Through revelation we understand that God wishes for us to call Him “Father,” and by implication wanted our families to echo that relationship.

That His covenant was revealed and renewed repeatedly in Holy Scripture in marital terms says a great deal about His fidelity and that which He wanted in return from us.

Our parentage is rooted in God and the Church, Turn to page 21

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Women’s Bible study group blossoms on Cape Cod continued from page eight

together and then we talk about our resolutions, we ask for each other’s help. And you see how your heart opens to them — it’s the Holy Spirit working through us. It’s really important that those two hours are spent together, it’s very prayerful and the focus is very Spiritual. You can really see someone just blossoming before your eyes.”

Walking With Purpose has no age restrictions — current members range from their 20s to their 80s — and all are encouraged to offer support and share their hopes and experiences.

“It’s a delightful experience because the material is so rich and so hands-on and it’s written so beautifully,” Mullaly-Sweeney said. “The motto is: ‘Enabling women to know Christ through Scripture.’ When you break that down, it’s revolutionary for people who were born Catholic.

Because, when you think about it, do we really study Scripture? We

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were taught it and we were told about it, but do we know it?

“By reading the Bible — or what Lisa likes to call ‘God’s love letters to us’ — it helps to see Christ as a real person. We get to experience Him through Scripture and talk about it with each other.”

One of the biggest selling points for Walking With Purpose seems to be the growing number of Catholic women joining its ranks who, in turn, kindle others’ interest with their word-ofmouth praise for the program.

That’s how former Mashpee member Kate Satkevich first got involved.

“My mother-in-law is actually one of the facilitators, so she got me to go to one of the meetings and the rest is history,” Satkevich said. “I never knew what I was going to be walking into, to be honest with you. I’m a mom with two kids and I was of the assumption that there wasn’t an

extra minute in my life for anything. And somehow, some way the Holy Spirit changed that whole story for me, whether I was ready or not.”

After a two-year stint with Mashpee, Satkevich approached her pastor, Father David Frederici, about starting her own Walking With Purpose chapter at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset.

After a successful six-week trial program last Lent, St. John the Evangelist is now in the midst of its first full 22-week Walking With Purpose session with 39 women enrolled.

“The 22-week program can be a little intimidating, so not everybody came back but more wanted to,” Satkevich said. “I think those who didn’t come back (this time) may come back next year. I have women in my group from three different parishes. We just have a night program now, but hopefully next year we can extend it to a day (session) as well.”

Like Mullaly-Sweeney, Satkevich thinks Walking With Purpose is a unique combination of Bible study and Spiritual support

group.

“I think it combines the Bible with Spirituality and I think that’s the big difference here,” Satkevich said. “I’ve taken other Bible study courses that are great, but they don’t include that Spiritual component or offer any indepth meaning. You know: how does it speak to my soul? And I think the way Walking With Purpose combines the two is what makes it such a success.”

Now having successfully spun off a second Walking With Purpose group, Satkevich hopes other women will be inspired by the Holy Spirit to do the same.

“We’re only in our 13th week and I haven’t broached the subject yet, but I think I’m going to see if anybody is interested in bringing it to their own parish,” she said.

“One of the hardest things (in starting this group) was breaking off from Mashpee because I just loved the women. And it almost feels like you’re leaving a really big support network behind. But the way I see it is it was a gift given to me, and I feel like it’s a gift I need to share with other Continued on page 18

For and About Our Church Youth Sister Pat Harrington to receive Hero of Catholic Education Award

Attleboro — Bishop Feehan High School is proud to announce that Sister Pat Harrington will be recognized posthumously as the first recipient of the school’s new Sister Patricia M. Harrington — Hero of Catholic Education Award during its “Setting Our Hearts” gala on March 25

“This will become Bishop Feehan’s highest honor,” noted Bishop Feehan president Tim Sullivan. “And our honorees will embody the ideals that have allowed Catholic schools to thrive for years and years. No one represents those ideals better from a Feehan perspective than Sister Pat. She lived them daily.”

Sister Pat’s four brothers and sisters — three of them professed religious as well — will accept the award on Sister’s behalf at the gala in March. Each year thereafter at the gala, Bishop Feehan will honor a long-time Catholic education champion or servant.

Sister Pat’s name will be the first listed on a permanent plaque of honorees that will be displayed prominently at the school. All honorees will be remembered at the gala each year.

Mercy Sister Pat HarThe gala itself is also a rington, at Bishop Feehan new tradition at Feehan.

High School’s 50th anniver“The Setting Our Hearts sary celebration in 2011. gala is a one-night event that celebrates all things at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet Feehan — our students, our in Cranston, R.I. community, and our vision A legend in the Feefor the future,” said Bishop han community, Sister Pat Feehan’s director of Adstarted her Feehan career as vancement Dave Curtis. a math teacher in 1969 and Besides the Hero of served the school in that Catholic Education award, capacity until her death other highlights of the in 2015. She brought the evening will include an elEncountering Christ in egant dinner, a limited live Others retreat to Feehan auction, a $10,000 cash in the 1970s, a tradition raffle, a live band, dancthat continues today as a ing and a celebration of defining part of the Feehan Feehan’s past, present and experience. Generations of future.

Feehan students recall her For more information example of faith and love and to purchase tickets, and commitment to her visit BishopFeehan.com/ school and students. Sister SettingOurHearts or Pat was the last Sister of contact Director of Special Mercy to serve on the staff Events Sue Rojee at srojee@ at Bishop Feehan High bishopfeehan.com or School.

508.226.7411.

From left, Bishop Connolly president and principal Christopher Myron, BayCoast Bank Corporate Giving & Community Relations Program Administrator Julie Ramos Gagliardi, Plimoth Investment Advisors President and CEO George Oliveira, and BayCoast Bank president and CEO Nicholas Christ gathered in Connolly’s Sports and Theatre Complex as its reception lobby is officially named the BayCoast Bank Atrium.

Bishop Connolly nears $1.4 million Advancement Initiative goal

FALL RIVER — Bishop Connolly High School president and principal E. Christopher Myron has announced that funding raised through the school’s Advancement Initiative has reached $1,248,960, bringing its $1.4 million goal close to completion. Myron shared the news with Advancement Initiative Committee members and supporters during a luncheon held in Connolly’s Academic Achievement Center in December.

“Everyone works so hard to make this happen,” said Myron, acknowledging the time, expertise and financial resources that Connolly’s giving community has provided in support of the school and its students. “On behalf of our students, I can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing for each and every one of them.”

Bishop Connolly’s $1.4 million initiative was established to expand student scholarships and

financial aid resources; complete building and campus enhancements; and upgrade science and technology labs, equipment and software. Myron said the initiative has yielded “amazing results” in a relatively short time thanks to the strong leadership team of area business executives and BCHS alumni who have directed the effort and provided significant financial support.

“We’re excited,” said Myron, of the changes made possible at Connolly through the initiative. “The students truly feel valued.”

The luncheon concluded with a naming ceremony in the school’s atrium to honor the generosity of BayCoast Bank, one of the school’s major donors. The community banking institution’s $125,000 donation will expand student tuition aid resources and support renovations to Connolly’s Sports and Theatre Complex, including design upgrades of its gymnasium, theatre and atrium.

“I can’t say enough about Nick Christ and BayCoast Bank,” said Myron. “They’ve been the centerpiece of everything we’ve done.”

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools, parish Religious Education programs or home-schoolers have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org The Anchor - January 27, 2017

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For and About Our Church Youth

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his past Monday at daily Mass we heard Jesus tell us that “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand” (Mk 3:24-25). We can quickly use these words to begin a conversation to address the division that exists in our country, world and even our Church. Certainly, healing is necessary in our country, world and even our Church. However, Jesus’ words should draw our attention to ourselves and not just to everyone else.

The divisions we encounter in our lives aren’t just I agree, you disagree, yes, no. In the 21st century we tend to live lives that are incredibly divided within ourselves. Ever hear the term “double life”? It describes when a person presents one way, but

Living ‘multiple’ lives secretly is living very forget who we truly are. differently. Many of us We are so busy doing, are living triple, quadru- we identify ourselves ple or more lives. These by our actions and acmultiple lives are more tivities. The more we bethan secret and aren’t come involved, the more just our struggle with restless we become, the sin, addiction, temptamore disconnected to tion, etc. We tend to categorize our lives: student, athlete, son or daughter, friend, worker,

By Father etc.

David C. Frederici We are told that we need to give 110 percent to all of these areas. Be a good others and the world we student. Be active and become. We keep giving, but we don’t take time involved in sports, drama, school clubs, scouts, to recharge. When we etc. Actually, be involved do get time by ourselves, time that could help us in multiple clubs — looks better on a college strengthen our sense of being, we feel stressed or application or resume. believe that something is Be a good daughter or wrong because we aren’t son, a good friend, a good neighbor. Be sure “doing anything.”

Here is a question for to get a job, work hard, be responsible with your reflection: How does money. your time at Mass on Phew. I’m exhausted Sunday play a role in just writing about all of your time in class? How this. The danger is we about your time at prac-

Be Not Afraid

Faculty and staff members of Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford are pictured at a scholarship fund-raiser held at White’s Restaurant in Westport. Front row: Terry Ouellette, Father Robert Powell (pastor of St. Lawrence Church), Berta Herrera and Melanie Boswell. Back row: Beth Mahoney, Ruth Dionne, Linda Boswell, and Jen Peters.

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tice or in a game? Your time with friends on Friday night? Your time with family? How does your time at Mass shape the conversations you have in all those settings?

If we are all honest with ourselves we will observe that there are times (and perhaps many times) that our time in church has no relevance to all those other situations. This becomes an indication that often we go to church, but aren’t living faith. We have categorized faith to an hour on Sunday or less. Even our involvement in youth ministry, campus ministry or other parish activities are categorized to Church life. Living faith isn’t locking yourself in church 24/7. It isn’t saying “holy” things all the time. It is about living an integrated, balanced life, one where faith

nourishes and guides us through the rest of our lives.

Now, there is no easy fix to this, nor is it realistic to expect that we can change everything starting right now. We can recommit ourselves to our relationship with Christ, a relationship that involves the Sacraments. In these encounters with the Lord, we are given the graces to remain rooted in Him, giving us a stable foundation for our lives. In addition, these graces give us the strength to persevere in changing our lives so that we can live the integrated, balanced lives that allow us to flourish in life.

Anchor columnist Father Frederici is pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset and diocesan director of Campus Ministry and Chaplain at UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College.

Ninth-grade Confirmation students from Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich performed a community service project bringing gift bags to residents of a local home.

For and About Our Church Youth

St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro held a dress-down day for a dollar to donate to Adopt-a-Family. The total collected was $275. Here, Representative Betty Poirier received the check from a few of the students.

The Holy Name School Fall River Ambassadors had the opportunity to go to Bridgewater State College to be trained in bully prevention, by college students in the MARC department.

Students from St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School in Hyannis plus a few parents and grandparents recently created 14 quilts that were donated to a local shelter.

Students from Espirito Santo School in Fall River along with the generous support of KG Krafts and patrons made winter throws, hats, mittens, and scarves for the needy at Marie’s Place.

Pre-kindergarten students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton recently created snowmen for the season.

Fifth-grade students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford shared in a book talk, reading about the influential life of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., in preparation for his dedicated holiday and the onset of Black History Month.

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Continued from page 14

people.”

Mullaly-Sweeney said she feels blessed to be involved with Walking With Purpose and she’s grateful to Msgr. Hoye for allowing her to bring the program to Mashpee and to her current pas-

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tor, Father Edward J. Healey, for continuing to support it.

“Catholics are hungry for something like this; I mean, this is evangelization at its grassroots best,” she said. “I think Walking With Purpose has come along at the right time. They say

we’re supposed to attend to the needy around us — well, the needy around us are sitting in the church pews. Some of these women who have come to Walking With Purpose and stay are women who have never belonged to any kind of social church

group before.”

“Lisa is just an amazing woman. She really just found a niche that we were all looking for,” Satkevich agreed. “It’s such a strong women’s network. We all pray for each other and truly care about one another and we’re growing with each other. It’s pretty amazing.”

“It’s a process. That’s why we call it ‘Walking With Purpose,’” Mullaly-Sweeney added. “But of course, with that title, some people think it’s a walking group.

They think we walk around saying the Rosary. No, we don’t do that, and we don’t walk around reading the Bible, either. We’re walking with purpose on our Spiritual journey.”

For more information about Walking With Purpose, visit www.walkingwithpurpose.com, or email Karen Mullaly-Sweeney at wwpmashpee@aol.com or Kate Satkevich at happyteeth2@ hotmail.com.

Evangelizing youth one parent at a time continued from page three

emblazoned with #MERCYchallenge were made, and giant posters and letters were sent to every parish, said Cotrupi, with the main idea of “taking the Year of Mercy to the next level.”

The connecting thread that Cotrupi made from her previous post was once again making sure that everyone was engaged at every age and level. For example, during Lent, Cotrupi offered up the idea that a student could create a calendar of things to do daily during those 40 days.

The calendar could be sold to parishioners, then the

money donated to a good cause. Meanwhile, after Mass, a student could stand up and share what it had been like to live out the Mercy Challenge during that week.

“It’s great that we do nice things for people but a lot of times we do it in the parish, but we often never encounter those who are going to receive those items,” said Cotrupi. “We collect clothes, but never meet the person who will get the clothes. Part of the Mercy Challenge was taking it up a notch, and thinking about encountering our sisters and

brothers in Christ.”

A group in South Carolina picked up on their Mercy Challenge and they collected more than 200 backpacks for their Catholic Charities, so Cotrupi made sure that 200 bracelets were sent to them.

“The great thing was everything was online,” said Cotrupi, adding that some ideas were as simple as pray for the dead today or offer up a prayer for the imprisoned. “It wasn’t anything complicated.”

Involving full participation from everyone isn’t easy, but it’s important for the future of the Catholic Church.

Many of the students of the

Faith Formation program have limited exposure to the catechesis part of the Church. Faith Formation teachers have them for such a small amount of time and many are just thrown on “the Sacramental conveyor belt,” said Cotrupi.

Parents are sorely needed and are the best evangelizers of the faith, and coordinators and directors of Faith Formation programs need to keep up with the changing times. Parents need to be included and become more than just the transportation to and from Faith Formation classes.

“Nobody did it deliberately.

We were just so used to them

coming to us,” said Cotrupi.

“After the war, in the 50s and 60s, Catholicism grew by leaps and bounds, so people inherited their faith, so you were automatically enrolled, and you believed, behaved and belonged. You didn’t question.”

Decades later, parents have memories of their faith and they want something good for their kids, but they didn’t necessarily want the whole package, said Cotrupi: “The idea is that the Faith Formation ministry should be an integral part of the whole parish, so [think about] what you can do to get everybody involved so that it’s an intergenerational thing.”

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CENTERVILLE — Al Makkay of Centerville died peacefully at home on January 12, after a long illness.

Makkay was born in Carteret, N.J. to the late John E. Makkay and Helen (Feytko) Makkay. He was the husband of Maureen (Monaghan) and father

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Albert Makkay, longtime diocesan benefactor

of Allison Makkay Davis and her husband Tim, Albert J. Makkay Jr. and Colleen Makkay Mulgrew and her husband Michael.

He was the grandfather of Katie, Johnny and Gracie Davis and Patrick and Billy Mulgrew. He was predeceased by his brother John Makkay and his sister

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Shirley Sommerville. He leaves many nieces and nephews.

He was tremendously proud of his hardscrabble upbringing. Both parents emigrated from Hungary and met and married in the United States. His father was janitor and his mother a “Rosie the Riveter” assembly line worker, before becoming a waitress. His mother infused a tremendous work ethic in him.

After graduating Carteret High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1953-1956. During those years, he had his first exposure to radio at the base radio station. Upon discharge from the Army, he attended the University of Arizona, obtaining a B.S. in marketing. While attending U of A, he worked two full-time jobs, managing a drive-in movie theater and signing on as the morning show D.J. at KAIR-AM, as “The Alley Cat.” He was quite the popular on-air talent — with teenager Linda Ronstadt serving as the president of his fan club. He achieved quick success in the radio business. After moving to the highest ranks in programming, he moved into sales and sales management. His career path in radio management took him back east, with stops in Baltimore, Trenton, Providence and Boston.

He began his foray in station ownership in 1981, with WKZE in Orleans, now WKPE. In 1986, he and Maureen launched a brand new business on Cape Cod which was by then their newly-adopted home. WPXC was born in January of 1987 and took the Cape Cod radio dial by storm. It was the first rock radio station on the

Cape and was known for its wildly creative promotions. The broadcast group expanded to include 96.3 The Rose and Cool 102.

Over the years, the stations won many national honors including the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for excellence in community service.

Makkay was proud to have launched the successful careers of hundreds of broadcasters over his years in the business. He retired in 2003, when Makkay Group Broadcasting was sold.

He served on the board of directors of the Alumni Association of the University of Arizona and on the National Board of Advisors at the Eller School of Business and Public Administration. He was the recipient of the Leo B. Hart Humanitarian Award in 2005.

He was long involved

with the local Cape Cod veterans groups. For the years he operated WPXC, he was active with the Vietnam Veterans Association. He was also a past Commander of the Korean Veterans of Cape Cod and the former Commander of the American Legion.

He and Maureen taught CCD for many years and worked ardently on various missionary projects, including building a school at the Fall River Diocese’s mission in Guaimaca, Honduras. He was a Knight of the Order of Malta, as well as fourth degree Knight of Columbus.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Bishop Emeritus George W. Coleman January 16 at Our Lady of Victory in Centerville. The Burial with Military Honors was held on January 18 at the Bourne National Cemetery.

David C. Deston, father of Father David C. Deston Jr.

FALL RIVER — David C. Deston, 64, lifelong resident of Fall River and father of Father David C. Deston Jr., passed away January 13. He had been in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults process of St. Joseph’s Parish and was received into the Catholic Church by his son on the day of his death.

He was the loving husband of Donna M. (Marshall) Deston. Deston was born in Fall River and was a son of the late Harold C. and Anne S. (Smith) Deston.

He was employed as a firefighter with the City of Fall River for more than 31 years. He was a former Scoutmaster with Troop 15 in Fall River, and also a past member of the Bristol County Dart League. He enjoyed the time he spent

at St. Joseph’s Parish Bible Study, was an outdoorsman, and also loved camping and fishing with his family. Surviving in addition to his wife are his son; Father Deston; daughter, Jennifer M. Deston Barlow of Fall River; brothers, Robert Deston and his wife Linda of Conn., Gordon Deston and his wife Barbara of Del.; grandson, Michael C. Deston, and many nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Alan Deston.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on January 17 at St. Joseph Church, Fall River.

Donations in his name may be made to the St. Anne’s Restoration Fund 818 Middle Street, Fall River, Mass. 02721.

Hathaway Family Funeral Homes was in charge of the arrangements.

Pondering the Church I continued from page 11

and in that embrace, we are loved more fully and more perfectly even than that of our earthly parents.

Gazing around us at any Mass, it may be difficult to grasp the mystical reality, but it is more real than the neighbors on each side of us — and expands to include all believing souls who have gone before us. If we understand that the Church, as Bride, was taken from the pierced

side of Christ (just as Eve was taken from the side of sleeping Adam) then we begin to see what lies beyond the brick and mortar. With Mary as the most perfect image of the Church — actualizing all her potential — we have a model of holiness. Moreover, just as Eve was called “the mother of the living,” Mary, as the new Eve, is the Mother of Grace — that grace that allows us to return to

God. It remains for us to live up to our potential— as fathers, as mothers, as spouses, as children of the one Father God and Mother Church, revealed so that we would know the perfect life-giving love to which we are all called.

Anchor columnist Mrs. Kineke is the author of “ The Authentic Catholic Woman.” She blogs at feminine-genius.typepad. com.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks

Feb. 29 Rev. Msgr. James J. Dolan, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1980

March 1 Rev. James F. Masterson, Founder, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1906 Rev. Msgr. Peter L.Damase. Robert, P.R., Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall River, 1948 Rev. John McCarthy, CSC, Stonehill College, North Easton, 2003 Rev. William W. Norton, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Wellfleet, 2004 March 2 Rev. Antonio Berube, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1936 Rev. James J. Brady, Retired Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1941 Rev. Tarcisius Dreesen, SS.CC., Sacred Hearts Monastery, Fairhaven, 1952 Rev. Alphonse E. Gauthier, Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1962 Rev. J. Omer Lussier, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1970 March 3 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Timothy P. Sweeney, LL.D., Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1960 March 5 Rev. James McGuire. Pastor St. Mary, New Bedford, 1850 Permanent Deacon Manuel H. Camara, 1995 Rev. James A. McCarthy, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Falmouth, 2007 March 6 Rev. Joseph F. McDonough, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1906 Rev. John W. Quirk, Founder, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1932 Rev. Bernard P. Connolly, S.S., St. Charles College, Maryland, 1932 Rev. Antoine Lanoue, O.P., 1996 Rev. Jerome Lawyer, C.S.C., 2006 March 7 Rev. Arthur P.J. Gagnon, Pastor, Holy Rosary, New Bedford, 1958 March 8 Permanent Deacon Victor Haddad, 2014 March 9 Rev. Msgr. Henry J. Noon, V.G., Pastor, St. James, New Bedford; Vicar General, 1934-47, 1947

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Around the Diocese St. John the Evangelist School welcomes interested students and parents to come and see what makes the school special at its annual Open House on January 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. Located at 13 Hodges Street in Attleboro, the school is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Grades include pre-k through grade eight with a full day kindergarten and an after-school program. Interested students are also welcome to come and shadow for a day. For more information, please visit www.sje-school.com, call 508-222-5062, or email mholden@sje-school.com.

St. Patrick’s Church in Wareham will be hosting a special Divine Mercy Devotion with two Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy from Dorchester on February 5 at 1:15 p.m. after the noon Mass. All are cordially invited to the Eucharistic Holy Hour to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy led by the Sisters from the order to which St. Faustina belonged in Poland. There will also be a talk on the “Message of Divine Mercy.” Attendees can meet the Sisters immediately after in the parish hall, where light refreshments will be served. A freewill donation will be taken to benefit the Sisters.

For the Lenten season St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford, will be hosting a special presentation of Relics of the Passion on March 3 beginning at 6:45 p.m. All are invited to join them for a unique opportunity to engage with the meaning of God’s love as given to us by the Father via His Son’s Passion. The program entitled “Call from the Crucified Heart” is being sponsored as part of a new nationwide tour by the Apostolate for Holy Relics that highlights a collection of rare relics from the Passion of Our Lord, with prayer, music, reflection and an opportunity for personal veneration. For more information, call the rectory at 508-993-1691.

A bereavement support group to help people cope with the loss of a loved one meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Catholic Education Center, 423 Highland Avenue in Fall River. The current session runs through February 21 and another session will be held from March 14 through April 25. The basis of the group is to allow individuals to share their experiences, feelings and emotions with others who are on the very same journey. There is no fee to participate and parking is available adjacent to the building. If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information email rsaraiva@dfrcs.org or rosemarysaraiva@gmail.com, or call 508-678-2828, extension 27.

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program needs more team couples — newly-married and veterans (age is not a consideration) who would like to enrich their Marriage while helping engaged couples prepare for their lifetime together. The Diocesan Marriage Preparation program meets in three locations: Mansfield, Dartmouth and Harwich. In each location there is a team of volunteers that facilitate three to five sessions per year. If you are interested in serving in this ministry, contact Claire McManus at 508-678-2828, extension 19 or cmcmanus@dfrcs.org.

If you or someone you know is pregnant and confused, Catholic Social Services of Fall River offers pregnancy counseling for women/ couples experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Explore the option of parenting or adoption through the supportive services offered by an experienced social worker. For more information, contact Karen Vena, MSW, at kvena@cssdioc.org or call 508-674-4681 (office) or 774-488-4786 (cell). All services remain confidential.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - January 27, 2017

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

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. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

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 beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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 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, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. 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 — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.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. Please use the side entrance.

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.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also 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.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m.

Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

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.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

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 are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

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

Celebrant is Father Bruce M. Neylon, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River, with students from Holy Trinity School for Catholic Schools Week.

February 5, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael A. Ciryak, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Swansea.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@anchornews.org

The Anchor - January 27, 2017

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The Anchor - January 27, 2017