03.12.99 by The Anchor

t eanc 0

VOL. 43, NO. 11 • Friday, March 12, 1999

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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St. Joseph's marks 125th anniversary ~

One of the oldest church communities in Fall River looks back, then to the future. By JAMES N. DUNBAR

the church's brickwork. The last major overhaul of the church was in the late 1970s, when the interior of the church was repainted.and a new altar installed to meet the liturgical standards of Vatican Council II. The current fundfraisers have included selling attractive "sun catchers" that decorate windows; and a year of dinners, cookouts, a parish

retreat and a tree planting, said Eileen Garant, parish secretary since 1984. There is also an upcoming Lenten parish mission. But they are more than money makers, said Father Perry. 'They aim at building and strengthening the parish community." Attendance slumped after 1992 as families moved away from the inner city, only to revive dramatically as new families found new housing in the city's North End. Currently approximately 1,200 people, representing 610 families attend weekend Masses. Focus on a family Mass, rebuilding of the religious education program and parish events have played a major role in invigorating the parish, Garant said. "This parish started with the immigrant ~ ", Irish mill "" ", .'-:-.. work-

FALL RIVER - When hundreds of parishioners gather Sunday at St. Joseph's Church on North Main Street, they will observe a belated 125th anniversary of one of the city's oldest parishes, dating back to 1873. They will join for Mass at 10 a.m. and afterwards gather at White's Restaurant for a noon banquet. Normand Menard and Rosemary Gasperini are co- ~., chairs ~or the celebr~tio.ns. .Whlle today's panshlOners under the fI~·. :~l'i gUidance of Pastor Father John 1. Perry (';'*,,:, " are in a $225,000 capital campaign to :.... "~" ~ I,. address repairs and improvements over " :~~~~~ L."~\ a two-y~ar pe:io?, they fit a parish t,,;~ l~: mold. Like panshlOners of yesteryear, ",. , ,: J 'hi,nc~ they are ready to make the loving sac- ~ ).... f: ,:-t,:I,!J ri fice to ensure the bright future of their i : ' , i...,·C;,1r parish communi~y and remain debt- !~,. I:,. oj i ....;.)'. L~'. : free the pastor said. .. , ~~.; "We had to l~ok at the old facility ~'ri"l;):, and say what did we need to do," - , ' Father Perry said. "What we really -: c_; ' . ,~-~ .. needed to do was create a parish ";"'~' i . 'j ~: . with a sense of identity. People j ' ; 1 {; came to Mass every Sunday but . they didn't know the people who. ";. sat next to them." The pastor pointed out the refurbished lead and exterior glass of the chur'ch's magnificent stained glass windows, which, along with . , . other repairs and installation of a ~'., .. bathroom in the vintaged church, .... __":"":"~~"':::__.,...,....:.. .-: are among future projects. Ahead ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, NORTH MAIN STREET, FALL RIVER lies costly pointing of the exterior mortar of

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Bishop names Father Tosti director of Pastoral Planning FALL RIVER -Bishop Sean P. O'Malley announced today that he has appointed Father Ronald A. Tosti as director of Pastoral Planning. His statement reads: Dearly beloved In Christ: As we prepare for the new millennium, the Diocese of Fall River needs to plan for the challenge of Evangelization in the 21st century. For this reason, last year I established the Pastoral

Planning Office to begin the process. Mr. Douglas M. Rodrigues was hired as Assistant Director and a series of meetings and discussions have taken place in the Priests' Council, Diocesan Pastoral Council, Deaneries, etc. People have been asked to reflect on the mission of the Church in our specific circumstances. We have also asked pastors to prepare their parish councils so that our laity will have an active role

Father Ronald A. Tosti

Turn to page three - Tosti

ers, later embraced other ethnic groups and if you ask me, I'd say that right now it is an American parish," Father Perry said. "This is actually our 126th year," Father Perry explained. "But planning for the anniversary had been put off after the pastor, Father Paul F. McCarrick became ill." Father McCarrick died on Dec. 12, 1996 after serving the parish for 12 years. At White's, parishioners and friends will viewan exhibit that recalls the parish's long history. It was in the spring of 1873 when St. Joseph's was set off from old St. Mary's, the mother church and now the cathedral of the diocese, by order of Bishop Thomas F. Hendricken, bishop of the Diocese of Providence, R.I. The area that eventually was known as Fall River was missionary territory under the Boston diocese until 1872 when it was put under the jurisdiction of Providence. The tide of immigration from Ireland and Canada towards the last third of the 19th century stimulated great growth in Bristol County and required an increase in churches. The first pastor and founder of the parish was Father William H. Bric, who came from a pastorate in Harrisville,

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" \ ..... R.I. Leland House, on residence North Main 'I',. Father Briclocated took up in • Street just north of what is now Presit. .. dent Avenue. The first parish Mass was , .... said there on Sunday, April 20, 1873. . : A temporary church was erected near - i what is now Vestal Street and here is where Catholics in the north end of the city worshipped for nearly four years. Father Bric purchased a tract ofland at the corner of North Main and Weetarnoe Streets. The small building Turn to page J3 - Anniversary

St. Patrick revisited; his legend is ongoing By JAMES N. DUNBAR

teach the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is part of the best tradition. According to historians, Patrick, allegedly the son of a well-to-do lower official, was born along the seacoast of what was Roman Britain about the year 389. Kidnapped by raiding Irish bands, he was taken as a slave and bound over to an Irish king in a northern district. Pressed into service as a herder and I ST. JOSEPH'S STORY PAGE 13 1 much like the Prodigal Son treated no different from the animals, he later wrote: ''I' was chastened exceedingly and humbled every extraordinary one. For most people, the legend that St. day in hunger and nakedness." The hard life changedthe young man who Patrick rid Ireland of snakes is better known than his being a devoted missionary who formerly had taken his Christian faith for established the Catholic Church there. That granted. His days were frequently laced with Turn to page /3 - St. Patrick Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to FALL RIVER - Heralding March 17 as the "feast day of the Irish and those who long to be" is usually received with mixed feelings. But whatever the greeting offered today, the tale of St. Patrick, told wherever the Irish gather to celebrate the feast day, is an

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2 ; THE ANCHOR---.:..Diocese ofFall.River-Fri., March 12, 1999

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Sacred. H'eart confirmation class helps needy By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

NEW BEDFORD - The young

adults in the confi~mation class at Sacred Heart Church, NewBedford, weren't too concerned about watch-

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Daily Readings Mar. 15

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MEMBERS OF the Sacred Heart Parish, New Bedford, ·confirmation class present a check for $500 to Sister Rose of Market Ministry following their "Souper Bowl" Sunday collection. Standing from left are Chad Smith, Devan Lamontagne, Kathering Leite, Lauren Gomes, Hillary Worster, Brandon Gagnon, Sister Rose and Father Clement E. Dufour, pastor. Kneeling are Derrick Gagnon, Brenden Allain and Jacob Gongola. churches, including Sacred Heart, also work to provide more than 200 meals a day to the hungry and homeless at the Pilgrim United Church Hall through Market Ministry. "I think it's a wonderful idea for these young people to take on this project and that they're concerned about the less fortunate," said Father Dufour. "Rather than make a fuss about a football game, they

helped the homeless." This marks the third year that a confirmation class fro.m Sacred Heart has helped out in such a way. Teachers for the class are Joseph Silvia, Roger Denault and Sharon Vieira, and Sister Rose said she's grateful for the young people and' those who help to inspire them. "It's a wonderful thing and they have a wonderful pastor. What they did was great," she asserted.

Boston College to rename education school for benefactors

508·222·8530 CHRISTIAN

ing the Superbowl game between the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons back in January, because they've learned from their pastor, Father Clement Dufour, and conflfmation teachers that there are things much more important thana football game. Members of the confirmation class were too busy collecting money for the hungry and homeless of New Bedford to be worried about touchdowns, but in the process of their "Soup-er" Bowl Sunday (:ollection, they scored a few themselves. The young adults used big soup bowls to collect money after the weekend Masses for New Bedford's Market.Ministry Meals and Shelter and recently presented a check for $500 to its director, Sister Rose, SM. "What these young people did is wonderful," declared Sister Rose. "It's always inspiring to see the gifts of youth in supporting those who . are less fortunate than them." Father Dufour agreed. "The kids were excited to help out. They wanted. to do something for the community and they're proud of their efforts. We're proud of them too." The Market Ministry Meals and Shelter, located at 60 8th St. in New Bedford, provides nightly shelter for 25 men and three meals a day for the needy. Volunteers from 27

1565:17-21; Ps 30:2,46, 11-12a,13b; In 4:43-54 EZ47:1-9,12; Ps 46:2-3,56,8-9; In 5:116 Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9,13c14,17-18; In 5:17-30 Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; In 5:31-47 2Sm7:45a, 12-14a,16; Ps 89:2-5, 27,29; Rom 4:13,16-18,22; Mk1:16,1821 ,24a or Lk 2:41-51a Jer 11 :18-20; Ps 7:2-3,9b12; In 7:40-53 Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11; In 11 :1-45 or 11 :3-7,2027,33b-45

ognize a more than $10 million gift to the Jesuit-run school from the financier and his wife. PeterLynch, a 1%5 graduate ofBoston College and a member ofits board of . trustees, is vice chairman of Fidelity Management and Research Company. Carolyn Lynch is president of the Lynch Foundation, which funds innovative programs in education and social services. She is on the board of the Boston College School of Education's Campus School, which provides teacher training, research and education for Boston-area children

In Your Prayers Please pray for the following priests dtfring the coming week

\~ECROLOGY

\ \ March 16 1957, Rev. Francis J. Maloney, S.T.L., Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro~, _' \

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545~O) 'Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July an:! the week after Christmas at 887 Higblan:! . Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Suh'lcription price by mail, postpaid $14.00. per year. Posttnasters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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1989, Rev. Robert D. Foran'd, C.P.-WestrIartford, Conn.

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. 1951, Rev. Francis A. Mrozinski, \Pastor, St. Hedwig, New Bedford \ \ .

PRIESTS

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with special needs. Lynch said he and his wife chose to make their donation to the education school because "there is a serious problem in some ofAmerica's primary and secondary schools." "While our colleges and universities are the envy of the world, the schools in many of our inner cities are in trouble, with dropout rates that reach 50 percent," he said. 'This country's future depends on finding ways to strengthen pre-college educational programs. Boston College is clearly working to do that."

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CURREN~LY SERVING

Rev. John J. Oliveira Rev. Joseph\Oliveira Rev. Robert AI Oliveira . \ . Most Rev. Sea,mP. O'Malley, OFM Cap. Rev. John C. Ozug· Rev. Jean-Domirique Pare, OP Rev. William Penderghest, SSCC

Tosti

TIIEANCHOR-Diocese ofFall River-Fri., March 12, 1999 Continued from page one

in the discussion of the future pastoral needs of the Diocese. A fast-growing population in the non-urban areas of the Diocese and the concentration of parishes and personnel in the cities oblige us to re-evaluate our present structures. Our task is to decide how best to put our human and material resources at the service of God's Kingdom. We must strive to help parishes move beyond their boundaries and cooperate with one another in order to further God's Kingdom. Many of our existing parishes were created at a time when families did not have cars and when logistics and cultural differences dictated the need for many ethnic parishes. There are some 70 Catholic parishes within a halfhour radius of the Cathedral. The clergy is aging, and the maintenance of all the existing parish structures will be impossible. Two of the most rapidly developing areas in the state are located within the Diocese of Fall River;' Barnstable and upper Bristol

Counties are cited often in studies concerning expanding demographics. Parishes in these areas are called upon to provide pastoral care for increasing numbers of parishioners. The establishment of our Pastoral Planning Office took place under the able direction of the Reverend Joseph M. Costa. I am now appointing the Reverend Ronald A. Tosti as Director of Pastoral Planning. Father Tosti brings proven organizational skills, pastoral sensitivity, and enthusiasm to the office. I ask everyone in the Diocese to cooperate fully with this office. I also ask your prayers that the Holy Spirit guide us during the :process, that the unity of the Church will be strengthened, and that we might be more effective witnesses to the Go~pe1. Devotedly yours in Christ,

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Father Tosti is well known in diocese FALL RIVER - Father Ronald A. Tosti, newly appointed as director of Pastoral Planning is a Taunton nati ve. He was educated in Taunton Public Schools and prepared for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, Conn., and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md. He was ordained a priest by Bishop James L. Connolly on May 11, 1962 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River. He was assigned as a parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Osterville until Sept. 9,1968 when he was appointed parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church, Fall River. In L971 he was assigned to SS. Peter and Paul Par" ish, Fall River. From 1970 to 1973, Father Tosti, who holds a master's degree in religious education, was diocesan director of religious education and in 1977 was named pastor of St. Francis ofAssisi Parish, New Bedford. Since 1979 he had directed the

diocesan family ministry programs and in 1979 also coordinated a yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of the diocese. In 1984 he was appointed administrator of St. Jude the Apostle Chapel, Cotuit and Our Lady Queen of All Saints Chapel, Mashpee. Later that year he was named founding pastor of Christ the King Parish, Mashpee, formed by joining the two missions -which were previously part of Our 1,ady of Assumption Parish, Osterville. Father Tosti has also served as a co-director of the Cape Cod Catholic Confraternity of~Doctrine and later was the Diocesan Director of the CCD; served as a member of the Diocesan Tribunal and the Priests' Personnel Board. On May 18, 1987, Father Tosti celebrated the 25th anniversary of ' his ordination as a priest. In 1994 he was inducted as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

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OFFICIAL

Scholarship awards si~e changed

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FALL RIVER - The site of the the 1999 multicultural scholarships to be awarded by Saint Anne's Hospital on May 2, will be at Mayor Edward Lambert's Cultural Diversity Celebration at Durfee High School, a hospital spokesperson said. An earlier announcement indicated they would be presented at Heritage Park.

EGAN'S

pr~sentation' of

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Sean O'Malley, O.P.M. Cap., Bishop of Fall River, has announced the following appointment: . Rev. Ronald A.'Tosti, Director of Pastoral Planning, while remaining Pastor of Christ the King Parish, Mashpee.

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Parishes welcoming the stranger In his message for World Immigration Day, the Holy Father stressed the importance of the parish in welcoming the' stranger. It is perhaps one of the best reflections on the fundamental role of the' parish in the community of the Church. In country where imqligration is the lifeblood of the nation, it is necessary to view the 'parish as a catalyst in building Church, Ideally, the pope reflects that: "The parish, which etymologiCally means a house where the guest fe~ls at home, welcomes all and discriminates ,against no one, for no one there is an outsider. Wherever there is a living sense of parish, differences between locals and strangers fade or disappear in the' awareness that all belong to God, the one Father." , In reflecting on immigrants we often fail to realize that the Lord himself had to flee to Egypt. Little is known about the tirpe he spent there until his return to his native land. But he and his family were immigrants and strangers in a new land. If we view .loday's immigrants with this in m~nd perhaps we can cievelop an .appreciation and sensitivity to their plight. Parishes are a place where the gap bet,ween rich and ,poor can be bridged. Th~re should be visible signs of hope and community amid the glaring divisions and tensions of our materialistIc society. Listening to 'the sameWord of God, celebrating the same liturgies and shar.ing the same religious feasts and traditions help Catholics old and new to feel they are the same, people of. God. In this way the parish becomes a place of trust where many can overcome fears about the new faces ,and people in the congt:egation. Sad to say, many in our midst caught up with soCial status do not reflect a welcoming parish spirit. What is called the white flight to .affluent suburbs has been a divisive factor in many areas. Color, race and ethnic origins blend poorly in many parishes. The have's and the have-not's rarely come together. In the early days of the Church in America, nationalism divided many dioceses. National parishes were indeed helpful to the immigrant especially in the area of Catholic education. But overUhe years a separation'emerged· that became divisive. The only time peopl~ joined and prayed in other than their own church was in following the tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday. In the aftermath of World War II, a wave of new country parishes sprang up. These new parishes became an essential factor in integrating people from many and varied backgrounds. Meanwhile, city churches became empty shells. This has qecome a major problem for most urban dioceses. Although parishes continue to face many changes and difficulties it is most important for each of them to heed the words of the Holy Father. The pope states: "The importance of the parish in the process of welcoming the stranger and in integrating baptized persons from different cultures is not an optional supplementing role .for the parish community but a duty inherent in its faith as an institution." He goes even ftir~ ther to remind us that: "Catholicity is not only expressed in the fraternal communion of the baptized but also in the hospitality extended to the stranger whatever his or her religious beliefs, in rejection of all racial inclusion or. discdmination ,and in the recognition' of the personal dignity of every man and woman." . ':. ' In the Book of Leviticus we read: "When a stranger travels # with you'in your land, you shall notdo him wrong: The strangt;.r , ~ who travels with you, you shall love as yourself.'~,., '." . .'

(eNS photo from Reuters)

YOUNG NICARAGUANS WAIT TO PARTICIPATE IN PLAY ACTIVITIES AT LA VIRGEN REFUGEE CAMP IN POSOLTEGA, NICARAGUA. . THE SURVIVORS OF A VOLCANIC MUD SLIDE ARE STILL LIVING IN TEMPORARY- SHELTERS FOUR MONTHS AFfER ·HURRICANE MITCH. U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON WAS EXpECTED TO VISIT POSOLTEGA THIS MONTH.

"GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND OURSTRENGTH, AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN DISTRESS, lHUSWE DO'NOT FEAR, THOUGH EARTH BE SHAKEN!' , " 'PSALl\tJ 46:2-3. ,,' .

. St. Patrick's example for B'oston's -pioneer Catholics By MSGR. GEORGE G. HIGGINS

lics were of Irish descent, I was·intrigued to discover that St. Patrick, Thomas H. O'Connor, professor 1.,500 years ago, set the example emeritus of history at Boston Col- for them in dealing with some of .lege, recently published an excel- their most bitter experiences in a lent book, "Boston Catholics: A new, largely hostile environment. . O~Connor's retelling of the reliHistory of the Church and Its People" (Northeastern Universitygious prejudice and hatred directed Press, Boston). It is fascinating and at Boston's pioneer Catholics by inspiring. eminent Puritan divines and rabid I use the word "inspiring" ad- rank-and-file nativists makes for visedly, for a bonus of Church-his- . chilling reading. But like St. tory books of this type is that they Patrick; Boston's early bishops make good spiritual reading. That Cheverus, of French descent; is to say, they recall the heroic zeal Fenwick, a descendent of the origiof our long-forgotten forbears. nal Maryland Catholic settlement; The struggles and sacrifices of ."and Fitzpatrick, a native-born many of our New England' fore- . Bostonian'- showed heroic forbears were almost beyond imagin- "beaiahce in helping their embattled ing. I found it humbling to rt1fresh parishioners face this challenge my vag'ue mem'ory:;of their.rugged ~.with charity and patience; The Editor 'iifestyl~ and'to.,'cQntrast tha~ .with ·~:y.·We are told. that whe~ 'people our own':inore' -Comf6rtable eXIst- mocked St. Patrick, he instinctively ~. turned the other cheek;·~·lt'was not ence..'., . ':' - '.,:;;'.; \f~: ..\ I have had tliiirs'ame ~xperi.~nce : ~,ecause of malice on their part," he manY~Uime~_'·iii~·'sami>liitg,·, the . was wont to say, "but on account of , 'p'l~t!tora of schol:iriy work}; Jon the ~ my want of education." fcijn'tiet:history of the Church in'the ') In citing St. PatJ:ick~s example I ~ . ·;United States - north,; south; east offorbearance, I do not suggest that i OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER Of THE DIOCESE FAll RIVE~ iind'west. The best avmhiblesum- :.- Boston:s early Catholics, in deal, Published weekly by The Catholic P~e'ss of the Diocese of Fall River' : mary:'qi these booksi~'tpe~'Ency- : jng with religious enemies, com~ 887 Highland Avenue ..~".' P,O, BO)( 7 clopedia ofAmerican.Catholic His-'promised or watered down their '_tory,'': edited by Michael Glazier: faith's content. They steadfastly Fall River. MA 02722·0007 Fall River. MA 02720 and Thomas Shelley,' and pub- .,held to the truth at any cost. But in Telephone 508-675-7151, lished last year by the Liturgical . t~e words of St. Paul's terse injuncFA)( (508) 675·7048 Press, Collegeville, Minn. tion to. the Ephesians, they pracSend address changes to P,O, Box 7 or call telephone number above By coincidence, just as I fin- ticed'tiie truth in charity. ' ished reading O'Connor's :'Boston A contemporary Irish historian EDITOR GENERAL MANAGER NEWS EDITOR Catholics," I had to pull together points out that another secret of Rev. dohn F. Moore Rosemary Dussault' James N. Dunbar some notes on St. Patrick's life, Patrick's "outstanding success as a Because so many Boston Catho- missionary was his masterly solu-

the ancho~""' or

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE '

tion of that which evangelizing pioneers call the 'adaptation' problem. Like St. Paul, he became 'all things to all men for the sake of Christ.' Everything in the native culture that could lawfully be preserved, he preserved.... He was entirely sympathetic toward everything in native letters and institutions which did not positively conflict with Christianity." As St. Patrick's spiritual heirs, Boston Catholics were called upon to communicate to a civilized nation the hope and the justice and, above all, the charity which are the essence of the Christian message. They were not called upqn to judge their own nation and .culture, but ,to help save it from within, not by sterile argumentation .or snarling polemics, much less by. force of numbers or political tactics, but by the sheer force of Christi~n charity and their own disintere'sted involvement.in the world's everyday work. It's.no-secret, of course; that we Cathollc~sometimes are accused of shirking this commitmeIjt or .disdaining this involvement: That could never be said of O'Connor's Boston Catholics. Against almost insuperable odds they adapted quickly to their new American culture - so radically different from the one left behind in Ireland and other European nations - anQ became outstanding leaders of the culture of their own time and place.

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THEANCHOR-Diocese ofFall River-Fri., March 12, 1999

Diocesan scouts and leaders honored at Cathedral

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GIRL SCOUTS Kimberly D. Boselli, Melissa A. Cabral and Meghan G. Holcum were all smiles following the Religious Emblem ceremonies last Sunday at the Cathedral. Each were recipients of the Marian Emblem and are members of Troop 758 at St. Anthony's Pari~h, East Falmouth. (Anchor/Gordon photo) Parent, St. Michael's, Swansea; Rhea Cabral, Violet Morrel, St. Joseph's, Fall River. Mariah Emblem - Taunton area - Justine Hill, St Mary's; Kathleen Monahan, Holy Family; Rebecca Trucchi,StAnn's,Raynham.CapeCod area - Kimberly D. Bosseli, Melissa A. Cabral, Meghan G. Holcomb, St. Anthony's, East Falmouth. Boy Scout awards and recipients were: Ad Altare Dei Emblem Moby Dick Council - Kevin Briand, Alexander Cass, St. Mary's, New Bedford; Robert Boutin, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River; Brian Quintin, Michael Quintin, St. Mary's, South Dartmouth; James, Roberts, Sacred Heart, Fall River. Cape Cod ~d Islands Council-Justin T. Pires, Nicholas P. Poppe, Matthew J. Rabesa, St. Anthony's, East Falmouth; Shawn P. Johnson, Christ the King, Mashpee; Kurt Riley, Paul Riley, Jonathan Wolstenholme, Justin Wolstenholme, St. John the Evangelist, Pocasset. Recipien,ts of the Pope Pius XII Emblem were: Anawan CouncilTeri Medas, Jennifer Medas, Sheri Medas, Kathleen Moulding, Immaculate Conception, Taunton; Rebecca Wilson, Jason Wilson, St.

Stephen's, Attleboro. Moby Dick Council - Joshua Perestrello, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River. The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting presented The Bronze Pelican Emblem to Roger Rioux, St. Mary's, New Bedford, and Brian Dunning from the Moby Dick Council for their work and commitment to Catholic Boy Scout Programs. The Diocesan Committee on Girl' Scouts a!1d Campfire presented The St. Elizabeth Anne Seaton Emblem

to JoAnn Cabral, St. Anthony's, East Falmouth; and Susan Rogers; Immaculate Conception, Taunton for their work and commitment to Catholic Girl Scouts and Campfire Programs. The Committee also presented The St. George Emblem, the highest award given by the Church to volunteers serving Catholic youth in the Boy Scout Program, to three people. They are: Manuel Bagaco, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford; Lawrence Bizarro, St. Joseph's, Fairhaven; and Ellen Boselli, St. Anthony's, Falmouth.

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By MIKE GORDON FALL RIVER - Members ofdi: ocesan Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and adults involved in Scouting were honored at -the Religious Emblem ceremonies in St. Mary's Cathedral last Sunday. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley presided at the special event which included Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, song, prayer, recitation of the Boy and Girl Scout promises and the distribution of awards. The bishop blessed the awards and congratulated individual recipients as they were recognized. Many families and friends gathered to support the award winners. Father Stephen B. Salvador, chaplain of the Scouting Program and pastor of Holy Ghost Church, Attleboro, read the names of emblem winners and afterwards said that "the Scouts have worked very hard and we're very proud of their efforts." The event was sponsored by the Catholic Committee on Scouting. Bishop O'Malley thanked all those involved with Scouting and spoke about its importance to the Church. "Scouting provides a wonderful experience of human formation that allows them to grow up to be mature and responsible people. Service, love, cooperation and a love of nature are all things important to us as believers. Love the woods, search the stars and see the beauty of the Father there. We are blessed with the relationship between Scouting and the Church;' the bishop said. The Girl Scout awards and recipients were: I Live My Faith Emblem - Taunton area - Alyssa Clark, Jennilee Burden, Immaculate Conception; Sara Mattson, Sinead O'Brien and Brittney Castello, St. Mary's, Norton; Cassaundra Camara, St. Anthony; Ashley Ramey, Holy Family. Cape Cod area - Leanne M. Cabral, Katherine E. DeGregorio, Kerry Hogan and Ashley Lopes, St. Anthony's, East Falmouth; Ashley D. Hagen-Farland, Kerri'A. Moynihan, St. Patrick's; Falmouth. F~ll River area - Megan McCaughey, Danielle

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BISHOP SEAN O'Malley stands with brothers Paul and Kurt Riley, Boy Scouts from Troop 4.4 at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pocasset, following the Religious Emblem Ceremony at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Scouts each received Ad Altare Dei Emblems and were among many honored for religious service in the diocese. (Anchor/Gordon photo)

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1'HEANCHOR-Di~ofFallRiver-Fri.,March 12,1999

Saint Anne's l;Iospitallaunches $5M campaign ~. Chairmen for drive to help

finance proposed $14.5 million master faqility initiative are annQunced. FALL RIVER - Noting their strong commitment to community roots and enthusiastic vision for the future, Michael W. Metzler, president of Saint Anne's Hospital, has announced the chairpersons for a $5 million capital campaign that will assist in the financing ofthe hospital's $14.5 million master facility initiative. The campaign, entitled "Healthcare Leadership for Our Community: The Campaign for Saint Anne's Hospital," will be chaired by Dominican Sister Joanna Fernandes and Robert Stoico. Sister Joanna is superior provincial of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation and chairperson of the board of directors of Saint Anne's Hospital. Stoico is president of First Federal Savings Bank and co-chairman of the hospital's board of directors. Together they will lead a campaign committee consisting of community leaders and hospital supporters in raising $5 million that will help construct and furnish a new building and other expansion projects. Building plans include new construction of a wing that will house a comprehensive breast care center, an expanded medical-surgical unit with private rooms and a new main lobby and entrance. Projects also include significant expansion of the emergency department, surgical dfiY care unit, Hudner

KICKOFF OF a $5 million capital campaign that will help finance a series of new construction and renovation projects was announced by officials at Saint Anne's Hospital. Looking over plans for the new enhancements are,_ from left, Michael W. Metzler, president of the hospital; Robert Stoico, campaign co-chairman, vice-chairman of the hospital's board of directors and' president of First Federal Savings Bank; Dominican Sister Joanna Fernandes, campaign co-chairman and chairman of Saint Anne's board of directors and Debra Curless, the hospital's director of development. Oncology Center and renovation of the Diagnostic Imaging Services Department. . Metzler noted that the campaign's cochairmen have long served in the com-

fastly supported Saint Anne's'as a hospital that can deliver top-notch care within the framework of Catholic values and have worked tirelessly on behalf of our efforts. As we look to this exciting phase in our history, we know that they will also inspire the community to recognize the value of philanthropy and support our hospital's mission ." As co-chairmen, Stoico and Sister. Joanna underscored Saint Anne's twofold history of philanthropy: providing care to those who need it most and relying on the community to support that goal. "For 93 years, Saint Anne's has provided care to all who have sought it," Sister Joanna and Stoico said in a joint statement. "We are grateful to the community for its ongoing and generous support on our behalf. For this particular'campaign, we look forward to work.ing with the community, especially the · business community, foundations and others whose leadership gifts will help make our vision a reality." Debra Curless, director of development at the hospital, said that the campaign will provide donors with unique opportunities. "With the addition of a new building and facilities, donors will be able to establish memorials to loved ones or take advantage of special naming opportunities. They will also have the choice to be included on a prominent 'honor wall' fOf gifts of $1,000 or more," said Curless.

munity and been instrumental in Saint Anne's growth. "Sister Joanna and. For more information about the Stoico bring a true .human commitment campaign and associated events call the to the area's residents," said Metzler. Saint Anne's Hospital Office of Devel"During their tenure, they have stead- .opment at 235-5055.

Art fO'r God's sake Seated next to .me at a "meet the author" said, because Easter is "the timeless evept that God, is, as Brother McGrath expressed it, "a holy women awakened an awareness in him of God's event was a nice young man with an exuberant gOes beyond time." experience." Even if he is only doodling, he presence, through Christ and the Holy Spirit. personality. He turned out to be an artist and a This awareness led him to believe that After that meeting we stayed in touch. We sees this as "praying with colored pencils." brotl}er with the Oblates of St. Francis And while this fine artist is thus praying, he through art, he could share this gift with others. de Sales. is "paying attention to the voice and image of · ''My ministry is to help folks learn to see with Brother Michael O'Neill McGrath God as I encounter it in myself. We have to ex- other eyes - the eyes of the soul," he says so - who quickly told me everyone calls perience the God-image that's inside us - and beautifully. him "Brother Mickey" - had some of then go out and give it to others," he reflected. I Brother McGrath also credits the late Sister his brilliantly colorful work on display. truly could relate to that. Thea Bowman, a teacher, lecturer and glorious A poster named "A. Celebration of When I looked at the small catalogue of his singer who died in 1990, with getting him to Saints" held my attention. He said he "Sacred Art," put out by Bee Still Studio in focus on sacred art, and not ''the bad landscapes" -By Antoinette Bosco had created it for World Library PubliFlourtown, Pa., I was struck by his dramatic use . he had once painted. Though he never met this cations on about a week's notice. I of color. 'M is about seeing, and so the color is saintly woman, seeing a video of her and heanng never would have guessed. It had a ....- - - - - - - - -......--t.,....;;:_-"_-:...... primary. The visual stiI1].ulus is what first grabs her recorded singing of hymns "touched deep depth I thought would have taken a long time to discovered 'we were of one. mind about how your attention:' After that the viewer is ready for chords in me," he revealed, and changed his life. image and bring to life. . deeply entwined with our faith is our art - his the story, he explained. Now he also conducts retreats and parish The poster shows 74 saints, from the dawn of with a brush, mine with pen. His catalog also made me think how devore9 ·missions, showing how art can release "the spehistory to the present, at an Easter Vigil. They Brother McGrath thinks of his studio as "sa- he must be to the Bible and the saints to come up cial healing power of the spirit." are there to witness and share in the joy that is cred space" and his creative work as a contem- 'with such strikirig images. He explained that the From what I've seen, Brother Mickey's work about to change the world. AU these people of . plativejourney. Tocomplete a drawing or a writ- smnts have been a main focus for him since his in the service of the Lord is spectacular. He is God belong in the painting, Brother McGrath ten work and actually make it an offering to childhood. This multitude of saintly men '!Ild truly an original.

The Bottom Line

Yet anotl}er book on prayer -' from llle I believe it might have been St..Augustine, or possibly Oprah, Bill Gates or Sears, who first observed that prayer is like a gift from God - and you not only don't have to have a receipt to return it, you can use it your whole life and still get your original investment back even if you are entirely satisfied. And it was a gift to begin with. All warranties - implied or written - as well as coupons accepted. The same is not entirely true for books on prayer which are selling like hotcakes, some actually being better digested if you'pour maple syrup and butter on them. There are so many brands of prayer out there now it boggles the imagination: centering prayer, Taize prayer, .meditation, labyrinth walks~ Scripture-based prayer, "/ectio divina," contemplation, devotional prayer, movement prayer, chanting prayer, musical prayer, charismatic prayer, blueplate special prayer (OK, OK, I made that one up).

Reflecting deeply, this leads one to a clear theological, sociological and even logical conclusion: There are a lot of people out there writing books about prayer. This, in tum, makes you realize it is a great time to jump on the bandwagon and write one while the market is hot - unless, of course, one is gainfully employed and has responsibilities. As we all know, Catholics ate a great market because-we like to name, categorize, subdivide, methodologize and in general plant the flowers in a very straight row. Of Jesus and the apostles showed up at a parish liturgy, we'd probably pepper them with questions about Vatican Council II.) Yes, I admit it. I do have an idea for a book on prayer. Admittedly it would need illustrations to fill a lot of the pages. And it would be good to use huge print and put only a few words on each

-"Call-the-Emergency-Room Prayer: It's 1 a.m., and That Kid Still Isn't Home." -"Panic Prayer: God, I Have Jamrried on the Brakes, Please Don't Let Me Slam Into That Pickup." IJ"""'.... ..,---::;:;::;:::---,""i! -"Silent Prayer: Can You Believe How Beautiful My (Grand)Child Is?" -"Prayers of Thanksgiving: Thank You God for Letting the Homeowners' Insurance Cover the Exploded Water Heater." Granted, I am going to have to flesh these out a little and throw in a little By Dan' Morris Latin here and there. But with a good illustrator and the right typeface, I'm •half-way_ there. Comments are welcome. Write Uncle ognizing That Life Is Full of Prayer All the Time, . Dan at 6363 Christie Ave. No. 222, Even at PTA Meetirigs." So far here are some of the preliminary chap- Emeryville, Calif. 94608; or e-mail: [cnsuncle@yahoo.com]. ter titles: page to create the wonderful effect that the words are, therefore, more meaningful. That alone is good for selling lotS of books, I'm sure. The title would be ''Fire Engine Prayer: Rec;

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Television addiction Dear Dr. Kenny: I think I'm addicted to television. Yes, I am a confessed couch potato, no longer in denial. I am tired, bored to death, but my major form of exercise is still reaching for the channelchanger. Help! (Ohio)

semi came al01g, and I had to." You need Q semi, something that totally moves you to immediate action. You can hope for some intervening event, like your television breaking down or your spouse threatening divorce. Better to create your own semi, your own incident of urgency. To change a longtime and addic-

You are right. Television is, or can be, an addiction. The passive life, sitting around to be entertained without any personal effort, can become a way of life. Passivity leads to loss of confidence, to lethargy, and ultimately to boredom and depression. With Dr. James & Leading a secondhand Mary Kenny life eventually robs you of your identity. You are what you do. If you do nothing on your own, that's what you tive habit, you need to start small and be specific. Limit your daily TV time are. You don't need me to give you a to one hour. Or two if you must. Have your spouse or daughter pep talk. You already know where you want to be. Your problem is get- keep daily track on a calendar or chart. ting there. Let me help with some Promise to donate 10 cents for each minute overtime. Send the money to first steps. In a lesser-known fable, a frog be- an unworthy cause. If the money were comes stuck in a rut in the road. Rab- to benefit humankind, you might be bit comes along, tries to help, but af- conversely motivated to watch teleter an hour or so with no success, rab- vision for the well-being of the poor bit gives up and returns to the or the homeless. You need to list a second item on meadow. Later rabbit sees frog hopping your chart. What do you plan to do along. Rabbit hops over and says: to fill in for your TV addiction? As "Froggie. I thought you were stuck Jesus said in a parable, if you don't replace the devil you have cast out, in a rut and couldn't get out." Frog answers: "I couldn't. But a you are a sitting duck for its return.

Family Talk

You need an "angel." You must reinvent yourself. Now that you have some extra time, what would you like to do? The possibilities are almost endless. Give it lots of thought before choosing. What to do? Daily aerobic exercise? Why not become a hiker or a bird-watcher? Woodworking? Repairing smalI,appliances? Art classes? Returning to school to learn a new skill? Spending more time with your children? Have you ever wanted to learn to play the guitar? What about a hobby? Join a local sports team. Start a pitch-in supper group. Join a bridge or bowling league. Develop your spiritual life by reading the Gospels and meditating daily. Starting a new habit requires the same process as stopping one. Be specific about how much time you will spend each day. Again, you might schedule a minimum of one hour. Keep track ofyour successes and failures on the chart. You are in a TV rut. The chart with specific time limits and consequences is your oncoming semi. The new addiction or habit is your angel. Go for it! Be somebody!

Reader questions on family living and child care to be answered in print are invited. Address questions: The Kennys; St. Joseph's College; 219 W. Harrison; Rensselaer, IN 47978.

When must confession come before Communion? Q. Thank you for continuing to educate us about our Catholic faith. My question deals with confession before Communion. During the summer I drive Mexican migrant workers to Mass on Sundays. I noticed that only very few went to Communion. A fellow volunteer said it is part of their culture. If they haven't gone to confession, they don't feel "worthy" of the Eucharist. Another volunt.~er said it's in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" not to take Communion unless recently going to confession. I could find no reference in the "Catechism" to this kind of link between reconciliation (penance) and the Eucharist. Are many American Catholics bending Church rules when they receive Communion without "suitably frequent" confession? (North Carolina) A. Let's look first at some church regulations about these two sacraments as we find them in canon la'w and the "Catechism of the Catholic Church." It's important to consider these very carefully. While Catholics are formally obliged to receive the Eucharist only once a year, during the Eastertime if possible, we are strongly urged to receive this sacrament each time we participate in the Mass (Catechism, 1388; Canons 919-920). This simply recognizes the significant place that holy Communion by all the faithful holds in the liturgy of the Eucharist at Mass. Confession of grave (serious) sins in the sacrament of reconciliation is required at least once a year. This would follow, of course, from the obligation of annual Communion, since anyone conscious of grave sin must receive the sacrament of reconciliation before receiving the Eucharist (Catechism 1457; Canon 989). Thus, confession of nonserious (venial) sins is not strictly required in Church law at all. I say "in Church law" deliberately because reception of this sacrament with some frequency is clearly essential for our spiritual life and growth as Catholics. It is not possible to discuss this at length here. The "Catechism" spells it out thoroughly in its long treatment of "The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation." Then what explains the frequent, though certainly not universal, belief you describe in Mexico, which , can be duplicated in other Latin American countries and other parts of the world? Many reasons contribute. A major one, however, seems to be that much of the colonization and evangelization of these mission countries took place during the time when a heresy (or set of heresies) called Jansenism had enormous influence on European Chris-

tianity. Centuries earlier, a strong movement toward frequent, even daily, Communion had begun to expand in the Church. By 1562, the Council ofTrent was urging people to receive Communion at every Mass they attended. During the 1600s, however, Jansenism, which affected France in particular, took a puritanical, extremely rigoristic attitude toward Catholic spirituality and the sacraments. Frequent Communion was one of its tar-

THEANCHOR~DiOCeseofFallRiver:"-Fri.,March 12, 1999

Priest donates annual salary to aid women and children PATERSON, N.J. (CNS) - USing the model of The Christophers, the national organization he headed for many years, Father John Catoir is lighting a bright candle in a dark corner of his world. It's a $25,000 candle, his annual salary as executive director of Eva's Village, a comprehensive, nationally recognized anti-poverty program in the Diocese of Paterson. His contribution will go toward the $1.2 million needed by Eva's Village to redesign, equip and furnish the donated warehouse that will become the Msgr. Vincent E. Puma Shelter for Women and Children. Shortly after he took the job at Eva's in 1997, Father Catoir called ,

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it the "best job I ever had. I see God here." He recently told The Beacon, Paterson's diocesan newspaper, that his donation puts his money where his mouth is. He hopes it will be seen as one of the good deeds Jesus said should not be hidden under a bushel basket and will inspire others to aid the fund drive. The veteran Catholic columnist, who led The Christophers from 1978 to 1995, said welfare reform and cuts in rent subsidies have added 500 people, including many women and children, to Passaic County's homeless population. "What 1'm hoping is that people will be moved to give to any charity they like, even if it's not Eva's," the 68-year-old priest added.

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gets. No one, it was said, should receive Communion without perfect contrition, which a confessor would guarantee by delaying Communion at least a week. The abbot of one popular monastery encouraged abstinence from Communion for the whole of Lent in 1635. It was not unusual, even for contemplative nuns and monks, to receive this sacrament once a year or less, and then only after sacramental confession. St. Therese of Lisieux tells of her joy at age 11 when her confessor allowed her to receive the Eucharist on major feasts. Only the urgent appeal of Pope Pius X in 1905 for frequent, daily Communion gave a death blow to this attitude. Unfortunately, by this time the Catholic people of Mexico were suffering a ruthless persecution which continued well into the 1900s. Many were martyred. For this and other reasons, education in matters of faith was all but impossible, and Mexican people were isolated from these kinds of developments that were enriching other areas of the Catholic world. Inevitably, this affected the Catholic culture of the country and the way of viewing eucharistic Communion. When the opportunity arises, some gentle explanation of these facts might help the people you are with to broaden their understanding and use of the sacraments. A free brochur e 'answering questions Catholics ask

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Washington conference 'defends life Cardinal 路Law says faith sets the Catholic view of death By JERRY FILTEAU CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

University's law school. "In the Catholic tradition," the cardiWASHINGTON - In the Christian vi- nal added, "God is sovereign. We are sion "death is not see"n as the ultimate stewards of the great gift of life.... To foevil," Cardinal Bernard F. Law of Boston cus on the question of quality of life, said March 4 at a national convocation therefore, is off the mark from a Catholic on life issues. perspective. Life for us is always the in"What is essentially new about Chris- estimable gift of God." tian death," he said, "is this: Through He said the centrality of compassion baptism the Christian has already died in Catholic teaching - highlighted in with Christ sacramentally in order to live the conviction that whatever one does a new life. And if we die in Christ's grace, for anyone in need, one does for Jesus physical death should lead completes this dythose in Catholic health care to RABBI MARC Gelll'T1an and Msgr. Thomas Hartman, who make up the "God ing with Christ." He added, "Beplace emphasis on Squad," address a gathering of life ministry leaders in Washington March 4. The "competence in team from New York urged collaboration, not competition, in the pro-life cause. cause Christian pain managedeath has been (eNS photo by Nancy Wiechec) given a positive ment." meaning through "All too often, the saving death the availability of and resurrection of pain control is not Jesus Christ, we sufficiently known are able to face the or utilized," he reality of death said. "Appeal for By NANCY FRAZIER O'BRIEN compassion for the But the feminist movement, ignoring those with a serenity that CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE pain-ridden patient risks, made abortion "the cornerstone of grace affords." WASHINGTON - Despite the feminist women's liberation and equality," she said. is often the most Cardinal Law, a movement's claims that easy access to aborFox-Genovese cited an American Civil Lib- co-convener of the compelling reason tion would liberate American women, it has erties Union claim that any limits on "the right March 3-5 meetwhy some mis"degraded the status of women more than it to choose" would erode the rights to privacy, ing at The Cathoguided but well-inhas elevated it," according to a leading histo- bodily integrity and religious freedom. "That's lic University of tentioned people rian on women's issues. support euthanasia a very large burden to put on one thing," she America, delivElizabeth Fox-Genovese, a professor ofhu- said. ered an address on and physician-asmanities and history at Emory University in sisted suicide. ProThe feminist movement also has hurt "The Catholic ViAtlanta, spoke on the first day of a March 3-5 women by 'its view of marriage as "the cradle .sion of Death and life efforts should leadership convocation on life issues. certainiy include a of women's oppression," Fox-Genovese said. Dying" to. introThe conference at the law school of The Feminists' only goals in relation to marriage, duce a half-day of medically sound Catholic University of America in Washing- she added, have been to assure that it can be discussion on the and morally acton was convened by Cardinals John J. easily dissolved and to work for it to be open dangers of euthaceptable treatment O'Connor of New York and Bernard F. Law of to gay and lesbian couples. nasia and assisted of pain." Boston in collaboration with the Pontifical He said Catho"Abortion begets and" anchors the culture suicide, the role of Cardinal Bernard Law Council for the Family, the U.S. bishops' Com- of death that threatens us all, but especially doctors as patients lics need to hold up mittee for Pro-Life Activities and the law school. . women," she added. near death, and the compassion as a Fox-Genovese, founding director of the InThe three-day Washington conference had need to expand hospice care and effec- value" in policy debates as cost-containstitute for Women's Studies at Emory, began as its theme, "In God's Image: Called to Build tive palliative care in end-of-life situa- ment and care-management efforts strike her talk by recounting a conversation with a a Culture of Life." Other sessions covered new tions. at the most vulnerable in society - the colleague who was "haunted" by a decision reproductive technologies, assisted suicide, inThe meeting drew about 350 Catho- poor, the very young and the old and tlle more than 20 years earlier to have an abortion. ternational family planning, infertility, and the lic diocesan pro-life directors and other dying. "Women rarely take the experience of abor- impact of culture on the family. leaders and experts in life issues from He urged particular attention to protion lightly," she said, adding that abortion Some 350 people, mostly representatives across the country. Its proceedings were moting and expanding "parish-based brings "a slew of physical risks" and "a variety of diocesan pro-life offices or national Catho- also carried live on the Internet on health care" to the point that it becomes of psychological risks" for women. www.law.edu, the Web site of Catholic part of "the ordinary scope of parish life." lic organizations, attended the conference.

Abortion has degraded women's status,historian says

Retired Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun dies By CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

Harry Blackmun

ARLINGTON, Va. - Retired Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun, 90, author of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion, died March 4 at Arlington Hospital in the Washington suburb of Arlington. Blackmun, who had retired from the high court in 1994, _died following complications from the hip replacement surgery he had undergone nine days earlier. He fell at his home and broke his hip a day before the operation. " Appoi!!ted by President Nixon in .1970, Blackmun wrote a number of significant opinions during his 24 years on the court, covering tax law, advertising by attorneys, parental rights and even baseball, but it is the abortion decision that will be his legacy. "History will remember Harry Blackmun as the architect of the tragic U.S Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade," said a statement from David O'Steen, executive director of the National Right to Life Committee. "It is a tragedy for someone to go to his grave best remembered

for denying unborn children the most basic civil liberty - the right to life." The Roe v. Wade opinion threw out most state restrictions on abortion, and its companion case, Doe v. Bolton, permitted abortions through all nine months of pregnancy.. Roe, which said women had a constitutional right to end their pregn~ncies, generated more than 20 years of judicial and legislative adaptation, in addition to vehement and sometimes violent debates and protests. The Administrative Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops later that year described the court's decision as "erroneous, unjust and immoral." "This opinion of the court fails to protect the most basic human right - the right to life," the bishops said. "Therefore, we reject this decision of the court." They quoted Pope John XXIII's 1963 encyclical, "Pacem in Terris," which said that "if any government does not acknowledge the rights of man or violates them ... its orders com-

pletely lack judicial force." The bishops also criticized the court for failing to understand "scientific evidence" clearly showing the fetus to be of "compelling value" as a person. Each year on Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe decision, tens of thousands of pro-lifers rally at the Ellipse near the White House to protest abortion and then march to the Supreme Court. And in the years since 1973, Blackmun said he. had received more than 60,000 pieces of hate mail on the subject. In 1983, on the 10th anniversary of the decision, Blackmun emphasized in an Associated Press interview that the decision to legalize abortion "was a decision of the court, not my decision. There were seven votes." In 1994, when Blackmun announced his decision to retire, he reiterated his belief that the opinion was correct. "I think it's a step that had to be taken as we go down the road toward the full emancipation of women," he said.

, "

Charlotte bishop to give sainthood testimony about Mother Teresa

THEANCHOR-DioceseofFallRiver-Fri.,March 12, 1999

P'FlAf:FOR<OUR· CHILDREN

Open The Doors

By JOANN S. KEANE CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

"The fIrst process is to gather in- everything she said." formation on her, her life, her comBishop Curlin received his tesCHARLOTTE, N.C. - While mitment; to give 'an overall view of timonial request.in mid-January, many are talking about Mother Mother's life," said the bishop, who and now planned to compose his Teresa's possible elevation to saint- struck up a friendship with Mother answers, "being careful to be as hood, Bishop William G . ..-_ _...... ~ objective as possible." In 1995, Mother Teresa Curlin of Charlotte is doing Bishop Curlin received his visited Charlotte, where she something about it. was keynote speaker for an An outpouring of requests testimonial request in midfrom all over the world January, and now planned to ecumenical prayer service at the Charlotte Coliseum. prompted Pope John Paul II compose his answers, "being to waive the usual waiting While there, she established a convent and left four of her period of fIve years after death careful to be as objective as sisters to continue in minisbefore investigation of new possible." try to the poor. sainthood causes can begin. "There's worldwide accla"She practiced heroic virmation of her holiness and the de- Teresa nearly three decades ago in tue," said Bishop Curlin, who had sire for her sainthood," said Bishop Washington, where he was then pas- traveled to India to give retreats to Mother Teresa and her sisters. "She Curlin, a longtime friend of Mother tor of an inner-city parish. Teresa's who has been asked to parAt their first meeting, the bishop was extremely humble with a drivticipate in the investigation by pro- recalled, "I knew I was in the pres- ing spirit." "I do believe she is a saint in viding testimony that will help ence of a truly holy person. There substantiate sainthood. was a serenity that just permeated heaven," he added.

Conference on social justice set for April 10 FALL RIVER - A daylong ence" - Rosa Maria Sanchez, conference on social justice en- executive director, National titled: "Lighting a Holy Fire" will Catholic Council for Hispanic be held Saturday, April 10 at the Ministry, California; and "EldDays Inn, New Bedford, and erly Concerns" - Josephine chairman, Trinitarian Sister Sayward, Massachusetts Senior Catherine Francis, hopes a spark Action Council, Bristol County Chapter, Dartmouth. will be ignited. Bishop Sullivan, a former pro"Recognizing that fire is a universal symbol of the trans- fessional baseball player in the forming energy of God, we have Philadelphia Phillies farm syschosen our theme accordingly, tem, has called for integrating and we hope everyone will be Catholic social teaching into the moved to service and action that Church's parish life, its prayer, make a difference in a troubled worship and its action agenda. He will exwor I d," plain the said Sister "Recognizing that fire is a unimany reCatherine sources Francis versal symbol of the transforming of Cathwho is energy of God, we have chosen olic socoordi- our theme accordingly, and we c i a I nator of teaching Parish hope everyone will be moved to we can Soc i a I service and action that make a difturn to Ministry ference in a troubled world." for the - Sister Catherine Francis . . for inspidiocesan ration and Office of Catholic Social Services. The guidance. Carr, who has developed' sevevent is being co-sponsored by Catholic Social Services and eral key social ministry documents. oversees the USCe's work Saint Anne's Hospital. Registration will be at 8:30 on domestic and international a.m., and there will be closing re- issues and helps the U.S. bishops flections at 3 p.m. Bishop Sean share Catholic social teaching P. O'Malley will give the wel- and apply it to key issues. The first confere'nce on social come. Approximately 150 people have already registered to attend justice in the diocese, the event the talks and four workshops, aims at getting clergy, parishioSister Catherine Francis reported. ners, social service and health The keynote speakers will be care professionals or religious to Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M .. take a new look at the Gospel. Sullivan of Brooklyn, N.Y., and "There isn't a Scripture reading John L. Carr. who has led the U.S. that doesn't deal wi th the oppresCatholic Conference's advocacy sion of the poor," Sister Catherine on welfare and health. They have Francis said. "We hope to motiworked with each other in the vate, enlighten and, sensitize each of us to the plight of the past. Workshops and their present- poor ... any group that ,is opers are: "Advocacy" - Atty. pressed." For information and to Gerald D' Avolio, exec'utive diSister rector of the Massachusetts register contact Catholic Conference; "Parish Catherine Francis, MSBT, Social Ministry" Kristi Conference Catholic Services, Schulenberg of the National Of- P.O. Box M, South Station, fice of Parish Social Ministry, Fall River, MA 02724 or call Alexandria, Va.; "Hispanic Pres- 674-4681.

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Jesuits name editor WASHINGTON (CNS) - The Jesuit Conference USA in Washington has named Jesuit Father Thomas Widner as its new director of communications. He will oversee the communications ministry of the Jesuits in the United States - specifIcally, the National Jesuit News, America magazine, Company magazine, the Sacred Heart Program, and other media-related endeavors of the U.S. Jesuits. Father Widner, 56, is currently on the staff at the Milford Spiritual Center in Ohio and has been a priest for 30 ye!Jl'S and a Jesuit for 13 years. Most of his work has been in journalism and communications.

Catholic Press 1999

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THEANCHOR-DioceseofFallRiver-Fri.,March 12, 1999 /

Unnecessary rough language taints , . ~----------'''---l

ByGERRI PARE

'Analyz~ This' I

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK - Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal mock mob mentality in the crime comedy, "Analyze This" (Warner Bros.). Rear-ending the car of New York gangster Jelly (Joe Viterelli, whose rubbery face is aconstant wonder) has unexpected resul~. for. .cerebral p~y chiatrist Dr. Ben Sobel (Crystal). Instead of being threatened, Sobel is forced to accept a new patient, Jelly's mob boss, Paul Vitti (De Niro), who has been having panic attacks - hardly acceptable behavior for a wiseguy about to convene a summit of the various mob families. With Vitti more likely to weep over . than whack anyone who tries to cross him, Sobel seeks to surface Vitti's inner child, a concept that horrifies the foul-mouthed gangster, just as he finds Sobel's explanation of the oedipal complex disgusting beyond words. "After what you told me, I'm afraid to call my mother on the phone!" he roars. ROBERT DE NIRO, left, as mob boss Paul Vitti, and Billy Crystal, Vitti's reluctant analyst, Yet the mobster won't let go of reluctant Sobel, to the point of inter- star in the comedy "Analyze This." The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV rupting the doctor's wedding not once adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted. but twice to demand his services. (CNS photo from Warner Bros.) Matters are further complicated when a mob rival (Chazz Palminteri) Harold Ramis, who gets the most ocCasion, but the bad guys' reliance which is visually unnecessary since orders a hit on Vitti, the FBI questions comic mileage when the two leads are on four-letter words is deplorable. he could have just mentioned his perSobel about his association with gang- . in each other's faces. All the gangsters Such language is realistic for mob- formance problems to Sobel in sters, and Vitti suspects Sobel will rat are seen as intellectual idiots; one sters, but a fraction of the arnount therapy. But instead the scene is used on him to the feds if he doesn't si- thinks that closure must be a new kind would make the point just as readily. for cheap laughs. lence him - permanently. of weapon. The adult nature of the comedy is The script also needlessly pads the All this is played for laughs with Crystal's wry comebacks to tough also apparent when married Vitti is story by suggesting that both men are some degree of success by director guy De Niro can be very funny on briefly seen in bed with his girlfriend, suffering the same psychological

stress in trying to follow in and surpass their father's footsteps. It's important to the plot that Vitti's father was a gangster who was shot down before his son's eyes, but there was no need to establish, and then go nowhere with, a subplot in which Sobel jealously "resents the success of his author-psychiatrist father (Bill Macy). Nor is Lisa Kudrow much more than window dressing as Sobel's anx'ious bride-to-be, who is stunned to fmd her family therapist/fiance is treating a different kind of family. The movie, however, shuns an excess of nasty violence and heads in sentimental, even positive directions as Sobel impresses on Vitti that his father wouldn't want him to end up as he did, nor should Vitti allow his own son to grow up to be a criminal. Viewers are sure to recognize several scenes that spooffamous sections of 'The Godfather." And Crystal has the funniest scene when pressed into service as Vitti's bogus consigliere at the mob summit. Although the movie then concludes on a silly, sappy note, De Niro and Crystal have the kind of comic chemistry together that in the final analysis may make this a minor hit. Due to intermittent stylized violence, a brief sexual encounter, some sex references, occasional profanity and much rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.

rl---x--cii-p-i-';Y;-ii;iY--i-;~k-"-i;h-;d-;I;---I~ I I I I I I I

By CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

8 a.m. March 28, and repeated at midnight; sented by Cistercian Father John Corapi, mid- Christ," 6:30 p.m. April 2; WASHING'IDN - Broadcast networks and - live Palm Sunday Mass from the Ba- night, 8 am. and noon Holy Thursday, April 1; - "Dismas," the story of the "good thief' cable channels are preparing a generous sam- silica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate 8 a.m. noon and 7 p.m. Good Friday-Holy Sat-. crucified alongside Jesus, 9 a.m. April 3, repIing of special programming for Holy Week Conception in Washington, noon March 28; urday, April 2-3; peated 5:30 p.m. April 4; and Easter. - "St. John's Passion by Johann Sebastian - 'The Father's Gift;' a documentary on - "Giotto: The Easter Mystery;' a narraABC is preparing for its affiliates ~'Easter at Bact': a_nyw;r~d!riIlgp(tI1.§ITl1.!sical master- the doctrine ofthe real presence ofChrist in the tive and pictorial look at the Italian painter's the University of Notre Dame: A Celebra~_~:p.~~,9i~:-fhqir.or{q~g's G911§~"~~ltRFIq~t~flf;i.St,~~Q~1l-LIT,1Ap.rtU;.~.___ . .' . Easter-themed masterworks, 6 p.m. April 3, reof Hope:" The hourlong progr~ can be ~h?wn ~~BranoiriOlirL~~~rt,'::'2,::p"';'IIl.dYlar?n.I~§Lill:~!J1 !.. l;_Ed lYi~lon~~~, .~y~~c~an~<~8!!latl.~;l and 10 a.m: April 4; . at any w:ne by 1~U! ABC stations; call Y0o/~~}_~~an(Up~~Ho~~aturdaY,Ap..QI- =B!~s~d:Slster_:F~~stlna,~~~e,!:1tary:9n,-~. -tpe.EasterVigIl lIturgy, live from ~e nalocal station for arr time.. ., :. li '~)_;?:::~c:~:::::::2 :..:_~::;::::=:~==:_~~-:::=::::::::::.::...-=:~Q!!!,!!_SI~!~~~~stlna.KoYl~l'.l<a~? tJ:1: ,1Jl~~>< t1,9nal s/IDne, 8 p.m. H.oly S~turday, ~pnl 3; . If your local ABC affilIate won t carry It, 1t . i ~ "Henry d~ Ossa;' a blographyofthe:Span;,:::::~~g~of~~!y~~~e~r.,~~~silld-~asglv~~\ W' ~e~:f~" -.a "Joy' of ~U~IC" episode With Eas~r wIll be shown on the .Odyssey cable c~annel I~h samt and pnest who founded the Society of by Jesus, 5 p.rq: AP!¥~~~~~,,\~ iii \ ;; ; :,'" ~~eIUla mUSIC, mldmght and 9:30 a.m. Apnl on Easter Sunday, Apnl4, 4-5 p.m. EDT~ Da~- St. TeresaofJesus, 8 p.m. March 28, repeated 1 - choral meditations, on,;eucharlstlch "'4; , I light savings time begins at 2 a.m. on ~tJ~ I P'I?' Holy 1?ursday, April 1, and 10p.m. Good the~es, live fr~m tlit~~~~~~~,ile, 5~3b p:rr).l i:IFT:q~pal Mass and the po~'s "urbi et orbt" Sunday. '. • II ; Fnday, April 2; Apnl 1; :! ~~~~~~~~ ~ fl,: ;(to the City and to the world) message for EasPBS will air ''Fresco;' detailing the "1aking " ~ - ''Michelangelo's Pieta;' a music and pic- Mass of the I."Qftl~l>;~~RWii!ive frqm the:. ,.'tdt, 4:30 arn. April 4, repeated at 7 p.m. that ofa new fresco in th~ ancienttr.adition, thjs ~b~~ i ~orial essay ofthe fain~ artwork, 9 p.m. M~ch shrin.e, ~ p.m. ~oly.~~~~~l>~~ 1, ~¥n~ li!e~fP~ng; _ ... based on.the seven V1rtU~ OU~Ined by St(r:t1<{: I 28, repea~ 2 p.m. Apnll and 11 p:~. Apnl2; at mld,mght ~~t rn~~~~~~' " 11 !I J! j J"7j .Easter Sunday meditations With Fa~er masAqumas. The show wIll arr 10-11 p.~. ESt: i, - daIly Masses from the BasIlIca of the - 'The ~1~eA;p~e.!:Th'.l~~~, .~~ srr.ry 11 ;Gr~chel; 5 and 11 a.m; and 6:30 p.m. Apnl4; Holy Thursday, April 1, on many PBS affili"' National Shrine live at 8 a.m. and 12: 10 p.m. of a worldWide ;pray . sade.<.q~:hted With II, 11 ri~ Easter Mass live from the Our Lady of ates; .check your local station for exact:.d.a~' " March 29-31..Th.e 12:10 Mass be rerun at savi~g young L.iJk.~.r~.'_~' .. =-~'t. r~~o~ ;~etrm . ; '.- h. t9~ 1ng.~Is Monast~ry, 8 a.m. April 4, repeated and t u n e s . ; l' j,; \7, p.m. and rmdmght; nal IIvercancer;9p'~RnIA,,~~tedll ~~30 !j!at mldmght that mght; :Funded in part by the Catholic Conul1U~i_<l;-,- :'John P~ul II and the Sick: ~e V~ue of p.m. ~pril2 ~~ll1:l. ~ -", :~~, "ii ~ 'i ij j ~ter ~ass live from the Basilica of the cation.CampaIg~, the documentary was f~ur.:.;~\l.p:~~n.g,"WhIChfollows~epopeInhlstrav- Bachs~~~fIc=--.7 . _.,.~qll' ~f<jJps- :r'iIi.~t10r.~ Shri~e of the Immaculate Concepyears In .the makin~. . . i \\ \\~,::_el§;,~~JP~~?mfortto the hurtmg, 11 a.m. March pel story set to W~I~"'~!,?~~~f~ :~:1 II 1 ill t1pn,l J;loon Apnl 4; ~BS IS also maki.n~ aVailable to Its affili,llte\\,:~~~1',C~OO:2.~e:J?...:l'u,esday, March 30 and - Good FJ;1lda~~~~~~::vlt~i ~~tI?~r ,l~l tQd~ssey also has several shows for Holy stations for Easter alfln~ a ?alf~hour progr~.,':-;.l:i2.Q a.m~~edneS4aY~~~b:.~l;,,,,:,,~,,...... _.. ' G~oeschel, .6:3p:a.n;t~~~~p.~.pqop We,e,k~and Eas.ter: . called 'The Body ofChrist,' which shows hOW;,."•. ;~-I.~'Pill .. ~OfFaIth:~.liOStedbYB.1Sh.<:>PD . . _.~Y.Id::::-'Enday. ,~.p.riP.,;!., if~~~::-~~"",""'-..=" .'1 ;". t" 1. 'IThe Bible In the 21st Century;' 4 p.m. artists hav~ tried to capt,ure the devotional in:\\ E;'Fo~ey"~~~ifmirighamonJ~~s'deatli])n=~e~~.~iV~,~o~~---J!~J::§..t:oss;'~~ili.f~- 1 j' ~~~ 28; .. tent of the Image of Christ. . . \- cr~~,,~ ~~~. March 2~!!,:peated Warn, Mar«.t-- -ther9~~hel,-9 a" Il"'t.P.P~~· "!., \ 1!.: ~ I, ~ " . la.Holy Thursday 0rism Mass lIve from The EWIN cable channel has a long list of ,30;;/... '; -"'--" --._Yiqpoloros ..:W!1y,o(the c.rC\S$ sm II St.,pamck's Cathedral In New York, 8:30-10 shows themed for Holy Week and Easter (all .L.. ''Au~rey's Life; Voice ofa SilentSoul;'! a..__ !~tion in t1ie-Holy--t:::'lib.1!:willi~Fathe{ Mitt h ill a.rri.Aprill; times Eastern): 1i:1Ok attl1e e.,yents and mysterious occurrences Pacwa; Ip,m.t\pril2; --:.~"-. ':j 1\ " k.:>/ - a live Good Friday tenebrae service from Q - Palm Sunday meditations with Father surrounding:Audrey Santo, comatose since age ....,- choral meditations on.<;hrist's Pas§iori, St. Patrick's Cathedral, 9-10 a.m. April 3; n Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan Friar of the 3, 10 p.m. March 30, repeated 5 a.m. April I live from the national shrine, 2:30p.m. April 2; - "Via Crucis," apictorial rendering of the [J Renewal, 3 and II a.m. and 7 p.m. Palm Sunand 4 p.m. April 3; - commemoration of the Lord's Passion, Way of the Cross, 2-3:30 a.m. April 3; ~ o day, March 28; - "Unlocking the Secrets of the Shroud," live from the shrine, 3 p.m. April 2; - Easter episodes of several half-hour ~ o - a five-part Lenten parish mission pre- examining the fabric many believe to be the .- The Way of the Cross with meditations children's shows, "Davey & Goliath" and ~ sented by Father Pablo Straub, 4 a.m. and 4 and burial cloth ofJesus, 11 am. March 31, repeated by the pope from the Coliseum in Rome, 5 "Follow That Bunny," 8:30-9:30 a.m. April D O II p.m. Sunday-Thursday, March 28-April I; 9 p.m. March 31, 10:30 a.m. April 3, and 12:30 p.m. April 2; 3, and "The Last Leaf," "The Hero," "The o - Palm Sunday Mass live from Our Lady a.m. and 6 p.m. April 4; - a "Joy of Music" episode featuring mu- Lamb of God" and "Easter Dream," II a.m.- ~ o of the Angels Monastery in Birmingham,Ala., - reflections on .the Easter Triduum pre- sical settings of 'The Seven Last Words of 1 p.m. April 3. 0

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Publicity Chairmen are asked 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. DEADLINE IS NOON ON MONDAYS. Events published must be of interest and open to our general readership. We do not normally carry notices of fundraising activities, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from our business office at (508) 675-7151.

ATTLEBORO - The mQsical group Prayz will perform at the La Salette Shrine Coffee House on March 13 at 6:30 p.m. All welcome. A healing service will be held at the Shrine on March 14 at 2 p.m. It will include Mass, musical ministry by John Polce and the opportunity for people to be prayed over and anointed individually. It will be led by Father Richard Delisle. All welcome. Milton Young will lead a workshop entitled "Discover the Magic in Your Life" on March 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shrine. Participants will learn about the opportunities and gifts that each stage of life offers and how to enjoy life to the fullest. Registration is required. Call the Shrine at 222-5410 for more informa'tion. .

March 29 from 9-11 a.m. at the hospital for parents and caregivers of children with special healthcare needs. More than 20 representatives from area camps will be on hand to answer questions and offer guidance in making camp a positive and productive experience. All welcome. FALL RIVER The Hudner Oncology Center of Saint Anne's Hospital invites men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and their families to participate in Common Ground, a support and education group for those coping with the disease. It will meet on March 15, 22 and 29 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the hospital. For more information and regi"stration call Mark Theodore at 674-5600 ext. 2270. NEW BEDFORD - A Eucharistic day of prayer and adoration for vocations to priestly and religious life will be celebrated' on March 18 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 235 North Front St. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed following the 7:30 a.m. Mass for adoration and a second Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. All welcome.

NEW BEDFORD - The Hyacinth Circle Daughters of CENTERVILLE - The Isabella will hold a business next meeting of Pax Christi -' meeting on March 16 at 7 p.m. Cape Cod meeting, themed in the CCD center of Holy "Solidarity With the Poor," Name Church. An evening of will be held on March 15 Lenten recollection will folfrom 7:30-9:15 p.m. in the re- ·low. For more information call ligious education center of Cecelia Weaver at 993-2388. Our Lady of Victory Parish. All weJcome. NEW BEDFORD - Courage, a' support group for FAIRHAVEN - "The Vic- Catholic men and women who tor," an Easter concert by the are struggling to confront Saints and Singers musical same sex attraction issues and group will be presented on who strive to live chaste lives March 19 at 8 p.m. at St. will meet at Holy Name RecMary's Church. Refreshments tory on March 13 at 7 p.m. For will be served in the church more information call Msgr. hall following the concert. All Thomas Harrington at 9923184. . welcome. FALL RIVER -'- The Center for Children and Families at Saint Anne's Hospital.will sponsor a Summer Camp Educati.on and Resource Fair on

Movies Online Can't remember how a recent film was classified by the USCC? Want to know whether to let the kids go see it? Now you can look film reviews up on America Online. Once you're connected to AOL, just use the keyword eNS to go to Catholic News Service's online site, then look for movie reviews.

NEW BEDFORD - The next meeting of Calix will be held March 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Holy Name Parish. Center. Calix enlists Catholics who are gratefully celebrating recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction and other dependencies. Mass will follow and new friends are always welcome. NORTH EASTON - The eighth annual assembly of Pax Christi Massachusetts will be held on March 20 at Stonehill College. Father Daniel Berrigan will be keynote

speaker and address the topic "The New Millennium: Voices for the Reign of Peace." All those searching for peace are welcome. PORTSMouTH, R.I. Single Catholic men ages 18-50 are invited to share a day of peace, work and prayer with the Benedictine monastic community at Portsmouth Abbey on March 20. For more information call Father Ambrose at (401) 683-2000 ext. 215 or via E-mail: [fatherambrose@portsmouthabbey .org]. SOUTH YARMOUTH A Separated - Divorced Catholics Support Group meets on the third Sunday of each month at the St. Pius X Parish Life Center. Its next meeting will be held on March 21. Welcome is at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. All welcome. For more information call Father Richard M. Roy at 255-0170. SOUTH YARMOUTH The next meeting of the Cape Cod Catholic Nurses will be held on March 17 at 7 p.m. at St. Pius X Parish. For more information call Jacki McGorty at 428-6741. All Catholic Health Care Professionals, members and nonmembers are welcome.

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WAREHAM - A Charismatic Mass will be held on March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church. Take advantage of an opportunity to thank the Lord and give him praise. All welcome. For more information call 291-2924.

FAX (508) 673-1545

n Kembisa, a small village on the edge of the jungle in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), there is a small mound of dirt that symbolizes the hill of Calvary. Every year on Good Friday, a cross is carried through the streets of the village and placed on this spot to remind all of the suffering of Jesus and the hope of salvation made possible by His death and resurrection.

WESTPORT - St. Anne's Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association is sponsoring a program entitled "Parents With Aging Parents, Planning for the Future," on March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at White's Restaurant. Atty. George Phelan will provide information on guardianships, trusts, estates and differentiate between Medicare and Medicaid. Registration deadline is March 24. For more information call 7632609. WESTPORT - The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Nurses is sponsoring an educational seminar entitled "Effective Pain Management: Interventions That Work," on March 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at White's Restaurant. Guest speakers will include Pamela Bennet and Carol Curtis. All healthcare workers are invited and may earn. continuing education credits. For more information call 678-2373 after 6 p.m.

THEANCHOR-DioceseofFallRiver-Fri.,Mareh 12, 1999

n their native tongue, the people for whom pain and adversity have become part of daily life, sing, "he who wishes to serve Me must follow Me, for I am the way, the truth and the life." t This Lent, you can be a part of

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this story and so many others like it. Perhaps you can offer $40 - a sacrifice of $1 a day for each day . of Lent? Whatever you send will be greatly appreci~ed,~~~e~~uc~~~. _ The Society for THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH Reverend Monsignor John J. Oliveira, V.E. 106 D1inois Street· New Bedford, MA 02745 Attention: Column No. 101 ANCH:3/12I99

$100

Name Address City

0 $40 0 $25

0 $10

State

0 $ _ _ (other) _ _ Zip~_ _ Lenl99

Please remember The Societyfor the Propagation ofthe Faith when writing orchangingyour Will.

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1HEANCHOR-Diocese ofFall River-Fri., March 12, 1999

Germany's Catholic-run breweries featu路ring strong beer during Lent

Pope urges U.S. Christians to work against attacks on life .

By JOHN THAVIS

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY In a strongly worded pro-life message, Pope John Paul II urged U.S. Christians to take educational and political action against increasing attacks on human life. , "The choice in favor of life is not a private option but a basic demand of a just and moral society," the pope said in a letter to Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore. Cardinal Keeler, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, was presiding over a two-day conference in Washington on emerging technologies involving life and death. The conference was co-sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Family. The pope hailed the conference as "another sign that in ,the United States of America the Gospel of life has, round fertile ground in \Vhich to grow and bear fruit." , He said respect for human life, from the moment of conception to natural death, was a matter of "critical importance" for today's society, an issue on which "no one

can remain indifferent." "At the end of the 20th century we are' witnessing a strange paradox: The sanctity of human life is being denied by an appeal to freedom, democracy, pluralism, . even reason and compassion," the pope said. . He said that, as. the U.S. bishops' recent statement on human life points out, in this cultural context, arhetoric of life is sometimes used to promote a culture of death. "The language of human rights - is constantly invoked while the most basic of them - the right to life - is repeatedly disregarded," he said. . The Church's efforts in favor of human life are not always easy, ,the pope said, because at times there is deliberate falsification of the Church's teaching and scorn for those who promote it. ' "The call to conversion must ring out in your homes, in your parishes and in your schools, with complete confidence that the Church's teaching about the inviolability of life is deeply in tune with both right reason and the deepest longings of the human heart," he said.

By RICHARD NYBERG

by the St Stephan Clerical Seminary Foundation. Profits from the sale of beer are used to train clergy in the BONN, Gennany - Lent brings Passau Diocese. out about200 ofsouthern Gennany's Catholics are also in the ~rewery darkest and strongest: Triurnphator, business in other areas ofBavaria The Operator, Maximator, Salvator and Regensburg Diocese owns the local Hurnorator. Bischofshofbrewery, which supports Not to worry, though: These are boys' educational foundations and heavyweight, Church-made Bavarthe world-renowned Regensburger ian bock beers. Domspatzen boys' choir. From Ash Wednesday until Palm Beer tradition runs deep in BaSunday, Gennans who choose to fast varia, and the locals take their beer and do without the country's legendvery seriously. German Catholics ary sausage, bread and chocolate can have been brewing beer in monasterlook to, the national drink to keep ies since the Middle Ages. them warm during cold winter nights. According to a legend that dates The Humorator - the strongest to the l70Ds, the pope was asked to beer brewed at the Catholic-run Hacklberg Brewery in the Bavarian . grant Gennan monks permission to brew and drink bock beer during times city of Passau - is no joking matter: It is 7 percent alcohol; nonnal "laof fasting. A keg was sent over the Alps to ge拢': beer has about 4.8 percent alcothe Vatican. But on the way, the beer holic content. was shaken up, warmed and cooled BraumeisterHeinzjoachim Kinitz due to temperature chaI1ges. By the told Catholic News Service that up time it reached the pope weeks later, to 18,500 gallons of Hurnorator are it was spoiled and tasted terrible, the brewed annually and are sold out legend says. Thepontiffthen agreed if during Lent and Advent. The brewthe German monkscould drinkthe beer, ery produces about six million galas bad as it was, they could go ahead lons ofmostly lighter beer each year. The Hacklberg Brewery is owned and brew it for the time offasting. CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Vatican reit~rates opposition to Beijing Plan of Action

,'~Ay ~m C'ome wilt Ae- done on ~ a6 it' i$

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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 all creatures, put 1fly~elf.into the little. group of the sons and daughters ofYour Supreme FIAT. Pros-. trate in my nothingness, I invoke Your Light and beg that it clothe me and eclipse all that does not pertain to Ypu, Divine Will, It will be my Life, the center of my intelligence, the, enr~pturer of my' heart and of my whole being. 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: Jshall'have singular. strength and.a holiness that sanctifies air things and conducts them to God. -.. . . "".' '. Here prostrate, I invoke the help of the Mos.t Holy Trin.ity . 路~hatThey permit me to live in t1;le cloister of the Divine Will and, ,thus return inme the first order of creatioq, just as the creature . was 'ere-ateel. ; " , , ~Heavenly Mother, Sover~igi1 and Queen of the Divine Fiat,' ", take my'hand and introduce me into the:Light'ofthe 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 th~ Divine Will. Heavenly Motlier, I consecrate my whole being to Youdmmaculate Heart. You will teach the doctrine of the Divine ~ll and I will listen most att~n'tively to Your lessons. You will cover me with Your mantle so thaJ the infern'al serpent dare not penetrate into this sacred Eden to en-' tice 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, anel 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 dra~s all men into the Kingdom of the Divine Will. Amen.

( In Honor of Luisa Piccarreta J865- J947 Chifd of the Divine Will)

Today, the good reputation of monastery beer is no longer only passed on by word of mouth. Many Catholic breweries can be found on slick new Web pages. Jim Robertson, author of the "Beer-Taster's Log" and sampler of I 00 new beer varieties each month, says the strong Doppelbock Dunkel from Germany's famous Kloster Andechs, a monastery south of Munich, is "the best beer in the world." He also praises the MSarzen beer brewed at a monastery north of Augsburg. At Etta!, monks brew the awardwinning double bock year round, said Father Johannes Bauer. The small monastery brewery produces more than 264,000 gallons of different kinds ofbeer a year, some of which is exported to Finland and France. The Gennan bishops' conference has no guidelines on what the Catholic faitHful should eat or drink, or what they should abstain from during fasting, said spokeswoman Heike Rurnbach-Thome at the secretariat in Bonn. "Each person mustdecide (for) himself or herself what is best," she said.

The controversial plan for reproductive health badly impacted other health problems of women. ByTRACY EARLY CATHOliC NEWS SERVICE'

.UNITED NATIONS "'7'" The'vatican served notice at the U ll ited Nations March 1 that it would continue to oppose the appr9ach to "reproductive health': ,endorsed at the 1995 Beijing Wo~ld Conference on Women. In statement delivered at the U.N. heactquiu"ters il1Ne~ York; ~llen Lukas of the Vatican's U.N. mission said the Beijing PlanofAcrion "emphasized ryproductive health the . detrim ';1t 9f9ther.yery pres,~ing health proQl~Q1s suffered bY~o,ri1en , and, girls." :--, . ' . She. said th~ VatiCan was ",happy to assoCiate itself withal! authentic initiatives. to inip"rove ~6men's health.". . . ',', ,,'. , "At. the Beijing ;Conference, however, unhappily, the Holy See was forced to ,expres~ a general reservation to the health section of the Plan ofActio,n, in greatpart because of the section's ambiguous language in treating matters relating to sexual , health," she said. In the U.N. context, 'it is widely assumed that "repro'ductive" or "sexual" health requires access to contraceptives, sterilization and "safe" abortion. Lukas delivered her statement on the opening day of the March 1-12 meeting of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women.. This body has been charged with reviewing and assessing follow-up to the Beijing actions. Its regular

.At the conference, Lukas said, the meeting was to tie followed by a week of preparations for a special Vatican was disturbed that so much session of the U.N. General Assem- attention went to "reproductive" bly in June 2000 to review the im- health when other health problems were "decimating the female popupact of Beijing after five years. The Church operates a world- lations of developing countries." Four years after Beijing, there is wide network of agencies serving the health needs of women and men, , still the need for giving greater atand many of these agencies are lo- tention to tuberculosis, tropical discated in poor areas "where no other eases and AIDS, 'she said. "When the Women 2000 special health care institutions' are availsession meets next year, the Holy able," sh~ said. . And jus(before the Beijing con o See is hopeful that the session will ference opened; Pope John Paul II give due consideration to these goals committed the Church "to make fur- for improving women's health, esther efforts to assist the advancement pecially in the developing world," Lukas told the commission. ofwomen and girls," she added. '

Vaticftn Radio increase . :~~9gra~~.,.ing,for_,H~1,Y Year ."

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~; Rilgrims acjvised .to . serious organizational effort, but it's ~.'~6grrY a, 'che.ai拢radio' to . the way to make sure that the messages we produce and send can .'. 'o.btain upaates~ . .

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By JOHNTHAVIS 'CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE '

CITY 2

VATIcAN To reach Holy Year pilgrifus with spiritual messages; coiTIlIlentary and prac c tic~ladvice, Vatican Radio plans to increase programming in five languages during the year 2000. . Church officials plan to encourage pilgrims to arrive in Rome carrying a portable radio - even a cheapie - ' so they can tune into one of two special channels for news and other programs in English, Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese, said Jesuit Father Pasquale Borgomeo, Vatican Radio's general director. "~aturally, this entails a very

reach their destination'" - the mobile,population of pilgrims, Father Borgomeosaid: in a Vatican Radio interview. Father Borgomeo said the radi9's reports would include explanations and spiritual reflections ori the jubilee, cultural and touristic suggestions, and even repoI1s .on logistical problems during major events. During the'biggestjubilee liturgies and celebrations, Vatican Ra~ dio will broadcast programming in 10 languages on five channels, in effect offering a "radio Pentecost," he said. Vatican officials estimate that as many as 30 million pilgrims will visit Rome during the Holy Year, . which begins Dec. 24, 1999, and closes on Jan. 6, 2001.

1HEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., March 12,1999

50th anniversary, Fall River had been a diocese since March 12, 1904. The city's population had grown to 128,000 and more than 80 percent of them were CathoI . â&#x20AC;˘. \ : lics. There were 23 churches in the diocese. Bishop Daniel F. Feehan celebrated the golden jubilee Mass. Father Bric's curate, Father John H. Gormley, ran the parish until 1880 when Father Andrew J. Brady was named pastor. Father Brady died on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1885 and was buried the 'first Friday in Lent. His body was also interred in a crypt beneath the main altar. Father Bernard Boylan was the pastor when the church was dedicated by Bishop Hendricken on Memorial Day of 1885, Saturday, May 30. The homily was given in both French and English. The brick edifice, which reportedly would seat "about a thousand," had magnificent stained glass windows doTIMELESS -Inherent beauty of St. Joseph Church on North Main Street, Fall River, built nated by leading families of the parish and parish societies. Its orin 1885 and having undergone renewais, is seen in this view of the sanctuary. gan was powered by a water turbine and gas lights adorned every column. Erection of a new rectory Continued from page one was next on Father Boylan's list. In the summer of 1889 the old resiwas subsequently moved to the buried Aug. 11 in a crypt that prophetic words that are the most dence was sold and moved and the rear portion and with two wings would be topped by the altar of amazing. He concluded his hom- current rectory constructed. St. and a choir loft added this was the the church. The cornerstone cer- ily with: "I have the d~epest pos- Joseph's School was opened in sible interest in the progress of re- 1907. That facility closed in Sepfirst St. Joseph's. As his parish grew emony went on as planned. by leaps and bounds, Father Brie . In the copper box within the ligion here in this rapidly-grow- tember 1973. hired architect Patrick H. Keeley cornerstone were a photo of Father ing city. Eight or nine years ago I ' Other pastors to serve at St. of Brooklyn, N.Y., and on April 5, Brie, copies of the Fall River Her- found it with but two Catholic Joseph's included Father Edward 1880 ground was broken for a new ald and other newspapers and U.S. churches. Now we have not got Carr and Father Joseph P. Lyons. . coins. The stone carried the names enough with five or six, and what Father Lyons led the parish's 75th church at the front of the lot. The cornerstone was slated to of President Rutherford B. Hayes, the city is to become God only anniversary in 1948 at the same be laid on Sunday, Aug. 15, 1880. Gov. John D. Long, and Mayor knows." time marking his 50th anniversary When St. Joseph's parishioners as a priest. He was presented with But Father Brie died of a heart at- William S. Greene. tack eight days before that. He was But it was 13ishop Hendricken's gathered in 1923 for the church's a statue of St. Joseph the Worker

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which holds a position of honor on the church grounds. Also to serve as pastors were George E. Sullivan and Father Paul F. McCarrick. Father Perry was named pastor in 1997. There have been 35 associate pastors who served at St. Joseph's in its long history. And the parish community has seen 27 of its native sons ordained priests. Five priests have been in residence over the years, the most current. being Msgr. George W. Coleman, vi~ar general of the Fall Ri ver Diocese.

Anniversary

Father John J. Perry

St. Joseph's feast day is March 1.9

.St. Patrick

By JAMES N. DUNBAR

prayer and contemplation of the suf- Armagh and ordaining as priests hunfering Christ - as well as thoughts of dreds of men he had converted from the local communities. Like St. escape. After several years, Patrick found Francis Xavier, he is said to have bapan opportunity, hiding and trekking tized tens of thousands. Patrick's tremendous devotion several hundred miles, mostly by night, to the Irish coast and a return by and love for a foreign people set him as the patron saint packet to Britain where he was re- .....- - - - - - - - - - - - , ofIreland. The lesson is that Patrick united with his famsought and sucily who had long ceeded in the considered him peaceful converdead. sion of a people But Patrick, bearwho had oping the scars of his pressed him, enslavement, was whose crimes and zealous in his faith injustices were and love of God and themselves legsaw a divine plan in end. The tale centhe entire episode. ters on Patrick's He left 'for Gaul putting aside the (France) to study for bitterness and anthe priesthood. ger that once were . The accounts of . deeJrrooted in his the dreams Patrick St. Patric~ hearh Official had as he progressed ' . '. documents' date , towafds the priest, hood and was subsequently ordained, Patrick's death as the year461. Patrick's great love 'might be seen . are docum~nted. He said !le saw those who had imprisoned hirnbegginghim. in the following prayer, commonly to return to them. His superi<?rs con- called the Breastplate of St. Patrick sidered .the idea ludicrous, pointing and aScribed to him: "Christ be with me, out that Patrick did not have the exChrist before me, perience or even knew the people sufChrist behind me.... ficiently to accomplish such a feat. Christ in the heart ofeveryone who Finally, after being ordained a bishop in 434, Patrick returned to Ire- thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone land where he had suffered so much. who speaks of me, For more than 30 years he crisscrossed Christ in every eye that sees me, Ireland, establishing churches and Christ in every ear that hears me." monasteries, founding the See of

Sad to say, St. Joseph is known to many only as a familiar feature in'every Christmas pageant. So eager were Church fathers to empha-. size Jesus' divine paternity that Joseph, the surrogate father, was consigned to the shadowlands. But in the 16th century, the image of the Holy Family became more advanced and official recognition of the cult to St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of Jesus, was promulgated. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared him Patron of the Universal Church. Evangelists Matthew and Luke talk about Joseph in the accounts of the nativity of Jesus, but somewhat differently. Both agree that Joseph .was betrothed to Mary when the,angel announced" that Mary was to become the mother of the Messiah, .the. redeemer. In Matthew's :Gospel, JOSeph reacts to what the angel tells, him. of Mary's' conception and takesÂˇ on his immense responsibility, willingly. , ' . . A silentJigure in the Gospels, Joseph utters no words to correspond to Mary's heartfelt acceptance of her role in the redemption. His actions, however, reflect the same pious consent to a plan beyond his understanding, says Robert Ellsberg in his "All Saints." For "When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the

Lord commanded him ...." Aside from his virtues as a father or a man of faith, it is also worthwhile to note Joseph's status as a poor working man - a detail not without significance in the Gospel. Although his lineage is

St. Joseph

from the house of King David, Joseph remains a poor carpenter from a Galilean town so minuscule that it serves as the butt of jokes. Others contend that because wood was a scarce commodity in that region and had to be imported, that Joseph must have been a businessman with some capital. While Mary gives birth in a stable, some argue that it was not because Joseph couldn't pay, but that there was no room in the inn. However, Joseph has at least twice had to temporarily give up the business as he is advised by angels to move the infant Jesus and his mother into Egypt and the,n' home again. Having returned the family to the town of Nazareth, Joseph suddenly disappears .from the G9spel story. Josepp. remains in the text only as a ~rrii!1d.er of Jesus' humble .. origin~. Sk,eptiCs would say' of . Jesus: "Is riot', this the carpenter's son?" or "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" , , . But through lthe histor.y 'offaith, such mocking jests, rather than aenigrating Jesus, have only rebounded to the credit Of the faith~ ful Joseph. Today, the Church honors Joseph as the patron of a happy death, holding to the tradition that Mary and Jesus were at his bedside when he died. Besides his feast day on March 19, an additional feast, St. Joseph the Worker, was assigned by Pope Pius XII for May 1.

Continued from page one

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lHEANCHOR .. - ---: DioceseofFalI . . .River-Fri., , ..March 12, 199.9 '

SSG Peter and Paul students visit .China via the Internet FALL RIVER - Through the technology of the Internet students : in Douglas Medeiros' fourth grade class at SS. Peter and Paul School are traveling to China and exploring how ancient China compares to life there today. Each year, Medeiros chooses a country for his students to s~dy a!1d throl,lgh various classroom activities and assignments the c1~ssroom ~e,comes a small community where students develop understanding .of the culture of a particular coun"try. . This .year, through education, garnes, crafts,.liter~t~re and history, .students' have been.learning about . China. At the conclusion or'their studies students and 'parents 'will enjoy a cultural .celebration high-

lighted by food, artwork and music, but this year has brought a special bonus to Medeiros' studentS. . .' Paul Bates, husband of Ines Bates, computer technology coordinator at the school, who will be traveling for three weeks in China, has made special arrangements with the school to. send digital photographs of Hong K9ng, Fuzhou, Shuhaii and other cities in China back ~o students., Fourth graders and (acuIty also made a l~st of questions for Bates to review and answer while h~ travels and th'ey will. have the opportunity to communicate ~ith him via E-mail' about the cultUre and history he experiences firsthand. This opportunity is SS: Peter and Paul putting 'into practice the inte-

HOLY NAME,

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,gration of classroom curriculum and computer technology which is the main goal of its technology program . according to Ines Bates. Principal Kathleen Burt said she is "very proud .ofthe school's techn,ology progr.am.. Both students and faculty will spend time in the computer lab benefiting from this personal tour." . ...Faculty members ar~ currently gathering information to build an . , integrated unit on China and, thjs MARTHA BISAILLON, center,Js recipient of the 1999 Disopportunity gives them.. a primary ~o.urce of krowledge in their study. tinguished Graduate Award from St.Jm~eph's School; Fairhaven, "Electronic learning has sparked the for her exemplary service to the,Catholic Churgh and ,educaenthusiasm students to gathe't' more tion: The' CCD teacher and eucharistic· minister, is' flanked by knowledge by using this new learn- .Sister Muriel Ann Lebeau; -principal, and Father William Heffron, ing tool. -Teachers and students 'are pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, who presented the award. . , . using it in every subject area," Burt added.

F ALL.,RIVER

.~ KIDS' I~ THE HAt....;. Kindergarte'n students from .Holy Name School, Fall River, recentlY' celebrated the birthday of the late Dr.. Seuss as p~rt of the "Read Across America :.. Program," -The day Was'filledwith':arts and crafts, storytellers 'and inclu~ed ..the pain.ting of: :·~their own "Cat in the Hat" hats. The day concluded witt.i,f;efr~shments· and cake." . .... .'

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St. Mary· Sacred Heart seeks help from alumni

NORTHATTLEBORO - St. Back in Time." Items like old , , Mary - Sacred Heart School is cel- , yearbooks, photographs, diploebrating its 75th anniversary this mas, uniforms and report cards year and .the pl'al1ning commit- , will be shared with today's stutee is calling on alumni, teachers dents and families. To help or and religious to sharl;l memora- participate call Molly Curren at bilia foran event called "A Step 699-4163~ .'

HARD WORK PAID' OFF. for these seventh graders at Our lady of Mount Carniel School, New B~dford, who were award winners in its annual science fair. From left, are Philip Alcaidinho, Marisa Pereir~, ,John Mateus, Heather Macedo . and Anne. Marie Tavares... " . ',;, '.' .'1,' . ,

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1 ~~ I...---';;;: ..J VOCATION 'CROSS -:-' Students in Suzanne Lefevre's third grade class at Holy Name School, Fall River, are hosting the vocation' c~oss fromSt. Michael's Church, Swansea. They will be praying for and writing to seminariar;ls anc;:!. religiqus of the diocese; Students "'from left ·Kyle·Marois, Alysha' .Frank'and Lindsay Darmody. . ' . are: Kevin. Semple, . '.... . ' . . ~"""""""--'--...

SCIENCE FAIR WiNNERS"':" These students were all winners of awards in the science fair at St. Joseph's School, Fairhaven. The annual event gives students in grades 4-8 an opportu'nity to explore the world of science and share their .discoveries with fellow classmat~s and the community.

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Illinois Catholic students are stars in Pluto campaign By AMY RIEDELL CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

STREATOR, Ill. - The efforts of St. Anthony of Padua School in Streator to "save" Pluto as a planet led to a congressional honor and a lesson in community action. Rep. Jerry Weller, R-Ill., visited St. Anthony's to commend students for their letter-writing campaign protesting a proposal to demote Pluto to a "minor planet" or asteroid. Early in February, Weller introduced a proclamation in the House of Representatives praising the school and Sheila Brockman's eighth-grade students for their defense of Pluto and its hometown-hero discoverer. The proclamation was entered into the Congressional

Record, and Weller presented St. Anthony's students with Certificates of Special Congressional, Recognitjon. The visit from their congressman left students in a state of awe and inspiration, according to Franciscan Sister Carol Royston, the principal. , "His message to the students was 'Don't ever forget that one person, or a small group of people like you, can make a difference,''' she told The Catholic Post, newspaper of the Peoria Diocese. "I hope that is something the kids will remember and apply to other aspects of their lives." St. An~hony'sjumped into the Pluto debate ,·after scie,nce teacher Brockman read news reports that the International As-

tronomical Union was considering demoting Pluto to "minor planet" status, or even designatinK it a "Trans-Neptunian Object." That struck a nerve in Streator, the hometown of Pluto discoverer Clyde Tombaugh. The astronomer discovered the solar system's ninth and smallest planet in 1930 while working at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz. Tombaugh is the only American and one of only four men in recorded history to discover a planet. Sister Royston said Brockman told students about the astronomy 'union's plans 'and asked,them, "Do you want to sit back, or do you want to write letters?"

Our Rock and Role How someone's death makes us think By CHARLIE MARTIN CArHOLlC Newo SERVlt.i:

Thinking of You Tell me mama, Is your life a better change? And tell me mama, Would you live your life The same or come back And rearrange? Tell me mama, how is freedom? Refrain: Oh I'm thinking of you And all the things that You wanted me to be. ' And I'm trying now. Oh I'm thinking of you And all the things That you wanted me to be. Tell me mama,

TIIEANCHOR- Diocese ofFall River- Ri, March 12,'1999

The students eagerly embraced the letter-writing campaign and encouraged other classes to participate. About 100 of St. Anthony's 189 students wrote letters, while the rest signed petitions. The letters - asking the astronomy union to consider Streator's great pride in Tombaugh - attracted attention from TV and newspaper outlets in Streator, Peoria, and Chicago, as well as National Public Radio. Meanwhile, .other Streator residents and members of the scientific and astronomical communities joined what became an' international debate. But, as St. Anthony's still was urging involvement by other Illinois schools, the International Astronomical Union issued a statement that safeguards Pluto's status., ' Calling earlier ne~s r~ports inaccurate, the Paris-based union said it was merely considering giving Pluto a catalog .number as a "Trans-Neptunian Object" and not changing its planetary status. After getting this news, some St. Anthony's students who had not yet joined the campaign wrote thank-you notes instead. The school also received a thank-you from the Lowell Observatory. Signed by director Robert L. Millis, the letter defended Pluto's status, citing its

moon, extended atmosphere, pronounced surface markings and polar ice caps. ' "Your letters to the International Astronomical Union and your comments to newspapers, TV and radio helped show the decision-makers that a lot more people than just astronomers care about Pluto," Millis said. "Your efforts were important in convincing the IAU to leave Pluto alone." Weller 1 s Congressional Record statement also credited Brockman's class with raising "public outrage" over Pluto's possible demotion. "I wholeheartedly commend Ms. Brockman and the St. Anthony students both for their pride in the city of Streator and its ~istory' and also for their realiziltion that in America a small group of citizens taking a strong stand for something in which they believe can make a difference," he said. At a school assembly, students greeted Weller with banners reading "St. Anthony's the school that saved Pluto" and stickers proclaiming "Pluto Pride." The congressman brought congress,ional commendations for each student and distributed them personally to the eighth- . graders. He also answered questions from junior high students about his background and work in Congress.

Are the colors deeper shades? And tell me mama, Are there great big brass parades? Does the sun shine night and day? Tell me mama, no more weeping. Repeat refrain. Tell me mama, Is it just the way they say? And tell me mama, Are you missing me the way That I am missing you today? Tell me mama, can you hear, me? Repeat refrain. .Written and sung by Lenny Kravitz, Copyright (c) 1998 by Miss Bessie Musicl Venus Rising Musi~

LENNY KRAVITZ'S new "s" disc contains a!rib- justed in how you live. Live in such ways that later in ute to his recently deceased mother. 'Thinking of You" your life your memories of being a teen will bring asks questions many people have about deaUJ: It also . more smiles than regrets. . . speaks of missing someone who had been very im3. Am I living with passion? Life is a smorgasbord portant to his life. of opportunities. There is tiot just one right way to Teens also wonder about death and the changes it live teen-age life. Rather, you must use your indibrings. Sometimes, these questions come as a, shock viduality and, interests to create the kind of life that when a friend or classmate dies suddenly in an acci- ' . makes you want to rejoice as the psalmist says. dent. Other teens face the death of a parent or grandWhat motivates you to do what you do? When parent. " Kravitz sings "Oh I'm thinking of 'you and all the Kravitz asks his mother: "Would you live your life, things that you wanted me to be," the emotion behind the same or come back and rearrange?" This is actu- his statement is unclear. He could feel 'disappointed ally a question to ask ourselves now as we consider thathe did not live up to what his mother hoped for how we live and what we want our lives to be. his life. Or, just as likely, he could be inspired as. he A sure benefit of death's reality is that it,encour- thinks about how his mother's love. helped him beages us to live focused on the present. Whether we come a success. live a long or short life, the most important time is Whatever Kravitz's intent maybe, all of us must today. ' separate our lives from others' expectations. UltiAs the writer of the Psalm 119 puts it, 'This is the mately, creating your life is one of the most important day that the Lord has made; rejoice and be glad in it." things you ever will do. Certainly, our parents' and Every teen needs to consider these questions: others' attitudes make a difference in what we do and I. What good did I do today? Who did I love, and how we 'live. However, the real choices are left to each who did I help? What positive difference for others of us, and these choices are very much a part of living occurred because God gave me this day? life as a teen. 2. How much did I enjoy this day? Obviously, not I encourage you to ask your youth group or relievery day brings happiness. Yet, if you are not living gious educ.ation class to consider these questions. in ways that bring you a sense of satisfaction and Reflecting on a death is likely to help us live with meaning most days, then something needs to be ad- greater clarity of purpose.and deeper satisfaction now.

LOAVES & FISHES: LENTEN SHARING Fridays in Lent - 1:00 p.m. - Cafeteria Fr. Richard Delisle & Fr. John Gabriel ~.

CONTEMPORARY WAY OFTHE CROSS Friday, March 12 - 7: 15 p.m. - Chapel Fr. William Kaliyadan COFFEE HOUSE: PRAYZ Sat., March 13 - 6:30 p.m. Cafeteria - Good-will donation HEALING SERVICE WITH MASS Sun., March 14 - 2:00 p.m. Fr. Richard Delisle & Prayer Community Music Ministry: John Polce GRIEF EDUCATION PROGRAM Thurs., March 18 - 1:00 p.m. "ls This Death God.'s Will?" Counseling Center - $10/session

DISCOVER THE MAGIC IN YOUR , LIFE A WORKSHOP WITH M,LTON YOUNG, PH.D. Saturday, Mar. 20 - 10:00 - 4:00 Theater-$25 Donation -Pre-registration

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On behalf of the victims of Hurricane Mitch,CatholicRelief Services would like to·take this opportunityt~-extenda most-heartfelt thank you. As a result of your generosity, more than one million people"are receiving the emergency relief and -rehabilitation they so desperately need• .Working in conjunction with local diocesesanCiparishes in ,Honduras, '-Nicaragua, ==,,"--

.Guatemala .and EI Salvador, ,Catholic -Relief Services' is providing families with essentials such ·as '·food, medicine and shelter. 'Families in ·these same communities have begun to rebuild their lives ,thanks to agricultural 'seeds .and tools and .small business .programs. ·Communities have also .begun to .rebuild 'roads and schools• .·With your ·continuedsupport, efforts _such ·as thesewill . do more.than save .lives -and sustain -'livelihoods. -,Catholic Relief Services - with the church and civil ·society:in -Centred .America and the 'United .Sta·tes _- will begin 'to 'rebuild society .through the development of 'long-term relationships. :Without these' new relationships, .the .inequality :that· existed 'beforethe~'hurricane threatens "to _recreate ·poverty ·and ., ··injustice -in Central America. If you 'would like to 'support :Catholic ,Relief Services 'with its work in .morelhan'SO countries"around.the ,world, .please· call· Catholic ,Relief Services .at

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or1visit'.the new web site at ·www~catholicrelief.org.

CAlHO,l·IC .RElIEFS'ERVICES The official overseas'relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic-community.

-Catholic Relief Services • 209 West'Fayette Street • Baltimore, M~ryland 21201 ·www.catholicrelief.org © _1999 Catholic Relief Services, Inc.