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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Young people from Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich spoke up for life during the recent annual March For Life in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of Barbara-Anne Foley) The Anchor - February 10, 2017

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Diocesan Vocations Office offers discernment retreat for men 19-45

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — The beautiful setting of the Betania II Retreat Center in Medway will be the site of an upcoming retreat geared toward men ages 19-45 with the goal of allowing them to step away from everyday routines to discern if they are being called to consider a priestly vocation.

The Discernment Retreat will take place March 3-5, sponsored by the Diocese of Fall River Vocations Office.

For the last few years the Diocesan Vocation Board, led by Father Kevin A. Cook, director of Vocations; Father Christopher

M. Peschel, associate director of Vocations and Seminarians; Dominican Sister Paulina Hurtado, episcopal representative for Religious and associate director of Vocations; and a handful of ordained and lay people have diligently planned and executed several events aimed at providing children, young adults and adults the opportunity to learn to spend quiet time to listen to what the Lord may be asking of them.

“We have been very active in our diocesan schools bringing the lesson of listening for God’s call,” Father Peschel told The Anchor.

“And each year we provide high school young men the opportunity to attend a five-day vocation

retreat, Quo Vadis Days.

“We realize we have a decent outreach to our young people, but we have had post-high school individuals express interest in learning more. The Discernment Retreat is expressly geared toward men recently and not-sorecently out of high school.”

The weekend has as its axis discernment talks, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Liturgy, Spiritual direction, and time for discussion and reflection.

“The structure for the weekend comes from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ book titled, “Is Jesus Christ calling you to be a Catholic Priest?” said Father Peschel. “I will be giving the bulk of the talks and Father Cook will be presenting some. Since it’s a weekend we have to be aware of our parish duties as well.”

Father Peschel told The Anchor 2

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

that the retreat is limited to nine candidates. “We feel that is a healthy number to work with, to be able to provide more personal interaction.

“This is a great opportunity for men to step away from studies or jobs and pray and listen to what God may be calling them to do with their lives. The retreat also makes the candidates aware that there are others out there their own age who are thinking about vocations, and this is very encouraging to them.”

Father Peschel said last year’s retreat was very well received by those who attended: “We have one young man who attended who is now in the seminary and others have stayed in contact with us. There’s no question that this weekend is a very worthwhile thing.”

In addition to Fathers Cook and Peschel, other speakers may Turn to page 21

Homeless individuals can look for help with ‘The Call’

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

wouldn’t be as chaotic as it was,” said Lawson, and “The Call” was born.

FALL RIVER — Back “The Call” is in 2014, the U.S. Depart1-800-HOMELESS, a ment of Housing and Ursingle access point for all ban Development offered a emergency shelter servision to end homelessness vices in Bristol County. as outlined in, “Opening “The Call” is a program of Doors: Federal Strategic Catholic Social Services Plan to Prevent and End based on federal standards Homelessness,” which and expectations for shelter states, in part, “No one systems, and is operated on should experience homebehalf of all shelter prolessness. No one should be grams in New Bedford, Fall without a safe, stable place River and Greater Attleto call home.” boro-Taunton. An individ“There was a federal ual must call this number strategic plan to prevent from a local area code; that homelessness and with means it will only work if regards to this federal stra- one calls from a phone with tegic plan, HUD felt that a a 508 or 774 area code. coordinated entry process Bristol County is broken was a crucial component into different Continuum to any community’s effort of Care areas. The Conto meet the goals to the tinuum of Care refers to strategic plan,” said Nancy the organizing and delivery Lawson, coordinator for of housing and other things Emergency Solutions for to meet the needs of people Catholic Social Services in who are in the middle of Fall River. a housing crisis. The goal The original way — is stable housing and true which many communities self-sufficiency, and learnstill use today — offered up ing tools to prevent a resources, but a person had relapse back into homelessto make multiple calls to ness. find help.

“Because the COCs “If someone needed asencompass most of our diosistance and was homeless, cese, our executive director, they would call one number Arlene McNamee, felt we [and ask], ‘Do you have any [Catholic Social Services] help for me?’ Then they’d would be the perfect agency call another program [and to lead this. With that, she ask], ‘Do you have any help had such great foresight for me?’ Everything was that it really met with our very siloed,” said Lawson of mission,” said Lawson. how programs worked inCSS in Fall River is the dependently of one another. first to lead something like The goal of this new pro- this in the Commonwealth cess was to make a system- of Massachusetts “and beatic change so that people cause we’re so unique, we’re could take advantage of the first to have all COCs programs as a whole ininvolved in ‘The Call,’ a stead of calling and asking coordinated access to local for help one phone call at links,” said Lawson. a time. The new design was Lawson has been part “to create an access point so of the process from the that people in crisis could very beginning, learning as come into, and the system much as she could about

coordinated entry. The idea is to make resources inclusive throughout Bristol County.

Getting the program off the ground wasn’t easy, said Lawson. HUD gave the mandate and standardized all the resources, but did not provide funding or guidance. HUD offered outlines with the anticipation of how effective creating a coordinated entry process would be to the community.

“They wanted us to somehow have an entry process that ensured that people with the greatest need received priority with any type of housing and homeless assistance in each COC,” said Lawson. “That had to include permanent, supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and any other type of interventions that resources allowed in each community. That was a really big task for us as an agency to work not only with city resources but it meant we had to come to the table with all of the providers that had the federal dollars.”

In other words, the coordinated entry program would evolve into a group effort: “It was not going to be you-me-them-or-us, the game has to change and now it’s going to be ‘we the community,’” said Lawson.

Every client using “The Call” would become everyone’s client. Having everyone come together was difficult, said Lawson, because it meant each organization had to open up regarding its funding and “everyone becomes leery” thinking they may lose funding.

Now each COC has to look at programs within their area as a whole. There Turn to page 14

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

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Diocesan students, pilgrims attend milestone March for Life

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Once again, busloads of students and pilgrims from the Fall River Diocese made the annual trek to the nation’s capitol for the 44th annual March for Life.

This year’s Pro-Life march — which was held later than usual on January 27 because of President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration the previous week — also marked the first time in its history that a sitting vice president addressed the thousands of attendees during the kickoff rally.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged Pro-Lifers to win over hearts with gentleness and compassion at the 2017 March for Life.

“I’m deeply humbled to stand before you today,” he told a cheering crowd.

“On behalf of the President of the United States,” he said, “we thank you for your stand for life” and “for your compassion, for your love of the women and children of America.”

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“And be assured, along with you, we will not grow weary, we will not rest until we restore a Culture of Life in America for ourselves and for our posterity.”

“So I urge you to press on,” Pence told the audience gathered on the National Mall for the rally, imploring them “as it is written, let your gentleness be evident to all.”

“Let this movement be known for love, not anger,” he said, “let it be known for compassion, not confrontation.”

The vice president also promised the Trump Administration “will work with the Congress to end taxpayer funding of abortion and abortion providers” and will reallocate those resources to groups that help women.

Deacon John W. Foley of Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich, who attended the event as a chaperone aboard the Cape Cod Bus for Life, said he was proud to have

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

the current administration’s support for the Pro-Life movement.

“This year the addition of Vice President Mike Pence brought a level of energy and confidence and commitment to the group never before seen,” Deacon Foley said. “I thought it was much more positive with lots of energy than previous years.

It involved many more youth than I ever recall seeing. We are always peaceful and respectful marchers when we come to D.C., and we have previously not received any positive press coverage — if any — at all.”

Deacon Foley’s wife, Barbara-Anne, also attended as a chaperone and she praised the ongoing efforts of people like Kevin Ward, Vincent Armstrong and Vanessa Cloutier along with members of the local Knights of Columbus chapter for providing affordable transportation to and accommodations at the March for Life.

“We don’t want cost to be a barrier for these students to attend the March for Life and learn one of the most important tenets of our faith — the right to life,” Barbara-Anne Foley said. “Our major fund-raiser each winter is a Pro-Life Pancake Breakfast at the Commodore Inn in West Harwich owned by Fiona and John Rendon, whose daughter Sadie started this breakfast with her friends when she was in high school; she will graduate from Catholic University this summer. The Rendons are so incredibly generous in donating the venue (and) the breakfast has always been a huge success because of the enthusiasm and the very generous parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish.”

This year more than 20

parish youth were able to attend the March for Life — several for the first time with a parent who had never been before, which is “always an exciting adventure for us,” Foley said.

Among the first-time attendees this year was Joe Spinello, who attended with his daughter Emily, a senior at Sturgis East Charter School; and Scott Ramsay, who attended with his two sons, junior Ian and freshman Andrew, both of whom are home-schooled.

Both parents were very excited to attend and noted how the march impacted their children.

“I didn’t know what to expect but I saw a whole bunch of people with a great attitude all getting along and enjoying the day together with the same mindset,” Joe Spinello said.

“At the Mass especially, the enthusiasm of all the students was pretty spectacular — they were all having a great time!”

His daughter Emily called it “an amazing experience.”

“It was wonderful to see so many like-minded people working toward a common goal,” she said.

“It made me feel like I was a part of something greater than myself. I was not in any way expecting so many people or the level of enthusiasm and amount of energy, especially at the youth rally. Being able to share this experience with my dad has been so cool!”

Scott Ramsay said he was pleasantly surprised as he “thought there would be more protesters or prochoice people there trying to counteract us.”

He went on to say: “It was awesome, people were really energetic. Not having been before, as a parent

having my kids there I was impressed with all of the youth and how Pro-Life they were. I am proud of my kids and how strong they felt; we are a Pro-Life family.”

Scott’s son Ian was already a strong Pro-Life supporter before attending, but said “it was good to see people come together for the same cause peacefully.”

“I’m not sure what I expected, but it was pretty awesome,” he added. “And it was cool to do the march with my dad, my brother and my friends. We should definitely get more young people to go with us next year for sure. I would definitely go again!”

Another first-time attendee, Cecelia Kane, a sophomore at Sturgis East Charter School, said she “didn’t expect it to be this many people, but once I got here I was amazed by the diverse group of people all united with a common belief. It is nice to be with so many other passionate people and pray with them.”

Genny Paige, a sophomore at Elms College who has been on several previous March for Life trips, said this year’s event was noticeably bigger.

“This year was stronger than ever and there was more (press) coverage on it,” Paige said. “It was certainly nice to have President Trump’s support.”

The only downside to the additional press coverage, according to second-time March for Lifer Kenny Shaffer, was that they were often referred to as being “anti-abortion.”

“Why do they call us anti-abortion protesters?” he asked. “We aren’t protesters, we are walking to stand up for life in the ‘March Turn to page 24

Bishop da Cunha adds signature to Mass Council of Churches’ letter protesting president’s recent executive order regarding immigration

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha joined 16 other church leaders throughout the Commonwealth endorsing a letter from the Mass.

Council of Churches protesting President Trump’s recent harsh executive order regarding immigration: “Our Increased Compassion, Not Our Hardened Hearts” A joint letter from Massachusetts Heads of Church on the Executive Action Suspending Refugee Resettlement.

We speak together, as Church leaders in Massachusetts, on the injurious executive action restricting refugees, issued on Friday Jan. 27, 2017 entitled, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States.”

Our Christian tradition

is clear. Deuteronomy 10:19 commands, “You shall also love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” The Holy Family was forced to flee the violence of their homeland (Mt 2). Our Savior was a migrant. We hear Jesus Christ declare in Matthew 25 that His followers will be judged if we do not welcome the stranger. We stand under that judgment today.

We believe in the aspirations of our nation, a place where all people long to live in safety. We remember with horror our nation’s decision in 1939 to refuse the refugees on the MS St. Louis, a ship of German Jews, condemning many to death.

Refugees invite our increased compassion, not our hardened hearts.

We echo the words of Bishop Joe Vasquez of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: “We believe in assisting all those who are vulnerable and fleeing persecution, regardless of their religion. This includes Christians, as well as Yazidis and Shia Muslims from Syria, Rohingyas from Burma, and other religious minorities.”

However, we need to protect all our brothers and sisters of all faiths, including Muslims, who have lost family, home, and country.

We grieve this decision to limit refugees, as it will cause further suffering, not just to our fellow Christians escaping persecution, but all refugees fleeing violence.

As Christians we try to live our lives in accordance with Jesus’ great Com-

mandment — to love our neighbors as ourselves.

We want safe homes, the freedom to worship, stable governments, and opportunities to thrive. Refugees desire the same. Our nation is founded on this welcome.

We must make sure that we do not allow fear to overwhelm us, crowd out our compassion, or fundamentally change our character.

Therefore, we pledge our voices and our churches’ active support to resettle refugees in Massachusetts.

We call on elected lead-

ers, including President Trump, to reconsider the executive action to limit refugee resettlement.

We have and will continue to welcome and support refugees. Our churches are in every single city and town of Massachusetts.

And, we ask our churches to reach out in love and Christian hospitality to the refugees living near them. We encourage our churches to show compassion and support to those who have fled hardship and violence.

Bishop blesses, dedicates St. Joseph House in Hyannis

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

HYANNIS — For some, the mere mention of Cape Cod can inspire thoughts of sandy beaches, summer vacations and expensive waterfront homes.

But like all areas, the Cape also has its fair share of the homeless and displaced — people who have just found themselves unable to make ends meet and simply afford a place to live.

“Everybody would like to believe they’re not Cape Cod folks, but, believe me, they are,” said Karen Ready, program coordinator for the Sister Rose Network, which manages shelters for Catholic Social Services of the Fall River Diocese. “They’ve

been here all their lives and the reality is they can no longer afford to live on the Cape, so we’re trying to figure out something creative to see if we can get them housing.”

Since November 1, Ready has been serving as the interim site manager for the St. Joseph House in Hyannis. At that time, CSS took over

management of the former NOAH Shelter on Winter Street from the Barnstable-based Housing Assistance Corporation, which had founded the shelter in 1984.

As someone familiar with the day-to-day operations of shelters under the umbrella of the Sister Rose Network within Turn to page 19

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

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Anchor Editorial

Hope and consecrated life

On February 2 the Church observed the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. St. John Paul II instituted this day 20 years ago in 1997, choosing the feast of the Presentation of the Lord for this annual observance. In the United States the bishops’ conference has transferred this remembrance to the weekend after the feast day, so that more people might be exposed to the topic of consecrated life.

In the hullabaloo of Super Bowl Sunday, consecrated life probably was not on the top of most people’s minds. Consecrated Life in the Church is the vocation to live out the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in a stable, lifelong state of life.

Pope Francis, in his homily on consecrated life this year, began with an appreciation of the older members of these religious communities, as well as the deceased earlier generations of them: “God never deceives us. Simeon and Anna [the two people who encountered the Holy Family in the temple], in their old age, were capable of a new fruitfulness, and they testify to this in song. Life is worth living in hope, because the Lord keeps His promise. Jesus Himself will later explain this promise in the synagogue of Nazareth: the sick, prisoners, those who are alone, the poor, the elderly and sinners, all are invited to take up this same hymn of hope. Jesus is with them, Jesus is with us” (cf.

Lk 4:18-19).

Giving a message much needed in today’s world, the Holy Father continued, “We have inherited this hymn of hope from our elders. In their faces, in their lives, in their daily sacrifice we were able to see how this praise was embodied. We are heirs to the dreams of our elders, heirs to the hope that did not disappoint our founding mothers and fathers, our older brothers and sisters. Like them, we too want to sing, ‘God does not deceive; hope in Him does not disappoint.’ God comes to meet His people. And we want to sing by taking up the prophecy of Joel and making it our own: ‘I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions’” (2:28).

We don’t just look back to the hopes of our predecessors –— we are called to hope in the Lord as well. “We do well to take up the dreams of our elders, so that we can prophesy in our day and once more encounter what originally set our hearts afire. Dreams and prophecies together. The remembrance of how our elders, our fathers and mothers, dreamed, and the courage prophetically to carry on those dreams.” In other words, our hopes then push us into action, guided by the Holy Spirit.

The hope God gives us helps us to resist evil. “This attitude will make our consecrated life more fruitful,” Pope Francis said. “Most importantly, it will protect us from a temptation that can make our consecrated life barren: the temptation of survival. An evil that can gradually take root within us and OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

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The Anchor - February 10, 2017

within our communities. The mentality of survival makes us reactionaries, fearful, slowly and silently shutting ourselves up in our houses and in our own preconceived notions. It makes us look back, to the glory days — days that are past — and rather than rekindling the prophetic creativity born of our founders’ dreams, it looks for shortcuts in order to evade the challenges knocking on our doors today. A survival mentality robs our charisms of power, because it leads us to ‘domesticate’ them, to make them ‘user-friendly,’ robbing them of their original creative force. It makes us want to protect spaces, buildings and structures, rather than to encourage new initiatives. The temptation of survival makes us forget grace; it turns us into professionals of the Sacred but not fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters of that hope to which we are called to bear prophetic witness. An environment of survival withers the hearts of our elderly, taking away their ability to dream. In this way, it cripples the prophecy that our young are called to proclaim and work to achieve. In a word, the temptation of survival turns what the Lord presents as an opportunity for mission into something dangerous, threatening, potentially disastrous. This attitude is not limited to the consecrated life, but we in particular are urged not to fall into it.”

As the pontiff said at the end of that paragraph, whether we are laity, clerics or religious, we are all tempted to “give up” when faced with the world we have before us, instead of hoping in the Lord. May the Holy Family, along with Simeon and Anna, intercede for us so that we might put Christian hope into action.

The Blessed Mother placed Jesus into Simeon’s arms. “When Mary let Simeon take the Son of the Promise into his arms, the old man began to sing –— celebrating a true ‘Liturgy’ — he sings his dreams. Whenever she puts Jesus in the midst of His people, they encounter joy. For this alone will bring back our joy and hope, this alone will save us from living in a survival mentality. Hence, it is all the more important for consecrated men and women to be one with Jesus, in their lives and in the midst of these great changes. Our mission — in accordance with each particular charism — reminds us that we are called to be a leaven in this dough. Perhaps there are better brands of flour, but the Lord has called us to be leaven here and now, with the challenges we face. Not on the defensive or motivated by fear, but with our hands on the plough, helping the wheat to grow, even though it has frequently been sown among weeds. Putting Jesus in the midst of His people means having a contemplative heart, one capable of discerning how God is walking through the streets of our cities, our towns and our neighborhoods. Putting Jesus in the midst of His people means taking up and carrying the crosses of our brothers and sisters. It means wanting to touch the wounds of Jesus in the wounds of a world in pain, which longs and cries out for healing.”

Daily Readings February 11 — February 24

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Feb. 11, Gn 3:9-24; Ps 90:2-6,12-13; Mk 8:1-10. Sun. Feb. 12, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sir 15:15-20; Ps 119:12,4-5,17-18,33-34; 1 Cor 2:6-10; Mt 5:17-37or 5:20-22a,27-28,33-34a,37.

Mon. Feb. 13, Gn 4:1-15,25; Ps 50:1,8,16bc-17,20-21; Mk 8:11-13. Tues.

Feb. 14, Gn 6:5-8;7:1-5,10; Ps 129:1a,2,3ac-4; Mk 8:14-21. Wed. Feb. 15, Gn 8:6-13,20-22; Ps 166:12-15,18-19; Mk 8:22-26. Thurs. Feb. 16, Gn 9:1-13; Ps 102:16-18,19-23, 29; Mk 8:27-33. Fri. Feb. 17, Gn 11:1-9; Ps 33:10-15; Mk 8:34—9:1.

Sat. Feb. 18, Heb 11:1-7; Ps 145:2-5,10-11; Mk 9:2-13. Sun. Feb. 19, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Lv 19:1-2,17-18; Ps 103:1-4,8,10,12-13; 1 Cor 3:16-23; Mt 5:38-48. Mon. Feb. 20, Sir 1:1-10; Ps 93:1-2,5; Mk 9:14-29. Tues.

Feb. 21, Sir 2:1-11; Ps 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40; Mk 9:30-37. Wed. Feb. 22, 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a,4-6; Mt 16:13-19. Thurs. Feb. 23, Sir 5:1-8; Ps 1:1-4,6; Mk 9:41-50. Fri. Feb. 24, Sir 6:5-17; Ps 119:12,16,18,27,34-35; Mk 10:1-12.

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or the first time in the history of the papacy, last Sunday Pope Francis recorded a Super Bowl message.

“Great sporting events like today’s Super Bowl,” he said, “are highly symbolic, showing that it is possible to build a culture of encounter and a world of peace. By participating in sport, we are able to go beyond our own self-interest and in a healthy way we learn to sacrifice, to grow in fidelity and respect the rules.” He finished by praying, “May this year’s Super Bowl be a sign of peace, friendship and solidarity for the world.”

His message underlined what so many athletes and coaches, parents and educators have long known, that sports are a school in which one can be formed in so many virtues and skills necessary for life: teamwork, self-discipline, asceticism, docility, unselfishness, dependability, perseverance, focus, preparation and training, poise under pressure, sportsmanship, how to celebrate and how to handle setbacks.

Sports are a means to bring people together in common purpose, whether we’re dealing with neighborhoods, high schools, universities, huge geographical regions, or, in the Olympics and World Cup, whole nations.

Sports have also proven to be culturally and historically far more than just games, expediting processes of racial integration and the overcoming of warring tensions.

It’s unsurprising that St. Paul found sports a fitting analogy for various aspects of the Spiritual life. He wrote to the Christians in Corinth, where the famous Isthmian Games, dating to the sixth century B.C., took place: “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.

No, I drive my body and train it” (1 Cor 9:24-26).

He told his Spiritual son St. Timothy, “Train yourself

Patriot virtues

or giving general absolution for devotion, for, while physifor all of the methods they’ve cal training is of limited value, employed in the past to gain a devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise competitive edge, there are so many things about the Church of life both for the present and and the Spiritual life we can for the future” (1 Tim 4:7). learn by analogy from the Pats’ He pronounced his valedicsustained excellence, and it tory in sports’ terms: “I have would be a shame for us not fought the good fight, I have to waste such a timely athletic finished the race, I have kept allegory. the faith, and from now on the crown of righteousness awaits me” (2 Tim 4:7-8).

Putting Into St. Paul was someone the Deep who ran to win, who disciplined himself to

By Father be a disciple, and who sought to train the first Roger J. Landry Christians not to be losers or bench-warmers In honor of the 11 players on but eternal Hall of Famers. the field at any given time, let’s He called them to be properly ambitious, to train, to fight and mention 11 lessons.

First, teamwork. The Patriots to run so as to win. If athletes win championships because work so hard to win trophies, all parts of the organization — belts, rings and medals for offense, defense, special teams, themselves, or teammates, or coaching, trainers, doctors, regions, he challenged them to compete to win an imperishable personnel directors, video staff, wreath for and from God, to do owners — all “do their job.”

St. Paul’s analogy about the more Spiritual exercises than a professional athlete does physi- Church as a Body in which eyes, hands, and feet all do their cal ones.

And it’s clear that this cham- part finds in their cohesion a powerful illustration (1 Cor pionship sporting spirit was what sustained him to persevere 12:14-31).

Second, preparation. The in crisscrossing the ancient Patriots win championships not world to preach the Gospel, just by how they excel on Sunto wade through swamps and days but by how hard they work climb up steep mountains, throughout the rest of the week, to endure cold, exposure and in the gym, on the practice field hunger, to confront head-on and in study. Imagine what the danger of those who were trying to kill him, and not to be would happen if clergy and deterred by multiple scourgings, faithful prepared just as hard for Sunday? stoning, and three shipwrecks Third, coaching. Bill Belichthat led him to tread water for ick’s ability to coach his assisa full day and night on the sea (2 Cor 11:23-27). This fighting tant coaches and his players not just in gridiron Xs and Os and spirit helped to make him, in “situational football” but also terms of the Church’s mission, the GOAT (greatest of all to get them to buy into team time), and like a coach or a dad rather than selfish goals is what most sets him apart from his he sought to impart that same peers. The Patriots are similarly holy grit to his Spiritual sons superb in making in-game adand daughters in the Church. justments. Those are three skill For 17 years, I have wanted sets that would benefit all those to write a column, in the spirit who coach God’s team. of St. Paul, on the Spiritual Fourth, shared championlessons all of us can learn from ship drive. The Pats know what the New England Patriots, they want and everything is but Sunday’s extraordinary geared toward achieving that comeback victory against the goal. Christians similarly ought Falcons in Super Bowl LI (51) finally pushed me over the edge. to support each other toward obtaining everlasting victory Without pretending that the with Christ. team is full of canonized saints

Fifth, “next man up.” The players are alert and ready to step up to play well when others in front of them go down. The transmission of the Gospel likewise needs people just as ready to step in as the next generation of priests, religious, catechists, salt, light and leaven.

Sixth, refusing to make excuses. It would be easy for the Patriots to dwell on draconian Deflategate punishments, blown calls by officiating crews, injuries, hatred by fans of other teams or other vicissitudes, but rather, they move on. They focus on what they have, rather than what they don’t. Jesus prepared us for similar opposition (Mt 24:9-10) so that we might have similar positive resolve.

Seventh, “mental toughness.”

When trailing, even down 25, the Pats don’t quit. They have a “six-second rule” to dwell on a previous play before they focus on what they have to do next.

This gives an illustration of the Biblical virtues of makrothumia and hypomone (Gal 5:22; Heb 10:36), meaning steadfast endurance.

Eighth, reviewing their performance. Even when the Pats win a blowout, they study minutely the game film to determine what went well and what didn’t, in order to learn, correct and strengthen. That’s what every Church institution should do regularly and every Christian do daily in a general examination at night.

Ninth, ruthlessly remedying mistakes. When the Pats aren’t getting the job done, they make

the necessary adjustments: changing schemes, replacing players, doing whatever it takes.

Jesus called us to be just as brutal in “plucking out” eyes and “chopping off ” hands if they’re leading us to Spiritual defeat (Mt 5:29-30).

Tenth, studying their opponents. The Patriots are famous for taking away their opponents’ greatest strength and gameplanning against their weaknesses. The Church would do well to strategize just as effectively in terms of apologetics, prayer and, when the circumstances warrant, political catalysis when others organize to try to oppose the Gospel, the religious freedom and other rights of the Church, or human dignity.

Eleventh, discipline in speech. Bill Belichick’s press conferences, while annoying for sports journalists, are an art form of vapid clichés. He refuses to say anything that could hurt his team, by giving opponents any tactical information or poster board material they could use against them.

In an age of rampant lack of discretion, Pats’ players have all learned this art. As St. James says, “If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue, this man’s religion is vain” (1:26).

Just as the other 31 NFL teams are now seeking to learn from the Pats what it takes to succeed on the field, so it behooves Christians to learn from them these winning virtues, to practice them and help out teammates to live them, too.

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

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

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I

Coming home to a place I’ve never been before

was enjoying my walk and had stopped to wonder about the bird perched on the power line. The falling snow swirled all around us. Even against the strong wind, the bird held its place. The few inches of snow already on the ground were enough that there was no traffic. In the snowy world in front of me, the two of us were alone.

There was a feeling of timelessness.

I suddenly heard a voice from somewhere behind saying, “Hey there.” I turned to see a man some distance behind me waving at me and calling out for me to wait for him. He asked me where the post office was. As he headed off,

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As a young adult, my I marveled at his faith appreciation of that in Providence. Looking phrase grew as I learned down at my new snow sneakers and remember- to recognize that inner feeling of peace associing that morning’s sudden onset of cabin fever, ated with times I recognized as feeling or being I smiled as I caught a at home. Once, after a glimpse of God’s inparticularly long and tertwined plans for us tiring day as a graduate humans.

When I was a teen-ager, I lisWrestling with God tened to the John Denver song, Holding on for “Rocky Mountain His blessing High.” I wondered what it meant to

By Dr. Helen J. Flavin come home to a place where one student, I strongly felt had never been before. the coming home from To me, the words sugthe world to my special gested journey to, and place as I entered my arrival at, a destination. apartment. After that, My young mind imagined newlyweds crossing I understood the refuge the threshold into a new and recharging of batteries aspects of home. home. I also thought Even so, I occasionally maybe that is what it is would hear the song. like to enter Heaven.

The mystery behind the words continued to intrigue me.

Eventually the idea of a tangible physical place as destination gave way to the understanding of life experiences as coming home events. I

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

have heard others discuss traveling to exotic places, finding that sense of community at their work, feeling comfortable with a promotion and its concurrent responsibilities, and even the search within to find the inner self as ways of coming home to a place one has never been before.

An important aspect about being able to experience journey as a homecoming is the ability to take things slowly. Seneca says, “The primary sign of a well-ordered mind is a man’s ability to remain in any one place and linger in his own company.” Lingering is important because it allows one to better examine the surrounding world. In addition, one’s focus is on others as well as on oneself. Lingering also allows the mind to take time to sort and characterize feelings. This allows one to recognize that feeling of inner peace that accompanies being at home.

This winter my car was in the shop for a while. In addition to the snowy walk described above, I walked a number of other times where I would usually have driven. That timelessness or feeling detached from time restraints was a gift and a reminder of how one can choose to walk the journey. I vividly remember one morning waiting in line. For the first 10 minutes or so the only times the line moved was when people gave up and left. A number of people were visibly disturbed and irrita-

ble. To be honest, for me patience is a virtue that is there some days, but not others. I wanted my errand done. I wished to be somewhere else. By then I had my car back.

I, too, could have left to come back another time.

Yet, that day I was conscious of a great feeling of inner peace. I enjoyed the conversations I had with an older woman and with the young mother directly behind me in line. Depending on one’s inner perspective that mother’s two young girls were either an annoyance or wonderful to meet.

That day, I realized a new facet of understanding the mystery behind the words of coming home to a place one has never been before.

Amazingly, one can choose to live life feeling this way each moment of the journey. Though the world may see only a kind and calm person, inside one has that deep feeling of peace that is found in choosing to walk in and share God’s love. I believe this is what Mary Oliver means when she says, “My work is loving the world.”

St. Paul wrote, “What no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and has not entered into heart of man, what God has prepared for those loving Him” (1 Cor 2:9).

Let the journey continue and let each of us always choose to live at home each and every step of the way.

Anchor columnist Helen Flavin is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer and a member of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River. biochemwz@hotmail.com.

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ove is patient, kind, not selfish, not jealous or pompous, never inflated or rude, doesn’t seek its own interest, mollifies tempers and never broods over injury. St. Paul’s insight into love has spread for thousands of years from Corinth to a multitude of Marriage ceremonies. The words of St. Paul are indeed the foundation for a strong and happy Marriage, but they will never take root within a Marriage without preparing the soil of the relationship. Pope Francis told a gathering of Vatican judges that, “Love needs truth.”

If love is not rooted in truth it “is subject to changing feelings and does not stand the test of time.” If the Church provided better Marriage preparation then the need for annulments would be greatly reduced.

Strong Marriages begin when a child learns to be loved and accepted in its family. Strong relationships begin when the adolescent learns that God is at the foundation of every life decision. By the time the child becomes a young adult the foundation is in place to start talking about the important issues that challenge and build Marriages. Limiting Marriage preparation to the few months before the wedding is like throwing a slab down on the beach, building a house, and expecting it to remain standing after the storms pass through.

Couples can plan and arrange Marriage ceremonies anywhere, but if they approach the Church they are asking to be prepared for a Sacrament.

Marriage preparation is often focused on the practicalities that couples will face, and these are very important to discuss before they enter into a lifelong commitment. Some of the issues brought out in the preparation will be overcome as the couple’s love matures and aligns itself with the ideal set forth by St. Paul. Other issues

Marriage prep

can be the harbinger of a sad ity within the parish, including A young married couple can be and broken relationship when Marriage preparation, will ask asked to tell the youth about the storms arise. The Church the question, “How does this how they made the decision teaches that Marriage is a cov- help people to encounter Jeto marry; planting the seed of enant, not a contract. The nusus?” discernment into their deciance of the difference is rooted St. Valentine’s Day is a day sion making. Invite a married in an understanding that God set aside to celebrate love and couple to give a brief witness of is part of the compact made in provides the perfect backdrop how Jesus accompanied them Marriage. on which to at a moment in their Marriage.

This is paint God’s Give the names of the newlynot a lesplan for engaged couples to a married The Great son easily Marriage. couple and ask that they pray taught; it The U.S. intentionally for their Marriage Commission must be Bishops to grow in faith. Announce the

By Claire McManus witnessed.

Confernames of the engaged couples The ence has so that the whole parish can Church has dedicated celebrate and pray for them. become acutely aware of the February 7 to 14 as National Encourage couples to go on a need to continue the Spiritual Marriage Week, calling it an Marriage Encounter weekend. formation of the individual opportunity to promote, celUse National Marriage Week to after any Sacrament. After the ebrate and strengthen Marlaunch an intentional campaign party is over and the couples riage. Parishes might wish to to promote the good of all marresume life as a new entity, they use this occasion to introduce riages. Nurture the soil so that often get lost to the Church. a mission-driven approach to the words of St. Paul will find Marriage needs to be nurMarriage preparation without fertile ground to grow strong tured by the faith community. adding a single new program or Marriages.

This is a great challenge for staff member. Remote preparaAnchor columnist Claire Mcour parishes, but Pope Francis tion for Marriage can begin by Manus is the director of the Diimplores us to find a remedy or asking the little children where ocesan Off ice of Faith Formarisk losing the souls of couples they saw love in their families. tion. and the families they will create. He asks that parishes increase their efforts when it comes to preparing young couples for Marriage, calling for a “new catechumenate” in preparation for Marriage. “Just as adult converts need to preVisit The Anchor online at pare themselves for the Sacrament of Baptism, so should http://www.anchornews.org those who want to enter the Sacrament of Marriage.”

Creating a comprehensive approach to Marriage preparation requires a very different philosophy within a parish.

Rather than looking at this directive as yet another program to tack onto the already busy and overburdened staff, parishes need to become missiondriven; focused only on forming disciples. If the Church is going to create an environment that nurtures young married couples in their faith then parishes need to think in terms of the original mission of Jesus Christ. Every event and activThe Anchor - February 10, 2017 9

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ver Christmas, two of my family members were talking about a mutual friend who, though chronically ill, routinely does heroic acts of kindness for others. Though they get exasperated with her when she overextends herself, they realize that caring for others is what makes life meaningful. I thanked God that these women are kind enough to support their friend through good times and bad, helping her to live a full life.

This incident came to mind as I read Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of the Sick, in which he reflects on St. Bernadette’s relationship to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Lady spoke to Bernadette “as one person to another,” he says, treating her with great respect, even though she was poor and sickly. “This reminds

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The sick, our everyday heroes

us that every person is, post-Christian society. and always remains, a What I find most human being, and is to be tragic in this exaltation treated as such. The sick of independence and and those who are disabled, even severely, have their own inalienable Guest dignity and misColumnist sion in life.”

In light of

By Sister the expanding Constance Veit, LSP legalization of assisted suicide, Pope Francis’ insights are personal choice is that invaluable. Studies have this attitude denies the shown that the majorbeautiful reality that we ity of people who supare made for community. port assisted suicide do Created in the image and so because they fear the likeness of God, Who is loss of personal autonomy a Trinity of Persons, we and dignity in their final are inherently relational, days. Suffering, they say, not autonomous. Mutual is meaningless and should dependence, rather than have no place in the huindependence, is the true man experience. It seems Gospel value, and so we that the thought of havshould not be ashamed ing to go on living when when we need the asfaced with serious dissistance of others. Our ability or illness is becom- weakness or infirmity can ing unacceptable in our be a graced opportunity

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

for those who help us, as well as for ourselves, for as St. John Paul II so often repeated, we can only find fulfillment through the sincere gift of self to others.

This is why Pope Francis is asking us to honor the sick by helping them to share their gifts and abilities. “Let us ask Mary Immaculate for the grace always to relate to the sick as persons who certainly need assistance,” he writes, “but who have a gift of their own to share with others.”

St. Bernadette turned her frailty into strength by serving the sick and offering her life for the Salvation of humanity.

The fact that Mary asked her to pray for sinners, the pope writes, “reminds us that the infirm and the

suffering desire not only to be healed, but also to live a truly Christian life.”

Social media has allowed me to become acquainted with numerous heroes who go on giving in the midst of tremendous suffering. If you are looking for inspiration just Google Zach Sobiech or Lauren Hill, young adults who made a difference in the world while dying of cancer; J.J. Hanson, president of the Patients Rights Action League, who triumphed over a brain tumor; or O.J. Brigance, a former professional football player who inspires thousands though he is completely paralyzed by Lou Gehrig’s disease.

I am sure that you have unsung heroes in your midst in the person of sick, disabled or elderly persons who enrich your life despite their own trials. This year as we celebrate the World Day of the Sick, let’s honor these everyday heroes by letting them know that we admire them and are there for them in their moments of need, and by asking them to pray for us.

Sister Constance Veit is director of Communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor.

You ain’t nothing but a hound dog 10 February 2017 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Adopt a rescued rabbit week (seriously) t’s been much too quiet around here, dear readers. “A house without a dog is incomplete,” Father Francis X. Wallace kept reminding me. Growing up (literally 95 years ago), Frank had a dog named Pete. He also, as a young curate in Sandwich, had an English setter named Duke (with permission of the pastor, Father George Sullivan).

Frank, an army chaplain, brought Duke with him to Camp Edwards. Duke decided army life wasn’t for him. The dog went AWOL. On his own, Duke somehow made his way back to Corpus Christi Church. Seems the food was better.

Father Ray Cambra has had several pet dogs: Duke (No. 1 and No. 2), Lady, Champ, Razmus, Tucker, and Maximillian Rufus the Great.

Here at St. Patrick’s rectory, we three priests are “The Dog-Fathers.”

Among us, we’ve had some 20-plus dogs over the years.

I firmly resolved not to get another dog. I’ve already rescued nine greyhounds: Aran, Molly Malone, Napoleon, Cleopatra, Transit, Miss Piggy, Lolo the Galgo, Gabe, and Justin. I’ve done my part. I’m too old for that sort of thing now. No more dogs for me. And that’s my final answer.

Well, it was for awhile.

Then I started getting text messages from a young pastor. I’ll call him Father Rob. The name

I

has been changed to pro- since ancient times as tect the guilty. Rob was hunting dogs, have been considering adopting a bred in recent centuries as greyhound. He asked me professional athletes. But all sorts of questions about the care and feeding of The Ship’s Log a rescue dog. I, of Reflections of a course, encouraged Parish Priest him. In the process

By Father Tim of extolling the Goldrick virtues of owning a retired racer, my unshakable resolve began to wobble. with the gradual decline Rob started visiting of the dog racing indusarea kennels to check out try in the United States, the greyhounds up for there’s an effort underway adoption. He would send to repurpose the breed. me pictures of the ones Greyhounds are being in which he was intercross-bred. ested. What do you think Ronnie, like any greyof this one? How about hound, is a sight hound that one? Father Rob was but he is mixed with leading me into temptasome sort of scent hound. tion.

There are no records.

One sunny afternoon, Ronnie is someone’s aton a lark, I drove to Hop- tempt to produce a dog kinton to visit the Greywith both exceptional hound Friends adoption sight and scent capabilikennel. No harm looking, ties — a super dog. He I told myself. may be a “Frankendog,” I asked to see their but we ended up riding oldest dog. back to Cape Cod toI was introduced to gether that day. I blame a dog named Ronnie. the whole thing on that Ronnie had been waiting Father Rob. seven months for adopRonnie had never betion. Nobody seemed to fore been in a house, but want him. He was half he quickly made himself the size of other greyat home. After inspecthounds. Come to find ing every room, he deout, he wasn’t a purebred. cided the guest quarters Louise Coleman of would be his space. He Greyhound Friends exliked the sun streaming plained that Ronnie was through the south-facing on the lowest rung of the window. Father Cambra greyhound ladder: mixed came in and placed a dog breed. He was no chambed near the nice warm pion. In fact, he had never radiator. I’ve been sleeprun a race in his life. Not ing in the guestroom to mention he was already ever since — just until seven years old. Everythe dog understands I’m body wants to adopt a the leader of the pack, of puppy. “You can’t teach an course. old dog new tricks,” and “And now,” pronounced all that balderdash.

Father Wallace, “this recGreyhounds, raised tory is complete. We have

a dog.”

Ronnie learned to negotiate the stairs within a couple of days. He still sometimes whines for my assistance, but he’s only training me to come when he calls.

He enjoys being out in the yard. He runs around like a crazy person, frequently stopping in front of me to make a play-bow. He’s training me to have fun.

We’re busy bonding.

If he hears a rustle in the bushes, he’ll stop dead in his tracks, extend his tail, and bend his

front leg in the direction of the sound. I figure he’s part pointer.

He hasn’t, however, responded to the name “Ronnie.” What name shall I teach him?

A greyhound mixed with another breed is called a “lurcher.” They’re bred and trained to lurch after rabbits. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, may I introduce dog number 10? His name is “Lurch.”

He ain’t nothing but a hound dog and that’s fine with me.

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

Father Tim Goldrick at Greyhound Friends in Hopkinton meeting Lurch for the first time.

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Valentine’s Day — A divided nation can reflect Editor’s note: The following guest Valentine’s Day column was submitted by Lillian DiSpigna, a resident of Marion and a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham. ll of us must be steadfastly empowered by the hope of moving forward during these dangerous and difficult times despite dissension, hostile negative anger and what appear to be insurmountable problems. We can easily become paralyzed in mind and spirit in this toxic environment ruthlessly pursued by far too many.

The United States of America is the greatest country in the world.

Those of us who were born here are among the most privileged; we must be grateful to our founding fathers, our Constitution, and the unparalleled love of those in our armed forces. First and foremost, we must be grateful to “our God in

A

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The Anchor - February 10, 2017

Whom we trust.” Each of us can make a positive difference in this world. Each of us can “pay it forward” because the “comeback” effect is astounding.

Our inner realm can remain peaceful and not provoked, and we can hold the courage of our convictions and the intensity of our concerns deep within our hearts.

We can be a force for good and not evil and our lives can leave a legacy of love. The same Divine power of love that brought forth our universe and the beginning of all mankind still exists.

It’s up to us to decide that we want and can achieve greater peace and a better world if we channel our anger into positive energy and look at our fellow citizens in the spirit of love. We all struggle in a stressful world, but we can all become the “bigger person” who is open-minded

and willing to bend and perhaps compromise so that our future can become a beacon of light rather than the doom of darkness. Whether we are young or old, rich or poor, black or white, the precious commodity of love is available to us. We can spiral a contagious vitality to our life stream or we can curse the darkness and remain in the abyss of negative poisonous futility.

Honor and love your country, your fellow man, your Divine power of love. All of us can do our part and we can end the evil of stagnant, stubborn animosity. After all, this is Valentine’s Day and those feelings from the heart were not meant to remain dormant; they were rather meant to be given away in acts of love to foster survival and unequivocal inner happiness.

Happy Valentine’s Day from one heart to another.

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Homeless can get help by making ‘The Call’ continued from page three

has been a drastic shift on how programs should work and is still a work in progress, said Lawson.

Now programs within each COC are evaluated and tiered, and then money is awarded to each COC, like the recent HUD grant awarded to New Bedford.

New Bedford won a competitive HUD grant of $1.7 million dollars to be divided among a total of nine programs and agencies, all of which have been playing a role in the Continuum of Care blueprint that is geared towards establishing homeless individuals and families to become reestablished and independent.

“At first it was a struggle, but our partners are wonderful.

We’ve definitely had bumps in the road,” said Lawson.

Catholic Social Services acts as “a cog in the wheel” getting everyone to the right place, and

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CSS has also partnered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, local police departments and hospitals.

“A lot of people are working towards assisting any way they can,” said Lawson. “We try to collaborate in any way we can. I have to say, that the St. Vincent de Paul working with us has been our number one asset. With the bridging that we’ve done with St. Vincent de Paul, oftentimes if there’s someone in Seekonk who’s homeless, and it’s a family, and we’re putting them up in a hotel, we can’t get to them because we don’t have the manpower to get to them.”

If a family is in crisis, one call to St. Vincent de Paul is all it takes, and they will send somebody out.

“Our missions have become one,” said Lawson. “The Church has really worked with us. The

immediate needs, we feel, are being met in crisis situations. We’re very grateful for them for that.”

Shelter beds are very limited: New Bedford has a total of 36 beds; Fall River has a total of 20 beds; and Taunton has a total of 15 beds.

When an individual calls, he or she will answer a set of questions that will help set the wheels in motion: “HUD has a specific definition of homeless and we need to find out if you’re truly homeless or at risk of homelessness, and that will give us an idea of what resources to start with, and help identify what needs the person will have,” said Lawson.

Among those questions asked is family composition, the primary language spoken, and if someone has served in the military.

A case manager is also assigned,

and the rehousing plan begins.

“For me, personally, in our area,” said Lawson, “seeing how we’ve been able to coordinate, work with three COCs in all the cities and towns [in Bristol County], and we can now tell you every single day, a live bed count. Using all the shelter beds available to us, I can tell you on a daily basis the beds that are available. Now if someone calls me, I can say, ‘I have two beds here, one bed here, four beds here.’ I can tell you what overflow shelters are open for bad weather. Before, we’d have to make five or six phone calls to find that out.

“You have to look as ‘The Call’ as access to local links. We are really just the hub and then we just spoke out everyone to where they need to go as quickly and as effectively as they can.”

Diocese hires Enrollment and Marketing director for Catholic schools

FALL RIVER — In its report last fall, the Fall River Diocese Task Force on Catholic Education recommended the hiring of a communication/marketing professional to support and augment the efforts of diocesan Catholic schools in those areas.

Effective February 6, Sarah Heaton, of Denver, Colo., whose background blends education, marketing and recruitment, became the first director of Enrollment and Marketing for Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese.

In the newly-created posi-

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 February 12, 11:00 a.m.

tion, she will provide overall leadership and direction for the enrollment and marketing of the 22 Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese. Her initial focus will be on the development and implementation of a marketing plan and communication strategy to promote a greater awareness of all that Catholic schools have to offer to students, families, and the community at large.

“I am excited by the energy and passion in the Diocese of Fall River for improving our Catholic schools and opening them up to new students and populations,” Heaton said. “Catholic schools grow the future of our Church and culture, and I am inspired by the plan laid out by the Task Force and now being implemented by diocesan schools’ leadership to be in the forefront of Catholic education in the U.S.” Heaton comes to the Fall River Diocese prepared to carry out her responsibilities with experience from past employment with two Catholic faith-based organizations headquartered in Colorado.

Most recently, she was

director of programs and operations at Endow, an international apostolate present in 130 dioceses helping women to grow in their Catholic faith and to realize their full potential through small group study and educational courses.

In efforts to expand the program, Heaton designed print and online marketing campaigns, utilized social media networks, developed youth and adult program content, and did numerous presentations on Endow to diocesan bishops, clergy and lay women.

Prior to that, she worked for FOCUS, a Catholic collegiate outreach, eventually becoming its national recruitment manager. As such, she developed marketing materials and social media initiatives, hosted recruitment events and directed regional interview sessions, successfully increasing the number of FOCUS missionaries sent forth to share the

FALL RIVER — Stuart Macdonald, a certified public accountant with years of experience from positions in the private and public sector, began last month as director of Finance for the Fall River Diocese.

His initial work is focusing on further development of accounting policies and procedures for diocesan parishes and entities; the generation of additional financial reports and their analysis; and the audit process underway with the Grant Thornton firm. He reports to diocesan Chancellor Kevin R. Kiley.

Macdonald was most

recently director of Fiscal Operations for the city of Providence, R.I., from 2011 to 2016.

He has served in leadership positions in banking and mortgage industries: as president of FEC Mortgage Corp, Foxboro, and of Professional Mortgage Corp. of America, East Providence; and as executive vice president of Home Loan Investment

hope and joy of the Gospel to college and university students.

In announcing her hiring, diocesan superintendent of schools, Stephen A. Perla expressed his pleasure that Heaton has joined the diocesan Catholic schools’ leadership team.

“She is extraordinarily passionate about the Church and Catholic schools,” he said.

“She is a faith-filled professional who has worked for faith-based organizations her entire career and has successfully marketed, branded, and advanced the mission of those organizations.”

Heaton earned a bachelor’s degree in teaching from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology, Evangelization and Catechesis from the Augustine Institute in Colorado.

Initial funding for the new enrollment and marketing position comes from a gift from the Carney Family and a contribution from the diocesan Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Education, both received last fall to underwrite the implementation

Diocesan director of finance in place

Celebrant is Father Edward A. Murphy, pastor of St. Andrew’s Parish in Taunton.

February 19, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Paul E. Canuel, a retired priest of the Diocese of Fall River.

Bank of Providence.

He was also chief financial officer of Madison Components, based in Hampton, N.H. After earning a master’s degree in accounting from Northeastern University, Macdonald began his career in public accounting for what was then-Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co., now KPMG. Macdonald also holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Brown University.

A native of East Providence, he currently lives in Barrington, R.I., with his wife and two children.

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For and About Our Church Youth

I

t’s a super day to be a New England sports fan! What a crazy game!

I am writing this column late because inspiration hit me on Friday that I should write about the big game. I did not know what direction the article would take, though. Was I going to write about how some teams are just naturally more dominant and there is no real competition? Was I going to write a David and Goliath type story where the seemingly underdog team comes out with its strongest skill and slays the giant dynasty? (Until the end of the third quarter, I was pretty sure that was the article I was going to be writing.) Or was I going to write an article about perseverance, about how we should never give up even when it seems like everything is going against us?

Who knew it would be that kind of article?

I watched the first half of the game having no idea who I was watching. This was not my beloved New

Super day

England football team who comeback from being down had been such a dominant by 25, and he said that he force all season long. I and one of his teammates could almost see the smirk have a motto. It’s simply, on the commissioner’s “Just believe.” Simple words face. I could feel the other but a depth of meaning.

45-and-a-half states in Football and sports in the country singing, “Ding general give us the ability dong the witch is dead.” It to grow in strength and was going to be one of those humbling nights that makes getting up for work on a Monday that much more difficult.

By Amanda Then life began Tarantelli to change here in New England.

In most situations in life, perseverance. We are given you can pinpoint that one the visual of what “never moment when everything give up” looks like. begins to change. In this We can apply this same case it was a fumble recovattitude to our faith lives as ery that eventually led to a well. Sometimes we are up one-possession game. The in the game by 25 points air in Houston seemed to and everything seems to be change. It was like it was going our way and maybe fully inflated — as if it has we let up a little and think always been fully inflated we have everything under but some people just could control. Then we are blindnot understand that. I could sided by a force that has feel that revival of hope. seemed to be stronger than In the postgame interus for so long. Sometimes view, they asked one of the we are behind by 25 points players how you mentally and it seems like there is no

Be Not Afraid

getting out of the situation we are in. These are the moments when we need to “just believe.” These are also the moments when we need to learn to rely on those around us. We need to believe in the people God has put into our lives to help us cross those goal lines.

He made us to be in community with one another. He made us to lean on each other and to come together.

Prior to the game, Pope Francis released a statement of the gift of sports competitions. He said, “Great sporting events like today’s Super Bowl are highly symbolic, showing that it is possible to build a culture of encounter and a world of peace. By participating in sport, we are able to go beyond our own self-interest — and in a healthy way — we learn to sacrifice, to grow in fidelity and respect the rules.”

This super moment was a great opportunity for us to come together, regardless of

which team we were rooting for, to understand that we can be from different places and have the same passion.

We can build a culture of encounter as the Holy Father says, a place where we spend time in companionship with one another. Let us strive to be more optimistic in our struggles, to rely more on others when we are down, to celebrate each other’s accomplishments, to never give up even when it seems like winning is a long shot, to stay positive when others speak negatively of us and to never let this game of life become so out of hand that we cannot climb back into the light of faith, love and friendship.

Anchor columnist Amanda Tarantelli has been a campus minister at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth since 2005. She is married, a die-hard sports fan, and resides in Cranston, R.I. She can be reached at atarantelli@bishopstang. org.

The picture was taken of the March for Life Students from Bishop Stang High School attended the recent March for Life in Washington, D.C. In all, 95 students and chaperones loaded two buses for the event. Here the students pose in front of St. Matthew’s Cathedral in the nation’s capital. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Tarantelli)

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The Anchor - February 10, 2017

For and About Our Church Youth

Ancient Egypt and mummification was brought to life for sixth-graders at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford, through an interdisciplinary potato mummy project. Students mummified potato slices in science class with Mrs. McGlynn, working on taking accurate measurements of the potato slice’s weight before it was mummified in a mixture of baking powder and salt, and then after it had remained in the mixture for five days. They finished the project by carefully wrapping their potato mummy and laying it to rest in a sarcophagus.

Pre-kindergarten students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton recently constructed marshmallow igloos.

St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, recently hosted its annual Open House. Many new families came to tour the school and learn about all it offers. This year the school is expanding to include a pre-kindergarten for the first time in its 93-year history. The school also offers full-day kindergarten, before and after school care, creative arts, music, drama, foreign languages, and state of the art technology and sports.

Park Ranger Meghan Kish recently spoke to kindergartners at St. JamesSt. John School, New Bedford, about being a park ranger and national parks.

At a recent American Heritage Girls Troop MA3712 meeting the girls assembled bags of birthday supplies and goodies to donate to the Rehoboth Helping Hands Food Pantry along with personalized cards they made. The girls will also deliver boxes of cake mixes and frosting they collected.

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For and About Our Church Youth Bishop Stang receives $25,000 grant from Bristol County Savings Bank

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Bishop Stang High School received a $25,000 ($12,500/two year) grant from Bristol County Savings Bank, through its Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation for their Science Lab Renovation Project.

The grant was supSt. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet recently held its Science and Engineering Fair. Picported

by Maureen Sylvia tured are the sixth- through eighth-graders with their science teacher, Laurie Plante.

Armstrong — BCSCF Southcoast Advisory Board member; Bishop Stang High School President’s Advisory Board member; president/ CEO/owner, Sylvia Group of Insurance Agencies.

Bishop Stang president/ principal Peter Shaughnessy stated, “It is an honor to have such a strong partnership with Bristol County Savings Bank, and we are truly appreciative for their support of our Science Lab Project.

Their support of schools and other charitable organizations comes directly from their corporate culture of giving

back to local communities. It is really inspiring to witness all the good Bristol County Savings Bank does for so many people.”

Bishop Stang High School Science Lab Renovation Project will improve the science laboratories (chemistry, biology and physics) through the renovation, purchase and installation of all new laboratory equipment, furniture and technology. The facility will be used by 100 percent of Stang students. With the emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning, it is imperative that schools have state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to lead students to better mastery of course content by developing scientific reasoning and understanding.

To learn more about the Bishop Stang Science Lab Renovation Project, contact Dr. Jana McHenry, director of Advancement at jmchenry@ bishopstang.org.

The pre-k students at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently held their annual Teddy Bear picnic as a celebration of their lesson about the eight species of bears.

According to pre-k teacher Tammy O’Malley, “Since bears hunt for their food, the class went out into the hall to find their bag of honeycomb cereal. They had so much fun!”

Shown here are the students displaying their teddy bears.

Mya Canuel, a sixthgrader at Holy Name School in Fall River, decided to ask her birthday party guests to bring items that could be given to the Toiletry Challenge. She collected 312 items to be given to the leaders in Training Toiletries Challenge.

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The Anchor - February 10, 2017

From left, presenting a grant to Bishop Stang High School are: Dennis Kelly, chairman of the board, Bristol County Savings Bank and chairman, Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation; Joseph Nauman, board member, BCSCFSouthcoast Advisory Board and BCSB and EVP — Corporate and Legal, Acushnet Company; Dr. Jean MacCormack, chairperson, BCSCF — Southcoast Advisory Board, and board member, BCSB; Peter Shaughnessy, president/principal, Bishop Stang High School; Jana McHenry, director of Advancement, Bishop Stang; Dennis Leahy, executive vice president, treasurer and CFO, BCSB and treasurer, BCSCF; and Patrick Murray, president and CEO, BCSB and president, BCSCF.

“The Barnstable Police were admitted to nursing Department has been homes. dealing with a homeless “And because I have population for more than the luxury of being the 30 years in the communetwork coordinator, I can nity and just in the short send folks to New Bedford time that Catholic Social or Fall River if needed,” Services has taken it over, she added. “Whereas we’ve seen some dramatic they’d pay $700 for a room changes both in the aphere, they’ll pay maybe $60 pearance of the building in Fall River. So that’s the and the way homeless difference between being people are treated on the sustainable and turning up street,” Chief MacDonald back on our doorstep.” said. “We are truly, truly Although she’s been impressed with the proghard at work for more than ress they’ve made and we three months, Ready said really appreciate it.” she’s more at peace now Ready said despite the that St. Joseph House has Priests from the Cape Cod Deanery joined Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., in blessing stigma sometimes associbeen officially blessed and and dedicating the new St. Joseph House in Hyannis on Monday. Previously known as ated with the homeless, the dedicated. the NOAH Shelter, the homeless shelter on Winter Street is now under the purview of St. Joseph House provides “I believe God set my the diocesan Catholic Social Services. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) a critical service to the feet on a path and sent community. me here because it was Bishop dedicates St. Joseph House “Obviously, we don’t needed,” she said. “And continued from page five want to see anyone in a now that I’m here — even shelter, but shelters are though it’s been difficult the diocese — including during his invocation. community bathroom and — I don’t regret it at all. the Grace House and the “I just want to say thank showering facilities, a large necessary,” she said. “We came here to try and do This is more than just a Sister Rose House, both in you to everyone involved kitchen and dining area, a job and give folks hope job for me. It’s more like a New Bedford, and the Sa- in this mission of helping a common TV area, and where I think some felt mission that I need to be maritan House in Taunton people in need,” Bishop da offices and meeting space hopeless, and to try to able to fight for folks who — Ready was perfectlyCunha said. “That’s what for staff. make them understand are afraid or can’t fight for suited to assist with the the Church is here for.”

One new exterior addithat they can have the life themselves.” transition.

CSS began negotiations tion is a tall wooden fence they deserve.”

“It’s a work in progress “When I first came here, with HAC more than a at the front of the building Since coming onboard, and I’m happy to be here,” it was a little bit of a culture year ago to take over the facing Winter Street to Ready said she has been Ready added. “I like to shock for me,” Ready told NOAH Shelter, according provide additional privacy able to use her existing think that we are making a The Anchor. “It was a little to Deborah Scholes, chief for those seeking shelter. connections to find perdifference here and making bit more than I was used operating officer for CSS. “We wanted to do a lot manent accommodations a difference for them, most to — the severity of the “It finally came to fruimore, but this time of year people with mental health tion on November 1,” she it’s tough to get things done for 32 people, six of whom of all.” issues, physical health prob- said. “We’ve had some quickly,” Scholes said. “We lems, and the level of subtrials and we’ve had some invite everyone to come stance abuse was surprising success stories since then. back and visit in the next to me. I also didn’t expect But it’s been full almost three months to see all the to see so many seniors who every night.” changes we have in store.” are homeless.”

St. Joseph House can There are currently 20 On February 6, Bishop currently accommodate people who help staff the Edgar M. da Cunha, 50 people overnight in facility — many of whom S.D.V., along with sevdouble-level bunk beds were retained as previous eral priests of the Cape — 30 men and 20 women employees of the NOAH Cod Deanery, took the — with space for another Shelter. opportunity to visit and 16 overflow on cots during In an effort to be good tour the new facility for the colder winter months. neighbors, CSS and the the first time. The bishop Since taking over, CSS has staff of St. Joseph House also formally dedicated added new beds and cots have also been reaching and blessed the St. Joseph and is in the process of out to community leaders The 12th annual Foundation to Advance Catholic EducaHouse, which he personmaking additional renova- for support. tion winter brunch was held February 5 at the Coonamesally renamed to signify tions to the facility to betBarnstable Police Chief sett Inn of Falmouth. More than 300 guests attended to a fresh start and better ter meet guests’ needs.

Paul MacDonald, who support Catholic education. Pictured are students from reflect “the mission of our In addition to shared attended the dedication diocese and of our Catho- sleeping quarters, St. service, expressed great ap- St. Margaret Regional School in Buzzards Bay who volunlic Social Services,” he said Joseph House also offers preciation for CSS’ efforts. teered as greeters, with event chairman Larry McGrath.

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Robert A. Arruda, brother of Arlene McNamee

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Robert A. Arruda, age 74, of Portsmouth, R.I., passed away unexpectedly January 21, at Rhode Island Hospital.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Herbert “Bucky” Arruda and Alice (Gomes) Arruda, he lived in Dartmouth prior to moving to Portsmouth more than 20 years ago.

He attended Cramwell Preparatory School and Boston College. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Robert was the owner and operator of SHI, Inc., where he carried out his lifelong passion for the lumber business.

Arruda was happiest

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spending time with his family and friends. He was a loyal Patriots fan who loved fishing, boating and the companionship of his dogs.

His family includes his son, Scott Arruda and wife Jennifer; two daughters, Rebecca Arruda and Lisa Carney and husband Scott; his sister Arlene McNamee and husband James; and two grandchildren Alexia Smith and Luke Arruda.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated January 27 at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth.

Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home in Dartmouth was in charge of the arrangements.

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

All invited to local legislative forum tomorrow

ATTLEBORO — The Attleboro District Society of St. Vincent de Paul is inviting area residents to a Legislative Forum sponsored by its Voice of the Poor Committee for Social Justice. This gathering with area legislators will be held February 11 at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of Bristol Community College in Attleboro.

Senator James Timilty and Representatives Jay Barrows, Paul Heroux, Paul Howitt and Betty Poirer have confirmed their attendance. They will answer questions and discuss legislation and public policies impacting the poor, marginalized and vulnerable in this area, said Diana Reeves, chairperson of the district’s VOP Committee for Social Justice. “We hope many will join us for this public forum to learn and talk about these critical issues that affect those in need and the overall well-being of our community.”

Throughout the Greater Attleboro area SVdP Society members, known as Vincentians, provide various forms of charitable aid to persons in need — short-term financial assistance for rent, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, furniture and other household needs.

Unlike many other or-

ganizations, Vincentians typically meet individuals in need in their own homes to offer a listening ear and to learn first-hand about their unique needs.

Attleboro District Vincentians also operate food pantries and a donated clothing store.

“But beyond the charity,” said Attleboro District president Mary Dwyer, “we also try to bring about systemic change in the lives of the poor and marginalized and we advocate for social justice reforms to help those in need to not only survive, but to advance and move out of poverty.” As examples, she pointed to the district’s “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting-By World” program which mentors individuals in a 16-week course on self-assessment strategies and changes to improve their lives on a longer-term basis, as well as a developing program to help ex-offenders from the Bristol House of Corrections re-integrate successfully into civil society.

The Legislative Forum with its emphasis on state-level social justice issues is intended, said Reeves, to focus attention on policies and legislation that either hinder or help the poor and marginalized in their struggle to

survive and advance. “We will be talking with our legislators about issues like health care for the poor, homelessness, substance abuse, job training and employment opportunities, criminal justice reform, and income inequality,” Reeves commented. “There is so much happening right now it is dizzying. The new state legislature is just beginning its session and new policies are being announced from Washington at the federal level which will impact us here.

This should be a great opportunity to learn and influence.”

Members from local boards of selectmen and city councils have been invited to attend. Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas has committed to be on hand. Area high school and college students are also encouraged to attend.

“There will be an open question-and-answer session as well as a structured dialogue,” said Reeves.

This is the second legislative forum that the Attleboro District VOP Committee for Social Justice has held. “As our committee’s name makes clear, we all need to be a voice for the poor, the unheard, those without influence or power, if we are going to make this a just and fair society for all,” Reeves said.

More information is available from Reeves at rdianam@aol.com. Preregistration is not required to attend the forum. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an independent Catholic lay organization with about 80,000 members in about 4,400 communities throughout the country.

Vocations Office offers discernment weekend for men 19-45 continued from page two

be added. “Last year we invited some of our seminarians to come share some time with the candidates, and we had five who were willing and able to do so,” added Father Peschel.

“They came on the Saturday afternoon and spent about an hour-and-a-half sharing their experiences and feelings with the men in attendance.”

The weekend will take the attendees through various steps of the discernment process.

Father Peschel said he has seen a very encouraging increase in vocation awareness and activity over the last few years, since his ordination to the priesthood in 2014.

“The year before I was ordained, I spoke at a school, and at the time there were only three men in seminary for our diocese,” he said. “Now we have nine and the possibility of adding four or five more next school year.

I feel we are heading in the right direction.”

Since Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., arrived in the diocese in 2014, he has made a concerted effort to increase vocation awareness and participation from everyone in the diocese. His order is vocation-driven — the Society of Divine Vocations (the Vocationist Fathers).

“Bishop da Cunha’s focus on fostering vocations has been a great help,” said Father Peschel. “His great support and establishing a Diocesan Vocations Board has been a tremendous encouragement to us. It’s not wasted time reaching out to students and adults. There is hope for the future.”

Father Peschel also gave a big shout-out to the many parish Vocation

Teams that have sprouted across the diocese: “There is no coincidence that the increase in the number of seminarians and the increase in the number of faithful lay people praying for vocations. Having organized groups praying for vocations is surely reaping benefits. Last year on the high school Quo Vadis Days we had 40

young men attend. That’s outstanding.”

Since space is very limited, men who are between the ages of 19 and 45 are encouraged to contact Father Peschel as soon as possible. For more information and/ or to register, respond to discernmentretreat@ yahoo.com or call Father Peschel at 508-398-2248.

Editor’s note: The January 27 Anchor edition contained an incorrect “In Your Prayers,” necrology, running the names for February 29-March 4, instead of January 28-February 9. We have included those names in this edition. The Anchor regrets the error.

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

Feb. 11 Rev. John O’Connell, Founder, St. John Evangelist, Attleboro, 1910 Rev. John J. Sullivan, S.T.L., Retired Pastor, Holy Rosary, Fall River, 1961 Rev. William J. McMahon, Retired Pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Orleans, 1987 Rev. Christopher (Leo) King, SS.CC., 2013 Feb. 12 Rev. Stanislaus B. Albert, SS.CC, Retired Founder, Our Lady of Assumption, New Bedford, 1961 Feb. 13 Rev. Richard R. Gendreau, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 2015 Feb. 14 Rev. Charles E. Clerk, Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 1932 Rev. Msgr. Francis McKeon, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1980 Feb. 15 Rev. Joseph G. Lavalle, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1910 Rev. James C. Conlon, Pastor, St. Mary, Norton, 1957 Feb. 16 Rev. Alphonse J. LaChapelle, Assistant, Holy Ghost, Attleboro, 1983 Rev. Joaquim Fernandes da Silva, CM, 2001 Feb. 17 Rev. Louis R. Boivin, Retired, Cardinal Medeiros Residence, Former Pastor, St. Theresa, Attleboro 2010 Feb. 19 Rev. Andrew J. Brady, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1895 Rev. Leopold Jeurissen, SS.CC., Pastor, Sacred Hearts, Fairhaven, 1953 Feb. 20 Rev. James H. Fogarty, Pastor, St. Louis, Fall River, 1922 Rev. Raymond M. Giguere, O.P., Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1986 Rev. Thomas E. Morrissey, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 2006 Feb. 21 Rev. Msgr. Luiz G. Mendonca, PA, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford, 1997 Feb. 22 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jovite Chagnon, Founder, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1954 Rev. Albert A. Croce, C.S.C., 2014 Feb. 24 Rev. Edward F. McIsaac, Retired Chaplain, Rose Hawthorn Lathrop Home, 2002

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

Jan. 28 Rev. Joseph M. Griffin, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1947 Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Shay, V.F., Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1961 Jan. 29 Rev. Christiano J. Borges, Retired Pastor, St. John the Baptist, New Bedford, 1944 Rev. Albert J. Masse, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1950 Jan. 30 Rev. Raymond F.X. Cahill, S.J., Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1983 Rev. Sebastian Slesinski, O.F.M. Conv., 2006 Rev. Raul M. Lagoa, Pastor, St. John of God, Somerset, 2012 Jan. 31 Rev. Charles J. Burns, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1901 Rev. William F. Sullivan, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset,1930 Rev. Manuel C. Terra, 1930 Rev. William J. Shovelton, Retired, Former Pastor, St. William, Fall River, 2015 Feb. 1 Rev. Msgr. Michael J. O’Reilly, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1948 Rev. Msgr. Patrick H. Hurley, V.F. Pastor, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1968 Rev. Anatole F. Desmarais, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1975 Rev. Msgr. Gerard J. Chabot, Pastor, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, South Attleboro, 1983 Rev. William F. O’Connell, Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1995 Rev. Arthur T. deMello, Retired Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 2004 Rev. Albert J. Ryan, Catholic Memorial Home, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich, 2015 Feb. 2 Most Rev. William Stang, D.D., First Bishop of Fall River: 190407, 1907 Rev. Patrick F. McKenna, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1913 Rev. John L. McNamara, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1941 Rev. P. Roland Decosse, Pastor, St. Hyacinth, New Bedford, 1947 Rev. Daniel F. Moriarty, Assistant, St. Brendan, Riverside, R.I., 1991 Feb. 3 Rev. Antonio O. Ponte, Pastor, Our Lady of Angels, Fall River, 1952 Feb. 4 Rev. Msgr. Hugh J. Smyth, P.R., Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford. First Vicar General, Fall River, 1904-07. Administrator of Diocese, February-July 1907, 1921 Rev. Raymond Graham, SMM, 2004 Feb. 6 Most Rev. Frederick A. Donaghy, M.M, Bishop of Wuchow, 1988 Feb 7 Rev. Arthur N. Robert, O.P., St. Anne Shrine, Fall River, 1991 Rev. Robert S. Kaszynski, Former Pastor, St. Stanislaus, Fall River, 2014 Feb. 8 Rev. Raymond P. Monty, USAF Retired Chaplain, 1996 Feb. 9 Rev. Msgr. John J. Kelly, Pastor, SS. Peter and Paul, Fall River, 1963 Rev. Peter J. McKone, S.J., Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, 1972 Rev. Vincent R. Dolbec, A.A., Assumption College, 1985 Feb. 10 Rev. Edward L. O’Brien, Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1966 Rev. Lucien A. Madore, Retired Chaplain, Mount St. Joseph School, Fall River, 1983

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Around the Diocese The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will meet on Saturday, February 25 at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street in Taunton. Snow date is Saturday, March 4. Coffee and refreshments will be served beginning at 9 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. Members attending will participate in a special “Patriotic Rosary” during which patriotic songs will be sung between the Rosary decades.

Members are asked to donate either a pair of male or female socks, with one sock to be filled with toiletries (toothpaste, tooth brush, shaving cream, hand cream, deodorant). These donations will be presented to the Samaritan House shelter in Taunton. Women from parishes throughout the diocese are welcome to attend. For more information, contact DCCW president Fran Brezinski at 508-824-5279.

For the Lenten season St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford, will be hosting a special presentation of Relics of the Passion on March 3 beginning at 6:45 p.m.

All are invited to join them for a unique opportunity to engage with the meaning of God’s love as given to us by the Father via His Son’s Passion. The program entitled “Call from the Crucified Heart” is being sponsored as part of a new nationwide tour by the Apostolate for Holy Relics that highlights a collection of rare relics from the Passion of Our Lord, with prayer, music, reflection and an opportunity for personal veneration. For more information, call the rectory at 508-993-1691.

A bereavement support group to help people cope with the loss of a loved one meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Catholic Education Center, 423 Highland Avenue in Fall River.

The current session runs through February 21 and another session will be held from March 14 through April 25. The basis of the group is to allow individuals to share their experiences, feelings and emotions with others who are on the very same journey. There is no fee to participate and parking is available adjacent to the building. If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information email rsaraiva@dfrcs. org or rosemarysaraiva@gmail.com, or call 508-678-2828, extension 27.

The United Nations International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima will be coming to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford on April 29-30. The pilgrim statue ministry promotes Our Lady’s intercession through prayer. The statue will be accompanied by first-class relics of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto, two of the child visionaries who witnessed Our Lady in Fatima’s apparitions in Portugal. Reserve the date, pass the world, and come join the celebration of the centennial anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. For more information call 508-993-1691 or visit www. saintanthonynewbedford.com.

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program needs more team couples — newly-married and veterans (age is not a consideration) who would like to enrich their Marriage while helping engaged couples prepare for their lifetime together.

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation program meets in three locations: Mansfield, Dartmouth and Harwich on Cape Cod. In each location there is a team of volunteers that facilitate three to five sessions per year. If you are interested in serving in this ministry, contact Claire McManus at 508-678-2828, extension 19 or cmcmanus@dfrcs.org.

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

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The Anchor - February 10, 2017

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

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

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

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

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

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

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

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

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

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

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

P

rior to the Super Bowl I told my wife, Denise, that should the Patriots win, I will take a vacation day and go to Boston for the Duck Boat parade, providing it’s not on Tuesday — which for me this week, is press day. The parade was Tuesday, and I was hard at work at The Anchor office when a flock of Duck Boats waddled through the snowy, rainy, cold streets of

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet

Boston.

The weather would not have been a deterrent.

When the Red Sox finally broke their “curse” in 2004, I was there, in the rain, cheering on my beloved world champion Bosox.

I also attended the Beantown parade in 2011 when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. I had never been to a Patriots victory parade, even though there have now been five in the last 15 years.

I did go to two Patriot send-off events, wishing them well in those respective Super Bowls. They lost both. I no longer attend Patriot send-off events.

Two Tales of a City

As I’m writing this, I’m still basking in the glory of the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, anchored by the greatest quarterback in football history.

But a monkey wrench was thrown into the gears — Claude Julien, the lovable coach of the Boston Bruins was fired today (Tuesday).

As the Patriots and their fans held their soggy lovefest in the Boston streets, Claude was cleaning out his office at the other end of the historic city.

Tuesday was “Two Tales of a City,” making reference to and butchering the great Charles Dickens’ classic novel.

There was great joy for one home-town franchise juxtaposed against the gloom of another. The onceproud Boston Bruins have been in existence since 1924.

They have won six Stanley Cups in those 93 years.

The New England/Boston Patriots have been in existence since 1960. Current owner Bob Kraft bought the floundering franchise in 1994. Since then, the Patriots have won five world championships, all of them coming since 2001.

One team knows how to

win. The other, despite its longevity, doesn’t.

Claude Julien, who ironically was born in 1960, wasn’t the reason for the team’s poor play this season.

It was upper management and half the players who deserve the blame, but it’s always the guy on the front lines who is the victim.

On Tuesday you saw Tom Brady, the GOAT (great-

est of all time) with a grin from ear to ear waving to his rabid fan base. Across town you didn’t see the scapegoat, a gentleman with a sharp hockey mind; a father and a husband, packing up to head home to Canada. I’ll always love Claude and wish him well.

You have to wonder about an organization that cans its head coach on the

day another local team is celebrating a championship in the very same city. I have two words for such an organization. No class.

I wonder if Mr. Kraft would consider making an offer for the Bs. He knows how to build a winner, and the Duck Boats already know the parade route well. davejolivet@anchornews. org.

The Anchor - February 10, 2017

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Diocesan faithful attend March for Life continued from page four

for Life’ — a Pro-Life Movement, which is a peaceful group.”

Alexa Paige, a second-time attendee and sophomore at St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis, said she felt that “this year was more of a learning experience for me as it deepened my faith and empowered me much more this time. I understand it all better now.

I also got closer to the people I met that we came with and those who were on this march for the first time.”

Barbara-Anne Foley said she enjoys sharing the March for Life experience with her husband, John, and it’s important they be among the hundreds of thousands of likeminded youth and adults every year.

“This movement isn’t just about babies — we have to respect all life, including elderly people,” she said.

“We always pray that next year our group will be larger and, each year so far, our prayers have been answered!”

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The Anchor - February 10, 2017