02.28.03

thean VOL. 47, NO.8· Friday, February 28, 2003

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Msgr.. George W. Coleman issues Lenten message "Even now, says the Lord, return to'me with your w'hole heart" (Joel 2:12).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The more we prayerfully reflect on the Church, the more re,markable a reality it is seen to be.

The Head of the Church is Jesus Christ; its members, by being joined to the Head, receive from , ,Him grace and life. Jesus Christ is the sinless One; the members of His Church are prone to sin and in need of being redeemed.

Christ calls all the members of His Church to lead live~ of holiness. The Vatican Cpuncil II terms this "the 'universal call to holiness in the Church." The Council taught that "all the faithfulof Christ of whatever rank or

In Lenten message" pope says charity essential to Christian life

By CINDY WOODEN

might succeed in improving important aspects of social and political VATICAN CITY - Personal life, without charity'every change acts of charity and sacrifice to help would remain short-lived," the pope in the message released at the of_ a _said others are essential_ elements ___ _ _ _ _ _ Vatican. truly Christian life, Pope John Full text ofpope's Lenten , !'or the maPaul II said.

Message on Page 13.

J?nty of Catholics, who follow "Christians the Gregorian must not think that they can seek the true good of calendar, Lent begins with Ash their brothers and sisters without Wednesday, March 5.

The pope said Lent offers indiembodying the charity of Christ," the pope said in his message for viduals "the practical and effective weapons of fasting and almsgiving Lent 2003.

"Even in those cases where they Turn to page 13 - Message CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

Holiness is not an exotic way of lire, meant to be practiced only by a few; rather, it is the life to which all are called. A holy life is not led apart from the joy and happiness, the pain and anxiety of everyday life. A holy life can be lived in everyday circumstances, in our families, if) the workplace, in our,neighborhoods and schools. As the Council teaches, holiness promotes "a

more human manner of living ... in this earthly society." That, most would agree, is something we sorely need.

The Church's commemoration of the Lenten season enables us, through prayer and penitential practices, to examine and deepen our relationship to God'in and through Jesus Christ. Life in Christ results in a close, intimate relationship with Him which can be described best in Saint Paul's, words, " ... I liv((, no longed, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).

OJu~I'M)~~»d.,..-tty8)rb' sin,

Prayers of diocese offered for nightclub fire victiDlS

RULES FOR LENT Wednesday, March 5 is Ash Wednesday. The Church's regulations for the Lenten season follow: abstinence' from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays during Lent and Good Friday for those aged 14 and older; Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are to be observed as days offasting for those aged 18 to 59.

Fasting is defined as eating only one full meal and two ligh,t meals during the day. Eating between meals is not pe'rmitted, however, liquids are permitted.

status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity; by this holiness, a more human manner of livi'ng is promoted in this earthly society."

By

DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

jammed exits as the lights went,out. Many bodies FALL RIVER - Msgr. George W. Coleman, ad- , were found piled just inside the doors. ' "The thoughts and prayers of all the faithful of ministrator of the Fall River diocese, has offered the prayers of the diocese to the victims of the Feb- the Diocese·of Fall River are directed to all the victims ofthe terrible conflagraruary 20 tragic fire at The _~-------.., tion in West Warwick and Station nightclub in West their families and friends," Warwick, R.I. Msgr. Coleman said.

Many grieving parish"We will pray that God will ioners across the southern welcome to their everlasting Massachusetts region home those who died in this knew victims or their -'I tragic event and that he will families, and as The Angive strength and healing to chor went to press on those who were injured or afTuesday, the death toll fected in any way." had reached 97 and nearly Among the confirmed dead a hundred more badly are eight local residents. burned were in the They are Richard A. Cabral region's hospitals.

Jr., 37, of Summer Street, Last week's Thursday Attleboro; James Gahan, 21, night fire reportedly of Falmouth; Donald erupted when Great Roderiques, 46, of Mashpee; White, a rock band, set off Lisa Kelly, 27, of Swansea; pyrotechnics at the beginAlbert A. DiBonaventura, 18, ning of its performance. of North Dighton; Victor Within seconds the fire , Stark, 39, of West Yarmouth; quickly spread to the ceiland Katherine O'Donnell, 26, ing and walls filling The ~=2:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ,Station with flames and A STATUE OF the Virgin Mary sits under and Joseph Rossi, 35, of suffocating smoke. It set a large cross at a makeshift memorial to the Seekonk.

Still missing are Robert off a stampede as approxi- victims of the deadly nightclub fire in West Turn to page jive - Fire mately 300 people Warwick, R.1. (eNS photo from Reuters) I

February 2003 -

Catholic Press Month j

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese ofFal! River- Fri., February 28,2003

Marist brother to direct religions retirement office

Sister Marie Agnes Pratt SSJ

HOLYOKE - Sister Marie Central Falls' schools and she River. In 1992 she moved to the Agnes Pratt of the Sisters of St. graduated from the Novitiate Mont Marie Retirement Resitional Association of Treasurers of . Joseph, also known as Annette High School of the Sisters of St. . dence and· in 1997 to the Mont WASHINGTON (CNS) Marist Brother Henry Matthew Religious Institutes from 1996 to Pratt,died Sunday at the age of Joseph, Fall River. She received Marie Health Care Center.

She is survived by nieces and Sammon, who has been treasurerl 2000. He also served on the board 94 in the Mont Marie Health Care a Normal School Certificate frool the former Sacred Heart School nephews in "the Fall River area, comptroller of both men's and and finance committee of the Center here. and her religious community SisBorn in Central Falls, R.I., the of Education in Fall River. women's religious orders, has been Leviticus Fund, which is an a1temaHer teaching assignments were ters of St. Joseph. named associate director of the Na- tive inve·stment fund, and on the daughter of the late Arthur and Her funeral Mass was celtional Religious Retirement Office. Marist Brothers' International Com- the late Diana (Denomme) Pratt, at Blessed Sacrament, St. Jean He succeeds Christian Brother mittee on Economic Affairs in she entered the Sisters of St. Jo- Baptiste and St. Roch schools in ebrated Tuesday in Mont Marie seph in Fall River in 1927. She Fall River; St. Joseph and St. Chapel ofthe Sisters of St. Joseph John Patzwall, who left the office in Rome.

In his new position, he will over- became a member of the Sisters Therese schools in New Bedford; in Holyoke. Burial was in Mont early January after five years in the see fimmcial mallagement and grant of St. Josephof Springfield when and St. Michael School, Ocean Marie Cemetery there. post.

Sampson Family Chapels in Brother Sammon, 56, currently administration for the religious re- the two congregations merged in Grove, Swansea.

In 1980 Sister Pratt joined the . Holyoke was in charge .of aris a candidate for a licentiate in canon tirement office, founded in 1986 to 1974.

Sister Pratt was educated in retirement community in Fall rangements. law from The Catholic University help the nation's religious institutes address massive retirement needs. of America in Washington.

He holds a master of science de- Currently the unfunded retirement gree with a concentration in tinance liability of religious orders is esti. from the University of Notre Dame, mated to be $6.7 billion.

"Brother Sammon brings in-depth has pursued advanced studies in . educational administration at Man- understanding of both religious life hattan College, and holds a certifi- and finances at a time when religious cate from a program in the law and orders are facing the monumental religious life at College Misericor- challenge of dealing with retirement FALL RJVER - Saint Anne's Hospital anSince 1994, Saint Anne's has provided free needs," said Msgr. William P. Fay, dia in Dallas, Pa. nounces its March schedule for its Women's breast and cervical services to more· than 4,300 Brother .Sammon was president general secretary of the U.S. ConferHealth Network outreach program of breast and uninsured or underinsured women. To find out if of the board of directors of the Na- enceofCatholic Bishops. "He clearly cervical cancer medical services as follows: March you qualify or to make and appointment call 508brings insight, skill and sensitivity to 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., SSTAR. Family 675-"5686 or check the hospital's Website: the challenges before religious in this Health Center, 400 Stanley Street; March 8 from www.saintanneshospital.org. country today."

8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., FIRSTFED "Center for Breast A nurse practitioner provides clinical breast The National Religious RetireCare at Saint Anne's Hospital, corner of South exams, Pap tests, physical exams and breast and ment Office is located at the head-.

Main and Middle streets; March 13 from 6:30- cervical education at host sites .throughout the quarters of the l).S. Conference of 8:30 p.m., FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care at area. Mammography is provided at the Catholic Bishops in Washington. It FORALLOAY Saint Anne's Hospital; March 20 from noon to 3 FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care. Other health is sponsored by the USCCB, the p.m., Family Care Center, 102 County services including free further diagnostic testing WALKING COMFORT Leadership Conference of Women Street;Healthtirst March 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., as order by the physician are included as needed.

Religious, the Conference of Major FlRSTFED Center for Breast Care at Saint Anne's Portuguese speaking staff arid interpreters· of JOHN'S SHOE STORE Superiors of Men and the Council Hospital. All locations are in Fall River. other languages are avail.able.

295 Rhode Island Avenue of Major Superiors of Women Reli. .

Fall River, MA 02724 . gious.

Saint Anne's Hospital announces March schedule

'Operation Rice Bowl begins 28th year ~

PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for IS minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to ine."

In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary." .Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorje February 25, 2003 Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina "Dear Children! Also today I call you to pray and fast for peace. As I have already said and now repeat to you, little children, only with prayer and fasting can wars also be stopped. Peace is a precious gift from God. Seek, pray and you will receive it. Speak about peace and carry peace in your hearts. Nurture it like a flower which is in need of wa· ter, tenderness and light. Be those who carry peace to others. I am with you and intercede for all of you. ~'Thank you for having responded to my call."

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE GROUP Marian Messengers P.O. Box 647, Framingham, MA 01701· Tel. 1-508-879-9318

BALTIMORE, Md. - Millions of Catholics will begin participating this month in Catholic Relief Services' (CRS) annual Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl, now in its 28th year. In this year when the severity of interna-

Daily Readings Mar 3 Mar4 Mar 5

Mar 6 Mar7 Mar8 Mar 9

Sir 17:19-27; Ps 32:1-2,5-7; Mk 10:17-27 Sir35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8,14,23; Mk 10:28-31 JI2:12-18; Ps 51 :3-6a, 1214,17;2Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6: 16,16-18 Dt 30: 15-20; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 9:2225 Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51 :3-6a, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk5:2732 Gn 9:8-15; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15

tional crises continues to heighten, American Catholics, through their participation in the program, will put their faith into action and walk in solidarity with their neighbors in need around the world.

Approximately 12 million Catholic parishioners, students and teachers will use the Operation Rice Bowl materials as a guide to pray, fast, learn and give.

The materials offer daily

prayers, such as for Ugandans living with HJV/AIDS; topics for discussion; and lessons for Catholic school children, CRS is· marking its 60th year as the official humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community.

For more illformatioll about Operation Rice Bowl alld CRS, visit the Website at www.catllOlicrelief.org.

In Your Prayers Please pray for the following priests during the coming week March 3 1960, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Timothy P. Sweeney, LL.D., Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford

March 5 \ .

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1995, Permanent Deacon\Manuel H. Camara

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1932, Rev. John W. Quy;"k, FQ,under, St. Joseph, Taunton; Rev. Bernard P, C9_nnolly,-S:S~ St. Charles College, Mary~. _/ \ \ I an d ~~ \. .

1996, Rev. Antoine Lanoue,'p,p., St. Anne, Fall River ,

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THE ANCHOR (USPS-S4S-Q20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass. Published weekly except for the tirst two weeks in July and the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by ule Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSTMASTERS send address changes to TIle Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA -02722.

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1958, Rev. Arthur PJ. Gagnon~'pastor,Holy R<;>sary, New Bedford \ \

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March 9 \".

1947, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Henry 1. Noon, VG., Pastor, St. James, .

New Bedford; Third Vicar General, Fall River, 1934-47

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri .. February 28, :LeU}

POPE JOHN Paul II receives ashes from Cardinal Josef Tomko at Rome's Basilica of Santa Sabina in this file photo. This year, Ash Wednesday is on March 5 marking the beginning of Lent. (CNS file photo)

Lent: A time for spiritual renewal ~

The special season of enlightenment begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5.

By

DEACON JAMES ·N. DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - The unexpected thing about our workaday Gregorian cnlendar the Universal Church has been in charge of for centuries, is its symbolism.

More than just ticking off the days until your vacation, it forms a great image of faith, showing how thc ordcr of nature corresponds to the story of Redemption.

"Within the cycle of the year," says Vatican II's COllstitll1ioll on the Sacred Liturgy. thc Church "unfolds thc whole mystery of Christ. not only from his' Incarnation and birth until his ascension, hut also as reflected ... in the hoped-for rcturn of the . Lord."

"For many people summer is the timc for physical renewal," Father Paul Turner reminds us in EDICTAL CITATION DIOCESAN TRIBUNAL FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS Since the actual place of residence of WAYNE A. THATCHER, JR. is unknown.

We cite WAYNE A. THATCHER, JR. to appear personally before the tribunal of the Oiucese of Fall River on Tuesday. March 18, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at 887 Highland Av· enue, Fall River, Massachusetts, to give tes· timony to establish: Whether the nullity of the marriage exists in the Roberge· Thatcher case?

Ordinaries of the place or other pastors having the knowledge of the residence of the above person, Wayne A. Thatcher, Jr., must see to it that .he is properly advised in regard to this edictal citation.

(Rev.) Paul F. Robinson, O. Carm., J.C.D. Judicial Vicar Given at the Tribunal.

Fall River, Massachusetts on this the 20th day of February, 2003.

his Sourcebook 2003, then adding, "Christmas is the time to renew friendships andfamilies. In Lent we renew our spirit."

It's as if the whole Church goes on retreat for six weeks about a month-and-a-half after the Christmas season. This annual spiritual renewal prepares for the celebration of Christianity's most fundamental belief: Jesus was raised from the dead and is Christ, the Lord.

"Lent, therefore, has no meaning in itself," writes Gregg Dues in his "Catholic Customs & Traditions." But it does, he asserts, "prepare us for the celebration of Christ's rising from the dead" at Easter. The world "lent" for example, comes from the old Anglo-Saxon word for springtime, "lencten." It describes the gradual lengthening of daylight after the winter solstice.

Our fathers in the faith were aware of what it means to have Easter near the spring equinox.

After that date the days get longer and longer. But symbolically, it means that Christ revealed himself to man ever more fully after rising from the dead, just as the sun, weakened during the short dark days of winter, grows stronger even after the spring equinox.

This celestial symbolism tits well with the custom of receiving new catechumens into the Church at Easter, Dues points out.

Here too, the language of Vatican II retlects this solar imagery: "When the sacrament of Christian initiation has freed them from the powers of darkness (cf. Col I: 13) ... thc catechumens celebrate the remembrance of the Lord's death and resurrection together. with the whole people of God."

So the spiritual renewal of Lent takes on specialized form for those already faithful Church members who recommit themselves to life in Christ. And those who have signed the Book of the Elect at some earlier time prepare themselves for baptism. Both groups undergo Lent "as a season for preparation," says Father Turner.

"The elect see in the faithful the ideal of sacramental life toward which they strive," Father Turner writes. "The faithful see in the elect the strengthening of a spiritual commitment that they strive to renew."

He adds: "To these mutual ends, all.those in the household of the· Church use Lent as a season for prayer, fasting and almsgiving, to arrive at Easter pure of heart and renewed in spirit."

In centuries past, Lent's solemnities were much more restrictive and demanding than they are today.

In essence, the practice of putting ashes on the heads of people, and originally, thc wearing of sackcloth, is an ancient, penitential practice common among the Hebrew people (Jonas 3:5-9; Jeremiah 6:26; Matthew II :21).

It later became a mark of expelling a sinner from the community for long periods of time as a penance for public "capital" sins and scandals such as apostasy heresy, murder and adultery.

Later, during the Middle Ages emphasis was placed on personal rather than public sin. In recent decades an alternntive formula for the imposition of ashes and the warning, "Remember you are dust and into dust you shall return" emphasizes a more positive aspect of Lent.

The words 'Turn away from

sin and be faithful to the Gospel," point our minds and hearts in a new direction.

But Lent still has its solemn reminders. You'll see violet vestments - of a more reddish hue than the blue of Advent - on a regular basis; and in the liturgy we'll omit the"Glory to God" on all Sundays of the season, but continue to recite the Creed. We also substitute another Gospel acclamation for the A lie lu ia, which is suppressed throughout Lent.

Infant baptisms arc usually deferred until after Lent, although weddings are permitted.

And Lent is a marvelous season to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. The prayers and practices of the season help us to call to mind our sins and God's forgiveness. As we grow in awareness of our faults, we can bring them to God in a spirit of repentance, open to growth in grace, awaiting the full expression of mercy and love.

Lent used to be marked by an intense obligatory fast. Now only Ash Wednesday, the day the season begins, is a day of obligatory fast - fasting meaning that only one full meal may be taken that day.

The fast - obligatory for those aged 18 to 59 - reappears after Lent on Good Friday and the Saturday of the Triduum in Holy Week.

However, abstinence from meat is observed on all Fridays of the season by those aged 14 and older.

Pretzels, a popular snack at TV time, have their origin in early Christian Lenten practices.

Because eggs, fat and milk were'

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forbidden during Lent, a special bread was made with dough consisting of only (lour, salt and water. These lillie breads were shaped in the forms of arms crosscd in prayer.

Hot Cross Buns were also traditional Lenten food. The English custom was to place icing 0':1 the buns in the shape of a cross.

While the rigors of Lent continue to be performed individually, the community dimension of Lent must not be overlooked, Father Turncr reminds us.

"It is a time of community renewal," he says. "We do not enter it alonc, preparing as we might for a job interview. We cnter it as a community. like blood donors, recyclers and highway cleanup volunteers. Our efforts n~ake us feel like better pcrsons. but they give us an experience of mutual sacri lice, bui Iding up the community, and making thc world bcttcr for everyonc."

So although one's personal obscrvancc of Lent may secm like a private matter, i"t takes place within the context of an entire community seeking to renew hearts and souls togcther.

While the emphasis today is on voluntary Lenten practices, direction still comcs from the historical evolution of Lent with its emphasis on baptism, personal conversion, pcnance and the suffering and death of Chris I. Lent should not be like time spent in a dark tunnel. It should always be illuminated by the glow of Christ's triumphant reslirrection over death, which the sun will daily bring to our attention as it restores life to the winter-dead world.

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 28, 2003

. th~ living word .

themoorin~

t

A change of heart Amid the cries for war, the movement of troops, and the propaganda of nationalism, the voices of peacemakers have been subject to ridicule, derision, and even have been viewed as unpatriotic. We are losing focus, and the hope of a peaceful world again is being dashed to pieces. The Church has always reflected that in the Commandment, "You shall not kill," our Lord asked for peace of heart. First and foremost we should reflect that respect for human life requires peace.' Peace in this light is not merely the absence of war. It is not limited solely to maintaining a balance of power between adversaries. We have ignored the reality that peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding respect for the dignity of persMs and peoples. As St. Augustine wr~te, "Peace is the tranquility of order." Isaiah's Words should not be overlooked, "Peace is the' work of justice and the effect of charity."

For Christians, earthly peace is the fruit of the peace of Christ, the "Prince of Peace." His words should be recalled when he declared, "Blessed are the peacemakers." Because many have refused to listen to these words, we are a nation in confrontation, here at home and in nations around the world.

Again: we must affirm that the Fifth Commandment forbids the , intentional destruction of human life. Because of the horrendous evils and grave injustices that accompany all war, the Church once more prays that God will free us from the ancient bondage of war.

She reminds all her members that all citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. The few who take these guidelines seriously ,have become the victims of insult and ridicule. Our government refuses to'listen to other nations and peoples who are attempting to uphold and affirm this responsibility. This is wrong, and we will pay a mighty 'price for deafe.ning ourea~. .

In this age of the ongoing development of sophisticated weapons of war, we must again affirm that the arms race does not ensure peace. The headlong rush for nuclear arms has placed all the world in grav~ danger, especially when one considers the unstable nature of many nations possessing such weapons. Indeed, far from eliminating the cause of war, it only aggravates the situation. Some day someone will push the wrong button. However, we must recall that this nation was'the first to use such destructive weaponry. The morality of this action is much in question. This being said, we forget that our armament mUltiplies reasons for conflict and increases the danger of escalation. bdeed, this is the problem we now face throughout the world: ' The Fathers of Vatican II faced this issue squarely when they wrote, "It is our clear duty to spare no effort in order to work for , the moment when all war will be outlawed by international agreement." Our current machination of the United Nations frustrates this desire. We seem to be playing one nation against another in a political tug-of-war. It has not helped our credibility as a "peaceful" nation. In fact, it has painted us in a very untrusting light.

Peace must be born of mutual trust between nations and peoples.

Efforts today seem to be measured by a distrust which fosters the concept that if you're not wi,th us you're against us. Does this really reflect the spirit of the American' people?

We need a change of heart. To do this, we must refocus'our vision of the family Of nations and look to those efforts and tasks that we can all perform'together in order to bring about a peace that will be for the betterment of all nations and peoples.

The Ex~cutive Editor

theancho~

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL路 RIVER Published weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue .P.O. BOX 7 Fall River,MA02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX 508-675-7048 E-mail: TheAnchor@Anchornews.org Send address changes to P.O. Box, call or use E-mail address EXECUTIVE EDITOR .Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore, EDITOR David B. Jolivet

NEWS EDITOR N: Dunbar

Jam~s

OFFICE MANAGER, Barbara M. Reis

A

CHAPLAIN, RIGHT, LEADS FIREFIGHTERS IN PRAYER路FEBRUARY

21

OVER THE REMAINS OF A

VICTIM OF ''THE STATION" NIGHTCLUB FIRE IN WEST WARWICK, R.I. THE BLAZE KILLED AT LEAST

97

PEOPLE AND\ WAS REPORTEDLY STARTED BY AN ONSTAGE PYROTECHNICS DISPLAY AS

THE BAND GREAT WHITE PERFORMED THE NIGHT BEFORE. (eNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

"I

AM BENT OVER AND GREATLY BOWED DOWN;

I

GO MOURNING ALL DAY LONG" (PSALM

38:6).

Take a closer look at the snow By

FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

If there is one thing people don't want to hear praised this winter, it is snow and ice. The last few,months have been nothing but digging but and trying to stay warm.

As undesirable as snow and ice may seem, I can't help but recall the Canticle of Daniel's suggestion that ice and snow are able to "bless the Lord."

Why does Daniel speak of ice and snow almost as though they are human and capable of blessing God? Beca':lse he sees ice and snow as servants of God, praising him through their beauty.

Think about snow and its blessings. Examine them closely.

Think how dull landscapes can be transformed instantaneously into bright winter wonderlands when snow falls.

Interestingly, when Christ ascended the mountain' and路 was transformed, the scene was one of dazzling brightness. And when Moses descended Mount Horeb

after talking with God, his face was so dazzling white that it had to be covered with a veil.

In Scripture, this quality of dazzling brightness expresses G9d's presence, and in our moral teachings it is a sign of purity.

Snow produces dazzling light.

So it is also a perfect symbol of Christ the light of the world, who came to dispel darkness.

Thanks to science, we are learning that snowy days have the _ power of dispelling depression because they surround us with light and its uplifting spirit.

Snow is a farmer:s delight and, for that matter, a delight to any': one who gardens. It allows the soil to rest by throwing a blanket' over it, and when it melts, it feeds the soil with valuable nutrients.

When you walk in the snow, do you reflec~ on the distinctive sounds made when it is stepped upon? If it is bitter cold outside, a sharp crisp sound unlike any other is created. When it's not so cold, a quite different, squishy tone is created when we walk on the

snow. These delightful sounds add to life's little pleasures.

Ah, but there is still more ahout snow that is blessed! Whatever your age, sculpting snow into various forms brings the best of youthfulness out of us.

In the United States, we often forget that snow for people in the far north long has provided material for a home. Though it is cold, snow has insulating, protective powers.

Snow is a photographer's treat.

I never wi II forget one of the most memorable days I ever enjoyed in the woods while cross-country skiing. The sun shining on snowladen trees against a rolling white background created a spellbinding scene. Nor will I forget riding on a train in Switzerland and looking out on snow-capped mountains. I wondered, "Could heaven be any more beautiful than this?"

No doubt the beauty of heaven is beyond our imagination, hut when it comes to better understanding God's beauty on earth, take a closer look at snow,...

My people, our people I can't say for sure, but deep inside I feel there were those who, when they first got word of the horlinc fire in aWest Wmwick, R.I. club last week. did little more than raise an eyebrow when the word "heavy metal" was reported. For me, the tragedy aflected my very soul.

I didn't know anyone who was killed or injured.

1do know two individuals, both of whom were going to go to The Station that night, and changed their .... minds. But that's not why it tOllched me. This tragedy, more than many others, hit my generation - my people. Most of the victims were in their 30s ruld 40s, and all of them were rock 'n rollers. All of them enjoyed music. All of them loved to be with friends. All of them liked to have fun. As much as sports are a passion for me, so too is rock 'n roll.

I know there are those who don't consider heavy metal music, but music it is. I'm not a Great White fan, or heavy metal for that malter, but they're all part of a music genre with which I grew up. My tastes lean more toward the classic rockers like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric C1aplon and Pink Floyd, and there are those who don't consider that music either.

I know there are those who when they hear of heavy metal or rock 'n roll envision long hair, drugs, disre-

lieved in God, and some probably didn't. Some had heruts of gold and some probably didn '[, But they were all human anu none of them deserved that fate. It wasn't heavy metal that killed them. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It can happen to any of r,. . , 0:. , us. I can't count the numi": . ber of conceIts or spOtting ~., ~ events I've been to, and ...., ~"" '. nothing has gone wrong.

Bi'\" . , '

By Dave Jolivet How'many of us have been _ in velY crowded restaurants, shopping malls, movie thetice, and sometimes sounds that just aters and churches? Yet nothing like make you want to hit the dance floor. last week's disaster has happened to Many of those mtists donate time us.

My hemt is still broken from last and money to their needy brothers and sisters all around the world. All week's tragic fire. Those were my people who were killed. Those are of those artists are human beings.

The 300-plus people who my people who face months, if not checked into The Station that night years, ofpainful recovery. Those are judged what was good and what was my people who will be horribly disbad in their music, based on their figured and/or haunted for the rest ' beliefs - just like anyone of my of their lives.

Regardless of what you may generation. Watch television, go to the movies, orjust sit down and read think of heavy metal, raise a prayer a book, and those judgments must for the souls of our brothers and sisbe made- based on our beliefs. En- ters who perished. Raise a prayer for countering a morally off-color mo- those mentally and physically inment in any of these media is not a jured. Raise a prayer for Great reason to stop watching TV, going White. Raise a prayer for the ownto the movies or reading. It's the ers. They all need the comfort of our loving God. Raise a prayer for all of same with rock 'n roll.

The 97 victims who perished in them; because they weren't just my last week's tragedy were mothers people, they belong to all of us.

Comments are welcome at and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters. Some of them be- dave;olivet@anchornews.org. gard for authority and moral decay.

But that's not the whole picture. Yes, some aspects of this music can be offensive, but not all. Also mixed in is musical talent, words ofsocial jus-

My View

from the Stands'

Fire

.:·. ·1· ••

Conlinued from page one

Croteau. 31. and Donna Mitchell, 29. oOlh of Fall River; and Walter Rich. 40, of Attleboro. . Among the 32 listed in hospitals are Robert Barlow, 28, of Fall River; Robelt Lucton, 37, ofNolth Easton;Andrew Paskowski, 29, of Somerset; Gary Sto-in, 31, of Norton; and Milton Serval, 40, of East Falmouth.

Recently released from a hospital after treatment was Nancy Trautz, 40, of Fall River.

Found safe were Sean P. and Colleen McNamara of Attleboro.

A funeral Mass for Albert A. DiBonaventura, ofNOtth Dighton, was celebrated Thursday morning in Sl. Joseph's Church in North Dighton.

Born in Providence the son of Albert C. an.d Eileen L. (Laprise) DiBonaventura, he attended Dighton-Rehoboth public schools anu was a college student in California where he was pursuing interests in graphic design. He had a passion for writing music and playing the guitar. Besides his parents, he leaves a brother, John "Patrick" Ring; a sister, Collee'n Wood; his paternal grandmother, Ada DiBonaventura; and three nephews.

A funeral Mass for Richard Cabral will be celebrated tomorrow at9 a.m., in Sl. John the Evangelist Church, Attleboro. He was the husband of Catherine D. (Newton) Cabral. They had celebrated . their 161h anniversary on June 21.

Born in Taunton, a son of Richard A. Cabral Sr., and Carol

(Silveira) Cabral, both ofTaunton, he have lived in Attleboro for 12 years.

He had been working as a precision machine operator for Leach & Garner in North Attleboro, for six years.

Besides his wife and parents he leaves a son, Richard A. Cabral III, and a daughter, Christine R. Cabral, both at home; three brothers, Gilbert Cabral, Brian Cabral, and Mark Cabral; and nieces and nephews.

By Tuesday, medical teams had identified 78 of the dead.

Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri has called in teams of pathologists to help identify the dead hoping to bring quick closure to families.

Father Robert L. Marciano, pastor of SS. Rose and Clement Parish iii Warwick, and chaplain for the West Warwick police and fire departments, was among the first to receive an emergency mes·· sage on his pager. It came at 11:30 p.m.

As tire and rescue crews arrived, the club was totally in flames. Patrons, including some who were on fire, were running out the door.

"Some were burned beyond recognition, some just had smoke inhalation, and some had broken bones from being crushed (by the crowd)," Father Marciano told The Providence Visitor.

At one point, Father Marciano was just 100 yards from the stillraging fire and he began minister-

ing to victims and firefighters.

"Some of the victims were burned badly, but you didn't know how badly," he said.

Providence Bishop Robert E. Mulvee issued a statement offering prayers and condolences for the victims and their families, saying, "All of us in Rhode Island are stunned and grieved by the horrific fire .... As we mourn the sudden and tragic deaths of the victims, we ask God to comfort all those who weep at such a loss."

On Tuesday, families of burn victims kept an agonizing vigil at hospitals across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Days earlier they had watched as TV channels broadcast startling video images taken by a TV newsman inside the club at the time of the fire showing people overcome by the thick smoke and trying to flee the flames in the darkness as the lights went out.

At the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, set up as a center for families impacted by the fire, Msgr. Jacques L. Plante of S1.

James and St. John the Baptist Parishes, celebrated a Mass for them on February 21. A standing-room crowd gathered to pray with him.

At press time on Tuesday, 74 of the 187 people injured in the fire - some critically, with burns over major percentages of their bodies - remained in nine hospitals throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

All are battling infections and pneumonia, and some have already undergone skin transplants.

5

THE ANCHOR - Diocese ofPall River - Fri., February 28, 2003

Pope says Church must speak out on limits of biomedical research VATICAN CITY (CNS) - If the Church fails to speak out forcefully about the ethical limits of biomedical research, history - and maybe even scientists - could one day accuse it of culpable silence, Pope John Paul II said.

He made his remarks recently to about 160 medical researchers and Church ethicists pmticipating in a three-day plenmy meeting of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

'Today, perhaps more than in other times, given the enormous development of biotechnologies even human expeIimentation - it is necessmy that scientists are aware of the impassable limits that the defense of life and of the integlity and dignity of every human being imposes on their research activities," the pope said.

"I have returned to this theme many times because I am convinced that being silent in the face of certairi results or claims of human experimentation is not permilted to anyone and much less the Church, who would be accused of silence tomorrow by history and maybe by lovers of science themselves," he said.

The pope also appealed to scientists to devote more resources to human procreation studies and finding "natural solutions. to the problems of conjugal infeltility," which he called an issue of growing urgency. He said the request echoed a similar one made by Pope Paul VI in his encyclical "Humanae Vitae" condemning artificial contraception.

Though he wamed of the ethical dangers of biomedical "manipula-

tion" of humans, the pope said the Church "respects and SUppOl1S scientific research." He noted biomedical research had helped overcome lethal and selious diseases and improved the length and quality of human life, especially in the developing world.

But hecliticized a growing "extremely serious and unacceptable trench" between wealthy and poor nations in regard to biomedical re- . search and health care.

"1 am thinking in a special way of the drama of AIDS, pm1icularly selious in many ArIican countIies," he said.

"It is necessary to' realize that leaving these populations without the resources of science and culture means not only condemning them to povelty, economic exploitation and lack of health infrastl1.1clure, but also committing an injustice and nOUlishing a long-term threat for the globalized world," he said.

The pope said the Church sees the moral guidance it gives as a "precious service" because it directs scientific research towru'd the authentic good of humanity.

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6

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Pall River - Fri., February 28, 2003

-$Jeering

,Points Publicity Chairmen are asked to submit news items for this column to The AIlcllOr, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city 'or town . should be included, as well as full dates of all activities.

DEADLINE IS NOON ON FRIDAYS. Events published must be of interest and open to our gen~ral readership. We do not carry notices of fundraising activities, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from our business office at 508-6757151.

ATTLEBORO - Singer musician John Poke will perform tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the La Salette. Shrine Church. A Mass and healing service i':1 Spanish will be held at the Shrine Sunday at 2:30 p.m. For more information call 508222-5410.

BREWSTER - A Mass and healing service led by La Salette Father Wi II iam Kaliyadan will be held March 5 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road. For more information call 508-385-3252.

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MASHPEE - The Celiac Support Group, sponsored by the Christ the King Parish Nurse Program, will meet Sunday from I :30-3:30 p.m. in the parish center. For more information call 508-477-2408.

MISCELLANEOUS Do you have a possible calling to the priesthood? Come join other college-age' men for a weekend at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., March 2023. It will be an opportunity to see life in the seminary, speak with men who are discerning God's call and spend time in prayer. For more informat'ion contact Father Kevin Cook at 508-993-4704.

MISCELLANEOUS - A missionary church in india is seeking donations of pens, pencils and other school supplies for its children. They are also accepting rosaries, statues and magazines. Donations can be sent in care of Father Paul Cruz, St. Anthony's Church, Vaddy, Kollam P.O. Box 691 013, Kerala, India.

Conscientious objection Q. The subject ofconscientious ing facilities and employment assis- . letter of 1968. Mankind will keep objection to war came up at our lance for such objectors who exer- using war and violence to solve its study club in January. We don't cised their right of conscience to problems until enough young people remember hearing about the sub- refuse participation in military ac- simply refuse to patticipate in them.

A few excellent resources where ject since the Vietnam War, but tion. lust as we esteem those who con- one may find the Catholic Church's we recall the American bishops, or the Church, approving reli- scientiously serve in the armed teachings concerning war and regious reasons for opting out ofthe forces, they said, "so also we should , lated questions like this would be Pope John XXIII's encycdraft. Some people oplical "Peace on Emth"; maposed the' idea as too jor statements of Vatican "radical!' What was the Council II on war, espeposition at that time? Is it cially in the Constitution on the same today? (Ohio) the Church in the Modem A. At the present" moWorld (No. 79); the address ment there is, of course, no

By Father of Pope Paul VI to the draft in the United States, United Nations in 1965; the John J. Dietzen only volunteer forces. No 1968 pastoral letter "Huone is forced against his or -----~-----..., m,U1 Life in Our Day" of the her will to enter military selvice. In that sense the situation is regard conscientious objection and U.S. Catholic bishops, atld their hisselective conscientio!Js objection as toric pastoral of 1983, the "Chaldifferent today than in the 1960s.

If you're asking whether the po- positive indicators within the lenge of Peace"; several works of sition ofthe Amelican Catholic bish- Church of a sound moral awareness Pope John Paul n, including "The Gospel of Life," Nos. 27 and 70; and ops is that a good Catholic can be a and respect for human life."

About 20 years ago the world the "Catechism of the Catholic conscientious objector to all war, or a specific war, the 'answer is the same Synod of Bishops in Rome ad- Church," No. 231 I. Any good Catholic bookstore dressed this delicate question. "It is as dllling the Vietnam era.

At that time the American hier- absolutely necessary," they said, should be able to help you obtain archy made clear that refusal to par- "that international conflicts should them. free brochure on A ticipate in a war's violence and kill- not be settled by war but that other ing can flow directly from traditional methods better befitting human na- ecumenis~l, including questions Catholic "religious training and be- ture s~ould be found. Let a strategy on intercommunion and other lief." They suppOlted this claim from of nonviolence be fostefed also, and ways of sharing worship, is availa number of oltkial sources, includ- let conscientious objection be rec- able by sending a stamped, .selfing positions taken by the entire ognized and regulated by law in each addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, IL nation."

Church at Vatican Council It Thus, the American Catholic po- '61651.

Without in any'way suggesting Questions may be sent to Fathat conscientious 'objection is the .sition is not at all radical. It simply only moral position a Catholic might says in another way what our bish- ther Dietzen at the same address, assume, the bishops urged counsel- ops insisted on in another pastoral or E-mail: jjdietzen@aol.com.

Questions and Answers

Mothers in prison

If ever a ministry deserved at- violent and have children. Foster tention and support, top of the list care and related costs bring the anNEW BEDFORD - St. would have to be Hour Children. nual expense of imprisoning a Joseph-St. Therese parish in~ No, that is not a mistake. The word mother to $58,000 a year.

With growing concern for the vites all to add their recited is "Hour," chosen specifically by increasing numbers of children left of St. Joseph Tesa Fitzgerald, Sister FALL RIVER -A healing rosaries to its Rosary Drive for , the ministry's founder, beservice will be held at St. Peace. For more information Anne's Shrine Sunday at 2:30 call Alice Beaulieu at 508-995- cause these arc very special children. Their mothers are p.m. It will include rosary and' 2354. in prison, and their lives arc Benediction of the Blessed defined by "hours, the Sacrament. The Holy Name TAUNTON - Members of hours they must wait to Healing Ministry Team will be the Taunton District Council of visit their mothers behind present. the St. Vincent de Paul Soci- bars and !he hours they

By Antoinette Bosco ety will sponsor a Mass March wait to become a family again."

FALL RIVER - A Mass 3 at 7 p.m. at 5t. Jacques' Their mothers arc not .... and healing service will be cel- Church for the intention of the ebrated March 4 at 7 p.m. at canonization of Blessed violent criminals. All arc in Holy Name Church. It will in- Frederic Ozanam and in one of two medium security pris- temporarily motherless, Sister clude rosary prior to Mass. For memory of deceased members. , ons serving sentences up to three Fitzgerald took a bold step seven years for dmg offenses. "The daily years ago. Joined by Sister Celia more inforn~ation call 508- lts regular monthly meeting hardship of these women is not seen Gardia and Sister Ruth Costello, , 674-9877. will follow in the parish hall. by people," said Sister Fitzgerald. she launched Hour Children as "a A former teacher, she became in- place of reunification," keeping involved with prison work when she carcerated mothers and their chilbegan meeting with incarcerated dren together both during the imCOlllilllledJi"OlIl page one women who were devastated hy prisonment and after release, when being separated from their children most ofthese mothers, barred from every lukewarm or sel~"ish act, dis- will enable us to shun shallow and and totally wonied about the care city projects, could get no affordtances an individual from' God in superficial lives. In search of au- given to them. In 1986, she opened able housing and had no place to varying degrees. That is why thentic happiness and love, may her own mother's house to bring go. Rarely is a father in the picGod's invitation issued through the we follow Jesus Clirist, who ofsome of these children in for spe- ture. prophet Joel is so timely as we fers the example of His own life cific good care~ "Every social concern is highbegin the 'season of Lent. "Return and invites us to follow Him. May "Tragically, the number of lighted by the situation these mothto me with your whole he3l1." So Lent help us bear witness to women going to prison because of ers and children face," said Sister important is this invitation that the Christ's Gospel of charity as we mandatory sentencing for drug of- Fitzgerald, whose ministry hasprophet repeats it. "Return to the seek that holiness to which He fenses has risen dramatically, and helped countless once-imprisoned Lord. your God, for gracious and invites us. the number of children needing a mothers learn skills, find jobs and merciful is He, slow to anger, rich SUpp0l1ive living environment con- become independent. in kindness."

What these three nuns have tinues to grow each day," said Sister Fitzgerald. In fact, nat!onally, the achieved and arc accomplishing God's grace, accompanied by number of women incarcerated for every day is beyond belief. the traditional Lenten practices of (Rev. Msgr.) George W. Coleman drug offenses has gone up by 888 With no money, "depending on prayer, sacril"ice, and almsgiving, Diocesan Administrator percent since 1986. Most arc non- people's goodness," they began.

r-----------The Bottom . Line

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Lent'

Their first need was a residence for the children and mothers. The sisters looked for empty convents and found one in the Diocese of BrookIyn for an annual rental of $20,006.

They developed excellent working relationships with the probation department and child welfare services, and found encouraging supp0l1 from parishes.

Now, seven years later, Hour Children, aided by a dedicated staff and a cadre of volunteers, includes f"ive residential facilities, two J .. day-care centers, a thri ft shop furniture outlet, networking with job training and a teen program.

"Inside state prisons we run a family service center and a nursery program," said Sister Fitzgerald, ~ho can now count hundreds of mothers and children doing well because of the help given to them by Hour Children.

This remarkable nun admits honestly that Hour Children struggles to meet expenses and needs continuall"inancial support. But she is sustained, she says. by "the bkss. ing of family, faith and religious community."

And when things get tough, she has another blessing, "the wall of pictures of the children."

A& she says, when "you put a face on people," then you can love them.

Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ, can be reached at Hour Children,' 36-11-A 12th St., Long Island City, N.Y~ 11106.

Paralyzed man who is bedridden sees prayers ~s a way to serve By

RACHEL RICHMOND

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BALTIMORE - From the window in his room, Steve Becker can see the Medevac helicopters flying toward the shock trauma center at the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore.

He always stops what he is doing, makes the sign of the cross and says a little prayer for the badly injured person in the helicopter.

For "a lot of people going there, their chances of living are not too good," Becker explained in an interview with The Catholic Review, newspaper of the Baltimore Archdiocese.

This small act is made remmkable when one realizes that the only part of his body Becker can move is his left arm.

"God at least gave me this hand to move like this because I can hold my rosary and pray." he said as he lightly touched the black beads, his voice choking.

The 54-year-old member of the Shrine of the Little Flower Parish in BaltililOre, paralyzed and confined to his bed, is in need of prayers perhaps as much as any patient he prays for at the shock trauma center.

Through it all Becker has maintained a rock-solid faith and a hope that has endured despite excruciating pain he suffers as the result

of complications from rickets, a rare childhood disease diagnosed when he was six. Rickets leads to a softening or weakening of the .bones.

"We need a miracle," Becker said, speaking with effort as he lay . on his back at University Specialty Hospital.

The disease left him with legs shorter than the upper half of his body. Surgery he underwent during his teen years straightened his legs and allowed him to lead a relatively normal life.

But about two years ago, his spine began narTO\ving and he developed arthritis in every joint of his body, even his ribs.

Becker had emergency surgery in an unsuccessful attempt to corred the problem. But four months following the surgery he could not speak, and for a year he had to rely on intravenous feeding for his nourishment.

Becker receives visits from family and friends and looks forward to receiving Communion from eucharistic ministers. The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, who are friends of Becker, named him an honorary brother in September 2002.

Becker knows people from all over the Baltimore Archdiocese and is on many parishes' lists for prayer intention. Pictures of family, fliends and saints, along with

images of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, hang on the walls of his shrine-like room.

Before he became paralyzed, Becker was a salesman for McKesson Corp. and promoted prayer and pilgrimages for the Eternal Word Television Network.

He also was head of the Our Lady Queen of Peace prayer group and vice president of the Catholic Men's Fellowship, which sponsors annual men's conferences.

Earlier, he was president of his class at City College and vice president of his college student government.

"All my life I've helped people;' Becker said with tears runnin'g down his face. "I thought God was trying to tell me to change the world."

Friends from the men's group have set up 'a nonprofit group, Friends of Steve, to raise money for Becker's enormous medical expenses. His employee medical benefits were discontinued and Medicare doesn't cover physical and occupational therapy or a costly heated bed that relieves his pain. The group has raised $5,800 of the more than $50,000 needed.

His friends hope others will recognize Becker's lifetime of service and give to the man who gave so much for others.

"He's quite a guy. He's got a

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 28, 2003

7

\ MARY STANTON feeds ice cream to Steve Becker at the University Specialty Hospital in Baltimore. Disease has left Becker paralyzed and bedridden, but a little movement in his left arm and a sharp mind enable him to say special prayers for patients at a nearby trauma center. (CNS photo by Owen Sweeney III, Catholic Review) lot of faith." said Becker's friend Gil Hoffman, a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Towson. "Here's a guy who's a quadriplegic and in pain and he's praying for others:" Becker said he has consecrated hi.mself to the Trinity and the hearts of Jesus and the Blessed Mother "so they can use not only my.prayers, they can use all prayers through suffering and faith."

"It's important to know, I'm not

wasting any of this suffering." he said.

Becker said he doesn't get depressed but does get scared for himself and for his daughter, Jessica, who also has rickets.

"Believe it or not, I'm not angry with God," he said. "If you look at the cross, [ have no reason to be angry with him."

He added, "And even though I am in pain, [ do not want to die. I want to live. I feel [ have more things to do for the Lord."

A fishing pole, an accordion, a truck stop and Mother Teresa I often have said that when you think of a tishing pole, 路an accordion and a truck stop you cannot help but think of Mother Teresa.

OK, that's a lie. I have only said it a couple of times.

The last time was in early February when my buddy Winston and I were coaxing his aging VW Vanagon from Seattle down Interstate 5 toward San Di-

on' their ways from who knows where to somewhere else. So reports Catholic News Service.

CNS als.o carried two comparable stories in the recent past.

One featured another long-mar~ ried couple (Mike Pintok and Cindy Lupin of Mora, Minn.) who squeeze a ministry of music, companionship and prayer from

said: "I can do this. God wants me to. And he will help." Like her, none of them reached out to others in an effort to impress, make millions or become famous.

Like her, each has become both a conduit of grace and a reflection of Jesus.

For all of her eventually obvious charisma and wisdom, it could be argued that Mother Teresa's most invaluable "gift" was the south into Mexico to visit \' ability not only to see the an ailing diving buddy, presence of the divine in and Winston continuing 1d e'" " the sickest of the sick and east into the Joshua Tree JL '(~~ ~, ., most hopeless of the poor, National Park to give but to caress and comfort himself "a good spiritlial

By Dan M o r r i S . i' ,~';' them.

As a matter of fact, it flushi'ng." I think this is L.------------f.~~~ non-Catholic for "going is unlikely Mother Teresa way out into the desert to be their hearts and the' accordion could fish, play the accordion or alone, talk to lizards. clear one's Mike carries into the homes of provide directions on how best to mind aJl'd see if it is easier to hear housebound parishioners. enter the interstate heading east.

The other reported how Emily God in the absence Of cultural She rode the magic carpet of 'white noise.'" At least [ think路 Shaffer of Tennessee, who God's grace which she would teaches the art of fishing, often mystically transform into a robe that's what he meant.

Anyway, en route to Mexico employs her angling skills as a of comfort and peace in which she and spiritual flushing we passed ministerial'tool- sharing her art wrapped the wretched.

We all have our own talents. an Iron Skillet restaurant. This . with, for example, single mothjust happens to be the same name ers struggling to nurture whole- Like Winston, maybe we should AN IRAQI Kurd rides a donkey-drawn cart through the as another trucker chow stop in some family lives. all be listening a little harder for Banslawa refugee camp outside of Irbil in northern Iraq reWhere does Mother Teresa God's advice and encouragement Sturtevant, Wis., where Jim and Judy Francois are "chaplains," come in? Like her, each of these on using them, no matter how cently. The camp houses about 10,000 internally displaced Kurds from Kirkuk and the surrounding region. For decades making themselves available to Catholics has taken thetalents he modest they might be. share an ear, compassion, prayer. or she possesses and put them .at Comments are welcome. E- Iraqi authorities have expelled the majority Kurds and ethnic Uncle Dan at ' Turkmen in an attempt to make Arabs the largest ethnic group, and probably a corndog or two the disposal of grace. Like her, mail with truck drivers who stop there each in his or her own way has cnsuncleOl@yahoo.com. say relief workers. (CNS photo from Reuters)

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Fall River diocese marks its centennial

ST. MARY'S CHURCH,

The following are the next in a series ofhistorical sketches oft1u{parislJes comprising the Diocese of Fall River, founded in 1904. The series will run in chronological order from oldest to newest parish, according to diocesan archives, concluding in March; 2004, the centennial anniversary ofthe diocese.

NORTH ATTLEBORO

51. Mary Paris.h, North路Attleboro NORTH ATTLEBORO .was fihished in 1857 amfdedi- pl~ted,' "'" The first Catholic Church in the cated by Bishop Fitzpatrick of' A history"ofthe parish sums it Attleboro area, St. Mary's, be- Boston on June 19, 1859. Father up in these words: "Not built of gan as a result of the dedication Philip Gillick was the first pas- the gold and surplus and leisure of the wealthy, but with pennies and devotion of a small group of tor. the faithful. ' In 1877 the Tift Estate was and' the want and labor of the Historical accounts tell us that purchased and an octagonal barn poor. Not built through pride or John Graham in 1826 walked served as the house of worship. rivalry or petty jealousy, but from Boston to Attleboro to Although a new church was be- through faith, to shelter Him in learn the trade of a jeweler with gun in 1890 on, grounds at 14 Whom we hope for life etemal." the firm of Draper & Tift. It was Park Street, the great financial In recent decades the pastors at his home in October 1848 that depression of the late 1890s set included Fathers Ralph D. Father Joseph McNamee, com- in and it wasn't until Dec. 8, Tetrault and Robert A. Oliveira.

The current pastor is Father ing from churches in Pawtucket, 1901, the feast of the ImmacuR.I., offered the first Mass in the late Conception, that pastor Fa- James M. Fitzpatrick. The deaAttleboros. From that time on ther John W. McCarthy hosted con is James J. Meloni Jr,; Mrs. Masses were said on a rotating Bishop' Matthew D. Harkins of Monica T. Forte is parish secrebasis at Graham's home as well Providence, R.I., for the tacy, Mrs. Lauren Reddy is the as those of Edward O'Brien, church's dedication as St. coordinator of religious educaPatrick Fallon and others.

Mary of the Immaculate Con- tion, Chris Cometta is the cus' . todian and Michael Dias is diWhen, in 1852, the congrega- ception. tion was considered large In 1907 the church bells were rector of music. enough for its own church, Fa- blessed; 1924 saw the school and St. Mary's Church is located ther McNamee suggested pur- convent completed; and a new at 14 Park Street, North chasing land "on the rocky spot" rectory was built in 1956.

Attleboro, MA 02760. It can be on the main road between the The consolidation Of St. reached by telephone at 508falls and North Attleboro..

Mar.y's-Sacred Heart School 695-6161; and by FAX at 508".

A basement for the church was initiated in 1972, and in 695-5248. was in place in 1856, the church 1985 the parish center was com-

51. Anne Parish, Fall River FALL RIVER - For believers and non-believers alike, St. Anne Church at South Main and Middle streets is. a monument of rei igious architecture and one of the chief points of interest for pilgrims and tourists the world over.

Founded in the fall of 1869, the parish has been the cradle of French Catholicism and of French culture in the southeastern region of Massachusetts. It was, from the start, comprised of immigrants from French Canada who began trickling in around 1862 to 'settle here and work the cotton mills of the fastest grow, ing textile manufacturing center in America.

Father Adrien de Montaubrieg, a French h1issionary, was' sent in 1869 to establish a parish for the 3,000 immigrants and in March 1870, the first church corner stone was blessed. At the ceremonies the stage collapsed and more than 100 were injured. The new pastor quickly invoked St. Anne. No one died in the accident and St. Anne was cho-

sen as the name for the parish.

In November 1887, a small group of Dominican .Fathers began 'their ministry at St. Ann~'s. They continued to .staff the parish and its well known Shrine in St. Anne until 1978 when the parish returned to diocesan administration 'and' Father John Foister was named the 16th pastor. In June 1994, he was succeeded

by Father Marc H. Bergeron, who'is the current pastor.

The Dominicans who resided at St. Anne's elected to remain and continue to serve.

Somehow, the great Dominican apostolate goes on with Dominican Father Pierre E. Lachance continuing to minister in the confessional. This temple of worship, a master. piece of architecture, is both a parish church and a shrine of pilgrimages and devotions路 to St. Anne. To this day, thousands of pilgrims have been coming annually to the Fall River Shrine in large and small groups to pray to the mother of Mary and the grand-

mother of Jesus.

The lower church is known as St. Anne Shrine, as the word indicates, a place where ,people come to pray and ask for the help of a special saint.

The lower church was built in 1895 and although the magnificent upper church was completed in 1906, the focus of pilgrims has always centered on the lower church, where the statue of St. Anne, purchased in 1882, is centrally located.

Besides the pastor, Father Bergeron, the parish is served .

by Father Lachance and by Father Christopher Stanibula.

Louis Bousquet is th~ permanent deacon and Susan Chapdelaine is the religious , education coordinator.

The' church is located at 818 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721-1734. It can be reached by telephone at 508-674-5651 or 508678-5322; by FAX at 508-6720939; and be E-mailed at: marcbergeron@attbi.com; or pastor@stanneshrine.com; or at its Website: www.stanneshrine.com.

ST. ANNE'S CHURCH, FALL RIVER

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THE ANCHOR -

Uiocesc of Fall River -_. Fri., Fchl1lary 2R, 2003

9

Reueatdrawseckcticcrowd ofpotential rrnilitary chaplains

DIVINE WO~D Father Jerome LeDoux, pastor of the predominantly black St. Augustine's Church in New Orleans, celebrates a three-hour jazz Mass at St. Augustine's Church in the south Bronx section of New York recently. The 72-year-old priest danced, sang and preached at the Mass during the special celebration for Black History Month. (CNS photo by Chris ' . . ..

Sheridan)

New Orleans, New Yo~k AfricanAmerican Catholics gather for jazz Mass

By TRACY EARLY

associated with New Orleans in a special way; "Down by the River Side"; and a variation on the'memorial acclamation sung to the tune of "We Shall Overcome."

Those from the white churches could feel they Jully participated in the black worship experience, although one group scheduled to sing, the black Gospel choir from St. Augustine Church in Washington, was kept away by that day's snowstorm.

Harris, the cantor, said after the service that it wa<; similar to what

the apostles who wanted to be regarded as the greatest in Christ's NEW YORK Africankingdom.

American Catholics from a New He also called for "exorcism" of Orleans parish joined New York the demons that "all families have," African-American Catholics at and of the various addictions that are their paris~ in the South Bronx for "individual demons inside of us." a distinctive observance of Black The homilist intermittently History Month - a three-hour exubroke into song as he preached and berant celebration of a jazz Mass. sometimes into vigorous dance as The visitors were from St. Auwell. The quartet, tuned in to his gustine Church in New Orleans, a style, would promptly begin to acpredominantly black parish, and the company his singing. host church, also named for St. AuFatherThomasB. Fenlon, white gustine, is a predominantly black pastor of the Bronx church, anparish. nounced the service as "a speDivine Word Father cial Black History Month Jerome leDoux, an Africanevent honoring the fifth-cenThese visitors experienced an exu- tury African scholar and Amencan priest who is pastor at the New Orleans berant three-hour service, filled with saint, Augustine of Hippo." church, was homilist and cel- .. music performed in distinctively black Father leDoux did not reebrant for the Mass. fer in his homily to Black Hisstyles, including calypso. The sounds Brenda Harris, cantor of tory Month, but he said after-. reverberated and were uplifting ward that he considered the the church in New Orleans, . to bring all worshippers to Mass itself "living black hisenough was cantor for the liturgy at their feet and inspire lots ofclapping. tory."

St. Augustine Church in the South Bronx. Music for the ''The best way to give the Mass was enriched by a New history is by living it," he said.

Orleans jazz quartet that included her New Orleans church has every Father S. Keith Outlaw, pastor piano, electronic keyboard, trom- Sunday, though liturgies there are of the Bronx church until last sumbone and drums. more typically two hoUrs long. mer, said the cOntlection with the Visitors from two predomiFather leDoux, wearing a white New Orleans church came about nantly white churches of the New dashiki, led a highly participat9ry because a former music director York Archdiocese, St. Augustine service that had everyone at times who was from New Orleans and Church in Larchmont and St. Au- taking' the hands of their neighbors knew Father LeDoux took the gustine Church in New City, helped and giving not merely a formal Bronx church's choir there last fill the host church to capacity. "sign of peace" but rather sharing spring to sing for a Mass at St. AuThese visitors experienced an serious words of appreciation. gustine Church and give a concert.

Father leDoux, who turned 73 The altar was placed in the cenexuberant three-hour service, filled with music performed in distinc- ter of the church, surrounded on all on Wednesday, is a native of Louitively black styles, including ca- sides by pews and choir members, siana who. formerly taught at St. lypso. The sounds reverberated and and Father leDoux .continuously Augustine's Seminary in Bay St. were uplifting enough to bring all circled it as he preached, directly Louis, Miss., and Xavier Univerworshippers to their feet and inspire engaging his listeners, insisting on sity in New Orleans. He has been lots of clapping. responses from them and at times St. Augustine's pastor since 1990.

He told the Bronx parishioners MiL<;s begiUl with a rhythmic pro- laying hands of blessing on them that the members of St. Augustine cession of the choir singing a styl- as he passed by. ized version of ''This Little Light "We're going to talk about com- Church in New Orleans were of Mine," with some choir mem- plexes this morning;' he announced. "grateful you came to us" last year Then he identified such specif- and that he was happy to respond bers adding tambourine accents.

The music also included "When ics as "the apostle complex," a ref- by coming to them. the· Saints Go Marching In," a song erence to the Gospel stories about CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

. WASHINGTON (CNSI- The 33 young men who attended a three-day retreat for military personnel interested in the priesthood did not fit into anyonc's stel'l-:nlypcs of what future seminarians and priests will be like.

After enduring months aboard Navy ships in which hc has somctimes felt quite alone in his desire t,) live chastely and to avoid drunkenness. for example, 34-year-old Lt. Cmdr. Jamie Brandt said his desire to become a priest has not been dampened by last year's clerical sex scandals.

"I would love to finish my career as a chaplain." Brandt told the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Washington Archdiocese.

Now teaching mathemal ics at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the surface warfare officer and Notre Dame graduate said he pi'Ins to give up his commission in two years to enter the seminary.

Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien of the U.S. Archdiocese fix the Military Services, talking with the young men in Washington last week at the retreat's COncll!sion, called it "the. best day of my life." because of the number and quality of the candidates.

The archbishop has seen firsthand how the relative lack of priests can affect morale on militaty biises because he spends 70 percent of his time \\isiting his far-flung flock aroun~ the world.

The military archdiocese borrows priests from dioceses and religious orders to serve in unifi)lTIl as chaplains. Some chaplains serve

as reservists (Ir ~uardsll1en. enahling them to cllntinue in their regular ministI'). \\ hi Ie otl1L:rs sen c t~)r three or hlllr YC.;irs \ III acl ive dut v and still uthers lor lIlore lilan ]1, years.

Jonathan Shiftlet. ~I 2fl war-old from Oak Ridge. Pa.. said ';(' SOIl1l'times wenl months without allen(l ing Mass because of the lal:k of Catholic chaplain during lield e:ercises. He knew fellow Catholi,' soldiers who became Baptists In part because offhe lack oLI Catholic chaplain.

"Emotions get ratchet cd up a bit" during deployments. and soldiers have far-n:aching qucstions as a result. Shiftkt said.

An infantryman. Shiftlel is a sergeant in the PCllnsylvania National Guard and plans to enter a scminary within 18 months. after he receives his undergraduate degree from Duqucsne University in Piltsburgh.

The retreatants included enlisted personnel and officers, and the men who came to Washington for the weekend were clearly not all cut from the same cloth.

"1 came here to explore. 10 find more about myself," said Dat Vu, a Vietnam-bom Navy corpsfnan who serves at the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia. One of the bcnefits of attending the retreat was to spend time with other young men who share high ideals. he said.

Huving received three promotions during his 18 months in the Army, the J 9-year-old cook said he wants to become a chaplain's assistant in the Army and perhaps go to the seminary later. He is serving at F0I1 Carson. Colo. ,I

A key source for ~ocal~ natioU1a~ and internationa~ Cathoiic news Subscribe to the ancho~ February is Catholic Press Month

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This message sponsored by the following business concerns in the Fall River diocese .

C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY Fl. rELBERG INSURANCE AGENCY

GILBEF1T

10 THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 28, 2003

eNS book review PIUS XII SHEPHERD OF SOULS: A PICTORIAL LIFE OF POPE PIUS XII, by Sister Margherita Marchione, MPF. Paulist Press (Mahwah, N.J., 2()()2). 216 pp.

REVIEWED BY EUGENE J. FISHER

and doctrinal foundations for the great insights of the Second Vatican Council. ' This larger sense of Pope Pius' spirituality and theological vision, I believe, is necess'ary to assess the political decisions he made during CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE the Second World War. Oddly, Anyone who has seen and been none of the books attacking this confused by the recent: histOIically pope (and by extension, of course, muddled I)1ovie "Amen" by Greek the Catholic Church as such) even director Costa-Garvas or who has attempts to portray the man himread with dismay the glowing re- self as a fu'lly rounded human beviews of the spate of best-sellers ing. Rather, these books, like the . attacking Pope Pius XII should movie "Amen," present a cardread "Shepherd of Souls: A Picto- board caricature and on that caririal Life of Pope Pius XII." The cature they place virtually the full author, Sister Margherita blame for the Holocaust, which Marchione, is a member of the has been well described as the Religious Teachers Filippini. pro- most heinous crime in human hisfessor emerita of Italian literature tory. This, of course, is classic. at Fairlei~h Dickinson University scapegoating, Sister Marghelita goes beyond and auth(;r of 40 previous books, three of which have been in de- caricature to present this pope as a fense of Pius XII: Here. she dis- man of vision, of vulnerability, of ti lis years of study into a short. ap- hope, and, yes, of compassionate commitment proachable to the poor, text au~颅 the sick, and mented \vith especially an excellent those who collection of were the vicphotographs tims of Nazi of Pope Pius and other and his times. " Sis tel' ideological perversities Margherita offers us a of the 20th practical uncentury, such derstanding as fascism of how' the and commuplay by the nism. With German authis information ,readers tho r (R 0 I f) MA".'" "". M.;(",,,,t Hochhuth can begin to ('-The Deputy." appreciate the on which the complex re\ I'J( I (li" \I I " I (JI 1'lll'II'II '> \11 alities he m 0 vie "Amen" is faced.'

--l based) helped l A scholar create in popuof modern lar culture a selious misreading of Italian and Italian-Ametican cula great pontiff," Cardinal William ture, Sister Marghelita was the ediH. Keeler of Baltimore wrote in tor of "Twentieth Century Italian his preface to this timely and help- Poetry: A Bilingual Anthology" ful book. "Certainly there is room (Fairleigh Dickinson Press, 1974) for a wide range of informed, and author of "Americans of Italscholarly opinion on the record of ian Heritage" (University Press of. any pontiticate, especially one as America, 1995). Her recent books, long and as seriously challenged have focused on Italy, the Second by ~haotie and destructive world World War and Pope Pius XII. She events as that of Pius XII. But we wrote "Yours Is a Precious Witness: also need to remind ourselves that Memoirs of Jews and Catholics in too often in our own history as a Wartime Italy" in 1997 and "Connation classic anti-Catholicism has sensus and Controversy: Defendexpressed itself in attacks on the ing Pope Pius XII" (co-written with papacy," CardinaITheodore E. McCarrick of' In "Shepherd of Souls" Sister Washington) in 2002, both pubMargherit:i takes us through the lished by Paulist Press. life of Eugenio Pacelli before he "Shepherd of Souls" should be was elected pope in 1939, scant in every Catholic parish library, months before the German inva- school, and, indeed, home. If I sion of Poland catapulted the, would have a suggestion for world into the unprecedented Paulist Press, it would be to put maelstrom of evil and violenc'e we this book out in a smaller, mass call World War II. She shows his market paperback edition as inexgreat (albeit not always success- pensively as possible, even if that ful) c1T0I1S first to forestall and then would mean cutting back on its to lessen the human suffeling of pictorial side, so that it could be the wal路. She shows how his bIi,l- ordered in bulk for school and parliant encyclicals of the 1940s on ish groups. the nature of the Church ("Mystici Fisher is an associate director Corporis"), the Bible ("Divino of ecumenical and interreligious Alllallte SjJiritu") and liturgy affairs at the U.S. Conference of ("Mediator Dei") and many ad- Catholic Bishops and an adviser dresses in 'the 1950s on social to the Vatican's Commission for policy issues laid the theological Religious RelatiollS with the Jews.

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SCOTT COOPER, Jeremy London, Stephen Spacek and Matthew St~ley star in the Civil War epic "Gods and Generals," (CNS photo from Warner Bros. Pictures)

'Gods and Generals' can becoDle' a bit long-winded By

GERRI PARE

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK - "Gods and Generals" (Warner Bros.) arrives in theatres as a prequel to "Gettysburg," released 10 years earlier. This epic, nO-minute drama covers the early years of the Civil War, 1861-63, focusing on Confederate and Union military leaders as they examine their loyalties and plan battle strategies.

As with "Gettysburg," which was based on the' late Michael Shaara's novel, "Gods arid Generals" is based on the novel of the same name by Shaara's son, Jeff. Ron Maxwell served as director for each film.

The film opens promisingly as Gen. Robert E, Lee (Robert Duvall) declines Lincoln's invitation to head the Army since Lee feels a much stronger tie with his native Virginia. Also siding with Virginia and states' rights against what he considers a Union invasion is Virginia Military Institute teacher "Stonewall" Jackson (Stephen Lang), who will become Lee's most trusted aide.

Much of the film is seen from the Confederate perspective as Lee and the deeply religious Jackson feel the justice of the South's need to secede and a moral certitude that God is on their side.

Surprisingly, the slavery issue is underplayed and only two blacks - Jackson's cook (Frankie Faison) and a female servant - have even minor roles in the story.

The North is eventually represented by Maine teacher-turned-soldier Lt. Col. Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), who shares a Bible reading with saddened wife Fanny (Mira Sorvino) before reporting for duty alongside his sergeant brother (c.

Thomas Howell). In a smaller role, Gen. Hancock (Brian Mallon) brings some dramatic conflict into the Nonllern leaders' strategizing by disagreeing with their plans to outmaneuver Lee. Another spirited performance is from Kevin Conway as an Irish soldier who comments on how he and his fellow countrymen ieft persecution for the land of the free only to ironically find themselves now shooting at each other from opposing camps. This and other scenes point to an undercurrent of anti war sentiment that is apparent despite the many references to honor and duty to one's country.

While the battle scenes are impressive, the historical drama, also written and produced by Maxwell, requires much patience as scenes are drawn out and the generals are allowed to give lengthy speeches that break the movie's momentum.

While the military leaders are devoutly religious and fiercely patriotic, they are depicted in such

monumentally noble terms they are almost seen as gods themselves. Their pronouncements are delivered as if from on high with no shortage of swelling music to underline their righteousness.

A little of this goes a long way, but it's too long a way from start to finish of this film.

Countering these flaws is the memorable production design with authentic-looking costumes and weapons, not to mention the widescreen cinematography that captures war-torn towns and unspoiled bucolic landscapes alike. The weHstaged battles of Fredericksburg. and Chancellorsville, Va.; humanize the soldiers, trapped in the misery of making war, who have to kill or be killed. The violence, remarkably, is not gory.

Jackson's rock-solid faith in God's will, a maj(H theme of the film, can also be inspirational, as when he explains he feels as safe in battle as he does in his own bed, so trusting is he in God's plan for his life and the hour of his death. "We sen'e a loving God and must not fear," he admonishes his long-suffering wife (Kali Rocha) ..

The solemn - even grim - tone of the movie gets a moment of mirth as entertainers perform for the troops and Ted Turner, whose film company financed the film, is seen as a Confederate officer grinning at the musical show. A half-dozen present-day Washington politicos also show up in costurrie as extras in the film.

Though Lang has more screen time as the heroic and tragically wounded Jackson, Duvall outperforms him by giving a more measured portrayal of the cagey Lee, whose strategizing brings triumph in sections of the war.

Civil War aficionados should find the movie fascinating, but fts lumbering pac'e and the way every scene is given equal weight, which diminishes the high points, may make it less attractive to a mainstream audience used to undcr two-hourlength films. Intcnded as a trilogy, the end cre~颅 its announce that the final third is titled "The La\t Full Measure," 路but one wonders if its production will depend on the box-office reception of "God~\ and Generals." , \ Because of battlefield violcncc, the USCCB \ Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II - adults ancl adolesccnts. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 ,parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Pare is the director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conferen'ce of Catholic Bishops.

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 28, 2003

11

Maryland attorney general praised for call to end death pe.nalty By

GEORGE P. MATYSEK JR. CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ST. EDITH STEIN, a Catholic convert from Judaism, wrote Pope Pius XI in 1933 asking him to condemn Nazi ideology.1he letter was published for the first time recently in German and Italian newspapers after s~holars were given copies of the original from the Vatican Secret Archives, (CNS file photos)

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1933 letter ftiom St. Edith Stein asked Pope Pius XI to condemn Nazism

By CINDY WOODEN CAll-tOUC NEWS SERVICE

Vatican-German relations before World War II opened to scholars.

The idea of wliting an encycliVATICAN CITY - Just a few weeks after Adolf Hitler came to cal against Nazi ideas contrary to the power in Gel111any, St. Edith Stein faith had been discussed at the - a Catholic convert from Judaism Vatican and at least one draft was who was soon to enter a Carmelite written, but Pope Pius died in 1939 convent -.:... wrote to Pope Pius XI without completing and publishing asking him to condemn the Nazi ide- it.

Jesuit Father Pierre Blet, the ology.

The saint, who died at the Nazi Vatican's leading expert on World death camp of Auschwitz in 1942 War II, said in 1999 it would have and was canonized in 1998, wrote been a mistake to publish the draft to the pope Aplil 12, 1933, saying because while it condemned antithe whole world was "waiting and ,Semitism it also recognized the . hoping that the Church of Christ rights of a state to take certain meawould make its voice heard."

SUI'CS against Jews.

The letter, which St. Edith Stein St. Edith Stein wrote to the pope, refen'ed to in other wlitings, was "As a daughter of the Jewish people, published for the first time in Ger- who through the grace of God has man and Italian newspapers re- been a daughter of the Catholic cently after scholars were given cop-. Church for II yeilfS, I dare to exies of the oliginal from the Vatican press to the father ofChristianity that which is wonying millions of GerSecret Archives.

An ofllcial of the archives con- mans."

She said the behavior of Hitler finned that the letter was one of the hundreds of documents involving and his supporters betrayed "total

contempt for justice and for humanity, not to mention love of one's neighbor."

"For years the leaders of national socialism have preached hatred of the Jews. Now that they have come to power and armed their followers ~ among them known criminal elements - thcy are reaping the fruit of the hatred sown," she wrote.

Some Jews, she said, had committed suicide following a boycott of Jewish-run businesses.

St. Edith Stein told the pope whilc it was possiblc to say those who killec;i themselves WCI'C weak patt of the blame must go to those who pushed them to the breaking point as well as to those who remaincd silent.

"Everything that has happcned and is happening daily comes from a government which calls itself Christian," she said.

"For weeks not only thelews, but thousands of Catholic faithful in Germany - and, I believe, throughout the world - have been waiting and hoping that the Church ofChlist would make its voice heard against SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) commentary, study of Church such an abuse ofChlist's name," she .

19natius Press has rcleased "St. teaching, handbook of Catholic wrote.

She called the Nazis' "idolatry of John's Gospel: A Bible Study apologetics, introduction to the Guidc and Commcntary," which Church fathers, and a survey of race" nothing other than "an open it describes as the first extensive history and culture at the time of heresy."

And, she said, "this war of exterand easy-to-usc Bible study guide Christ." mination of Jewish blood" should for Catholics to help them underRay, a convert to Catholicism, outrage Chnstians because Jesus, his is the author of "Crossing the stand the Gospel of St. John.

Written by Stephen K. Ray, the Tiber" and "Upon This Rock" and mother and his disciples were Jews.

"Ali of us who are watching 461-pagc study guide featurcs hosts the 10-part fi 1m series, the current situation as faithful numerous "text boxes" with rel- "Footprints of God," covering children of the Church fear the cvant cultural. religious, histori- more than 2,000 years of Jewish worst for the global image of the cal and othcr information perti- ' and Christian history. nent to speci lic passages, as well His latest book drew praise Church itself if the silencc conas quotes from a wide range of from Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of tinues," she said.

St. Edith Stein's letter was sent scholars, historians and special- Cebu, Philippines. ists to enhance students' under"St. Joh,,'s Gospel" is avail-路 to the Vatican Secretariat ofState by standing and insight. able at Catholic book stores or an abbot she knew; she later said that Ignatius Press, based in San from Ig"atius Press o"li"e at: she received a papal blessing along Francisco, calls the book "more www.ig..atius.com. or by calli"g: with an acknowledgment that the letter had atlived. than a study aid: it's a scriptural 800-651-1531.

New Bible study guide explores John's Gospel

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The call . by Maryland Attorney General 1.

Joseph Curran Jr. for abolition of the death penalty will go a long way toward revitalizing debate on the issue in Annapolis, according to Richard J. Dowling, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference.

"His personal advice is going to have an impact, there's no question about it," ~aid Dowling, who represents Maryland's Catholic bishops in the state capital.

"Here's a guy who's beloved by the lawmakers, so they're not going to regard his position casually," he said. "I think some people who are on the fence on this matter are probably going to take a second look at it and those whose minds are unchangeable are going to be forced to look at their positions."

Standing in front of the State House with Dowling and other religious leaders, CUITan, a Catholic, announced that the death penalty should be outlawed because he believes "mistakes are inevitable" in its administration. He supports life sentences without parole as a viable altemati ve, "There is one pivotal difference between death in prison and the death penalty," said CUITan. "That -is the chance to con'ect a mistake.

Capital punishment comes only at the intolerable risk of killing an innocent person. This is unworthy of us."

Long an opponent of capital punishment on moral grounds, CUITan said it is urgent that lawmakers take action now because as many as seven men may be put to death within the next few months.

"In the fractured history of the death penalty in Mmyland, this is a watershed moment," the Democrat said: "Despite our best efforts, this system does make mistakes. It is a human institution and humans are not infallible. With appeals and reviews, we catch many of them. But we do not catch all of them."

CUITan noted that 102 people on death rows throughout the countl)'

have been exoneratcd sinl c thc Supreme Court reinstated capital punishmcnt in 1976. He poir~ted to the Maryland case of Kirk Bloodswolth, who was scntenccd to dcath for a murder that DNA evidence later revealed he did not commit. He had spent nine ycars on death row when he was pardoned in 1993.

As attorney general, Cun an acknowledged his rcsponsibilty for secing that death penalty Ia.....s arc cmTied out in Mmyland. Hc emphasized that his office would continue to enforce them, even as he personally promotes the abolition of capital punishment.

CtllTan sent a lettcr last month to Gov. Robcr1 L. Ehrlich .Jr. and members of the General As~ell1hly urging them to end capital punishmcnt.

Sen. Sharon M. Grosfeld, a Montgomery County Democrat, subscquently introduced a hill that would eliminate the death penalty and Del. Salima S. Man'iott, a Baltimore City Democrat, introduced a separate bill that would mandate a death penalty moratolium.

Shareese DeLeaver, Ehrlich's spokeswoman, said the governor would not sign any measure that abolishes capital punishment. As he promised dUling the gubel:latolial campaign, the Republican govemor has lifted a death penalty moratorium imposed by former Gov. Panis N. Glendening.

"It's a hot topic where people are clearly either pro- or anti-death penalty," said DeLeaver. 'There are compelling arguments on either side of the fence. Attol11ey General CUITan is entitled to his position on this issue and we respectfully disagree."

Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, a Catholic who opposes the death penalty, said he was concerned about the conclusions of a recent University of Mmyland study that found the state's death penalty laws to be applied unfairly on the basis of race and geography. Steele has called for a second study of the issue to identify the reasons for the apparent disparity.

ROBERTA MORRIS, religious education director at Moth!3r of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles, joins a recent demonstration in Hollywood against a potential U.S.-led war in Iraq. "It's clear that this is an unjust war by our theology," she said. (CNS photo by Ellie Hidalgo, The Tidings)

12

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 28, 2003

Bishops urge South African leader to act 'on AIDS, Zimbabwe

By BRONWEN DACHS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

According to U.N. figures, 20 percenrof the adult population is CAPE TOWN, South Africa HIV-positive.

In his recent state of the nation - Bishops in southern Africa praised the South African address in Cape Town, Mbeki president's proposed peace mis- said his government would consion to Iraq, but urged him to ad- tinue to implement a "comprehendress AIDS and the socio-eco- sive strategy.on HIV and AIDS," nomic and political crisis in Zim- including implementing a Cons,titutional Court ruling last year that" babwe.

The bishops "applaud the South the government provide the African government for its role on antiretroviral drug nevirapine to the world stage in the growing pregnant HIV-positive women in movement to avert the tragedy of , state hospitals and clinics.

The Southern African Cathoa war against (Iraqi) President Saddam Hussein, in which hun- lic Bishops' Conference AIDS dreds of thousands of innocent, office joined other religiolls and people would suiTer even greater civil society groups in demandhardship," the Southern African ing that the governme,nt impleCatholic Bishops' Conference said ment a national AIDS treatment in a recent statement from its plan by t,he end of February.

TARIQ AZIZ prays in,the crypt of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, recently. The Regarding Zimbabwe, the Pretoria headqumters.

Iraqi deputy prime minister, a Chaldean Catholic, was invited by Francisc~n friars to pray at The bishops praised South Af- bishops said the economic and rican President Thabo Mbeki for political situation there probably the tomb of St. Francis, a patron of peace. A day earlier, Aziz met with Pope John Paul II at his "tirm stand in favor of a peace- would continue to deteriorate and the Vatican. (CNS photo from Reuters) ful solution to the Iraqi crisis as, many people feared that "South well as for full compliance on the Africa will be unprepared to repart of Baghdad with the require- ceive a large influx of refugees" ments of the United Nations re- from its neighboring country.

In early February, the bishops' !!arding the total elimination of conference urged the South Afri~eapo~s of m\lSS destruction."

But the conference said it was can government to intervene in

By JOHN THAVIS disappointed at Mbeki's "treat- Zimbabwe, which the bishops Iraq," a 47-year-old researcher the middle of the fifth Crusade, CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE ment of two issues ofvital conse- said is on the brink of civil war named Giulia told the Italian the saint crossed the battle lines quence for South and southern with "increasing levels of orgato talk with the sultan. In later ROME - It was billed as a news agency ANSA. Africa: the AIDS pandemic and nized state terror."

Meanwhile, in the Basilica of years, St. Francis used the horn "pilgrimage of peace," but Tariq At least 6.7 million people the Zimbabwe crisis."

Aziz's visit to the tomb of St. St. Mary of the Angels, Aziz lis- to call his monks to prayer.

In hoth cases, the bishops more than half Zimbabwe's popu- Francis in Assisi, Italy, prompted tened as a U.S. Franciscan read B"efore leaving, Aziz wrote an urged the president to "take the lation - face starvation. as much political diatribe as in English St. Francis' "simple inscription in a guest book, askThe bishopsalso said that they prayerful 'reflection. nation into his confidence in an prayer," which begins "Lord, ing God to "grant peace to the effort to formulate.and implement were concerned by"Mbeki's lack The Iraqi deputy prime min- make me an instrument of your people of Iraq and the whole clear and open policies, so thin all of provisions for South Africans ister, a Ca,tholic of the Chaldean peace." world." sectors of society may become living in poverty or a comprehen- rite, was invited by Franciscan Aziz had lunch with the Aziz proceeded to the Basilica engaged in seeking just and equi- sive social security plan. friars to pray in Assisi February of St. Francis, where he prayed Franciscan friars in the monasThe bishops' conference is pmt 15. The gesture underlined that before the small crypt that holds 'tery, with guests that included table solutions."

South Africa, which 'has a .01' a coalition lobbying the gov- "every possible avenue to- . controversial Melkite population of about 43.5 million, ernment to provide a $1 O-a-month ward peace should remain Archbishop Hilarion has more people infected with basic grant to the 22 million South open," said a spokesman Capucci, an 80-year-old In a brief ceremony that followed, Syrian who has long proHIV the virus that causes AIDS, Africans estimated to be living in for the Franciscan monasAziz was handed the "lamp of moted the Palestinian cause than any other country. poverty. tery there: But to some Italians, the peace" by Bishop Sergio Goretti of in Rome. In 1974, Israel image of a prayerful Aziz Assisi, who prayed that the money convicted the archbishop of invoking peace was too spent on weapons could be used in- smuggling guns to Palestinian guerrillas, an accusation much to swallow. They stead to reduce poverty in the world. he always denied. complained . that the

By JOHN NORTON In remarks to reporters tural and religious contribution to' Franciscans were being CATHOLIC News SERVICE Europe of Saints Cyril and used by a man who since in Assisi, Aziz said he had VATICAN CITY - Pope John Methodius, whose feast day was 1979 has been the No.2 official the remains of the saint whose made the visit to highlight the Paul II renewed his appeal for the celebrated a week ago. He said of a regime guilty of serious hu- name has become synonymous message of p~ace, on a day when incorporation of a reference to the ninth-century Slavic mission- man rights abuses. millions of people around the with peacemaking.

Europe's Christian hei-itage in a ary brothers helped "consolidate "Tariq Aziz is no hero and no In a brief ceremony that fol- world demonstrated against a , future European constitution, say- the common Christian roots of s'aint, and seeing him kneeling in lowed, Aziz was handed the new war in Iraq. He said the ing such a recognition would not Europe, roots which with their front of the tomb of St. Francis "lamp of peace" by Bishop world needs to resist a new war threaten the secular nature of the life-blood impregnated Europe's was not a pleasant thing for those Sergio Goretti of Assisi, who and "the intentions of aggrescontinent's political structures. history and institutions.:' . who oppose (Iraqi President) prayed that the money spent on' sion," "On the contrary, it will help "Precisely for this reason it has Saddam Hussein's dictatorship," weapons could be used instead He also defended Saddam 10 protect,the continent from the been asked that the future Euro- said Maurizio Ronconi, a sena- to reduce poverty' in the world. Hussein, calling him a "father for duuble risk of ideological secu- pean constitution not leave out- tor of Italy's Union of the Demo- The bishop condemned the dev- his people, who trust in him," and larism, on one side, and sectarian this common patrimony of East cratic Center party. astation of war and the threat of said the rest of the world should inlegralism on the other," he said and West," he said.

Protesters from the Radical global terrorism. The lamp was , trust him, too. last week at a midday blessing in "Such a reference will not take Paity waved U.S., British and Is- the same one lighted by religious After Aziz left, Father Coli St. Peter's Square. anything from the COITeC! secular- raeli flags at an Assisi graveyard leaders in January 2002 when defended the Franciscans' deciThe: pope's appeal came as a ism of the poli.tical structures," he where U.S. and British soldiers they prayed in Assisi at the invi- sion to invite the Iraqi leader to European constitutional panel said.

Assisi. â&#x20AC;˘ from World War II are buried. tation of Pope John Paol II. prepared to consider aillendments "United in the values and They held signs that read ."This was an important visit Then Aziz and the Franciscan to a draft European constitution. memories of their past, the Euro- "Saddam get out!" custodian of the basilica, Father because we want Arab peoples The draft text. released earlier this pean peoples will be able to play "We are against dictatorship Vincenzo Coli, together touched of the Muslim faith to understand month, made no mention of God fully their role in the promotion and for the globalization of de- the ivory horn that was given to that our own faith is anchored in or Christianity. of justice and peace in ~he entire mocracy. In all sincerity, I say St..Francis by the Egyptian Sul- Christ, the prince of peace," he The pope highlighted the cul- world," the pope said. 'yes' to the war if it will liberate tan Malik al-Kamil in 1219, In said.

Iraqi official's 'pilgrilDage,' to Assisi touches political nerves

0

Pope seeks reference to Christianity' in new European constitution

-r,

Pope urges religious leaders to be sources of unity if war breaks out

By JOHN

NORTON

gion," he said.

The pope noted that the delegation, headed by Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja of Jakarta, was visiting the Vatican at a "ti me of great tension in the world" and "with the real possibility of war looming on the horizon."

But "neither the threat of war nor war itself should be allowed to alienate Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and members of other religions," he said.

"As religious leaders committed to peace, we should work together with our own people, with those of other re-

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - Warning that a war on Iraq could damage international interreligious relations, Pope John Paul II urged religiol!s leaders to work together and "not permit politics to become a source of further division among the world's religions."

"Earlier this year, I said: 'War is always a defeat for humanity,'" he said recently to a delegation of religious leaders from majority-Muslim Indonesia.

"It is also a tragedy for reli-

Message

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Fcbnmry 28, 2003

ligious beliefs and with all men and women of good will to ensure .understanding, cooperation and solidarity," he said.

"My fervent prayer is that our efforts to promote mutual understanding and trust will bear abundant fruit and help the world to avoid conflict," the pope said.

In a statement after the meeting, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro- Valls said the delegation from Gerakan Moral Nasional Indonesia, a national interreligious group, gave the pope a "statement of concerns" regarding the Iraqi crisis.

"The delegation members appealed to the Holy See to continue and intensify its diplomatic efforts so that all involved parties can find a just and peaceful solution - based on humanitarian and moral principles shared by all religions of the world - to the present Iraqi crisis," he said.

In addition to Cardinal Darmaatmadja, delegation members included Hasyim Muzadi, head of the 40-million-member Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Muslim Qrganization; Ahmad Syafii Maarif, head of Muhammadiyah, a 30-million-member Muslim organization; Andreas Anangguru Yewangoe, representative of

the pope's message.

In many cases, he said, giving seems to promise the giver "glory and greatness if only they deliberately ignore the words of Jesus," which instruct believers not to let their left hand know what they light hand is doing when they give.

"The philanthropic climate makes it possible even to make solidaritY" a business," he said.

"Besides the good intentions,

there is always the possibility for the administrator to take a substantial cut for his own needs."

Jesus' words that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" show Christians the attitude they must assume when engaged in charity - they must give of themselves without expecting anything in return simply because they are following the example of Jesus who gave evetything, Archbishop

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the national Communion of Protestant Churches; aiHJ Buddhist and Hindu leaders.

Cardinal Darmaatmadja (old Fides, the Vatican's missionary news service, that the group was concerneJ that military action against Iraq would be seen in Indonesia - which has suffered recent Christian-Muslim violence - as a war against Islam.

'But that which could start in Iraq is not a conflict of religion," he said.

"For this reason, we support the Holy Father, who recalled that war is always a defeat for humanity and brings ahout the destruction of the culture of life, of solidarity, and of human respect," the cardinal said.

Camilll/edfmlll page aile

as a means of combating an excessive attachment to money" and he prayed each Catholic would praetice charity during Lent "since the vocation to charity is the hemt of all true evangelization."

Archbishop Paul Cordes, president of "Cor Unum," the Vatican's charity promotion and coordinating agency, said that in many waysl "giving has

become a fad."

Actors and actresses, famous SPOlts ligures and politicians all ' participate in benelit galas; airlines collect change from their passengers for orphans; companies sponsor and plaster their logos on fund-raising matelials; and governments announce with pride how much of their budgets they assign to relief and development work, he said in releasing

Pop~

By CATliOUC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - Here is the Vatican text of Popc John Paul II's Lenten message for 2003: I. Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting and concem for those in need. It offers all Chl;stians an oppOltunity to prepare for Easter by serious discemment about their lives, with pmtici.llar attention to the word of God which enlightens the daily joumey of all who believe.

This year, as a guide for our Lenten meditation, I would oller a phrase taken from the Acts of the Apostles: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). What we have here is not simply a moral exholtation or a command which comes to us from withoul.

The inclination to give is rooted in the depths of the human healt: EvelY person is conscious of a desire to interact with others, and evelyone finds fullillment in a free gifl of self to others.

2. Our age, regrettably, is pmticularly susccptible to the temptation towru'd selfishness which always lurks within the human healt.

In society gcnerally, and in the media, people arc bombarded by messages which more or less openly exalt the ephemeral and the hedonistic. Concem for others is celtainly shown whenever natural disasters, war and other emcrgencies strike, but in general it is diflicult to build a culture of solidm;ty. The spil;t of thc world allccts our inner propensity to give ourselves unsellishly to others and drives us to satisfy our own palticular interests. The desire to possess ever more is encouraged.

Surely it is natural and I;ght that people, by using their own girts and by their own labor, should work to obtain what they need to live, but an excessive desire for possessions prevents human beings from being open to their Creator and to their brothers and sisters. The words of Paul to Timothy remain relevant in every age: "The love of money is the root of all evils: it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and

Cordes said.

Christian charity, he ~aiJ, involves more than giving linancial and material help to the poor and suffering. it involves proclaiming salvation in Christ and giving of one's self.

"The Lentcn message is mO\"l: than a stimulus to raise moncy (and) more than a moral appeal to share," he said; it aims to "collect spiritual fruits" as well.

John Paul II's Lenten. Message

pierced their hemts with many pangs" (I Tm the Supreme Good, is capable of overcoming 6: IO)! \.

• thc valious fonns of pOVClty present in our Exploitation ofothers, indifference toward' world. Mercy and love for one's neighbor must the suffet;ng of QUI' brothers and sisters and therefore be the flUit of a living relationship the violation of basic rules of morality are just with God and have God as their constant point a few flUits of the thirst for gain. Faced with of reference, since it is in closeness to Chlist the tragic situation of persistent pove.rty which that we find our joy (cf. "De Civitate Dei," aftlicts so many people in our world, how can X, 6; CCL 39: 1351 ft). we fail to see that the quest for profit at any 4. The Son of God loved us lirst, while cost and the lack ofeffective, responsible CO)1- "we were yet sinners" (Rom 5:6), with an uncem for the common good have concentrated conditional love which asks nothing in return. immense resources in the hands ofa few while If this is so, how can we fail to see the season the rest of humanity suffers in povetty and of Lent as a providential oppoltunity to make neglect? courageous decisions inspired by altlUism and Appealing to believers and to all people of generosity? Lent oflers us the practical and good will, I would like to reaffitm a plinciple effective weapon~ of fasting and almsgiving which is self-evident yet often ignored: Our as a memlS of combating an excessive attachgoal should not be the benefit of a plivileged ment to money. Giving not only from our lew, but rather the improvement of tpe living abundance, but sacrilicing something more in c9nd.i~ions of all. Only on this ,foundation can order to give to the needy, fosters that ·self.. we l)uild that international order tlUly marked denial which is essential to authentic Chl;sby justice and solidm;ty which is the hope of tian living. Strengthened by constant prayer, everyone. the baptized reveal the pl;olity which they have 3. "It is more blessed to give than to re- given to God in their lives. ccive." When believers respond to the inner The love of God poured into our heans impulse to give themselves· to others without ought to inspire and transform who we are expecting anything in retum, they expel;ence and what we do. Chl;stians must not think that a profound intet;or satisfaction. they can seek the tme good of their brothers The elTolts of Chl;stians to promote jus- and sisters without embodying the chm;ty of tice, their commitment in defense ohhe pow- Chlisl. Even in those cases where they might erless, their humanitm;an work in providing succeed in improving impOltant aspects of bread for the hungry and their care for the social or political life, without chm;ty evelY sick by responding to evelY emergency and change would remain shalt-lived. The possineed draw their strength from that sale and bility of giving oneself to others is itself a gill inexhaustible treasUIy of love which is the which comes from the grace of God. As St. complete gift of J~sus to the Father. Believ- Paul teaches: "God is at work in you, both to ers are called to follow in the footsteps of will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil Jesus Chl;st, tme God and tme man, who, in 2: 13). perlect obedience to the will of the FaLher, 5. To modem men and women, often disemptied himself (cf, Phil 2:6ft), and humbly satislied with a shallow and ephemeral existgave himself to us in selfless and total love, ence and in search of authentic happiness and even unto death on a cross. Calvary elo- love, Chtist offers his own example and isquently proclaims the message of the Blessed sues the invitation to follow him. He asks those Trinity's love for human beings of all times who hear his voice to give their lives for othand places. ers. This saclilice is a source of self-fullillSt. Augustine points out that only God, as ment and joy, as is seen in the eloquent ex-

ample of those men and women who, leaving all secll\;ty behind, have not hesitated to I;sk their lives as missionm;es in different pailS of the world. It can also be seen in the response of those young people who, prompted by faith, have embraced a vocation to the priesthood or the religious' life in order to serve God's plan of salvation. It is likewise the expel;ence of the growing number of voluntP-ers who readily devote themselves to helping the poor, the elderly, the sick and all those in need.

Recently, we have witnessed a praiseworthy outpout;ng of solidarity for the victims of floods in Europe, earthquakes in Latin Amelica and Italy, epidemics in Africa. volcanic el1lptions in the Philippines. as well as for other areas of the world scatTed by hatred, violence and war.

In these situations, the communications media play ~ significant rolc by allowil1g us to identify with and oller ready help to the suflering and those in distress. At times it is not the Chl;stian command of love, but rather an innate sense of compassion which motivatcs our effolts to assist others. Even so, anyone who helps those in necd always enjoys God's favor. In the Acts of the Apostles we read that the disciple Tabitha was saved ·because she had done good to her n~ighbor (cr.

9:36fl). The centll\;on Camelius obtained eternallife on account of his generosity (Ibid., 10: 2-31).

For those who arc "far-oIT," service to the needy can be a providential path leading to an encounter with Chl;st, since the Lord abundantly repays the good deeds done to one's neighbor (cf. Mt 25:40).

It is myfelvent hope that believers will lind this Lent a favorable time for beal;ng witness to ttie Gospel of chm;ty in every place, since the vocation to chm;ty is the healt of all tl1le evangelization. To this end I invoke the intercession of Mmy, mother of the Church, and pray that she will accompany us on our Lenten joumey. With these sentiments I allectionatcly impmt to all my blessing.

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14 THE ANC;HOR -

Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 28, 2003

Buzzards Bay eighth-graders study local river systelTI

PRE-SCHOOL AND kindergarten students from St. Anthony School, New Bedford, learn about trees during a recent field trip to the Patchett Brook Farm in Tiverton, R.1.

Feehan senior competes at National Fencing event ATTLEBORO Bishop Skmon is the captain of the Feehan High School Senior Shamrock's' fencing team that in. Liesse Siemon has only been eludes nine students who compete fencing for two years, but already regularly and about 20 who have she's finding great success in the learned the sport. In addition to sport. She recently returned from Texas she has competed in BosTexas where she attended the ton, Warren, R.I., Long Island, National Fencing Competition. NY and Florida.

Although she did not take top In the short time that SIemon honors her coach Mike has been a competitive fencer Giammarco said just to place in she has earned numerous awards the middle of such a competition including the silver medal in the is "a great accomplishment."

Senior Women's Sabre Champi'Tm very proud of her," added onships, a bronze medal in the Giammarco. a mathematics Under 19 Women's Sabre teacher at the Attleboro school. Championships and a bronze "She worked really hard, It's a . medal in a Sabre unclassified very competitive division here in tournament. She is the daughter New England and she's doing of Fred and Liesse SIemon of very well:' Seekonk. ..

BUZZARDS BAY - Eighth- healthy ecosystem. They are also grade students from St. Margaret learning how to identify the pool Regional School have been ac- and share their knowledge with tively involved in the Agawam others.

River Project this year in whicb The Cranberries on Mars they analyze data and learn what Project has combined agriculture contributes to a healthy river sys- with space science as students tem. learn to grow cranberries and The Agawam River Project is speculate through research of the one of three entwo planets if such a plant vironmental sciThe Agawam River could survive ence projects offered to seventh- Project is one of three en- in the environand eighth- vironmental science ment of Mars.

AI1 . three grade students at projects offered to sevenththe school. The. projects were and eighth-grade students made possible others are the at the school. The others by grants. The Vernal Pool are the Vernal Pool Project Wareham Project and the Cranberries on and the Cranberries on Youth EmpowMars Project. erment Council Mars Project.

Students are provided a getting a lot out grant for the of the three projects according to river project. The Vernal Pool coordinat9r Pam Caradimos. Project was made possible by the "They are learning about environ- Vito Pini Foundation while the mental awareness and teaching cranberry project was funded by others. It's been very successful Massachusetts Agricultural in the and I'm very proud of their work Classroom. and enthusiasm."

Caradimos, a teacher assistant Through on-site data collec- at the school, said that 27 students tion and research and the infor- are involved in the projects this mation compiled by students in year. She explained that students previous years, project partici- are learning map making skills, pants have been able to compare writing poetry, bringing the inforand contrast data concerning the mation they tind to local libraries Agawam River that will be help- and earth day festivals. ful for years to come.

"It's become very popular with In the Vernal Pool Project stu- the students," said Caradimos dents are learning what a vernal adding that "they're making a difpool is and its importance to a ference."

LIESSE SLEMON

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ADAM DEFR,IAS shows off the three-dimensional city he constructed as part of a recent cartography project at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, New Bedford. He and other sixthgraders designed and named original cities and then presented their creations to classmates.

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM -:- Eighth-graders Coleen Fitzpatrick, Amie Crites and Alex Franco of St. Margaret Regional School, Buzzards Bay, record data at the Agawam River in Wareham. They are part of a team that is studying the waterway and learning the importance of a healthy ecosystem.

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Februar)' 28, 2003

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AMANDA LUMMAH,

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JEFFREY CONNON,

left, and Andrew Burhoe display their project entitled 'Wright Stuff'

ss.- Peter aridPaul'School announces science fair winners, FALL RIVER - SS. Peter and Paul School held its annual science fair recently for students in grades six through eight. First-, secondand third-place winners in the three grades will advance to the regional science fair and school science 'instl1lctor Thomas Keane said he was "impressed by the advanced subject matters chosen by the students."

Each was interviewed by a minimum of three judges to determine a

student's knowledge of their topic and the quality of their research. The regional science fair is at Bristol Community Colie'ge March 15.

Winners were as follows: Sixthgrade: tirst-place, Jared Dumont, Reef Tank Saltwater Ecosystems; second-place, Blitnie Paquette, Roof Tiles Color and Heat Absorption; third-place, Matthew Ba~es, composition of Sand From Around the World.

-

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left, and Lauren Cronan, students at Taunton Catholic Middle School, 'await judge.s to view their science project on flight, at the school's recent annual science fair.

~

15

Seventh-grade: first-place, Jessica Oliveira, Does Temperature Affect Monofilament; second-place, Megan Rego, The Effect of Toothpaste on Enamel; third-place, Corey Batista, The Mechanics ofCatapults.

Eighth-grade: first-place, Erin Carlson, Pond Nutrients in Plants; second-place, Kayla Vangel, Minerals and Plants; third-place,Ashley Gomes, Human Hair and Plant Growth.

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Pope calls for pr3yer, fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday By

JOHN THAVIS

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - Warning that the world was drifting toward th-:: "logic of war:' Pope John Paul II called for a day of prayer and fasting' for peace on Ash Wednesday. , The pop,e announced the move recently. as he appealed once again ,against war in Iraq.

He said armed conflict in the Persian Gulf state could throw the entire Middle East into turmoil and raise tensions aCfOSS the globe. .

A peaceful future for the world cannot be won by terrorism or by war, the pontiff said from his apartment window above St. Peter's Square.

"For months the international community has' lived in great anxiety over the danger of a war that could upset the entire region of t,he Middle East and aggravate tensions which unfortunately are already present at the start of the third millennium," he said.

"Believers, whatever their religion, should proclaim that we will never be able to be happy opposing each other, and that the future of humanity can never be assured by terrorism and the logic of war:' he said.

He said Christians in particular are called to be "sentinels of peace" in the places where they live and work 'and to help make sure people do not give in to selfish interests, lies and vioIcnce. .

Therefore, lhe pope said, he was asking Catholics in every country to fast and pray for peace - especially in the Middle East - on Ash Wednesday, March 5, the start or the Lenten season. "'We will above ail implore from God the conversion or hearls and the wisdom of just decisions to resolve with peaceful and adequate means the disagreements that hinder humanity's pilgrimage in our time," he said.

He said particular ;lllenlion should be given thal day to praying the rosary - in families, parishes and Marian sanc\llaries around the. world.

The pope said fasting on Ash Wednesday this year should be an "expression of penitence for the hatred and violence that pollute human relations."

He pointed out that Christians share the ancient practice of fasting with men and women of other faiths.

"With them, Christians want to strip themselves of all pride and prepare themselves to receive from God the greatest and most necessary gifts, in particular the gift of peace," he said.

In praying for Mary to guidc the prayer and fasting initiative, the pope quoted from the beatitudes, "Blessed are the pcacemakers, for thcy will be called children or God,'· He said that invocation needs to resound with new force in . today's world and find practical application.

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Is this a saint like you?

By AMY WELBORN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Even if you're trying really hard, it can be a challenge for a kid lO find saints to identify with.

You like the young Francis of Assisi's idealism, and the way Therese of Lisieux loved so passionately and died so bravely.

When you need to forgive, Maria Gorelli shows you how. When you need strength to stop griping about your moments of suffering, it helps a lotto just slOp and think about the countless young people, from ancient Rome to the present, who've died rather than betray Jesus.

But still ...

At the moment, your life isn't being threatened. You're not in a cloister. You're not leaving your family and starting a religious order from scratch. As much as you

can see in each of these lives that is helpful, you wish you had someone to look to who lived a life a little more like.your own.

Have you heard about Pier Frassati?

If you're a fun-loving, friendly person with lots of energy and a passion for life, Pier Frassati, who is called "Blessed:' or one step away h:om :'Saint:' is the guy Jor you. . , Pier· (Peter, in Eng!ish) was born in Turin, Italy, in 190 I. Early on,it was clear he was filled with an amazing sensitivity toward the poor. He regularly gave his allowance away to people he met on the street who were in need even his shoes on occasion.

When it came time for Pier to head to college, he rejected the path everyone expected him to follow - going into journalism

or politics like his parents. He decided to study the engineering of mines.

Why? Because mining was (and is) one of the most danger-r.;~

"\ '-.,'" II

• Coming of flge

ous, dirtiest jobs anyone could have. Miners face the possibility of death every day in ways most of the rest of us don't. Pier had decided that God was calling him to bring this brave group the strength and hope of God's love, and the best way to do it was actually to plunge in and work

alongside them. Pier didn't hesi- was only 24. He had picked up a tate to throw himself into politi- case of polio while visiting the cal protests too, standing up for homes of the poor, and it killed workers' rights even to the point him after only a few days, but not before he had pulled out a little of getting beaten and arrested!

But there's more. Pier Frassati account book filled with the was not your stereotypical, seri- names of people he helped on a ous holy guy. He loved playing regular basis and begged his fampractical jokes. He was into mu- ily not to let these folks be forsic and the theater. And he rel- gotten.

No, none of us is exactly like ished outdoor sports, especially Pier Frassati, Maria Gorclti, skiing. ' He and his closest .friends Therese of Lisieux. Kateri called themselves "the sinister . Tekakwitha or Francis of Assisi. ones." Their ridiculous motto is But when you look at how differbest translated into English as ent these young people were from "The Few, the Proud, ... the Maca- each other and how each one rani!" Pier would lead his friends found a path to friendship with on energetic, exciting mountain- God -even, in Pier's case, in the climbing trips, followed by ski- midst of a life not too different ing trips back down the moun- from yours - it should give you hope that somewhere in the midst tains.

Pier died in 1925, and if you of your own life here's a path for do the math you'll figure out he you lOa!

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16

THE ANCHUR -- Diocese of Fall River - Fri., February 2g, 2003

Catholic nun's take peace message to radio station in Midwest came together.in 1993 to have DUBUQUE, Iowa (CNS) Hoping to counter the country's maximum impact in publicizing moves toward war, communities,of the ministries of contemporary women religious in the Midwest are women religious who' are living adding their voices to those calling the Gospel message in today's for altematives to war and efforts world.

Last year the group sponsored toward peace.

A 30-second radio spot produced billboards around the state which by the communities began airing urged people to "welcome the imrecently on AM and路FM radio sta" migrant you once were."

Iowa communities of women retions in Cedar Rapids that cover em;tem and central Iowa but also extend ligious that belong to Sisters United News are: Carmelites, Eldridge; into Illinois and Wisconsin.

With the music of "Let There be Roman Dominicans, Iowa City; SisPeace on Earth" 'L" background, the ters of Charity of the Blessed Vlfgin Mary, Dubuque; Sisters of Humilmessage'says: "We all laugh, we all love, we all ity, Davenport; Sisters ofMercy, Cecry, we all bleed, we all grieve in dar Rapids; Sisters of St. Frd/lcis, Clinton; and Sisters of St. Francis, the same language.

"Work for peace ! Pray for peace! Sisters ofthe Presentation, Sisters of A message from the Catholic sisters the Visitation and Trappestine Sis-' ters, all of Dubuque. , of this area."

The other memhers are the Violin music for the spot was, played' by Sister Marie Therese Benedictine Sisters of Rock Island, Kalb, a member of the Dubuque , III., and from Wisconsin, the Franciscans, and J.L. Brimeyer, ac- Sinsinawa Dominicans and the Francisc.m Sisters ofPerpetual Adocomp,mist.

The ~pot originated with com- ration.of LaCrosse.

The group' also plans to air the munications personnel from the 13 religiolls congregations of the up- message in LaCrosse and Madison, per Mississippi Valley which make Wis., as well a" in Clinton, Dubuque up:Sistcrs United News. The group and western Iowa.

A WORKER posts "Catholic Mass" to the playbill of the Roxy Theater in Cascade, Idaho; where parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church celebrate Sunday Mass. The 67-year-old theater comes rent-free courtesy of a local family as the parish, which has endured hard economic times, saves to build a permanent home of worship. (CNS photo by James Bowey , . courtesy Catholic Exte.nsion)

Idaho parish'. seeks '~elp lDoving frOID movie theater into church'

Parish still fundamental pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In determined Church movements or a message to a Church lay asso- do not cultivate particular spiriciation, pope John Paul II high- tualities," the pope said. lighted the fundamental imporThe lay association, Catholic ' tance of parish life and said it Action, was holding a national. should be a "school of sanctity" , meeling in Rome on how it could for all Catholics, not just mem- contribute to renewing parishes in bers of movements. the new millennium.

In the messacc he said thc He said parishioners should Church's 2,OOQ-year experience work to build an effective dia- ' confirmed by the Second logue with those who live within Vatican Council - "teaches that the parish boundaries, "reserving the Church cannot renounce pilrticular attention for those who structuring itself in' parishes. live in material and spiritual dif"The parish is "the 'school of ficulties and are awaiting a word sanctity' for all Christians, even to accompany them in their search for those who do not belong, to for God."

By

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

CASCADE, Idaho - On Sat-, urday nights, the Roxy Theater in Cascade draws moviegoers for the latest box-office hit.

But on Sunday mornings, amid the lingering smells of buttery' popcorn, the theater welcomes Catholics as they make their way down the sticky aisles for Mass.

Members of St. John the Baptist Parish in Cascade - which is a station, or mission, of Our Lady of the Lake Church in

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McCall in the Boise diocese file into' the 67-year-old theater each Sunday where a pine altar is rolled out and the projection room serves as a makeshift sacristy. .

Use of the theater has been donated rent free by a local family to the parish, which has endured hard economic times and is saving money to build a permanent home for worship.

Through bake sales, dinners, collections and a building funddrive, parishioners have raised $250,000 - about a third of the money they need to fund their new church.

So, the Cascade church turned to Chicago-based Catholic Extension, the largest supporter of Catholic missionary work in America, for a $75,000 building grant. , Father Donald Fraser, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake, and' Bishop Michael P. Driscoll of Boise hope to start construction during the summer months. .

Cascade endures heavy snows, accompanied by a wind chill and temperatures in double digits below zero, up to six months out of the year.

Located in the Boise National Forest, Cascade was once a logging home to the former BoiseCascade Corp., which employed one out of three of the central Idaho town's population. But two years ago the lumber business dried up as Congress passe~ legislation that curtailed logging in national forests. The industry also has been hurt by the ability of tree-growers in Canada and the South to produce fastergrowing and less-expensive trees.

According to parish leaders, the loss of the logging industry dealt a devastating blow to what is an isolated community; the population fell by a third. Yet, despite the population decline, the parishioners of St. John the Baptist have outgrown their previous' church because of an influx of Catholics who make Cascade their summer home.

The parish already has a blueprint for a new church, which, is to be named for St. Katharine Drexel. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and helped, establish more than 50 mission schools in路 15 states and territories. It will be large enough to accommodate the 77 Catholics who live in Cascade yearround as well as a summer congregation tha't can number more than 200.

Located on a plot of land donated by a family in St. John the Baptist Parish, the church will serve a 2,000-square-mile area.

"This truly is a worthwhile and urgent need, arid we look forward to helping the parishioners of St. John the Baptist realize their dream," said retired Bishop William R. Houck of Jackson, Miss., president of Catholic Extension, in a statement.

"We have the opportunity to give them a proper spiritual home," he added.

Contributions to this mission appeal. called the Idaho Project. may be made online at: www.catholic-extension.org.Donations also nUlY be sent by mail to: Catholic Extension. Idaho ,Project. 150 S. Wacker Dr.. 20th Floor, Chicago. IL 60606.