03.04.11

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , March 4, 2011

Welcoming Catholics home

By Rebecca Aubut Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — “Our family has spanned the centuries and the globe. With God’s grace, we started hospitals to care for the sick. We established orphanages and help the poor. We are the largest charitable organization on the planet bringing comfort to those in need. We educate more children than any other institution. We developed the scientific method and founded the college system. We defend the dignity of human life and uphold marriage. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we compiled the Bible. We are transformed by sacred Scripture

and sacred tradition, which has guided us for 2,000 years. We are the Catholic Church.”

So says the opening lines of one the videos created by Catholics Come Home, a campaign with a new approach to a perennial message, seeking to draw Catholics back to the practice of the faith.

“Coming home has never been easier,” said Catholics Come Home founder Tom Peterson.

“We are family. Welcome home.”

Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s encouraging the Church to find new methods of evangelization, Catholics Come Home Turn to page 20

Lenten Pro-Life vigil set to begin Ash Wednesday

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

ASSONET — Several stories appearing recently in The Anchor and Catholic newspapers across the country have described just how disgusting and evil the abortion industry is.

A Philadelphia abortionist who had performed illegal, late-term abortions for more than 30 years in facilities law enforcement agencies called “filthy,” “deplorable,” and “horrendous,” was charged in the death of a female patient and accused of murdering seven babies born alive. FBI agents found jars filled with the severed feet of babies.

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Winter woes — The steeple on St. Bernard’s Church in Assonet lists to the south following a stormy winter night that had winds of 55-65 miles per hour. The steeple had to be removed. Pastor Father Michael Racine has had initial discussions with a parishioner who is also an architect about designing a potential replacement. Story on page 15. (Photo by Christopher Plonka)

Pro-Life bills before U.S. Congress

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

BOSTON — Local Pro-Life advocates called the recent moves by the United States Congress to remove federal funding of abortion “long overdue.”

On February 18, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 240-185 in favor of the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, which would eliminate all spending on Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the country’s largest abortion provider. All Massachusetts represen-

tatives, save William Keating who abstained, voted against the measure.

The bill also reinstates the Mexico City Policy, which prevents federal dollars from going to organizations that perform or promote abortions overseas and restores a ban on funds for the United Nations Population Fund, which supports China’s coercive population control program.

Just three days earlier the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to take abortion funding out

of the health care law. The Protect Life Act had not been heard before the full House at press time.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, urged House members to support these Pro-Life bills. He praised the Protect Life Act for protecting the consciences of health care providers who do not want to participate in abortion.

Cardinal DiNardo also supTurn to page 18

Parishes preparing programs for Lent

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — As Ash Wednesday approaches there are several programs planned throughout the Fall River Diocese to help the faithful reflect on the importance of prayer and sacrifice during the 40-day Lenten season.

Sacred Hearts Father Stan Kolasa, SSCC, will present a series of Lenten talks into deanery-wide missions with the theme “Priesthood of the Laity.”

For the Fall River Deanery mission, his first stop will be St. Joseph’s Parish in Fall River on March 14.

Father Kolasa will also be at Good Shepherd Parish in Fall River on March 15, St. Michael’s Parish in Fall River on March 16, and St. Anthony of the Desert Parish in Fall River on March 17. All evening mission sessions will begin at 7 p.m.

An afternoon mission homily and Mass will also be offered at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River at 12:05 p.m. each day, with confessions heard 30 minutes before Masses in the afternoon and evening. Refreshments will be available each evening following Mass in the parish hall of the host church.

Father Kolasa will host a similar Lenten series for Cape-based parishes at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset on March 21-23. This Lenten retreat will begin with a Mass celebration at 9 a.m. each day followed by Father Kolasa’s talk until 10:30 a.m.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street in Attleboro, will be hosting two special Lenten programs. The first, titled “Praying for Unity in a Divided World,” will feature Father Raymond Tetreault, a priest from the Diocese of Providence, R.I., who will discuss how to deepen our prayer with God and our relationship to one another.

The program will be offered on five Tuesdays during Lent in La Salette’s Chapel of Reconciliation from March 15 through April 12. There will be two sessions each day, one at 11 a.m. and another at 7:15 p.m.

Anna Rae-Kelly will also present a three-part Lenten retreat titled “Come to Me” at La Salette’s Reconciliation Chapel on April 17 from 4 to 5 p.m., and April 18 and 19 from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.

For more information on either La Salette program, call 508-236-9068 or visit www.lasalette-shrine.org.

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News From the Vatican

March 4, 2011

Pope says women often persuaded by others to have abortions

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI said that pregnant women facing difficulties due to their personal circumstances or to health issues of the fetus can be misled by doctors or people close to them into believing that abortion is the best solution.

And those who have undergone abortions often find themselves beset by serious psychological and spiritual problems from the “deep wound” that is the consequence of actions that “betray the innate vocation for human good,” the pope said.

Pope Benedict made his remarks at a recent audience with participants in the 27th General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life who met at the Vatican February 24-26.

Members of the academy, doctors and bioethics experts discussed the results of months of study on the controversial subject of umbilical cord blood banking and on the phenomenon of postabortion trauma.

The meeting was led by Bishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, who took over as president of the life academy in June 2010.

Pope Benedict said that doctors in particular are called upon to defend against those who “mislead” many women into “believing that abortion will be the answer to family, economic or social difficulties.”

Especially when the fetus is found to have health problems, women are often convinced, even by their doctors, “that abortion is not only a morally correct solution, but an obligatory ‘therapeutic’ act in order to spare the child and its family suffering” and avoid becoming an “unjust” burden to society, he said.

He said that pregnant women are often left alone, sometimes by the child’s father, as are those who have had an abortion and are dealing with negative psychological consequences. He urged more support for all women whose well being “can never, in any circumstance, find fulfillment by choosing abortion.”

Pope Benedict also addressed the issues around the growing use of umbilical cord blood to extract stem cells for use in medical re-

The Anchor www.anchornews.org

search and therapy. He said that research and clinical use had been promising but urged that the technique be used ethically and for the common good.

He warned against the proliferation of umbilical cord blood banks where families store their children’s cord blood for their personal use rather than donating it so it can be available for general access. Such private storage, he said, “weakens the genuine spirit of solidarity that should constantly accompany research for the common good.”

At the meeting, Mercedes ArzuWilson, an author and a founding member of the academy, and Dr. Paul A. Byrne, neonatologist, pediatrician and former president of the Catholic Medical Association, presented a paper in which they warned of the danger of clamping the umbilical cord too early and too close to the baby in an effort to obtain a large quantity of cord blood. That blood is vital for the immediate functioning of the lungs and for the future development of the newly delivered baby; cutting the cord too soon sets the baby up for potential deficits in many areas, they said.

Another speaker at the meeting was American psychologist Theresa Burke, the founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, a Pennsylvania-based organization that counsels women who have undergone abortion.

She told participants that many studies show that women who have had abortions have a significantly greater tendency to suffer depression, substance abuse and other psychological problems than women who have never terminated a pregnancy. She said that 46 million abortions were performed annually worldwide.

In opening the gathering, Bishop Carrasco said that the academy was called upon to study extremely complex problems with scientific, technical, ethical, religious and moral aspects that require a “renewed commitment” and the ability to “look at the future with new eyes.”

He said, “the challenge is great.

We find ourselves in a world that is increasingly aggressive towards human life.”

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 55, No. 09

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org.

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homeland saint — Pilgrims arrive carrying Lebanon’s flag for the blessing of a statue of St. Maron by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican recently. The pope blessed the statue of the patron of the Maronites in a niche on an exterior wall of St. Peter’s Basilica. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Prayer is abandoning self to God’s will, word, pope says at audience

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Prayer is not a reflection on one’s self, but a complete abandonment to the word and will of God, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Every person’s actions and life must be inspired by prayer and the Gospel, by living simply and helping others, not accumulating wealth, the pope said February 23 at his weekly general audience.

The pope highlighted the life and writings of St. Robert Bellarmine, a Jesuit theologian who lived from 1542-1621.

The pope’s catechesis was a continuation of a series of talks dedicated to the “doctors of the Church,” men and women who made important contributions to Catholic theological understanding.

St. Bellarmine offered an important model for prayer, which should be the inspiration for every action, the pope told an estimated 7,500 people gathered for the audience in the Paul VI hall.

A person in prayer “listens to the word of God, is satisfied with contemplating grandeur, isn’t wrapped up in oneself, but is happy to abandon oneself to God,” he said.

The pope said a unique feature of St. Bellarmine’s spirituality was his deeply felt perception of God’s immense goodness; he felt like a true child of God, whose love was a source of great joy.

The saint also taught that “who finds God finds everything, who loses God, loses everything,” the pope said.

People must remember that

the purpose of life on Earth is God, who continually calls people to be in communion with him, he said.

“We recall the importance of confiding in the Lord, of spending our lives in fidelity to the Gospel, and of accepting and enlightening every circumstance and action in our lives with faith and prayer,” he said.

The saint reminded people to think often and seriously about how they are accountable to God in the way they live their lives, the pope said. People should not be trying to acquire wealth, but should be living simply and with charity toward others, he added.

Clergy and the faithful need to engage in concrete, personal reform by letting their lives be guided by Scripture and the saints, he said.

“There can be no real reform

of the Church if there isn’t our own personal reform and conversion of our hearts first,” he said.

Before the audience, the pope blessed a statue of St. Maron, a fourth-century hermit who founded the Maronite Catholic Church.

The ceremony took place outdoors in front of the niche where the enormous marble statue was placed on the outer wall of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Among the many people attending ceremony were Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and the Maronite patriarch, Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir.

Although Maronites live all over the world, the Church is most closely identified with Lebanon, which is home to nearly one million of the world’s approximately five million Maronites.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Just as Jesus was able to effectively communicate God’s word with parables involving pastures and sheep, the Church needs to discover modern day metaphors that will capture the attention and hearts of today’s tech-savvy men and women, Pope Benedict XVI said.

However, proclaiming the Gospel can’t be based on punchy slogans or “linguistic seduction,” he said, the communicator must be a true witness who displays Christian values and respect for dialogue.

The pope spoke to participants of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications’ plenary assembly being held Feb-

ruary 28-March 3 on the theme “Language and Communication.” The pope said February 28: “The digital culture poses new challenges to our ability to speak and listen to a symbolic language that speaks of transcendence.” Jesus knew to use symbols and ideas that were an essential part of the culture at the time, such as sheep, fields, seeds, the banquet or feast and so on, he said. “Today we are called to discover, in the digital culture, too, symbols and metaphors that are meaningful to people, that can be helpful in talking to modern men and women about the kingdom of God,” he said.

Authentically proclaim Gospel in tech-savvy world, pope says

March 4, 2011

The International Church

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U.S. cardinal keeps watchful eye on situation unfolding in Middle East

uncertain future — A nun arriving from Tripoli, Libya, on an evacuation flight is welcomed by another woman religious at Malta International Airport outside Valletta, Italy. (CNS photo/Darrin Zammit Lupi)

Christians in Libya face uncertainty as opposition strengthens support

BEIRUT (CNS) — Christians in Libya are afraid that a takeover of the country by Islamic fundamentalists, should leader Moammar Gadhafi fall, would threaten their safety, said a Franciscan priest who has served in the North African nation for seven years.

“Under Gadhafi, we’ve been protected,” the priest told Catholic News Service from Rome February 24, eight days after leaving the country on a pre-planned trip. He asked not to be identified so as not to jeopardize his return to Libya.

The priest said he left Libya the day before a revolt against Gadhafi started in the eastern city of Benghazi. Because plans for the protest had been announced days beforehand, tensions rose between Gadhafi supporters and opposition leaders, he said.

“I didn’t expect so much to happen,” he said, referring to the rapid escalation of violence that left at least 300 dead and more than 3,000 injured.

The uprising is the most recent and most violent in a tide of protests against autocratic leaders in the region. Gadhafi rose to power following a coup in 1969.

One of 13 Franciscans serving the apostolic vicariates of Tripoli, the Libyan capital, and Benghazi, the priest said it was difficult being away from the parishioners he serves during a time of distress.

“At this time I feel I should be with the people. I could be a support to them. Even though we wouldn’t have access to a lot of communication, we could be in touch with one another somehow,” he said.

Communication with Libya was nearly impossible as the opposition gained new supporters in western areas February 24. Internet and mobile phones were blocked; telephone lines operated sporadically.

The Franciscans are assigned to St. Francis Church in Tripoli and Immaculate Conception Church in Benghazi.

There are no native Christians in those areas, but about 50,000 to 60,000 Christian migrant workers, mostly from Africa, work in Libya.

After attempts over several days, the priest was able to reach Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, apostolic vicar of Tripoli. The bishop reported that the priests, nuns and most foreigners were “safe and sound,” but remain frightened, the priest said. Obtaining food and medical supplies was difficult because shops were closed, he said.

While most foreigners were being evacuated, leaving the country poses a dilemma for migrant workers. Many fled an unstable environment in their homeland and often do not have the necessary identity papers. The priest said the Franciscans were working to help the migrants through their country’s embassy and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

In addition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced February 23 that Israel would allow 300 Palestinians living in Libya whose lives are endangered into areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

Describing religious practice at the Franciscan missions in Libya, the priest said, “The Libyan government has given complete free-

dom to the Christians to practice our Christianity.”

The government recognizes five dominations of Christianity: Roman Catholic; Coptic; Greek Orthodox, Anglican and the Union Church, a Protestant church in Africa, he said.

Aside from the two parish churches, Mass can be celebrated in hospitals and at private companies where Catholic work, the priest said. Priests and nuns also are allowed to visit inmates in prison to provide spiritual counseling and emotional support, he said.

Because Friday is a non-working day in honor of Muslim prayers, the churches celebrate five Masses for Africans, Indians, Filipinos, Eritreans and Koreans, the major migrant communities in Libya.

On Sunday, a national workday, the priests bring the Mass to the people at sites ranging from hospitals to oil rigs. Working on a rotating schedule, the priests travel from 15 miles to 745 miles to celebrate Sunday Mass.

While the police and government security know the priests minister only to Christians, the priest said, “We are always observed wherever we go, whatever we do,” seemingly as a precaution that they are not converting Muslims.

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Cardinal John P. Foley is keeping a watchful eye on the revolution in Egypt and other nations in the Middle East, despite his recent retirement and resignation as grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

The organization helps to raise funds for the works of the Church in that region.

“I can understand the current unrest — it’s an expression of desire for democracy, but I hope it doesn’t become a situation in which Christians are further discriminated against in any of these countries,” Cardinal Foley said. “The situation is so unstable there, and of course Christians are such a minority there.”

In Egypt, about 10 percent of the population is Christian, primarily Coptic Orthodox, he explained.

“We had just been asked by the Holy Father to help especially the Latin-rite Christians in Egypt and Lebanon in addition to Israel, Palestine and Jordan,” Cardinal Foley said.

The latter three countries are part of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher support.

“Egypt and Lebanon are separate Latin dioceses, but they are in need of assistance also and are considered part of the Holy Land,” he added.

The support aids parishes and schools in those lands, and to help Christians maintain their institutions and presence in a heavily non-Christian environment, as well as some humanitarian assistance, the cardinal said.

“We certainly want to maintain the continued presence of

Christians in the Holy Land, the successors of the original followers of Christ, in the land where he was born, where he lived, where he died and where he rose from the dead,” Cardinal Foley said. “That’s very important, I think. And it’s been a privilege to have been associated with it.”

When Cardinal Foley met with Pope Benedict XVI February 10, he told the pontiff he was grateful for his appointment as grand master “because it was like a nice retreat, preparing for my own retirement.”

Traveling to the Holy Land and meeting with those who have generously assisted the Christians of the Holy Land through the years has been an inspiration to him, the cardinal said.

When then-Archbishop Foley began his duties as grand master, the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem received approximately $7 million euros ($9.6 million) a year.

“Now, they’re getting $10 million euros ($13.8 million) a year” to send to the Holy Land, he said.

The funds are contributed by a membership of approximately 28,000 Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher around the globe.

Among the organization’s 60 jurisdictions are two new chapters: one in Moscow, added this past January, the other in Cape Town, South Africa, added last December.

In addition, new jurisdictions have been formed in Italy. Additional jurisdictions were planned for the United States, where they currently number nine.

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March 4, 2011 The Church in the U.S. World Congress to renew Sacred Heart devotion

Sacred Hearts Father William Petrie of Fairhaven one of the organizers and speakers

B y Genevieve Pollock

PARAY-LE-MONIAL, France (Zenit.org) — A first-time world congress is inviting people to the birthplace of Sacred Heart devotion to reflect on God’s love and promote a civilization of love in their families and societies.

ZENIT interviewed Father William Petrie, provincial superior of the U.S. East Province of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, one of the congress organizers and speakers, about this event. Father Petrie is based in Fairhaven.

The October 6-11 congress in Paray-le-Monial will feature speakers such as Cardinal Raymond Burke, prefect of the Apostolic Signature; Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia; Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa, EWTN host and author; Timothy O’Donnell, president of Christendom College; and Danny Abramowitz, former NFL player.

The congress aims to renew the sense of hope worldwide in the knowledge of God’s unconditional love for humanity, through the promotion of personal relationships with Jesus, Christ-centered families, and a worldwide mission to bring this message to all people.

Travel packages — including options of visiting Paris, Lourdes, Lyon, Ars and Cluny — are already being offered online to facilitate the participa-

tion of many people in this event. this information in their dioceses and Father Petrie explained more about parishes. the importance of devotion to the SaZENIT: What message of the Sacred Heart at this moment in history. cred Heart of Jesus do you hope to emZENIT: What is the purpose of this phasize at this world congress?

World Congress Father Petrie: on the Sacred “God so loved he history of the world has Heart? the world that he always been one of divi- sent his only beFather Petrie: Father Mateo sion, war, and loss of life because gotten Son.” Crawley-Boevey of hatred. The Sacred Heart of The image of was miraculously Jesus is an ongoing reminder of Jesus with the cured of his illexposed Sacred ness at the Chapel living by the great law of love of Heart conveys of Apparitions in God and love of neighbor. This the unconditional Paray-le-Monial, personal relationship begins in love and mercy France. At that the home. of God. Enthrontime an inspiraing the image of tion was received the Sacred Heart to promote the enthronement of the Sa- of Jesus in the home becomes an officred Heart in the home throughout the cial commitment to have Christ as the world. In 1907, St. Pius X commanded head of the home.

Father Mateo to promote the enthroneZENIT: Why do you think the emment throughout the world. phasis on the Sacred Heart and God’s Having celebrated the centenary love for humanity is so important at of the beginning of the enthronement this time? movement, in 2007 a plan was develFather Petrie: The history of the oped to continue Father Mateo’s mis- world has always been one of division, sion by reaching out to the five con- war, and loss of life because of hatred. tinents of the world over the next 10 The Sacred Heart of Jesus is an ongoyears, renewing the enthronement ing reminder of living by the great law movement. The first world congress is of love of God and love of neighbor. being held in Paray-le-Monial, where This personal relationship begins in the the inspiration was first received and home. It is the “domestic Church.” where training will be given to promotIt is within the family that we can ers who would be available to share grow in the love of God and neighbor.

Many who have had the enthronement in their homes speak about the transforming graces received upon the family that brings positive changes and conversion back to the Church.

ZENIT: The congress activities include “training on creating a civilization of love.” What does this entail?

Father Petrie: In preparation for enthroning the Sacred Heart, there is a catechesis that gives the rationale for having the enthronement in the home.

It helps in creating a Christocentric spirituality of living by God’s love based on the Eucharist, prayer, and a spirit of reparation. It is simply creating a civilization of love, one family at a time.

ZENIT: What are you hoping for as a result of this congress?

Father Petrie: Those attending the congress will hear speakers who will deepen our understanding of God’s love. The congress creates an atmosphere for motivating future promoters who will be involved in enthroning the Sacred Heart in the home.

For the participants, it can be an opportunity for being messengers of God’s love as symbolized in the pierced heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This first global congress of the Sacred Heart is a preparation for implementing the mission of going to all continents with the message of God’s love in the home.

RICHMOND, Va. (CNS) — The Virginia Senate February 24 passed a measure that requires the state Board of Health to regulate abortion clinics as hospitals rather than as physicians offices, a bill long sought by Pro-Life supporters.

In a statement, the Virginia Catholic Conference, which represents the state’s bishops on policy concerns, called it a “common-sense, long-overdue measure” that has been “a top priority of the Virginia Catholic Conference and its Pro-Life allies.”

The vote in the Senate was tied 2020, until Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling voted to break the tie in favor of the bill. The measure had already passed the House of Delegates. Virginia Gov. Robert Mc-

Donnell has said he will sign it into law and it would go into effect July 1.

The health board will have 280 days from the law’s enactment to write new rules for clinics that perform at least five first-trimester abortions a month.

The board could require clinics to allow health inspectors into the facility and call for the clinics to have specific equipment available.

With Senate passage of the measure, Virginia’s General Assembly has “decided the abortion industry should no longer be exempt from safety standards that apply to other surgery centers, “said Jeff Caruso, the Catholic conference’s executive director.

“The Virginia bishops have long sought these regulations because, although state legislation cannot put an end to legal abortions, it can reduce their occurrence and prevent policies that favor the abortion industry,” he added.

Those who want to keep abortion legal said the legislation was not about women’s health and safety but about targeting abortion and making it more difficult for women to obtain one.

Caruso expressed thanks to McDonnell, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and the lawmakers “who voted in favor of these new regulations for their roles in calling for this reform and bringing it to this historic point.”

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Pro-Lifers hail passage of regulations for Virginia abortion clinics

Marian Medal awards presentation on video

FALL RIVER — The 2010 Marian Medals Awards Ceremony is now available on DVD from the Diocesan Office of Communications. The DVD cost is $24.95.

To obtain one, please forward a check in that amount payable to the Diocesan Office of Communications, Diocese of Fall River, PO Box 7, Fall River, Mass. 02722.

Shipping is included in the video cost.

March 4, 2011

The Church in the U.S.

U.S. bishops criticize President Obama’s decision on marriage law

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops’ Office of General Counsel said the Obama administration’s decision no longer to support the Defense of Marriage Act in legal challenges ahead “represents an abdication” of its “constitutional obligation to ensure that laws of the United States are faithfully executed.”

“Marriage has been understood for millennia and across cultures as the union of one man and one woman,” the office said in a statement issued February 23 after President Barack Obama instructed the Justice Department to stop defending the federal law passed by Congress and signed into law in 1996

by President Bill Clinton.

The Defense of Marriage Act says the federal government defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman and that no state must recognize a same-sex marriage from another state.

“The principal basis for today’s decision is that the president considers the law a form of impermissible sexual orientation discrimination,” the Office of General Counsel said.

In a February 23 statement, Attorney General Eric Holder said that although the administration has defended the 1996 law in some federal courts, it will not continue to do so in cases pending in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Unlike in the previous cases, said Holder, the 2nd Circuit “has no established or binding standard for how laws concerning sexual orientation should be treated.”

In response to the announcement, the National Organization for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, called on Congress to “get lawyers in the courtroom who actually want to defend the law, and not please their powerful political special interests.”

“We have only begun to fight,” said Brian Brown, president of the organization. He also said that with Holder’s announcement, Obama “unilaterally” declared homosexuals “a protected class” under the Constitution and would effectively make a federal court decision on the law “unreviewable by higher courts.”

While Obama favors repealing the law, Holder said the president has supported defending it as constitutional if a state or local law meets the legal standard of having “a rational basis” for singling out people for different treatment based on sexual orientation.

But in the pending cases, Holder said, the administration “faces for the first time the question of whether laws regarding sexual orientation are subject to the more permissive standard of review or whether a more rigorous standard, under which laws targeting minority groups with a history of discrimination are viewed with suspicion by the courts, should apply.”

Obama “has concluded that giv-

en a number of factors, including a documented history of discrimination, classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny,” Holder’s statement said.

He added that Obama has concluded that the law “as applied to legally married same-sex couples, fails to meet that standard and is therefore unconstitutional. Given that conclusion, the president has instructed the department not to defend the statute in such cases. I fully concur with the president’s determination.”

The U.S. bishops’ Office of General Counsel said refusal to support the law was “a grave affront to the millions of Americans who both reject unjust discrimination and affirm the unique and inestimable value of marriage as between one man and one woman.”

It also stressed that support for traditional marriage “is not bigotry,” but is a “reasonable, common judgment affirming the foundational institution of civil society.”

The office said that “any suggestion by the government that such a judgment represents discrimination is a serious threat to the religious liberty of marriage supporters nationwide.”

Holder said the legal landscape changed since the law was passed, including with Supreme Court rulings overturning laws criminalizing homosexual conduct and the repeal

by Congress of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Unless Congress repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, or a final court ruling strikes it down, it will continue to remain in effect and the administration will continue to enforce it, Holder noted.

“But while both the wisdom and the legality of (the pertinent section of the law) will continue to be the subject of both extensive litigation and public debate, this administration will no longer assert its constitutionality in court,” Holder said.

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said the decision by the Obama administration reflects the president’s views 15 years ago when he was running for the Illinois state Senate. At the time, he said he favored legalizing same-sex marriage and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.

Donohue said Obama endorsed civil unions in 2004, but that during his presidential campaign he spoke of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

“Now Obama is officially on record as president opposing the defense of marriage,” said Donohue’s February 23 statement. He said the president was not only going against the 1996 law but also was “in opposition to the over 30 state initiatives affirming marriage as a union between a man and a woman.”

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The Anchor The president’s abdication of his oath and constitutional responsibilities

When President Barack Obama took his oath of office on the Lincoln Bible, he swore to “faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States” and to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” By his decision last week to instruct the Justice Department no longer to defend in federal court the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, President Obama, according to a strong statement released by the General Counsel to the United States Bishops Conference engaged in an overt “abdication of the responsibility of the Executive Branch to carry out its constitutional obligation to ensure that the laws of the United States are faithfully executed.”

As described by his Attorney General Eric Holder, President Obama’s rationale for the decision was his conclusion that section three of DOMA is “unconstitutional.” Section Three states, “In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word ‘marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” In other words, President Obama, who campaigned as a constitutional law professor who said he supported the traditional definition of marriage, is now claiming that the definition of marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman is contrary to the Constitution!

Senator John Kerry immediately defended President Obama’s action, declaring, “DOMA was unconstitutional in 1996, and it’s unconstitutional today, and the Obama Administration made the right call to no longer defend it in the courts. The Defense of Marriage Act has never been about defending marriage. It’s been nothing more than an unconstitutional effort to deny same-sex couples basic rights and protections.” That’s quite a statement, considering that DOMA was passed by the Senate 85-14, by the House of Representatives 342-67, and signed by President Bill Clinton.

So Senator Kerry is basically accusing President Clinton and the 85 percent of Senators and 84 percent of House members who voted for it not only of passing or signing an unconstitutional piece of legislation but of doing so for no other reason than to “deny same-sex couples basic rights and protections.” While the Massachusetts senator has a reputation for making charged statements against those not in his own political party, such accusations would likely come as a huge surprise to President Clinton and to the vast majority of Senator Kerry’s fellow Democrats in the 1996 Congress who overwhelmingly supported the measure. They probably would not appreciate the suggestion that they’re bigots who passed a prejudiced measure, liars who violated their constitutional oaths to pass an unconstitutional one, or halfwits who failed even to recognize that DOMA was unconstitutional.

In our system of government, the determination of the constitutionality of legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President of the United States is not for future presidents to decide, but for the courts. The role of the president is to “faithfully execute” those laws, which has always been interpreted not just in enforcing the laws but defending them in court when they are challenged by citizens. For the president to neglect his constitutional responsibility to defend DOMA while at the same time summarily declaring DOMA unconstitutional is not only an act of remarkable chutzpah and constitutional inconsistency but sets a precedent that troubles even legal scholars who want to see the definition of marriage expanded to embrace same-sex couples.

One such legal scholar, Professor Orin Kerr of George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., wrote that the Obama Administration’s move was basically an “executive power grab.” After noting his opposition to DOMA, he wrote on his popular legal blog: “If you look at AG Holder’s reasons for why [the Department of Justice] won’t defend DOMA, it is premised on DOJ’s adoption of a contested theory of the constitutionality of laws regulating gay rights. The letter says that ‘the president and [the attorney general] have concluded that classifications based on sexual orientation warrant heightened scrutiny and that, as applied to same-sex couples legally married under state law then, from that perspective, there is no reasonable defense of DOMA.’ This theory is not compelled by case law. … By taking that position, the Obama Administration has moved the goalposts of the usual role of the Executive Branch in defending statutes. Instead of requiring DOJ to defend the constitutionality of all federal statutes if it has a reasonable basis to do so, the new approach invests within DOJ a power to conduct an independent constitutional review of the issues, to decide the main issues in the case — in this case, the degree of scrutiny for gay rights issues — and then, upon deciding the main issue, to decide if there is a reasonable basis for arguing the other side. If you take that view, the Executive Branch essentially has the power to decide what legislation it will defend based on whatever views of the Constitution are popular or associated with that administration. It changes the role of the Executive Branch in defending litigation from the traditional dutiful servant of Congress to major institutional player with a great deal of discretion.

“If that approach becomes widely adopted,” Kerr continues, “then it would seem to bring a considerable power shift to the Executive Branch. Here’s what I fear will happen. If Congress passes legislation on a largely party-line vote, the losing side just has to fashion some constitutional theories for why the legislation is unconstitutional and then wait for its side to win the presidency. As soon as its side wins the presidency, activists on its side can file constitutional challenges based on the theories; the Executive Branch can adopt the theories and conclude that, based on the theories, the legislation is unconstitutional; and then the challenges to the legislation will go undefended.

Winning the presidency will come with a great deal of power to decide what legislation to defend, increasing Executive Branch power at the expense of Congress’s power. Again, it will be a power grab disguised as academic constitutional interpretation.”

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who opposes DOMA, put some flesh on Kerr’s concerns about the potential political consequences of President Obama’s dereliction of constitutional duty and arrogation of a new executive right to constitutional review. “Imagine that Governor Palin had become president,” Gingrich said in an interview with Newsmax. “Imagine that she had announced that Roe v. Wade in her view was unconstitutional and therefore the United States government would no longer protect anyone’s right to have an abortion because she personally had decided it should be changed.” Not only is President Obama “breaking his word to the American people,” Gingrich charged, since he has repeatedly assured the American people that he supports the traditional definition of marriage, but “he swore an oath on the Bible to become president that he would uphold the Constitution and enforce the laws of the United States. He is not a one-person Supreme Court. The idea that we now have the rule of Obama instead of the rule of law should frighten everybody.”

For defenders of marriage, the good news is that the Obama Administration’s decision to abandon all pretense of defending DOMA in court — its past deliberately ineffective defense gave new meaning to legal malpractice — will at least clear the way for the House of Representatives to appoint a legal team that will be able to mount a vigorous defense of the constitutionality of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

For those who love our country, however, the larger issue of the constitutionality of the president’s action remains. Our system of government with its system of checks and balances does not allow for an imperial presidency in which the Executive Branch can usurp the role of the courts and unilaterally declare unconstitutional a bill passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed into law by a predecessor. We don’t allow the president to invalidate acts of Congress as a “one man Supreme Court.” All dedicated citizens, regardless of their position on DOMA, must condemn the president’s abdication of his true responsibilities and attempt to expropriate pretended ones.

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March 4, 2011

A final word on virtue

fter briefly reflecting upon the qualities that do not have a place in the three theological virtues of faith, lives of those who want to “live life to the hope and love, as well as the cardinal fullest.” virtues of prudence, justice, courage, and Why embrace humility when you can temperance, I would like to offer a final show the world how great you are? Why thought on the virtues. be obedient to the Gospel and teachings You may remember that I began this of the Magisterium of the Church when mini-series pointing to St. Joseph as a you can decide for yourself what is mormodel of virtue. He provides us a great ally correct? Why be temperate when it example of what it means to be a virtuous comes to material things when you can person: one who constantly chooses to do express your social or economic status by the right thing, not just what makes one what you wear or drive? Why be prudent feel good or what one thinks will make and make good decisions when you can them feel good. just do whatever you want and not worry The goal of our lives as Catholics is about the consequences? to become men and women of virtue, The answer to each of these questions following the example of St. Joseph and is the same: because God desires us to so many other saints who conformed live holy lives and we do that primarily their lives to Christ, to the Gospel and to by becoming virtuous men and women, Christ’s virtues. who choose virtue because of our faith in Becoming virtuous is obviously not Jesus Christ, who said, “I came that you something that is done overnight. It is a might have life and have it abundantly” lifelong process of continuing to choose (Jn 10:10). that which is true, beautiful and good.

Jesus came “to be our model of holiYou may recall the definition of the ness,” to show us how to choose well, but “Catechism,” that virtue is an “habitual there are competing voices that tell us to and firm dischoose against position to do what God good. It allows wants. These Putting Into the person are the voices, the Deep not only to like that of the perform good serpent in the acts, but to garden, that

By Father give the best tell us that Jay Mello of himself. our happiness The virtuous will be found person tends toward the good with all his apart from God. These are the voices of sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues selfishness and pride, of arrogance and the good and chooses it in concrete acenvy. These are the voices that tell us that tions” (CCC 1803). life is about putting ourselves first, even if Just because a person may perform that means stepping on or pushing others a single virtuous act doesn’t necessarily out of the way so that we can get what we mean that he is a virtuous person, just as want. a single sinful action doesn’t necessarily The secularized world that we live in make a person a sinful person (though a has its own conception of what happiness single mortal sin could have grave conse- is, and of what will bring us true joy and quences). Virtue is attained by continually happiness, but sadly most of the secular choosing virtue over vice. Over time, that idea equates it with warm fuzzy feelings decision to choose to do the right thing and immediate gratification. That isn’t becomes habitual and easier. the lasting or true happiness for which we Aristotle explained, “It is easy to were made. The secularized world tells perform a good action, but not easy to us that the Christian way of life restricts acquire a settled habit of performing such rather than enables our freedom and indiactions.” For example, a woman isn’t a vidual happiness. prudent person just because she made Our true happiness in this life is found one prudent decision. One becomes a only in our relationship with Christ. Each prudent person by continuing to make of us has deep within us a natural desire prudent decisions over time, just as one to be happy. This desire was placed there become courageous by making numerous by our creator who desires to fulfill our acts of courage, or a charitable person by happiness. Holiness cannot be separated continuing to think, speak and act with from happiness. Even though it is not charity. easy, seeking holiness, seeking to live Of course, the seven aforementioned

by Christ’s virtues, is what will bring us virtues are not the only virtues that we happiness. This is ultimately experienced should be trying to cultivate in our lives. only when we see God face to face. But Other virtues include honesty, humility, inasmuch as we get to know, love and chastity, and obedience, to name just a serve him in this life, inasmuch as we few. seek to live as Christ lived, we are able to Perhaps in these other virtues we can experience moments of such joy here on more clearly see how our secularized earth. We experience such moments of society is not promoting virtuous living. joy in our families and friendships, in our While the media, for example, could proper enjoyment of recreation and rest, never convince us directly that being a in our vacations and even in our work. faithful or courageous person is evil or There’s much more to say about what it undesirable, the media has been more means to be virtuous, but allow me to end successful in ridiculing the virtues of this mini-series on virtue with the words humility, obedience, or chastity, and con- of the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius: vincing people that these are not qualities “Waste no more time arguing about what a that one should strive to attain. These good man should be. Be one.” virtues are mocked by the secular media Father Mello is a parochial vicar at as outdated, unfashionable and obsolete St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

March 4, 2011

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The Anchor

The Third Phase: Launching the Liturgical Reforms of Vatican II

s far as practical norms were concerned, the renewal of the liturgy mandated by the Second Vatican Council applied specifically to the Roman Rite. Early in 1964, Pope Paul VI (1963-78) appointed a committee to carry out the Council’s directives by means of concrete legislation and the revision of the chief Roman liturgical books: Missal, Breviary, Ritual, Pontifical, Martyrology, and Ceremonial of Bishops. This committee was called the Consilium for the Implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy; it was made up of about 50 cardinals, bishops, and abbots (members) and 150 experts in liturgy and related fields (consultors) from all parts of the world.

Most of the actual work of liturgical reform was undertaken not during the Council (which closed on Dec. 8, 1965) but in the ensuing decade. From the beginning, battles arose over how much change is too much and, perhaps equally important, who gets to decide. Early on, the pope backed a broadly progressive vision, in terms of both content (for example, supporting a move into the vernacular more sweeping than the Council fathers had envisioned) and process (letting bishops’ conferences rather than Rome call many of the plays). In retrospect, things went further and faster than anyone would have believed possible. So much happened that it is impossible to catalog all the important events in a short series such as

this; I will rather mention just after consecrating the host. a few, beginning with those The “private” Communion of involving the Mass, the heart the priest before the people of Catholic worship. was abolished and replaced In September 1964 the with one rite for all; the final Vatican’s Sacred Congregation blessing was placed before the of Rites issued Inter Oecudismissal; and the wearing of menici, the first Instruction on the maniple by the sacred minthe proper implementation of isters was made optional. the Constitution on the Sacred A year later, in May 1968, Liturgy. Concerning the designing of new churches, this document recommended but did not mandate that the main altar be freestanding

By Father (not attached to the Thomas M. Kocik back wall), to permit walking around it and celebration facing the people. Pursuant to Inter the Congregation of Rites Oecumenici, a new edition promulgated three new Euof the Order of Mass (Latin: charistic Prayers produced Ordo Missae) was promulgatby the Consilium for use as ed in January 1965. Among alternatives to the Roman other reforms, the 1965 Ordo Canon. I recommend Beneprovided for some use of the dictine scholar Father Casvernacular; reduced the numsian Folsom’s concise study ber of genuflections and signs “From One Eucharistic Prayer of the cross; inserted a rite to Many: How It Happened for the administration of holy and Why,” available online at Communion to the faithful; www.adoremus.org. and shortened the beginning On Holy Thursday, 1969, and end of Mass by omitting, Paul VI signed the Apostolic respectively, Psalm 42 from Constitution Missale Romathe prayers at the foot of the num promulgating yet another altar and the so-called “last reform of the Ordo Missae, gospel” (usually John 1:1-14). setting the First Sunday of The next reform of the Advent of that year as the Ordo Missae came in May date on which it would enter 1967 following the Instruction into force. The Roman Missal Tres abhinc annos. It sharply incorporating this new Ordo reduced the number of genuwas not published until 1970, flections and kisses of the aland full vernacular translatar. It permitted the recitation tions appeared much later. of the entire Canon aloud and At the pope’s personal insisin the vernacular. No longer tence, the 1969 Ordo retained was the priest required to keep some items the Consilium thumb and forefinger joined had sought to abolish, such

The Liturgical Movement

Holy water in fonts during Lent

Q. Is it proper to have holy being a season of penance, is water receptacles empty from also a season rich in the symAsh Wednesday on, through bolism of water and baptism, all of Lent? — F.D., Scandia, constantly evoked in liturgical Minn. texts.

A. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments responded to a similar question (3/14/03: Prot.

N. 569/00/L) giving a

By Father clear answer: Edward McNamara “This Dicastery is able to respond that the removing of holy water from the fonts during the sea“2. The encouragement of son of Lent is not permitted, in the Church that the faithful particular, for two reasons: avail themselves frequently “1. The liturgical legisla- of the sacraments is to be untion in force does not foresee derstood to apply also to the this innovation, which in ad- season of Lent. The ‘fast’ and dition to being ‘praeter le- ‘abstinence’ which the faithful gem’ is contrary to a balanced embrace in this season does understanding of the season not extend to abstaining from of Lent, which though truly the sacraments or sacramentals

Liturgical Q&A

of the Church.

“The practice of the Church has been to empty the holy water fonts on the days of the Sacred Triduum in preparation of the blessing of the water at the Easter Vigil, and it corresponds to those days on which the Eucharist is not celebrated (i.e., Good Friday and Holy Saturday).”

Father Edward McNamara is a Legionary of Christ and professor of Liturgy at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome.

His column appears weekly at zenit.org. To submit questions, email liturgy@zenit.org.

Please put the word “Liturgy” in the subject field. The text should include your initials, your city and state.

as the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass and the Confiteor (“I confess...”). It incorporated many of the features previously introduced, including the new Eucharistic Prayers. And it introduced additional reforms, a few examples of which must suffice.

The prayers at the foot of the altar were dropped altogether.

What is now called “the Liturgy of the Word” was further simplified ceremonially, as was the Communion rite. The number of biblical readings was expanded such that every Mass now has three readings, the first of which is usually taken from the Old Testament.

Provision was made for the Prayer of the Faithful, thus restoring an ancient practice of the Roman Church that had been abandoned except on Good Friday. New offertory prayers modeled on the Jewish berekah (prayer of praise and thanksgiving) were introduced; these may be said aloud with a response to be made by the people. The

formula for the consecration of the wine was modified and a “memorial acclamation” by the people inserted after it.

The Pax or “kiss of peace” is no longer restricted to the clergy at High Mass.

In terms of the implementation of Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Roman Missal promulgated by Paul VI in 1970 is a mixed bag of some things called for and foreseen, and many things that were not. The pre-eminent example is that nowhere did Vatican II order or even recommend the composition of new Eucharistic Prayers. Of course, something beneficial not envisaged at the Council could emerge in the years after it; but if that is indeed the case, it is false to say that such innovations come from the Council or carry its approbation.

Father Kocik, parochial vicar of Santo Christo Parish in Fall River, is editor of “Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal,” author of two liturgy-related books, and contributor to the forthcoming “T&T Clark Companion to Liturgical Studies.”

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ome time ago I clipped a comic strip out of the newspaper because it struck me as particularly clever. The cartoon depicted a guy and a girl in a tattoo parlor. He’s sitting on a chair while the tattoo artist draws on his arm, and she’s just standing there watching her boyfriend get tattooed.

The tattoo artist is creating an image of a human heart on the man’s arm, and in the very middle of the heart is, what is apparently, the woman’s name: It reads “Kim.” The tattoo seems to indicate that the man is genuinely devoted to Kim and in love with her. The caption, however, indicates something different: While the tattoo is being applied he is saying to his girlfriend, “Gee Kim, I don’t know: Marriage just seems so permanent.” Of course, she must be thinking, “Does his love for me penetrate his life any deeper than the ink of that tattoo?”

March 4, 2011

The Anchor

Putting Jesus’ words into practice

This sort of question may In the Gospel, Jesus inbe detected in the readings sists on the firm connection of today’s Mass as concerns of profession and action: the issue of personal faith: In “None of those who cry Deuteronomy, Moses deems ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the it necessary to reinforce the kingdom of God, but only content of the Israelite’s the one who does the will faith in God prior to entering the Promised Land, a land Homily of the Week wherein temptations Ninth Sunday toward unfaithfulin Ordinary Time ness will abound. He exhorts them, “Take

By Father Gregory these words of mine A. Mathias into your heart and soul.” There will be many challenges to true faith in this land, and of my Father.” His message only those with genuine is abundantly clear: It is not faith will retain their status enough to say bold things or as “chosen” or “favored.” even to do fantastic acts if, Tragically, throughout the deep down, there is no real Old Testament, Israel is ofknowledge of God. Here, in ten found resting on a purely biblical terms, “knowledge” external expression of faith, means an intimate relationwhile going her own way, ship and deeply held comoften in direct contradicmitment to someone. tion to the code of holiness St. Paul discerns that to which she is called as the the message of Jesus rechosen people. ally comes down to faith in

his person and in his work of salvation. The law of God just serves to make us conscious of how deeply sin has penetrated our human condition, and just how desperately we need a savior, but our act of observing laws and rules cannot save us.

In the history of the chosen people it has been shown that we humans tend to turn such observances into our own selfjustification. Jesus’ teachings and his profound act of self-sacrificing love, which is made present to us in the Eucharist, sum up the whole of God’s law and prophets: He demonstrates the disposition of the perfect Israelite by giving himself up completely to the will of the Father: And, as the co-eternal son, we learn that our act of faith in his work is our only way to salvation.

In our day we don’t really experience much of the same sort of religious legalism or discipline that characterized the time of the Gospels. Even given that huge difference in culture, however, the message remains the same: That of integrating faith and allowing its deep penetration and total saturation of our lives in order to truly know God. If the graces of word and sacrament only penetrate to “tattoo depth,” there is clearly a problem. Each day calls us to apply and live what we profess, in everything from how we vote for president to what we say by the water cooler at work.

Jesus counsels us in this important way today: “Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is a wise person who has built his or her house on rock.”

Father Mathias is pastor of St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Mar. 5, Sir 51:12c-20; Ps 19:8-11; Mk 11:27-33. Sun. Mar. 6, Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Dt 11:18,26-28,32; Ps 31:2-4,17,25; Rom 3:2125,28; Mt 7:21-27. Mon. Mar. 7, Tb 1:3,2:1a-8; Ps 112:1-6; Mk 12:1-12. Tues. Mar. 8, Tb 2:9-14; Ps 112:1-2,7-9; Mk 12:13-17. Wed. Mar. 9, Ash Wednesday, Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6a,1214,17; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6,16-18. Thur. Mar. 10, Dt 30:15-29; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 9:22-25. Fri. Mar. 11, Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6a,18-19; Mt 9:14-15.

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n “The Joys of Yiddish,” Leo Rosten defined chutzpa as “Presumption-plusarrogance such as no other word, and no other language, can do justice to” and then offered classic examples of chutzpa in action: “Chutzpa is that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan. A chutzpanik may be defined as the man who shouts ‘Help, Help’ while beating you up.”

Leo Rosten should have lived to experience German Catholic theologians of the early 21st century.

In anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI’s forthcoming visit to his homeland, more than 200 German theologians — men and women who have earned doctoral degrees in theology and teach in German universities —

The chutzpa of the German theologians

takably). These causes have have issued a manifesto, “The been espoused for years. Many Church in 2011: A Necessary Departure.” The manifesto itself German theologians dissented does not identify the destination en masse from the 1993 teaching of Veritatis Splendor on the for which the Church is to denature of moral acts and from part, but the terminus ad quem the 1994 teaching of Ordinatio [the point to which the Church should head] seems reasonably clear from a careful reading of the document: Catholicism is to transform itself into another liberal Protestant sect by conceding virtually every

By George Weigel point at issue between classic Christianity and the ambient culture of the post-modern West.

Sacerdotalis on the Church’s It is, perhaps, no surprise to inability to admit women to find German Catholic theoHoly Orders. What was parlogians publicly supporting ticularly striking about this new the ordination of married men manifesto was its attempt to and women to the ministerial address serious problems with priesthood (overtly), sametried-and-failed solutions. That sex “marriage” (slyly), and bespeaks a remarkable lack full communion within the of intellectual creativity and Church for those in irregular historical sense. marriages (subtly but unmisThus we are told that the German sexual abuse cases that came to light in 2010 have “plunged the Catholic Church in Germany into an unequaled crisis.” Really? I understand, and in many respects sympathize with, German complaints about the ubiquity of references to the National Socialist period

The Catholic Difference

whenever anything German is discussed. But was 2010 really a crisis greater than that in which German Catholicism found itself between Hitler’s 1933 accession to power and Nazi Germany’s defeat in 1945? (Do today’s Catholics face crises of conscience greater than those faced by Count Claus von Stauffenberg or Sophie Scholl?)

Moreover, what about the crisis of faith that emptied German churches over the past two generations, such that weekly Mass attendance in urban areas hovers around five10 percent?

The manifesto is also notable for its failure to examine academic consciences, an exercise that might have led to more measured assessments of responsibility for the current situation. Do these theologians imagine that they and their teachers bear no responsibility for the “paralysis and resignation” they deplore in German Catholicism? Does German theology’s tendency to treat the Bible as a specimen to be dissected rather than a gift to be studied with a full array of interpretive tools (including the

eyes of faith) have nothing to do with today’s crisis of faith in a land whose very language was formed by Luther’s biblical translation? Has the theologians’ bizarre notion that “freedom of conscience” means abject surrender to the sexual revolution in all its demands had nothing to do with the Church’s failures to convert a hedonistic culture? Few of these academics have any serious or sustained connection to the liturgical or pastoral life of the Church; yet they assume they occupy a privileged position from which to understand what has happened to German Catholicism and how its genuine problems can best be addressed.

Why? Seeking a rousing conclusion to their call to the ecclesiastical barricades, the German theologians advise their fellow Catholics that they should “look to the future with courage and walk on water, like Peter as Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you have fear? Is your faith so weak?’” A question to the professors: Would each of you who believes that Peter walked on water please raise your hand?

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

For Pete’s sake

Saturday 26 February 2011 is geographically smack-dab in — at home in The Dightons — the middle of Bristol County. I “For Pete’s Sake Day” — Who live in the epicenter of wedding is “Pete” and why do we do trends. Who knew? or not do things for his sake? ucked in my morning newsReflections of a paper was the biannual, Parish Priest full-color glossy “speBy Father Tim cial” supplement on the latest wedding trends. I Goldrick read every word. It’s my pastoral responsibility to keep abreast.

Leading off was an article I noticed on the cover by a caterer. What could be (which featured a bride frolick- more important to the bride, it ing in a bed of zinnias) that seems, than the reception? The this publication targeted Bristol caterer advised brides, in these County. Dighton, dear readers, challenging economic times, to

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The Anchor

March 4, 2011

The Ship’s Log

skimp on the food.

Let the children go hungry.

They eat like birds anyway.

If they get fussy, give them a piece of fruit.

Next, cut the guest list to the bone. That way you’ll have fewer mouths to feed. Don’t even think about inviting the priest. Sure, he could recite grace before meals, but he may eat you out of house and home. Forego the table favors.

Most guests leave them behind anyway. Choose low-priced comfort food. Anyone want a second helping of American Chop Suey?

The urgent need to pray for priests

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maternity of the Blessed hile some parts of Virgin Mary for each priest, the Western world it is our intention to bring are dealing with a shortage about a connection between of priests, there are entirely perpetual eucharistic adoradifferent trials elsewhere, as tion for the reparation of some who have generously faults and sanctification of answered the call are facpriests and the initiation of ing the very real possibility a commitment on the part of of brutal martyrdom. These consecrated feminine souls good men are not only faced — following the typology with the daily dilemma of how to encourage their flocks to live their faith and trust in God amidst growing hostility, but with the challenge to live it personally

By Genevieve Kineke while seeing brother priests systematically killed. If of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they show any reticence to mother of the eternal high proclaim their faith, the laity priest and helper in his work will likewise be similarly of redemption — who might discouraged from standing wish to spiritually adopt as the fearless witnesses they priests in order to help them are called to be. And yet, if with their self-offering, the priests do not move with prayer, and penance.” the utmost caution and pruConcerning spiritual dence, then they will be cut motherhood, the Congregadown and their flocks left tion notes: “The vocation without their shepherds. to be a spiritual mother for Our prayers are critical, priests is … fundamental and through an especially and vitally important. It is a timely initiative, the Congrevocation that is often hidden, gation for the Clergy has innot apparent to the human vited women to imitate Our eye, but intended to transLady in prayer for those who mit spiritual life. Pope John follow in the footsteps of her Paul II, convinced of this, son. Eucharistic adoration founded a cloistered convent has been suggested on behalf in the Vatican where nuns of the clergy, and there is a would pray for his intentions growing need to pray for all as Supreme Pontiff.” priests so that they can live One such program has their vocations fully — no been established in the matter the risks.

Diocese of Providence, RI, The Congregation wrote: whereby women are enrolled “In order to continually in an apostolate specifically maintain a greater awarefor the benefit of priests. ness of the ontological link These women meet monthly between the Eucharist and at the seminary for Mass, a the priesthood, and in order rosary and to offer special to recognize the special

The Feminine Genius

prayers, so that the men who are discerning, or in formation, or already in holy orders have added the support that is so crucial to their ministry.

Each place and time has its challenges. While material considerations and scandal have impacted vocations in some countries, violence, intimidation and disorientation plague the flock elsewhere.

While some family members are conflicted about encouraging priestly vocations because of questions concerning the integrity and chastity, other families may rightly sense that encouraging their sons to say yes to a vocation is a real call to shed their blood. Such families deserve our prayers (and gratitude) as well.

Two thousand years of history have offered witness to the constancy of God’s call. Through myriad trials, the Petrine Church has carried out its mission to provide the sacraments to its members. It is incumbent on the Marian Church — the feminine dimension of mater et magistra — to do her part by praying for vocations, supporting vocations, and sustaining these men who face such enormous odds.

The Church will prevail, it has been promised, but her strength and vigor depend on us. Oremus.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books) and editor of the Feminine Genius channel at catholicexchange.com.

As soon as your guests arrive at the reception, satiate them with hors d’oeuvres. Plan on at least seven appetizers if there is no full meal; four if there is. You can save money by replacing those expensive hors d’oeuvres with huge bowls of M&Ms. Grooms, eat anything you can find. It’s going to be a long day.

Budget your “basic” wedding at between $20,000 and $30,000. Expect to pay $2,283 for your photographer and $1,408 for your videographer.

Be advised that these figures are five years old. Grooms, smile for the camera.

Are you a typical bride? If so, on page four, it says you can expect to spend $4,847 on your honeymoon. Prices must be going up rapidly. By page 12, the honeymoon costs had already risen to $5,111.

Honeymoon in an off-season destination. Vale, Colo., is as lovely in August as in January. Just don’t expect to ski.

Another honeymoon tip: hang around after your weekend wedding. Leave mid-week.

Flights are cheaper. Stay in one place. Do not move from place to place (sounds vaguely biblical). Don’t rent a car; walk or take a free shuttle bus. Bring discount coupons for meals and attractions. Find them on-line.

Instead of booking a hotel room, pitch a tent in a national park. Grooms, bring a sleeping bag.

Open at least three bridal registries before your big day.

Head straight for Bed, Bath and Beyond, and then over to Target and Macy’s. You can even open a registry to have your guests pay for part of your honeymoon — dinner for two, for example. It must work something like government food stamps.

Now, my dear brides, let’s consider your hairdo. Bypass the perfectly coiffed, shellacked beehive look. Follow the Hollywood stylists. The goal is to have your hair look a bit messy.

Try the best you can to look imperfect. It may be easier than you think. Grooms, get a buzz cut or go for the Justin Bieber

look.

Page six is all about the bride’s face. Start your rigorous facial regime a month before the wedding. Moisturize twice daily. Exfoliate (use hyaluronic acid). Don a clay mask (I am not making this up). Eat fish.

Try Botox. Choose an orange shade of tan and get yourself airbrushed. Paint on layer after layer of makeup. To me, it sounds like the method used to embalm King Tutankhamun.

Grooms, be stylish and don’t bother to shave.

Concerned your fairy-tale wedding plans might go awry?

Buy wedding event insurance.

Pay $250-$2,400 and you won’t have to worry if the caterer goes bankrupt, the photographer looses the negatives, the church closes abruptly, or you change your mind about the whole thing. How reassuring is that?

Now we turn to the flowers.

Use real ones. Stick peacock feathers everywhere (including in the wedding cake). Are you allergic to flowers and feathers?

Use prescription steroids.

Last and therefore apparently least is, “Where to say ‘I do?” (Why am I getting an uneasy feeling about this?)

You could get married in some church or other. Nice, if you consider marriage sacred, but it might feel too formal and traditional. Using an outdoor setting as your backdrop will provide beautiful pictures to forever gather dust under your coffee table, but beware of weather and bugs. Nothing could be more unique than a home wedding but you may have to rent just about everything from the white tent to the Port-a-potties.

We are talking about the sacrament of holy matrimony here.

All you really need is a man and woman willing and able to enter marriage, two witnesses, and an ordained clergyman — and don’t forget the marriage license. The rest is fluff. Dear $40 billion wedding industry: Get real, for Pete’s sake.

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

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March 4, 2011

Dedicated parishioner strives to pass on faith-filled legacy

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

NORTH DIGHTON — It’s clear that Edward Kremzier learned to appreciate the value of his Catholic faith from his family. He now is trying to pass this treasure on to others.

“My great grandfather was born a Hungarian-Jew and in order to marry he needed to convert to the Catholic faith,” said Kremzier, a dedicated and active member of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton. “He had eight children and he and his wife emigrated to America when his employer became bankrupt. Once they got established here in America, they continued to nurture and practice their Catholic faith.”

That deep-rooted faith was only strengthened through subsequent generations of the Kremzier Family, and he cited his mother as a prime influence on his beliefs.

“She worked as a secretary at the rectory of St. Joseph’s Parish in Scotia, N.Y.,” Kremzier recalled. “She enrolled me in a prayer class that was kind of a preschool for kids at the time.

I later went to St. Joseph’s

School in Scotia and then not only taught classes in the of Myra.”

Bishop Gibbons High School parish Faith Formation proThe former St. Joseph’s pain Schenectady, N.Y. I attended gram, but he also serves as an rishioner took it all in stride Catholic school — kindergar- extraordinary minister of holy and didn’t miss a beat when his ten through grade 12 — pastor, Father Timothy so it’s been with me all Goldrick, suggested he throughout life and it’s help start a Knights of ingrained in me.”

Columbus group at the While he admits newly-combined parthere was a brief period ish. after college when he “St. Joseph’s had a drifted away from his Knights of Columbus faith, Kremzier said he program years ago, but felt compelled to return it disbanded,” Kremzier when he got married said. “Father Goldrick and had kids of his own. is a great champion of “I sort of lost my the Knights of Columway but my faith came bus and he asked me to back strong when I got help him start a chapter married and had chilat St. Nicholas of Myra. dren,” he said. “ActuWe were chartered on ally, it was my daughter Christmas Day 2009 Megan who encouraged and we’ve got about 36 me to become a Faith members now.”

Formation teacher. She As grand knight, was doing it herself afKremzier is proud of ter graduating from the the work the group does program in the parish within the parish and and she sort of shamed beyond. me into it.”

“I keep busy coordiAnchor Person of the Week — Edward Kremzier’s ancestors Kremzier. nating activities there,” would be proud that he he said. “I’m always remains a faithful and thinking about ways to active parishioner at St. Nicho- Communion and is the grand get people engaged. We follas of Myra who strives to lead knight of the parish’s growing low the principles of charity, by example. For years he has Knights of Columbus chapter. fraternity and unity. But the “I first charitable works we do are not got involved only limited to the Church, so when my son we’ve been able to give to variwas in the ous organizations in need. We seventh grade, try to have events that involve which would the entire parish as well. We’re have been involved in so many different about eight things — whatever ideas the years ago,” members come up with, we try he said. “We to implement.” moved from Having moved from initially another parish teaching seventh grade to now that had also eighth- and ninth-graders in undergone a Faith Formation, Kremzier is merger, so I also involved with the imporknew what to tant task of preparing students expect when to receive the Sacrament of St. Joseph’s Confirmation. and St. Pe“Our class is so big this ter’s parishes year we have two confirmation merged into Masses scheduled,” he said.

St. Nicholas “We have a confirmation retreat

coming up March 12. Our Faith Formation director has done a great job building up the youth programs and catechism classes here at the parish.”

Kremzier relishes when he’s able to connect with students and know that he’s made a difference in their lives. One former student, whom he described as something of a “good-natured joker,” recently went on to earn the St. Pius X Youth Award and is now attending a Catholic school in Canada.

“I was also a Boy Scout leader for a period of time and one of the scouts in my troop felt he had a calling to become a priest,” Kremzier said. “I tried to help him along the way and we made him the chaplain of the troop. As it turns out, he’s now a seminarian. His name is Chris Peschel and we’re all very proud of him.” Peschel is presently a first theologian for the Diocese of Fall River at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

When asked what motivated him to become so involved in his parish, Kremzier said it’s important to practice what you preach.

“If you’re on auto pilot from week to week, you’ll lose interest,” he said. “But if you’re fully prepared to get involved and do something, it keeps you engaged in the flow of the Mass and the celebration of the Eucharist.

And it’s not really the heavy lifting you might think, either.

If everyone just does his or her own little piece, it will take the burden off the few that always seem to put in all the time and quickly get burned out.”

Juggling his time between his parish family and his home family — the latter of which he’s now shared with his wife Lisa for the past 33 years — has become second nature for Kremzier. But it’s been worth the effort knowing that he’s passing on a lasting legacy of faith to his own children and the students he’s encountered along the way.

“I remember a saying from Scouting: ‘One hundred years from now it will not matter the size of my bank account, the car that I drove, or the clothes that I wore. But life was important because I was an influence on the life of a child,’” he said.

“For me, it’s about leaving a legacy. Hopefully the next generation will pass it on. Sharing the faith is very gratifying.”

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

March 4, 2011

W

hen MTV debuted Aug. 1, 1981, it was an anachronism for Music Television. The format consisted mostly of music videos ... a radio with pictures if you will. It spawned several other music stations, including VH1 (video hits).

MTV has since morphed into a completely different genre, instead focusing a good deal of time on “reality TV.” Shows like “The Real World,” “Jersey Shore,” and most recently, “Skins” are bringing today’s youth, particularly our teen population, the network’s view of what life is.

To them it’s promiscuity, vulgarity, indecency, selfishness, Godlessness, and a complete “It’s my world, you just live in it” philosophy. And if you don’t have that attitude, you’re not cool ... you’re one of “them.”

Granted, when MTV was an actual music channel, it still had more than its share of garbage, but there were some great videos too.

Well folks, I’m here to tell you that the real real world of teendom isn’t the one portrayed by the poor lost souls on “The Real World,” “Jersey Shores” and “Skins.”

Today’s teen-agers do have morals and a sense of right and wrong. I learned that first-hand last weekend, working with more than 20

11

The Anchor

The real real world

representatives of the new generaThey openly shared at small tion at the confirmation retreat for tables and they shared at large our family of Immaculate Concep- gatherings. They ate. tion and Notre Dame parishes in They let things out, and they Fall River. kept things inside. They ate.

More than 30 of us, including They sometimes spoke or adult and teen chaperones and team “leaders” spent nearly 48 hours as a family at beautiful Cathedral Camp in East Freetown.

The confirmation candidates came from

By Dave Jolivet as many different backgrounds and experiences as the snowflakes that magically coated the magnificent participated when it was clear they 95 acres on Long Pond Sunday really didn’t want to ... but they morning. did. They ate.

Some came from solid famiThey played football, they lies; some from broken families. jammed to Beatles songs on the A sprinkling attend Bishop piano and the guitar (one of my Connolly or Bishop Stang high personal highlights!), they prayed, schools, but most are enrolled in they took advantage of the Sacrasecular schools like Durfee, Diment of Reconciliation, and they man and Bristol Aggie. read in personal correspondence But that’s where the differof how they were loved at home. ences ended. To a person, each And they ate. student was polite, respectful, They laughed. There was the funny, intelligent, sensitive, occasional tear, and there were a mischievous, attentive, and an all around pleasure to be with.

They listened ... to instructions and to witnesses. They participated in activities, some of which weren’t quite their cup of tea. They ate.

My View From the Stands

few boo-boos made. And did I tell you they ate?

The teen team members were exceptional examples of what it’s like to be a Catholic teen-ager.

They showed it’s OK to hear God’s call to follow his Son, and be yourself all at the same time. They showed that one didn’t have to change who they were to be a Catholic, maybe just change their perspectives. They too ate.

The “adult” team members couldn’t help but step back in time a few years and be a teen for a weekend. It’s nice to all be on the same page. These adults are fantastic witnesses of the faith, and as role models. We too ate, but not nearly as much, or as often.

Coffee got us through.

And the people working behind the scenes and praying for us, witnessed the faith by their being so inconspicuous and unassuming.

There was no need to dangle a carrot in front of these young people to carry them through the

weekend. They were motivated and mature enough on their own.

But had they needed that carrot, the parish Women’s Guild, who provided the snacks for the weekend, would have artfully coated it with frosting, assuring the carrot never would have made it past the first break.

There’s no doubt that, despite the students’ different backgrounds, there are definitely some great influences in their home lives. As the old adage explains, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Or as Bon Jovi would sing, these teens “got it goin’ on.”

As I lay awake Sunday night, far too tired to sleep, memories of the weekend saturated my mind’s eye. It was all good. All good.

So MTV, get a reality check on your reality programming. The teens you seek to contaminate have solid foundations and are far more intelligent than you think.

You may appeal to a certain lost and misguided clientele, but the teens in my parish live in the real real world.

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The Anchor

March 4, 2011

New subtitles for ‘Diary of a Country Priest’ leave artistry intact

NEW YORK (CNS) — Director Robert Bresson’s “Diary of a Country Priest,” from the 1936 Georges Bernanos novel, qualifies as a masterpiece by any measure.

It received numerous awards upon its 1951 release and has exerted tremendous influence over filmmakers and movie lovers ever since.

Because Bresson’s artistic sensibility so beautifully conveys the theological depth of the narrative about a young cleric’s physical and spiritual anguish, “Diary” also ranks among the best religious films ever made. And its place in the pantheon of Catholic cinema is equally secure, though not because it offers a tranquil portrait of the priesthood.

Unlike the devoutly Catholic Bernanos (1888-1948), Bresson (1901-1999) was an agnostic; and in the central figure of Bernanos’ tale — a sickly curate who, straight from the seminary, clashes with his parishioners in a French village near Calais — he found a strikingly contemporary case study for the idea that crippling doubt and empowering belief can go hand-inhand.

On February 25, Rialto Pictures released a new version of “Diary” with freshly-translated English subtitles. Its premiere at Manhattan’s Film Forum is being followed by a run at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. During the coming months, it will also unreel in Chicago, Boston, Washington and other major markets.

The new subtitles — intended to render Bresson’s script more precisely — have been re-synced to the original soundtrack, which features extensive voice-over narration by Claude Laydu, the 23-year-old lead actor whom Bresson cast in part because he was a practicing Catholic.

The project succeeds, although the changes are often quite subtle. (For example, the townspeople are now called “mean-spirited” instead of “malicious.”)

Any measured attempt to make this profound movie more accessible should be applauded, yet it’s too bad a visual restoration wasn’t undertaken at the same time. Still, first-timers shouldn’t be deterred by the gloomy print, and aficionados have another reason to marvel at Bresson’s distinctive storytelling techniques.

The diary format allows the filmmaker to depict events and their corresponding states of mind in multiple ways. Throughout, the protagonist is shown writing in his journal, reading the relevant passages in voice-over, and acting out the scene described, not always in that order.

Bresson’s propensity for having sound propel the action is also brilliantly demonstrated, as is his

knack for compressing the passage of time on screen. L.H. Burel’s black-and-white cinematography and the sparingly deployed music

by Jean-Jacques Grunewald, serve Bresson’s goals, which, admittedly, require patience to fully appreciate.

Gradually, the film’s short vignettes begin to flow and cohere, evoking strong emotions in the viewer. Bresson’s habit of casting inexperienced or nonprofessional actors, whose performances tend toward the robotic, contributes to this delayed response. Eventually, however, it’s obvious that Bresson’s minimalist approach has found a liturgical rhythm that perfectly expresses the ebb and flow of religious faith.

The work’s austere form mirrors the priest’s asceticism. Bresson also frequently shoots the curate through the iron bars of gates or behind glass to underscore his isolation. Varied eucharistic metaphors offset the bleakness of his situation, most notably the stale bread soaked in wine that constitutes the only meal he can digest. Other symbols representing Christ’s blood include ink, coffee, mud, blackberries and the priest’s own blood.

Death looms for other characters as well, giving the suffering clergyman a redemptive purpose.

Sad-eyed and shabbily attired, he’s obviously in torment, yet the villagers offer scant comfort; even the schoolgirl who excels in catechism class treats him with a cool wariness bordering on derision.

Still, he is shown to possess the gift of fortitude as well as holy simplicity. Much of the action concerns the priest’s traffic with the local aristocrat, a count whose affair with his daughter’s governess poisons his household. The countess — in mourning since the death of their toddler son years ago — tolerates her husband’s infidelity; their teenage daughter is bitterly angry.

“Diary’s” central scene — among the most famous in 20thcentury French cinema — is a Miltonic dialogue between the countess and the clergyman during which she spurns God. Can he help save her soul? And what might an attempt to do so mean for his own?

After “Diary,” Bresson went on to make 1959’s “The Pickpocket,” arguably a secular companion piece, plus other estimable films, some with religious themes or characters such as 1962’s “The Trial of Joan of Arc.” One quality that distinguishes “Diary” is how it transcends time and place while being plausibly grounded in history and in the material world. The film’s troubled hero calls this bridge between the temporal and the eternal “grace” — a word that’s virtually the same in French or English.

the cost of discipleship — Lambert Wilson and Jean-Marie Frin star in a scene from the movie “Of Gods and Men.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Sony Pictures Classics)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son” (Fox) Warm but somewhat bland third installment in the “Big Momma” franchise, with Martin Lawrence again in the title role.

Director John Whitesell and screenwriter Matthew Fogel put Momma through her paces as a housemother at an Atlanta girls school while Lawrence’s real persona, an FBI agent — with the help of Brandon T. Jackson as his son — searches for a flash drive that will convict a group of mobsters. Some gun violence, fleeting crude and crass language and a partial rear view of a body suit. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“I Am Number Four” (DreamWorks) Occasionally moving teen drama about a human-looking alien (Alex Pettyfer) who has come to Earth to prevent its colonization by the race of evil creatures (led by Kevin Durand) who took over his home planet, slaughtering the native population in the process. Perpetually on the run, he’s protected by a guardian (Timothy Olyphant) from his own world, but his love for a fellow high school student (Dianna Agron) in his latest hometown proves a potentially dangerous distraction. With its main character’s sense of isolation and desire to rebel against

his seemingly overzealous caretaker paralleling more mundane adolescent angst, director D.J. Caruso’s adaptation of a novel

by Pittacus Lore may appeal to targeted younger viewers. But, while the innocent central relationship is perfectly acceptable for them, the same cannot be said of the hyper-violent, though generally bloodless, climax toward which the proceedings build. Much intense but largely gore-free combat, a few uses of profanity, a bit of vaguely scatological humor, at least a dozen instances of crude language, about half that many crass terms.

The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“Of Gods and Men” (Sony Classics) Brilliant dramatization of real events, recounting the fate of a small community of French Trappists (led by Lambert Wilson and including Michael Lon-

sdale) living in Algeria during that nation’s civil war in the 1990s. Targeted by violent Muslim extremists, the monks must decide whether to continue their medical and social work for the local population or abandon them by fleeing to safety. Using the tools of the monastic life itself, director Xavier Beauvois finds a path to the heart of the Gospel through simplicity, a compassionate sense of brotherhood and an atmosphere of prayer enriched by sacred music and potent silence. The result, a profound mediation on the cost of discipleship, is a viewing experience from which every adult as well as many mature teens can expect to profit. In French.

Subtitles. Brief gory violence, some unsettling images and a single instance each of rough and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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

Celebrant is Father Thomas A. Kocik, a parochial vicar at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River

March 4, 2011

13

The Anchor

The persecution of Christians and the need to confront radical Islam

H

uman rights groups and government agencies around the world agree that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world according to a recent report published in Catholic Insight magazine. The murder of 52 Christians, including two priests, while attending services of the Catholic Syrian rite held in the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation and the wounding of another 100 parishioners by Muslim fanatics has reverberated around the world. It has focused attention upon this escalating use of violence upon innocent persons who live in Islamic countries but who happen to belong to a religion that is not Islam.

It may surprise some that Egypt in the seventh century was almost 100 percent Christian Coptic prior to its invasion by the followers of Islam. Its founder, the Prophet Mohammed, declared in 632: “I was ordered to fight all men until they say ‘There is no god but Allah.’” He urged his followers, now known as Muslims, to strive for a new universal order in which the whole of humanity would embrace Islam or live under its domination.

Efrain Karsh, a professor and head of the Mediterranean Studies Program at King’s College, University of London, has summed up the Islamic goals as follows: “From the first Arabic-Islamic Empire of the mid-seventh century to the Ottomans, the last great empire, the story of Islam has been the story of the rise and fall of universal empires and, no less important, of never quiescent imperialist dreams.”

The present-day Muslim Brotherhood, which promises to be an influential player in the future direction of Egypt, has as its credo: “Allah is our goal; the Qur’an is our constitution; the prophet is our leader; struggle is our way; and death in the path of Allah is our highest aspiration.”

Hamas, a related group to the Muslim Brothers that looms large in the politics of Syria and Lebanon, has a similar belief: “Allah is our goal: the prophet its model; the Qur’an its constitution, jihad its path and death for the cause of Allah its most sublime belief.”

Many of today’s Muslims, thanks be to God, do not subscribe to the death, violence, and destruction of Jihad and reject those tenets of Islam.

They believe Islam has been insignificant number. erroneously interpreted in British Prime Minister order to encourage terrorist David Cameron recently attacks such as the Septemgave a provocative address in ber 11, 2001 attack upon the which he called on the West World Trade Center in New to confront rather than consort York City. Unfortunately, the with radical Islamists in their peaceful Muslims appear to be unable to persuade their brothers in Islam to forsake and cease their jihad of brutal behavior, a jihad that includes both terrorism as well

By James T. Grady as the persecution of religious minorities such as Christians midst. “Instead of ignoring and other non-believers of this extremist ideology, we — Islam. as governments and as societThere are 2.3 billion Chrisies — have got to confront it, tians and 1.6 billion Muslims in all its forms.” He said that in the world today, representEurope can’t afford to ignore ing more than 50 percent of the real threat from “young the human family. It is estimen who follow a completely mated that the world’s Muslim perverse, warped interpretapopulation will grow to 2.6 tion of Islam and who are prebillion by 2030. In the United pared to blow themselves up States there are now 2.6 miland kill their fellow citizens.” lion Muslims and that number So what are we to do about is expected to grow to 6.2 milthe problem of jihadist Islam? lion by 2030, according to a We can do nothing and pres2011 study by the Pew Forum ent a new target for jihadists. on Religion and Public Life.

We can send a strong letter of It is anyone’s guess how protest, which will be igmany of these Muslims are nored. We can start a dialogue extreme jihadists who want for peace with Muslims, but to destroy and dominate all because there’s no central infidels, including Christians, authority in Islam and because Jews, and other non-Islamic there’s an intra-Islamic battle Americans, but it is safe to not only between peaceful say that it is probably not an

Guest Columnist

and radical Muslims, but also between Shi’a, Sunnis and Sufis, the question is: Who will be their spokesman? Dialogue with peaceful Muslims open to dialogue will not have much of an impact on jihadists like Osama bin Laden who have demonstrated that they are not interested in dialogue.

This is a serious and sobering business.

Indeed, unless the momentum of the murderous jihadist movement is stopped in its tracks, there is a serious possibility of a war against a nuclear-armed Iran and other Islamic nations in defense of our longtime ally Israel.

Nathan Sharansky, a survivor of nine years in a Soviet gulag, in his recent book “The Case for Democracy,” proposes that the United States should shift its foreign policy from the Obama Administration’s “stability” approach to a more proactive “linkage” mode that was successfully used against the Soviet Union in the 1970s. This means linking all U.S. foreign aid to the receiving nations’ demonstration of actual progress in developing institutions of a free society, which would, of course, include freedom of religion.

He proposes to do this by

imposing a condition that 20 percent of all foreign aid be used exclusively for the development of human rights under the direction and control of the U.S. Department of State.

The model for such “linkage” is the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which forced the Soviet Union to allow Jewish emigration or lose its economically valuable “most favored nation” trade designation. Trade sanctions could also be imposed upon nations that do not receive our foreign aid that engage in or tolerate severe or repeated violations of the religious freedom of any of its inhabitants.

Such a law should appeal to all members of Congress who wish to protect religious minorities throughout the world and simultaneously deter and defeat those of the Islamic faith who choose violence over peace.

“Linkage” deserves a try, particularly when you consider the alternatives.

James T. Grady is a retired lawyer, a former visiting scholar at Harvard Law School, and chairman of the board of trustees at Bristol Community College in Fall River. He and his wife Sheila live in Marion and are parishioners at St. Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett.

pilgrimage / tour to

“national shrines of canada”

Spiritual Director: Fr. Joseph P. McDermott, Pastor Immaculate Conception Church 122 Canton Street, Stoughton, MA 02072

May 9 - 13, 2011 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS for $455.00 (per person, double occupancy) (SINGLE SUPPLEMENT - $135.00)

INCLUDES: transportation via deluxe motorcoach, round trip for 4 (four) nights @ Cap de la Madeline, 4 (four) breakfasts, 1 (one) lunch, & 4 (four) dinners SHRINES consist of: SAINT ANNE de BEUPRE in Quebec, Cap de la Madeline in Three Rivers for four (4) full nights, & the ORATORY of ST. JOSEPH in Montreal; as well as side trips, including Mass & prayers @ BLESSED FATHER FREDERICK’S SHRINE, ST. JOACHIM (father of Blessed Mother) SHRINE

For further information you may contact Margaret Oliverio @ 781-762-2029 or 781-344-2073

14

The Anchor

Our readers respond

Why the raised fist?

Since the acquisition of Saint Anne’s Hospital by Caritas Christi, Caritas has been using the “raised fist” — a socialist/communist symbol — on its website. I have sought an explanation behind this symbol, but so far to no avail.

The evils of communism, under this symbol, have led to the deaths of millions of people across the globe.

Catholics across Massachusetts need the leaders of Caritas Care (and the new Steward Care) to explain the use of a socialist symbol to define Catholic “healthcare” in Massachusetts. I would ask other interested Catholics to view the following website (caritaschristi. org/commitment) and join me in seeking an explanation to this latest attack against the Catholic Church.

Linda Rapoza Fall River No room for moral relativism I agree with the January 7 editorial concerning Catholic hospitals. As a Catholic, it is important to me that Catholic hospitals truly epitomize the moral values of both Christ and the Church.

I was shocked to read of the injustices that took place at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. The topic of abortion has certainly had a controversial existence. For years powerful people like Hillary Clinton and even Aristotle have depicted abortion as acceptable and benign. The Church does not conform to the principles of moral relativism. I support Bishop Olm-

sted’s decision to take away St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Catholic status.

Ryan Di Corpo Mansfield Undermining shut-ins Reference is made to the article “Televised Masses” (The Anchor Jan. 28, 2011). The paragraph which stated “The first thing to remember is that a televised Mass is not a substitute for assisting at Mass and does not fulfill the Sunday precept” seems especially harsh wording for shut-ins, the infirm and others who cannot get out to Mass. I walk with the aid of a walker, am in constant pain, cannot reasonably attend Mass in a parish and have great difficulty with stairs.

I do think it should fulfill the Sunday precept. The article “Televised Masses” undermines the great good that Catholic TV and others like it do. Also Catholic TV brings special Masses (ordination ceremonies and Masses concelebrated by Pope Benedict XVI). I could never attend these ceremonies in person. I have Communion brought to me on a limited basis; for this I am grateful.

Jack Russell Boston Father Landry responds: Father McNamara stated that when someone is incapable because of illness or frailty of attending Mass, he is not longer obliged to attend. He is, however, required to keep holy the Lord’s day. One great way to do so is by watching Mass on television.

Revise d and Updat ed

2010-2011 Diocese of Fall River Catholic Directory ... Now shipping!!

Published by The Anchor Publishing Company P.O. Box 7, Fall River, Massachusetts 02722 Please ship _____ directories x $18 each, including shipping and handling. Total Enclosed $_____ NAME ____________________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________________ CITY _____________________ STATE _______ ZIP _____ Please make checks payable to “Anchor Publishing” For more information, email theanchor@anchonews.org, call 508-675-7151, or order online at www.anchornews.org

March 4, 2011

40 Days For Life Campaign to begin on Ash Wednesday continued from page one

A sting operation by a Pro-Life group in New Jersey revealed an abortion clinic employee giving abortion advice to an undercover couple advising them to lie about the girls’ age (14) to avoid statutory rape and child abuse charges.

And most recently, Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director, now a Pro-Life advocate, described the horrors of an abortion she witnessed where the child attempted to move away from a medical instrument. She said, “It seemed clear to me that ... it did not like what it was feeling.” Shortly after the doctor jokingly said to the nurse, “Beam me up Scotty,” requesting that she turn on the instrument in which to suck up the child — either whole or in parts.

These are examples that have come to light in the press. Millions more occur each year that go undetected — a sickening example of man’s inhumanity to man.

In complete contrast, there is a growing movement in this country, including in the Diocese of Fall River — a movement to abolish the legal killing of our young.

On Ash Wednesday, the sixth 40 Days for Life campaign in this diocese will begin, lasting until April 17. The nationwide event unites Pro-Life teams in 246 cities across the U.S., as well as groups in Canada, Australia, England and Northern Ireland.

Again coordinating the Attleboro-based campaign are Steve Marcotte, Darlene Howard and Ron Larose. The focus is threefold: 40 days of prayer and fasting; 40 days of peaceful vigil; and 40 days of community outreach. According to its website, 40daysforlife. com/attleboro, “The most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil outside our local abortion fa-

cility” (Four Women, Inc. 150 Emory Street, Attleboro). Faithful are asked to sign up to participate in the vigil there to stand for life by public witness outside the clinic, with the emphasis on prayer. The website explains the Attleboro Statement of Peace, “simple rules of conduct emphasizing that our primary focus is prayer.”

“We are very excited to begin our sixth 40 Days For Life Campaign here in Attleboro on March 9,” Marcotte told The Anchor. “As we begin this campaign, we already see God’s blessing, as we have received numerous inquiries as well as new sign-ups. I can say without hesitation that the level of interest and participation has grown, and has done so in different ways. In prayer, I receive calls from people who inform me they are unable to come to the clinic to pray, but assure me they are praying for this campaign. In community support, after some uncertainty about the campaign, we have been wellreceived in the local newspaper, and the many who travel by the abortion clinic. At the vigil site, one gentleman, ‘Charlie’ drove one-and-a-half hours, sometimes to spend an hour at the site to pray.

And the many who come up from the Cape and other great distances, to show their support.”

This year’s event will begin with an opening ceremony March 12 at the 4:30 p.m. Mass at The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro.

In its brief existence, the Attleboro 40 Days For Life campaign has twice experienced the elation of having saved the life of an unborn.

In February 2010 a group was praying outside the Four Women’s, Inc. when a couple leaving the clinic drove by and shouted, “We

couldn’t do it.” Those there agreed they saw the couple with “a look of peace and the biggest smile. They kept waving as they drove off.”

In March 2009 a women talked with the group outside the clinic telling them she was scheduled for an abortion, but after seeing them praying, she had a change of heart and announced that she was going to keep the child.

It’s estimated that through the years more than 40,000 individuals worldwide have mobilized for the 40 Days For Life campaigns saving more than 3,500 unborn children from the cruel fate of abortion, has led to the conversion of 43 abortion workers, and has seen nine abortion mills close.

“I do ask all to consider being involved in this incredible, lifechanging campaign,” added Marcotte. “There are so many ways to get involved. The first of course and most important way is to pray.

Pray for workers at the clinic, and the doctor. Pray for conversion and softening of hearts. Pray for the women, scared, alone, confused, and pray for those who have their pregnancy terminated, that they may seek freedom and mercy in Jesus and know his love.

“Spread the word, tell others about 40 Days, what it is, and just as importantly, what it is not. We are about peaceful, prayerful presence.

We are there to show that women do have hope and that we are there not to judge or condemn, rather to be a witness to the love of Christ. And finally, come pray with us. Come for 10 minutes, experience the power of prayer and step out in faith. See what Christ is doing for the most precious of all, the unborn.”

Just prior to the beginning of the campaign, the Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center will celebrate its Grand Opening tomorrow at 104 County Street in Attleboro with an open house from 1-3 p.m. Some of the services to be provided are pregnancy counseling and testing, educational programs to include abstinence, parenting and adoption placement, and ministry to those suffering from abortion.

To learn how to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, contact Steve Marcotte at 508-406-1211 or visit 40daysforlife.com/attleboro.

Winter winds force Assonet parish to remove leaning tower

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

ASSONET — For a brief moment Father Michael Racine, pastor of St. Bernard’s Parish, might have wondered if he was suddenly in Pisa, Italy when he first learned about his church’s leaning tower.

“I received a phone call from the Freetown Police Department asking if I was aware of any damage to our property from the winds,” Father Racine said, referring to the windy Presidents’ Day weekend. “I said I wasn’t aware of anything and the dispatcher told me: ‘Father, I think there may be a problem with your tower.’”

Having conducted a wedding rehearsal in the church earlier that evening, Father Racine said he didn’t notice anything at the time. But he

suspected something was amiss when he spotted a Freetown police cruiser circling the church parking lot later that night after he returned from visiting the family of a deceased parishioner.

“I’ve got to give credit to Sgt. Elton Ashley of the Freetown Police Department who was the first to spot it,” Father Racine said. “He came to the rectory and took me for a ride and showed me that the steeple tower was leaning over.”

Sure enough, the uppermost portion of St. Bernard’s steeple — the cone-shaped tower supporting the gold Cross of Christ above the belfry — had sustained structural damage and was now lilting to one side.

“That Friday night into Saturday we had very strong winds and a pretty bad thunderstorm,” Father Racine said.

This week in

“We have a parishioner who tracks meteorology as a hobby, and he estimated that the winds were blowing at least 55 to 65 miles per hour that night.”

Although encased within an exterior layer of white aluminum siding, Father Racine said the tower is primarily made of wood that apparently began to rot inside.

“When they went up to examine the tower, they discovered a lot of damage,” he said.

“We’re thinking this winter weather just did a number on it and, unfortunately, it was letting go. But all the necessary precautions were taken and there were never any hazard issues.”

Even though a metal support rod within the tower would prevent it from coming down, Father Racine said

Diocesan history

50 years ago — The diocese purchased the Taunton Inn in downtown Taunton as the future site of Marian Manor, a facility for the treatment and care of the aged and infirm that could accommodate more than 700 occupants.

10 years ago — A group of priests from the Fall River Diocese accompanied Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., on a pilgrimage/retreat to the Holy Land, where they were able to follow in the footsteps of Christ and visit many of the places he made sacred.

25 years ago — Bishop Daniel A. Cronin participated in a series of four dialogue sessions with representatives of religious orders working within the diocese. The sessions followed hearings held the previous year in cooperation with a papal commission studying religious life in the United States.

One year ago — Father Philip A. Davignon, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville, was struck by a motor vehicle while taking a morning walk, leaving him seriously injured with a broken and dislocated shoulder and minor concussion.

catholic social services FALL RIVER 1600 BAY ST. P.O. BOX M SO. STA. 508-674-4681

15

The Anchor

Website: cssdioc.org

NEW BEDFORD 238 BONNEY ST. 508-997-7337

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they immediately decided to cordon off the front entrance to the building just to be safe.

“Of course, I had a wedding to celebrate on Saturday afternoon,” Father Racine said. “I called the parents of the bride to make them aware of the situation. The only change we had to make was the bride had to enter the church through the side; she couldn’t come in through the front door. It added a little humor to the whole thing. Just my luck to have a wedding and the church tower is leaning.”

After successfully celebrating the wedding, several baptisms and the usual weekend Masses, Father Racine consulted with the diocesan insurance office and Vicar General Msgr. John A. Perry and decided to remove the tower and cross until a suitable replacement can be installed.

“Thankfully, the original bell and belfry are still intact,” he said. “They took a look at the bell this morning and they didn’t see any problems.

We’ll be ringing them again for Masses; I kind of miss them. The cross is still in perfect condition, too. Obviously we’ll be able to use it again

once we replace the tower.”

Father Racine said he’s already had some initial discussions with a parishioner who is also an architect about designing a potential replacement steeple for the church.

“The plan we talked about just in general was to make it an aluminum tower, with no wood in it, and we’re hoping to keep it the same height as the original,” he said. “He’s going to design some plans and present them to the parish and the diocesan insurance office. It’s going to take some time. I don’t see it happening next week, but we’ll fix it.”

Chalking the incident up to another example of Mother Nature taking its toll on the area during an already-harsh winter, Father Racine said he’s thankful the Freetown Police Department brought the matter to his attention and that no one was hurt.

“Aside from blocking off the front entrance to the church and making the bride walk through the parish center, it was pretty much just another weekend as usual,” he said. “But I’m sure it’s something the bride will never forget.”

Upcoming Events

"

March 4, 2011

Mar. 9 - ASH WEDNESDAY: “The Greatest of These (Wed.) 10am-3pm is Love” (1Cor. 13-13)

Presenter: Father Mike McNamara

Mar. 19 - A TIME FOR HEALING: “Healing Our Hidden Self (Sat.) 10am-1:30pm Though the Power of Jesus’ Perfect, Unconditional

Love and Forgiveness” (Ephesians 3:14-22,

Luke 22:33-34) Presenter: Dr. Hugh Boyle Jr., Ed.D,

Christian Psychologist Mar. 26 - (Sat.) 10am-3pm

a day of recollection: “Seek Wisdom” (Wisdom 6:12) Presenter Barbara Wright

Apr. 6 - (Wed.) 10am-3pm

Apr. 16 - (Sat.) 10am-3pm

praise and worship: Presenter: Fr. Tom DiLorenzo

May 21 - (Sat.) 10am-1:30pm

May 28 - (Sat.) 10am-3pm

A TIME FOR HEALING: Presenter: Dr. Joseph Coyle, PhD, Christian Psychologist

June 26 (Sun.) 2pm

A TIME FOR HEALING: “Angels are Real” Presenter: Maria Rocha

-

A TIME OF INNER HEALING: “Healing the Hurts of the Heart” Presenter: Dorothea Degrandis-Sudol

a day of recollection: “Living in the Moment” Presenter: Barbara Jacobbe

BRING A LUNCH TEA AND COFFEE WILL BE SERVED

For required registration and for further information, please call 1-508-947-4704 If you register and discover you cannot attend, please call to cancel so that a replacement may be found.

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Youth Pages

successful experiments — Recently, the sixth-, seventh-, and eighthgraders at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro displayed their work for family, friends, and alumni of the school at the annual science fair.

Each project was critiqued and graded on the scientific approach to the problem, thoroughness, ingenuity and creativity, proper use of the scientific method, a written report, and the backboard that displayed their work. Pictured are first-place winners: seventh-grader Sydney Daniels; eighth-graders Owen Conroy and Julia Morris; and sixth-grader Molly Hoell.

March 4, 2011

project management — St. Joseph School in Fairhaven recently held its annual science fair. The fair featured more that 90 projects and had 10 judges from the local community. The top 10 were selected and are going to compete in the 50th Annual BCC/Rensselaer Region III Science and Engineering Fair.

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools or parish Religious Education programs, have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org kids helping kids — During Catholic Schools Week, students from St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth brought in items such as juice, snacks, art supplies, and paper products as their Dress Down Day Donation. The items were collected for the Children’s Center in Harwich.

March 4, 2011

I

have to wonder how many adults truly remember our confirmations and the “Yes” we gave to either the bishop or one of his delegates.

Personally, I remember my confirmation very well because of the simple fact that I was nearly 29 years old. I knew that at the particular moment when then Bishop-elect George W. Coleman anointed me that I was finally saying yes to becoming an active participant in my Catholic faith. The decision I was making as I stood in St. Mary’s Cathedral (my first time through its doors) was mine alone to make. It was not the decision of my parents who brought me to St. James Church as an infant to be baptized. It was not the decision of my grandmother (God rest her soul) who pestered me throughout high school and most of college before finally giving up on the idea that I would become a confirmed Catholic — a soldier of Christ if you will. But

Youth Pages A thousand times YES!

confirmation was my decision beBut that is just an abbreviated cause I had reached a point in my life version of my story. What about the where I was ready to commit myself stories of the young people of our to God and my newly-growing faith. diocese who are confirmed in front of My heart was and still is truly burntheir families and parish communiing within me. ties? Why did they say “Yes” to the To put it Lord? Did or bluntly, I had do they feel a conversion called? Can experience they truly that helped understand lead me back the totalto my Cathoity of their

By Crystal Medeiros lic faith. I confirmation will not bore “Yes”? you with the Each year, details of that experience but what I the Office of Faith Formation prowill say is that until I felt the Lord’s vides young people of high school presence in my life, until I finally age the opportunity to explore that opened myself up to listen and hear confirmation “Yes.” The aptly named his word, I was not ready to become YES! Retreat is a vehicle at which a fully-initiated Catholic. Before I teens can come together as a small rediscovered my faith, I was far too community to share their faith and eager to sit on the sidelines, if that is, share their confirmation “Yes.” These I even showed up to the game at all. teens join a team of adults and other teens from across the diocese to grow closer in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Candidates of YES! will have the opportunity to encounter God through the sharing of sacraments, through fellowship, through sharing in the witness of the their team (who have

Be Not Afraid

key players — Several Bishop Feehan High School students have been recognized as winners in the 61st Annual Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards. Gold Key winners are: Lindsey Chou, Viviana Hanley, John Humphrey, Zachary Hurley, Hannah Kumlin, Karly Laliberte, Meghan Murray, Christine Petzold, and Alysha Robinson. Gold Key portfolio winners: Sandy Bartos, Emily Bravaco, Mackenzie Danho, John Humphry, Zachary Hurley and Kevin O’Brien. Silver Key winners: Christopher Anderson, Alyssa Aucoin, Kacy Blais, Alexis Chura, Viviana Hanley, Danielle Houle, Amanda Joubert, Kimberly Kogut, Matthew Moore, Meghan Murray, and Regis Schratz. Honorable Mention: Sandy Bartos, Jason Bently, Emily Bravaco, Sean Doherty, Megan Finn, Brigid Garrity, Viviana Hanley, John Humphrey, Christopher Klein, Rachel Koger, Kimberly Kogut, Amanda Palmer, Elizabeth Sieber, Cassie Smith, Matthew Taylor and Jessica Traut-Savino. Shown is a collage of some of the winning entries from the Attleboro school.

17 been preparing for months), through prayer, through small and large group sharing and through various activities; but most of all, candidates participate in a reflective study of themselves and their relationships with Christ and with others while in community.

The YES! Retreat is an experience that allows young people to say “Yes” to all God seeks from and for them. Often these teens return to their parishes and school communities renewed in their commitment to the faith and have themselves gone on to serve on team for future YES! weekends in the hopes of sharing and witnessing their faith to their peers.

They come to a better understanding that their mission is to continuously spread the Good News.

That is of course if they are ready and open and if the decision to attend the YES! Retreat is their own.

This year’s YES! Retreat will be held at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown from March 18 to 20. To download an application visit www. fallriverfaithformation.org.

Crystal is assistant director for Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the diocese. She can be contacted at cmedeiros@dfrcec.com.

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The Anchor

Pro-Life bills before U.S. Congress

continued from page one ported the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which codifies the Hyde Amendment and prohibits the government from using the people’s money to support and promote elective abortion.

“Even public officials who take a ‘pro-choice’ stand on abortion, and courts that have insisted on the validity of a constitutional ‘right’ to abortion, have agreed that the government can validly use its funding power to encourage childbirth over abortion,” he recently wrote.

Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act would prevent federal funding under Title X of the Public Health Service Act, a grant program for family planning and health services, from subsidizing entities that perform or provide funds to another entity that performs abortions.

Planned Parenthood receives more funding under Title X than any other organization. While the money cannot directly pay for abortions, it pays for operational costs and other expenditures. Taxpayer dollars make up more than 30 percent of their annual budget.

In an opinion piece put on the online news site, The Daily Caller, the Family Research Council’s president Tony Perkins and Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), who introduced the bill to de-fund Planned Parenthood, said the Title X grants free up other money so that the organization can promote and provide abortions.

The Pence bill would close a loophole that has kept taxpayers in the abortion business, they said.

“From 2002-2008, Planned Parenthood received more than $342 million in federal taxpayer money through Title X funding alone.

In its 2008-2009 annual report, Planned Parenthood revealed that it received $363.2 million in various federal, state, and local government grants and contracts for that fiscal year, a significant increase from the prior year. During that same time period, they performed an unprecedented 324,008 abortions, which equates to 888 abortions each and every day,” they wrote.

They went on to point out that in 2008 Planned Parenthood made only 2,405 adoption referrals and

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Our Lady’s Monthly Message From Medjugorje February 25, 2011

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina “Dear children! Nature is awakening and on the trees the first buds are seen which will bring most beautiful flowers and fruit. I desire that you also, little children, work on your conversion and that you be those who witness with their life, so that your example may be a sign and an incentive for conversion to others. I am with you and before my Son Jesus I intercede for your conversion.

“Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community One Marian Way Medway, MA 02053 • Tel. 508-533-5377 Paid advertisement

serving prenatal clients made up less than 0.09 percent of all their services. Planned Parenthood supporters have lauded the organization’s general health care services and have called attempts to de-fund the group “war on women.”

In addition, a recent undercover investigation by Live Action found Planned Parenthood employees giving advice to sex traffickers on how to get abortions, birth control and STD testing for underage prostitutes.

Founder of Live Action Lila Rose, a convert to Catholicism, has posed as a minor in some of the group’s previous videos, all at Planned Parenthood, and was given advice on how to bypass statutory rape and parental consent laws. So far, Live Action has released more than a dozen undercover videos taken in several states.

Kristian Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, called Rose “the true champion of the hour.” There is no doubt that a combination of her work and the newly-elected Congress has lead to the bill to de-fund Planned Parenthood, he told The Anchor.

He called Planned Parenthood a “morally bankrupt organization.”

“It’s high time that they’re cut off,” he said. “It’s a violation of our freedom of religion, our right of conscience. It’s really unconscionable of the government to use our tax dollars to murder babies. This is something that is so repugnant and reprehensible to people of faith, so there’s absolutely no reason either morally or, I believe, constitutionally that a taxpayer should see his or her money going to fund abortions.”

Patricia Stebbins, who has been doing Pro-Life work for 30 years, said she believes the Pro-Life movement is at a crossroads. Stebbins is president of the Cape Cod Family Life Alliance, a group of concerned Catholics from various Cape parishes who meet on the first Thursday of each month at St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth.

“We are at a point where the country’s changing,” she told The Anchor. “The battleground for the Pro-Life movement is very definitely in the legislature.”

Now is the time to support the Pro-Life movement, she added.

“Catholics, both lay and clergy, we are all members of the Church Militant,” she said. “We on earth are here to be fighting the battle against evil and fighting for our Church, and I think our Church, our lay people and our clergy, need to be more militant in respecting life and fighting for it.”

Massachusetts Citizens for Life recently authored a state bill that would allow taxpayers to redirect their dollars that would have paid for abortions to the implementation of the Baby Safe Haven Act, which has not received funding since it was passed in 2004. The law was

March 4, 2011 designed to protect newborns up to a week old by allowing them to be safely turned over to a trained staff member at a hospital, police station or fire station without fear of prosecution.

“Obviously, it’s not being implemented the way the legislature meant because they haven’t had the funds,” MCFL president Anne Fox told The Anchor.

The MCFL bill recognizes and respects the consciences of Pro-Lifers, which have been continually stepped on. More than 60 percent of Americans do not support government funding of abortion, she said.

“What the government funds tells the world what the government thinks is important. And for

our government to be funding abortion all these years has definitely said something,” she added.

The fact that the U.S. House of Representatives understands “how awful it is for the government to be funding abortion is really exciting.” They are taking correct action in de-funding Planned Parenthood and taking abortion funding out of health care, she said.

“We at Mass. Citizens for Life believe that abortion funding in Obamacare is a travesty and anything that removes it is wonderful, but we also feel that there are some other very serious problems with Obamacare,” she said. “We are very happy with the abortion funding restrictions. We do not feel that that fixes Obamacare.”

Parishes preparing programs for Lent continued from page one

Parishioners at Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich will be participating in small faith-sharing groups during the six weeks of Lent. These groups will meet on Mondays at 9:45 a.m., Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:45 a.m. for prayer and discussion based on materials provided. The parish has also purchased a supplement titled “Journeying Through Lent” and is making copies available to interested parishioners.

St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth is hosting a special Lenten book group on “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Participants can choose from among five series of discussions — Monday from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. or from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

(March 14-April 11); Tuesday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. or 7 to 8:30 p.m.

(March 15-April 12); or Wednesday from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. (March 16-April 13). For more information or to register for the book group, call 508-993-2351, ext. 109.

Diocesan young adults can take advantage of the popular Theology on Tap series to hear Father Jay Mello discuss “Living Out Lent” on March 14 at the Uno Chicago Grille, Route 132 in Hyannis. The program is sponsored by the Office of Faith Formation and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and attendees are welcome to order from the restaurant menu.

As part of the series Father Roger Landry will also discuss “Theology of the Body” on March 16 at the Olive Garden, Route 140 in Taunton, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about either presentation, call Crystal Medeiros at 508-678-2828 or visit www.fallriverfaithformation.org.

An evening to experience the healing power of the eucharistic Lord will be held March 18 beginning at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Bedford. Sister Joan May of the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth will lead the group in reflection and prayer in the pres-

ence of Our Lord in the Eucharist. During exposition of the most Blessed Sacrament, an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation will also be offered.

The Taunton area deanery of the diocese will sponsor a fournight Lenten mission titled “Sacred Menu” from March 20 through March 23. Father John Graden, OSFS, will be facilitator and preacher for the mission that will take place at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish on Kilmer Avenue in Taunton.

St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet on March 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. will host a night of recollection on the Lenten wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thérèse Lisieux, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and Blessed Mother Teresa.

Father Andrew Johnson, chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital, will discuss “The Face of the Suffering Christ” at Saint Anne’s Hospital March 26 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by Mass and lunch.

Sponsored by the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Nurses, the presentation will help attendees strengthen and deepen individual relationships with Christ while learning about the vocation of caregivers. For more information about this program call 508-678-2373.

Immaculate Conception Parish in North Easton will host a joint parish Lenten mission with Holy Cross Parish of South Easton from April 11 through April 14 beginning at 7 p.m. each night.

Holy Cross Family Ministries based in North Easton will host recitation of the rosary Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. with Mass at noon throughout Lent, with additional rosary prayer at 5 p.m. every Sunday. A special day of reflection for the Portuguese-speaking community will be held March 26 and a mini retreat will be held Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week with reflection talks at 11 a.m. followed by Mass at noon. For information, visit familyrosary.org.

The Anchor

March 4, 2011

Sister Marie Clotilde Remy, SSJ

HOLYOKE — Sister Marie Clotilde Remy, (Concorde), 95, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Holyoke February 24. She was 81.

Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Leon and Alice (Couturier). Sister Remy entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy of Fall River from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Fall River. She graduated from Novitiate High School in Fall River. She earned a B.Ed. degree from Rivier College, Nashua, N.H. and a M.Ed. from St. Rose College, Albany, N.Y. Sister Remy became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two Communities merged in 1974. She was a teacher in the Diocese of Fall River at St. Joseph School and St.

St. André relatives to attend film showing

NEW BEDFORD — As part of Francophone Week (La Semaine Francophonie), a showing of the film “The Life of Brother André” will take place at St. Mary’s Church, 106 Illinois Street, on March 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Dr. Russell Bessette, a cousin of St. André, and other relatives are scheduled to be in attendance.

There will also be a Richelieu Meeting at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford on March 16 at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be educator Marguerite Shokry, who will speak on “French Culture,” the value of the language and the person; how a person can profit from French culture.

For information on either event contact Norman Ouellette at 508674-7036.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks March 5 Rev. James McGuire. Pastor St. Mary, New Bedford, 1850 Permanent Deacon Manuel H. Camara, 1995 Rev. James A. McCarthy, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Falmouth, 2007

March 6 Rev. Joseph F. McDonough, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1906 Rev. John W. Quirk, Founder, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1932 Rev. Bernard P. Connolly, S.S., St. Charles College, Maryland, 1932 Rev. Antoine Lanoue, O.P., 1996 Rev. Jerome Lawyer, CSC, 2006 March 7 Rev. Arthur P.J. Gagnon, Pastor, Holy Rosary, New Bedford, 1958 March 9 Rev. Msgr. Henry J. Noon, V.G., Pastor, St. James, New Bedford; Vicar General, 1934-47, 1947

Therese School, New Bedford; St. Michael School, Swansea; and in the following schools in Fall River: St. Roch, Blessed Sacrament, St. Matthew, St. Francis and St. Jean Baptiste.

In her retirement from teaching she continued to provide piano lessons in Fall River. In 1993 Sister Remy became a member of St. Joseph Retirement Community at Mont Marie, Holyoke.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her

brothers Bertrand and Alphonse and her sisters Lorraine Lemay and Therese Remy and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Reginald and sister Imelda.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Mont Marie Chapel on February 28. Burial followed at Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mont Marie, 34 Lower Westfield Rd., Holyoke, Mass. 01040-2739.

Around the Diocese 3/4

A World Day of Prayer 2011 service will be tonight at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High Street, Wareham. World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday of March.

For more information visit www.wdpusa.org or contact Judith Hewey at 508-295-1787.

3/4

The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet tonight at Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street, Fall River. Following a 6 p.m. Mass celebrated by Father Freddie Babiczuk, pastor, the club will enjoy a hot meal in the church hall with guest speaker Norman Sorel, chairman of the St. Anne’s Shrine Historical Restoration Committee. For more information call 508-672-8174.

3/5

St. Margaret Regional School will hold its annual auction fund-raiser tomorrow beginning at 6 p.m. at the Coonnamessett Inn, 311 Gifford Street, Falmouth. Funds will benefit the students of St. Margaret Regional School for school improvement planning. The event will include full dinner buffet, dessert, cash bar, DJ entertainment, and Irish Step Dancing by students.

3/8

The next meeting of the Catholic Cancer Support Group will be at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville March 8 beginning with Mass and anointing of the sick at 7 p.m. in the church. Following Mass the group will move to the parish center for a meeting and social. There will not be a speaker this month, so there will be more time for discussion and support. For more information call Mary Lees at 508-771-1106 or email maryplees@comcast.net.

3/7

The Pro-Life Committee of St. Julie Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth, invites everyone to kick off the 40 Days for Life Campaign with co-director Steve Marcotte, who will be speaking on this international effort to end abortion. Join them March 7 at 7 p.m. in the conference room located in the parish offices. Refreshments will be served.

3/10

The Cape and Islands Prayer Group Deanery will sponsor a Day of Recollection March 10 at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham. Father Joseph Byrne, retired priest from the Boston Archdiocese, will speak about prayer, God’s gift to his people. The day will begin at 8:45 a.m. with registration and coffee followed by two presentations, confessions, lunch and quiet time ending with Mass at 3 p.m. For more information call 508-255-4679 or 508-759-2737.

3/10

lowing Mass.

A healing Mass will be celebrated at St. Anne’s Shrine, 818 Middle Street, Fall River on March 10 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. with Benediction and healing prayers immediately fol-

3/10

The Divorced and Separated Support Group will meet March 10 at 7 p.m. in the parish center of St. Julie Billiart Parish, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. The session will include a screening of “Marriage Breakdown Today,” with discussion to follow. For more information call 508-678-2828, 508-993-0589 or 508-673-2997.

3/26

St. Louis de France Parish, 56 Buffington Street, Swansea, will host weekly Centering Prayer gatherings using a Lectio Divina format beginning March 26 through June 6. The group will meet in the family room of the main church at 6:15 p.m., with prayer beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 508-264-5823 or email forums4ami@gmail.com.

19 Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m.

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

Brewster — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays following the 11 a.m. Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and Mass.

Buzzards Bay — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

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

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

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place First Fridays at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

HYANNIS — A Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration will take place each First Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church, 21 Cross Street, beginning at 4 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

The sacrament of reconciliation is available at this time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20

The Anchor

Welcoming home Catholics continued from page one

applies the message not only to television and radio, but also to an interactive website (www. catholicscomehomeboston.org) offering a gentle way back to the Catholic faith. On March 7, the Boston Archdiocese will become one of a series of U.S. dioceses airing Catholics Come Home television and radio commercials.

“There are a couple of different commercials,” said Claire McManus, director of Faith Formation for the Fall River Diocese.

“Some of them are general about what the Church is all about, and others are personal testimonies by people who had been away from the Church but came home. The ads are very well done. It’s very professional and they’ve had re-

ally good results in the country.”

“Dee T” shares the story of her faith journey in her video, talking about her attending Mass mainly during religious holidays and then stopping altogether.

“It’s not as scary as I thought it was,” she said of her rejuvenated commitment to the Catholic faith. “It’s a much more warm and open place. It really is about love; it’s not just about the rules and things that I remember as a young child. It really is about the love that God has for you.”

People who see the commercials will be directed to the web ite where they can enter their zip code and find the parish closest to them, explained McManus, and with the Fall River Diocese and its parishes within broadcasting range, it helps to make area pastors more aware.

“We think the Boston market might be a larger target area,” said McManus. “Our response will be to be welcoming and open.”

As many as 100,000 baptized Catholics in the United States drift away from the Church each year, and with only 33 percent of U.S. Catholics attending Mass on a weekly basis, the campaign can help turn those numbers around.

The average American watches

March 4, 2011 more than four hours of television each day and 98.2 percent of all U.S. households own at least one television. Catholics Come Home hopes to combine the success of mass media outreach with the Internet to create an impact on Church attendance; and based on past results, it’s a technique that is working.

According to the website, six months after the Catholics Come Home media campaign ended in Phoenix, Ariz., Mass attendance in the Diocese of Phoenix increased 12 percent, even as the overall population stayed the same. Determined in hard numbers, the increased percentage meant that roughly 92,000 returning Catholics and new converts “came home.”

After being alerted by the Boston Archdiocese of their plans to air an array of commercials, McManus is creating a standard letter to be sent to pastors in every parish to let them know of the campaign.

The Catholics Come Home website also offers pastors tips on accommodating those who reach out to their parish, including preparing their staff to be welcoming and gracious in their responses to any questions a person may have, and being open in meeting the needs of each individual.

“Every parish is unique,” explained the site, so prepare your

community by showing the commercials to your congregation to inspire parish members to become their own messengers of the faith, and spread the good word through their own loving actions towards those returning to attend weekly Mass.”

Beginning with an announcement at the pulpit of the Catholic Come Home campaign, pastors can continue to nurture the campaign’s message using not only the resources found on the website, but applying what they learn from the site to their own parish.

There are a number of reasons why people leave their faith, and the site offers a myriad of responses to help encourage those struggling to take the next step.

The Church holds an open invitation to all those interested, and the comprehensive website offers a wealth of information, including links to resource material to help guide non-Catholics and lapsed Catholics alike.

“I started drinking beer on Saturday nights and sleeping in Sunday mornings, missing Mass and it just became a pattern,” shared “Jim K” in his personal testimonial video. “Without God, I don’t know where I’d be right now. I feel like I’m whole again.

I know the importance of the Eucharist and the importance of the sacraments that I didn’t know at a young age. I follow God’s will because of my desire to get to heaven. Our lives are rich and full by being members of the Church.”

“People may be able to see the Church as a source of comfort for them,” said McManus. “For people who might have been angry at one time, they now have an opportunity to come back and talk to people and balance out their feelings.”

McManus will be adding a link to Catholics Come Home on the Fall River Diocese’s website.

“The hope is that people will come back to Church,” said McManus. “The focus is on people who may have just walked away and this is a reminder of what the Church meant to them as they grew up and what it meant to their families.”