t eanc 0 VOL. 42, NO. 10 •
Friday, March 6, 1998
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
•
$14 Per Year
AIDS .ministry: A compassionate response •
"In response to tht~ growing HI VIA IDS pandemic and the needs ofthe people ofGod, the Office of AIDS Ministry in the Diocese ofFall River will provide a continuum oj'pastoral, clinical and educational services. This response will be exercised with fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church and characterized by compassion, integrity, responsibility, social justice and prayer." -Diocesan AIDS Ministry mission statement
By JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER-Most of the people who walk into thl~ office of Dr. Krysten Winter-Green are in
.
shock. Typically, they Come in immediately after they have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. "They need a lot of ~upport and nurturing to deal with this, and that is where my work starts," says Winter-Green, a psychotherapist who is executive director of the Office of AIDS Ministry for the Diocese of Fall River and a consultant to AIDSrelated national and international institutions. "When someone walks in off the street and says, 'I think I have AIDS,' he or she is immediately encouraged to have some testing," says Winter-Green, whose office since 1993 has bet:n in rented space at Saint Anne's Hospital, but is not underwritten by nor affiliated with the hospital.
Bishop O'Malley offers four Lenten resolutions· •
Prayer, sacrifice, Triduum and Easter. Hundreds lined up to have ashes Scripture reading and imposed on their foreheads and be the sacrament of advised: "Turn from sin and be reconciliation are ideal faithful to the Gospel." Noting that the word "Lent" ways to make the comes from the old Anglo-Saxon season a spiritual word for springtime, "lencten," the success. bishop in his homily said that "for By JAMES N.
DUNBAR
FALL RIVER-Bishop Sean P. O'Malley told those gathering for the Ash Wednesday noon Mass at St. Mary Cathedral that prayer, sacrifice, reading holy Scripture and taking advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation would be ideal ways to spend the corning 40 days of Lent until the Holy Week
us, Lent should become a spiritual springtime, a time of new life, a call, a beginning. On Ash Wednesday we come forward to receive ashes on our foreheads, to remind us that we are all under the sentence of death. We receive those ashes in the form of a cross, to remind us that through Christ we can conquer death and live forever." Turn to page 6 - Resolutions
. ASH WEDNESDAY - Bishop Sean P. O'Malley imposes ashes on the forehead of a parishioner at St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Fall River, during a noon Mass Feb. 25 marking the beginning of Lent. (Anchor photo)
But Winter-Green added that, "I'm not so much interested in the traditional methods of possible psychotherapy. I'm more interested in the journey of the human soul. That's what my interest is. I work
DR. WINTER-GREEN
with people around issues of faith, of spiritual journey and issues that have more to do with interiority." That does not mean that she is not interested in those who, for whatever reason, choose not to be compliant with treatment and to continue behaving irresponsibly. "I do concern myself with those issues. But anyone who chooses to become involved in the therapeutic process in this context of the AIDS ministry, knows very clearly at the beginning what this is all about." One interesting aspect of this ministry keys not only on those directly living with HIV or dying with AIDS but on all of the constellation of people who make up the world the individual is living with, such as parents, family and others. "These people are very severely impacted by the suffering of their loved one. For this very reason we have support groups meeting regularly for family members and friends. We provide a context where people of all ages can come and
share. Our youngest to date was age three and the oldest was 83." "What we do is all made possible by Catholic Charities which provides approximately $155,000
yearly for our budget and there is ancillary income I generate through grant writing. That amounts to an additional $25,000," the director reported. Many of those suffering from HIV or AIDS are abandoned, either because of fear or ignorance, said Winter-Green. "~In the last few Turn to page 2 - Ministry
RCIA process moves toward Easter FALL RIVER-Fifty catechumens and 150 candidates for the initiating sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist to be received at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday in their own parishes, signed the Book of the Elect at ceremonies March I in St. Mary Cathedral. The signers, mostly adults, are currently in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. As described by Father Richard E. Degagne, diocesan director for the RCIA and pastor of Sacred Heart Church, North Auleboro, the RCIA "is not a program nor religious education, but a process. All of those involved have been in the RCIA for at least a year." There is no time limit in the process. "It is for as long as it takes for each individual," the priest explained. "It is a personal reflection on their own growth in faith and they come to the Easter sacraments when they are ready. We are not funneling them through a program of religious education." After a process of discernment with a catechist and their pastor, the candidates participate in making a decision as to when they are prepared. When they feel ready, they ask their pastor to participate in the Rite of Election, which was held during the recent ceremonies, at which Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap. presided. Most of the candidates will be baptized and or receive the other sacraments on April II, Holy Saturday night, the final day of the Easter Triduum. While most of those participating art: adults, the RCIA
is for all those who have reached the .age of reason. Some are as young as eight years old. There are three distinct catego-
ries for those in the RCIA, Father Degagne explained. One group is comprised of catTurn /0 page 2 - RCiA
MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION at St. Mary Cathedral, Fall River, stood to welcome 200 catechumens and candidates as they filed into their pews beginning last Sunday's Rite of Election ceremony. (Anchor/Mills photo)
2
I
TI1E ANCHOR..,...., Diocese.of F~II River..,....,.. Fri.,.Mar. 6, 1998
MI·01·stry .
®lTitltUril"l Father William T. Babbitt
NORlH ATfLEBORQ-FatherWilliam T. Babbitt, 73, who was in residence at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, 14 Park Street, died Feb. 25 at Madonna Manor Nursing Home, where he had been recuperating from surgery. Born in Occum, in Norwich, Conn., a son of the late Welcome and Arcelia (Caisse) Babbitt, he was educated by the Sisters of Mercy at St. Patrick's School and also attended Norwich Free Academy. At age 16 he left school to work in a woolen mill in Norwich. Two years later he entered the Brothers of the Holy Cross and was professed on Aug. 15, r-------:=-----., 1943. He attended Notre Dame University in Indiana and St. John'~ University in New York, receiving a bachelor's degree in education. He received his master's degree in education from Bridgewater State College in 1965.. As Brother William he taught for more than 20 years in elementary schools in Brooklyn, N.Y, and cofounded a school in Akron, Ohio. He also taught at Notre Dame High School in Indiana and schools in Flushing and Albany, N.Y, and at Msgr. Coyle High School, Taunton. In 1969 he entered the Theological College at The Catholic University in Washington, D.C. to prepare for the priesthood. He was ordained on Aug. 15, 1970, inSt. Mary Cathedral, Fall FATHER BABBITT River, by the late Bishop James L. Connolly. . He s~rved as parochial vicar in several parishes, .including Holy Ghost Parish, Attleboro; Our Lady' of the Isle Parish, Nantucket; St. Paul Parish and St. Mary Parish, Taunton and O~r Lady of Fatima Parish, New Bedford. Since 1983 he had been at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, where he led weekly healing services. Father Babbitt was a Fourth Degree member of the Thomas P. McDonough . Council 330, Knights of Columbus. He leaves a brother, Bert BabbittofNorwich, Conn.; and nieces a~d nephews. He was a brother of the late Welcome Babbitt Jr., and Albert, John and William Babbitt. . His funeral Mass was sung Feb. 28 "in St. Mary Church with Bishop Sean P. O'Malley as principal celebrant. Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Taftville, Conn. .
Sister Evelyn Blanchette, SUSC FALL RIVER-Sister Evelyn Blanchette, formerly known as Sister Celine Andrew, of the Sisters of the Holy Union" of the Sacred Hearts, 72, of Sacred Hearts Convent, 41 Prospect lPlace, died Feb. 26. Born in Lawrence, she was a daughter of the late Joseph A. Blanchette and the late Josephine (Bouchard) Blanchette. She was educated in Lawrence schools. She entered the Sisters of the Holy Union in August, 1945, and professed final vows in September, 1953. She received a bachelor of science degree from Catholic Teachers' College in Providence in 1958 and attended Villanova University in Philadelphia, Pa. Sister Blanchette served in teaching assignments in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Tiverton, R.I. She had resided at Sacred Hearts Convent for the past five years. She also worked at the finance office of her congregation until retiring in 1997. She is survived by sisters of her community and several cousins. Her funeral Mass was celebrated March 2 in the chapel at Sacred Hearts Convent. Burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fall River. "
James A. O'Brien; was former state.rep FALL RIVER-James A. O'Brien Jr., 78, of 488 High St., a Massachusetts State Representative from 1961 to 1976, diedFeb; 25 unexpectedly in Charlton Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Gertrude K. (Ready) O~Brien, who was the secretary of Bishop Daniel A. Cronin, then bishop of Fall River, who now heads the archdiocese of Hartford, CT. Born in this city, he was the son of the late James A. O'Brien and the late Mary v. (Connors) O'Brien. A graduate of the former B.M.C. Durfee High School, Class of 1938, he graduated fiom Suffolk University in 1947 and studied at the former South. . eastern Massachusetts University. O'Brien was a sanitation inspector for the Fall River Board of Health from 1947 to 1961 and a member of the State Racing C()mmission from 1947 to 1952. During his tenure in the Legislature he served on various committees, including the Constitutional Law, Harbors and Lands and Science Resource, as well as on the Special Commission to Investigate Four Year Terms and the Committee on Taxation. A World War II Army veteran, he received the Purple Heart Award, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater and American Theater Campaign ribbons and the Victory Medal. He was a parishioner of St. Mary Cathedral and a former member of its Parish Council, Finance Committee and Men's Club. Along with his wife, he received the first Marian Medal awarded by the late Bishop James L. Connolly for work in the diocesan Pre-Cana program. He was a former director of the Fall River Boys' Club and served on the board of directors of the Fall River 5 Cents Savings Bank. He was a member of the Bishop Connolly High School Steering Committee, Elks Lodge 118, Knights of Columbus Counci I 86, American Legion Post 126 and Ve~erans of . Foreign Wars Post 486. He was a past president of the Corky Row Club. He leaves two sons, Dr. James A. O'Brien of Lincoln and Timothy P. O'Brien of Boston; a daughter, Kathleen M. Murphy of Bethlehem, Pa.; two brothers, William P. O'Brien of'Fall River and Jeffrey J. O'Brien of Westport; and 12 grandchi Idren. He was the brother of the late Mary Connor. His funeral Mass was celebrated Monday in St. Mary Cathedral. Interment was in St. Patrick's Cemetery.
Coiiiinue'dfrom page one
months we heard so much about wonder drugs," she said. "Yes, people are living longer lives. But the quality of their lives is being seriously compromised because of the side effects of these drugs. There still is no cure for HIV." Another major part of the diocesan AIDS office's focus is on prevention educatiof\. The only viable tool in the fight against AIDS, she said, is education in the early-years. A member of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's AIDS Bureau for nearly three and a half years, she has submitted a program that calls for abstinence as . the principal weapon !lgainstAIDS. According to a report published in the February/March edition of "Momentum," the official journal of the Nationaf'Catholic Educational Association, rates of sexual intercourse among American adolescents have increased dramatically in the last few decades. A 1992 survey of 2,248 students in grades six, eight and 10 from an urb~n public school district found that 28 percent of sixth-graders and half of eighth-graders reported having had sexual intercourse. "It is my hypothesis that abstinence-based prevention education needs to start at the critical, pre-pubescent developinental age," said Winter-Green. She recently received funding from the Department of Public Health to translate the local agency's educ~tional material or resource manual into Portuguese. "It is a wonderful thing for our area." She was candid about the fact that the number pf people living with and affected by HIVand AIDS in the southeastern Massachusetts region is proportionately higher than in many other parts of Massachusetts. "There are two major reasons," said Winter-Green. "In New Bedford we have a significant sub-. stance-using population. Where you find that, and for example the use of heroin, you run a greater risk of transmission through the use of shared needles and the paraphernalia associated with the use of drugs." To compound that, young women infected with the virus can readily transmit it to infants in utero, "so there is a second method of transmission." The second major reason is that
the area of Provincetown, within the diocese, "is home to a significant percentage of the gay community in Massachusetts," said WinterGreen. "Obviously the incidence of the virus is proportionate to the persons who are most at risk." "The reason the AIDS ministry started in 1993 was because the needs were not being met," said Dr. Krysten Winter-Green. "There had been an attempt made earlier by some people to begin a part-time ministry, but it had become perfectly apparent that the Church in this area ofthe diocese was being called upon to bring a tangible form of multi-faceted ministry," she added. To meet the challenge, the dioc. esan AIDS office operates satellite centers to handle the higher risk needs. . ' . "Here in Fall River we provide the administrative core for our of-' fices, which is close to the chancery where we have our main offi.ce. A support group works out of this facility and I see clients here too. Typically I see 20 to 25 people here a week. This office' does not pro~ vide medical treatment. '1 do psychotherapy and pastoral/spiritual, counseling. However, I am in frequent consultation with medical teams in regard to bur clients." The director also has an office in Provincetown where she sees patients and does an educational program "as well. "There are other
.~CIA
areas-where we do not have a formal staffed office, but where there are parishes - such as Attleboro and Hyannis - that host me when we have clients that need our help." . Winter-Green also has a Boston office "because many of those in the Fall River Diocese with HIV and AIDS choose to receive tt.:eir medical care In Boston, one of the principal health care centers in Massachusetts." The 25 or more peopk: WinterGreen sees weekly do not include those visiting the variou:; support groups such as the educational program and the paraliturgical services ~hat provide voluntary companion services. In 1997 the AIDS office dealt with more than 2,420 clients, and in a three-year period more than 8,880. They include those who come in for blood scree,nings as well as those hospitalized in variOIlS communities within the diocese. Winter-Green credits the program's success to "a small staff' that includes a voluntary, part-time administrator, a person whQ, does the educational work at all age lev-. .els, a part-time bookkeeper and a . full-time administrative assistant. "There' are also.on the average of two fulltime volunteers i.1l the office each day." . The director was also quick to credit the several hundred volunteers, who she says are t!le "heart of the working programs."
Continued from page one
echumens, those who are non-baptized. They will ·be baptized, confirmed and receive first Eucharist. There are also those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. They are individuals who were baptized in another Christian faith tradition. They will not be rebaptized, but make a profession of faith and be confirmed. They will also receive first Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass. The third group includes those who had been baptized as Catholics but who have never had any catechesis or instruction in the faith. In a sense the Church treats them as if they were baptized in another faith: They are technically Catholics. They will be confirmed and then receive first Eucharist. FatherDegagne said that why in-
dividuals want to become Catholics or to be in full communion with the Catholic Church "stems from many reasons. Most of the candidates are adults who have already been baptized, but for whatever reason never were confirmed nor received first Communion. But oftentimes the reason, the decision to take the step forward, comes from their marriage in the Catholic Church." Frequently the candidates have a spouse who is Catholic and have been bringing up their children in the· Catholic Church, "and they themselves choose to be C2.tholics," the priest reported. "The ,~atechu mens, those who have never been baptized, tend to be younger, often children. They will be receiving all three initiating sacrament~: even at their young age."
In Y onrPrayers Please pray for
th~ follo')'Ving
NECROLOGY
priests during the coming 1't/eek PRIESTS CURRENTLY SERVING March 7 Rev. Richard E. Degagne
March 7
March 8
195:~~~~~0~~P.J.J·
::~ ~~;~::::
~~~n, :,t,o~"~,l~~:;Si~rfOrd; Thirov;~ ~ev JO:::';: 1947,
V.G.,
f!:arCh 1 2 · .
~urehen
1961, Rev. L. Moreau, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fali·~~er· 19.89, Re{lAdrien E. Bernier, Pastor, St. MathIeu, Fall River
MarCh 10 Del Val
..~~hurT. de Mello
~2~.....u"
Rev. Msgr. John F.
A
De~o~D
March'13 R ev. J 0 h n D ennIng, . CSC
N.E. Catholic Men's Conference is April 18 NEW BEDFORD--Men from are being circulated in parishes tion Center. parishes throughout the diocese diocesanwide. will have an opportunity to redisThose who attended the diocFurther information may be cover and deepen their relation- esan "Wake Up Call" held at Con- obtained by contacting Msgr. ship with Christ at a one-day con- nolly High School in Fall River Harrington at Holy Name Parish ference April 18 in Lowell spon- in October 1997 will be receiv- rectory at 992-3184, or Bud sored by the New England Catho- ing information in a newsletter Miller at the Diocesan Education lic Men's Conference. prepared by the Diocesan Educa- Center,.678-2828. Slated to be held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, the conference, commissioned by Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston, is· titled "Raised to Greatness in Christ: The challenge of Being a Catholic Man." The Fall River diocese is joining with other dioceses in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont in coordinating the event. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley will lead the group of men attending from this ·.diocese and be a concelebrant at the closing Mass. Keynote speakers will include Father Marc Montminy of Manchester, N.H., founder of the naBIG PLANS-Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, secretary for Spiritual Fortionally known Men mation for the Fall River Diocese, meets with Louis "Bud" Miller, of the of St. Joseph Ministry; former Commis- Diocesan Department of Education to discuss the upcoming New En. sioner of Baseball gland Catholic Men's Conference. Bowie Kuhn; and Jim Berlucchi, executive director of Legatus, an international association of Catholic business leaders. Well-known liturgical musician John Poke will direct the music ministry at the conference. NORTH DARTMOUTH- cator, theologian, author and poet. Representatives of the diocese The Diocesan Office of Family Thomas is the founder of the who are participating in planning . Ministry will host a free three- Adult Christian Community Dethe conference include Msgr. hour mini-retreat March 14, be- velopment program at Regis UniThomas J. Harrington, pastor of Holy Name Church, New Bed- ginning at 7 p.m., anhe Family versity, Denver, Colo. He holds a doctorate in historical theology ford, the diocesan secretary of Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. and master's degrees in sacred The program is tided "Hope spiritual formation; Louis "Bud" theology, sociology and cultural and Spiritual Survival for MinisMiller, diocesan director of Adult anthropology. Among his books ters of the Church." The retreat is Education; Brother John Sweeney of New Bedford; Tony designed for the ordained or la- are "The Catechism of the CathoMedeiros of Taunton and Mark ity, fulltime worKers or volunteers lic Church: Familystyle," and Shea, a permanent deacon at Our in various ministries. Its focus "Beginning Your Marriage." Pre-registration is urged. To Lady of Fatima Church, Swansea. will be on remaining healthy and register and for information call Brochures with information hopeful and avoiding burnout. Leading the retr~at will be the Office of Family Ministry at about the gathering for men David M. Thomas, a father, edu- 999-6420. which contain reservation forms
Family Ministry office to sponsor free retreat
I
"Behold, The Lamb of God who Takes away the siltl of the world!"
NEED A GOOD PlUMBER?
(John 1:29)
I I I I I
For your home or business.
JohnC.. LINDO & SON Plumbing & Heating Est.1920 Lie. 10786
: (508) 678-5571 I I I
I I I I I I I I I I
"The Experienced Plumbing People" Pmvidill!! 1I Full Line of Plumbin!! & Helltill!! Sen'ices L ':'L~V~ ..;,W~S~ ~~M~S~ oJ
Gently - The IJ/essed I.ady Approached and Said to Mother Maria Pierilla.
Lislen carefully This Medal is an armour of defence, a shield of strength, a token of lhe love and mercy which Jesus wishes to give the world in these times of lust and hatred against God and His Church. Evils abound - True Apostles are few. The remedy is - The Holy Face. of Jesus. All who wear Ihis Medal and make the visit. 'I' Will be strengthened in faith. 'I' Will overcome all interior and e~.lerior difficulties. 'I' And they will have a peacdul death under the loving gaze of Jesus Himself. .. u "'ot'I,,.r KtI;.,..\ upon ,\Il'. illrebtly To receive a ~1cdal and fUrllh.'r dcwil\ send ,df addrcv.,cd duublC' ('oll\f~/I!(~,;:l!i:;;'~'IIO SiJtef I'irtilm \tamplcd envelope 10: t 1I01.\' Met: ASSOCIATIO:'li. P.O. 1111, 1000. Sialill" "A". Mllntreal. QlI"b"., ('anada 113(' 2\\'9
THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Mar. 6, 1998 TIlE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020) Periodical fustage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July am the week after Christmas at 887 Highlanl Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year. Postmasters send address changes to The Aochor, P.o. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.
Mar. 9 Mar. 10 Mar. 11
AFFORDABLE CLEANING AND REMOVAL
Mar. 12 Mar. 13
• GUTIER WORK AND ODD JOBS
EXPERIENCED, PROMPT, RELIABLE
Mar. 14
FREE ESTIMATES • INSURED
673-6512 or toll free 1-888-925-5326 Dial
SERVING AlL OF
3
Daily Readings
Klean ReSUlts • Ames, CELLARS, GARAGES • YARD AND TREE WORK .
.
Mar. 15
S.E. MASS:FOR OVER 10 YEARS
On 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8-9,11-13; Lk 6:36-38 Is 1:10,16-20; Ps 50:8-9,16-17, 21,23; Mt 23:1-12 Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6,14-16; Mt 20:17-28 Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 16:19-31 Gn 37:3-4,12-13a, 17b-28; Ps 105: 16-21; Mt 21: 33-43,45-46 Mi 7:14-15,18-20; Ps 103:1-4,9-12; Lk 15:1-3,11-32 Ex 3:1-8a,13-15; Ps 103:1-4,6-8,11,; 1 CO( 10:1-6,10-12; Lk 13:1-9
More choices - and more ways to make the most of th~m.
Find arenewed sense ofindependence at Carmel Te"ate. What do you enjoy most? Time with friends old and new? Afavorite hobby or a friendly hand of cards? .Travel, socializing,· gardening or just a serene stroll? Whatever your pleasure, you'll have more time to savor it at Carmel Terrace. As part of a caring community of f~iendly new neighbors, who share your interests and experiences, you'll have a wealth of thoughtful services and outstanding amenities to enjoy as you choose, including: • Spacious apartments • Three gourmet meals daily • Weekly housekeeping and linen service • Professionally-staffed health club • Free local transportation • 24-hour staffing and security • Social opportunities • Chapel • Country Kitchen • Library
•'Greenhouse and gardens • Styling salon • Piano and organ lounges • Courtyard and walking paths • Country Store You'll find much to simplify your life ... and enrich it; yet, it's all yours for one simple monthly fee no entrance fees or endowments. Carmel Terrace, is a not-forprofit, non-denominational assisted living residence, wholly owned and operated by the Carmelite Sisters fully focused on providing an inviting, secure setting where older adults can find it easy to keep making their own choices ... and making the most of them. Find out more about Carmel Terrace - for you or someone you love. Simply give us a call at 508-788-8000 to arrange your personal tour.
Cannef Terraa ACaring Mission of the Carmelite Sisters
933 Central Street. Framingham, MA 01701-4892 508-788-8000
On the Campus ofSt• Patrick's Manor
~
-..::.r EQUAlHQUSING
OPPORTUNITY
4
THE ANCHOR - Diocese. of Fall River - Fri., Mar. 6, 1998 ~
the moorin~.,
the living word
••
Make education a priority Why are our schools in such a mess? For a nation so well off, our educational system is not meeting its goals and objectives. Somehow we are simply slipping into a mind-set that has resigned itself to second place. Study after study has sent us signals that clearly indicated our public schools are in trouble. On the practical level classrooms are patrolled by the police, students are searched for weapons and drug raids are commonplace, problems of discipline and accountability are ever haunting faculty mem-: bers. In short, educational theorists have led our schools down a primrose path that has led to disaster. Just consider open classrooms and modern math. Now a new study, termed comprehensive and inclusive, has revealedAmerican high school seniors to be among the world's worst prepared in th.e fields of mathematics and science and at the bottom of the heap when it comes to physics and higher math. The test sampled students on the fourth, eighth and twelfth-grade .levels in more than 40 countr!es. The fourth and eighth grade results were acceptable; however, 'the twelfth-grade level was dis, mal. Throughout the country, the test process and its methodology have been unquestioned. The unpleasant surprise was the very poor r~tings of our high school seniors. From coast to coast a wake-up call was sounded as educators realized that something was very wrong with the current academic system and admitted that there were n'o clear or simple explanations for the low American scores. Interestingly enough, however, they thought t~at the results had little to do with class size, h~mework, social life Qr television. The basic theoretical explanation given for the poor American showing had to do with the educational process itself. American students in general begin with a bang. Then, as they progress within the system, they are offered less and less to challenge their intellect and develop their skills. By comparison, most European educational systems offer and encourage m'ore advanced studies as students move from one level to another. . , Education in the United States has lost some,pf its intensity and purpose. In many schools, social experiences are more valued and supported than education itself.' Social promotions, handling of behavior problems and the accomplishment of marginal objectives take precedence over ac:ademic goals. Unlike our international , brethren, we have no national standards; indeed, they vary from state to state and sad to say there seems little hope of change in this regard and the situation is a plague on all our classrooms. In most countries there is a national ministry of education which sets national curriculums; but, as one commentator noted, "in America, curriculum is constructed by textbook publishers who . send salesmen around to talk to teachers and aSk them what should be in the books." In addition, the self-righteous right has fought with all its might to avoid national standards. This civil war remains with us in the face of the feeble attempts to institute education reforms. The. book-burning attitudes of the ignorant-have masked themselves as protectors of the education of the majority. With such people involved, the witch-hunting in our schopls is commonly justified. As we try to increase the level of competence in those schools, we must go beyond the tunnel vision that is eroding our educational standards, encourage high national standards and make the federal government assume its proper role in the area of funding. Until we,take this issue seriously, we will continue to lag behind our international colleagues.
The Editor
the ancho.(S)
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue ,P.O, BOX 7 Fall' River. MA 02720 Fall Riv~r. MA' 02722-0007 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 . Send address changes 10 P,O.,BOll 7 or call1elephone number above', :::
EDITOR
GENERAL MANAGER
NEWS EDITOR
Rev. John F. Moore
Rosemary Dussault
James N. Dunbar
~
LEA'AY PRESS - !ALL A!Y£R
A CRESCENT SUN IS SEEN IN THIS DOUBLE EXPOSURE TAKEN AT THE NATIONAL PARK IN SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA, LAST MONTH. THE SOLAR J;:CLIPSE, WHEN THE MOON PASSES BETWEEN THE EARTH AND THE SUN, WAS THE LAST BEFORE THE NEXT MILLENNIUM.
"There is nothing hidden that·will not be exposed, nothing concealed that will not be known and brought to light." Luke 8:17
(CN~:
phlllll Reuters)
Social action lea4ers hear call for peace, justice places." Cuomo, who is' also a Catholic, WASHINGTON ---:. Whether said the future of an improved nathey represented the world's most tional housing situation lies with powerful government to the Vatican cooperative efforts between his or spoke for the church in one of the agency and religious org2:nizations. most beleaguered nat,ions in Central The social action directors at America, their message to diocesan the meeting heard reports on the issocial activists gathered in Washing- ' sues that Catholic leaders were ton was a call for peace..justice and stressing this year and later spent a global solidarity. morning visiting their congressional Corinne "Lindy" Boggs, the new representatives on Capitol Hill. U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, At a Feb. 23 presentation on doclosed the recent 1998 Catholic Somestic issues, former U.S. Surgeon cial Ministry Gathering by outlining General Dr. Antonia Coello Novello her plans to help advance collabocalled for hope and help to confront rative U.S.- Vatican efforts at reconthe'problems facing women and ciliation and peace. children in the United Sta.tes. Earlier, Auxiliary Bishop The Rev. Eugene F. Rivers, pasGregorio Rosa Chavez of San Salvator of Azusa Christian Community dor, EI Salvador, said the church's in Boston, shared the podium with failure in teaching aboutjustice might Novello and spoke about the probstem from its failure to incorporate a lems in "the prison camps we eupersonal encounter with Jesus. phemistically call inr:ter cities." The 1998 gathering, sponsored The meeting opened Ff:b. 22 with by more thim a dozen national the look to the future" asa speaker Catholic organizations and agencies, , urged the diocesan social action dialso attracted two members of Presirectors to "infuse jubilee'~' into their dent Clinton's Cabinet and a former ,. existing programs and ev,;:n to con.L1NDY BOGGS. wears the sider dropping programs thatdo not U.S. surgeon general as speakers. Boggs - who waS iritroduced by mark of ashes on her forehead. contribute to the jubike justice her daughter, television commentaagenda. tor Cokie Roberts - was making her " teaching about solidarity as the path . "If the jubilee makes you busier, first trip back to the United States to justice lies precisely here, that something is wrong," said Stephen since taking the ambassador's post many Christians know a lot about, Colecchi, director of the Office of in December. ' Jesus Christ, but they have not truly Peace and Justice in the [)ioc~se of . She said she hoped the United . encountered him." Richmond, Va. States and the Vatican could "con~ Labor Secretary Alexis Herman At the same session, Msgr. Ray tinue our efforts in the Balkans to and Andrew Cuomo, secretary for .East, pastor of Nativity Parish in ensure that people of different cul-. Housing and Urban Development, Washington, accused many in the tural and religious backgrounds live also made brief appearances before .church of "playing millennium intogether in peace and harmony." the gathering.' stead of praying for the mi:llennium." Herman, a former Catholic, . The gathering'also marked the Boggs also voiced interest in advancing peace and justice in the Charities worker in the Archdiocese 75th, anniversary of the National Middle East, protecting human of Mobile, Ala., said her appearance Catholic Rural Life Confl~rence. rights in China and other countries, at the meeting represented a "homeAt the opening Mass for the fourand strengthening reconciliation'and coming" for her. In brief remarks, day conference, Bishop Rnyrnond L. democracy in parts of Africa and she emphasized that econorriic ex- Burke of La Crosse, Wis., praised the Asia, "while alleviating the appall- pansion must not come "at the ex- rural group as an example of soliing refugee crisis." pense of social justice in our work- darity.
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Bishop Rosa Chavez spoke Feb. 24 about last fall's Synod of Bishops for America. "Only from a real encounter with Jesus Christ is it possible to transform people's lives," he said. "Perhaps our frequent failure in our
THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River Pregana. It will include evening prayer and reconciliation. For more information call 636-2251.
5
Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
FERTILIZER & TREATMENT Programs Custom Tailored For Your Lawn
PATRICIA CASHMORE,ucsw Board Certified Diplomate
Publicity Chainnen are aske4 to submit news items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town should be included, as well as full dates of all activities. Events published must be of interest and open to our g,eneral readership. We do not nonnally carry notices of fund raising activities, which may be adverl,ised at our regular rates, obtainable from our business office at (508) 675-7151. ATTLEBORO-The New Covenant Singers will bring their music to the next La Salette Coffee House at 6:30 p.m. March 7. For more information call the shrine at 222-5410. A healing service led by Father Richard Delisle will be held at the shrine on March 8 at 2 p.m. and will include Mass and music. People will have the opportunity to be anointed individually and all are welcome. La Salette is offering a contemporary version of the stations of the cross during Lent at 7:15 p.m. on March 6, 13,20 and April 3. Each week will focus on a different perspective of this unique devotion. CENTERVILLE-The next monthly meeting of Pax ChristiCape Cod will be held on March 16 from 7:30-9: 15 p.m. aLOur Lady of Victory Church.. The theme is "How Dorthy Day Interpreted the Peacemaking Gospel of Jesus." For more information call 771-6737. EAST FREETOWN-An adult Lenten retreat day entitled "Come Aside and Rest Awhile" will be held at Cathedral Camp from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 14. Father Romanus Cessario will lead the retreat and Bishop Sean P. O'Malley will be principal celebrant at Mass. For more information call Lisa Gulino at the Adult Education Office 678-2828. FAIRHAVEN-A parent forum will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. March II in'the rectory meeting room of St. Mary's Parish to discuss topics for upcoming parenting o,yorkshops. Child care and refreshments will be provided. All are welcome. FALL RIVER-The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold its next meeting on March 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Louis Parish Hall. Guest speaker James Riley will present the program "Stewardship, A Way of Life." FALL RIVER--The Lenten program "My Holy Week Journey" will be held from 7-8:15 p.m. on Monday evenings from March 9 to 30 at the Blessed Sacrament chapel. Dorothy Levesque will present and all are welcome. For more information call Judith Kozaka at 672-0136, LAKEVILLE-His Land Bethany House of Prayer will present a seminar entitled "Life in
the Spirit" from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 21 and 22. A series of six talks presented by Barbara Wright and a team from Providence will offer individuals help in finding a fuller release of the Holy Spirit in their lives. To register call Norma Chapman at 9474704.
NEW BEDFORD-A Holy Spirit Seminar is being held on Tuesday evenings during Lent at St. Francis AS!iisi Church, from 79 p.m. For more information call Lucille Pimentel at 992-5402.
MANSFIELD-The Mothers' Group meets in the Rose Garden building behind St. Mary's Church every Tues. from 10-11 :30 a.m. All are welcome to socialize and meet other women from the area. In addition, a play room for children is available. For more information call Karen Arbuckle at 339-9739.
NORTH DARTMOUTHThe next meeting of the Divorced and Separated Catholics Support Group will be at 7 p.m. March II at the Family Life Center, Slocum Road. Father David Reid will speak on the topic "The Bible and Suffering - Is There Hope?" New friends are welcome.
MASHPEE-The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Christ the King Parish is seeking volunteers to help with its friendly visitor program. If you are interested in donating a few hours a week to visit homebound seniors call Lynne Waterman at 477-17'66. Father Edward Healy will lead a discussion entitled "The Shape of the Liturgy: Past, Present and Future" in the parish center of Christ the King. All are welcome. The sessions will run from 7-'8:30 p.m. on March 10, 17 and 24 and from 9:15-10:45 a.m. on March I I, I 8 and 25.
SAGAMORE-All area women are invited to a morning of recollection on March 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Theresa's chapel on route 6A. Confessions will be heard by a priest of Opus Dei.
MATTA PO I S E TT - l' h e Hearts & Hands Christian ministry group seeks items in good condition for its upcoming flea market. They may be dropped off at its office at 4 Church Street Ext., off Route 6, weekdays until March 24. For more information call the office at 758-1300. Please, no large appliances! MATTAPOISETT,-St. Anthony's Parish announces its days of Lenten prayer schedule as follows: Evening prayer with Father John P. Driscoll March 10, Eucharistic Devotions/Benediction with Msgr. George W. Coleman, VG. and an opportunity for confession with area priests on March 11 and Mass with homily by Father Barry W. Wall on March 12. All events begin at 7 p.m. All welcome. NEW BEDFO~D-A four week course in the "Fundamentals of Faith" adult education series will be offered on Thursday evenings beginning March 12 at St. Mary's Parish. The focus will be on "Christian Living" and Stephen Byers will instruct. Sessions run from 7-8:30 p.m. For more information call the Adult Education Office at 678-2828. NEW BEDFORD-The monthly meeting of Calix will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 8 at Holy Name Parish Center. Calix is a group that enlists Catholics who are gratefully celebrating recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction and other dependencies and supplements the spirituality of the "12 step" programs ofAA, Alanon, etc. with Catholic elements like
Psychotherapy Adolescents, Adults, Couples, & Families
Mass and the Sacraments. New friends are always welcome.
SOMERSET-A concert of renaissance and baroque music will, be presented by the Delight Consort of Fall River on March 8 at 2 p.m. in St. Patrick's Church. Judy Conrad will direct. All are welcome. SOUTH YARMOUTH-The Separated-Divorced Catholics support group will meet on March 15 at the St. Pius X Parish Life Center. Welcome is at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. For more information call Father Roy at 255-0170. SWANSEA-The Clover Club of Greater Fall River will hold its annual St. Patrick Ball on March 13 at 6 p.m. at the Venus de Milo Ballroom. All are invited to attend this evening of dining, dancing and entertainment featuring Michael Carol's Boston Dance Band. For information call Ron Boulay at 675-8290 or Tom FI¥nn at 6363461. SWANSEA-Our Lady of Fatima Church announces its-Lenten Mass schedule as 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mass Mon-Fri. Stations of the Cross will be held every Fri. at 7:30 p.m. following the Mass. All welcome. SWANSEA-St. Michael's Church will hold a holy hour for vocations on March 8 at 2 p.m., led by Deacon Paul Fedak. All are welcome. WEST HARWICH-St. Francis of Peace Fraternity will hold its next meeting March 8 at Holy Trinity Parish. Mass will be celebrated at I:30 p.m. and a business meeting and refreshments will follow. Inquirers are welcome. For more information call Katherine Fitzgerald at 394-0323. WESTPORT-All are invited to join the family of St. John's Parish in the Lenten mission "Consider the Mercy of God" March 23-26 at 7 p.m. presented by Father Craig
Most Insurances Accepted
Weed, Insect & Disease Control (Pesticide FREE Programs Available)
• Dethatchlng • Slice Seeding • Aeration • Soli Testing • Season Long Grub Control • Lawn Renovation We Speciafze In Revitalizklg Tf'OliJIed LB'tms" Licensed &CertKied il Turl by Dept. 01 Food &A~
456 Rock Street, Carr Osborne House Fall River, MA 02720 Tel. (508) 676-1956
Fall River
~
Fully
~Insured
Environmentally Responsible Lawn Care
Mecljugorje...May 1-10· $1499 Shroud of Turin Medjugorje • Turin • Rome June 5-14· $1799 Once in a lifetime experience to view the Shroud of Turin burial cloth of Jesus
The Great Shrines of France with Rev. Richard Delisle, LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro
LaSalette • Lourdes • Usieux • Paris • Paray Ie Monial • "evers July 17-27 • $2195 pp/dbl
ALL STAR TRAVEL 1200 FALL RIVER AVENUE • SEEKONK, MA 02771 1·800·649·3390
"Ways to Feel Good
Ef)AbOuA~re~~ti~~~elf" All He~lthcare Workers CEUs: 6.6
White's of Westport • March 28 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration 8:30 a.m.
Sponsored by' F.R. Diocesan Council of Catholic Nurses Faculty: Robert D. Brennan, RN, Board of Registration of Nurses, Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators, certified hypnotherapist, certified instructor Program:
Self Esteem - Assertiveness
Reservations accepted by March 19 Fee: $25 Members - $30 Non-members Hot lunch included Make checks payable to FRDCCN Mail to: Alice LeBlanc, 64 Waldo St., New Bedford, MA 02745
Name: SS #: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Address: _
--------------------
Zip: Phone: Employer & Title:
6
THE ANCHOR -
Diocese of Fall River -
Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
Deaths from tornadoes jolt Florida parishes
Cookie maker inserts Scripture messages By CATHOLIC
By· JULIE GREENE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
ORLANDO, Fla. - The .twisters that tore through Central Florida in late February, claiming at least 37 lives, destroyed the pastoral center at St. Catherine of Siena Mission, Kissimmee, in addition to hundreds of homes. Servite Father Vidal Martinez, pastor at St. Catherine, and small team of parishioners spent Feb. 23 and 24 seeking out parishioners. "We walked through the neighborhoods surrounding the center," Father Martinez told The FLorida Catholic, Orlando's diocesan newspaper. "Wires were down everywhere. We walked through subdivisions, knocking on doors trying to make sure all our parishioners were all right. "You could see the great relief on people's faces when they saw us, knowing that we'd made an effort to get to them despite a lot of obstacles," he added. . Although many had lost their homes, most were found safe and had contacted family members. Others were not. Of the 36 confirmed dead, several had connections with Catholic churches and schools in the Diocese of Orlando. . A St. Catherine parishioner, a young woman, lost her life when one tornado tossed around the mobile home in 'which she and her elderly father were living.. All Souls Parish and School in Sanford also suffered losses connected with the storms. Assistant principal Tisha Futrell lost her father, Tom Tipton. Tipton, 62, a founding professor of economics at Seminole Community Col.lege who had retired three years ago, lived in a mobile home. The uncle of a fifthgrade student also died in the storm. The school was taking up collections for the two families. Longtime All Souls parishioner Mary Malloy lost her son Steven, 37, and two grandchildren, Sarah, II, and Travis, 9, who also lived in a mobile home. , "We're planning the funeral for all three for later this week," said Father Richard Trout, pastor at All Souls. "Everyone is in a state of shock. I don't think it's really hit people yet as to how bad this was." At least seven families from Holy Redeemer Parish in Kissimmee, two families from Resurrection Parish in Winter Garden and one family at All Souls had their homes destroyed in the storm. The number of families who had lost their homes from St. Catherine was still being determined late Feb. 24. St. Catherine of Siena, which recently completed construction on a new building off Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, had rented space in a shopping center since 1994. "It was our office," Father Martinez said. "It had all our computers, parish records, personal effects. The police wouldn't even let us get close enough to find out if there was anything salvageabl~ because there were two gas stations nearby that were totally taken out and there was a gas leak." "Devastation" was how Father Andrew O'Reilly, pastor of Resurrection . Parish in Winter Oard~n, described what he saw in the Hyde Park and Country Garden sections of Winter Garden. . "A lot of people had lost everything they had," he said. "We've tried to get word out that assistance is available but we haven't had any requests. I suspect that the Red Cross is meeting their immediate needs. It's possible people haven't really been able to take stock yet of what they've lost." Through Catholic Social Services, the Diocese of Orlando was reaching . out to those in need both financi~lIy and pastorally. In a statement released Feb. 23, ~ i,shop Norbert M. Dorsey of Orlando .expressed his concern for victim,S of the tornadoes.' " "Together with all of you, I extend oup deepest sympathy to all those families who suffered ~he death,ofa'loved one as.a result of yesterday's . severe rain and tornado storms...," he said. . "Remembering the teachings of Je~us concernin£the love of our neigh:.bors, especially, those in I}eed, we accept',this recent st9rm as a call to put our faith to work in 'practical help and service."
a
NEWS SERVICE
the annual Minnesota State Fair. Heiland said most of the cookies have been distributed through Christian bookstores. He said customers frequently write to telI him how they were spiritualIy uplifted after finding the ,scriptural message in a cQokie. "If you'd ~sked me before I came to know the Lor~ if I'd be doing this, I'd have said 'Fat chance,'" Heiland said. "When I was first invited to join
a charismatic prayer group, I joined a duck identification program instead. The Natural Resource group met on the same night, so I had an excuse," he added. Today Heiland credits his business for bringing special blessings to him and his family. "It's not just the cookies," he said, noting that Mass and Scri'pture readings are important in his family's daily life. "Nevertheless, the cookies have enhanced our prayer time."
MINNEAPOLIS - When Bill Heiland prayed for a unique ~ay to evangelize, he never dreamed he would carry out his mission by opening up a cookie business. He said the inspiration came to him after a period of thoughtful. prayer a few years ago. His idea was to insert a printed passage from Scripture into each cookie, not unlike Chinese fortune cookies. Knowing nothing about the food industry, he gathered people who knew the bakery business and he then launched Evangelistic Foods in Minneapolis. Heiland announced recently that the company has sold over 5 million Scripture Cookies. "Ours is a specialty product in a tight niche market," he said. "Our customers are Christians seeking unique ways to evangelize. We've grown mostly by word of mouth." Heiland, a Catholic with a theology minor from LaSalle Un'iversity in Philadelphia, operates the business from his home with his wife, Marie. He has gleaned verses from oyer 400 scriptural passages and has them printed on large sheets of paper. Currently, retired nuns at a convent in St. Paul cut the printed verses apart and mix and stack them before they are sent off to be meEVANGELISTIC FOODS offers a new twist on an Asian chanically insetted in the cookies. favorite by placing a Scripture quote inside fortune cookies. The cookies have been used for weddings, chu'rch suppers, gradua- Scripture Cookies are availabl~ by order from the Min neapotions, retreats and even Halloween. lis-based company. (CNS photo) One food concession sells them at
Researcher puts Eden'in Southern Africa By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
he said it was clear that the process was. an evolutionary one and involved genetic transformations all of which is consistent with the Christian concept of creation, he said. "We know God intervened in our creation, but let's say he left us with the intelligence to find out where and how this happened," he told Catholic News Service after his ·address.· He said that evolutionary biology appears as a "universal law" to mod-
ern researchers. This does not diminish the power of divine cre,ation, he said; since even if evolution is a law, "it requires a legislator." Father Serra made his comments in a speech to the fourth ge::leral assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, which was meeting to discuss recent efforts to complete the human gene-mapping project. Father Serra is a retired professor of human genetics at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
VATICAN CITY - Recent genetic research has helped place the Garden of Eden on the map, probably somewhere between what are now, Tanzania and South Africa, a Jesuit scholar told a Vatican conference. Father Angelo Serra'said Feb. 23 that researchers in molecular evolution have been able to locate what is referred to as a "mitochondrial Eve," based ,on analysis of DNA .transmission through mjiny gener~ tions,ofhumans, in cell structures , ,Continued/rom page one called mltoch~ndri9ns. The exp,crts later discovered a genetic "Ad~m" While Christians associate Lent do for Lent, a time of "the renewal in the same way, he said." . 'with penance and the "giving up" . of our baptism," Bishop O'Malley The studies use DNA as a "mo" ~.'-< ~f·~~." -,::' 1£'- ' of things such as cigarettes,.choco- suggested fO,ur things iri 6rder to lecular fossil" oOnan's earliest be-' ~ ~.' h lates orrgoing to the movies, the grow in the love of God: prayer, ginnirigs. Father Semi said he 'saw bishop said that strictly speaking sacrifice, reading Of holy S,:ripture no theological problems In the find,those are not n~ally' penance, "but and making a good confel.sion in ings.· . an~ the works of-penance." Lent is , the sacrament of reconciliation. "Eden, where:man appeared for something much more personal, "We need to pray more: kick it the first' time with the biological because penance is a change of up a notc~. As for giving things up, ~tructure of the modern human beheart. It is turning our back on our "it might be that Scotch on the rocks , ing about 100,000-200,000 years selfishness, becoming more loving, with the lemon twist." Whatever we ago, should correspond to a region more faithful, c1oser.to God. That's give up it should be retlecl:ed in a of southern or southwestern Af- what Lent is." . greater manner by' what we give to rica," he said. Bishop O'Malley 'called, atten- the poor. And the bishop said Opera"From there, modern man ap·tion to St. Therese of Liseux, who ti'on Rice Bowl might be' one of the pears·to. have spread,out toward in recent months' was named a doc- means of offering the poor and needy Asia and Europe, where about . tor of the Church, "whose great in- something of what we as Americans 30,000-50,000 years ago were sight into spirituality showed us that take for granted and enjoy. formed the populations from which doing ordinary things with extraorIf we do all four of the things the current ones are descended," he . dinary love" helps us make dra- that were suggested for Lent, "then RESIDENTS OF the Ponderosa Park in Kissimmee,Fla., said. ' matic changes in our lives. We can we will come much c1oser'i:oGod, The priest noted there is still dissearch ,thrgugh rubble for belongings after tornadoes passed work towards holiness in the same be more aware of his love and be through the area the night before. At least 37 people died in the sent about exactly where, when and way, he said. I, better prepared to be theLord's dishow the first humans emerged. But storm and more than 100 were injured. (CNS/Reuters photo) To those who ask what they can ciples," Bishop O'Malley said. ~~_
....
::,~;~~n
Resoluti.oos
Pope links genetic advance and value of life its to what are acceptable interventions.' "It is not licit to undertake any intervention on the genome which is not aimed at the good of the person, understood as a unity of body By CINDY WOODEN and spirit; in the same way, it is CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE not licitto discriminate against huVATICAN CITY -- As scienman subjects on the basis of eventual genetic defects revealed betists learn more about human genetics and as the power to fore or after birth," he said. manipulate genes grows, '7he more knowledge and power Pope John Paul said the there must be a correspond-. h h Catholic Church insists that ing growth in apprec,iating to mtervene grow, t e more t ere the dignity of the human perthe value of human life and must be an awareness of the val- son should be recognizedthe need to protect the weak, ues at stake,"he said. The sacred- including in laws - from Pope John Paul II said. ness of life, the pope said, cannot the moment of conception. "The human genome does be placed bel7indany other value, The church supports renot have only a biological not even the often erroneously search, including genetic remeaning; it is also the bearer search, when it leads to the of an anthropological dignity used concept of "quality of life." discovery and perfection of which has its basis in the ...._ ... ..._ _-11 therape:utic treatments spiritual soul which pervades it and one's power over things." which are practical to carry out and gives it life," the pope said Feb. 24. "I feel an obligation ro express do not carry risks which far outThe pope spoke to members of my concern for the spread of a cul- weigh any possible benefit to the the Pontifical Academy for Life tural climate which is encouraging patient, he said. who dedicated their Feb. 23-25 the drifting of prenatal diagnosis "At the current time," the pope general assembly to discussions in a direction which is no longer said, "there is a serious disproporabout "The Human Genome: Hu- that of therapy ... but rather that of tion between diagnostic possibili- " man Personality and the Society of discrimination against those who ties, which are in a phase of prothe Future." do not appear to be healthy in pre- gressive expansion, and therapeuPope John Paul compared the natal examination," Pope John tic possibiliti(~s, which are scarce. human genome to a continent just Paul said. This fact leads to serious ethical beginning to be explored, but one As science learns more about problems for families who need to which holds "the most intimate se- the human genome, he said, plac- be supported in welcoming new crets" of the physical make-up of ing knowledge at the service of life, even when it appears to be afhuman beings. power "could lead to interventions fected by some defect or malfor"Scientists, through the knowl- in the internal structure of human mation. 'The more knowledge and power edge of genetic and molecular bi- life with the aim of sub(luing, seology, are reading with the pen- lecting or manipulating the body to intervene grow, the more there 'etrating gaze of science the inti- and, ultimately, the person and fu- must be an awareness of the values at stake," he said. The sacredness mate fabric of life and the mecha- ture generations." nisms which characterize the inBecause the human person is of life, the pope said, cannot be dividual," he said. not simply a complex biological placed behind any other value, not "These conquests continually structure, but is completely infused even the often erroneously used conreveal the greatness of the Creator with a soul, he said, there are Iim- cept of "quality of life."
•
Dignity of human life must follow knowledge of human genetics.
Social activists told that safeguarding health of women, children and minorities must be a priority. By NANCY FRAZIER O'BRIEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON ,-,- A former U.S. surgeon general and a Boston minister urged Catholic social activists Feb. 23 to bring hope and help to the problems facing women, children and minorities in the United States. Or. Antonia Coello Novello, who was surgeon general in 199396, and the Rev. Eugene F. Rivers, pastor ofAzusa Christian Community in Boston, addressed a plenary session on "Building Solidarity at Home: Work, Health and Strong 'Communities" during the 1998 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, cosponsored by more than a dozen national Catholic organizations and agencies.
Pope John Paul called for stronger laws to protect human embryos and prayed that as genetic research continues, "may the conquest of this new continent of knowledge
7
- the human genome - - represent the opening of new possibilities for victory over illness" and never involve the selective destruction of certain human beings.
because they allow people to note the order innate in creation and to appreciate the marvels of the body in addition to the intellect," the pope said. However, he warned, "in the modern epoch there is a tendency to search for knowledge not so much to promote admira~ion and contemplation, but to increase
Confronting domestic crises demands hope and help •
THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri" Mar. 6, 1998
Novello, now a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, focused on ways to improve the health of poor women and children, while Rev.Rivers spoke about the prqbiems'in "the prison camps we euphemistically call inner cities." , "Safeguarding health should not be considered an act ofcharity," said Novello, noting that many women have no health benefits because they work in small businesses or work parttime, or lost them through divorce or death of a spouse. "When the health of a woman collapses, the healtn of the family collapses," she said, "so women, stop feeling guilty and start taking care of yourselves." Novello said "the daunting challenge of poverty" causes one in three American children to spend at least one year in poverty before reaching adulthood. But the poor "lack the clout to make the world stop and listen," she added. ''There is nothing unavoidable about the continuation of this situation," Novello said, calling "the
disintegration of the family ... the root of the current crisis." Although most of her talk focused on threats' to poof women and children, Novello also spoke about the dangers facing more affluent children, even those in twoparent families.' . On average, those children spend only 40 minutes a day with their mothers and five minutes a day with their ,fathers, but spend 2,000 hours "soaking up attitudes and beliefs" in front of the teevision before they turn 18, the former surgeon general said. "They desperately need adults to whom they can turn for guidance and support," she said. Rev. Rivers presented both a bleak view of a society that he said leaves many young black men "unqualified even for slavery" and an optimistic view of the opportunity for political change offered by Catholic social teaching. "My biggest challenge in Boston has been to convince Catholics to be bullish on their own traditions," he said.
Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorge February 25, 1998 Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina "Dear children, also today I am with you and I again call all of you to come closer to me through your prayers. In a special way, I call you to renunciation in this time of grace. Little children, meditate on and live, through your little sacrif1ces, the passion and death of Jesus for each of you. Only if you come closer to Jesus will you comprehend the immeasurable love He has for each of you. Through prayer and your renunciation you will become more open to the gift of faith and love towards the Church and the people who are around you. I love you and bless you. Thank you for having responded to my call,"
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PRAYER GROUP Marian Messengers P.O. Box 647, Framingham, MA 01701 Tel. 1·508·879·9318
~
~
A.&Quintal INV£STM£NTCOMPANY. INC.
@
Stocks. Bonds, Options ... 'On All Exchanges • • • ;. •
Mutual Funds Of All Types Tax Free Insured Income Trusts U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes IRA's • Pension' Plans Tax Planning BUSINESS AND TAX
FINANCIAL PLANNING Estate ... Trust and Portfolio Analysis
JOYCE B. WHITE
MARK A. QUINTAL CFP
Account Executive
Certified Financial Planner
Quintal Bldg. at Lunds Cor. 2177 ACUSHNET AVE. ' NEW BEDFORD. MA
995-2611
THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Mar, 6, 1998
8
Entering the era of science fiction come true
St. Patrick launches a publishing houst~
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day comes a new said. Ambassador Books now has five titles on its list children's book about the saint of Ireland that, I - two of them well-acclaimed nov~ls by Goggins. predict, everyone in the family will want to read. This special book made me fall in love with , "And God Blessed the Irish," is their first children's book. Patrick, the teen-ager who was dragged away from If the process of growing old is al- his home and family, and made a slave in Ireland, "St. Patrick had always been a caricature: to me" By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK . tered radically, how will. our under- and who somehow let God's grace reshape him. CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE standing of life be impacted? Here for the first time I read St. Patrick's "Christ Wise elderly people often tell us The new millennium about to bewith me, Christ before me, Christ behind me" gin promises us a new age of science. they have learned over the years that prayer from beginning to end-a jewel contained In fact, more than ever before, science life is just abriefjoum~y on this earth. They view the pain of growing old as at the end of "And God Blessed the Irish" (Ambasfiction will become reality. Already we are realizing that mov- God's way of telling them they are sador Books). ies like Buck Rogers or Frankenstein nearer to the time ofbeing called home. I get curious about the author when ~ book This process of our eldei:s accept- touches me, and so I wanted to know who Chris weren't all that farfetched. We ha.ve By Antoinette Bosco surpassed Aldous Huxley's "Brave ing aging and passing on possessions Driscoll was and why he was such an advocate for New World," which envisioned a to a younger age is vital to the scheme St. Patrick. That's when the surprises began. For whole new type of human life based of life. "Chris Driscoll" is really Gerard E. Goggins, exWhat will happen if these expectaon scientific progress. because of the fables of snakes, ,clay pipes. shamSo as we enter the third millen- tions are short-circuited by theexpec- ecutive editor of the Catholic Free Press, the weekly and such, said Goggins. The saint "had no rocks of Worcester, Mass., mid publication of the diocese nium, what should we expect? What tation that we can live much longer and being in my eyes until I saw for the first time the a long-time distant colleague. good things will come of science? better lives? What will be lost if we no complete St. Patrick prayer, and it wowed me. In Goggins, with the support of his wIfe Deanna What new dilemmas will science longer view Iife.in.terms ofstages that and their four children, decided about a year ago· research I found a great story and a person who succeed each other progressively? present to us? Furthermore, if we utilize science to start a publishing company. He told me' he long Impressed me. I really liked him. I wanted 10 write I can imagine the day when ajogging grandmother runs alongside her . to enhance our talents,. what does this had felt the publishing field "had lost touch with a book that would catch the true flavor of St. grandson at a quick pace for 10 miles. say about developing our innate tal-' the human appetite for excellence and art," pro.' Patrick." Goggins has done that. Thanks to discoveries that retard the ents? Which is better for us, to clone a moting instead "the mediocre and superficial." To follow the call he feels so strongly, Goggins aging process, the grandmother even talent or to .personally develop our will leave the Catholic Free Press, which has won Goggins wanted to fill that void by writing and more amazingly might not have any gifts? innumerable awards under his leadership, in Au" wrinkles or gray hair. ' A Nobel Prize winner who resides publishing intelligent, spiritually stimulating books gust. In giving his blessing to the change, Bishop of substance and depth. He didn't let fear of failIt is conceivable that in the future, in the ·parish I serve, and who is reDaniel P. Reilly ofWorceste'r thanked Goggins for a person with a serious wound to the sponsible for discovering certain genes ure block him. He wittingly took on this· tremenhis seven years work, saying he "set high goals arid leg, for example, might apply a won- that cause disease, once told me, "Fa- dous challenge, relying on the support of God's achieved them" in producing a diocesan paper that der ointment to heal it instantly. We ther, this whole thing about genes and " grace. already have amazing stories such as cloning is very, very complicated." "I always felt God called me to write," he told is "attractive, readable, informative and imbued that of a 61-year-old woman whose He said no more, but I could see me. "I've worked for two newspapers, but I always with a true sense of the church." , withered leg healed in 12 weeks after from the look in his eyes that we neec\ felt my being there was a temporary job." Ijoin the bishop in wishing this fine editor and treatment with healthy genes. to think much more seriously about the Every new venture needs a name. "I was at Mass writer joy and success in pursuing his mission of The day may come when people implications and consequences of new one Sunday, and I forget what letter it was where producing 'books that are vitally spiritual, written are given genes that enable them to scientific breakthroughs. 'We are ambassadors for God,' but I knew Paul says with professional excellence and true to the Gosremember things better or to master a Every day we hear of new discovwas the right name," Goggins immediately that pel values. musical instrument. eries that hold out to us great hope for So the new millennium may well a longer and less painful life. What we bring us the power to improve our must come to terms with is how this physical makeup and even our talents. kind of progress, fits into the to~al But what dilemmas will science scheme of life arid, more important; present to the human spirit? how it fits into God's plan. If burning $1 offends yo~, here are 'soine other Dear Dr. Kenny: In a recent column on changing bad habits, you advised a reader to negative possibilities: a teaspoonful of castor oil, burn $1 before going to bed if he fell short of his having a picture of you with a cigarette in your daily minimum plan. I am appalled. I think it mouth sent to your mother, writing 10 times: "I would be much better to donate that dollar to a favorite charity or a family in need of food or to pay bills. (Kentucky)
The Bottom Line
The right motivation for breaking a haJJit,
The Message With A
Mission,
TheC)fJag TheY=Wtn The$~
Catholic Newspapers, Magazines and B,ooks Bring The Message Home ,
NOW is the time to renew your subscription to
theancho~·
It's
...
Family Talk
We received several letters expressing the same concern. Don't burn dollars. Give the money to a worthy cause instead. My job as a psychologist is motivation. People With Dr. James & come to me with wishes and dreams: to stop smokMary Kenny " ing, lose weight, to be free of lj.nxiety and depression. My goal is to make those dreams a reality. Positive reinforcement is the best way to motiwill breathe only clean fresh air." vate. Many 'successful businesses give us some The consequence must be sufficiently unpleassmall come-on every time we visit their store or ant to keep you from smoking, yet not so severe buy one of their products. that you won't "pay the price" if you do. No one For the same reason, any plan to stop a bad habit likes to burn $1, and I have found that to be a very should provide some small but immediate reward effective consequence. The idea of burning $1 for success. For example, a day without alcohol or keeps people from smoking. cigarettes, or a 20-minute session of aerobic exerOnce we have a plan, with a token daily reward cise might each earn one point toward a token surand 'a token daily consequence, I don't ask my prise gift., people to promise to stop smoking, but raliher to The elemental psychology is to see that a desir- , follow ~he plan. Promising to follow the plan is an able activity follows a difficult or undesirable one.' easier commitment and more likely to be effective Another simple plan would be to:make television than promising never to smoke again. o,r a night-time snack the reward for a successful People .who promise never to smoke. become disday. couraged and give up when they stumble. People Sometimes adding a consequence or token punwho follow the plan (an individually desigm:d sys. ishment may help. When some people fail, they tem of reward/consequence) may stumble but they give up completely. The logic is: I have already know how to get back'on the straightaway. ' fallen, so what does it matter. They go on a binge. Thank you for raising an interesting and imporIf these people have a token ~onsequence to tant point. "pay" that night, they are free to start the next day Reader questions on family living and child with a fresh slate. They have paid the price, much like the token penance in confession, and may be- ,care to be answered in print are invited. Address questions: The Kennys; St. Joseph's College; 219 gin again. W. Harrison; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978. The consequence must be immediate (that night) Mail to: and it must have no positive features. Donating the P.O. Box' 7 • Fall River, MA 02722 dollar to charity would defeat the purpose. I might Fridays in Lent are days of abstinenoeol! feel that my smoking (or drinking or overeating) Those who are 14 years of age and also a great gift to give a friend. served a beneficial purpose. To be crude: Let's light older are obliged to abstain from mElat. ..... ,~p ~ .cigar~tte for the starvi~g children in Africa!
Returning to penance after many years Q. It is nearly 20 years now since I last went to confession. I ceased going because of a problem with our parish priest and because I doubted (as I believe many others did at that time) that a mortal could absolve my sins. In the intervening years I have continued to pray, faithfully attend Mass, receive Communion and have been married. Now I have renewed my belief in penance and would like to return. You can imagine my fear after 20 years, and less than positive experiences with this sacrament in my youth. And I know some things have changed. I will be grateful for any information you can give on my status in the church. What prayers and other formulas do I need to remember? (Illinois) .
ting ourselves to greater holiness of life. In other words, while we seek forgiveness for our sins, the grate and orientation of this sacrament look more to the future than the past. What's done is done. It's part of history, and not even God can change that. What he can
Questions and Answers By Father John J. Dietzen
change, with our cooperation, is our hearts and A. You are still in good standing in the church. the trends of our lives. You're just missing outon one of the great sources • The church's teachings about this sacrament of holiness and strength in our Catholic life. stress this point often, especially in encouraging My suggestion is simply go ahead and do it, confession even when no grave sins are involved, and don't worry about the details. Confession which one would hopefully expect is at least most wasn't meant to be, and is not, that complicated. of the time. Practically all churches today provide the opThese celebrations of God's mercy and love portunity, as they should, for either sitting facewithout serious sin, are "not a mere ritual repetito-face with the priest or kneeling in the tradition or psychological exercise, but a seriousstrivtional anonymous way. ing to perfect the grace of baptism." Thus, "as we bear in our body the death of Jesus By church law the option of which to use is entirely up to you, depending on what you feel Christ, his life may be seen in us ever more will be most helpful for you spiritually. clearly," as we try to "follow the voice of the Spirit Usually the pl'iest will say a brief prayer bemore attentively" (Introduction to the Rite of Penfore you begin or read a short passage from the ance No.7). Gospels. Then begin in whatever way you wish. Please pray about it, pick a priest you can feel Tell the priest the main things you need to concomfortable with and start profiting again from this beautiful way of experiencing God's compasfess, for which you ask the forgiveness of God, and the people you have hurt by your sinfulness. sion. J. The priest may ask you to fill in any gaps, may A free brochure answering questions Cathogive you some thoughts to reflect on, ask you to perform some act of penance as a symbol of your lics ask about the sacrament of penance is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed ensorrow and desire to grow in holiness, and then velope to Father Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, say the prayer of forgiveness (absolution). ,704 N. Main Street, Bloomington, III. 61701. The "changes" in the sacrament of penance are not so much in procedures as in greater attention Questions for this column should be sent to to the causes of our sinfulness and to our coopI'ather Dietzen at the same address or to this Catholic paper. eration with the healing grace of God in commit-
THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
Charlie's Oil Co., Inc. • Prompt 24 Hour Service. Automatic Deliveries • Call In Deliveries • Budget'Terms Available • Free Estimates
You Never Had Service Until You Tried Char/ie's We7e located at ...
46 Oak Grove Ave., Fall River or call ...
508-675-7426 • 674-0709
Get a Quick-and-Easy Auto Loan at Citizens-Union Pre-approved financing is available for new auto loans. Transfer your payment from a Citizens-Union checking or savings account and reduce your rate by .25%:
~-ttIli Call 508-678-7641 Member FDICIDIF
CONTEMPORARY WAY OF THE CROSS Friday, March 6 - 7: 15 p.m.
My listening lapses Picture me peacefully reading the newspaper. More precisely, I am concentrating on the box scores. My wife asks (she later claims she did, that is), "How does Chinese stir-fry sound for dinner?" I exclaim, "Can you believe Shaque scored 44 against Seattle and the Lakers still lost?" Somewhere in the background of my consciousness I become vaguely aware of a kind of heavy metal banging sound. While now engrossed in a column analyzing the Damon Stoudamire trade from Toronto to the Portland Trailblazers, I become slightly anxious. My senses have been summoned. Do I detect a sound akin to two heavy iron skillets being struck one against the other? Is this skillet percussion section coming closer? I look up. Sure enough. Spouse is approaching directly at me in a deliberate manner (some might say in a Teutonic, military kind of march) - clanging two pans together in a rhythm I recognize from Jaws II. She pauses. "Did you hear what I asked you?" "How could I?" I answer logically. "The Irish in you has finally outflanked the French, and you are making more noise than box wrenches in a garbage disposal." "I mean before I banged these things to get your attention," she shoots back. "I asked how Chinese sounds." "To the untrained ear," I say thoughtfully, "it sounds a lot like Korean as far as I can tell." She clangs the pans in front of my face. "Wrong anSWer?" I blink. Clang. "One clang for yes, two for no?" I ask. Clang, clang, clang. "And three for emergency fire drill?" I venture.
"You know," she huffs, "your son Jon's girlfriend and I were comparing notes on you two last night, and we came up with the name for your disease: Genetic Earflap Syndrome." Since she still held both pans, I said calmly, "Does this have anything to do with your thing
The. offbeat world of Uncle Dan By
Dem Morris .
about my sometimes not catching your voice right away when I'm absorbed reading?" "Absorbed?" her eyebrows arch. "Trance-like state comes to mind, or maybe demonic possession, or maybe The Mysterious Spell of 'Free Building Materials' or 'Slave ofMiscellam~ous Wanted.''' I become defensive. "Just because Jon and I have this ability to concentrate." Clang. "Maybe Time Lapse Hearing would be better than Genetic Earflap Disease," I try. "Maybe it's like call-waiting. Maybe our brains accept the call, but just put it on hold until the other thoughts are cleared. Then our clever minds answer. "You know, kind of like the recordings that say: 'Please hold. Your call will be answered in the order it was received.''' Clang.
Your comments are welcome always. Please send them to Uncle Dan, 25218 Meadow Way, Arlington, Wash. 98223..
9
Father Richard Delisle, M.S.
WORKSHOP: "THE POWER OF HOLISTIC HEALING" Saturday, March 7-10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Dr. Thomas Delisle Theater - $25 Donation
MINI-MISSION: "MARY AND THE SPIRIT" March 7-'11 at all Masses Father Manuel Pereira, M.S.
COFFEE HOUSE: "NEW COVENANT SINGERS" Saturday, March 7 - 6:30 p.m. HEALING SERVICE WITH MASS Sunday, March 8 - 2:00 p.m. Father Richard Delisle & Prayer Group Ministry
GRIEF EDUCATION PROGRAM Monday, March 9 - 6:30 p.m. "Grief and Guilt" Counseling Center - $10 Donation
LENTEN SERIES: "LIVING IN THE SPIRIT" Tuesday, March 10- 7: 15 p.m.- Theater Father Manuel Pereira, M.S. -
Good-will offering
.,
10
THE ANCHOR -
Diocese of Fall River·...,- Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
TV's "Vietnam POWs is dramatic documentary By HENRY HERX CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE . , NEW YORK - Marking the 25th anniversary of Operation Homecoming is the documentary, "Vietnam POWs: Stories of Survival," prenii~ring Sunday, March 8,9-10 p.m. EST on cable's Discovery Channel. On Feb. 12, 1973,' the first of 591 American prisoners of war were released by their North Vietnamese captors and began their journey home to freedom. What they brought with them were hard-earned memories of suffering and endurance, of physical pain and the small triumphs of the spirit. Though Hanoi had signed the Geneva Convention in 1954, the North Vietnamese mistreated captured Americans as "war criminals," subjecting them to beatings and tollture. Recalling what they experienced as prisoners are a number of former' POWs beginning with Everett Alvarez Jr., the first pilot captured in the war and held prisoner for eight years and seven months - the longest in the history of American warfare. Others include Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Vice Adm. James B.' Stockdale, who received the Medal of Honor for risking his life under extreme torture, and Mich:iel Benge, a civilian POW who witnessed the death of two captured missionaries. . , Giving the most detailed account of his six-year captivity is Richard Stratton, the POW who thwarted a North Vietnam propaganda film by acting like a robot. Imprisoned with Stratton was Doug Hegdahl, who confounded his interrogators by pretending to be invincibly stupid, but his seemin'g cooperation won him early release. This he put to good lise by memorizing the names of more than 250 of his fellow inmates so it would be known that they were POWs instead of missing in action. According to Stratton, what it took to survive was "a sense of humor, a faith in God, the fellowship (of other inmates)." There is surprisingly little bitterness displayed as they give matter-offact accounts of the harsh conditions in the camps and of being tortured under interrogation. . At program's end, McCain sums it up by saying, "We're the lucky ones," referring to "those whose names are on the wall down at the memorial," including the 2,100 Americans still listed as MIA. Produced, written and directed by Brian Leonard, the program effectively interweaves the interviews with North Vietnamese propaganda films as well as period newsreel footage. The result dramatically documents an aspect of the Vietnam War that' deserves to be better known: Because of the brutality of these prison camps, parents should be prudent about the age of those watching with them.
NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the U.S. Catholic, Conference Office for' Film and Broadcasting.
"The Break" (Castle Hill) Absorbing story of an IRA gunman (Stephen Rea) who escapes from an Ulster prison, takes refuge in New York, then uses his terrorist expertise to help Guatemalan refugees (Alfred Molina and Rosana Pastor) assassinate one of their country's oppressors. Directed by, Robert Dornhelm, the British production is less a political drama than a character study in which Rea give~ a convincing performance as a man who has lived by the gun and cannot change his destiny to die by the gun. Hard-edged violence', sexual situations, brief nudity and occasional rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference c1assification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is R - restricted.
"Burn Hollywood Burn" (Hollywood) Satirical movie-within-a-movie in which an enraged director (Eric Idle) steals the master negative of his movie after the producer (Ryan O'Neal) recuts his film. Directed by Alan Smithee and written by Joe Eszterhas, the movie's inside jokes self-servingly lionize creative types who refuse to compromise their artistic vision. Brief stylized violence, sexual situations, constant rough language and occasional profanity. The U.S. Catbolic Conference classification is A-III - adults. The Motion PictureAssociation ofAmerica rating is R - reStricted.
"D~rk
NEW YORK - "Dark City" (New Line) is a triumph of style over substance for those who. can sit back and enter an alternate realB Y C ATHOLIC NEWS S ERVICE ofSt. Peter's Basilica will be at 3:30ity without demanding a truly literWASHINGTON - The Vatican 5 a.m. EDT. . ' ' 1 1 ate scnpt. WI make available for broadcast three Later.that day, the pontiff's mesThe opening narration helpfully events during the Easter Triduum." " sage "urbi etorbi" (to the CitY'of The first event is the Way ofthe Rome and the world) witHe at,5_explains,that a dying race of aliens . Rorne, 5 :40 a.m.. . 'EDT ' '.', hay~ come to an unnamed city to C ross at theC o Iosseum In ; .':," , f ' presided over by the pope. It will be RAI, the Italian state network, will' capture the essence 0 the human 'd .' WI'II'. ,soul so that they may continue to 3 40 p.m. EDT G0 od F nay,' at 2 : 15-.: provl'de.;t he TV . coverage;,an d It April 10. be accompanied upon the request of ' live. On Easter...Sunday, April 12,. the, . bro~~cll§ters bY,<;Qf\1mentary in EJ.l~ The audience is then introduced papal Easter Mass celeDJ~ated in front ...,. glish, ~r'eQ<:h; S. p'anis"h.9rportugu.'~se: ,tQPoorJohnMtil'aoch (Rufus .' . ' . ' ,. .', Sewell), who wakes up i~ ,'.,' ' a bathtub ,uncertain of '~ Yyonne Thayer' "', ~ "'. :." < ... 't..; who he.is' -:-:-. and why there is'~ m'urdered pros-
>.'
,
d . ,'. " .' . ': ~t11, ~~a '_ ,i~g ...·, .',. ,;tit:~:~:~XJ·y.thestartof 't .
., I
"rJ' .
.Person,,' History,. .by Kothonn,eGrohom"
Yvonne Thayer '
<
",,', ~~~hom " ·\'hel '.
, ..
,
Yvonne Thayer is th~new"'cha
the U.s. EmbasSy fJ) the~QJyJ uPersonol History" by Katharine Gniham_. (Alfred A. Knopf, New York) 1997,642 pp. © 1998 CNS GraphitS
~.'
","
"I Love You ... Don't Touch Me!" (Goldwyn) Slender tale of a 25-year-old Jewish virgin (Maria Schaffel) who finally succumbs to a slick womanizer (Michael Harris) while her platonic best friend (Mitchell Whitfield) impatiently waits in the wings. Writer-director Julie Davis plumbs single female angst with some earnestness but the narrative's narrow focus on its characters' sex lives is ultimately tiresome. Sexual situations with brief nudity, some profanity and recurring rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -restricted.
, "KisSing a Fool" (Universal) Slack romantic comedy in which an engaged playboy (David Schwimmer) wondering ifhis fiancee (Mili Avital) will be faithful asks his best friend (Jason Lee) to try and seduce her. Director Doug Ellil}'s romantic triangle is utterly predictable with few comic sparks
along its tired route. A live-in relationship, drug references, occasional profanity and much rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.
"The Real Blonde" (Paramount) Scattershot romantic comedy about a fashion m2.ke-up artist (Catherine Keener) and her live-if) love, a struggling aCl~or (Matthew Modine), whose relationship is tested by new romantic interests. Writer-director 'rom DiCillo is better at mocking the superficial worlds offashion and entertainment than in developing interesting central characters. Sexual situations with occasional nudity, frequent rough language and intermittent profanity. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is R.:.- restricted.
City" replete with :spooky aliens
By GERRI PARE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Vatican will permit broadcast of'Triduum
flick
Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) that amnesiac John is psychotic, yet she joins the search. The 'Strangers do the weirdest things. At midnight they make the whole city fall asleep while they recreate buildings and alter people's memories in their ceaseless search to define what makes humans tick so they can coopt their essence, ·their strength, their very souls. Only Dr. Schreber knows this· and he is their slave, injecting. chemical false 'memories into people as instructed and extracting their real ones.·Having messed up on John, he is ordered to find him and finish him off, but perhaps the frightened doctor is secretly root'ing for John. By the time the Strangers close in on John; he can levitate, change 'his physical surroundings and deflect weapons with the best ofthetn - and he's not,:prepared to be charged with murder or 'lose 'the woman in his life. Showing remarkable prowess at least in visual audacity, ,director Alex 'Proyas ("The Crow'~·) delivers a movie that may not reach beyond'a cult following since its logic is murkier than a foggy bog. . To explain the Emma' character would reveal too much of the mystery woven into the narrative by the actions of the 'peculiar Strangers. With their Nosferatu-like appearance - pale, emaciated beings
his troubles. '.' ,/I'he aliell.s,· known as , rtIe Stranger~, are after himsin,ce h~"ts the only . ,human who has exhibited ,: thesaOj~ telekinetic pow..: ers' they 'have:- and so 'must be destroyed. And .then there'ls 'tht< determined, Inspector ',Bumstead (William Hurt) pursuing John as prime suspect in not one, but six call-girl murders. As if that is not enough, his glamorous chanteuse wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly), is . told by the creepy Dr. (led by Richard O'Brien and Ian
Richardson) who succ:eed more for their visual impact in the thriller than anything else. The sleek production design and dozens of different sets 'never fail to intrigue even when the narrative stumbles. There are al.5o any number of effects, mostly morphing, that are well-integrated into the plot, and the scenes of Strangers levitating might raise a few goose ,bumps. Sutherland gives ~i) best perfor. mance in years as'the ambivalent doctor with the sinister personality and pqssibly',a persoflalagenda to boot., .. : 'Key ctiaracter Sewell plays it with the parahoidintensity"ofsomeone bent on surviv'ing the confusion engulfing him and the!~vil aliens all ..' around him. Although not satisfying from a narrative point of view, "Dark City" is one of those guilty pleasures that can be enjoyed just for Its sheerly sensuous parade of wispy, mysteryladen images..' . , Because of occasional violence and brief nudity, the U.S. Catholic Conference C1assifical:ion is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R restricted.
--C-a-n-'t-re-m-e-m-b-e-r-h~(~.w-a-r-ec-e-n-t" film was ClaSsified byfhe USCC? Noyv yo~ can look up film reviews on Amelica On:line. (lnce you're connected to AOL,jLlst use Jhe
~~~~hh~~~;:~ea~:~~~~n:~s~~~~~ ~~0~~~~~:;0981,""lr~~:,t.~.~~n.C;
l()ok,fQI;;\lJ1PYle,:(eVieW\~;d~:;"$,\iA\
THE ANCHOR -
Diocese of Fall River -
Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
11
U.S. Labor secretary addresses ministry gathering •
Alexis Herman celebrates homecoming with talk about the importance of social justice. By MARK PATIISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman said she was celebrating a "homecoming" by speaking at the annual Social Ministry Gathering in Washington. Herman, a Catholic who started her adult life working for Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Mobile, Ala., also told her Feb. 24 dinner audience - to lusty applause - that she was cochair of
the 1976 Call to Action conference in Detroit. She also thanked the audience for their prayers and support in last year's lengthy confirmation battle in the Senate for her nomination to the Cabinet post. Herman said she would have spoken at last year's gathering but . was not confirmed in time to appear as labor secretary. "I wouldn't be here tonight without having received the love and support and prayers of so many of you during those difficult days," she said. "Prayer works." Having recently returned from a trade conference in Brussels, Belgium, with her counterparts from Canada, Japan and Europe, Herman touched on the relationship between social justice and the workplace.
"As we talk about economic trade and expansion," she said, "that should not be at the expense of socialjustice in our workplaces. These are not mutually exClusive goals. These are mutually. reinforcing goals." . Herman said she has three goals as labor secretary: - To ensure a prepared work force to remain globally competitive as America heads into the 21 st century. - To help workers today manage the coming changes "so we have a truly secure work force." This includes increasing the minimum wage, Herman said. "We have
to make work pay. We have to realize that work is as much a source of dignity as it is a source of income," she said to applause. - To make sure that "quality" workplaces that are "safe, healthy and fair" are maintained, including workplaces free of discrimination. "No worker should have to sacrifice their life for their livelihood" but rather should be able to go home after a day of work "with his soul and his dignity intact," Herman said. She told a story about Willard Wirtz, labor secretary in the Kennedy administration, who, when visiting a grade school, ran
into a fourth-grade girl who had just been elected "secretary of labor" in her class. Her duties, Wirtz learned, included cleaning the blackboards, getting all the supplies ready for the next day, and each Friday, "putting everything back in the right place." When the girl asked Wirtz what he did as secretary of labor, he replied, "Pretty mueh the same thing." "'Putting everything back in the right place' is what you people in this room have been doing for a very long time," Herman said. "Thank you. Keep going. Keep the faith. We need you now more than ever."
..
Pope: Holy Spirit aids evangelization By
LYNNE WElL CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY-Pope John Paul II told Rome's clergy that their efforts at evangelization were assisted by the Holy Spirit. In his annual speech at the start of Lent to the Roman clergy Feb. 26, the pope said the Spirit "not only accompanies us, he guides us and sustains us in the course of our mission." "The Spirit knows no boundaries," the pontiff added. "The Spirit, operating mysteriously and silently in the depths of each person, predisposes each person to accept Christ and his Gospel." Pope John Paul noted that, in preparation for church commemorations of the year 2000, he had asked the faithful and church leaders to focus their attention and teachings this year on the Holy Spirit. "As the great jubilee gradually approaches, the occasions of grace that the Spirit prepares for the
church and for humanity are delineated with greater precision," he said. . Among those occasions, he added, were an international eucharistic congress and World Youth Day, both to take place in Rome in the year 2000. . Speaking on behalf of the group, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, head of the Italian bishops' conference, said the Roman clergy experienced the Lenten season and its particular celebrations with "great joy an.d.gratitude." I The cardinal said the workings of the Holy Spirit could be seen in the missionary efforts of the 12,000 lay people, 3,000 religious and 1,000 priests who made Lenten parish visits. The Holy Spirit, Cardinal Ruini said, "touches (their) hearts and gives many Christians the will and the courage to live out their baptisms, making themselves witnesses and messengers of the Lord." I
Encyclical keys on faith, philosophy •
Pope John Paulll's 13th encyclical bridges gap between modern philosoph~alcu"en~
and religious truths. By JOHN THAVIS CATliOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II has written a new encyclical on the relationship between philosophy and faith, Vatican sources said. The 135-page document, tentatively titled, "Interest in Investigating the Truth," is in the final editing stages and is expected to be made public sometime later this year, the sources said. The encyclical, the pope's 13th, extends a discussion on eternal truths begun in his 1993 encyclical, "Veritatis Splendor" ("The Splendor of Truth"). Sources said the work was completed except for possible changes in a final section
on practical applications of philoso. phy today. Reference points in the new document are said to be the First Vatican Council's deliberations on the relationship between faith and reason, along with statemt;nts on the same topic by the Secon.d Vatican Council. The pope, who wrote books on philosophy and ethics as a priest and bishop in Poland, hllil10ng had an interest in bridging the gap between modern philosophical currents and religious truths. He has described this gap as one contributing factor to the moral problems in today's world. In 1995 the pope called on Catholic philosophers to focus critical study on the concept of individual freedom and its relationship to morality. He said that while the field of ethics was one of the most popular areas of philosophical r.esearch .today, it sometimes lacked the understanding of tile human being as a creature of God.
I
lief S~l'Vn:~~dti·~8(jO-222-0025.
'*
12
THE ANCHOR --;-,Diocese of. Fall River - Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
-'
Archbishop Romero's canonization proceedilng By MIKE LANCHIN CATHOLIC NEWS SeRvICE
how we do things," the current San Salvador archbishop told reporters The' Feb. 22.
, SAN SALVADOR speed with which the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salv ado r reaches a successful conclusion depends on ordinar'y Catholics in EI Salvador, said Archbishop Fernando, S a e n z Lacalle. ''The process (of canonization) must be done well, and with all speed possible and technical precision. But just how $. quickly will depend on ARCHBISHOP OSCAR ROMERO
Consecration to the Divine Will Oh adorable and Divine Will, behold me here before the immensity ofYour Light, that Your eternal goodness may open to me the doors and make me enter into It to form my life all in You, Divine Will. Therefore, oh adorable Will,prostrate before Your Light, I, the least of aHcreatures, put myself into the little . group of the sons and daughters of Your Supreme FIAT. Prostrate in my nothingness, I invoke Your Light 'and beg that it clothe me and eclipse all that does not pertain to You, Divine Will. It wilt be my Life, the center of my intelligence, the enrapturer of my heart 'and of ~y, whole b~ing. I do not want the human will to have life in this heart any longer. I will cast it away from me and thus form the new Eden of Peace, of happiness and of love. With It I shall be always happy. I shall have a singular strength and a holiness that sanctifies all things and conducts them to God. ' Here prostrate, I invoke the help of the Most Holy Trinity that They permit me to live in the cloister of the Divine Will and thus return in me the first order of creation, just as the creature was created. . Heavenly Mother, Sovereign and Queen of the Divine Fiat, take my hand and introduce me into the Light of the Divine Will. You will be my guide, my most tender Mother, and will ' teach me to live in and to maintain myself in the order and the bounds of the Divine Will. Heavenly Mother, I consecrate my whole being to Your Immaculate Heart. You will teach me the doctrine of the Divine Will and I will listen most attentively to Your lessons. You will cover me with Your mantle so that the infernal serpent dare not penetrate into this sacred Eden to entice me and make me fall into the maze of the human will. Heart of my greatest Good, Jesus, You will give me Your flames that they may bum me, consume me, and feed me to form in me the Life of the Divine Will. ' Saint Joseph, you will be my protector, the guardian of my heart, and will keep the keys of my will in your hands. You will keep my heart jealously and shall never give it to me again, that I may be sure of never leaving the Will of God. My guardian Angel, guard me; defend me; help me in everything so that my Eden may flourish and,be the instrument that draws all men into the Kingdom of the Divine Will. Amen. ( In Honor 0/ Luisa Piccarreta,./865-1947 Child o/the Divine Will)
Since the beginning of Archbishop Romero's canonization process six years ago, Catholics around the country have been asked to maintain a constant prayer for his eventual sainthood. Church authorities have also called upon people who knew him to present testimonies of their experiences with the archbishop, who 'was gunned down on March 24, 1980. During the archdiocesan process, the ecclesiastical tribunal, appointed to oversee the process, studied manuscripts of Archbishop
Romero's homilies, writings, and to testify. He said he was in constant compersonal letters. . , The tribunal also received testi- munication with the bishops in monies from people who knew of charge of the cause. ''The process ... is a very long the efforts of Archbishop Romero during his three years as San one and could take years .:. (be, cause) it is a very delicate matter," Salvador's fourth archbishop. The canonization process is cur-, he said. Although t:ndorsed by rently under consideration at the Pope John Paul II, the process of Vatican, following the conclusion Archbishop Romero's beatification of the archdiocesan stage in No- is expected to be lengllhy. For him to be declared a martyr, vember 1996. Archbishop Saenz said the arch- it would have to be proven that diocese also sent Rome a list of wit- Archbishop Romero's faith, not his nesses in favor and opposed to the political position, wa~, the primary canonization who could be called motivation for his murder.
Israel skeptical of accord with Iraq •
In Nazareth, citizens line up to turn in old gas masks, get new ones. By JUDITH SUDILOVSKY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
said Diab. "Throughout the entire Arab sector there was not pne center to get gas masks." Now, in addition to Nazareth, centers have been opened up in the Arab towns ofUmm el-Fahem and Taibe in the center of the country. Diab said all of the Nazareth municipality's requests have not been met. There are no public bomb shelters in Nazareth, and none of
the schools have bomb shelters. The city would like to see special provisions made for the many tourists who spend time in Nazareth and want hotels provided with enough gas masks for their glJests in case of an attack. "Nazareth is a holy city with lots of tourists. We need to be doubly prepared, but instead we see that the city is less prepared," he said.
NAZARETH, Israel - While world leaders were tentatively optimistic about the agreement reached between the United Nations and Iraq, Nazareth residents __- _ were lining up to exchange their old gas masks for new ones. Nadia Alalal, a 30-year-old Catholic resident of Nazareth, watched the long line of people 'exchanging gas masks from her front window. When, the line fi", nally subsided in the.earlyafternoon she said she, t06, would get masks for her family.. . ' "We know there has been an agreement signed, but right now we are waiting to see what will happen. Just in case I want to get this taken care'of now," she said. "I am afraid for my daughter,'~ said Alalal. ','Maybe Saddam will change his mind. Maybe Clinton will want to start something." , Backed by Britain, the United St.ates threatened to attack Iraq if Iraqi President Saddam Hussein does not open all sites capable of producing weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, weapons, to U.N. inspection. Details of the Iraqi agreement said the accord gave weapons in-, spectors unlimited access to eight presidential sites. The sites had earlier been declared offlimits by Saddam. The gas mask center in Nazareth opened Feb. 23, and some 500 residents stood in line beginning at 7 a.m. to exchange their old gas masks from the first Gulf war. By I p.m. the crowd had .subsided, and a few people trickled in, loaded down with boxes of old masks. Before the gas mask center opened in Nazareth, residents had to drive to the town of Migdal Ha'emek, 10 miles away - a three-bus ride for those without cars - to obtain new masks. The center in Nazareth, like other centers in Israel, was to re1 main open 24 hours a day until all the area residents exchanged their RESIDENTS LINE UP to trade their old gas masl<s for new masks, said Deputy Mayor Suhiel models in Nazareth. People throughout Israel were picking up Diab. new masks in case of an attack, despite successful neigotiations 'The people weren't tense over between U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and Iraqi officials to the political situation, but they had inspections in Iraq. (CN~JHiII photo) strong feelings of discrimination," end the crisis over "Yeapons .1." . ~t::1!:> .•.
•• ~ •• 'IJ
13
THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
Catholic leaders press for bans on land mines By JERRY FILTEAU CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
land-mine ban movement, before it gained high visibility and gloWASHINGTON Land- bal support. . mine activist Bobby Muller urged "I'm here to say thank you," he some 350 Catholic social minis- said, "because we did get an intry leaders Feb. 24 to pressure ternational treaty, signed by 123 Congress and the Clinton admin- nations, to comprehensively outistration to agree to a law ~nti-per global ban on anti- r---~----~~sonnel land personnel land mines. Muller$aid since mines. And the Muller, a disabled 'thebeginiJi"g ofethe reason we had combat veteran and
~~e~ide~~~:r~~sVi~f
America Foundation, spoke to the Catholic
c~m,iaJgn."agai,,§t ~~~~e~~u~~~~~ la'ridmine$ in 1991, large part be,.'fth'ere·has been no cause of you ,coj'nponent. of this here."
leaders on the third 9~Yf;Jpaign:'in'Ameriea unii;~l~ta~~~ day. of tfeir fo~r-d~y that.p~$beenas ef7. refused to join natlOna meeting In WiJetiVe"t1~'th~Catho~
W~~i~gt~:'nd_mine "lie 1~~idefsl7ip;in
aeiiv-
~ttS~~~i~~e~~~
ban, he said, "is an act ~rihgth~Po/iticalsup- last December, of solidarity with iJorUhatmadethese he said, before those innocent vic- 'egis/ative initlativesa the Ottawa initims wll,O get blown . tiative.it led the up one by one in the reality." world in a sefields, in the meadows ....- ......- - - - - -... ries of unilat... who have a leg dramatically am- eral Iegislative and diplomatic iniputated by the explosion, without . tiatives, from being the first to deanesthetic, and who lie in pain, clare a moratorium on land-mine slowly bleeding to death." production and sales to making the Muller received two standing first UN call for a global ban. ovations from the group for his Muller said since the beginning pioneering work in humanitarian of the campaign against land mines aid to land-mine victims around in 1991, "there has been no comthe world and, since the early ponentofthiscampaigninAmerica 1990s, in making a ban on land that has been as effective as the mines a global political concern. Catholic leadership in delivering His foundation waS one of the the political supportthat made these founding organizations and chief legislative initiatives a reality." supporters of the International ,US Catholic bishopsi;\ state Campaign to Ban Land'Mines;' Catholic conferences an(t dioc-' 'which last year won the Nobel esan social action leaders have Peace Prize for its work. been involved intensively in the Muller in turn praised the issue, particularly since mid-1995, Catholic leaders for their role in when the bishops unanimously getting the United States to lead called for a moratorium and eventhe world in the early stages of the tual global ban on such mines.
Currently the US Catholic Conference is onl~ of more than a dozen US Catholic orga'nizations
working to get parishes and schools involved in a national Catholic Campaign to Ban Land
Mines, which has as a primary goal getting the United States to join in the Ottawa treaty.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES ATTLEBORO
to MAPLE ST. 226-4780
FALL RIVER NEW BEDFORD 783 SLADE ST. P.O. BOX M _SO. STA. 59 ROCKLAND ST.
674-4681
78 BROADWAY
997-7337
• ABUSE PREVENTION • ADOPTIONS: INFANT INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL NEEDS • ADVOCACY FOR: SPANISH SPEAKING FIS.HERMEN PERSONS WITH AIDSIHIV PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CAMBODIANS • BASIC ENGLISH FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING • CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SPONSORSHIP: SOUP KITCHEN COMMUNITY ACTION FOR BETTER HOUSING
TAUNTON
824-3264
CAPE COD 261 SOUTH ST. HYANNIS
771-6771
• COMMUNITY ORGANIZING • COUNSELING • HOUSING COUNSELING • IMMIGRATION, LEGAL EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY PROJECT • INFORMATIONIREFERRAL • INFANT FOSTER CARE • PARENT/SCHOOL CRISIS INT'ERVENTION • REFUGEE RESETfLEMENT • HOUSING FOR WOMEN: ST. MATHIEU'S EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN ST. CLARE'S
• BASIC NEEDS SPECIAL APOSTOLATES: APOSTOLATE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES APOSTOLATE FOR SPANISH SPEAKING
Sponsor a Child at a Catholic Mission. It's Affordable! Your opportunity to help a very poor child is muc1t too important to miss. And Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA), an international Catholic child sponsorship program can show you the affordable way. Through CFCA you sponsor a child for the amount you can afford. Ordimirily it takes $20 a month to provide one poor child with the life-changing benefits of sponsorship. But if this is not possible for you, we invite you to sponsor at a level you can afford. CFCA will see to it from other donations and the tireless efforts of our missionary partners that your
child receives the same benefits as other sponsored children. Your sponsorship pledge helps provide a poor child at a Catholic mission site with nourishing food, medical care, the chance to go to school and hope for a brighter future. You can literally change a life!
Little Corina lives in a small mountain town in Honduras. Her mother is blind and her father abandoned them. Your concern can make a difference in the lives of children like Corina.
And you can be assured your pledge has its greatest impact because our programs are directed by dedicated Catholic missionaries with a longstanding commitment to the people they serve. To help build your relationship, you receive a picture of your child (updated yearly), information about your child's family and country, letters from your child and the CFCA newsletter. But most important, you'll receive the satisfaction of helping a poor child. Please don't miss this opportunity to make a difference. Become a sponsor for one poor child today!
r-----~-------------------------~----,fu---, Yes, I'll help one child:
o Boy
0 Girl 0 Teenager 0 Any in most need My monthly pledge is: 0$10 0$15 0$20 0$25 o Other $ _ _ I'll contribute: o monthly 0 quarterly 0 semi-annually :l annually
CFCA A SOLDIER missing part of his leg from a land mine explosion plays at the Huambo orthopedic center in Angola. Millions of mines throughout Angola have injured close to 90,000 people. The Vatican recently ratified the Ottawa treaty to ban the use and production of land mines. (eNS/Reuters photo)
Catholic Child Sponsorship
L
408
_ Name
(p::r.:/.= ••• ""'p::l:rin:;rtj- - - - - - - - -
Address City/State/Zip Phone ( _ _ )
_ _ _
chriStia~~:~~~ationfor (Make clleck payable to CFCAJ FAR 3/98 Children and Aging (CFCA) o I'd prefer to bill my first sponsorship payment to my One Elmwood Ave. / P.O. Box 3910 credit card: 0 VISA 0 MC 0 Discover 0 AMEX Kansas City, KS 66103-0910 . Card No. Exp. Date or call toll-free 1-800-875-6564
o Enclosed is my first contribution of $ - _ .
o I can't sponsor now, but here's my gift of $ - _ . o Please send me more infonnation about sponsorship.
.
FOUNDED AND DIRECTED BY CATHOLIC LAY PEOPLE
Member: U.s. Catholic Mission Associ.ltion, National Catholic Development Conference, C.,tholic Network of Volunteer Service
Fillallcinl report ""'ilable 011 rrquest I Dmlaliolls are u.s. la.-deductible
~_~
14
THE ANCHOR •
•
••
,
Diocese of Fall River •. - ,
•
Fri., Mar. (), 1~98 .
•.,
. 1.
•
I~~~==========~.
STAMP OF APPROVAL-Father Thomas O'Dea of St. Lawrence Church watches Steve Piva of the New Bedford Post Office cancel a postage stamp with a H91y Family-Holy Name School designed stamp cancellation. It was created by eighth grader Leslie Metro and first grade parent Maurice Ouellette to honor the 25th anniversary of the school's merger.
SPECIAL HONOR! Fourth grade teacher Kerry GraY,stands with students from St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet to make a presentation to former principal Dr. Ludovico Perella. Pottery designer and parent Susan Amaral helped students make a ceramic tile mosaic of Noah's Ark and it was recently presented to the school in Perella's honor. He retired after serving as principal for three years.
THIRD GRADER Meagan Hattub of 81. Jean Baptiste School, Fall River, stands on stage with Ronald McDonald as part of an educational program entitled "On the Inside" held recently at the school. It focused on characteristics like respect, responsibility, fairness .and citizenship and students enjoyed the fun-filled and educational program. . . SOUPER EFFORT! Teachers and pupils of the confirmation class at Holy Naml3 Parish, New Bedford, met with Joseph Andrade (front center) of Catholic Social Services recently to learn more about its ministry and bring donations for its food pantry. The school participated in a nationwide program called the "Souper Bowl" and for the second year in a row helped the area's less fortunate.
Students help local food pantry ffiRE
·e·
THE>UGHT
FUNERAL· PLANNING
. 9rlak.! it easierfor those you fove
. NEW BEDFORD----:During the the confirmation class at Holy super bowl in Jariu'ar~, members C?f . Name Church participated in the nation wide "Souper Bowl" initiative, collecting food for local food pantries. . Students collected funps from
I~ .
Pl'H SHOE
FOR ALLDAY WALKING COMFORT JOHN'S SHOE STORE ·295 Rhode Island Avenue Fall River, MA 02724
Montie Plumbing & Heating Co. Ove·r 35 Years of Satisfied Services Reg: Master Plumber 7023 JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR.
432 JEFFERSON STREET FALL RIVER 675·7496
parishioners at we.~kef.ld Masses and during a school vacation confirmati6n candidates and teachers separated into teams· at local supermarkets and shopped for canned ·goods and nonperishable food· items. They visited the food pantry at the Catholic· Soci2J Services Office in New Bedford to hear a talk by Joseph Andrade about its ministry and to bring the fruits of their efforts. This was the second year that students from Holy Name have participated in such a program and they learned more about the needs oftheircommunity and how people can contribute to those needs.
THE A]'lCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
··r~~ Coming
Our Rock
of
and Role
fig.
Moving On By CHARLIE
All ForYou Finally I figured it out But it took a long, long time But now there's a turna~out Maybe because I'm trying' Pre-Chorus: There's been times, I'm so confused All my roads, they lead to you I just can't turn and ~aik away Chorus: It's hard to say What it is I see in you Wonder if I'll always Be with you But words can't say And I can't do Enough to prove It's all for you I thought I'd seen it all 'Cause it's been a long, long time But then we'll trip and fall Wondering if I'm blind (P~e-Chorus)
(Chorus) Rain comes pouring down Falling from blue skies Words without a sound Coming from your eyes (Repeat first verse) (Pre-Chorus) (Chorus) It's hard to say It's hard to say It's all for you Written by K. Block/Sister Hazel Sung by Sister Hazel ' Copyright (c) 1997 by Universal Records Inc. I LIKE Sister Hazel's straight rock, acoustic guitar sound. The guy in the group's chart hit "All For You" appears to be trying to decide whether he should leave a relationship. He says, "Finally I figured it out." Even though there have been times when he was "so confused," he "just can't turn and walk away." Yet he also says that "it's hard to say what it is I see in you."
FORYOOTH
MARTIN
He wonders "if I'll always be with you." However, as for now, "words can't say, and I can't do enough to prove it's all for you." . Not exactly a well-thoughtout statement there of why he wants to stay! If you ever face this type of decision, I hope you will be more clear about why you want to stay or leave. But what factors need to be considered in order to achieve
such clarity? While there is no complete checklist on which to base such a decision, the following questions can help you think through your situation: . 1. How old are you? If you are a teen, doubts about a relationship are a sign that it's time to move on. the high school and young adult years are important for learning about relationships. But th,is does not mean that you need to 'work on every 'serious relationship problem. Instead, notice what is occurring. Allow the experience to teach you how to handle future situations differently. 2. How much time per week do you spend with each other? If the answer is "lots," then this also indicates that it is time to separate. Dating should not be the primary focus of your teen years.. High school provides you the opportunity to explore many interests. If you put too much time into resolving relationship difficulties, yo.u'll miss out on the learning and fun in.these other areas of life. 3. Are the two of you willing to be friends even if you stop dating? If so, there is a new way for the relationship to continue. This often requires readjusting expectations. However, once that is achieved, having a friend of the opposite s~x will enhance your un~erstanding of relationships. IIi fact, without the pressure of dating, friendship gives you an' excellent way of getting to know each other. ' . 4. Does being together for a date ever include using alcohol . or other drugs? If so, you've put aside sound judgment for the sake of being in the relationship. No one can control you, but those who love you are hoping that your choices and actions will safeguard. your life and well-being. Clearly, being in this relationship does not do this, and you should leave. Perhaps these questions can be a catalyst for honest evaluation. But there is something else you should do. Ask God to guide you as you make your decision.
Your comments are always welcome. Please address: Charlie Martin, 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.
15
•
ABOOT YOOTH
The price to pay for a "sacrificial lunch" By AMY WELBORN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
How much would you pay for a bowl of soup? Fifty cents? A dollar? What about $5?
Five bucks? For a bowl of soup and a piece of bread.? Better be some good soup, I'd say. But what if it's ordinary soup for a great cause? Would it be worth it? A high school in Florida recently answered that question with a resounding, "Yes!" On Ash Wednesday, the student body of this relatively small school celebrated the liturgy together, then gathered for what they called a "sacrificial lunch." Students were asked to leave their usual lunchtime delights at home and come ready to eat just a simple meal of vegetarian soup, a slice of bread and water. Why would they want to do that? What's the point? Lent, the students had been leaming, is a time of repentance and sacrifice. We sacri fice so we can leam that God is truly all we need in life - we don't really need those Cokes, that candy or even that television to be happy. We can do without them. It's also a time to become more mindful of the vast numbers of suffering people in the world, to seek somehow to join in solidarity with them as our brothers and sisters, and help them through the fruit of our sacrifices. This high school has been particularly interested in the work of Food for the Poor Inc., a group that ministers to the destitute populations of the Caribbean.
MakeTheWa, 01 the Cross II Home
Fr~~cjscans
t
Fr. Robert Lynch O.F.M. P.O. Box 23
Boston, MA 02112-0023
The day before Ash Wednesday the students viewed a video and heard a talk by a parent who recently had been to Haiti with Food for the Poor and would be returning in a few weeks. So the lunch became a response to the terrible poverty that envelops people just a short plane ride away from where these students live in comfort and privilege. By eating simply and sparingly, the students experienced a bit of what it means to be hungry. And by their contributions and sacrifice, they raised enough money to help in amazingly concrete ways. Believe it or not, they raised enough money to build a home for a Haitian family and to give enough money to a food program to provide food for 200 people for a full year. Imagine that - affecting people's lives in such essential, even life-saving ways through one simple lunch! Thirty minutes out of your life and a few dollars out of your pocket. There is such an incredible amount of suffering in our world, sometimes we are tempted to throw up our hands and declare that since we can't save the world, we shouldn't even try. Especially if we're teenagers. After all, isn't helping others a grownup thing? These students leamed that it's just not so. When everyone does even just a little bit, huge things can happen. And kids just like you can certainly bring bright rays of light into a dark world. All you need is the opportunity, the support and guidance of adults who know that within each teen Ijes a generous heart that's only 'waiting to be asked to help.
OUR LADY'S ·REUGIOUS'STORE "tV/on. - Sat. 10:00 - 5:30 PM
GIFTS CARDS BOOKS
673-4262 936 So. Main St., Fall River
MAILING SERVICES
PRINTING
LEARY PRESS 234 SECOND STREET· FALL RIVER, MA TELEPHONE (508) 679-5262
FAX (508) 673-1545
.'
16
THE ANCHOR - Dio.cese of Fall River ~ Fri., Mar. 6, 1998
Prayers, Donations Urgently Needed
Indian Mission Director Pleads for Help Special to The Anchor
THOREAU, NM"Lord, when did I see you hungry and feed you?" "When you did it for one of the least of my people, you did it for me." Mtl1I25:40 As Catholics around the world fast, pray and give alms for Lent, the director, priest,' sisters, lay missionaries and staff of a New Mexico Mission school are concerned about urgently-needed help. They work daily to make quality Catholic education a reality for American Indian children in their care. These children "do without" as a way oflife ... will you help them? For many ofour students, the school at St. Bonaventure Mission is their "last hope." Trusting in God, everyone at the Mission prays for help to pay our month to month bills. Sf. Bonaventure Mission started a school more than a decade ago when the founder realized the
• McKinley County has the, Indian children in the Mission's highest alcollOlism rate iii the CCD classes didn't have even the United States. most basic reading and writing Thirty dedicated lay missionaries skills. Today over 300 children, most of them Native American, teach and carry out the other work of join in prayer to keep their school the Mission. This "other work" from closing. Mission staffbelieve includes maintaining the buses and education is the key to breaking . vans which travel the remote mesas to bring the children to school; preparing the cycle of poverty. The Indian boys and girls two nourishing meals daily for the attending St.Bonaventure Indian children; and bringing both food 'and Mission and School live with the water to aging Navajos living in poverty in 'remote areas of the barren following realities: ,Reservation. • 55% oj the Navajo New lay missionaries often ask, population cannot read or "Can this be America?" write; Manyofour students experienced • McKtiiley CiJun~y(wheretile failure in other schools or inability to Missioll is located) has the get to school from great distances. highest pover~y rate (4]%) , Will you help? ill the state; Gifts made to St. Bonaventure • The suicide rate ainollg Indian Mission and School are taxNavajo teenagers istell times deductible. The school also qualifies !ligher thall jor their age for "MatchinK.9ifts.~::·, .-' group til the population atlarge. .
u.s.
;.',
r;'
r_'_ _.__.~\
.....
At St. Bonaventure, students work toqether to make a good Lent. This 4th grader will be more kind to everyone.
·
.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• . • Dear Anchor Readers, • •• I'm turning to you for help. My concern is for the •• •• children and elders served by St. Bonaventure Indian •• •• Mission. Without caring friends like you we can't exist. •• :
'
Please help make quality education a reality for needy Navajo children. I believe that only through education can they break free of the poverty so prevalent on J:he reservation. Your generosity and love will bring love and hope into struggling lives.
: •
In this special season of sacrifice, I ask you to pray especially for the children and elder~ of the Eastern Navajo Reservation. I can't meet their needs without your help. Please become part of this life-giving work! I don't want 1:0 have to say "no" to even one child or one elder whD needs food, water or clothing. Will you join in our love for these First Americans who live in such,difficult circumstances? In Christ's Love,
~CJ~ Bob O'Connell, Director St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School P.S: ,I need to replace the engine in our vehicle used for food : delivery. Please be generous.
•••
..-.~--
_." =::-....... • • • • • • • • • Here's
Name Address
my
sacrificial gift of love of $
r )
_
_
~
City-----~-'------______,_------
_ State--- Zip - - - - ~
Plea,re dleck I,ere ij'YOII W01l1d like 10 receive a beal/I(fitl rosm:y 1/{/lld-Sll7l11g Willi recollslill/led IlIrqllOl:re IIl1ggels alld stlver-plaled beadr as a lokell oj'appreciatiollj'oryour giji oj'$/00 or II/ore.
r )
Please dleck I,ere ij'yoll wOllld like 10 receive tI sler!lilg stiver cross, ,reI Willi tllrqlloise,'II/ade by ollr localllldiall arll:wlls, as a tokell oj'apprecialioll j'oryollr giji oj'$35 or II/ore. II is a IIniqlle piece oj'jewelry yOIl wtll wear-or give-wilh pn;le.
r )
Plea,re check I,ere ij'yoll wOIIM like 10 receive a paperback coPY oj'To/~y Htllerll/all' J' book, Sacred Clowns, which 1:1' dedicaled to Ihe /r~y lI/iJ'siollaries servillg al SI. BOllavelllllre Illdiall Mission alit/Schoo!, as a lokell oj'ripprecitlliollj'oryollr liiji oj'$/5 or ~lIore. 9829 STW 008
Send to:
•• •• • • • • •• •• : • :
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
••••••••••••••••••••
Clip and Mail Today
--'--
••
Help from the Anchor Readers St. Bonaventure Indian Mission anel School Eastern Navajo Reservation, P.O. Box 610, Thoreau, ~M 87323-0610