02.08.02

VOL. 46, NO.6¡ Friday, February 8, 2002

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage to be led by Bishop O'Malley ~

La Salette Shrine in Attleboro will be the site for the March 16 event.

By

DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

ATTLEBORO - "Living the Faith, Knowing the Faith," is the theme of an upcoming Lenten Pilgrimage Day spon-

sored by the Fall River diocese.

The all-day event, which will include Mass, is set for March 16 at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro and will be led by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap. Keynote spe.akers will be Karl Keating, founder of "Catholic Answers," and Jason Evert, a full-time apologist

with that organization.

"Catholic Answers" is one of the largest lay Catholic organizations in the nation.

"With the strong rise of fundamentalist Christianity, many Catholics are being challenged in our traditional beliefs and practices," said Bishop O'Malley. ','We are fortunate to ha,ve

Karl Keating coming to our diocese. He is an outstanding layman and has a great gift of explaining the difficult points of Catholic faith, showing how they relate to the Bible. For our catechists, RCIA team members, and all Catholics, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our faith," he added.

According to Lisa Gulino, director of Adult Education and Evangelization for the diocese, who is coordinating the event, "it will be a day of prayer, worship and reflection regarding the richness of our Catholic faith and the unity of our diocese. We encourage as many parishes, youth groups, and di- .

Turn to page 13 - Pilgrimage

PRE-KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS at Notre Dame School, Fall River, perform for parents and grandparents. Students in all grades invited family members to eat lunch with them at the school as part of Catholic Schools Week celebrations.

Pope calls for 'gratuitousness'. in giving to others during Lent

By MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - Pope John Paul II exhorted Catholics to a "gratuitousness" in their service and charity to others this Lent.

"What better time is there than Lent for offering this testimony of gratuitousness which the world so badly needs?" the pope said in his annual Lenten message. "In the very love which God has for us, there lies the call to give ourselves freely to others in turn."

The papal message, dated October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, was released Tuesday in Washington by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The text of the message was distributed in January to the world's bishops' conferences for them to release in their respective countries.

For Latin-rite Catholics, Lent begins

on Ash Wednesday, which is February we must be open to a life marked by 13 this year. 'gratuitousness,' by the giving of ourThe theme of the pope's message is selves unreservedly to God and neigh"Freely You Have Received, Freely bor."

Give."

He said, "The world prizes human "'What do you relationships based have,' St. Paul asks, on self-interest and 'that you did not repersonal gain, and cei ve?'" the pope this fosters an egosaid, quoting from 1 centric vision of life, Corinthians. "The dein which too often mand which follows there is no room for the poor and weak. this 'recognition is that of loving our Every person, even brothers and sisters, the least gifted, must and of dedicating ourbe welcomed and selves to them. The loved for themselves, regardless. of their more needy they are, qualities and dethe more urgent the believer's duty to fects." serve them."

Such a stance is Diocesan Lenten Pope John Paul based in the Gospels, regulations - Pg. 2 the pope said. added, "As believers,

"It is highly significant that Jesus spoke the words 'You received without paying, give without pay' as he sent the Apostles out to spread the Gospel of salvation, which is his first and foremost gift to humanity," he said. "Christ wants his kingdom, which is already close at hand, to be spread through gestures of gratuitous love accomplished by his disciples."

He added, "In our own day too the good done by believers becomes a sign, and often an invitation to believe.

When, like the Good Samaritan, Christians respond to the needs of their neighbor, theirs is never merely material assistance. It is always a proclamation of the kingdom as well, and speaks of the full meaning of life, hope and love."

Lent, Pope John Paul said, is "a return to the roots of our faith, so that Turn tp page 13 - Lent

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THEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., February 8,2002

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Diocese 9f Fall River posts Lenten- disciplines for 2002

Pope calls for world efforts to curb.

Hansen's disease BVJOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II called for new international efforts to curb Hansen's disease, one of several illnesses that thrive in poor countries despite having been practically eradicated elsewhere.

The pope said the persistence of Hansen's disease, formerly known as leprosy, illustrates that the basic human right of health care remains absent in some parts of the globe. .

He made his remarks at a noon blessing at the Vatican last week, observed as a world day of soli~ darity wi'th the estimated II million people who suffer from

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The pope said he was concerned that in Third World countries there are many people suffering from "diseases which on paper have been defeated." He said public opinion needs to be directed to this fact.

Greater intemational attention in particular should be given to wiping out Hansen's disease, he said.

Leprosy is curable in early stages, but is considered a serious public health problem in 10 countries, mainly because of inaccessibility to drugs used in treatment.

According to the Vatican missionary news agency Fides, about 750,000 people are seriously ~f­ rected by Hansen's disease. It said 2,000 new. cases are reported every day, and another 2,000 cases daily are nqt reported out of fear.

India is the country most affected today, with 75 percent of . new cases reported there. Other countries with a relatively high number of cases include Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Congo and Nepal. .

The Catholic Church runs 875 centers for leprosy patients around the world, mainly in Asia and Africa.

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Lent begins on February 13, which is Ash Wednesday.

FALL RIVER - Lenten regulations regarding the laws of fast and abstinence for Catholics residing in the Diocese of Fall River were announced this week. By abstinence is meant abstaining from meat. Fast means limiting oneself to only one full meal a day.

Law of fast:

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Sister M. Frederica Levell RSM CUMBERLAND., R.I. Mercy Sister M. Frederica Levell, 88: of Mount St. Rita Health Center, a retired educator and principal,died January 31 at the center.

Born in Fall River, Mass., she was a daughter of the late Patrick and the late Mary E. (Shea) Levell. Her baptismal name was Angela M. Levell. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Feb. 2, 1931 and was ,professed on Aug. 17, 1933.

Sister Frederica taught at St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's schools, both in Fall River, and Holy Name and Holy Family schools in New

Daily Readings Feb 11 Feb12

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Those who are 14 yca;-s of age and older .... ~ vbliged to observe the law of abstinence.

- On days of abstinence those bound by tpe law abstain from meat.

- On all fridays of Lent, abstinence is prescribed. This, of course, includes Good Friday.

Abstinence is also prescribed on Ash Wednesday.

- All adults, those 18 and older, are bound by The Code of Canon- Law very aptly summalaws of fast up to the beginning of their 60th rizes the ecclesiastical discipline in Canon 1249: year.

"All members of the Christian faithful in their - On days of fasf, those bound by the law are own way are bound to do penance in virtue of limited to a single full meal. This meal is meat- divine law; in order that all may be joined in a ·Iess. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to main- common observance of penance, penitential days tarn strength, may be taken according to one's are prescribed in which the Christian faithful in needs; however, together, these two meals should a very special way pray, exercise works of piety not equal another full meal. and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling - There are two prescribed days of fast: Ash . ~heir responsibilities more faithfully and espeWednesday (February 13, 2002) and Good Fri- cially by observing fast and abstinence ..."

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day (March 29, 2002).

1 Kgs 8:1-7,913; Ps 132:6-10; Mk6:53-56 1 Kgs 8:2223,27-30; Ps 84:3-5,10-11; Mk 7:1-13 .

JI2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6a,1214,17; 2 Cor .5:20-6:2;Mt 6:16,16-18 Dt 30: 15-20; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 9:2225 Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51 :3-6a, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:2732 Gn 2:7-9;3:1-7; Ps 51 :3-6a, 1214,17; Rom 5:12-190r 5:12,17-19; Mt 4:1-11

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THE ANCHOR (USPS-545'{)20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July am the week after Christmas at 887 Highlam Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press ofthe Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSTMASTERS send iWdress changes to The Aochor, P.O. Box 7. Fall River, MA 02722.

Bedford. She was the principal from 1958 to 1964 at St. John's School in Attleboro and presided over its first graduating class in 1961.

She later taught at Mercy Mount School for four years. In 1972 she served as an auxiliary staff member at Mount St. Rita Health Care Center until she retired in 1983.

Sister Frederica leaves several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Jesuit Father Raymond Levell, Sacred Heart Brother Leonard Levell, Edward Levell and Mary Reardon.

Her Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday in St. John the Evangelist Church, Attleboro.

Burial was in Resurrection CemIt etery , Cumberland. .r

Serra Club welcfJmes guest speaker NEW BEDFORD - The Serra of the. Serra Club of Hartford, Club of New Bedford met in Janu- Conn., and on the International ary for its monthly meeting at . Nominating Committee. He is White's of Westport, and heard president of the Serra Internaguest speaker Jerry Crotty, Region tional Foundation. . For more information on 1he '1 Director of the United States Serra Club call Virginio Macedo Council of Serra International.

Crotty has served as president at 508-993-9179.

In Your Prayers Please pray for the following priests during the coming week Feb. 11 - 1910, Rev. John O'Connell, Founder, St. John Evangelist, Attleboro 1961, Rev. John 1. Sullivan, S.T.L., Pastor, Holy Rosary, Fall River. .

1987, Rev. William 1. McMahon, Retired Pastor, SI. Joan of Are, Orleans .

Feb. 12 1961, Rev. Stanislaus B. Albert, sS.ce, Sacre'd Hearts Monastery, Fairhaven

Feb. 14 1932, Rev. Charles E. Clerk, Pastor, SI. Roeh, Fall River ,1980, Rev. Msgr. Francis E. McKeon, Pastor Emeritus, Sacred Heart, Taunton .

Feb. IS 1910, Rev. Joseph G. Lavalle, Pastor, SI. Mathieu, Fall River 1957, Rev. James e Conlon, Pastor, SI. Mary, Norton

Feb. 16 1983, Rev. Alphonse J. LaChapelle, Assistant, Holy Ghost, Attleboro

Nation's youngest Catholic bishop ordained in Houston

By JENNIFER LIM

you have done for me," he said. .

"Through your love and support, HOUSTON Before a I've reached this point." crammed arena that swayed with "And now," he continued, "my song, Father Joseph S. Vasquez heart goes out to this diocese, the was ordained the new auxiliary Diocese of Galveston-Houston." bishop of Galveston-Houston Bishop Vasquez's appointment January 23. signaled his return to the The 44-year-old priest of the Galveston-Houston diocese.

Diocese of San Angelo became From 1976 to 1980, he studied the nation's youngest active for the priesthood at St. Mary Catholic bishop when he was or- Seminary in Houston while simuldained to the episcopacy at the taneously working toward his Catholic Charismatic Center in bachelor~s degree in theology at Houston. the University of St. Thomas.

More than 2,500 from the dio- .

In 1984, he was ordained a ceses of Galveston-Houston and priest for the Diocese of San San Angelo squeezed into the cen- Angelo by Bishop Joseph A .. ter for the two-hour ordination Fiorenza, who was then bishop of liturgy, joining 100 of Bishop San Angelo. In his new post, Vasquez's family members from Bishop Vasquez will assist Bishop west Texas, Oklahoma and Cali- Fiorenza, who now heads the fornia at the event.

Galveston-Houston diocese.

During his remarks at the close Bishop Vasquez's former paof the bilingual Mass, Bishop rishioners characterized the new Vasquez, the first priest of San bishop as one who wants to serve Angelo to be named a bishop, people, with people. "He had an expressed gratitude to San Angelo attitude of serving others and he Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer and the always thought it would be done priests and laity of his nati ve dio- better by all of us working tocese. gether, not just by a few or one "I thank all of you for all that person (serving)," said Daniel CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Holguin of St. Joseph Church in Fort Stockton, where Bishop Vasquez was pastor for 10 years.

Bishop Fiorenza said part of the mission of every bishop is to foster such bonds of communion among the members of the body of Christ.

It is a mission that requires "proclaiming the Gospel to the poor, to captives, to the blind, (to) the oppressed," said Bishop Fiorenza, referring to the liturgy's first reading from Isaiah.

Bishop Fiorenza also observed that Bishop Vasquez's episcopal motto, "Sigueme" (or "Follow Me"inSpanish)expressesthatcall to discipleship. "It is clear that in becoming (Jesus') disciple, one must be prepared to live the paradox of losing one's life in total dedication to him, so that one can

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Funded by the National Institute for Nursing Research, the fiveyear study keys on the ways in which patients and spouses make decisions about medical care.

To be eligible, both partners must agree to participate. Patients must be 55 or older and on hemodialysis for at least six months.

Couples must be married or living with their partner for five

years or more.

The study involves interviews only. Those who agree to be in the study will participate in confidential interviews four times over a three-year-period.

Rachel Pruchno, Ph.D., a Boston College research psychologist, is the principal investigator. Dr. Norman G. Levinsky, a nephrologist at Boston University Medical Center, is the co-investigator.

To learn more about the OPTIONS Study, call Jennifer Rosenbaum, recruitment manager, at 617-552-1471 or toll free at 1-866-772-3387; or by E-mail at rosenbjd@bc.edu.

find a meaningful and full life."

Bishop Fiorenza served as principal celebrant and consecrating bishop during the ordination, with Archbishop Patrick F. Flores of San Antonio and "Bishop Pfeifer serving as concelebrants and coconsecrators.

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Pope John Paul II's official representative in the United States, also attended the Mass to deliver the papal letter lawfully mandating Bishop Vasquez's appointment.

CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE 2002 ADDITION The foIlowing is an addition to the Confirmation Schedule that ran in last week's Anchor.

Msgr. George W. Coleman, Y.G., will be the principal celebrant of the Confirmation Mass at St. Joseph's Parish, Fall River, on March 10 at 10:00 a.m.

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the living word.

themoorin~ Humble compassio~ We must be a Church of humble compassion. Detached forgiveness does not heal hurt. Currently we are facing the reality of a system that has buried the trust in a quagmire of broken promises. Somewhere along the line the concept of the pastoral and serving the Church has been abused. People's lives have been shattered and victimized. Response and responsibility have done little to validate the ideal that is inherent in the basic reflection that the Church is the pastoral Christ.

The powerful, spiritual concept of Church given us by the fathers of Vatican II somehow has been muddled by a legalistic mind-set. The Church is not a corporation. The daily living of the pragmatic indeed needs guidelines and parameters. However, such realities should only be to help people find their way to perfection. They should in no way be seen as a way to avoid the harsh, realities of imperfection.

As our local churches struggle to face the cruel facts of the current pedophilia cri~is, it is imperative that we constantly strive to reflect that it is our faith belief that Christ is always present in his Church in spite of and despite the tragic failures of human persons.

In the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modem World, the· fathers reflected, "What does the Church think of man? What recQm::' mendations seem needful for the up-building of contemporary society?

What is the ultimate significance of human society throughout the world?

People are waiting for answers to these questions."

All human life, whether individual or collective, shows itself to be a dramatic struggle between good and evil. It is our belief that the Lord came to help us in the dilemmas of life. Somehow we have ignored the fundamental reflection that conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a person. Conscience is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor.

What has happened to fidelity of conscience? When this becomes confused, conflict results. Where the confusion is nurtured by doubt and suspicions the search for truth is deralled and genuine solutions to the numerous problems of our times are ignorea.

Again, Vatican II stated, "Conscience frequently errs from individuar ignorance without losing its dignity." The same cannot be said of a person who cares little for truth and goodness.

In these very difficult times we must one again emphasize that Christ gave his Church no proper mission in the political, economic or social order. The purpose, which he set before his Church, is a religious one.

Somehow there are some who have let this mission fade into the selfishness of their own lives. This is not only regrettable, it inragic. We are now living this darkness. At the same time, as we seek to minister and heal, we fail to acknowledge that these ministries will not be effective if we view the structure of the Church as a mere corporate entity.

It cannot be subjected to the cult of personality and power.

Bishops, then, must see themselves as pastors, not executives. The recent synod of bishops over and over again emphasized this urgent need. Priests must view their ministry as gift, not a right. As frail, human beings they are indeed subject to the temptations of life. How-. ever, they must always remember to be healers, as they themselves must be healed. Deacons also must realize their unique sacramental status in the reflection of service to God's people.

As we continue to journey through this particular dark night of the soul, may we honestly journey with the humble Jesus whose message of compassion should be our clarion call. The Church,must reach out to all t,he hurting and disillu~ioned. The mi.nistry of forgiv,eness ~ust flow from the soul, not merely the lips. As the people of God on this mysterious journey of faith, we should not allow the litigiousness' of the times or the heralds of discontent to become barriers to our ministry in healing the broken in body and heart..Again, if. we are to be forgiven and renewed we need to reflect a truth that is humble in its motivation and compassionate in its healing.

The ~xecutive Editor

the ancho.<sJ

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by the CathOlic Press of the D.iocese'cif Fall River

887 Highland Avenue.

P.O. BQX'7 .

Fall River, MA 02720., ' ' Fall River, MA 02722~0007' Telephone 508~675-7151 FAX 508-675-7048 .

E-mail: TheAnchor@Anchornews.org Send address changes to P.O. Box, call or use E-mail address EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rev. Msgr. JohryF. Moore EDITOR David B. Jolivet

NEWS I;DITOR James N. Dunbar

OFFICE MANAGER Barbara. M. Reis

THIS STATUE OF OUR LADY OF PEACE WAS RECENTLY DONATED TO OUR LADY'S HAVEN, FAIRHAVEN, BY,THE SACRED HEART'S RESIDENCE ALSO IN FAIRHAVEN. THE SKILLED NURSING HOME RECENTLY CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF A NEW 36-BED ALZHEIMER'S UNIT THAT BISHOP SEAN P. O'MALLEY, OFM CAP., BLESSED FOLLOWING A RECENT MASS.

, "Now MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY ANQ PEACE IN BELIEVING, SO THAT YOU WILL.

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POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" (ROMANS

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Putting imagination to work to aid people with disabilities

By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

Imagination is an awesome power, especially when it's used for serving people with disabilities. It can support them in once again entering into the stream of life and experiencing its exhilaration. It also can create the perfect antidote to depression.

In a meeting with re~earchers at the Alban Institute, an interfaith think-tank in Washington, I learned how true this is. As we concluded our discussions, I received a copy of a recent study the institute con-' ducted with the National Organization on Disability in Washington: "Money and Ideas: Creative Approaches to Congregation Access."

It contains several imaginative ways for parishes and congregations to creatively reach out to people with disabilities.

An excellent place to start is by heightening awareness. This is exactly what one California congregation did by initiating a Disability Awareness Sunday aimed at making its members more cognizant of those with physical disabilities. To enhance giving on that Sunday, the church's staff sent out letters re~ questing funds for specific access projects. And the effort proved the truth of an old Church principle:

When people are asked to give for specific worthy causes, they will be generous.

In Ohio, a synagogue created an ongoing educational program that focused on attitudinal barriers that inilitate against helping people with disabilities. The synagogue also believed that worship plays an important role in educating a congregation. Completed access projects for people with disabilities were blessed during its services.

A United Methodist church in Pennsylvania learned that community service projects are among requirements 9f the Boy Scouts. The Scouts were enlisted to raise money and were ~Iso trained to build wooden access ramps.

A Lutheran pastor in Washington enlisted the services of a parish marathoner and asked his congregation to pledge $880 per mile. To his delight he raised $23,000, and a Washington Post newspaper article about the fund-raiser brought in ano~her $7,000.

In "Money and ~<;!eas," imagi-. native stories abound about creati ve ways to raise funds for such things as building elevators; purchasing church hearing-aid devices; enlisting people proficient in sign language; providing large-print hymnals; redesigning pews, bathrooms

and entrances; finding discarded wheelchairs; and adapting the schedule of services by keeping the needs of people with disabilities in mind.

One creative success story that especially caught my attention read: "Not many congregations think of gardens when they contemplate accessible worship spaces. But a suburban Roman Catholic congregation in Maryland believes in accessibility on both the outside and inside of its church. . "Through 'parishioner labor, Offertory collections and foundation grants, this 600-family parish is creating a garden with raised beds so that persons in wheelchairs may not only visit the garden but participate in gardening. In addition, members have constructed a wheelchair-accessible labyrinth for meditation and spiritual reflection."

If these stories have piqued your imagination, you may want to write to the Alban Institute (7315 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1250 West, Bethesda, MD 20814-3211) for a copy of "Money and Ideas." Also, take a look at the National Organization on Disability Website. Both tI:tese sources offer a treasure'chest of unique ideas for becoming more aware of people with disabilities and serving them better. ' . .

Catholic leaders support 'decision to insure needy unborn children

By CATHOLIC News SeRvice

WASHINGTON - Catholic leaders praised the Bush administration's recent announcement to expand health coverage to unborn children of low-income women, saying it was a good decision to protect mothers and their infants.

But groups that support keeping abortion legal criticized it as step toward making abortion illegal.

Under the plan, announced

by Secretary Tommy Thompson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, states cou Id provide prenatal care by classifying the developing fetus of a low-income woman as an unborn child eli-

gible for the Children's Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP. The program covers children whose families are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford medical insurance on their own. In most cases up to now it has not applied to pregnant women.

"Allowing states to provide health coverage to low-income pregnant women and t!lejr developing children is the only wise and compassionate approach," said Cathleen Cleaver, director of planning and information at the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.

Father Michael Place, president and CEO of the Catholic

\

Health Association, also applauded the announcement, saying it would give women the "essential care they need to deliver healthy babies."

"Studies show that infants born to mothers receiving late or no prenatal care are nearly twice as likely to suffer from low birth weight than those infants born to mothers recei ving early care," he said.

In his announcement, Thompson said that all his department is doing "is providing care for poor mothers so their children are going to be born healthy. How anybody can now turn this into a pro-choice argument, I can't understand it."

Groups opposing the move

A folk tale Let me set the scene for you. Herman Melville, Henry David for a few moments. She breaks It's mid-January in the year Thoreau, Robert Frost and the silence, "Grandpa, how 2033. I'm in the living room Emily. Dickinson. "They come your eyes are wet?" As if with my seven-year-old grand- weren't all born in New En- awakened from a dream I redaughter perched on my knee. gland, but they knew enough to spond, "Allergies."

"Well?" she asks with Since we're in the middle of the make New England their crumbs flying. I telI her the throws of a New England win- home," I added. greatest New England ter, she snuggles up legend has to be the close and says, 2001 New England Pa"Grandpa, I hate wintriots football team. I ter. It's always sooooo tell her about the wildcold." I tell her about .~,\~ . est ride ever. From an the days when I was a 0-2 start to squeaking young man and the """'out a division champitemperatures actually onship. I tell her about dipped below 50 de-,', 'l''."¡'~'" ' '. .....

By Dave Jolivet going into the playoffs grees in this area at i with the respect of no this time of year. '~ ;, one. I tell her about a "Brrrrrrrrr," she remiracle comeback in a plies.

With her curiosity piqued, "What else?" she asks. snowstorm. "Snow?" she says. she pleads for me to tell her "Food!" I reply. She licks her "I'll explain that later," I remore "about the old days." chops when I telI her about spond.

I tell her about the Pats go"Ok," I reply, "but you have Fannie Farmer, Julia Child and Lagasse.

"Wait, ing into a hostile Pittsburgh to turn off the TV." Immedi- Emeril ately she commands the wall- grandpa," she says as she darts arena and coming out victorisized, 12-dimensional, sense-a- to the kitchen. Moments later ous. I tell her about going to round, holographic screen to she comes back with a fistful Super Bowl XXXVI without a fade to black. of goodies. "Grandma wants to prayer of winning (according to Unaccustomed to the silence, know if we're talking sports," non-New Englanders). I telI I pause for a moment to regain she says. I ask her what her re- her about a stunned sports namy senses. I begin to tell her sponse was. "Not yet!" she re- tion as time expired at.game's end. how fortunate she is to live in plies.

"Who were. those guys, who I think to myself, "What a the greatest part of the United States - New England. I tell perfect segue." As the tot gets were the superstars?" she asks. her she lives in the cradle of 'comfortable again and amid the' "Hmmm, let me think," I redemocracy - where it all chewing and crunching, I tell spond. For the life of me, I her that no tale of New England can't think of a single player started.

I describe New England folk .folk legends would be complete on that t.eam, nor the coaches. heroes like Roger Wi lIiams and without our beloved sports he- All I.can remember is a team.

Paul Revere. She seems to well roes. I ignore the wink shared A team coming through the runup with pride when I rattle off by grandmother and grand- way of the Super Dome; a team overcoming double-digit the names of presidents from daughter at my expense.

New Englanders are very'pas- fourth-quarter deficits; a team Massachusetts; John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin sionate about everything in life, silencing football experts evCoolidge and John F. Kennedy. I tell her. "And sports is the life- erywhere; a team bringing New "Tell me more," she pleads. blood that keeps our hearts Englanders their greatest sports Grateful for her interest in pumping." She sits bug-eyed as thrill ever.

"The greatest New England something other than electroni- she learns about Babe Ruth, Ted cally produced images'on a TV Williams, Bill Russell, Bobby legend ever? Simply put, the screen or computer monitor, I Orr, Larry ..Bird, Rocky 2001 Patriots," I tell her. continue. "You know," I say, Marciano, Marvin Hagler and "Thanks grandpa," she responds. "Now what's this snow "New England wasn't only the Pedro Martinez.

She stops me in mid-sen- stuff?" cradle of liberty in this counDave ]olivet is a former try; producing great politicians tence, knowing she'd never get and statesmen. No, no. We have a word in edgewise if she sports editor/writer and the curit all." I go on to tell her about doesn't. "Grandpa, who's the rent editor of The Anchor.

Comments are welcome at prominent literary figures such greatest legend in New England as Nathaniel Hawthorne, history?" she inquires. I sit there Dave.lolivet@Anchornews.org. .

My View From the Stands

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THEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., February 8,2002

5

said there were other ways to in- tial amount 9f state law and clude coverage for pregnant some federal law that recognize women in the state insurance unborn children as legal memprogram and said the Bush ad- bers of the human family for ministration decision was sim- different purposes," he said.

Currently, states already ply a backdoor attempt to establish the unborn child as a per- have had the option of coverson with legal standing to set the ing pregnant women under their stage to make abortion illegal.

CHIP, but only after applying Cleaver said it was unfortu- for a waiver from the federal nate that "some abortion rights government since the program groups oppose this important was designed for children, not initiative." She said the oppo- adults. New Jersey and Rhode sition w,as "seriously mis- Island have obtained these guided" and called it "sense- waivers. . He said he also supports leg. less" to try to deny "low-income women access to state-in- islation pending in the Senate sured prenatal care in the name that would allow states to auof abortion." tomatical)y add pregnant Douglas Johnson, legislative women to the Children's Health director of the National Right Insurance Program, much like to Life Committee, said the the way poor pregnant women Bush.administration's new clas- are eligible for Medicaid.

The Bush administration sification of the fetus as an unborn child was not the first of policy will not take effect until its kind and he said no other after it is published in the Fedrules that give unborn children . eral Register and the Departlegal status have ever affected ment of Health and Human Serthe legality of abortion. vices considers public com"There is already a substan- ments.

Sacred Hearts Retreat Center, Wareham, MA, seeks an Administrator: Candidates should be active Catholics with background in budgetary planning and financial management, pUblic relations, programming, personnel supervision and administration. They must also be willing to be guided by the charism of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts.

The Center hosts a variety of adult and youth retreats as well as private, directed and guided retreats for priests, religious and laity.

Please send resume and salary requirements to: RC Administrator Search, P.O. Box 111, Fairhaven, MA 02719-0111 (No later than 3/1/02)

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"..,..-vtese Indian seminarians are on their way to a local village for persons with leprosy. They travel by bike for more than five miles - but do not mind. Said one: "I never get tired though the journey takes an hour and a half. The happiness of the people when we arrive to serve them makes the journey joyous."

1.

"..,..-vte rector of their seminary, writes: "Thanks to 1. the generous support we receive from you, we are able to ensure that these young men will be able to complete their studies and be ordained." very day, stories like this one are repeated throughout the Missions - and, with God's E grace and your help, such stories may continue

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well into the future.

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w.ork of the Church and benefit as well. A Gift Annuity with us can provide you with income for the rest of your life at a favorable rate of return.

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6

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 8,2002

ATTLEBORO St. Joseph's Parish has 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration beginning after the 9 a.m. Mass every Friday of the month. It ends before the 9 a.m. ,Mass on Saturday. All ages welcome. For more information call Pauline L'Heureux at 508-222-7047.

ATTLEBORO - La Salette Shrine begins Lent with Ash Wednesday Masses on February 13 at 12: 10,4:00 and 6:30 p.m.

The Stations of the CrOss will be held on Friday evenings at 7: 15 in the church on February 15,22, Marctt 1, 8 and 15. From February 12 to March 27, the sacrament of reconciliation will be available weekday eveningsfrom 5-6 p.m. in addition to the regular Monday-Friday hours of 2-3 p.m. and the Saturday-Sunday hours of 1-4 p.m.

"Levite" returns to the Coffee House on February 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

For more information on Shrine events, call 508-222-' 5410..

The Grief Education Program at La Salette presents "When Faith is Tested," on February 18 at 10:30 a.m.; "The Price ofLoving," on February 14 and "Spirituality and Grief," on February 21, both at 6:30 p.m. The sessions will be held in the Pastoral Counciling Center. For more information, call 508-226-8220. ' DARTMOUTH The Catholic Community of UMassDartmouth gathers for Mass every Sunday evening at 8 p.m. in the main campus center, auditorium room 006. Students and others are always welcome to join in prayer and song. Mass will be scheduled at 6 p.m. on holiday weekends. .

FALL RIVER - The Senior Wheels USA program provides electric wheelchairs to senior citizens and permanently disabled persons at no cost for use in the home. For more information call 800-246-6010.

FREETOWN - Mother of the Sorrowful Heart Rosary Crafters are actively making and sending out handmade rosaries to missions all over the world. They are available for teaching and demonstrations for groups interested in learning how to make cord rosaries. For more information call Carol Spoor at 508-644-2645.

NEW BEDFORD - A program entitled "Theology on Tap," will be held February 27 at 6: 15 p.m. at Bickford's,Restaurant, 2980AcushnetAvenue.AII Catholics and non-Catholics in their 20s and 30s are invited to attend this evening of food' and faith.

Is this marriage valid?

Q. After 10 years ofmarriage I French Catholics, with the purpose found myself facing a divorce, of reconciling the enemies of that something I never thought would war.

The movement spread quickly to happen. We had problems for years which my husband would Poland, Italy and other countries, not admit or discuss. Later we had including the United States. Since counseling together and now are happily remar- - - - - - - - - - - - ried.

I'm worried, how-' NEW BEDFORD - The Courage Group will meet Satur- ever, that we were remarday at 7 p.m. in the rectory of Holy ried by\ajudge; My husName of the Sacred Heart of Jesus band says we were and .

Parish. Courage is a support group still are'married by,

By Father for Catholic men and women who Church law. Is this true?

John J. Dietzen are confronting same sex attrac- Even some of our family is questioning us about '.....;, _ tion issues and who are striving to this.

(Oklahoma) iead chaste lives. For more inforA. Your husband is right; no "re- then, perhaps most notably since the mation call Msgr. Thomas marriage" in the Church was terrorist attacks of September 11, it Harrington at 508-992-3184. needed. Husbands and wives with has become a major voice urging NEW BEDFORD - Calix, a painful experiences like yours, how- the search for and use of nonviogroup which enlists Catholic men ever, need every possible grace of lent, peaceful methods for resolvand women who are gratefully cel- healing and strength to fulfill their ing international disputes.

Pax Christi's mission and mesebrating recovery from alcohol- renewed comniitrnents.

In my experience, renewing their sage appear to be-twofold. First, in ism, drug addiction and other dependencies will meet Sunday at marriage vows with a priest, per- the end, violence, including military 6:30 p.m. at the parish center' of haps in connection with a Mass, can violence, can only breed more vioHoly Name of the Sacred Heart be a wonderful and, encouraging lence, never real peace. Thus, one of Jesus Church. Newcomers al- exeerience. You, and other couples major objective is to explore and in your circumstances, might speak articulate in the public forum alterways welcome. with your parish priest and consider natives to war for conflict resoluc tion.

NEW BEDFORD - Devotion doing that.

We too easily and immediately, Q. During the past few to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is says Pax Christi, fall into the lanmonths, we have read much in celebrated every Tuesday and Deguage and behavior of armed conour Catholic and daily papers votion to Divine Mercy every Thursday at the noon Mass at Our about an organization called Pax flict before genuine alternatives are Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Christi. Is it some sort of secret even considered. They contend there For more information call 508- society or a group approved by are such alternatives, which could the Catholic Church? Can you bring criminals to justice without 992-9378. explain who it is, and, what it devastating nations and peoples. ,Second, true peace will never NEW BEDFORD - The stu- does? (Ohio) happen, Pax Christi holds, until the A. Pax Christi (Peace of Christ) dents from St. James-St. John. world addresses the colossal social is an international Catholic agency, School, 180 Orchard Street, will be collecting toiletries and non-per- created in Lourdes, France, shortly injustices which engender the hatred ishable food items for local agen- after World War II by German and which explodes into violence. cies February 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call 508-996-0534.

Questions

an d

Answers

Archbishop Renato Martino, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, reminded the United Nations last year ofthe growing gap between rich and poor in most affluent countries and in the world.

The Northern Hemisphere contains a fifth ofthe world's population, and consumes 80 percent of its wealth and resources. Countries ohhe SouthemHemisphere, with 80 percent of the population, have only 20 percent of its wealth and resources.

That is not only unjust, it is a threat to the stability of the planet, he said; the unjust status quo will continue fueling conflicts.

In a few words, I believe that pretty much defines the Pax Christi !TIessage.

Obviously, it is not a secret society; and it is thoroughly Catholic, at least in that it reflects the hopes and constant pleas of Pope John Paul II and the world's bishops.

Patriarch Michael Sabbah, archbishop of Jerusalem, is president of Pax Chri~tj..International, which is a member of the Conference of International Catholic Organizations. Its branch in the United States, Pax Christi USA, may be contacted at 532 W. Eighth St., Erie, PA 165021343, or on the Internet at www.paxchristiusa.org.

A free brochure answering questions Catholics ask about the sa~entof penance is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, IL 61651.

Voices for' peace,remembered

Now, with the arrival of Lent, the real issue is what by their own inventions."

Jesus' life and death were about.

But he knew the odds, adding, "Set ,against these The answer to that is absolutely clear. Jesus' life was motives of unity indeed are other motives entirely anabout teaching us to end injustice, violence and inequality tagonistic, the fear and hatred of strange things and in this world, to end hate with forgiveness, compassion peoples, love of and trust in the old traditional thing, 'patriotisms, race prejudices, suspicions, distrusts and love, and thus make this a universe of peace.

The beloved Pope John and the elements of spite, ..:..._____ scoundrelism and the utter Paul II has been preaching ... selfishness that are so this for his entire papacy, and never so pointedly as strong still in evelY human soul." â&#x20AC;˘ NORTH EASTON - Holy this January with his mesAnother voice, after Cross Family Ministries will spon- sage for the World Day of World War II, was writer sor an Evening of Reflection for Peace. ''To pray for peace God's forgive, Lewis Mumford's, whose is to seek DRE's tonight from 7-9 p.m. at ness and to implore the By Antoinette Bosco son was killed in that war. the Father Peyton Center, 518 The atomic bomb had Washington Street. For more in- courage to forgive those formation call 1-800-299-7729. It who have trespassed ....- - - - - - -.....---I.......!-.....;,__J .. changed the history of the human race, he believed, will sponsor an afternoon retreat against us," he wrote. He for college students tomorrow exclaimed, "What sufferings are-inflicted on human- and he wrote, "Not to seize power but to protect and cherish life is the chief aim of man; and the godlike ity because of the failure to reconcile!" from 1-5 p.m. also at the center.

Already I can hear the objections: But how is for- powers that the human race now commands only add WEST HARWICH - The St. giveness possible when someone kills 'those you love? to its responsibilities for self-discipline and make more Francis of Peace Fraternity, Secu- Isn't it just weakness to forgive? Isn't that letting evil- ,imperative a post-magical, post-mechanical, postnuclear ideology which shall be centered not on power, lar Franciscan Order, will meet doers get away with their hurting actions?

Again, I offer the words of the pope: "Forgiveness but on life."

Sunday at Holy Trinity Church for I could include 100 more voices crying out for an the noon Mass. Discussion and re- is above all a personal choice, a decision of the heart freshments will follow. For more¡ to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil with' end to "the pagan doctrine and spirit of retaliation," as evil. Forgiveness may seem like weakness, but it de- President Woodrow Wilson, appalled by the'punitive information call 508-362-5238. mands great spiritual strength and moral courage, both Versailles Treaty after World War I, put it. Knowing prophetically that this vindictive treaty, signed by vicWEST HARWICH - The in granting it and accepting it."

I have studied war, and have learned that many torious "Christian states," held the seeds for another Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Church, Route 28, . vqices have been raised in the past century warning more devastating war, he said, in part anger, part sadinvites people to sign up and spend about the dire future if we continue our love of war as ness, "What it treats with utter ignorance is the Chrisan hour or two in prayer. This re- a way of solving <;onflicts. Famed author H.G. Wells, tian doctrine of atonement and redemption."

This Lent may we learn from great people who gional chapel of the mid-Cape area , in his 1920 "Outline of History," affected by the mildepends on the support of people. lions killed in World War I because of emerging tech- raised their voices crying for peace. For Lent is the All ages welcome. For more in- nology in ~rplanes and weapons, wrote of the neces- time to ~se awareness again of how Jesus' life was, formation call Jane Jannell at 508- , sity for "unity in mankind." He said, "Sooner or later indeed, about atonement for the sins of the world and that unity must come, or else plainly men must perish redemption - the hope that love and life can prevail.

430-0014.

NORTH DARTMOUTH-A Separated-Divorced Support Group will meet February 11 from 7-9 p.m. at the Diocesan Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. A representative from the H&R Block company will speak about filing income taxes as a separateddivorced person.

The Bottom' Line

E-mail chain letters The issue of pop piety we will be destroying the chances of will address today is chain the world becoming free from hunprayers, ger."

Before that, however, let me Or, "If you do not respond to share from the bottom of my heart this chain letter in the next 15 and in all candor, frankness alid minutes, the entire matrix of civi-' sincerity how I feel about chain lization will implode." anythings. Generally, and I am Or, "The last person to ignore having a hard time coming up with an exception, they're terrible.

And this is not just because they: a) clog up Email storage memory, b) have never made me rich, and c) make me wonder if persons who send them

By Dan Morris dislike me, have a grudge against me, think I need - - - - - - - - - - - a life or just assume I am a patsy. this chain letter was hit by a subOK, I am a patsy. I cannot pass way train; she was walking down a child selling candy bars outside the street of Walla Walla, Wash., the supermarket without buying at the time." a bunch. I believe every street Or, "What kind of unpatriotic, person's story. I always volunteer unfeeling, pathetic individual my neighbor Bud when the par- would you be if you did not forish needs someone for cleanup ward' these wondrous words after Blackout Bingo Night. that I myself penned after listenChain letters are a different ing to the National Anthem durmatter, There are loads of reasons ing the Raiders-Jets game - to I dislike them, but at the core is every person in your local phone that they lean heavily on a kind book?" of cross between blackmail and Chain prayers raise this goofy superstition for fuel. They come stuff to a whole new level of with kindly little notes like, "If blackmail. Don't get me wrong. you break this chain letter, you Sending along a prayer or bless-

The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

ing 0I1e finds touching or meaningful to a friend is one thing.

Sending along a prayer to as many people as one might know with a threatening message that they should do the same thing is quite another.

Especially when the little introductory notes say things like, "Only a person who does not love the work of Jesus will ignore this message and not send the charity and/or person at the top of this list many dollars with no idea of who they are, what they do or any other picky路 thing like that."

Or, "St. (fill in the blank) has bestowed countless blessings on those who have read this prayer aloud at the local bus stop, but those who have 'e-deleted' this appeal for spreading the work of St. (fill in the blank) have been known to find themselves mysteriously walking the streets of Walla Walla."

Yet, the patsy factor does raise its head from time to time, For example, I received an Email from a person whose return address was not accessible, but who. clearly knew me. He/ she wrote: ' "Today, Dan, I spent the after-

Pope: Catholic lawyers should decline laking divorce cases

By JOHN NORTON CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

"It could almost seem that divorce is so rooted in certain social environments that it is almost VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II said not worth continuing to combat it," Pope John Catholic civil lawyers must not take divorce Paul said. cases if the client's intent is to break the mar"But it is worth it!" he said. ,riage bond.

The pope warned Church marriage courts to Speaking to the Roman Rota, a Vatican tribu- shun a "divorce mentality" in deciding annulnal that handles annulment appeals, the pope said ment cases, saying it clouded the Church's valuthe Church must oppose divorce in society by able message to society about the indissolubilpromoting a "mentality, ity of marriage. social custom and civil In recent years some legislation in favor of inChurch tribunals had Pope John Paul called divorce a "more or less openly dissolubility."

Pope John Paul said "plague" with devastating conse- relativized" the meaning Catholic judges might find quences for society and said the of marriage, the pope it impossible not to take Church unwaveringly must defend said, by too easily handdivorce cases, but they marriage's permanence - which he ing down annulments, a "must find effective means that the apparsaid was ordained by God - and judgment ent marriage was null to promote matrimonial unions, above all through oppose alte'rnative kinds of unions, from the start.

"The injustice of a deca wisely conducted work like gay "marriages." of reconciliation," laration of nullity, op'posed to the truth of the But he said Catholic lawyers who are free to choose their cases "must normative principles or facts, is particularly sealways decline the use of their profession for an rious, since its official link to the Church promotes the diffusion of attitudes in which indisend that is counter to justice, like divorce."

"They can only collaborate in such an activ- solubility is supported with words but obscured ity when it, in the client's intent, is not aimed at in life," he路said. the breaking of the marriage, but to other leThe pope said tribunals should be guided by a "presumption" of indissolubility, "which obgitimate effects," he said.

According to the "Catechism of the Catholic viously does not mean prejudice against just decChurch," separated couples are permitted to ob- larations of nullity, but (rather) a working contain a civil divorce if it is "the only possible viction regarding the good at play in the proway of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of cess, united with an ever-renewed optimism that comes from the natural character of matrimony the children, or the protection of inheritance."

Pope John Paul called divorce a "plague" with and from the Lord's support for the spouses."

Even in cases where the .apparent marriage is devastating consequences for society and said the Church unwaveringly must defend marriage's determined null, whenever possible the couple pertpanence - which he said wa's ordained by should consider validating the union, which, God ~ and oppose alternati ve kinds of unions, even if not yet matrimonial, "contains elements like gay."marriages." of good for them and for the children," he said.

7

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri" February 8,2002 noon at a local youth detention center just simply listening to adolescent 'criminals' who wanted nothing more than someone to listen to them. I did this because someone asked me to do something special for God one day this week. So, now, you are in the same spot. What you go-

ing to do?"

Is that a chain letter? Is that blackmail? I sure hope not. Oh, and consider yourself a recipient.

And if you ignore this, I have friends in Walla Walla.

Comments are welcomt Email Uncle Dan at cnsuncle@yahoo.com.

"LISTENING HEARTS" DUXBURY, MA - "Listening Hearts:' a Contemplative Workshop/Retreat will be presented March 3-8, 2002, at the Miramar Retreat Center,121 Parks Street, Duxbury, MA. It will be presented by James Bowler, SJ and Karen Doyle, SSJ (former staff members of Loyola House, Guelph, Ontario). It is intended to assist participants to appreciate their own experience of God as well as the activity of God in others. All those who are in ministry or anyone who accompanies others in their spiritual journey is welcome to attend. The fee is $300.00; a $50.00 nonrefundable deposit is required. All rooms are private with private baths. Miramar Retreat Center is located on the .South Shore of Massachusetts overlooking Cape Cod Bay 35 miles south of Boston, 5 miles north of Plymouth.

For reservations/information, call 781-585-2460.

3 DAY PILGRIMAGE & HEALING RETREAT To the NATIONAL SHRINES in the PHILADELPHIA AREA Under the Spiritual Direction of FR. JOSEPH P. McDERMOTI, Pastor of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Stoughton, MA & organized by Barbara E. Halley ST. JOHN NEUMANN: Was a Bishop @ the time of his death; his incorrupt body lies under the altar where Fr. McDermott celebrates Mass; canonized by Pope Paul VI, June 19, 1977.

ST. KATHARINE DREXEL: Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament; her body is entombed @ the Shrine; canonized by Pope John Paul II, October 1, 2000.

OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL:The statue of the Madonna of the Medal adorning the Shrine has been acclaimed as one of the most beautiful Statues of Our Lady anywhere.

ST. RITA OF CASCIA: Saint of the Impossible, Advocate of Difficult Cases, Reconciler & Promoter of Family Harmony; canonized by Pope Leo XIII, May 24, 1900.

~~ $23~:;:~~pe~s~:' ~~b/~a~~~ncy) ~~"""';';""i (please call far single s,upplement price)

TRIP INCLUDES: - Round trip transportation via deluxe motorcoach - 2 nights lodging @ the Hampton Inn, 1329 Bristol Pike, Tel. #: 215-245-5222 (in case of emergency) - Continental breakfast each morning - Mass celebrated daily We will be leaving promptly @ 5:30 a.m from Immaculate Conception Church. There is plenty of parking @ the rear of the church. PLEASE NOTE: This is the only place we leave from.

NO piCk-Ups along the way.

To register, please complete this form and send it along with your deposit of $100.00 per person on or before February 18, 2002; balance due by March 20, 2002, (The Rooming List must be submitted to the Hotel by March 26, 2002.)

(NO refunds after March 20, 2002, unless you have someone to take your place, or if we have a waiting list.)

Please make all checks payable to: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH NAME:

_

STREET: CITY:

TEL.#..:..:

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SfATE:

ZIP:

_

_

Please mail to: BarbaraE. Halley, IIA Fellowship Circle. Avon, MA 02322 For further information you may contact: Barbara Halley @ 508-559-2320

'I'

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~ ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 8, 2002

FOLLOWING A 1994 Army parachuting accident in Which he lost both lower legs, Dana Bowman went on to jump again with the Army's Golden Knights. Now retired from the military, the pilot and flight instructor gives motivational talks to help others realize their abilities.

(CNS photo by Amisu M. Estrada, Catholir; Explorer)

Army hero's disability doesn't slow him down

By AMISU M. ESTRADA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

HUNDREDS CONGREGATE in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, during a re~ent service marking the 30th year since Bloody Sunday. Bishop Edward Daly, who administered last rites to the 13 peaceful protesters killed by British soldiers in 1972, prayed for war victims in Ireland, Afghanistan, the Middle East and the United States. (CNS photo from Reuters)

A key source for local, national and international Catholic news February is Catholic Press Month subscribe to the

ancho~

This Message Sponsored by the Following Business Concerns in the Diocese of Fall River GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY' WALSH PHARMACY

class, who re-enlisted in theArrny just nine months after the acciROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Dana dent.

Bowman is up to just about any He made his last jump with the challenge.

Knights six years ago, landing on Although his legs were ampu- the field during the opening certated eight years ago in a para- emonies of the Paralympic Games chuting accident, he continues to in Atlanta. sky dive, scuba dive, water ski, But after retiring from the snow ski, bike, race motorcycles Army with a clean bill. of health, and fly airplanes, seaplanes and he found that he still had to. prove helicopters. his ability in the civilian world as "Sometimes, we all fall down he pursued his dream of becomalong the way. When we do, we ing a pilot. try to pick ourselves back up," he Two years ago, he graduated told a crowd of aviation enthusi- with honors anCl ratings for flyasts at the 25th Annual Chicago ing airplanes, seaplanes, commerAviation Expo held recently at . cial planes, multiengine aircraft Lewis University, a Christian and helicopters as well as instruBrothers' school. ment rating. He is currently the Bowman, who had a 20-year' only double-legged amputee and career in the U.S. Army in the one of. the few pilots in the world Special Forces, addressed the crowd in his military dress uniform, adorned with medals and ribbons.

During his years of military service, the combat veteran was no stranger to overcoming dauntBy JOH,,! THAVIS ing odds. But his most difficult CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE challenge came after a training VATICAN CITY -Argentina's practice in 1994 during which he foreign minister briefed top Vatican 'and a .fellow member of the Golden Knights, the army's elite officials on his beleaguered parachuting team, were practicing country's efforts to steip an ecoa complex maneuver called the nomic tailspin that has brought banks to the brink of collapse and Diamond Track. .

The two had performed the sparked violent street protests.

Foreign' Minister Carlos maneuver, which calls for jumpRuckauf met January 31 with ers. to crisscross each other in the sky, more than 50 times without Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican error, but this day as they com- secretary of state. Later, the two pleted the bottom half of the dia- were joined by Ruckauf's advismond, the two parachuters ers and additional Vatican experts, slammed into each other at a com- including Archbishop Jean-Louis bined speed of 300 miles per hour. Tauran, who handles foreign afBowman's partner, Sgt. Jose fairs.

A brief Vatican statement said Aguillon, died instantly, and his . outstretched arm sheared off both the talks gave the Argentine foreign minister an opportunity to of Bowman's legs in midair.

Five months after the accident, "illustrate the efforts of the new Bowman, who was fitted with 18- Argentine government, both in pound prosthetic limbs and had restoring social peace and justice learned to walk without crutches to Argentina's society and in inor canes, made his first parachute' ternational affairs."

Ruckauf was in Italy as part of jump.

"It was a leap of faith. I had to an international tour to press for show the P~ntagon and the mili- foreign aid in the wake ofa worstary that I could still do this ened economic crisis that saw a safely," said the sergeant first major currency devaluation and

to hold the rating of commerCial flight instructor and commercial flight instrument instructor for helicopters.

Bowman, who resides in Texas with his. wife and children, designs many of his own prosthetics, including a device that allows him to switch between 10 different sets of feet. Last year, he established the Dana Bowman Limb Bank Foundation, a nonprofit group that collects and distributes new and used artifi'cial limbs to those in 路need.

"I jump into elementary schools and I bring that American flag and I land on that target and I can inspire these kids," he said. "I can show them, it doesn't matter what happens to you. You can still continue on."

Argentine foreign minister briefs Vatican officials on crisis debt default. The crisis led to deadly riots and a succession of five new presidents in a two-week period.

The Vatican is deeply concerned about the crisis in Argentina, where nearly 90 percent of the 36 million population is Catholic.

As Ruckauf met with foreign leaders in Europe, other government officials were conferring with negotiators of the International Monetary Fund to discuss' possible future aid. That step prompted new misgivings among some Argentines, who distrust solutions imposed by outside lending agencies.

Demonstrators in Argentina have protested widespread corruption, an'unemployment rate of more than 18 percent, the bankruptcies of many companies arid . banking restrictions that virtually froze accounts.

Argentina's bishops said in midJanuary that they would accept the government's call to organize a national unity dialogue to seek consensual solutions to the crisis.

THE ANCHOR -

~iocese of Fall River -

Fri., February 8, 20029

Compassion, assessing pain called key tools against assisted suicide

AFGHAN CHILDREN at the Allahudin orphanage in Kabul gather to greet the head of the World Food Program, Catherine Bertin, on her visit to Afghanistan recently. More than 800 children reside at the main orphanage in the capital city. (CNS photo from Reuters)

Ad campaign on public buses focuses on children of Afghanistan

By ED LANGLOIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PORTLAND, Ore. -A group of Portland Catholics has unveiled an advertising campaign calling for compassion for the people of Afghanistan.

The ads have a photograph of Afghan children, the Website address for the campaign (www.pdxpax.org) and a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent misery rather than to avenge it?"

The ads, measuring 2.5 feet by 12 feet, have appeared on the sides of five public buses in the Portland metro area since January 13. The campaign is funded through donations from concerned citizens, with over $2,000 raised so far. The more money that comes in, the longer the ads stay up, said organizers.

The United Nations and human aid groups report that there is a tragic situation in Afghani-

stan and refugee-laden areas of Pakistan. Some 100,000 children are likely to die in Afghanistan this winter because of diarrhea, pneumonia and other diseases.

Children face further danger from land mines and lack of proper medical care. ''The ad campaign began as our response to the events of September 11," Susan Francois, co-chair of the Peace and Justice Commission at St. Philip Neri Parish, told the Catholic Sentinel, Portland's archdiocesan newspaper.

"We wanted to spread a message of peace and global humanity in our local community," she said. "The bus ads seemed a very effec~ive way to do this. At St. Philip Neri we are not afraid to have a public dimension to our faith life."

The campaign started as the idea of local furniture designer Ashley Eriksmoen, 31, who enlisted the help Of photographer Ebrahim Wahab, graphic designer

Lance Grider and the peace and justice commission at her parish.

Eriksmoen wanted to counter what she feared was patriotism turning into nationalism.

In the days after September 11, "people started puttiqg American flags in their windows," Eriksmoen recalled. "I did not know how to digest that really. I felt so sad and concerned for both countries."

The Website and bus ads are a way to garner public support for reconstruction aid to Afghanistan, she explained.

"I am not really an activist," she said. "But with an incident like this, I cannot just stay put. Let's. not forget that these people are over there and just walk away."

Eriksmoen, Francois and others said they were proud of what Pope John Paul II has said about the situation. The pope has cautioned against U.S. acts of revenge and called for the world to embrace the poor of Afghanistan.

TUCSON, Ariz. (CNS) - The Catholic response to those who request physician-assisted suicide is to look for the causes of their pain and address them with compassion, a speaker told medical professionals attending a recent end-of-life conference on "Recovering Our Traditions: A Catholic Perspective on End-of-Life Care."

"It is not up to us to be judging them," said Jesuit Father Myles N. Sheehan, a medical doctor at Loyola University, Chicago.

Though some may see a request for physician-assisted suicide as a crisis situation, Father Sheehan said he sees it as an opportunity for a conversation. "It often is a request for help," he said.

He asked the 200 attendees how many of them had been asked to assist with a suicide or had seriously' discussed it with a patient, and about half of them raised their hands.

When he asked how many handled such requests frequently, only a handful of participants raised their hands.

He quoted Pope John Paul II's encyclical "Evangeliwn Wtae": ''Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God, since it is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person." ''This is very, very clear," Father Sheehan said. "We don't have to be ashamed ofour belief," he said, adding that a Pro-Life position should not be the object of ridicule in a pluralistic society.

However, he said that responding to an assisted suicide request by explaining that such acts are against Catholic hospital policy is a bad idea Instead, he urged medical professionals to use a six-step procedure' that involves clarifying what a per- .

son is truly seeking, assessing the underlying causes and compassionately addressing them, and discussing legal alternatives.

He urged them to ask patients, "Help me to understand," and "Why now?"

"It's important to be pretty personal," he explained.

For example, an argument or death of a pet can lead someone to seek death. Sometimes patients are experiencing financial or legal problems. "These are the things I find you often can't entirely fix;' Father Sheehan said.

Some patients fear pain, so it can help to tell them that their pain will be treated, he said.

Helping them kill themselves is not the solution, the priest said, again quoting "Evangeliwn Wtae": "True 'compassion' leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear." ..

Catholic patients can struggle with a break from the Church, a disagreement with a priest, an irregular marriage, or even having suffered abortion or abuse. He urged caregiv~rs to emphasize that healing is possible..

Father Sheehan said he recognized the frustrations of caring for those at the end of life, some of whom try to manipulate their doctors by requesting assistance with suicide. It is fine to feel relieved when a difficult patient dies, he said - as long as no medical effort is made to speed the process.

Father Sheehan also urged caregivers to tum to the sacraments for support. "We don't rely on our own brilliance;' he said.

And, priests need more training in end-of-life care, he added.

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, Chaplains celebrate first public Mass in Kabul in nearly 10 years ROME (CNS) - Italian and English chaplains Christians hope even in the midst of suffering, like recently concelebrated the first public Mass in that of war-scarred Afghanistan. nearly 10 years in Kabul, Afghanistan.

"What today is bitterness, tomorrow can be joy," Held outdoors ih the Italian Embassy com- he said. ''Through suffering, one regains life." pound, the Mass was attended by about 100 ItalThe Mass was concelebrated by Father Mark ian soldiers, members of a U.N.-mandated, 17- O'Keefe, an English military chaplain from the nation force charged with helping the country's Diocese of Plymouth. interim administration maintain peace.

Though Italy closed its embassy in Kabul in Several military officers from other countries, 1994, the compound's chapel was kept up by three including U.S. Maj. Randell Mastrangelo, partici- missionary nuns - Little Sisters of Jesus from pated in the liturgy, reported ANSA, an Italian Switzerland, France and Japan - who remained news agency. . in the country despite the warfare and rise to power The last public Mass in Kabul had been cel- of the Islamic Taliban regime.

"They were helped by all those (Afghans) to ebrated in 1993 by Barnabite Father Giuseppe Moretti, an Italian chaplain who had to leave the . whom they did good," Father Lai said.

The nuns did not attend the Mass "out of discountry after being wounded by shrapnel.

In his homily, Italiaq Franciscan Father Ivan cretion. Theirs is a life of charity in silence," the .

Lai said Christ's resurrection from death gave priest said.

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THEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., February 8,2002

eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The fol- with hypnotism, though it runs into lowing are home videocassette re- trouble wrapping up its otherwise views from the U.S. Conference of entertaining narrative. Several Catholic Bishops' Office for Film sexual references and an extrarnariand B~oadcasting. Each videocas- tal affair. The U.S. Conference of sette is available on'VHS format.

Catholic Bishops classification isAIII - adults. The Motion Picture "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (2001).

Association of America rating is Imaginative animated adventure PG-13 - parents are strongly causet in the early 1900s in which a . tioned. Some materiarmay.be in-· young cartographer (vo(~ed by appropriate for children under 13.

Michael 1. Fox) becomes the key (Dream Works) to unraveling an ancient mystery "Glitter" (2001) when he leads a group of intrepid Pathetic musical drama set in the explorers to find the lost city of 1980s New York City club scene Atlantis. Although the fanciful na~- that tracks the rise of a young singer rative becomes muddled, directors (Mariah Carey) from a childhood Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise's spent in foster homes to her disedgy, angular animation and dis- covery by a disc jockey (Max tinctive characters voiced by a fine Beesley) and on to ultimate fame. cast compensate for some of the Along with indistinguishable origifilm's shortcomings. Intermittent nal songs, a pitiful narrative and action violence. The U.S. Confer- contrived camera work, director ence of Catholic Bishops classifi- Vondie Curtis Hall's leading lady cation is A-TI - adults and adoles- has no charisma to pull off the vancents. The Motion Picture Associa- ity vehicle. An implied sexual ention ofAmerica rating IS PG - pa- counter, brief violence and some rental guidance suggested. (Disney) crass language. The U.S. Confer"Blue Moon" (2000) ence of Catholic Bishops classifi-.

Slender romantic fantasy in cation is A-III - adults. The Mowhich a long-married couple (Ben tion Picture Association ofAmerica Gazzara and RitaMoreno) on a rating is PG-13 - parents are weekend away to recharge their re- strongly cautioned. Some material lationship magically encounter may be inappropriate for children themselves 40 years earlier (Brian under 13. (Columbia TriStar Home Vincent and Alanna Ubach) when Video) they were contemplating marriage, "Pavilion of Women" (2Q01) and each couple is able to help the Lushly photographed meloother move forward. The veteran drama adapted from the Pearl S.· actors outshine their counterparts Buck novel set-in 1938 China where in wliter-director John Gallagher's a middle-aged wife (Luo Yan) gifts sweet but sluggish story that more her brutish husband with an innoresembles a staged play. An implied . cent concubine whom her son (John affair, minimal profanity and an in- Cho) comes to love, even as the stance of rough language. The U.S. wife and an American missionary Conference of Catholic Bishops (Willem Dafoe) struggle with muclassificatronisA-III - adults. The tual feelings of love. Director Yim Motion Picture Association of Ho contrasts East-West cultures America rating is PG-13 - par- against the backdrop of the immients are strongly cautioned. Some . nent Japanese invasion in a romanmaterial may be inappropriate for ticized depiction of broken vows children under 13. (Fox Lorber) leading to heroic redemption. Brief ''Bubble Boy" (2001) wartime violence and numerous but Mean-spirited spoof in which a discreetly handled sexual situations. young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) who The U.S. Conference of Catholic has lived his entire life in a bubble Bishops classification is A-III to protect his weak immune sys- adults. The Motion Picture Assotern constructs a mobile bubble and ciation of America rating is R travels to Niagara Falls to stop the restricted. (Universal) wedding of his childhood s~eet- \ "Tortilla Soup" (2~1) heart (Marley Shelton). Director Pleasing comedy about a MexiBlair Hayes' forgettable road-trip can-American widower (Hector comedy crawls along with one-note, Elizondo) and his three grown foolish characters and base, un-daug~teis (Jacqueline Obradors, funny jokes that mock human frail- Elizabeth Pena, Tamara Mello) ties. Recurring slapstick violence who experience unexpected roand mayhem with some sexually mances and discovertheir true passuggestive dialogue and crass lan- sions while their chef father cooks guage. The U.S.' Conference of elaborate gourmet meals for them CatholicBishop~classificationisAeach Sunday. Director Maria III - adults. The Motion Picture Ripoll's spicy story about family, Association of America rating is food and romance entices the taste PG-13-parentsare stronglycau- buds while tugging on tne tioned. Some material may be in- heartstrings with vis~ally succulent appropriate for children under 13. dishes, delightful characters and an (Touchstone) engaging narrative. A sexual en"The Curse of the counter and a few sexual references Jade Scorpion" (2001) . with brief profanity and crass lanEnjoyable I940s romantiC COIJ1- guage. The U.S. Conference of edy in which an ace insurance in- Catholic Bishops classification isAvestigator (Woody Allen) and the III - adults. The Motion Picture agency's newly hired efficiency ex- Association' of America rating is pert (Helen Hunt) are used by a PG-13 - parents are strongly cauhypnotist in a jewel heist. Writer- tioned. Some material may be indirector Allen's often funny film appropriate for children under 13. capitalizes on the era's fascination (Columbia TriStar Home Video)

NICOLE KIDMAN and Mathieu Kassovitz star in. a scene from the movie "Birthday Girl." (eNS photo from Miramax)

'He's got mail in 'Birthday Girl' NEW YORK (CNS) - A lonely British bank teller gets more than he bargained for' from a Russian mail-order bride in the adequate thriller "Birthday Girl" (Miramax): .

Nicole Kidman is the best thing about director .Jez Butterworth's passable thriller. Kittenish Kidman is Nadia, a Russian mail-order bride found on the Internet by shy, lonesome Brit banker John Buckingham (appealingly played by Ben Chaplin).

John almost sends Nadia packing because she can't speak English as advertised. (Kidman learned to speak Russian for the role, and from the judgment of someone who doesn't speak the language, it sounds pretty convincing.) However, John changes his mind when Nadia fulfills some of his centerfold fantasies in bed, which makes a strong case for the shallowness of men and the ease with wh'ich women can manipulate them by using sex.

Initially, the film has an pleasant quirkiness.

There's a Eielievable attraction between Nadia and John that could bloom into a lovely romantic comedy. However, the film hits a tremendous snag, abruptly changing from merry to menacing.

Nadia's cousin Yuri (Mathieu Kassovitz) and his pal Alexei (Vincent Cassel) arrive just in time for her birthday. Viewer suspicion is immediately piqued by these two, and not just because the two French actors are playing Russians. Faster than the projectionist can change reels, John has committed.a crime, is on the lam, and has discovered the true motives of his would-be bode and her thuggish Russian pals.

Romance transfigures into violence. And once the film shifts gears, it becomes increasingly formulaic before ending on a falsely upbeat note which allows the protagonists to escape the consequences of their actions. .

"Birthday Girl" shows that Kidman is up to the challenge. Nadia has depth and complexity as well as a bold, sexy side that electrifies. Chaplin's sadsack character wins hearts with his pathetic attempts at love:And Kassovitz and Cassel are convincing as Russian bad guys. .

However:both the mail-order marriage and the ensuing violence leave the viewer with a unappetizing taste in the mouth. People are used as a means to an end. John wants companionship; he doesn't want to be alone in his old age. Nadia and her mates want money, and they are willing to dupe any poor fool (with connections to a bank) who comes.along.

It's distasteful 'no'matter h'ow one 'slices it.

And the thriller aspects of. "Birthday Girl" are weak, as if Butterworth wanted to minimize the violence, yet needed to give it a certain threatening edge to justify itself. Walking down the middle of the road just doesn't work in this case - not to mention the several bumps'hit along the way. .

Due to a few sexual situations with fleeting nudity, brief violence and minimal profanity and rough language, the U.S. Conferenceuof Catholic Bishops classification is A-IV - adults, with reservations.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.

predictable in its sentiment and story line and the shallow spiritual mumbo-jumbo strains believability without offering insights into coping with the loss of a loved one. Confusing message about what happens after death, brief drug references and a smattering of crass language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops clasIC~~ ~'I()vilte sification is A-III- adults. The Motion Picture Association of ICallJ)§Ulllte§ America rating is PG-13 - parNEW YORK (CNS) - Fol- ents are strongly cautioned. Some' lowing are capsule reviews of' material may be inappropriate for movies recently reviewed by the children under 13.

"Slackers" (Screen Gems) D..S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film and BroadDreadful college campus comcasting. edy about a geeky undergraduate "A Rumor of Angels" (MGM) (Jason Schwartzman) who blackHoneyed melodrama set in mails three cheating students (DeMaine in which a 12-year-old boy von Sawa, Jason Segel, Michael (Trevor Morgan), still grieving the C. Maronna) into setting him up death of his mother two ye~rs be- ~ith the popular girl he's obsessed fore, befriends an eccentric old with. Waffling between creepy and woman (Vanessa Redgrave) who comedic, first-time director Dewey tells him that the dead communi- Nicks' sorry film is a churlish bore cate with the living by Morse code. that regurgitates familiar gross-out Despite some fine performances, humor and sexual jokes as it pandirector Peter O'Fallon's film is ders to the lowest common de-

nominator. Several vulgar sexual situations, some nudity, drug use, and recurring rough language and. profanity. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-IV - adults, with reservations.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.

"The Son's Room" (Miramax) Poignant Italian drama about a psychoanalyst (Nanni Moretti) and his family coming to terms with the sudden, tragic death of their teen-age son (Giuseppe Sanfelice)..Also directed and written l5y Moretti, the characterdriven, gentle drama is emotionally resonant 'and finely edited, expressing an aching parental grief that derives comfort from an odd situation. Subtitles. A fleeting bedroom scene with. a flash of nudity,-briefsexualtalk, and some profanity with rough language. The U:S: Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture As'sociationof America rating is R - restricted. ·

Catholic Supreme Court justice rejects ~hurch view on d~th penalty

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River- Fri., February 8, 2002

11

By MICHELLE MARTIN CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

Keating, a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor, said he knew of no cases where an innocent perCHICAGO-A U.S. Supreme Courtjustice who son had been executed. To try to avoid that, he said, is Catholic expressed disagreement last week with Oklahoma now does DNA testing in all capital cases the Church's view that the, death penalty should be where DNA e'v'idence is available. imposed less often. ' In Illinois, 12 people have been executed since the Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was part of death penalty was reinstated in 1977 and 13 deatha panel of government officials who spoke at the end row prisoners have been cleared and released, If he of a daylong conference on "A Call for Reckoning: had been confronted with such evidence of problems Religion and the Death Penalty." It was organized by in death penalty cases, Keating said, he would have the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life at the done what Illinois Gov. George Ryan did: call a moratorium and try to get to the University of Chicago Divinity School. bottom of it.

In support of the death Scalia spoke with the "I have given it careful and thought- penalty, Keating raised the caveat that his personal and religious views do not af- ful consideration and rejected it,"Scalia example of Roger Dale fect his job on the court. said. "I do not find the death penalty Stafford, the first man exHis job, he said, is to ap- immoral. I am happy to reach that con- ecuted in Oklahoma after ply the Constitution as it clusion, because I like my job, and I Keating took office, Stafford killed a family of was wl;tten more than 200 would rather not resign." three, including an eightyears ago - at a time when year-old boy, during a highcapital punishment was a given.. way'robbery and then killed five teen-agers during a "This doctrine is not one the Christian church has restaurant robbery, Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, consistently maintained," he said, noting that Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers and politi- killed 168 people, 19 of them children. For them, cians, was considered to have imposed the death pen- what other penalty would be just, Keating asked. "I don't lose any sleep at night," he said. alty too quickly, even by 16th-century standards.

Former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon oflllinois, co-chairSince the pope's teaching on capital punishment in "Evangelium Vitae" did not come "ex cathedra," man ofRyan's committee investigating the death penScalia said, he is not obligated as a Catholic to be- alty, argued that human fallibility should make all Americans lose sleep over capital punishment. lieve it, only to give it serious consideration.

"The basic question is not is it moral or unconsti"I have given it careful and thoughtful consideration and rejected it," Scalia said. "I do not find the tutional," Simon said. "The basic question is, is it ' death penalty immoral. I am happy to reach that con- wise?"

Cases like that ofMcVeigh, a white man for whom clusion, because I like my job, and I would rather not resign." an excellent defense was provided and whose guilt Oklahoma Gov, Frank Keating, also a Catholic, cannot be doubted, are so rare that they cannot be agreed that the death penalty as used in the United used as examples, Simon'said.

Beth Wilkinson, the lead prosecutor in the McVeigh States is not immoral. What's more, he ~said, given that the ratio of executions to murders in the United case, argued that, on the contrary, .McVeigh is the States is less than half of one percent, this country example to use when discussing the legitimacy of the meets the pope's standard for the death penalty to be death penalty because in his case, the system worked and there were no extraneous issues. "extremely rare."

CARDINAL AVERY Dulles addresses a Pew Forum symposium on religion and capital punishment recently in Chicago. He said Pope John Paul II's teaching that the death penalty should be imposed rarely, if ever, represents a "continuity with tradition rather than a reversal." (eNS photo by Sandy Bertog, Catholic New World)

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Death penalty opposition seen in keeping with Church tradition

By MICHELLE MART1N CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE CHICAGO- Pope John Paul II's teaching that the death penalty should be imposed rarely, if ever, represents "a continuity with tradition rather than a reversal," Cardinal Avery Dulles said at a recent conference on capital punishment.

'The classical position has been modified, not reversed," said the Jesuit theologian in remarks that led off "A Call for Reckoning: Religion and the' Death Penalty," organized by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

"It has been a legitimate development of doctrine," the cardinal said of the Church's teaching on capital punishment. "Selfdefense of society continues to justify the death penalty."

Defending society includes pre~erving moral order, not just physical safety, Cardinal Dulles said.

"One could conceive ofa situation where, if justice were not done by executing an offender, it would throw society into moral

confusion;' he said. "I don't know whether that requires any ,more . than that it (the death penalty) remain on the books, symbolically, that it be there for society to have recourse to."

"Evangelium Vitae," John Paul IT's 1995 encyclical on the "Gospel of Life," and the most recent edition of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," say that given the improvements in modem penal systems, situations calling for . the death penalty are "very rare, if not nonexistent."

Those statements are based on a number of factors that do not affect the basic legitimacy ofstatesponsored executions assumed in Paul's Letter to the Roman~ or throughout the Old Testament, Cardinal Dulles said. , Such legitimacy was assumed throughout the Western world until the middle of the 20th century, Cardinal Dulles said. At that time in history the gross abuse of capital punishment by the Nazis and by the Stalinist Soviet Union - regimes with which John Paul II had personal experience -;demonstrated how horribly it could be misused, he said.

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Since then, he said, opponents have used arguments about the inequitable use of capital punishment against minorities and poor people; the lack of adequate legal defense for poor people; the possibility of a miscaniage of justice; the impossibility of assessing the true culpability of a criminal; and the tendency of executions to "feed an unhealthy appetite for revenge" and cheapen human life. ' "I think 'the pope and the bishops feel we should go to the extreme of ~especting human life, even guilty human life," he said. Thus, even though the death penalty continues to serve the valid purposes of punishment, using it rarely is "a merely prudential application of the classical doctrine to current circumstances."

Cardinal Dulles' argument was echOed at the conference by scholars from Protestant, Jewish and Muslim traditions, who all said that any move away from supporting the death penalty rt;presents a refinement, rather than a repudiation, of their earlier teaching.

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THEANCHOR.- Diocese of Fall River- Fri., February 8,2002

Vatican seems tired of same old Russian Orthodox ·accusations

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

u.s. SOLDIERS are briefed on the tarmac after arriving at Edwin Andrew Air Base in Zamboanga in the southern Philippines recently. They were to join other U.S. forces training Filipino soldiers to fight and curtail the activities of Muslim extremists in the region. (eNS photo from Reuters)

Philippine bishops welc9m~ U.S. support for. pursuing Abu Sayyaf .

"

MANnA, Philippines (CNS) Philippine bishops welcomed the U.S. government's support in pursuing the·extremist Abu Sayyaf group, saying this meets the wishes of the people in the southern Philippines.

"We· are supp'orting the will of the people in this regard," Archbishop Orlando Quevedo ofCotabato, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, told a recent press conference in Manila.

"If (the people) wish that some . help be given by a friendly force upon the invitation of the govern-' ment and with the constitutional and legal issues resolved, we don't think we should go against our own suffering people," the archbishop said. , His remarks were reported by UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand.

However, Archbishop Quevedo said U.S. forces should serve only in the background as advisers and not engage in direct combat.

'The bishops will protest against indiscriminate bombing ofcivilians.

Attack operations should only be against the kidnappers," he said.

Approximately 600 U.S. troops are to participate in six months of joint exercises with the Philippine military in the area around Zamboanga and on Basilan island.

Officials from the two countries have said the exercises aim to free two U.S. missionaries and a Filipino nurse kidnapped last year by the· Abu Sayyaf in Palawan and Basilan. The extremist Abu Sayyaf rebels have been fighting for an independent Muslim state in the southem Philippines.

Archbishop Quevedo said bishops of southern Philippine dioceses have reported on their people's anguish due to Abu Sayyaf kidnappings and criminal activities.

The majority ofthe bishops from Mindanao Island, in the southern Philippines, agree with their people that extraordinary measures are re. quired against the Abu Sayyaf and other criminal gangs, Archbishop Quevedo said.

He noted that though the bishops would have wanted a more peaceful solution to the Abu Sayyaf problem, years of negotiations and ransompaymentshaveonlyledtomore kidnappings. '.• Some 100 bishops gathered in Tagaytay City, south of Manila, for the conference's semi-annual plenary assembly.

Archbishop Quevedo told reporters, "The bishops of the Philippines are refraining from issuing any statement regarding the constitutionality and the legal aspects of this complicated (military) exercise."

He said the bishops' ·conferenee was preparing a letter to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressing concern over social problems - such as prostitution. and human rights abuses -that could arise out of tne joint exercises.

The bishops said they would ask the president for safeguards against potential social problems, he said, adding that "our own bishops would be monitoring and reporting to us what is happening in their dioceses."

The government will set up centers in Basilan and Zamboanga, where personnel from the Public Attorney's Office will receive complaints on human rights violations during the joint exercises.

While the bishops must acknowledge the people's will, they should also guard against giving blanket support for any war, said Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez ofMarbel, chairman ofthe bishops' <;ommission on Social Action, Justice and Peace.

VATICAN CITY - A decade of difficult relations has not kept the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church from speaking to each other, but Vatican officials' increasingly are showing signs that they are tired of heari.ng the same old accusations.

The high-level participation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Pope John Paul II's interreligious meeting for .peace in Assisi was welcomed as a 'sign of hope at the Vatican. Of the more than 200 participating leaders, Metropolitan Pitirim, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II's vicar for Moscow, was the only non-patriarch to have a private meeting with Pope John Paul.

In addition, Vatican sources confirmed that Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, would travel to Moscow in .February for meetings with Patriarch Alexei and top officials of the Russian church .

The Vatican's view of the state of Catholic-Russian Orthodox relations was explained in a report in the January 27 edition of L'OssF;rvato~e Romano, the Vatican newspaper.

"Those relations were characterized by tensions during

and proselytism." the last decade of the 20th cen"Uniatism" is a reference to tury and, unfortunately, they the existence of the Eastern have remained unvaried at the Catholic churches, which share beginning of the third millenthe liturgy and traditions of nium," wrote Jesuit Father the Orthodox but are in full Jozef M. Maj, an official at communion with Rome. the council for Christian unity.

Pope John Paul, visiting "The reason ·the PatriarchUkraine last June, made clear ate of Moscow refuses to open his support and admiration for itself to the numerous gestures the nation's Eastern Catholic coming from the 'Catholic Church, which survived deChurch ,and the motivation of spite four decades of commuits conditions for the eventuai nist repression. relaunching of relations is th"e A recent report in the accusation of Catholic weekly newspaper of the Mosproselytism and expansionism cow-based Apostolic Adminin patriarchal territory and the istration for European Russia destruction of its three dioprovided an example of the ceses in Western Ukraine," he help offered, reporting on said. funding distributed by the The Jesuit said the three Catholic organization, Aid to dioceses were part of the the Church in Need.

Ukrainian Catholic ,Church Over the past 10 years, it before it was forcibly merged said, the German-based Cathowith the Russian Orthodox Church by the communist gov- ' lic Charity, Aid to the Church in Need, has distributed $33.2 ernment in 1946, and the vast million in aid in Russia; 51.9 majority of pri~sts and faithpercent to Catholic projec,ls ful have since reaffirmed their and 48.1 percent to projects apCatholic identity. proved by the Russian OrthoThe Orthodox accllsati.ons, dox Church or by local Rusrepeated continuously since sian Orthodox bishops.

1989, were made again reFather Maj said: "Despite cently in Rome by Bishop the existing difficult climate, Hilarion of Kerchen, the Moswhich easily.could be overcow patriarch's new vicar for come, numerous contacts conEngland and a participant in tinue between the two the Assisi meeting.

Asked how relations could ,.churches: These c~nta~~s. are move forward, the bishop told . con~re\e,ard.undemable signs that a certain communion al~ APIC, it Swiss CatholiC news ready exists between the agenc:y, "We must resolve the churches. problems linked to uniatism

Orthodox archbi'shop denies Catholics' claims about churches

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE CLUJ, Romania - A Romanian Orthodox archbishop denied claims by Eastern Catholics that their fornier places of worship are being bulldozed to make way for Ortho,dox churches.

"The pioneers of this demolition claim are counting on public ignorance," said Orthodox Archbishop Bartolomeu Anania ofVad, Feleac and Cluj.

"Demolishing an old church to erect a new one in its place or on its perimeter has been a required, normal step throughout the Christian centuries. Like any physical object, a church gets degraded by the passage of time," he said.

The archbisho,p was reacting to complaints by three of Romania's five Ea~tern Catholic dioceses that several churches had been torn down by Orthodox occupiers. The churches in question were among the approximately 2,600 Eastern Catholic churches taken over by state institutions and Orthodox dioceses when the Romanian Catholic Church was outlawed by the country's communist regime in 1948. Fewer than 140 pave be~n returned since the church was re-Iegalized in 1990.

In an open letter, Archbishop Bartolomeu said most of Romania's oldest churches had been built on the sites of earlier churches, creating "a relationship not of rupture but of continuity."

"It is hard to believe that Eastern Catholics would have kept all their old religious sites intact for two-~nd-a7half centuries," Arch-

bishop Bartolomeu added.

A joint committee of Orthodox and Catholic bishops, which held its sixth meeting in September, has failed to agree on 300 property claims being pursued by Eastern Catholics. , In November, Romania's independent Religious Life bulletin reported churches had been destroyed or were awaiting demolition in several cities.

Claims of widespread destruction were repeated in a November letter to state and parliame.nt leaders. by Romania's Association of Former Political Prisoners, which urged the government to outlaw the practice.

Ina December statement in his church's Viata Crestina monthly, Bishop Gheorghe Gutiu of Cluj-Gher!a urged Eastern Catholics to declare their affiliations .in a new national census planned for February-March.

"It is known the Romanian state supports religious de'nominations according to the number of believers they count," Bishop Gutiu said.

"If the Eastern Catholic denomination is not mentioned in the censtJs form, the faithful should insis~ if is added to the rubric," the bishop added: More than 1,000 Orthodox churches have been built since the 1989 collapse of communism in Romania. ' During Pope John Paul II's 1999 visit to Romania, he donated $100,009 toward a,'new Orthodox cathedral in Bucharest; its foundation stone is to be laid March 25.

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 8, 2002

Pilgrimage

A UKRAINIAN speedskater speeds past a Salt Lake City 2002 banner during practice on the Olympic ice oval in Kearnes, Utah. The Winter Games start today. (CNS photo)

Lent: Preparing for Easter

By DEACON JAMES N. DuNBAR

FALL RIVER - On Wednesday, February 13, Catholics across the Fall River diocese, like millions throughout the world, will come forward to have their foreheads marked with ashes and be advised: "Tum away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."

Some may even hear an older, more somber memento: "Remember you are dust and into dust you shall return."

It is the beginning of a special time for Christians, a grace-filled time that has at its very heart, the Church's - and so our - preparation for. the celebration of Easter.

As Father Paul Turner puts it so well in his "Sourcebook 2002," "It is the season for the purification and enlightenment of those seeking baptism. It is a time of spiritual renewal for the faithful."

While Ash Wednesday is a day of obligatory fast for Catholics, it, along with fast days of Good Friday and Holy Saturday of the Triduum, are the sole remnants of intense obligations that began in the early Church.

And Catholics are also obliged to abstain from meat that day as well as on all Fridays of Lent and on Good Friday too, also part of the centuries-old penitential tradition of not only showing sorrow for sins, but wanting to lessen the temporal punishment existing even after sins are forgiven.

Lent also becomes a communal event, because it has the ability to draw the local faith community together in voluntary prayer, fasting and that charity to those needy around us that is often called "almsgiving," as no Qther season can.

So while one's personal, private observance of Lent is essential, it does take place within the context of the whole community moving to renew hearts and souls together. .

If ever a season was made for the sacrament of reconciliation, Lent is it. Many parishes offer a communal celebration as a way that the faithful can bring their Lenten penance to a sacramental moment and join in the purification experienced by the elect.

Like most of the seasons in the Church calendar, Lent harkens back to various secular traditions. It is closely associated with the transition from winter to spring. The world "lent" comes from the old AngloSaxon world for springtime lencten. It describes the gradual lengthening of daylight after the winter solstice.

By the second century, Christians prepared for the annual Pascha, or Easter, by fasting for two days. It was seen as a natural thing in preparation for the holiest of times, when, during the first generations, the Lord's final return was expected. The fast was later extended to all of Holy Week. But Lent as a 40day preparation time didn't evolve until the 4th century.

Lent and baptism were very much linked in the early centuries when the preparation for baptism could last for several years. Would-be Christians were instructed, supported in their withdrawal from pagan practices and loyalties and taught to live a new way.

Easter was'the time for baptisms and so the catechumens were.admitted to candidacy during Lent.

The Rite of Election, in which the local bishop calls those candidates forward to sign the Book of the Elect, was similar to what happens today. Today's ceremonies follow the revival of the adult

catechumenate in 1972 with the publication of "The¡ Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults."

Because Lent was a departure from celebrations and feasting and concentrated on public fasting and penance, its somber tones began to be reflected in the Church's liturgy as well.

That led to the penitential color of violet that draped the altars and statues and was used for vestments at Mass and other liturgies.

The joyful acclamation of "Alleluia" and "Glory to God," were omitted from the prayers and hymns.

Choirs began to sing a capella, without musical instruments; fewer flowers decorated altars and shrines, and yet people's minds were raised to the glory of Easter as the fulfillment of Jesus Christ's passion and death.

Early in Christianity the discipline of fasting became associated with the number 40. Fasting by catechumens and subsequently by all Christians was done in imitation of Jesus' 40-day fast in the desert (Matt 4:2); Moses' 40 days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28); Elijah's 40-day fast on his journey to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8); and the 40 years the Israelites spent in the desert waiting to enter the promised land.

To this day, the Church's official title for Lent, Quadragesima, is Latin fOl: "forty." "', Lent falls into two parts. According to "The Order of Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours and Celebration of the Eucharist," the message running throughout the readings and prayers (taken from the Old Testament and the Synoptic Gospels) from Ash Wednesday to Saturday of Lenten Week three, "is a call to a life of Gospel conversion."

No wonder then that fasting from food is said to allow for the spiritual nourishment that can come from the word of God. The second half of Lent keys on readings from the Gospel of John. The "Order of Prayer" notes that while they are not meant to give a "crash course" on Jesus' life, they are more of "a presentation of the mystery of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, of whom John says that all ~ho believe in Him will have eternallife."

It adds: "Christ (our savior) is presented as the healer and life-giver, as the one who gives life through his confrontation with death and gathers into one the scattered children of God." Catholics will gather on Fridays to attend Stations of the Cross, calling attention to young and old alike of the suffering and death of Christ. It follows a custom made popular in the crusades (1095-1270), when. pilgrims to the Holy Land would walk in the footsteps of Christ on his way to Calvary.

One of the oldestculinary traditions of the Lenten season is the making of Hot Cross Buns. The custom began in England to bake buns, place icing on them in the form of a cross, and eat them on Good Friday.

Eventually, they were baked and eaten throughout Lent and even during the Easter season.

Pretzels too, have a long Lenten history. Made of flour, salt and water, these little breads, formed in the shape of across, were common food for those fasting in the Middle Ages in Europe.

While the emphasis today is on voluntary Lenten practices, direction still comes from the historical evolution of Lent with its emphasis on baptism, personal conversion, penance and the suffering and death of Jesus the Christ.

ocesan office personnel to join us."

Gulino noted that "it will reflect the uni ty wi thi n the di versity of our diocese by being a .day which will 'be multi-cultural and multi-generational.

Presentations will be in Portuguese, English and Spanish."

James A. McNamee, superintendent of Catholic Schools in the diocese, said the day "offers a wonderful opportunity for the youth of the diocese to enrich their faith and to discover the traditions that are the cornerstone of the Catholic Faith. I'm sure that all who participate will go away with a new understanding of their faith and will get to interchange with other young people of the diocese as wel1."

Father Richard D. Wilson, director of the Hispanic Ministry, said that "apologetics is something which is always a need in the Hispanic Catholic population, maybe even more so than for the Anglo population. It is because Hispanic Catholics are frequently sought out by various sects which attack Catholic beliefs in regard to things ~uch as our veneration of Mary and our petitions through the intercession of the saints."

Father Wilson added: "I am grateful that the organizing committee of the Lenten Pilgrimage Day is working to have Spanish presentations and have Spanish be used throughout the day."

Keating was spurred to write a modest theological tract on basic Catholic beliefs and to refute anti-Catholic charges in 1979 after a Fundamentalist church in California placed fliers attacking the Eucharist on cars at a local Catholic Church.

The author signed his work "Catholic Answers," opened a post office box in that name and

Lent

13

Continuedfrom page one

placed his rebuttal on the windshield of cars in the Fundament.alist church's parking lol.

Much to his surprise, Keating soon found the post office box bulging with letters cheering him on and asking for other articles. He obliged. writing 24 more tracts that comprised "Catholic Answers" total line of publications for several years.

Though still in his twenties, Evert has earned a master's degree in theology and counseling with a minor in philosophy.

An author and lecturer, Evert travels the county and abroad talki ng about chastity to tens of thousands of teen-agel's, and is a frequent guest on radio and global television explaining and defending the Catholic faith.

The Pilgrimage Day events will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., and opening prayer at 9 a.m.

Keating's keynote address will be from 9: 15 to 10: 15 a.m. Father Michael Carvill will assist in presenting those in Spanish.

Evert will talk on "What's So Great About Being Catholic" from 10:45 to II :45 a.m.

Mass will be celebrated by Bishop O'Malley at noon. His homily will be in English and Portuguese.

Following lunch, a question and answer series from I :45 to 2:30 p.m., will be hosted by Keating and Evert with Father Carvill assisting.

The Pilgrimage Day will close with a prayer service from 2:35 to 3 p.m.

Registration flyers are being . distributed to area parishes.

Groups wishing to carry a parish banner are asked to contact Lisa M. Gulino, Director of Adult Educationl Evangelization, 423 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720 or by calling 508-6782828.

â&#x20AC;˘ . J""'

Continued from page one

by pondering the measureless gift of grace which is redemption, we cannot fail to realize that all has been given to us by God's loving initiative."

He said, "May Lent, recalling the mystery of the Lord's death and resurrection, lead all Christians to marvel in their heart of hearts at the gr~atness of such a gift. Yes! We have received without pay. Is not our entire' life marked by God's kindness? The beginning of life and its marvelous development: This is a gift."

Because it is a gift, the pope said, "life can never be re.garded as a possession or as private property, even if the capabilities we now have to improve the quality of life can lead us to think that man is the 'mas-

tel" of life. The achievements of medicine and biotechnology can sometimes lead man to think of himself as his own creator, and to succumb to the temptation of tampering with 'the tree of life.'

"It is also worth repeating here that not everything that is technically possible is morally acceptable," the pope said. "Scientific work aimed at securing a quality of life more in keeping with human dignity is admirable, but it must never be forgotten that human life is a gift, and that it remains precious even when marked by suffering and limitations. It is a gift to be accepted and to be loved at all times, received without pay and to be placed without pay at the service of others."

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14 THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 8,2002

Fifth-grader wins spelling bee " ATTLEBORO - Fifth-grader Cory Bigda of ~t. John the Evangelist School, recently won his school's competition of the 14th annual National Geographic Bee and now has a chance to compete on the national level where he could win a $25,000 scholarship for college.

Cory is the first fifth-grader in 14 years to win the championship at St. John's.

Social studies teacher Jay

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SENIOR SEAN Cantrell, left, of Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton, recentlyattended the National Young Leaders Confere.nce in Washington D.C., and had the opportunity to interact with our nation's leaders. He is joined on the steps of the Capitol with Keith Jackson, a student from Ohio who also attended the conference. Cantrell was also named an official AI~mni Representative for the high school.

Students parti~ipate in history conference TAUNTON - Students in the advance placement history class at Coyle and Cassidy High School recently participated in the 29 th annual State History Conference , ,

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at Framingham State College.

Amy Pratt, Nick Bernier and' Kyle Bradbury received honorable mention for papers they submitted. Also participating were: .', ., '.:f"

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Eric Benjamin, Zack Boissonneau, Kevin Crowley, Patrick Derochea, John Healy, Mark Williams, Sara Gibson, Allyce Sullivan and Ashley Sullivan.

Hoyle administered oral questions about geography to the students and now Cory will take a written test. If he finishes in the top 100 in the state he will be eligible to compete in the, state spelling bee on April 5.

State champions will be flown to Washington D.C. for the national competition May 21-22.

Alex Trebek, host of the television show "Jeopardy," will moderate the finals.

MEMBERS OF the Sister Teresa Trayers Chapter of the National Honor Society at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, display some of the more than 8,OOO.pounds of non-perishable food they collected for the area's needy. From left: Emanuel Carreras, vice president; Peter Kavanaugh, secretary; Sara Reid, parliamentarian; and Gillian Baumgart, historian."

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EIGHTH-GRADERS Jessica DaCosta, Sierra Lima and Kelly Nunes of Our Lady of Mount Carm!31 SC!1001, present a prize to contest winner Adam DeFrjas. The fifth-grader came up with the winning entry in a contest to name the school's newspaper choosing OLMC Happenings. It is published each month.

SIXTH-GRADERS from Our Lady of Mount Carmel enjoy a lunch at an area restaurant after reaching their goals for the New Bedford school's candy fund-raiser.

From left: Rebecca Ybarra, Nicole Patricio, Kirsten Pereira, Anthony DeAraujo a~d Katelyn Marques.

BISHOP CONNOLLY High School senior Angela St. Pierre was recently awarded the Wheelock College Full-Tuition Scholarship, a merit scholarship given for four consecutive years in an undergraduate program. With St. Pierre are Brother Richard Lunny, academic principal, and Mrs. Rebecca St. Pierre.

THE BISHOP Feehan High School, Attleboro, Varsity Cheerleading Squad is all smiles after earning the MIAA Gold Team Academic Excellence Award in recognition of maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 8,2002

15 .,.

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When your friends are Satanists

By CHRISTOPHER CARSTENS CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

He was like a lot of bright, aspiring eighth-grade intellectuals. He was confused about where he fit into the whole picture of things, but pretty sure middle school was not where he belonged. To a psychologist, working with teens, this was not a new story.

He didn't like the same music as the other kids, those mindless upbeat hip-hop love songs. He didn't fit into the tribal society of middle school. He was surrounded by cliques, sensing he didn't belong in any of them. He didn't have a girlfriend and said, "I'm the last guy on every girl's list."

He was writing poetry and reading great novels while most of the guys in his classes were studying skate-board magazines. In other words, he was a bright young man trying to live independently in a world where the only thing that matters is fitting in.

Listening to his story, I tried to give This young man, however, had back a sense comfort, and of normalcy. stumbled into Satanism. Looking for His was the story of every bright kid strain- something very different from his paring against the emotional ents' Catholicism, he had chanced upon book and intellectual limits of . .- - - - - - - - - -.. a very difficult period of about "the dark things" development. and had become fasci"Middle school is nated. Though I was pretty hard," I told him, "but it's sure he was mostly time limited." I reassured charmed by the shock value of saying "I'm a him that at his age and in his situation, it was abso- L::;;;;;;~ Satanist," this was a molutely normal to feel abment I needed to speak up. normal. Within a few years, the cliques I told him that he was playing around break down, and upon entering high school with some very dangerous stuff and that kids link up with their intellectual and he should seriously consider the risks. He emotional peers. seemed surprised and a bit puzzled. It was But one thing he told me was troubling. evident that nobody had challenged him It is common for teens to test their family's quite this way.

Satanism, I pointed out, inevitably inreligious ideas and to look around at other sources of wisdom. More than one teen- volves dealing with - calls forth .:- dark ager has gone through a period of Bud- and demonic forces. Had he considered the dhism or of Hinduism on his road to ma- possibility that if he called forth the devil, ture Christianity. he had better be prepared for the possibil-

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ity that the devil might actually show up?

It quickly became clear he hadn't considered that possibility at all. For him, the amulets, signs and incantations were part of personal style, his way of declaring he wasn't part of the "skater culture." For him, it was actually an intellectual game. I asked him to recall that if indeed there were dark forces roaming the earth, it was unlikely they would be playing any games. . We did not go any further with that particular conversation. Psychology is not exorcism, and I work with problems of the mind, of habit and behavior. I am not an expert in Satanism or the occult.

Still, it is a psychological fact that we come to resemble our companions. If you hang around with good students, you'll get better grades. If your friends are all Packers fans, you're likely to watch a lot of football on television.

I worry about what happens if you choose to spend your time hanging around with demons.

Parents of troubled twins let God get them back on track

By DAVE HRBACEK

come back to the Catholic faith. A third daughter, Cristin, 23, had a child out of wedlock in July, and they've come to terms with that.

BLAINE, Minn. - Ed and Mary Dietz got a double "I don't necessarily like this picture because I see dose of trouble when their twin daughters reached adothe hurt in this picture," Ed Dietz said. "But, I love lescence. this picture because it's God's picture."

First, Joy and Becky made the wrong friends. Then And, the couple had their own surprise child three the wrong choices. They ended up quitting high school, years ago. Ed, 51, and Mary, 49, running away from home, getthought they were too old to ting pregnant and having babies conceive a child. "Then, here born six months apart. comes Mari," Mary Dietz said.

That was seven years ago.

The child is their fIfth. A Since then, the twins have son, Adam, 27, lives in Coloturned their lives around. rado with his wife, Kristen, who They graduated from the is expecting their first child in University of S1. Thomas in April.

December - both with finance Though Becky and Joy dedegrees. They now live in subcided on their own to go to colsidized housing units on the lege, they are quick to give same block in S1. Paul. Their credit to their parents for helpchildren arc in first grade at the' ing out with lots of child care same school - S1. Agnes in St. and rides to and from school.

Paul.

Now that Ed and Mary Dietz The twins, now 25, say their have raised four teen-agel's, they. lives have improved even want to put their experience to though they arc raising the chi 1work helping others. Mary and dren on their own. Both have a friend started a Montessori learned to juggle the demands school four years ago that now of single parenthood with their ) has 60 students, including Mari. class schedules. And both said "We believe it is a way of they arc interested in joining a bringing about the kingdom of church someday.

God and the culture of love for Their parents, too, have exthe next generation," Mary Dietz perienced a spiritual transforsaid of the school. "We look at mation as they watch their teaching as a ministry as opdaughters turn their lives posed to a profession':' around.

As for the twins, their future JOY DIETZ, left, and her son Eric cuddle with Becky Dietz and her daughter Daija at home Ed and Mary Dietz, members of St. Paul Parish in Ham Lake, in St.-Paul, Minn. The twin sisters, 25, have learned together how to overcome the hurdles could include starting a business together and, they hope, marsaid they surrendered control of and demands -of single parenthood. (eNS photo by Dave Hrbacek, Catholic Spirm riage. tht:ir daughters' lives to God, "We both want to get marand made a decision to love wanted their daug.hters to embrace the Catholic faith ried," Joy said. "(But) I hate dating." them - and their children - unconditionally.

Added Becky: "If she ever got married, I'd have to It was a difficult decision, Ed Dietz said tearfully as and values by which路 they lived s6 loyally. They admit like the person. (And) she would have to like the perhe sat in the kitchen of his Blaine home. In an inter- that they pushed too hard.

Now they accept the fact that Joy and Becky got son I (choose)." view with The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the ArchWith their parallel lives, bet on a double wedding. diocese of St. Paul ana Minneapolis, he described a pregnant out of wedlock and that they still have not response he felt coming from God as he stood in line to receive Communion Oil Christmas Day seven years ago.

He was holding his grandson, Eric, and "God said, 'This is the child I have given you that changed your heart,'" Ed Dietz recalled.

The change was deep. For years, the couple had

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16 THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River:- Fri., February 8, 2002

Susan B. Anthony List aims 路to bring more Pro-Life voices to Congress

By ANN AUBREY

HANSON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

which Abraham described as having a very targeted and coordinated SAN DIEGO - Pro-Lifers campaign that turned out "eight need their voices heard in the halls million pro-abortion women votof-Congress and state legislatures, ers in 12 key battleground states according to a bipartisan organi- in November 2000."

The success of Emily's List is zation that supports Pro-Life women's political campaigns. due to their organization, Abraham The group, called the Susan B. said. In 1994 the group began路 Anthony List, is named after the identifying registered women votwoman who worked to achieve ers who supported laws favoring women's right to'vote and who abortion, and they continued,to organizers claim was an outspo- build their lisf in more than 30 states in the next six years. ken critic of abortion.

Its members acknowledge that The group does "extensive rethey have their work cut out for . search to determine what issues them. will tum out women voters to vote "The opposition is strong, for pro-ab6rtion Democrats," said united and powerful," said Jane Abraham.

"No one on .our side of the isAbraham, president of the Susan' B. Anthony List, sue has a probased in the gram of this Washington submagnitude to target women voturb of Alexaners," she added. dria, Va. Abraham "But we bespeaks from exlieve that when perience, not women vote, only from being Pro-Life candi. dates win." . president of the group for the Abraham said past four years, it's "time to balance the eq'uabut also because tion on the Proshe is the wife of Life side," acS pen 'c e r knowledging Abraham, U.S. energy secretary that it will take JANE ABRAHAM is presi- years to build in the Bush administration and dent of the Susan B. Anthony such a program, ' but that "the a former U.S. List. (CNS photo)' senator from fasterpeoplejoin Michigan who lost his bid for a us, the faster we will grow stronger."second term in November 2000.

As she puts it, a better-funded, She added that a crucial aspect pro-choice candidate defeated of the Susan- B. Anthony List is him. "His opponent raised mul- dispelling myths about abortion.

One way the group tries to do tiple hundreds of thousands of dollars," Abraham said, "and that this is through public service anmade a huge difference." nolincements that air on Christian In a telephone interview with radio stations nationwide. Initially, The Southern Cross, San Diego's the announcements aired on 100 diocesan newspaper, Abraham Christian radio stations; now they said her organization is "filling a are played.on more than 600 'and void that is crucial. The other side also air on 20 stations that are not has put in place a ground game that part of the Christian network. is very strong. Now it's our tum to "This phenomenal, growth just demonstrates the thirst and desire build up our game."

The Susan B. Anthony List, a for quality infoI111ation" on life isnonprofit membership organiza- sues, said Abraham. tion, has a connected political acAndrea Bottner, congressional tion committee called the Susan B. liaison with the Susan B. Anthony Anthony List Candidate Fund.

List, encourages members and The ultimate goal of the group, nonmembers alike to visit the according to Abraham, is to "end organization's Website at abortion in this country." . www.sba-list.org, and then take "Our cause is a noble one, to. action.

"People should send letters, infight to protect those who CaImot speak to defend themselves," she undate their representatives and added. senators with postcards and fliers," She said'the members see their said Bottner. "Draw attention to the' job as not.only to help candidates, issue. If thousan9s of people make but to cultIvate grass-roots support their views known, they will be lisof women who will get out and tened to. E-mail does have impact." vote.

She also pointe<i out that conIn the November 2000 election, stituents have the right, and the the group claimed a notable suc- obligation, to write to their elected cess, winning 17 of the 24 seats it political representatives. sought.

"Write and let them know you Its counterpart organization disagree," she said. "Make them supporting female candidates who aware of the numbers who oppose favor abortion - is Emily's List, them."

SECOND-GRADE students crush bowls of grapes at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aurora, Ind. The grapes are being transformed into wine for their upcoming first Communion in May, (CNS photo from The Criterion)

In~anapolis

second-graders make wine, trappings for first Communion

By JENNIFER

DEL VECHIO CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

AURORA, Ind. - It started in the school cafeteria with a mound of grapes and a group of secondgrade students who couldn't wait to get tht* hands slimy.

The children, who attend St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception School in Aurora or participate in the parish's religious education program, mashed the grapes their parents and teachers would then help them tum into wine for their first Communion May 5.

"It was fun," said Alex Abrams, a second-grader enrolled at St. Mary.

The practice used to be an annual event at the school, dating back about 30 years, but over time

the tradition faded. Parents who remembered the event brought it back three years ago and hope to restore it as a parish tradition.

"You can really use this as a teaching tool," LaITy Schuler told The Criterion, newspaper of the Indianapolis Archdiocese. His brother's class made wine for their first Communion in the 1960s.

"This is about the whole process an~ shows how God gave us this talent and ability to make this . wine which will be transformed into Christ's blood," he added.

The current fourth-graders, who were the first classes to start making ,the wine again, said the experience was memorable.

"I loved doing it," fourthgrader Katie Shuter said. "It was

so fun. This is something you can tell your kids and grandkids about."

After smashing the grapes with their hands, students added water, then stirred the grape juice twice a day. They strained off the grape skins using cheesecloth and put the juice into airtight containers. The containers are currently in their classroom, so all can watch the six-month fermentation process.

"At first it was smelly and messy," Katie Strasemeier, a second-grader, said. "Now it's starting to look like wine."

But, the students didn't stop at making wine. They alsomade and decorated the chalices and plates that will be used to distribute Communion.

I

A REPLICA of the slave ship Amistad sails into the port of Miami in January. The 129-foot Freedom Schooner Amistad was touring Eastern cities from its home port in NewHaven, Conn. (CNS photo by Tom Tracy, Florida Catholic)