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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

F riday , March 21, 2014

Students, faithful to gather for diocesan Pro-Life Mass March 26

we’ve accomplished under the leadership of our bishop in the diocese itNORTH DARTMOUTH — self. It’s a good time to reflect back Bishop George W. Coleman will be and look over what we’ve done and the principal celebrant of the annual get that breath of fresh air and inspidiocesan Pro-Life Mass that will be ration to keep going.”

At the Mass, the bishop will presheld at St. Julie Billiart Church on ent the winners March 26 at 11 a.m. o me, it’s a culmination of this year’s CardiAccording to of the entire year: not John nal O’Connor Marian Desroonly what we’ve accomplished as an Awards — one siers, director of the diocesan office but also what we’ve accom- to an adult and Pro-Life Apos- plished under the leadership of our one to a youth — who have tolate, the annu- bishop in the diocese itself.” demonstrated al Pro-Life Mass a strong desire has always been to defend life from the moment of “one of my favorite events.”

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us conception to the moment of natural to gather together as a diocese with death.

“We send out requests to pastors, our bishop and to recognize those who have done outstanding things in parochial vicars, and principals to the diocese to promote the Pro-Life nominate one youth and one adult message,” Desrosiers told The An- representative for the award,” Deschor. “To me, it’s a culmination of the rosiers said. “It’s based on Pope John entire year: not only what we’ve ac- Paul II’s ‘Gospel of Life’ — basically complished as an office but also what Turn to page 15

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

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Our Lenten Journey 40 Days prayer campaigns launch at six Mass. locations

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

MEDWAY — Kicking off the six Massachusetts 40 Days for Life campaigns, national speaker Rebecca Kiessling encouraged participants, saying that their presence can have a “profound impact” on abortion-minded women. Just knowing that a total stranger is willing to stand outside to offer prayers for them can lead to a conversion of heart.

The event, sponsored by the Boston 40 Days For Life but promoted by the other campaigns, was held at the Marian Center in Medway on March 2. Six Massachusetts locations — Attleboro, Boston, Haverhill, Lynn, Springfield and Worcester — are participating in this spring’s campaign, which runs from March 5 through April 15.

The first 40 Days for Life was conTurn to page 14

National speaker Rebecca Kiessling spoke before a group kicking off the most recent 40 Days For Life campaigns in Massachusetts.

Led by Jackie McCarthy, department chairman for World Languages and co-chairman of Cardboard Tent City at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth, the more than 160 student participants, after hearing the three guest speakers’ personal stories, gave the speakers an Irish blessing at the end of the presentations. (Photo by Becky Aubut)

Speakers highlight plight of homeless at Bishop Stang’s ‘Cardboard City’

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

shelter program.

Statistics on paper may help students understand the number of famiNORTH DARTMOUTH — For the ninth year, the football field at lies and individuals affected by homeBishop Stang High School in North lessness, but nothing drove the point Dartmouth became a mini-city of home better than the three speakers cardboard boxes, tarps and duct tape who told their personal stories on Satas more than 160 students took part urday evening.

“Anyone who looks at me wouldn’t in the annual “Cardboard City” last weekend, an annual event that raises know I spent eight years in prison,” money and awareness for the plight of said “Karen,” who said she started drinking alcohol at age 12, and soon the homeless. added smoking “It is an incredibly moving h ad nothing except fear cigarettes and educational exand a police record,” said marijuana into the mix. Calling perience to have a sea of students Karen. “ Today I’m grateful for herself a “weekovernight on our Catholic Social Services and plac- end warrior,” by age 16, Karen Bishop Stang es like that; it changed my life.” was doing heroin athletic fields in and soon her life their own homespiraled commade cardboard shelters,” said Kathy Ruginis, assistant principal of Aca- pletely out of control.

When she was struggling with her demics at Bishop Stang and Faith In Action Together co-director. “The addiction, Karen explained to the students get to hear first-hand from students that she didn’t have the repowerful speakers about the plight sources and programs they have now; of homelessness in our area and then she always had the best of intentions live the experience of sleeping outside to get clean, she said, but was never overnight. It is certainly something quite able to do it. Nine years ago, Karen found herself using the Cathothey never forget.”

According to the Massachusetts lic Social Services post-incarceration Coalition for the Homeless, the num- program as a final way out. Admitting ber of people experiencing homeless- she was afraid and had “a lot of shame ness is continuing to rise. Between and guilt,” Karen said that “because of 2012-2013, Massachusetts saw the that program,” she was able to build a fifth highest increase in homelessness life for herself.

Though she felt “hopeless, helpless among all states. As of March 3, there were approximately 4,400 families and had no future,” Karen became part with children and pregnant women in of the staff at Sister Rose’s House, a Turn to page 18 Massachusetts’ Emergency Assistance

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News From the Vatican

March 21, 2014

Pope to hold first official audience with the blind, deaf Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — As the first pontiff to meet with those who are blind and deaf in an exclusive audience, Pope Francis will hold the gathering later this month — an encounter participants are highly anticipating.

“I am pleased that the pope is making the whole world aware of our world by having an audience with us for the first time,” Jakob Badde told CNA. “We have a great deficiency and most people do not know why and what it means to us.”

Badde hails from Germany — the son of Vatican journalist Paul Badde, former Rome correspondent for the German newspaper Die Welt — and is one of the members of the deaf community who will participate in the encounter with the pope.

Scheduled on the calendar of the Holy See press office to take place on March 29 in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall,

Badde explained that after investigation “there has never been an official audience for the deaf.”

“There have probably always been deaf at (events of ) other popes on the side. But a pope has never invited us on the basis of being deaf.”

Pope Francis, Badde said, has “invited us for the audience in Rome in the center of the Church and we are looking forward to it.”

On the importance of such an encounter for the deaf and blind communities, Badde emphasized that “we all do live a full life with joy and sorrow and we constantly communicate with each other. That is why the meeting with the pope is of utmost importance.”

Speaking of his personal expectations, Badde expressed his hope that “we can develop a personal relationship with the Successor of the Apostle Peter through this encounter.” “ W hen I was little and went with my father to Fulda (Germany) to see Pope John Paul II, he blessed me and kissed me on both ears” he recalled, adding that “It would be nice if Pope Francis could change the lives of all of us who are deaf for the better.”

Pope Francis arrives for a week-long Lenten retreat with senior members of the Roman Curia in Ariccia, near Rome, recently. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)

Pope’s exercises highlight danger of worldly temptations

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — During Pope Francis’ spiritual exercises, Msgr.

Angelo De Donatis focused his meditations on the Grace of God, warning against worldly attitudes, and emphasizing the importance of being open to God’s love.

Msgr. De Donatis oversees a parish in the center of Rome and was in charge of preaching during the Lenten retreat for Pope Francis and members of the curia, who were in the hillside town of Ariccia for their March 9-14 spiritual exercises.

Reflecting on the theme of “the purification of the heart,” Msgr. De Donatis began his Tuesday morning meditation by stating that man is like a pomegranate, and that the many seeds inside represent the various elements of creation, into which God breathed life, L’Osservatore Romano reported.

However, if man prevents the breath of God, Divine merciful love, from entering and penetrating his heart, he is destined for ruin, the priest explained.

Using an actual pomegranate as an example, Msgr. De Donatis drew attention to the tiny seeds inside, emphasizing that when man does not allow God’s love to enter, the seeds become obsessed with their own self-assertion, and seek to grow larger, entering into competition with the others until the explode and destroy all of the fruit.

Going deeper into the effects of evil on man, the priest recalled the Gospel passage where Jesus casts a demonic spirit out of a young man and into a herd of swine, explaining that the reaction of the shepherds once the swine run into the sea and drown is what is happening in the world today.

Calling to mind how Jesus freed the young man from demonic possession, Msgr. De

Donatis highlighted that no one took notice of the fact that he was freed, because they were too concerned with the economic disaster resulting from the death of the pigs.

Observing how the shepherds then told Jesus to leave their village, the priest explained that they were prevented from encountering Jesus by an economic ideology, adding that this is what religion faces today.

The young man is liberated and is no longer afraid, he concluded, noting that he was not saved because he did anything special, but only so he might know God’s merciful love, which we need the Holy Spirit in order to attain.

Reporting on that morning’s discourse, L’Osservatore Romano recalled in a March 12 article that Msgr. De Donatis spoke specifically of the importance of language.

Warning of the temptation of worldly language, the priest cautioned the participants that it is a dangerous trap which we cannot fall into if we wish to bear witness to the love of God and build a community which glorifies God through charity.

Unfortunately, Msgr. De Donatis lamented that in the world today man is still searching for the language of Christ, which was not one of power or force, but rather was a language of fragility that was easily understood by all, especially those who suffered.

“Jesus,” stated the priest “was the best communicator” even though He never made a speech with the aim of convincing “at any cost,” because He was able to make Himself understood by communicating God’s love for man.

His words, the priest noted, were not based on the “wisdom of the world” but on the wisdom of God, which is the only way we

are able to know the greatness of the gifts He has given us and in turn offer them to others in charity, thus bearing witness to the glory of Jesus.

In its March 13 article, L’Osservatore Romano reported on the meditation, highlighting how Msgr. De Donatis spoke particularly of the love of God for man.

Returning to the topic of an economic ideology, Msgr. De Donatis observed that in this logic every gesture contains the risk of not understanding the virtue which draws man to God, God to man and man to other men, which is needed in order to create a communion of love and a welcoming Church.

Describing how children who prepare for their First Communion recognize in their own way, unconsciously and indirectly, the ability of God to transform a simple gesture into something which spreads inside of them and creates communion, the priest asked participants, “Do you know Jesus so well out of work purposes, or because you are friends?”

Recalling the Gospel story of the woman who meets Jesus in the house of a leper and breaks a marble jar in order to wash Jesus’ head and feet with the expensive oil inside, Msgr. De Donatis highlighted how Jesus went to the leper’s house, stating that He goes where there is evil.

He goes, the priest continued, because He has the security of being loved anyway, which is a feeling that every man who leaves his town for other places seeks.

The gesture of this woman, which takes place when Jesus is at table with His friends, signifies a gratuitous love, he continued, adding that it carries greater weight because of the fact that during that time it was only two days until Easter, and the scribes were already plotting to kill Jesus.

March 21, 2014

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The International Church

Ukrainian Catholics fear ‘new oppression’ after Russian takeover

KIEV (CNA & CNS) — A Ukrainian Catholic priest in Crimea said Church members are alarmed and frightened by the Russian military occupation and fear their communities might be outlawed again if Russian rule becomes permanent.

Father Mykhailo Milchakovskyi, a pastor in Kerch, Ukraine, described the atmosphere as tense because many residents of the town located in the eastern part of Crimea were unsure of their future.

“No one knows what will happen. Many people are trying to sell their homes and move to other parts of Ukraine,” Father Milchakovskyi told Catholic News Service.

“Our Church has no legal status in the Russian Federation, so it’s uncertain which laws will be applied if Crimea is annexed. We fear our churches will be confiscated and our clergy arrested,” the priest said amid tensions over a planned March 16 referendum, in which the vast majority allegedly voted to return to Russian rule.

Father Milchakovskyi said the Ukrainian Catholic Church’s leader, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of KievHalych, had pledged “prayers and support” if fellow-Catholics “found themselves in danger.”

However, he added that his Church feared Russian rule would inflict a “new oppres-

sion” on Ukrainian Catholics, tary chaplain, to visit Catholics He reflected on a “wider whose five communities tra- serving with the Ukrainian policy by Putin,” as revealed ditionally make up about 10 naval infantry in Kerch, after in a 2008 military campaign percent of Crimean peninsula’s their base in the eastern port against Georgia. was blockaded by Russiantwo million inhabitants.

“Cutting off Crimea is only “Many have already stopped backed forces. the beginning — it will then be He reported that Russian time for Ukraine’s eastern and coming to church, after being branded nationalists and fas- troops were “controlling who southern counties, and then cists by local provocateurs,” Fa- and what gets through,” and perhaps the whole country,” said young recruits now lacked the bishop said. ther Milchakovskyi said.

“The Orthodox have always food and medicines.

News reports said unarmed Two days earlier, in a sepainsisted they’re dominant groups of volunteers, with here and done everything support from local authore’re counting on the ities, were attempting to to make life unpleasant prayers of Christians protect churches, mosques for us. If they’re now given a free hand, we don’t know abroad and also their moral sup- and cemeteries from lootwhether they’ll behave port in protesting and making our ing and vandalism. like Christians or follow Three priests of the problems known as widely as posthe same unfriendly poliUkrainian Greek Cathosible.” cy,” he said. lic Church who were kidUnder Soviet rule, napped in Crimea over from 1946 to 1989, the the weekend have reportEastern-rite Ukrainian Catho- rate CNS interview, Father edly been returned and are safe. lic Church was outlawed. The Milchakovskyi said Catholics “We have just spoken with strongest members lived their would likely not vote in the Father Nicholas Kvych, pasfaith clandestinely, while others referendum. tor of the UGCC in Sevasto“They say that it’s not legal. pol. With the help of his paattended an Orthodox church or no church at all. The govern- They will not take part in it and rishioners he was able to leave ment confiscated all Church that it is just illegal,” he said.

Crimea, and he is now on Ethnic Russians make up 58 mainland Ukraine,” the inforproperty, giving some buildings to the Orthodox and putting percent of the Crimean popu- mation service of the Ukrainiother buildings to secular uses. lation, with Ukrainians 24 per- an Greek Catholic Church said In January, Archbishop cent and mostly Muslim Tar- in a recent statement, accordShevchuk said Ukraine’s now- tars about 12 percent. ing to Radio Svoboda.

In a March 12 statement on ousted president, Viktor YanuFather Kvych had been kidkovych, had threatened to ban his diocesan website, Bishop napped by pro-Russian forces, the Ukrainian Catholic Church Bronislaw Bernacki of Odessa- as had Father Bohdan Kostesbecause of its support for pro- Simferopol criticized the in- kiy, from Yevpatoria, and FaWestern opposition protests. ternational community for not ther Ihor Gabryliv, from Yalta.

However, Leonid Novokhatko, taking action against Russian Father Kvych, a navy chaplain, Ukraine’s former culture min- President Vladimir Putin. had been abducted twice: ini“The world talks, criticizes tially on March 15, he was reister, denied that Yanukovych Russia and does exactly what leased once, briefly, before beplanned to ban the Church.

Father Milchakovskyi said Putin expects — nothing,” said ing detained again. he had been allowed, as a mili- Bishop Bernacki.

After his escape to main-

Orthodox clergymen pray next to armed servicemen near Russian army vehicles outside a Ukrainian border guard post in Ukraine’s Crimean region recently. Catholic leaders in Crimea say Ukraine has the right to determine its own future, and they urge prayers for peace. (CNS photo/Baz Ratner, Reuters)

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land Ukraine, Father Kvych telephoned Father Ihor Yatsiv, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s information service, telling him that Father Kosteskiy and Father Gabryliv were also safe, without being able to discuss their location.

Priests in Crimea of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church have received numerous oral and written threats in recent weeks, as military tensions have escalated on the peninsula; several were warned to leave Crimea, yet have remained with their flock.

“Our priests and bishops have been very close to the people,” said Bishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Vladimir-LeGrand, according to Vatican Radio. “We’ve been inspired by the example of Our Lord (Who) went a long distance from communion with the Father to incarnate Himself and be in our reality.”

The Church’s priests in Crimea have been inspired by Pope Francis, “who said a pastor needs to have the smell of his sheep. And our pastors have been with the people, and they’re today with the people enduring this occupation in the Crimea,” Bishop Gudziak noted.

“Every abduction is a terrible event for everybody involved,” the bishop stated, emphasizing that “it’s a gross violation of human rights and God-given human dignity.”

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The Church in the U.S.

March 21, 2014

Legislators ask for strengthening of military religious freedom

Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) — A U.S. senator and a congressman have urged the Secretary of Defense to reissue military rules to strengthen religious freedom protections for military service members who fear reprisals for their beliefs.

“We share deep concerns about an evolving military environment increasingly hostile to religious practices, one in which service members fear that expressing their religious beliefs would be ground for disciplinary action or hinder career advancement,” U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and U.S. Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) said in a recent letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

“This proclivity to marginalize religious liberties in the military can have a pronounced negative effect on morale and cohesiveness, and undermine recruitment and retention efforts.”

The senator and the congressman noted that the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014 has language that strengthens military personnel’s religious freedom protections.

The provisions in the authorization act require accommodations for expressions of conscience, moral principles or religious beliefs.

The provision requires the Secretary of Defense to consult the endorsing agencies of military chaplains when deciding on the implementation of regulations.

Sen. Lee and Rep. Fleming criticized Department of Defense instructions released on January 22 as “incomplete and poorly crafted.” They said the instructions focus “narrowly” on religious accommodation for specific clothing or jewelry and fail to address “the issue of censorship of religious speech and fear of reprisal

for expressing one’s beliefs.”

The instruction also forces military commanders to act contrary to the existing Religious Freedom Restoration Act, they said.

They said faith and religious beliefs have “paramount importance” for many in military service and are “as necessary to their well-being as their families and patriotism.”

The letter drew praise from the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, a group of Protestant Christian organizations and ministries that provide a total of 2,600 chaplains for the U.S. military.

“No American, especially those who defend our liberties, should be denied their God given, constitutionally protected religious liberties,” Chaplain Ron Crews, a retired Army Reserve colonel, said recently.

He said clear guidance is necessary so that service members are “allowed to speak about issues of faith without fear of recrimination.”

“We continue to receive reports of chaplains and other service members being challenged and in some cases disciplined for speaking out about their faith,” Crews said.

He said one chaplain was told to provide his sermon and notes to a supervisory chaplain because it had been deemed controversial. When the chaplain’s endorsing group became involved, the request was withdrawn.

In a January 28 testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, the Chaplain Alliance cited several instances of career repercussions or intimidating behavior against enlisted service members and against chaplains who had expressed their views on homosexuality and “gay marriage.”

Several hundred people carrying crosses walk through their neighborhood in East Palo Alto, Calif., recently and pray the Stations of the Cross for an end to gang violence that is taking the lives of young people. In 2013, there were 16 homicides in San Mateo County, eight of those in East Palo Alto, a city with a population under 30,000. (CNS photo/Jose Aguirre, Catholic San Francisco)

Peace walk, Stations of Cross procession call for end to gang violence

EAST PALO ALTO, Calif. (CNS) — Josue Barbosa Zamora died in a drive-by shooting January 13, 300 feet from his front door, the latest young man to die violently in East Palo Alto.

“Every day I ask myself if it was worth it. We escaped from Mexico because of the violence and poverty and now we found this,” said Lorena Zamora, who left her husband behind 10 years ago to bring her three children to the U.S. Zamora spoke in Spanish to photographer Jose Aguirre of Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper.

Lorena Zamora, a mother, joined other grieving mothers, San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice, community members, and parishioners and the priests of St. Francis of Assisi to walk her neighborhood for peace, praying the Stations of the Cross.

In 2013, there were 16 homicides in San Mateo County, eight of those in East Palo Alto, a city with a population of fewer than 30,000 people.

While the city’s murder rate

is down from the 42 recorded in 1992 when it gained notoriety for the highest murder rate in the nation with a population then of 24,000, it continues to suffer from festering gang wars and the drug trade.

Several hundred people, many mothers pushing strollers, youngsters from Saturday catechism and their parents, as well as grandmothers and grandfathers, prayed and sang in a procession to the street-side shrine near where 19-year-old Josue Zamora died. Several men parishioners took turns carrying the heavy wooden cross, in imitation of Christ’s journey to Calvary.

Bishop Justice led the group in praying the 14 Stations of the Cross. A group of Tongan men, the St. Francis Boys who play at two Sunday Masses, improvised an original song, “I Cry for Peace.” Their equipment was set up in a driveway next to the flowers, pictures, candles and a Buzz Lightyear plastic plate that comprised Zamora’s shrine.

“In a moment of silence, let us remember those who have died, the youth of our city,” prayed Bishop Justice, as the mid-morning sun beat down.

Parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi traditionally enact the outdoor Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent. This year, in collaboration with the archdiocesan restorative justice ministry led by Julio Escobar, they began with a peace walk.

“We are here because we don’t want to be going to another funeral,” said Escobar during a short rally in front of the Spanish-style white stucco

church. “Gang members, drug dealers, God loves you. There is a different way to live your life.”

“Lent is a time of joining with Christ in His suffering and death,” said Father Lawrence Goode, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi. For the 10 years he has been pastor, Father Goode also has been praying with the San Mateo St. Vincent de Paul Society many times of year, as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul holds a prayer vigil at each murder site.

Pre-teens and teens as well as adults carried 75 small white wooden crosses with the names of East Palo Alto homicide victims, while others held yellow signs on wooden sticks “Peace and Justice” and “Pax and Justicia” and red signs that declared “Alto a la Valencia” and “Stop the Violence.”

East Palo Alto is plagued by gang violence stemming from the drug trade, and Father Goode said there is so much fear that the perpetrators rarely are punished, and the “foot soldiers,” not the drug users or big dealers, are the only ones incarcerated or shot.

East Palo Alto Police Sgt. Jeff Liu, speaking at the rally, urged people to use the anonymous tip line to help police, but Father Goode said people are even afraid to give information anonymously.

Bettye Wilson, who son was killed in East Palo Alto at age 25 in 2012, said the death of a child is “the most indescribable pain you can ever experience.

All I could do was scream and fall to the ground.”

“It is time to stand up,” Wilson said.

March 21, 2014

The Church in the U.S.

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Speaker Boehner invites Pope Francis to address Congress

Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) — Speaker of the House John Boehner has extended an open invitation to Pope Francis to address a joint meeting of Congress, praising the pope’s advocacy for the vulnerable.

“Pope Francis has inspired millions of Americans with his pastoral manner and servant leadership, challenging all peoCardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York elevates the Host as he concelebrates Mass with Archbishop ple to lead lives of mercy, forJoseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, left, at St. Pat- giveness, solidarity, and humble rick’s Cathedral in New York March 13. It was the first anniversary of the election of Pope Francis. (CNS service,” Speaker Boehner said photo/Eileen Miller) recently.

“His tireless call for the protection of the most vulnerable among us — the ailing, the disadvantaged, the unemployed, Washington D.C. sign that even among support- to perform it. “I think many come the impoverished, the unborn (CNA/EWTN News) — Al- ers of same-sex “marriage,” most to realize that such laws redefin- — has awakened hearts on evthough recent polls on Catholics rejected such unions being per- ing Marriage are fundamentally ery continent.” supporting same-sex “marriage” formed in Catholic churches. unjust,” he said.

Speaker Boehner said such However, a February survey are viewed as less disheartenRoder did not foresee im- an address from the pope would ing than they appear, the results from the Pew Research Center mediate pressure on the Church “honor our nation in keeping sparked a call for education on reported that 50 percent of all to perform same-sex “marriage” with the best traditions of our the beauty and truth of Church Catholic respondents said they ceremonies. Rather, the “most ur- democratic institutions” and think the Church should “rec- gent threat” beyond the threat to would be an opportunity for teaching.

Tim Roder, associate director ognize the marriages of gay and Marriage and the family is to the the American people and the of the U.S. Conference of Catho- lesbian couples,” while 43 percent religious freedom of individuals, world to “hear his message in lic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the did not. Only 36 percent thought businesses and religious organiza- full.”

Promotion and Defense of Mar- this would be likely by the year tions.

Boehner, an Ohio Repubriage, said that Catholic belief 2050. The Pew survey had a sam“Beyond religious ceremonies, lican who is Catholic, said the in Marriage is about “remaining ple size of 351 Catholics and a there is a serious concern that pope’s pastoral message “chalfaithful to Jesus and His teaching.” margin of error of plus or minus many persons may be pressured lenges people of all faiths and He cited Christ’s words about six percentage points. to treat same-sex sexual conduct political parties.”

Roder noted, though, that as the moral equivalent of marital married couples in the Gospel of House Minority Leader Mark, chapter 10: “From the be- even in the Pew survey, only one- sexual conduct,” he said.

Nancy Pelosi, a California ginning of creation, God made third of Catholics who attended Changing the civil definition Democrat who is Catholic, them male and female. For this Mass weekly or more supported of Marriage would also impact reason a man shall leave his father Church recognition of same-sex “hundreds, even thousands” of and mother and be joined to his “marriages.” laws at the same time and give He said that the survey results rise to “countless” violations of rewife, and the two shall become help show that changing the legal ligious freedom. one flesh.”

“We cannot be driven by polls,” definition of Marriage “can inRoder encouraged Catholics deed have a cultural impact sway- to respond to such threats with Roder told CNA. Surveys indicating some Cath- ing more to support it.” prayer, fasting, and “honest study “The law teaches for good and of the faith.” olics’ rejection of Catholic teaching show “there is still much work ill,” Roder said. “When it teaches “We need to move beyond to be done, particularly in educat- something false many just accept merely reading the headlines and ing the faithful on the beauty of it and this increases the profound sound bites that often do not conMarriage as the unique union of cultural crisis in Marriage and vey the full truth,” he said. “Alfamily that Pope Francis spoke though there is a concerted effort one man and one woman.”

Two recent polls suggest that about in ‘Evangelii Gaudium.’” to redefine Marriage, this attempt Roder said Marriage is “a ques- still cannot change the fact that some Catholics approve of samesex “marriages” not only in U.S. tion of definition, not expanding Marriage can only ever be belaw, but even in Catholic churches. rights.” It is “impossible” for the tween one man and one woman.”

The U.S. Spanish-language Church to perform same-sex He noted the “Call to Prayer” television network Univision’s weddings. movement, which involves fast“The body matters. Sexual dif- ing on Fridays, praying for weekly recent global poll of Catholics about their views indicated that ference between man and wom- prayer intentions, and holding about 54 percent of U.S. Catholic an is essential to Marriage,” he parish holy hours and daily Rorespondents support “gay mar- said. “The Church cannot affirm saries to increase awareness of the riage.” Among this subset, 59 per- something that is not true or real. challenges to life, Marriage and cent of respondents agreed that Only a man and a woman can en- religious liberty and to build “spirthe Church should not perform ter a conjugal union open to the itual stamina and fortitude among “gay marriages,” but 35 percent possibility of children.” the faithful to address these chalRoder noted that even in coun- lenges in truth and love.” said the Church should. Among the 12 countries polled, only tries where Marriage has been Roder recommended the reCatholics in Spain showed more redefined like France and Argen- sources of U.S. bishops’“Marriage: support than Americans for these tina, the majority of Catholics still Unique for a Reason” website, inceremonies in Catholic churches. do not support the redefinition of cluding the bilingual film “MarRoeder said it was a positive Marriage or coercing the Church riage: Made for Love and Life.”

Catholic polls prompt call to educate on beauty of Marriage

joined the invitation.

“Whether inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, who cared for all of God’s creation, or

by St. Joseph, protector of the Church, Pope Francis has lived his values and upheld his promise to be a moral force, to protect the poor and the needy, to serve as a champion of the less fortunate, and to promote love and understanding among faiths and nations,” she said in a separate statement.

The invitation came on the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ election to the papacy.

No pope has ever addressed Congress, the U.S. House Historian’s office told USA Today.

Speaker Boehner said Pope Francis’ social teachings are rooted in “the joy of the Gospel” and have prompted “careful reflection and vigorous dialogue” among people of all political and religious views, “particularly among those who champion human dignity, freedom and social justice.”

He said the pope’s principles are “among the fundamentals of the American Idea.”

“And though our nation sometimes fails to live up to these principles, at our best we give them new life as we seek the common good,” he said.

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March 21, 2014

Anchor Editorial

Appreciating the Sacrament of Reconciliation

On the page facing this one Claire McManus shares with us thoughts about our being reconciled with God and our neighbors through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance or Confession (as she wrote, the name of the Sacrament is not as important as truly living it out, instead of just using it as some students use their study time — to “cram, pass and then forget.” This Sacrament helps us prepare for the most important exam of our lifetimes; one for which we will be well-prepared if we heed the voice of the Holy Spirit as we make our daily examinations of conscience, the “quizzes” of the Christian life).

It has not been reported on much by the secular media that Pope Francis speaks quite frequently about this Sacrament. At his general audience on November 20 the pope called the topic “the power of the keys … which is a Biblical symbol of the mission that Jesus entrusted to the Apostles. First of all, we must remember that the principal agent in the forgiveness of sins is the Holy Spirit. In His first appearance to the Apostles, in the Upper Room, the Risen Jesus made the gesture of breathing on them saying: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’ ( Jn 20:22,23). Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive sins. It is a little difficult to understand how a man can forgive sins, but Jesus gives this power. The Church is the depository of the power of the keys, of opening or closing to forgiveness. God forgives every man in His sovereign mercy, but He Himself willed that those who belong to Christ and to the Church receive forgiveness by means of the ministers of the community.”

Indirectly, Pope Francis was responding to the objection many people have to confessing their sins to a priest. “Why can’t I just ask God directly to forgive my sins?” You can, but God willed that the ordinary way in which we would receive His forgiveness would be through the ministers of His Church, reminding us that the whole community is harmed by our sins and rejoices in our forgiveness.

The Holy Father continued, “Jesus calls us to live out Reconciliation in the ecclesial, the community, dimension as well. And this is very beautiful. The Church, who is holy and at the same time in need of penitence, accompanies us on the journey of conversion throughout our life. The Church is not mistress of the power of the keys, but a servant of the ministry of mercy and rejoices every time she can offer this Divine gift.”

Directly addressing the “Why can’t I do this alone?” mentality, the pope said,

“Certainly, God forgives every penitent sinner, personally, but the Christian is tied to Christ, and Christ is united to the Church. For us Christians there is a further gift, there is also a further duty: to pass humbly through the ecclesial community.

We have to appreciate it; it is a gift, a cure, a protection as well as the assurance that God has forgiven me. I go to my brother priest and I say: ‘Father, I did this,’ and he responds: ‘But I forgive you; God forgives you.’ At that moment, I am sure that God has forgiven me! And this is beautiful, this is having the surety that God forgives us always, He never tires of forgiving us. And we must never tire of going to ask for forgiveness. You may feel ashamed to tell your sins, but as our mothers and our grandmothers used to say, it is better to be red once than yellow a thousand times. We blush once but then our sins are forgiven and we go forward.”

In that audience, the Holy Father spoke from his own experience. “Even the pope confesses every 15 days, because the pope is also a sinner. And the confessor hears what I tell him, he counsels me and forgives me, because we are all in need of this forgiveness. Sometimes you hear someone claiming to confess directly to God. Yes, as I said before, God is always listening, but in the Sacrament of Reconciliation He sends a brother to bestow His pardon, the certainty of forgiveness, in the name of the Church.”

The pope did remind confessors in that talk that they are acting “on behalf of God” and this “requires that [the priest’s] heart be at peace, that the priest have peace in his heart; that he not mistreat the faithful, but that he be gentle, benevolent and merciful; that he knows how to plant hope in hearts and, above all, that he be aware that the brother or sister who approaches the Sacrament of Reconciliation seeking forgiveness does so just as many people approached Jesus to be healed. The priest who is not of this disposition of mind had better not administer this Sacrament until he has addressed it. The penitent faithful have the right, all faithful have the right, to find in priests servants of the forgiveness of God.” The Holy Father closed with a question, which is good for us to ponder in Lent. “As members of the Church are we conscious of the beauty of this gift that God Himself offers us? Do we feel the joy of this cure, of this motherly attention that the Church has for us? Do we know how to appreciate it with simplicity and diligence?”

May the Holy Spirit help us to do so.

Pope Francis’ weekly Angelus address and prayer

Dear brothers and sisters, hello!

Today the Gospel presents the event of the Transfiguration. It is the second stage on the Lenten journey. The first was the temptation in the desert, last Sunday; the second is the Transfiguration. Jesus “takes Peter, James and John apart with Him on the mountain” (Mt 17:1). In the Bible the mountain represents a place of nearness to God and of intimate encounter with Him; the place of prayer where you are in the presence of the Lord. Up on the mountain Jesus shows Himself to the three disciples transfigured; He is luminous, beautiful; and then Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Him.

His countenance is so radiant and His clothing so bright that Peter is in awe, so much that he wants to stay there, he wants almost to freeze the moment. Immediately the voice of the Father speaks from above, proclaiming Jesus as His beloved Son, saying: “Listen to Him” (17:5).

These words are important! Our Father says to these Apostles and to us too: “Listen to Jesus, because He is My beloved Son.” Let us keep these words in our head and heart this week: “Listen to Jesus!” And it is not the pope who says this, it is God the Father Who says this: to me, to you, to everyone, everyone! It is a kind of help for going forward on the road of Lent. “Listen to JeOFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

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sus!” Do not forget.

This invitation of the Father is very important. We, disciples of Jesus, are called to be people who listen to His voice and take His words seriously. To hear Jesus, it is necessary to be close to Him, to follow Him, as the crowds in the Gospel did who walked the roads of Palestine. Jesus did not have a fixed post of instruction or pulpit, but was an itinerant teacher, Who proposed His teachings along the road, the teachings given to Him by the Father, taking trips that were not always predictable and sometimes not very easy. Follow Jesus to listen to Him. But let us also listen to Jesus in His written Word, in the Gospel.

I ask you a question: Do you read a passage of the Gospel every day?

Yes, no ... yes, no ... half and half ... some yes, some no. But is it is important! Do you read the Gospel? It is a good thing; it is a good thing to have a little Gospel book, and carry it with us, in our pocket, in our bag, to read a little passage from it any time during the day. Any time during the day I take the Gospel out of my pocket and read something, a short passage. There is Jesus Who speaks to us, in the Gospel! Think about this. It is not hard, nor is it necessary that it be all four Gospels.

One of the Gospels, very small, with us. We should always carry the

Gospel with us, because it is Jesus’ Word, to listen to it.

I would like to draw two significant elements from this episode of the Transfiguration that I sum up in two words: ascent and descent. We need to go apart by ourselves, to ascend the mountain in a space of silence, to find ourselves and better perceive the Lord’s voice. We do this in prayer.

But we cannot remain there! The encounter with God in prayer moves us again to “descend from the mountain” and return below, to the plain, where we meet many brothers who are burdened by toil, sickness, injustice, ignorance, material and spiritual poverty. We are called to bring to these brothers who are enduring hardships the fruits of our experience with God, sharing the grace we have received. And this is curious. When we listen to Jesus’ Word, we listen to Jesus’ Word and have it in our heart that Word grows. And do you know how it grows? By giving it to someone else! Jesus’ Word in us grows when we proclaim it, when we give it to others! And this is the Christian life. It is a mission for the whole Church, for all of the Baptized, for all of us: listen to Jesus and offer Him to others. Don’t forget: this week, listen to Jesus!

And think about this thing about

the Gospel. Will you do it? Will you do this? Then next Sunday you will tell me whether you have done this: having a little Gospel in your pocket or bag to read a little passage during the day.

And now let us turn to our Mother Mary, and entrust ourselves to her guidance to make this Lenten journey with faith and generosity, learning a little more to “ascend” with prayer and listen to Jesus and to “descend” with fraternal charity, announcing Jesus.

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived by work of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary ...

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy Word.

Hail Mary ...

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary ...

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may

by His Passion and cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Anchor Columnists

March 21, 2014

7

The anniversary gift Pope Francis gave himself

s the Catholic and even A non-Catholic world prepared to celebrate the first

anniversary of Pope Francis’ election last week, he was having no public events. He was away on retreat, praying with all the leaders of the Roman Curia for five days at the Divine Master Retreat House in Ariccia, a town in the Alban Hills close to the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

In one sense, being away on retreat during his anniversary was totally coincidental. This was the 50th consecutive year the popes and their principal collaborators have made a retreat during the first week of Lent. Pope Francis obviously wanted to continue that tradition.

But on the other hand it was highly fitting. For a pope who from literally the very beginning of his papacy on the Ioggia della benedizione has been leading the world in prayer and begging for everyone’s prayers, who has been calling on the Christian world in various homilies and speeches to make prayer a priority and create the time and the space for God, it was a poignant reminder to everyone that prayer comes before anniversary parties.

Prayer is, in fact, the most important thing a pope does and is the most important aspect of the reform of the Church that the 266th Successor of St. Peter has undertaken.

There were some notewor-

F

stated, “I wait for the Lord to thy changes in the retreat Pope give me inspiration. Let me give Francis and the curial officials you an example. There has been made. Past retreats had been talk about the spiritual care of held in the Vatican, most those who work in the curia and recently in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel within the Apos- they began to make spiritual retreats. Greater importance tolic Palace. Retreatants would come for two-to-three preached meditations in the first half of the day and then return to their Putting Into offices to work afterthe Deep ward. Pope Francis, who as a Jesuit has preached dozens of retreats and

By Father guided thousands of Roger J. Landry retreatants in the past, immediately saw that that was not an optimal should be given to the yearly circumstance to make spiritual spiritual exercises: everyone has exercises, so he arranged for a a right to spend five days in retreat house outside the city to which he and the prelates could silence and meditation, while previously in the curia they go to focus on the Lord and heard three meditations each leave their work behind. day then continued to work.”

One of the major reforms This wisdom comes from his of the Roman Curia he has Jesuit experience. In his spiritual said he wants to foster is that exercises, the founder of the those in the administration Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola, have a change to focus on strongly urged retreats to take “ad-ministration,” making their place away from home and daily work a ministry, so that they activities. The retreatant “will, don’t become bureaucrats but servants with a priestly, religious ordinarily, more benefit himself, the more he separates himself or faithful Catholic mindset, from all friends and acquaindepending upon their state in tances and from all earthly care, life. In an interview on March as by changing from the house 5 with the Italian newspaper, where he was dwelling, and Corriere della Sera, he was asked taking another house or room about many of the changes he to live in, in as much privacy as was making in the Vatican and he can, so that it be in his power the first one he brought up was to go each day to Mass and to the change about retreats.

Vespers, without fear that his “In my way of action,” he

acquaintances will put obstacles in his way.”

St. Ignatius said that there are three benefits from getting away from familiar places.

First, “Man, by separating himself from many friends and acquaintances, and likewise from many not well-ordered affairs, to serve and praise God our Lord, merits no little in the sight of His Divine Majesty.”

Second, “Being thus isolated, and not having his understanding divided on many things, but concentrating his care on one only, namely, on serving his Creator and benefiting his own soul, he uses with greater freedom his natural powers, in seeking with diligence what he so much desires.”

And third, “The more our soul finds itself alone and isolated, the more apt it makes itself to approach and to reach its Creator and Lord, and the more it so approaches Him, the more it disposes itself to receive graces and gifts from His Divine and sovereign goodness.”

So getting away is more meritorious, makes it easier to focus, and helps someone to be more open and docile to the work God wants to do within him or her.

By conspicuously going away on a retreat on his anniversary, Pope Francis is clearly setting an example for the whole

Catholic world. “Everyone has a right to spend five days in silence and meditation,” as he said in the interview. We all need that time away.

On March 3, Pope Francis addressed the Italian Federation of Spiritual Exercises, an association of retreat masters and retreat houses that provide the opportunity for faithful, religious, priests and even popes to get away from their familiar settings to spend time with God. He spoke very clearly about the fruits that come from retreats in the hope that more would take advantage.

The person, he said, who makes a good retreat “experiences the attraction, the fascination of God, and returns renewed, transfigured to ordinary life, to service, to daily relations, bearing within him the perfume of Christ.”

“The men and women of today need to encounter God,” he continued. Retreats offer “space and time for intense listening of His Word in silence and in prayer and contribute to renewing one who participates in them in unconditional adherence to Christ, and helps him to understand that prayer is the irreplaceable means of union with Him crucified.”

When was the last time you got away to make a good retreat?

Anchor columnist Father Landry is pastor of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River.

Let us reconcile with our sisters and brothers

orgiveness is a messy business, and its complexity shows forth in the many words used by the Church to describe the Sacrament that delivers it.

Whether we call the Sacrament Confession, Conversion, Forgiveness, Penance, or Reconciliation, God’s offer of gratuitous mercy comes with a caveat: “Go and be reconciled with your brother.”

Reconciliation is neither theory nor concept, but the flesh and blood incarnation of the power of God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness, however, is the prerogative of the victim, not something we can do solo. “I cannot say: I forgive my sins,” Pope Francis says, “Forgiveness is asked of another, and in Confession we ask for forgiveness from Jesus. Forgiveness is not the fruit of our own efforts but rather a gift of the Holy Spirit Who fills us with the wellspring of mercy and of grace that flows unceasingly from the open heart of the crucified and Risen Christ. It reminds us that we can truly be at peace only if we allow ourselves to be reconciled, in the Lord Jesus, with the Father and with [one another].” Confession

“I prayed because I couldn’t get is a private, internal action that the peace I wanted from anyone originates from the depth of our interior, but it only sets the stage else,” he said. “I’m no preacher or for the larger gesture of reconcili- anything, but God forgave me. I felt happy. People say how could ation. you be happy in prison? But I The point was recently illustrated in living color at a Pentecostal church in Boston where two gang members, who spent much of their adult life hating and harming one another, came together

By Claire McManus through the power of God’s mercy.

According to a Boston say, on that day I understood Globe article these two men what forgiveness means.” were raised in a culture where This was only the beginning wrongs are redressed by violence, of God’s plan for these two men, and revenge is the only form for the victim of the stabbing of retribution. Many years ago was on his own path toward the two men came together in reconciliation. After he recova violent exchange; one sent to the hospital with life-threatening ered from his wounds, Victor Woods went back to the streets stab wounds, the other sent to prison where violence is honored and the life that nurtured his and cultivated. The light of God’s violence. While dealing drugs near the Greater Love Tabermercy will not be suppressed by nacle Church in Dorchester he even the darkest circumstance, and shine it did on both of these heard the sound of the music of the choir. “The soulful singing men. While serving time in and the piano playing pulled prison, Vito Gray was driven at him, and finally he walked to his knees by the despair and in.” Victor eventually joined grief from the loss of his child.

The Great Commission

the congregation and became a regular at its services. Years later, after Vito Gray got out of prison, he, too, found his way to the Greater Tabernacle Church, as if that was a coincidence. During a Sunday service the pastor could see from his vantage point that both men were in attendance. The pastor called both men to the front of the church and asked them to apologize to each other before the entire congregation. This poignant and public moment of reconciliation became the foundation of a ministry to the Boston neighborhoods where Gray and Woods speak to young men about ending the cycle of violence and revenge.

Confession alone does not always root out the deep seated pain that lies within. When sin is repeated and confessed, over and over again, it reveals the unrelenting guilt that does great harm to our interior life. Reconciliation is God’s gift of healing to the world. Peter van Breeman, S.J., in “The God Who Won’t Let Go,” wrote, “God is most God when

forgiving; this is the secret of God’s joy.” In the parable of the prodigal son we never find out what transpired between the two brothers after the big banquet.

This beautiful and iconic story of forgiveness leaves us wondering if the two brothers ever reconciled, or did the older brother take his resentment to the grave? We only know that the father’s joy was absolute; God being God! Every gesture and movement of Lent, from the ashes on our foreheads to our veneration before the cross, beckons us toward reconciliation. It is a time to examine our conscience, individually and communally, and to seek forgiveness from those whom we have wounded.

Van Breeman explains, “Reconciliation always has global and even cosmic ramifications. In our personal reconciliations, peace takes hold in our small world, a peace which then expands to reconcile and heal well beyond the confines of our own heart.”

Do yourself a favor, Jesus tells us, go reconcile with your brother.

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

8

W

e enter into the third full week of Lent with the Gospel story of the Samaritan woman at the well. This story could be our own as we journey toward Easter mindful of our sins and God’s eternal mercy.

Jesus was tired after His journey so He sat down by the well, thirsty and hungry.

Then, He does something quite shocking for the time, He asks a Samaritan woman to give Him a drink — Jewish men at that time just didn’t do that kind of thing, speak to a woman He didn’t know.

Also, to speak to a Samaritan was unthinkable since Jews did not recognize Samaritans.

But Jesus’ thirst went much deeper. He was really thirsting to save her soul. St. Augustine says that “God is thirsting for our faith and our love.”

This Samaritan woman came to the well at noon; John was very specific about that. Noon, the hottest hour of the hot, middle-eastern day. All the other women of the village would have come

March 21, 2014

Drinking the Living Waters

in the cooler hours of early represents the existential morning or evening. But this dissatisfaction of one who woman has been shamed, she has not found what she is is an outcast, and she comes looking for. She had ‘five at this hour to avoid contact husbands’ and now lived with with other villagers.

Augustine saw the Homily of the Week well as symbolic of Third Sunday concupiscence, the inclination toward sin, of Lent or perhaps we better

By Deacon recognize it as addicPaul Harney tive desire; desires of power, love, knowledge, wealth, pleasure, etc.

Is there such a well that you another man. Her coming go back to? Do you have an and going to the well to draw unquenchable thirst? Each water expressed a life that day we ourselves must decide was resigned and repetitive” if we’re going to continue to (Angelus, 2/24/08). draw more water from that Jesus puts into practice His well or are we going to break parable of the lost sheep and the cycle and turn to Jesus for He doesn’t hold back His love His Living Water. or mercy for this woman. He Our shame may be that we reveals Himself as the Living have tried to find that thirst’s Water, the Messiah Who is satisfaction in various wells to come, the Christ. He not which offered invitations that only speaks directly to her, but lead only to other dissatisfyhonors her with a personal ing wells. This woman had invitation to believe. She tried five wells and was digresponds with the awareness ging a sixth. Pope Benedict that He knows her past and said, “The woman of Samaria does not hold it against her.

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

She experiences a glorious renewal, drops her bucket, and returns to town telling everybody that she feels differently about herself, because of this “Man” Who might be the Christ.

The town’s folks go out to see for themselves after believing in her word. Jesus stays with them for two days, now no longer a stranger and a foreigner. They come to make the great statement which is central to John’s Gospel that we will hear in the coming weeks, that, “This truly is the Savior of the world.”

So what is this Living

Water and how do we get it? I believe it is God’s grace and we can receive the Living Water of Jesus by adding or increasing prayer in our day and reading Scripture. Each time we receive Jesus in Holy Communion we are drinking His Living Water. When we turn to Him for His mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are drinking His Living Water.

Lent is a wonderful time for personal reflection, reconciliation, and renewal. When we have placed all of our faith in Christ Jesus and drunken His Living Water, St. Paul assures us that, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God (Rom 5:1-2).

Deacon Paul Harney was ordained as a permanent deacon last October and currently serves at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Mar. 22, Mi 7:14-15,18-20; Ps 103:1-4,9-12; Lk 15:1-3,11-32. Sun. Mar. 23, Third Sunday of Lent, Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95:1-2,6-9; Rom 5:1-2,5-8; Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15,19b-26,39a,40-42. Mon. Mar. 24,2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Pss 42:2-3;43:3-4; Lk 4:24-30. Tues. Mar. 25, The Annunciation of the Lord, Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38. Wed. Mar. 26, Dt 4:1,5-9; Ps 147:12-13,15-16,19-20; Mt 5:17-19. Thurs. Mar. 27, Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2,6-9; Lk 11:14-23.

Fri. Mar. 28, Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11b,14,17; Mk 12:28-34.

I

n a conversation about Russian Orthodoxy some dozen years ago, that famous source who can only be quoted off-the-record, the senior Vatican official, said to me, “They only know how to be chaplain to the czar — whoever he is.”

Such asperity reflected deep frustration over the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow’s continued rudeness (some would say, cruelty) to John Paul II and its nasty habit of throwing sand into the gears of the international Orthodox-Catholic dialogue.

And my interlocutor surely knew that there were exceptions to his rule: men like the late Father Alexander Men, axe-murdered in 1990, almost certainly because politicians and senior Russian Orthodox churchmen feared that this son of a Jewish family might, in a free, postSoviet Russia, help craft a new relationship between religious and political authority; men like Father Gleb Yakunin, a founder of the Christian Committee for the Defense of Believers’ Rights who did hard time in the Gulag as a result; men like the country

Orthodoxy, state and society pastors who, since the 1991 col- of its secret police, the KGB. Patriarchs of Moscow were lapse of the Soviet Union, have senior KGB officers; the present been rebuilding Russian Orpatriarch, Kirill, began his career thodoxy in the countryside, one as an ROC representative at the wounded soul at a time.

Yet there were also hard truths in that Senior Vatican Official’s comment. The Russian Orthodox Church has been in thrall to political power for centuries, and its 20th-century

By George Weigel history was a particularly unhappy one.

The Bolsheviks hated World Council of Churches in pious priests, so Lenin and his 1971 when he was 25 years old, successors ruthlessly crushed a sure sign of KGB affiliation. authentic Russian Orthodox In recent years, Kirill and his religious life — the expression of a great spiritual and theologi- “foreign minister,” Metropolitan Hilarion, have been mouthpieces cal tradition — wherever they for Russian president Vladimir could; the list of ROC martyrs Putin’s efforts to reconstitute to communism is a long and noble one. After Stalin rehabili- something like the old Soviet Union in the name of a “historic tated the ROC in his campaign Russian space,” an exercise in to ramp up Russian nationalGreat Russian irredentism that ism after the German invasion has taken a particularly grave of June 1941, the leadership of turn in Ukraine; concurrently, Russian Orthodoxy, the Patrithey’ve conducted a campaign archate of Moscow, became a of seduction in the Vatican and wholly-owned subsidiary of the among American evangelical Soviet regime, and specifically

The Catholic Difference

Protestants, putatively in service to a united front against western decadence and secularism. But in the ironies of history (or the strange ways of divine providence) the Ukraine crisis, in which Kirill has been duplicitous and Hilarion mendacious, just might initiate a break in this historic pattern of Orthodoxy playing lap dog to authoritarian power among the eastern Slavs.

As the people of Ukraine rose up against the kleptocratic and despotic government of Viktor Yanukovych last year, in the Maidan movement of national moral and civic renewal, the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches faced a dramatic choice: stand in pastoral solidarity with the people, or stand with the state that was brutally repressing Ukrainian citizen-reformers?

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, largest of the Eastern Catholic Churches (Byzantine in Liturgy and Church organization, but in full communion

with the Bishop of Rome), did not face this dilemma; the UGCC was long the safe-deposit box of Ukrainian national consciousness, and in the postSoviet period it has devoted its public life to building Ukrainian civil society. But the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches did face a historic fork-in-the-road: civil society, or the state?

The choices made have not been unambiguous. But the evidence to date suggests that more than a few Ukrainian Orthodox leaders and believers have chosen to stand with civil society, rejecting the Patriarchate of Moscow’s support for Putin’s Great Russian nationalism. If that new alignment holds, it may eventually lead to a historychanging revolution in Orthodox understandings of the right relationships among Church, state and society: a development that would, among other things, vindicate the memory of Orthodoxy’s 20th-century martyrs.

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

March 21, 2014

Sunday 16 March 2014 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Freedom of Information Day. was looking for something to do on my day off-duty.

I considered getting a haircut or having the oil changed. But, being in the mood for adventure, I decided to Google God. The search engine instantly provided me with 359,000,000 suggested websites. You, too, can find God on the Internet. Who knew?

Actually, dear readers, this should have come as no surprise to me. Recent popes have had an Internet presence for some time. During the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II, the Vatican unveiled its first website (www.vatican.va) and His Holiness established his own email account (unfortunately, the pope didn’t give me his email address).

Pope Benedict XVI created his own Twitter account (@ Pontifex). Pope Francis retained it. “The Internet is a gift from God,” declared Pope Francis.

He also warns that “the desire for digital connectivity can have the effect of isolating us from our neighbors, from those closest to us.”

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., has an

I

H

ello friends, and happy Lent! Weird thing to say, I know, during the season when we feel we give up the most, or at least try to. Lent, the 40 days during which we prepare for Easter and the Risen Christ; when we sacrifice something that tends to motivate us on a daily basis. How’s that going for you? For me, on the first day in, I called my brother and said, “We’re going to need to find something else for me to offer as my Lenten sacrifice.” And here I am — floundering still.

However, I’ve decided to try a different approach. Now, I’m not trying to take the easy way out by any means. In fact, on a daily basis I try to come up with something else I could sacrifice and then almost instantly it seems I have taken part in that very act! Am I trying to sabotage myself? So it seems, though I try to see it as Christ perpetually challenging me and holding me up to yet a new standard. This has propelled me to put emphasis on the less mentioned part of Lent: prayer, Penance, and good works. With this is mind, I’ve begun to add to my faith life, instead of allow-

Anchor Columnists Googling God

Frederici’s Sunday homily) and internet presence (www.usccb. to the parish Facebook page. But org). There you will find official wait, there’s more. You can actuChurch documents and statements, Mass readings, and other ally watch the video as Msgr.

Daniel Hoye delivers his homily resources. at Christ the King Parish in Our diocese has its own Mashpee. The videos have been website (www.fallriverdiocese. uploaded to the parish website. org) as do most of our parishes.

Here at St. Patrick Parish, Various diocesan departments we are ahead of the curve in the have individual websites. The Anchor newspaper has a website, too (www.

The Ship’s Log anchornews.org). There you will read the very Reflections of a column I am now writParish Priest ing. In fact, you can read

By Father Tim every word I have ever Goldrick written for “The Ship’s Log.” Strangely, I get few “hits.” use of video conferencing. We The parishes in Falmouth sometimes interview couples have an Internet presence, but contemplating Marriage by our technological skills are using a webcam. They see us in somewhat overshadowed by real-time and vice versa. With our neighbor to the north — so many weddings, it’s a practithe church pastored by Father cal solution for those who live David Frederici, St. John the at great distances (Dubai, for Evangelist in Pocasset. Their example, or Italy or Brazil). current parish bulletin (I found The Internet is truly is “a gift it online) contains QR (Quick from God.” Pope Francis is also Response) codes that you can right on the money in saying scan with your Smartphone. that when it comes to technolThese are those odd little boxes ogy, there’s a bad side to the of squiggles that have become good news. Technology really so ubiquitous. The QR codes can isolate us. connect to the parish website We use technology when we (where you can read Father

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need to conduct a long-distance initial interview, but we also insist on meeting the bride and groom face-to-face, even it means flying the 6,645 miles from the United Arab Emirates.

We need to see eye-to-eye, literally and figuratively.

I learned this lesson from Judge Judy. Whenever a plaintiff of defendant looks away while speaking to Judge Judy, she will protest, “No! No! Don’t look over there. Look here.

Look at me!” She points to her two eyes for added emphasis.

Use of technologies impacts the way we see and hear each other. It affects our understanding of each other.

You cannot truly relate to a person without being physically present to that person.

Judge Judy, in all her wisdom, also points out the importance of body language. Information can be conveyed over a computer screen, but real ministry can only take place face-to-face.

That’s the reason our Sacraments all somehow involve our five senses — the laying on of hands, the anointing with oil, the pouring of water.

I remember the Canadian

philosopher Marshall McLuhan and his seminal work “The Medium is the Massage” (This is the book’s actual title but it originated as a typo). The medium massages, kneads, and shapes the message. The Internet cannot help but color the way we see reality. Technology shapes how we relate to others.

When I was 20-something, the mantra was “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” Now, according to a recent study by PEW Research, the mantra of a 20-something is “Don’t trust anyone, period.” Human relationships have been colored by the cold blue screen of the computer.

As Cape Cod lay leaders always tell the young people when they show up for an ECHO youth retreat, “Leave your technology in the basket at the door.” There are times when our undivided attention is required.

We meet God face-to-face.

Don’t even bother to Google God. It’s a waste of time. Now I’m off to do something more constructive. I think I’ll get a haircut.

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

experience one yourself in order to renew your faith and remind you of why you are leading in the first place.

So when the survey from Charis Ministries, to evaluate my retreat experience, came in my email, I took it.

When their newsletter provided an opportunity for me to receive weekly Lenten reflections, I took it. When I found out that many of my new friends from retreat were weekly regulars at Pasta Night, a gathering sponsored by UMass Dartmouth, I decided I could get down with pasta on Thursday nights. When I discovered that my alma mater, Bishop Stang, would be performing “Godspell” in the spring, I started attending rehearsals to be of whatever service I could.

When I opened up the bulletin at Sunday Mass to find that a Lenten prayer service would be offered each Wednesday night at my parish, I decided to go after work — no matter how hungry I may be! All of these opportunities were at my door.

They were waiting for me to

take advantage of them, to seek out Christ and thus open the door to a world of life-giving love. Knowing that I am invited to and welcome at the dinner table with friends each week is so fulfilling. Watching rehearsals at Stang and really listening to the script as students interact with the character of Jesus has provided me with a unique Lenten prayer and a new way to understand Christ. And by making the effort to be at St. Dominic’s on Wednesday nights, even if it is for a mere 30 minutes of my time, I am doing my best to share my life with Christ and allow Him to be a part of me.

I encourage you during this holy season of Lent, to not only make a sacrifice for Christ, but also to do something loving and life-giving. I encourage you to invite Christ to be a part of your Lenten journey by living your life the way He lived His, by His sacrifice and His goodwill. May your 40 days be filled with joyful memories!

Anchor columnist Renee Bernier is a Stonehill College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Day by day ing myself to reach a stalemate with it.

It began right before Ash Wednesday. During the last weekend of February I went on a Seeker’s Retreat with other young adults. Having been encouraged to attend the retreat, and knowing personally that it had been a long time since I had been a retreatant and not a retreat leader, I debated until the very last day of registration if I wanted to spend my weekend seeking.

Finally, knowing in my heart that I was desperately longing for an opportunity to connect with Christ and others my age who wanted a relationship with Him, I registered. Come Friday night I found myself in the familiar hallways of Cathedral Camp. The smell, the camp-like atmosphere, the catchy names for the aging buildings were all a reminder of the hot summer weeks I spent helping with Christian Leadership Institute.

Except now it was cold, frigid some might say, and I was the one under the watchful guidance of team leaders. And so,

the weekend commenced.

Without spoiling the retreat for any future seekers, I will say that it was filled with opportunities to learn more about myself and those around me.

Through the witnesses of the

Radiate Your Faith

By Renee Bernier team, I was able to identify places that I was seeking Christ in my life, things I had been shutting Him out of, and recognize that I was not alone in these feelings. Surrounded by college students and new graduates striving to find their place in the world, I felt quite at home. I felt that maybe I wasn’t alone after all. Coming off of the weekend, after having the opportunity to seek Penance and ask others to offer their prayers for my path, I felt refreshed. I had forgotten to take my own advice for so many years: you can’t always lead the retreat; sometimes you need to

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March 21, 2014

11

March 21, 2014

Biggest downside of being pontiff is the paperwork, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The thing Pope Francis dislikes most about his job as pontiff is the paperwork, he told residents of an Argentine slum in which he used to minister.

“Paperwork, office work, it’s the thing I always struggled with,” the pope said in response to the question: “What’s the thing you like least about your mission as pope?”

The pope’s remarks came during a pre-recorded televised video message to the residents of Village 1-11-14 — a Buenos Aires’ shantytown inhabited mostly by South American immigrants.

Members of the community radio station, Radio FM 88 of Bajo Flores, conducted the interview with the pope at the Vatican before he left for a Lenten retreat outside of Rome recently.

The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, published small portions of the interview shortly after.

The station broadcast the

question-and-answer interview for residents on large screens after a recent Mass celebrating the one-year anniversary of the pope’s election.

As Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, the pope used to minister in the slums of the city: sharing simple meals with residents, celebrating the Sacraments in their parishes and taking Communion to the elderly in their homes.

He encouraged and supported priests to minister in the “peripheries” where the city’s poorest and most marginalized lived, the newspaper said.

The pope was asked in the interview about the work of these “curas villeros,” or priests ministering in the shanties, and whether they represented leftist ideals.

The pope said the priests’ work “wasn’t something ideological but

rather (is) an apostolic mission.”

In reference to a question about a priest slain in 1974 and other priests similarly accused of being communist, the pope said, “They were not communist.” Instead, they were “great priests who fought for life: They worked to bring the Word of God to the marginalized. They were priests who listened to the people of God and fought for justice.”

The pope also pointed out the need to have an approach “of poverty, service and helping others” while also letting oneself be helped by others. He asked his audience to pray for him, saying he “needed the support of the people of God, especially through prayer.”

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March 21, 2014

Social media, smartphones give young people a new look at Lent

WASHINGTON (CNS) — This is not your parents’ Lent.

That’s pretty clear when smartphone alarms — sounding like police whistles — ring at mealtimes on Fridays along with text messages from the “meat police” offering reminders such as: “Hey, it’s Friday, drop the cheeseburger!”

The Friday no-meat reminder comes through the Lentsanity app produced by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.

By the third day of Lent, the app — which also offers plenty of Lenten resources — already had more than 10,000 downloads.

Jonathan Teixeira and Kevin Cotter, the brains behind the program, work at the group’s headquarters just outside Denver. They told Catholic News Service that they began working on the project a few months ago.

“Lent is a great opportunity for people to get into their faith, to try something for 40 days, and we wanted to provide something for people and how to do it,” said Teixeira.

He said the app has “taken on life of its own from (promotion) online and word of mouth.”

Cotter likened the app’s appeal to the popularity of the pope alarm app they developed last year that sent more than 135,000 notifications after the Sistine Chapel released white smoke indicating that the cardinals had elected a new pope.

“People are proud to be Catholic,” Cotter said, and if technology can bring people together around their faith, “it’s even better” because people love to show their friends what’s on their phones, he added.

He said the app shows how the Church is relevant in the modern world and has something to say, especially during Lent. As he points out, the whole idea of giving something up for Lent is hard in a culture that binge watches television shows and where people eat whatever they want.

“Part of our culture realizes we do too much,” he said, adding that “a physical fast helps people reflect on their spiritual interior.

We can empty ourselves physically to spiritually prepare the way for Christ.”

Teixeira said even a simple reminder not to eat meat on Fridays is helpful. “We’ve all been there, where we’re halfway through a cheeseburger and think, ‘Oh no, it’s a Friday in Lent!’”

The idea of online spiritual support is something Christina Mead, web content editor with Life Teen, also has witnessed.

Mead posted a list of creative things to give up during Lent on the Life Teen blog — which was

liked more than 50,000 times on Facebook a week after Lent began. The list includes suggestions such as cutting out screen time, baby-sitting for free on weekends, wearing the same four outfits during Lent and doing ab crunches while praying the “Hail Mary.”

Mead, who spoke to CNS rom Life Teen offices in Mesa, Ariz., said the whole concept of working together on Lenten sacrifice resonates with teens.

She said the modern world “celebrates mediocrity and selfcenteredness” so to ask teen-agers to step outside that and do something in bold ways — such as giving something up for 40 days — is very counter cultural yet also appealing. “They just really come alive with that idea and latch onto it.”

And for teens who don’t have a strong parish group they can turn to, she said they can get spiritual support through the online community formed by Life Teen’s social media outreach.

Only one week into the 40 days, Mead said it’s been an exciting time. “I get to see the young Church really come alive,” she said.

Young adult Catholics also are in the Lent-social media mix.

The Paulists’ Busted Halo website features a fast, pray, give daily Lenten calendar. The calendar’s introduction urges those following it — about 30,000 according to Facebook likes March 12 — to think about Lenten practices in a broader context.

It suggests fasting from dependence on electronic devices, praying for the 1.6 billion people in the world who have no access to electricity and spending the extra time saved in giving some time to others.

But really you don’t have to be young to have fun with Lent or to use one’s phone or computer for spiritual help or direction in the 40 days. Online Lenten tools include virtual Stations of the Cross, apps that track spiritual activities, and tools to help one prepare for Confession, pray the Rosary or read the Bible.

The tools are really just that, though, as the long-standing practice of Lenten fasts is so that we can “hunger for God without being overstuffed with food and drink,” according to Msgr. Kevin Irwin, a professor of liturgical studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. In an email to CNS, he said “Sobriety and eating less are meant to make us realize in our physical bodies that we are always meant to be empty and poor to allow Christ to fill us with His riches.”

Animated characters appear in the movie “The Wind Rises.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Fox)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

“Need for Speed” (Disney) The nearly plot-free milieu of director Scott Waugh’s action flick may appeal to young men who prefer their car chases uncomplicated. But many others will find his big-screen version of the eponymous videogame series morally troubling. Illegal city street racing, at great hazard to passers-by, is glamorized, while the pedal-to-the-metal rivalry between an ex-con (Aaron Paul) and his principal competitor (Dominic Cooper) is fuelled by the convict ’s thirst for revenge.

Things reach a low point as the speed junkies heedlessly destroy the possessions of a homeless man. Reckless street racing, rear male nudity, some crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“The Wind Rises” (Touchstone) Master Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki takes to the skies in what has been announced as his final animated film, a fictionalized biography of the aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi (voice of Joseph GordonLevitt) set against the turbulent events of the years leading up to World War II. In his dreams, Horikoshi visits his hero, Italian airplane designer Giovanni Caproni (voice of Stanley Tucci), who becomes the inspiration for his life’s work.

He’s also influenced by his bond with chance acquaintance-turned-love-interest Nahoko (voice of Emily Blunt). Horikoshi isn’t torn between pacifism and militarism; he just wants to de-

sign the best and fastest aircraft in the world, which he does. The film’s attempt to put a human face on the rise of militarism in 1930s Japan may offend some viewers.

Miyazaki prefers to honor creativity and technological achievements such as Horikoshi’s “Zero” fighter airplane, rather than dwell on the consequences: hundreds of thousands of lives lost, including those of the victims at Pearl Harbor. Historical themes requiring mature interpretation, action sequences, a few disturbing images.

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

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, March 23, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Thomas C. Lopes, a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese, residing at Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River

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March 21, 2014

Atheist group says 9/11 museum shouldn’t display cross-shaped beams

NEW YORK (CNS) — February 7. As a historical principal institution “conA 17-foot-tall cross-shaped artifact, “the cross rightfully cerned with exploring the steel beam that was found in belongs in a historical mu- implications of the events of the wreckage two days after seum,” the organization said 9/11, documenting the impact 9/11 became an indelible im- in a statement. It added that of those events and explorage in the months following the American Atheists had no ing 9/11’s continuing significance.” the terrorist attacks on New right to sue in the first place.

Alice M. Greenwald, exYork in 2001.

“Taking personal offense That cross is to be displayed over the role that religion ac- ecutive vice president for as a historical artifact in a per- tually plays in American life programs and museum direcmanent exhibit in the Nation- is not grounds for bringing tor, said the facility “will be al September 11 Memorial & a lawsuit,” the Becket Fund about each of us, about what it means to be a human beMuseum, scheduled to open said. in May near the site of the “Separating church and ing, and what it means to live in a complex, global former World Trade community at the Center. s a historical artifact, “the cross start of the 21st cenBut a group called rightfully belongs in a historical tury.”

American Atheists In 2006, at a mehas sued in federal museum,” the organization said in a statecourt to have the cross ment. It added that the American Atheists morial service in New York to mark taken out of the exhad no right to sue in the first place. the fifth anniversary hibit and replaced of 9/11, a Catholic with a plaque that construction worker would say “atheists died here, too,” according to a state does not mean separat- in attendance from AllenReligion News Service story. ing religion from public life. town, Pa., told Catholic News American Atheists Inc. By removing the cross from Service that when he first saw first sued the museum and the the museum, the American the cross-shaped beam, his Port Authority of New York Atheists want to deny to fu- hair stood on end.

He said he thought to himand New Jersey in 2011, argu- ture generations what was ing that displaying the cross spiritually significant to many self, “God was here with those would offend them as citi- Americans during those ter- people.”

Across the country in zens and taxpayers and was a rible days,” the statement said. violation of the First Amend- “No matter how hard they try, Southern California, another ment’s Establishment Clause. they cannot write religion out atheist group, the American Humanist Association based A federal District Court of our nation’s history.” judge ruled in favor of the A decision in the case is in Washington, successfully fought against a cross that was cross, saying that “it helps not expected for months. tell the 9/11 story.” In August A news release from the put at the side of a highway 2013, the American Atheists museum said the cross will as a memorial to a 19-yearthen filed an appeal with the be part of an exhibit called old boy who was struck and U.S. Court of Appeals for the “Finding Meaning at Ground killed by a car as he was cross2nd Circuit.

Zero,” which will portray how ing a street near the highway Oral arguments were heard rescue workers at ground zero in 2012.

His family placed the cross in the case March 6. Arguing struggled to deal with their in his memory shortly affor the American Atheists, at- harrowing circumstances. torney Edwin Kagan said that “The museum honors the ter his death, but removed calling the crossed beams a re- nearly 3,000 victims of these it March 6 after the atheist ligious symbol only gives one attacks and all those who group, on behalf of a local story of the people who suffered risked their lives to save oth- resident, pressured the city of in the attacks and has no place ers,” says a mission statement Lake Elsinore, Calif., to take on government-owned land. on the museum’s website, it away.

News stories said after the The museum, a private www.911memorial.org/museum. foundation, is leasing land in “It further recognizes the dead teen’s family removed lower Manhattan owned by thousands who survived and the large white cross, smaller the Port Authority of New all who demonstrated extraor- crosses appeared in its place, York and New Jersey. dinary compassion in the af- left there by other residents who disagreed with the acThe Becket Fund for Reli- termath.” gious Liberty filed a friendMuseum officials said the tions of the American Huof-the-court brief in the case facility will be the nation’s manist Association.

A

A 17-foot-tall cross formed by steel beams was recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York. A group called American Atheists filed suit in federal court to have the cross removed from a permanent exhibit to be displayed in the soon-toopen National September 11 Memorial & Museum. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

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March 21, 2014

Mass. 40 Days prayer campaigns launch in six locales continued from page one

ducted in College Station, Texas in 2004.

Since then, 600,000 people have participated in 522 cities and 21 countries.

Records show 8,245 lives saved from abortion, 88 abortion workers quitting and 44 clinics closing. The spring campaign will be in 251 communities across North America.

Kiessling, a lawyer, also shared her personal story. She was adopted at birth and met her birth mother after she turned 18. Then, she learned that she was conceived during rape and that her birth mother considered abortion.

Her birth mother was abducted at knife point by a serial rapist. Two times she scheduled illegal abortions, but canceled both appointments because she feared for her own safety.

The birth mom told her that if abortion had been legal, Kiessling would be dead.

“I just barely made it,” she said, referring to the fact that Roe v. Wade legalized abortion not long after she was born. She described the knowledge that she had been targeted for an abortion as a “near-death experience.”

Kiessling said that she almost received the death sentence for her biological father’s crime. She is “100 percent ProLife; no exceptions; no compromise” and challenges everyone who is Pro-Life to

dren and neither should we, and I thank you so much for your willingness to be out there. You really are my heroes.” view all unborn life as worth saving.

Before Kiessling’s comments, Father During the last presidential cam- Michael McNamara celebrated Mass paign, Kiessling said she met Gov. Rick for the group. During his homily, he Perry of Texas, who was running for the spoke about the importance of starting Republican nomination. Perry was a of the 40 Days for Life campaign with rape-exception Pro-Life candidate. She prayer. He called on participants to be told him her story, adding that she views humble and examine their own sins so people who are 100 percent Pro-Life as that they can be close to God and carry her “heroes.”

His light to the abortion clinics.

“Would you be my hero?” she asked “If we’re not being Christ out there, him. The next day Perry signed a Pro- we may as well go home,” he said. “We Life pledge without a rape exception. are the ongoing incarnation.”

“He was the governor of Texas. He After the event, Rita Russo, Boston’s had heard all the arguments before,” campaign coordinator, told The Anchor, Kiessling told the 40 Days participants, “This is a spiritual battle, and we want to “Stories pierce the heart in a way argu- get off on the right foot. We want God’s ments cannot.”

Some people argue that in order to pass Pro-Life laws, exceptions must be made for the “hard cases” like chilhe last time I picked up a golf club dren who have fetal anomalies or were was May 10, 2013. That’s when conceived in rape or incest. They make the good Msgr. Tom Harrington took me up about one percent of abortions, and out a few days prior to my scheduled sursometimes people believe that saving gery to have a damaged disk in my neck the 99 is more important, she said. removed to be replaced with an artificial Kiessling said that such an argument one. always reminds her of Jesus’ parable of The surgery went like clockwork, and the lost sheep. In it, the shepherd leaves I immediately gained feeling in a finger I the 99 to save just one. She encouraged hadn’t felt in almost eight years! those who pray outside abortion clinics I followed my post-surgery instructions to do the same. to the tee. That had a double benefit — I “Jesus was all about saving the one,” healed as I should, and I milked it to the she said. “God doesn’t forget His chil- max, excusing myself from strenuous

T

blessing. We want to be fortified.”

She said that leadership from all six Massachusetts 40 Days met after the fall campaign in an effort to support each other.

“We hope to gather again because we need each other,” she said.

Ron Larose, a coordinator for the Attleboro campaign who also attended the Medway event, said that 40 Days will exist as long as there are clinics performing abortions.

“We’re faithful to the message, and we’re doing it campaign after campaign.

We’re here as long as it takes,” he said.

For more information on the six 40 Days sites in Massachusetts and upcoming events, visit http://40daysforlife.com/ location.

In need of a squirt of WD-40 (except for the ones I overused shoveling snow seemingly every other day this past winter).

It was time. It had been 308 days since I last teed up a golf ball and gave it whack.

I selected an orb from the bucket, put it on its throne and took a few practice swings.

I settled in, kept my head down and gave it a swipe. Had this been baseball it would have been a single up the middle.

It was a ground-ball that traveled about 100 yards. “But it was straight,” I said to myself.

I launched another dozen, all with pretty much the same result. I was now

chores and activities (doctor’s orders).

Last autumn, I was feeling pretty good and asked my surgeon when I could swing a club again. “In 2014,” was his stunning reply.

After what seemed an eternity, I was cleared to swing away, and it didn’t take long for me to head to the nearest driving range.

By Dave Jolivet The range opened for the season last Saturday and I was there shortly after it opened. I expected to see a a little thankful it wasn’t a packed house.

“OK, I’ve always had problems with the full house, but I was the only one there. I guess not everyone is coming off a surgery. driver, I’ll try the three wood,” I thought.

Ooooh! The ball actually went in the I had to drive through the parking lot air. That’s a good sign — except the trajeca couple of times to find any signs of life.

Aha! I saw a human. It was open. I was so tion was no longer straight. “Patience,” I pleaded with myself. “It’s been a while.” excited.

As time progressed and the bucket I parked the car and checked in on emptied, I hit some good shots and I hit Facebook to let everyone know what I was doing. I also took a photo of the driv- some clunkers.

I was back! ing range, texted it to Emilie saying, “I’m It felt good to get out there after so here!” I quickly got a text back: “Don’t hurt yourself!” Hmmmm. I headed to get long. The old expression says, “You don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone.” But that my large bucket of golf balls. wasn’t the case here. I knew what I was I was warmly greeted, paid my fee and missing and wanted it back. immediately proceeded back to my car ...

I was exhausted after the session, partly without the bucket. because of the long layoff, but mostly be“OK, I’m a little rusty here,” I thought cause of the remnants of a sinus infection. as I sheepishly went back to the cashier I felt no ill effects the next day. to pick up the bucket. I was re-greeted I told Msgr. Harrington I was ready for with “You’ll need these,” as I was handed action again, and he had that “Great, I’m the container. I smiled. “Great start,” I going to win an iced coffee” look in his thought, hoping I wouldn’t drop the darn eyes. All is right with the world. thing and have golf balls rolling all over Soon I’ll be playing for real, getting the parking lot.

I successfully made my way to my stall, frustrated, irritated and confounded. I can’t wait. It’s been a long time since I’ve carefully placed the bucket down, and had that kind of fun. pulled out my driver.

Dave Jolivet can be reached at I stretched all the muscles I figured davejolivet@anchornews.org.

I’d be using for the first time in ages

My View From the Stands

15

March 21, 2014

Students, faithful to gather for annual Pro-Life Mass continued from page one

a person who lives the ideals founded within the ‘Gospel of Life’ on a daily basis. We go through the nominations and look them over. Oftentimes it’s bittersweet, because there are others who might be equally deserving as well.”

This year’s adult recipient of the prestigious John Cardinal O’Connor Award is Donna Lapointe of St. Stanislaus Parish in Fall River.

The 2014 youth recipient of the honor is Benjamin Tyler of Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro.

The Cardinal O’Connor award was established by the Pro-Life Office in 2002 to acknowledge individuals who work tirelessly for the rights of the unborn and all life. The award memorializes Cardinal O’Connor of the Archdiocese of New York, who was a staunch defender of life. He died in 2000 at the age of 80.

The requirements for the award are based on Blessed Pope John Paul II’s ideals expressed in “The Gospel of Life” (“Evangelium Vitae”). In this encyclical, the former pontiff recounted a list of grave attacks on human dignity, but then raised his argument to a different level, calling on us all to focus “particular attention on another category of attacks affecting life in its earliest and in its final stages.”

When life is taken through abortion or euthanasia, much of our contemporary culture does not regard it as a crime. Instead, it is held up as a “right,” which Blessed Pope John Paul II termed as an “eclipse” of the value of life.

Previous adult recipients of the Cardinal O’Connor Award have included: Father Gerald T. Shovelton (2002), Catherine H. Poirier (2003), Madeline M. Lavoie (2004), James A. McNamee and Susan D. Negri (2006), James and Maureen Remillard (2007), Mary E. O’Dea (2008), Stephen J. Marcotte and Ronald Larose (2009), David Creamer (2010), Kathy Farrell-Packard (2011), Gregory Bettencourt (2012), and Amanda Tarantelli (2013).

While the adult Cardinal O’Connor Award is now celebrating its 12th anniversary, the youth award didn’t start until 2008, according to Jean Arsenault, associate director of the Pro-Life Apostolate.

“We had some outstanding young people helping us, and at that point we decided there should be a youth award to help encourage them,” Arsenault said.

“When people tell me the youth are the future of the Church, I laugh because I think they are the Church now,” Desrosiers added. “We’ve seen such a commitment from them and it’s helping to form what’s really already in the hearts of the young people as the Pro-Life generation. We

know studies have shown that they are more Pro-Life than their parents and grandparents. That momentum is starting to build.”

First presented in 2008 to Lauren S. Murphy and Jocelyn Trindade, other youth recipients of the Cardinal O’Connor Award have been Samantha Varnerin (2009), Cassandra Borges (2010), Courtney Gareau (2011), Neil Caswell (2012), and Andrew Hamel (2013).

“A lot of our messaging is going out to the youth, because they seem to be able to readily understand the whole fact that we are a Pro-Life people and everything we do throughout the day sends a message about the dignity of the human person,” Desrosiers said.

“The youth seem to embrace that very rapidly, and they have the ability to be able to articulate it. We’ve found that there is tremendous power when the youth speak — adults listen.”

Winners of the annual diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate’s Essay Contest will also be announced at the Pro-Life Mass. First- and second-place winners at the high school level will read their winning essays, as will first- and second-place winners of the junior division, which encompasses grades six, seven and eight.

Desrosiers said the theme for this year’s essay was “Open Your Hearts to Life” and that a call for entries was put out to all the schools and Faith Formation programs prior to Christmas.

“I think it gets sent out in late November,” Desrosiers said. “We like to give everyone time to prepare to get the essays rolling. We’re careful not to send it at the last minute.”

In the early days of the essay contest, Desrosiers said they would sift through and read each and every one of the submitted entries to determine the winners, but that soon proved to be “extremely time-consuming” for her office.

“Now we have each school and parish send only the top three in each category and we pick from them,” she said.

In the junior high school division, the winning essay this year was composed by Benjamin Resende, a seventh-grader at Holy Name School in Fall River.

Angela Brillantes, an eighth-grade student at Holy Name School, wrote the second-place winning essay in the junior high school category.

At the high school level, the firstplace winning essay was submitted by Christina Strachoff, a senior at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton.

Second-place honors in the category go to Theresa Gallagher, a junior at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth.

“I like to hear what the kids are

thinking in their writing,” Arsenault said. “We’ve had some really good (essays) to choose from this year.”

Desrosiers expects this year’s ProLife Mass to be somewhat bittersweet with the recent announcement that Bishop Coleman had submitted his intent to retire to the Vatican, meaning this could likely be the last time he celebrates the annual Liturgy.

“Bishop Coleman has been an incredibly strong supporter of the ProLife message and movement within the diocese,” Desrosiers said. “For me, he’s a man of strong conviction and strong faith. He’s very concerned with the educational elements of the Pro-Life (office) to help others to understand.”

In fact, it was Bishop Coleman who first encouraged Desrosiers to get involved with the Pro-Life effort.

“Back when he was a pastor, he asked my husband and I to come on board and establish the first parish Pro-Life committee at Corpus Christi Parish when we were there,” she said.

“And then he asked me, with great wisdom, to go and train with Birth Right and that’s where I was exposed to a very balanced understanding of all sides of the issue. His guidance, so to speak, led me to working in different areas of Pro-Life. Needless to say, he’ll be sorely missed.”

“Bishop Coleman has really been a

great source of comfort for us — he’s so steady,” Arsenault agreed. “I just think he’s been a wonderful shepherd and father to everyone in the diocese.”

Several diocesan schools are expected to attend the Mass, including students and staff from Holy FamilyHoly Name, St. James-St. John’s, St. Joseph-St. Theresa’s, and All Saints Catholic schools in New Bedford; Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth; Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro; Taunton Catholic Middle School; and St. Joseph’s School in Fairhaven.

“We always have a nice turnout of students and we have other friends and supporters who turn out,” Desrosiers said. “Seeing everyone is an inspiration in a diocesan setting.”

For Desrosiers, the annual ProLife Mass is a welcomed validation of the work her office does year-round.

“The annual Pro-Life Mass is the place where we find the inspiration, the graces and the courage to do this work throughout the year,” she said.

“We absolutely love the ministry, but it can be draining. Hearing the young people read (their essays) and realizing the message is getting out there is very encouraging.”

The annual Pro-Life Mass for the Fall River Diocese will be held at St. Julie Billiart Church on March 26 at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend.

16

Youth Pages

Students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford celebrated Mardi Gras in grand style. Pictured with Dr. Michael Griffin, diocesan superintendent of schools, and Dr. Donna Boyle, diocesan assistant superintendent for curriculum, is Queen Abigail and King William, who officially opened the Mardi Gras event. Following the celebration the alleluia’s from each classroom were buried, ushering in the holy season of Lent.

Students and faculty at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently had a visit from Ray Ward from Bwana Iguana Reptile Adventures. The entertaining reptile show featured snakes, turtles, lizards and even a baby alligator. Shown here are students helping hold an eight-foot yellow python.

First- and second-graders recently filled bags for St. Michael parishioners as part of a service project.

March 21, 2014

Fifth-grade students and their parents from Holy Name School in Fall River recently enjoyed a Countries Celebration. The students worked in groups to research and make posters showing important facts about their country. The best part was eating the delicious foods!

Students at St. Joseph School in Fairhaven proudly marched in a Mardi Gras celebration where they showcased their handmade floats and decorations. Selected kings and queens voted on their favorite floats and the ceremony ended in prayer and reflection on the preparations that will take place during the Lenten season.

Artist Vania Noverca recently showed parishioners how to paint step-by-step at a “Paint & Pray” fund-raiser event coordinated by Maureen Lizak and Verna Castro.

It was a fun night for all. Proceeds benefited St. Joseph Parish in Fall River.

March 21, 2014

Youth Pages Accepting the hardships

this past week offered us some “Bear your share of hardship valuable advice in reminding for the Gospel.” us that we cannot live in love suspect if we were to with God without God. meet with a marketing “He saved us and called us consultant about building up to a holy life, not according to our Church, they would not use these words from St. Paul as a recommended tag line for any advertising we did. It wouldn’t really appeal to many, in fact the argument could be

By Father made that it would acDavid C. Frederici tually have the reverse effect of what we were seeking: people would our works but according to His be discouraged from being Own design.” a part of the Church. Who In our struggles, when we would want to willingly take are most human we need to on any hardship? open our minds and hearts to Perhaps it helps if we inGod, to accept His graces. This clude the second part of that happens through our prayer, sentence: “with the strength that comes from God.” That’s a participation in the Sacramendifferent message than we first tal life, our study of His ways and the support and love of our thought isn’t it? brothers and sisters in the Lord.

We seek to live the Gospel in our lives because it draws us The Lord always deals with us as a people because sometimes closer to Jesus Christ and in we need others to help us see doing so we are more loving where He is present. and live life with joy. The realThe struggles are also a ity is that to live the Gospel sign to us of our growth in the means we have to change asLord. The great spiritual writpects of our lives and that isn’t always easy. Also, in trying to make those changes we sometimes are criticized by others and that too is sometimes difficult to deal with.

WASHINGTON (CNS) The spiritual life is one — It’s Thursday evening, and of seeking to grow in love.

Georgetown University’s small This puts our focus outside Copley Crypt Chapel is filling of ourselves to others and up with students from every ultimately to God. We can corner of campus. Most wear quickly become distracted and jeans and boots or Converse in turn that gaze inward. We’ve experienced an injustice, or we contrast to the chapel’s medieval solemnity. Yet if you asked are struggling with stresses at work, at school, in friendships. them, they would say they feel right at home.

Perhaps we are dealing with The students have gathered serious illness (our own or a for a session of the Rite of loved one’s). It could be struggles with self-discipline around Christian Initiation of Adults program, which prepares peofood, drink or any of our pasple to join the Catholic Church. sions. We may be frustrated Their presence speaks volumes, that we seem to be stuck with as the Mason Inn down the the same sin, never outgrowstreet has just opened for Mug ing it or moving on. It may be easier to find a reason to justify Night (bottomless mugs of Bud the sin, our self-pity or sorrow. Light sell for only $2.50). In the college world of mug nights, It may even be easier to claim that the Church’s teachings are iPads and instant gratification, what draws young people to “archaic” or not realistic.

In these situations we have simply replaced God’s truth with our own thinking. Didn’t Jesus tell us that with God all things are possible?

These hardships are very real and can be very painful. In fact the more we seek to grow closer with God, the more painful these struggles seem to be. St. Paul in our second reading

I

Be Not Afraid

Recently, the Tri-school Group, “Together for a Better Community,” hosted the first-ever Tri-school talent and art show within the city.

TBC is made up of students from Taunton, Bristol-Plymouth, and Coyle and Cassidy high schools. Working together, the students promote a common goal of raising money to send children within the city of Taunton to the Boys and Girls Club summer camp by providing them scholarships. Throughout the school year, TBC members put on dodgeball tournaments, coin wars within their respective schools, and restaurant fund-raisers, as well as collecting donations at the Thanksgiving Day football games.

17

ers of our tradition note that when spiritual growth occurs, it can result in spiritual struggle. The “Dark Night,” “Dryness,” “Desert Experience,” “Weeds Among the Wheat,” etc. Think about it, the teen years are a time period of struggle, not only in the lives of teens, but for their families.

It is a time of great growth, physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. The turmoil is the result of self-discovery and the challenge to grow versus staying where we are, in our “comfort zone.”

Let us not be afraid of the challenge of growing in love of God. Let us accept the hardships, knowing that with God’s help and graces we will persevere and not only be stronger, but find the joy we seek.

Anchor columnist Father Frederici is pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset and diocesan director of Campus Ministry and Chaplain at UMass Dartmouth and Cape Cod Community College.

College students take journey to Catholic Church through RCIA on campus

Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth announced junior Michael Santos was presented with the St. Timothy Award at the Catholic Youth Ministry and Scouts Awards Celebration. The celebration was held at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence, R.I. The St. Timothy Award is from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, and is the highest national youth ministry award a Catholic youth can receive for integrity, leadership and service. The St. Timothy Award is a national award given annually in the Diocese of Providence to outstanding juniors and seniors in high school and early college who: live as disciples of Christ, setting a positive example for others; witness to their faith by exhibiting Catholic morals and integrity; demonstrate Gospel values through service to others and; exhibit Christian leadership in parish, school and/or community settings. Here is Santos and his parents and grandmother, who is also his Confirmation sponsor.

embrace Catholicism?

“The Catholic Church offers people of my generation the hope of something larger than ourselves,” said Mariana Hernandez, an economics major and senior at Georgetown in Washington. This hope guides dozens of students a year to participate in Georgetown’s RCIA program. Between 15 and 22 students have been attending the university’s weekly sessions.

Addie Fleron is a sophomore and medieval studies major who will be fully initiated into the Church at Easter.

Born into an agnostic household, “I always sort of wished I had been raised religiously,” she said. Fleron had read about religion, but noted that choosing Catholicism was almost “an accident.”

Send school and Religious Education news to: schools@anchornews.org

18 himself as a “weekend warrior,” drinking every weekend while in high school. He came from a loving family, had everything he needed, even graduating high school with honors, scoring well on the SATs and earning a full ride to a four-year university. It was when he went away to college that his “alcoholism kicked in” and within a few years he was running the streets of Boston, robbing banks to feed his addition to heroin and cocaine, finally getting caught and serving serious time in prison.

“Addiction is a horrible thing,” said Jack. “I wasted my 20s and 30s.”

When he lost his license for non-payment of child support, Jack was fired from his job as a taxi driver. With no In its ninth year, the Cardboard Tent City at Bishop Stang High School helps raise money and awareness income, Jack found himself for the plight of the homeless. More than 160 students took part in the annual event that finds students, quickly on the street; “I had regardless of the weather, hunkering down for the night in cardboard boxes after eating a small meal no hope, no money and two for dinner. Pictured are students setting up a cardboard box and tarp that served as a “home” for the green trash bags with all my night. (Photo by Becky Aubut) belongings. It was the first time in my life I had nowhere to go,” said Jack.

Speakers highlight homelessness at Stang’s ‘Cardboard City’ “Homelessness is tough,” continued from page one Jack continued. “Once you get dry homeless shelter for men They feel they can’t get their Karen brought 19-year-old stuck in that position, on the in New Bedford; a job that life together and that’s so not “Josh” as a speaker. Josh “had street, cold, hungry and your gave her direction, and soon true. All they need is guidance a great life” until he began family doesn’t want you anysaw her working her way up to and put in the right direc- to smoke and sell marijuana more — it’s the worst feeling. and then his life became all You don’t even know where become the shelter’s program tion,” said Karen.

A good support system is about “wrong decisions,” he you’re going to go to the bathmanager.

“I had nothing except fear and key so that “their journey can said. After being given many room.”

Karen, Josh and Jack had chances by his family, Josh a police record,” said Karen. “To- begin,” said Karen. arrived early at Bishop Stang Lately what concerns Kar- was ultimately kicked out of day I’m grateful for Catholic SoHigh School to see the stucial Services and places like that; en is the uptick in “unaccom- his home; “I had to go,” he panied youths,” the homeless explained. “I was given chance dents setting up the cardboard it changed my life.” boxes, and Jack mentioned Karen places no judgments demographic focused on ages after chance, and I blew it.”

Josh’s addiction became how he saw students playing on those entering Sister 18-24. Last year she had one Rose’s House looking for help, at Sister Rose’s House, but as more than he could handle on the field, kicking balls, tosscrediting her background for of this past weekend she had when he began taking pills. ing Frisbees and having fun. making her truly understand six; “The numbers are going He went to rehab and was Jack pointed out “that’s great,” where individuals are com- up and we need to look at the five months sober and living saying he knows this is an ing from; “I understand when best way we can service them,” with an aunt when he lost his event, “but homelessness is not job. “Things got rough from that fun,” a remark that elicited people come and they feel she said.

That’s one of the reasons there,” said Josh, who fell back giggles from the students. helpless, hopeless and broken.

Jack then added, “I heard into drug use. you had a meager dinner,” the Four weeks ago, Josh was students’ evening meal that arrested for disturbing the consisted of a small sandwich, peace, found himself with no apple and a bottle of water. place to go, and came to the He then drove the plight of Sister Rose’s House for help.

Being one of the youngest at the homeless home with the the shelter isn’t easy, he said, statement: “I went six days adding he tries to keep himself without eating before I came busy during the day. Josh said to the Sister Rose’s House. I he remembers sitting through lost 30 pounds.”

Now seven months soschool assemblies, listening to ber, Jack said he’s reconnectspeakers talk about the negaing with his seven-year-old tive impact drugs can have on daughter.

He encouraged the one’s life, and he said he never realized he’d be the one warn- students to help those they ing others only a couple of see on the streets, that even though some homeless do years later.

“Life isn’t easy,” said Josh, suffer from mental illness, “addiction and homelessness “but I’m dealing with it.”

Forty-six-year-old “Jack” go hand-in-hand,” said Jack. said he’s homeless for the first “Don’t look down on us; you time in his life. He picked up don’t know why we’re homeKaren’s narrative, describing less. Helping other people

March 21, 2014 will make you feel good about yourself.”

Fund-raisers like the Cardboard City at Bishop Stang help raise monies that are much needed, said Karen. As of Saturday night, $7,500 had been raised with more coming in, and Karen, Josh and Jack each stated they appreciated the efforts the students put in towards raising the amount.

Karen hoped that by hearing Josh’s, Jack’s and her stories, the students would understand the difference they are making in somebody’s life; “You don’t know where the line is,” she said of addiction, adding she hopes that hearing her story will deter others from following in her footsteps. “Everybody can have a bright future.”

“I am humbled by the speakers who openly share their journey with our students on the struggles that are happening right in our own backyard,” said Jackie McCarthy, department chairman for World Languages and co-chairman of Cardboard Tent City. “This is another example of how students at Bishop Stang truly fulfill this year’s theme: ‘Be Humble, Be Exalted.’ I’m proud that each year the event continues to grow as it allows us to share the collective experience as a community as well as increase the money we can give back to those in the most need.”

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks March 23 Rev. James F. Kelley, USN Ret. Archdiocese of Anchorage, Former Assistant, St. Mary’s Mansfield, 2002 March 24 Rev. John J. Murphy, C.S.C., 2004 March 25 Rev. John J. Brennan, SS.CC. Retired Founder Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 1991 March 27 Rev. James W. Conlin, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1918 Rev. Antonio P. Vieira, Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford, 1964 Rev. Richard W. Beaulieu, Former Diocesan Director of Education, Former Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 2007 March 28 Rev. Alfred J. Levesque, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1960 Rev. Bernard A. Lavoie, Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, 1972 Rev. Dieudonne Masse, OFM, Retired, Montreal, Canada, 1983 Rev. Howard A. Waldron, Retired Pastor, St. Thomas More, Somerset, 1985

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March 21, 2014

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

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

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m.

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

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

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

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

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

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel every Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

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

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

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

SOUTH YARMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Pius X Parish, 5 Barbara Street, on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., from March 13 to April 10. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be offered at this time.

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

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church begins each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and ends on Friday night at midnight. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.

We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All from other parishes are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Up to five million may go to Rome for papal canonizations

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — As many as five million people could travel to Rome for the April 27 canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II, and are expected to arrive beginning on Good Friday, April 18.

Rome will be a hot spot for tourism also because on April 25 Italy celebrates its liberation from fascism, and is national holiday. Many Italians will take advantage of the day off to spend the weekend in Rome, so pilgrims and tourists will be mixing during these days.

According to a source in the Vatican-affiliated pilgrim office Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi who spoke with CNA recently, “the number of pilgrims may be overestimated,” with it “more likely that the pilgrims for the canonizations will be around 1.5 million persons.”

Rome is anyway considering how to avoid overcrowding, and access to St. Peter’s Square.

Maurizio Pucci, an official of the city, said there will be just 10,000 reserved seats for guests and dignitaries in the square, while there will be “free access, with no ticket needed, to the whole area which comprises St. Peter’s Square, Piazza Pio XII, and Via della Conciliazione,” the road which runs from Castel Sant’Angelo into St. Peter’s.

The area from Via della Conciliazione to St. Peter’s Square can contain from 150-200,000, so “jumbotrons will be installed in the big squares of Rome’s downtown so that people can gather there and watch the celebration live,” he added.

Polish pilgrims are expected to number some 300,000, and five busloads will arrive from Sotto il Monte, the town in Lombardy where Blessed John XXIII was born and raised.

The evening prior to the canonizations will be a night of prayer, with many parishes in Rome’s center open from nine to midnight so that pilgrims will be able to keep vigil.

At the moment, it is estimated that 85 percent of Rome’s hotels are booked for the canonization period. Pilgrims will be also accommodated in the nearby towns of Fiumicino and Civitavecchia, where ships of pilgrims arriving from Spain will be docked.

It is rumored that Vatican Television has signed an agreement with Sony for a live, 3-D broadcast of the ceremony.

Msgr. Dario Vigano, director of Vatican Television, told

CNA, “we are studying how to involve new technologies” for the canonizations.

Marta Leonori, assessor of the Rome Town Hall for Tourism, has announced there will be a

“Roma Pass” for the weekend — a special card, the fee for which includes three days of public transport, free entrance in two museums, and price reductions for the other museums in Rome.

Around the Diocese St. John the Evangelist Parish, 133 North Main Street in Attleboro, will host a musical presentation of the Way of the Cross on March 28 at 7 p.m. The music, lyrics and orchestra arrangements are all by Denise Morency-Gannon, a wellknown teacher, author, composer and recording artist.

Admission is free and all are welcome. A freewill donation will be accepted.

St. Anne’s Parish in Fall River will host a Lenten Day of Recollection with Father Peter Stravinskas (author, educator, and editor of The Catholic Response magazine) on Laetare Sunday, March 30. The first presentation on the Sacrament of Reconciliation begins at 3 p.m.; the second, a meditative guide to St. John’s Passion narrative, begins at 4:30 p.m., with a break between the two talks. Solemn vespers and Benediction will be at 5:45 p.m. followed by sung Mass (Ordinary Form) at 6:30 p.m. For directions or more information, visit www.StAnneShrine.com or call 508-674-5651.

A Day with Mary will be held April 5 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church, 233 County Street in New Bedford from 7:50 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will include a video presentation, procession and crowning of the Blessed Mother with Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There will be an opportunity for Reconciliation and bookstore will be available.

Please bring a bag lunch. For more information call 508-996-8274.

The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s annual Day of Recollection will be held on April 5 at St. Anthony’s Parish Center, 126 School Street in Taunton. The speaker will be Sister Cynthia Bauer, OP, who will discuss “Pope Francis and the Role of Women.” Sister is currently the chaplain at Morton Hospital in Taunton and is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Hope. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m., followed by Sister’s talk and the Rosary, to be followed by lunch. If you plan to attend, RSVP by calling 508-823-7623.

Holy Cross Family Ministries will sponsor a retreat afternoon on April 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Bishop Stang High School, 500 Slocum Road in North Dartmouth. The keynote speaker will be Alejandro Aguilera-Titus of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. There will be a break-out session led by Jim and Terry Orcutt, founders of My Brother’s Keeper, a ministry based in Easton which serves people in need. The program will also include Benediction, Rosary, praise and worship music and a snack break. The event is free. A bus will be going to the retreat, leaving from St. Vincent de Paul Parish (71 Linden Street in Attleboro) at 1 p.m. and returning after the event. A freewill donation to help pay for the bus would be appreciated, but is not required.

The Stations of the Cross will be celebrated each Friday in Lent at 6 p.m. at St. Bernadette Parish (529 Eastern Avenue) in Fall River. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s eloquent Way of the Cross meditations are used. Before and after the Stations of the Cross, the Msgr. Prevost Council of the Knights of Columbus are offering clam cakes and chowder in the parish hall to assist people in living their Lenten abstinence. All are welcome.

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March 21, 2014

Pope says it’s important to keep hope alive, have a sense of humor

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — At the end of his Lenten retreat, Pope Francis said he and his closest collaborators at the Vatican “want to follow Jesus more closely, without losing hope in His promises and without losing a sense of humor.”

The pope and 82 members of the Roman Curia, who left the Vatican by bus March 9 to travel the 20 miles to the Pauline Fathers’ retreat and conference center in Ariccia,

returned to the Vatican by bus March 14. Before they left the retreat house, Pope Francis thanked Msgr. Angelo De Donatis, the pastor of St. Mark’s Parish in the center of Rome, whom he had chosen to guide the Lenten retreat.

“We are returning home with a good seed — the seed of the Word of God,” the pope told him. “The Lord will send the rain and that seed will grow. It will grow

and bear fruit. We thank the Lord for the seed and for the rain He will send, but we also want to thank the sower.”

Pope Francis said Msgr. De Donatis really knew what he was doing. “He threw some seed here and he threw some there without knowing it — or pretending not to know — but he hit the mark.” The 10 meditations offered by the monsignor focused on “the purification of the heart.”

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