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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, March 24, 2017

ValLimar Jansen, Christian singer, composer and recording artist, was one of several speakers at the recent Women & Men’s Conference held at Stonehill College. More than 800 men and women from across the Diocese of Fall River attended the firstever event. (Photo by Deacon Alan Thadeu) The Anchor - March 24, 2017

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Annual diocesan youth convention and rallies remain vibrant

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River’s Faith Formation Office is holding its annual Diocesan High School Youth Convention on March 26 at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, and the Middle School Rallies on March 27 at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, March 28 at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth and March 29 at Holy Cross Parish Center in Easton.

“The diocese has held a youth convention for many years as a way to evangelize the youth and energize their faith,” explained Claire McManus, director of the Faith Formation Office. “It gives the high

school youth a chance to share Eucharist with their bishop, and to hear talks from people who serve the youth in various ministries.”

With the theme “He Lives in You,” and beginning with registration at 9:45 a.m., the high school convention schedule will be filled with general sessions, workshops and a lunch/ reflection time with this year’s featured key presenter, Cooper Ray. “Most of our youth are reached through parish Religious Education programs, although some of our parishes engage older youth in their parish ministries,” said McManus.

“The catechetical programs are well established, but this is only one part of how we can engage with youth.

Youth ministry tries to

connect with youth through various access points, i.e. sports, drama, Religious Education. By offering the high school convention, we serve more than one purpose. We offer a fun experience with a nationally-known entertainer who evangelizes the youth through his or her talent and life story. We also utilize the gifts and talents of our high school youth who attended CLI last summer.

The high school convention is planned and organized by these 30 youth and the team from CLI.” According to the biography posted on his website (www.CooperRay.com), Cooper is quickly becoming one of today’s more popular and sought after speakers, worship leaders and retreat facilitators. He

is a dynamic, light-hearted speaker and musician who shares his faith with honesty and passion. Through music, story, humor, and audience participation, Cooper leads groups of all ages to a greater awareness of who they are as Catholic Christians and how to recognize God’s presence in their lives.

Over the past 20 years, Cooper has motivated and inspired youth and adults at countless diocesan, parish, and school events across the country and has spoken and led worship at the National Catholic Youth Conference, the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, Catholic Heart Work Camp and Steubenville Youth Conferences, to name a few.

Cooper received his call to ministry while serving

as a camp counselor at a Catholic summer camp during his college years. It was at camp where God ignited his love for music and knowledge of ministry, and started Cooper on a journey of drawing youth and adults to know and live the Gospel. After six summers, he transitioned into diocesan ministry in Baton Rouge, La., where he spent 10 years, seven as the director of Youth Ministry. After 16 years in formal ministry, he started the next phase in his journey answering the call to go “on the road” full-time where he has been ever since.

Along with listening to Ray’s presentation, the high school convention will engage its attendees with a number of workshops deTurn to page 20

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The Anchor - March 24, 2017

Parish Vocation Committee members invited to orientation session April 6

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

NORTH DARTMOUTH — In an Anchor story in February, Father Christopher M. Peschel, associate director of the diocesan Vocations Office, said he has seen a very encouraging increase in vocation awareness and activity over the last few years in the Fall River Diocese. “Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.’s focus since he arrived in the diocese has been on fostering vocations,” he told The Anchor. “His great support and establishing a Diocesan Vocations Board has been a tremendous encouragement to us.”

Maintaining its effort to be a presence to folks around the diocese, the Vocations Office is offering a Parish Vocation Ministry Orientation and Reflection Prayer Day on April 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth.

According to Dominican Sister Paulina Hurtado, associate director of the Vocations Office, “This meeting will gather members, or those invited by the pastor to become members of parish teams for the ministry of vocations, for an orientation on how to organize the parish team, on the goals, responsibilities and suggestions for raising vocations awareness in parishes.”

Sister Hurtado told The Anchor that beginning in the summer of 2015 a good number of parishes, with the support and guidance of their parish priests, had

attended orientation sessions offered to their Vocations Committee members. She said that members are requested to complete two such sessions, after which they are commissioned by Bishop da Cunha for the ministry of vocations.

“The objective of these committees is to maintain a concerted awareness in the parish on the importance of God’s given vocation to each person; of His ongoing call for each to receive such call as gift; to live it out and in mindfulness; to continue discovering God’s new initiatives in the unfolding of one’s life.

“As Rhonda Gruenewald puts it in her book, ‘Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry’ (www.vianneyvocations.com), ‘The overall mission of any Catholic parish is to help its members fulfill their primary vocation: to grow in holiness. Within this broad context, a Vocation Ministry has a narrower task: to help parishioners (especially youth) discern God’s will for their specific vocations.’”

To date, 33 parishes across the Fall River Diocese have participated in the orientation sessions.

“These sessions treat the value of the Parish Committee, of how to organize them, and they offer an introduction on the vision of the Church and its approach to vocations, the various studies on the subject of vocations and on the actuality and need for prayer and further involvement of the family in passing on the faith to the next gen-

erations,” Sister Hurtado added. “Time is given to practical elements to be included in the running and working of the committee.”

In addition to the two yearly orientation sessions, the diocesan Vocations Office also offers those who feel a calling to help foster vocations in their parishes two yearly gatherings for reflection and prayer.

The first of these days is World Day of Prayer for Vocations, this year falling on May 7. All parish vocation committee members are invited to St. Mary’s Cathedral from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The day will focus on the topic of New Evangelization and Vocations in light of Pope Francis, “The Joy of the Gospel.”

The day ends with a Holy Hour for Vocations, after which Bishop da Cunha will commission new members who have completed the two orientation sessions.

Turn to page 20

The Anchor - March 24, 2017

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Hundreds attend first-ever diocesan Women

the most appropriate time to consider our important role in evangelization, Cardinal O’Malley made EASTON — More reference to the theme than 800 pre-registered of this year’s conference participants and dozens — “Thirsting for Hope: more last-minute walkCan You Drink the Cup I ins filed into the Ames Drink?”

Sports Complex at Stone“It’s a time for new hill College in Easton on beginnings and a time to March 11 for the firstrenew our faith and our ever Women and Men’s hope that will allow us Conference sponsored by to drink from the cup, to the Fall River Diocese. embrace the cross and to Well-timed to coincide follow Jesus in disciplewith the beginning of ship,” the cardinal said. the Lenten season, the “My hope is that this conference was a singular wonderful Lenten conferopportunity for attendees ence, which takes place to reexamine and renew during the 40 days of our their faith while seeking baptismal retreat, will out better ways to evangehelp all of us to deepen lize and pass on the Good our faith in God and News of the Gospel.

His Church, as well as to Convened at the behest make us more aware of of Bishop Edgar M. da our own personal calling Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop in life.” of Fall River, the conferStressing that the Gosence included keynote pel message is “an urgent speeches from former Fall one” and as Lent proRiver bishop Cardinal gresses the “clock is tickSéan P. O’Malley, OFM, ing,” Cardinal O’Malley Cap., and Dominican Sister Terry Rickard, along More than 800 faithful attended the first-ever diocesan-sponsored Women and Men’s implored attendees to with a breakout session Conference at Stonehill College in Easton on March 11. Response was so positive that take action: “Christ is for women with ValLiBishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has decided to make the conference an annual dioc- calling you right now,” he said. mar Jansen and another esan event. (Photo by Deacon Alan J. Thadeu) “The irony is so many for men with Michael people think of us as the Cumbie. around the sports com“His words of chal“Our task is to turn Church of ‘no’ — don’t Bishop da Cunha was plex, I could hear people lenge to all of us present consumers into disciples do this, don’t do that not only pleased with the — to rebuild the diocese and disciple-makers,” he — but in reality we are promising turnout for this sharing how happy they were to attend, just how with faith and hope — said. “We need to prepare the Church of ‘yes.’ Yes introductory conference, much they were enjoying touched me deeply as men and women who to God, yes to faith, yes but also with the overwe begin this tradition witness to the faith and to the cross, yes to life, whelming response of the the day and how grateful they were that the dio- of gathering the faithful not send people into the yes to service,” Cardinal attendees. cese offered this event,” to be enriched by God’s witness protection proO’Malley said.

“They enjoyed the Mahoney said. “Personal- grace at the first-ever gram. Every Catholic can During her afternoon talks, prayers and fraly, I was thrilled to see the Women and Men’s Conbe a minister of welcome, keynote address, Dominiternal atmosphere,” the ference,” she said. reconciliation and uncan Sister Terry Rickard, bishop told The Anchor. “I hard work of the planOne of the conference derstanding to those who president of RENEW sensed the joy, enthusiasm ning committee become a have stopped practicing International, likewise and hope in all the partic- reality, as you could sense highlights for many was a keynote address from the faith. In this new mil- called upon conference ipants. In their words and the joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere in the Cardinal O’Malley, who lennium, business as usual attendees to become “witactions they expressed building. My heart was previously served as the is not enough. We must nesses to hope.” a sense of hope for the full of joy to think, what sixth Bishop Fall River be a team of missionaries, “We can’t speak of Church and for our dioa wonderful way to befrom 1992 to 2002 — a moving from maintenance hope without speaking cese. My hope is that they gin our Lenten journey, job that he joked “may be to missionary mode.” of faith,” Sister Rickard left from there renewed the most important thing Noting that Lent was in faith and committed to then to gather to pray, Continued on page five

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

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go back to their parishes ready to become missionaries of the New Evangelization.”

Beth Mahoney, who served as chairman of the planning committee for the conference, echoed the bishop’s sentiments about this inaugural event.

“As I was walking

The Anchor - March 24, 2017

receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to hear from our keynote speakers and to celebrate Mass with Bishop da Cunha.”

As shepherd of the diocese, Mahoney said it was encouraging to see Bishop da Cunha take the lead in convening this conference and setting the example for all to follow.

I’ve ever done.”

Considering Cardinal O’Malley’s own impressive list of achievements and various posts within the Church, he suggested that we are all called “to find new ways of bringing the Gospel to our contemporary world — of proclaiming Christ anew and passing on the faith.”

and Men’s conference at Stonehill College Continued from page four

said. “As I look out at this gathering, you are ordinary people, like me; but you are also extraordinary because of your faith in God and your desire to be all that God has called you to be. Each one of us has a story — I call them God moments, or moments of grace. These are the moments we need to share with others in very simple and ordinary ways.”

“As witnesses to hope, we’re called to share these moments, these stories of grace, one-on-one or through social media,” she added. “We have these everyday, ordinary moments when we are called to be missionary disciples, right where God has planted us. Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others. And this can happen unexpectedly, in any place — on the street, during work, or on a journey.”

Cautioning that sometimes people will discourage you by saying, “Don’t get your hopes up,” so that you won’t be disappointed, Sister Rickard argued that it’s all right to be disappointed sometimes.

“We need to say: ‘Get your hopes up. Take a risk. Use the gifts God gives you,’” she said.

“And if that doesn’t work, something else will happen.”

Attendees were noticeably impressed with this first-time diocesan convocation.

“I’m getting a lot out of it and I think it’s very important to bring all the churches in the area and the parishes together to celebrate,” said

Deb Gildea, a member of St. Mark’s Parish in Attleboro Falls. “I think they’ve done an amazing job in putting the speakers together and it’s been very inspiring. I think it’s a great event for Lent, because you’re always looking for something more to celebrate the holiness of the season.”

Having never been to a conference before, Gildea was thankful she first learned about the event in the diocesan newspaper.

“Actually, if I hadn’t read about it in The Anchor, I wouldn’t have known about it, so I’m thankful that you advertised it,” she said.

Brian Brown of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton was thrilled to learn it will now be an annual event and he said he “can’t wait to get back here again next year.”

“It’s just terrific to see, especially during Lent, and it’s a great environment to be in: right here on the campus of Stonehill College,” Brown said.

“I haven’t been to anything like this before.”

For Maggie McGee, a parishioner at St. Rose of Lima in Rochester who also frequents St. Francis Xavier Church in Acushnet, the highlights of the day included Cardinal O’Malley’s keynote address and ValLimar Jansen’s uplifting and exuberant breakout presentation.

“I was very impressed with her — she was wonderful and I truly enjoyed seeing her,” McGee said.

“And I think second was Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s (talk). I think just having him back here and hearing his voice and the

message that he gave was inspiring.”

Although he’s been to similar conferences sponsored by the Providence, R.I., and Worcester dioceses, Bill Kearney, a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk, said this is one of the best he’s attended.

“It’s been a wonderful conference with wonderful speakers,” Kearney said. “I think it’s great that the Fall River Diocese is getting together as a group during the Lenten season. It’s a great time to deepen our faith and become closer to Jesus and I think it’s a wonderful way to do it.”

“I think it’s a great idea to have something like this in the Fall River Diocese,” agreed Manuel Avila, a parishioner at St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.

“I think it’s good to get people in the Spirit and to understand that your faith is important and you should be able to share it with your friends and neighbors as well.”

Due to the overwhelming success of this year’s diocesan Women and Men’s Conference, Bishop da Cunha announced it will become an annual event.

“We have already started to plan for next year (and) are excited to be able to offer this event again,” Mahoney said. “It was hard work, yet the team work was outstanding, and you know that we were guided by God every step of the way when people leave with smiles on their faces, hearing words of gratitude and asking when the next event will

take place.”

If there’s one important takeaway from this inaugural conference, it might best be summed up in the words of Bishop da Cunha’s homily during the closing Liturgy celebration. The bishop urged all present to not “settle for the minimum.”

“Don’t allow yourselves or any of us here to say: ‘That’s enough. We’ve done enough. We’ve stayed with the status quo, in maintenance mode, we’ve survived so far and we’ll be OK,’” Bishop da

Cunha preached. “That’s not what God wants from us. God would say: ‘You’re better than that. You can do better than that.’ Do not settle for the minimum. We are all called to greater things.”

More conference photos can be found on page 13.

The Anchor - March 24, 2017

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Anchor Editorial

Seek the max, not the minimum

“Don’t settle for the minimum” was Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.’s message to the folks who attended the recent Women and Men’s Conference at Stonehill College (please see the coverage beginning on page four). “We are called to greater things,” he preached.

“We are called to transformation of ourselves, of our parishes, of our diocese, of our world. If you don’t believe that, why are you here?”

Paraphrasing Jesus’ challenges to the Apostles (“You have heard it said. But I say to you.”), the bishop said that God’s message to us is, “What I am asking you to do is more than the minimum because you can do more.” Then, addressing our current situation, he said, “If someone says to you we can just keep doing the same things we did 100 years ago or 50 years ago,” they are wrong.

“Don’t allow anyone to say to you that things should remain as they are. How different our world, our parishes, our towns would be if we took the words of Jesus seriously. They are difficult words, but who said it was easy to be a disciple, a Christian, a saint?” Bishop da Cunha asked.

He then discussed suffering and the “why me?” approach we often have towards it. “No one is prepared to face suffering until they discover the good it does to us. It makes us more in communion with Jesus because He says, ‘Take up your cross.’”

Referring back to Jesus’ time, the bishop noted that people “were used to [doing] the minimum” (This also sounds like what the three children of Fatima were used to doing before Our Lady explained to them how they should pray the Rosary with devotion, as you can read on the next page). “Jesus said, ‘Oh, no, no, no. You’re missing a lot.’”

Besides offering a challenge, the bishop also said, “As we go back [home] after this day I hope that you will feel encouraged, hopeful, that the Church is alive, that it is relevant, that it is not a dying institution, that it is here to guide us.”

To stop settling for the minimum, we need “to see as God sees.”

Doing so will “set this diocese on fire. Remember, if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Let us change our small vision, the vision of the minimum, to a vision of abundance,” the bishop concluded.

Many of us remember when a store around here advertised getting “the max for the minimum.” That might be OK when shopping, but in the Spiritual life we need to make more of an investment to make a good return. Fortunately, God always is offering us all the resources we need to make that happen. We just need OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 61, No. 6

Member: Catholic Press Association Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

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The Anchor - March 24, 2017

to respond when He knocks at the door of our hearts (Rev 3:20).

The Vatican released this week Pope Francis’ message for World Youth Day, which is supposed to be observed locally on Palm Sunday in those years when there is not an international gathering of youth.

He wrote, “Our age does not need young people who are ‘couch potatoes.’ According to Luke’s Gospel, once Mary has received the message of the angel and said ‘yes’ to the call to become the mother of the Savior, she sets out in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was in the sixth month of her pregnancy (cf. 1:36, 39). Mary does not shut herself up at home or let herself be paralyzed by fear or pride. Mary is not the type that, to be comfortable, needs a good sofa where she can feel safe and sound. She is no couch potato! If her elderly cousin needs a hand, she does not hesitate, but immediately sets off.

“It was a long way to the house of Elizabeth, about 150 kilometers.

But the young woman from Nazareth, led by the Holy Spirit, knows no obstacles. Surely, those days of journeying helped her to meditate on the marvelous event of which she was a part. So it is with us, whenever we set out on pilgrimage. Along the way, the events of our own lives come to mind, we learn to appreciate their meaning and we discern our vocation, which then becomes clear in the encounter with God and in service to others.” What the pope wrote is true for all of us, regardless of our age.

After discussing Mary’s prayer of the Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55), the pope offers a hopeful challenge similar to the one Bishop da Cunha offered at Stonehill: “When God touches the heart of a young man or woman, they become capable of doing tremendous things. The ‘great things’ that the Almighty accomplished in the life of Mary speak also to our own journey in life, which is not a meaningless meandering, but a pilgrimage that, for all its uncertainties and sufferings, can find its fulfillment in God. You may say to me: ‘But Father, I have my limits, I am a sinner, what can I do?’ When the Lord calls us, He doesn’t stop at what we are or what we have done. On the contrary, at the very moment that He calls us, He is looking ahead to everything we can do, all the love we are capable of giving. Like the young Mary, you can allow your life to become a means for making the world a better place. Jesus is calling you to leave your mark in life, your mark on history, your own and that of so many others.”

May our prayer lead us to do the great, new things that God desires for us as individuals and as a community.

Daily Readings March 25 — April 7 Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Mar. 25, Is 7:10-14;8:10; Ps 40:7-8a,8b9,10,11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38. Sun. Mar. 26, Fourth Sunday of Lent, 1 Sm 16:1b,6-7,10-13a; Ps 23:1-3a,3b-4-6; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41. Mon. Mar. 27, Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2,4-6,11-12a,13b; Jn 4:43-54. Optional for any day this week: Mi 7:7-9; Ps 27:1,7-8a,8b-9abc,13-14; Jn 9:1-41. Tues. Mar. 28, Ez 47:1-9,12; Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9; Jn 5:1-16. Wed. Mar. 29, Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9,13cd-14,17-18; Jn 5:17-30. Thurs. Mar. 30, Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47. Fri. Mar. 31, Wis 2:1a,12-22; Ps 34:17-21,23; Jn 7:1-2,10,25-30.

Sat. April 1, Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3,9bc-10-12; Jn 7:40-53. Sun. April 2, Fifth Sunday of Lent, Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45. Mon. April 3, Dn 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62 or 13:41c-62; Ps 23:1-3a,3b-4-6; Jn 8:1-11. Tues.

April 4, Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3,16-21; Jn 8:21-30. Wed. April 5, Dn 3:14-20,9192,95; Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42. Thurs. April 6, Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9; Jn 8:5159. Fri. April 7, Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-3a,3bc-4-7; Jn 10:31-42.

O

Fatima, the Rosary and the path to peace

ne of my favorite stories from the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima a century ago this year is how Our Lady was compelled gently to correct the three shepherd children for “cheating” on how they were praying the Rosary.

The eldest, at the time 10-year-old Lucy, described in her eventual memoirs what they were doing and why.

“We had been told [by our parents] to say the Rosary after lunch, but as the whole day seemed too short for playing, we worked out a great way to get through it quickly.

We simply passed the beads through our fingers, saying nothing but ‘Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary.’ At the end of each mystery, we paused a second, then simply said, ‘Our Father,’ and so, in the twinkling of an eye, as they say, we had our Rosary finished! So great was our eagerness to get to play! Our prayer finished, we started to play ‘pebbles.’”

When Our Lady appeared, she taught them how to slow down and to pray the whole Our Father, the whole Hail Mary, and the whole Glory Be in each decade.

Seven-year-old Jacinta was a quick convert.

Later that day, when the pastorinhos brought their sheep to a place of pasture and Lucy and eightyear-old Francisco called her to come to play, she demurred, saying, “That Lady told us to say the Rosary and to make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. So from now on, when we say the Rosary, we must say the

whole Hail Mary and the to say the Rosary every day.” In September, she whole Our Father!” reiterated, “I want you Our Lady would later to continue to recite the teach the docile Jacinta how to go beyond merely Rosary to obtain the end of the war.” Finally, in just saying the complete October, she revealed her prayers. She pointed her to the 15 tableaus in their identity as “the Lady of the Rosary” and said, “I parish church of Fatima (Aljustrel), which depict- desire that people continue to recite the Rosary ed the Joyful, Sorrowful every day.” and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, and helped her to learn how to Putting Into meditate on each of them as the the Deep most important part of praying

By Father the Rosary.

Roger J. Landry Learning how to pray this Could she have been Christocentric Marian more emphatic about the prayer not just correctly importance of praying but well was central to the revelations of Fatima. the Rosary daily or about relating to her through In each of Mary’s six the Rosary? appearances in 1917, she I’ve always found it insisted on the children noteworthy that Mary praying the Rosary each didn’t insist that the day.

In May, Mary appeared shepherd children go to Mass each day, even to them the first time though Mass is the holding Rosary beads in source and the summit her hand and asked the of the Christian life. She three kids to “recite the Rosary every day, to bring didn’t demand that people read Sacred Scripture. peace to the world and She didn’t require that an end to the war.” One month later, as they were they do a Eucharistic praying the Rosary, Mary Holy Hour or a certain appeared and asked them fixed time of meditation.

After all, it’s not posto “say the Rosary every sible for everyone to get day.” In July, she stated, to daily Mass, to read, or “Pray the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady without training easily to do mental prayer. Mary, of the Rosary to obtain rather, recommended peace in the world” and, something basically “When you recite the everyone could do, from Rosary, say at the end young children to popes. of each decade: ‘O my And she asked that it Jesus, forgive us our sins, be done daily and well. save us from the fires of And she said that the hell, and lead all souls to peace of the world deHeaven, especially those pended on it. in most need of Your Why? St. John Paul mercy.’” The following II attempted to answer month she expressed her that question in 2002, wish that they “continue

in his apostolic exhortation, “The Rosary of the Virgin Mary.”

“The Rosary,” he wrote, “is by its nature a prayer for peace, since it consists in the contemplation of Christ, the Prince of Peace, the One Who is ‘our peace’ (Eph 2:14). Anyone who assimilates the mystery of Christ — and this is clearly the goal of the Rosary — learns the secret of peace and makes it his life’s project.

Moreover, by virtue of its meditative character, with the tranquil succession of Hail Marys, the Rosary has a peaceful effect on those who pray it, disposing them to receive and experience in their innermost depths, and to spread around them, that true peace which is the special gift of the Risen Lord” (cf. Jn 14:27; 20.21).

“The Rosary is also a prayer for peace,” he continued, “because of the fruits of charity that it produces. When prayed well in a truly meditative way, the Rosary leads to an encounter with Christ in His mysteries and so cannot fail to draw attention to the Face of Christ in others, especially in the most afflicted. How could one possibly contemplate the mystery of the Child of Bethlehem, in the Joyful Mysteries, without experiencing the desire to welcome, defend and promote life, and to shoulder the burdens of suffering children all over the world? How could one possibly follow in the footsteps of Christ the

Revealer, in the Mysteries of Light, without resolving to bear witness to His ‘Beatitudes’ in daily life?

How could one contemplate Christ carrying the cross and Christ Crucified, without feeling the need to act as a ‘Simon of Cyrene’ for our brothers and sisters weighed down by grief or crushed by despair? Finally, how could one possibly gaze upon the glory of the Risen Christ or of Mary Queen of Heaven, without yearning to make this world more beautiful, more just, more closely conformed to God’s plan?

“In a word,” he concluded, “by focusing our eyes on Christ, the Rosary also makes us peacemakers in the world. By its nature as an insistent choral petition in harmony with Christ’s invitation to ‘pray unceaselessly’ (Lk 18:1), the Rosary allows us to hope that, even today, the difficult ‘battle’ for peace can be won.”

In his Centenary, the woman who wants us to relate to her as the “Lady of the Rosary,” is reiterating her call for us to take up the Rosary each day almost as a “weapon of peace,” praying it correctly, slowly, and meditatively, so that we might become more like the blessed Fruit of her womb, the Prince of Peace, and allow Him to forgive us, save us, and lead us and others to Heaven.

The beads await our fingers.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

The Anchor - March 24, 2017 7

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first-year teacher reminded me of the question we each must answer. Namely, are the successes worth the sacrifices? I smiled at memories of one student who was in my science classes three of his four years in high school.

As a senior, one day he was rather disrespectful during a bioethics presentation. I felt that behind his cantankerous adolescent behavior was someone seeking the chance to find and express his own answer. In addition, his stated position did not match the young man I knew him to be.

Afterwards, I privately asked him to find, then share with me, the best evidence supporting his position. He eagerly said yes, but then without

A glimpse inside explanation refused. Right way Joseph had bragged before graduation I reabout his dream where his ceived an email. He said, brothers’ sheaths of wheat “Thank you so much for bowed to his. The brothletting me express my ers had seen their father’s opinion. That gave me the favoritism of Joseph. They chance to realize I was perceived Joseph’s interwrong.” pretation of that dream So many times we each act as that student initially Wrestling with God did. Something irHolding on for ritates us or makes His blessing us jealous. We give in to our emotions.

By Dr. Helen J. Flavin Soon, whatever raised our hackles is all we allow ourselves as narcissistic arrogance. to see in the other perThey placed Joseph in a son. We react in a negacistern then sold him into tive or hurtful manner slavery. towards another instead The stereotypical image of choosing a kind and of what this hardening of loving response. Joseph the heart towards another and his older brothers are does to a person is found a Biblical example of this in the parable of the (Genesis chapters 37prodigal son (Lk 15:145). In a rather immature 32). Coming back from the field the older son sends a servant to find out what precipitated the huge celebration. When he hears that the family is rejoicing upon the return of his (prodigal) brother, he steadfastly refuses to enter. His father’s pleas of, “Everything I have is yours” and, “Your brother was lost, but has been found” fall upon deaf ears.

I believe Jesus left the imagery there because He wished the story to evoke in each listener the question, “Is this whom I wish to emulate?”

In Jesus’ exchanges with the Samaritan woman at the well, we see His frus-

tration with the human weakness of choosing to have such partial vision ( Jn 2:5-42). Jesus challenges her step-by-step to look deeper at Him and within herself. Eventually, she reveals her faith in the Messiah Who is to come. Jesus replies, “I am He, the One speaking with you.” She leaves the exchange with and acting upon a new understanding of life.

Antoine de Saint Exupéry said, “One ne voit bien qu’ avec le coeur. L’essential est invisible pour les yeux.” Translated: “One cannot see well that which is within the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eyes.”

As the Samaritan woman found, the meaning of life called forth from one’s heart is dependent upon the depth of one’s search.

Jesus’ directive is to “Love your enemies” (Mt 5:44). Jesus also exhorts His followers to pray for their enemies. In order to really be able to pray for an enemy, one has to choose to look past surface appearances. Many times one must discard worldly opinions. In fact, one has to choose to look deeply enough to recognize the other as a fellow child of God. Seeing the good, even amidst the annoyances, allows one to find a way to connect.

Sharing God’s love with

Visit The Anchor online at http://www.anchornews.org 8

The Anchor - March 24, 2017

that person allows the miracle of that boundary of “enemy” to be erased.

The story of Joseph ends with him reconciled with his brothers and the enmity dissolved. The translation for the name of Joseph’s first born son means, “God has made me forget entirely the sufferings I endured at the hands of my family” (Gen 41:51).

Another example of what God can bring about when we accept and live the challenge to love our enemies is St. Patrick. As a teen-ager he was kidnapped then enslaved in Ireland. He escaped. After a vision in which he saw the people of Ireland inviting him to walk among them, Bishop Patrick voluntarily went to Ireland as a missionary. The chieftain who had previously enslaved him was reportedly one of Patrick’s first converts.

Reading that student’s email, I felt that warm and fuzzy feeling one gets knowing a difference has been made. It is only when we, like that student, have the courage to accept what we find when we look deeply inside ourselves and others that we may truly live the greatest Commandment.

Can you imagine what the world could be if we each worked to reduce enmity by standing with someone marginalized or dealing kindly with someone (who can be irritating)? Together, let’s help bring forth that world.

Anchor columnist Helen Flavin is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer and a member of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River. biochemwz@ hotmail.com.

Husband and wife team hoping to generate interest in Couples for Christ

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

an active, supportive relationship with one another.

Through the years, CFC has NEW BEDFORD — blossomed into a worldwide For the past three years, ministry, becoming a maSteven DaSilva and his wife, jor force for the renewal of Charisma, have been actively Christian family life and also involved with the Couples of the Church. for Christ group based in “Our mission is to evanNewport, R.I., and now they gelize families in the Holy are hoping to generate interSpirit, renewing the face of est in the worldwide family the earth,” Steven said. “I ministry here in the Fall know it appears to be just a River Diocese.

Filipino thing to outsiders, “We joined two years but it’s not. It’s a Catholic ago last January and we’ve group. We’re Christian — we recently been asked to fill invite and welcome people of leadership roles and have different faith backgrounds been designated as ‘House— but basically our Spirituhold Heads,’” Steven recently ality is Catholic. We follow told The Anchor. “The Newthe teachings of the Catholic port group started a year or Church when we pray and two previous to that, I think. we insist on being Catholic.”

So, the way it worked was Although the umbrella the Newport households name Couples for Christ basically served as a service might suggest it is strictly team to welcome us into Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., back row, center, recently met and celebrated a Litur- reserved for married couples, their group.” gy with members of the Couples for Christ ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Charisma said it is a fam“There are active CFC Bedford. Among the group’s members are Steven and Charisma DaSilva, parishioners at ily ministry, beginning with groups towards the Worces- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford, who are hoping to expand the family Kids for Christ who are first ter and Quincy areas, but ministry within the Fall River Diocese. (Photo courtesy of Charisma DaSilva) inducted as Junior Kids (ages since geographically we’re four to eight) and then trancloser to Newport, R.I., sition into Senior Kids (ages Not surprisingly, Bishop come them. Once they find lationship with Jesus Christ they thought it made sense nine to 12).

Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., a parish, the next thing is to and to renewal of the power to group us together with Other groups within the who came to the Fall River complete the CLP. We’ve of the Holy Spirit through them,” added his wife, Chaministry include: Diocese from Newark, N.J., done a CLP at Our Lady a series of weekly informal risma.

— Youth for Christ (ages was readily familiar with the of Mount Carmel Parish in discussions of the Gospel in The couple recently com- Couples for Christ move12 to early 20s); New Bedford with Father a social setting. pleted a 12-session Christian ment.

— Singles for Christ (ages Jack Oliveira and also at St. Soon, CFC became a Life Program, which is part 21 to 40); “We sent Bishop da Francis of Assisi Parish in Christian family life renewal of their induction into the — Handmaids of the Cunha a package of materiNew Bedford with Father program made available to Couples for Christ ministry. als from CFC, but he was Lord (women, ages 40 and Kevin Harrington.” parishes and groups of mar“We attended a series of above); already very familiar with the Couples for Christ is a ried couples who wished to 12 talks as part of the Chris- ministry,” Steven said. growing movement intended live out their Christian life in Continued on page 15 tian Life Program,” Steven “When a CFC group to renew and strengthen explained. “At the end of first starts in a new diocese, Christian family life. It the 12 talks, we become the first thing they try to do began in 1981 in Manila in members of Couples for Christ, and have been named household heads of the CFC ministry here (in New Bedford). Our upper household leaders are located in New Jersey — that’s the closest location where CFC is most active.”

is get recognition from the bishop,” Charisma said. “Fortunately, for us, Bishop da Cunha knew CFC because they are already very active in New Jersey. CFC then tries to reach out to parishes and talk to priests to see if any parish would want to wel-

the Philippines when a local Christian community tried a new approach in evangelizing married couples. The method used consisted of bringing together a small group of prospective couples in a private home. There they were brought into a living re-

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N

orma McCorvey, alias Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade, died last month. Her obituary was front-page news in the New York Times. The 1973 decision that bore her pseudonym continues to stand for the proposition that abortion on demand is constitutionally guaranteed. That proposition is markedly different from the proposition affirmed by the Declaration of Independence and by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg that “all men [human beings, thus including women and children] are created equal.”

Tellingly, she never got the abortion she had sued for, and ended up putting her child up for adoption.

After a rocky life that included a time working for Planned Parenthood, and living as a lesbian, she converted to the Pro-Life position and ended up as a sincere Roman Catholic, testifying before a Senate

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The end of Roe subcommittee in 1998: “I effectively requiring a leam dedicated to spending gal regime of abortion on the rest of my life undodemand. ing the law that bears my Also tellingly, “Mary name.” May she rest in Doe,” the lead plaintiff in peace.

Doe v. Bolton, the comLike the infamous panion case to Roe that Dred Scott decision over provided for such a broad a century earlier which health exception (a womhad guaranteed slavery as an actually named Sandra a property right of slaveholders, the Supreme Court Judge had decided that For a class of human Yourself beings, in this case unborn babies (or

By Dwight Duncan fetuses, as the court called them) were not entitled to any legal protection. Even Cano, who died in 2014), in the third trimester of also had become Pro-Life pregnancy, when the court and likewise fought to ruled the state’s interest overturn the decision that in the “potential life” of bore her name. the viable fetuses became The death of “Jane Roe” compelling, the state could coincides with talk about not prohibit abortions if the possibility of overthe mother’s health — turning Roe v. Wade. This understood broadly to is because the unexpected include emotional, finanelection of President Doncial and familial factors ald J. Trump has created — were implicated, thus the possibility of shifting the balance of power on the Supreme Court, and Trump, himself a recent convert to the Pro-Life cause, has said he wants to overturn Roe v. Wade and to appoint judges who will do so.

Recently, he nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to succeed Justice Antonin

The Anchor - March 24, 2017

Scalia, who died a year ago, on the U.S. Supreme Court. Even if Gorsuch is as dependably Pro-Life as Scalia was, however, that would not change the reality that the Court would still be dedicated to upholding the “central holding” of Roe by at least 5-4, as it did when Scalia was still alive in the 1992 decision of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey.

It would take at least another conservative Supreme Court appointment to replace a liberal like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg or a swing-vote like Justice Anthony Kennedy in order to have the possibility of overturning Roe. Even then, there is no guarantee that the new swing Justice would rule to overturn Roe. Even if he or she did, though, it is important to realize what this overturning of Roe would mean as a legal and constitutional matter. It would simply and merely return the issue of abortion regulation to the legislative arena.

In places where the abortion lobby is politically and financially powerful, places like Massachusetts,

I venture little if anything would change in the permissive laws regarding abortion (including state-supreme-court guaranteed public funding for elective abortions for indigents, in the case of Massachusetts), absent a major shift in public opinion and local politics. In more socially conservative jurisdictions like Texas or Missouri, there might be more restrictive abortion regulations passed by state legislatures through the normal democratic process.

We have been to this juncture before, 25 years ago at the time of the Casey decision. Then it appeared probable that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe, since it had a majority of appointees

by Republican presidents who were pledged to the overturning of Roe. Instead it reaffirmed Roe, led by Justice Anthony Kennedy, a Reagan appointee. So while the death of Roe is possible in the next four years, the strategy is, pardon the expression, premature for the moment. It’s just not viable yet. If Trump gets another Supreme Court appointment (assuming Gorsuch is confirmed, as seems likely), however, all hell will break out over the issue of the continued relevance of Roe. If the day of its overturning ever comes, though, good riddance! The U.S. Constitution does not guarantee such a right to take innocent human life. Roe v. Wade’s obituary is long overdue.

Anchor columnist Dwight Duncan is a professor at UMass School of Law Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

Lengthentide Friday 24 March 2017 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Eve of Annunciation Day ere we are, dear readers, already on the cusp of the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Time flies when you’re having fun.

The old Anglo-Saxon name for Lent, “lengthentide,” referenced the lengthening hours of daylight. In other words, Lent means spring. In this neck of the woods, this involves Daylight Saving Time. When we “spring forward,” our biological clocks go haywire. Even my dog Lurch was discombobulated — and he doesn’t even know what day it is, or what hour of the day for that matter. He knows only when it’s time to eat and when it’s time to sleep. Nothing else matters to him. Lurch reminds me of Thomas Merton. When asked by a visitor to Gethsemane Monastery in Kentucky the secret to being a monk, Father Merton responded, “When you’re hungry, eat. When you’re tired, sleep. You’ll then be a good monk.”

The debate continues over Daylight Savings.

Eric Fisher, the weather forecaster on Channel 4, Boston, has long led a campaign to do away with it. I’m with him. Governor Charlie Baker introduced a bill to switch Massachusetts to Atlantic Time. Resolving such legislative action, it seems, takes a long time.

Contrary to popular belief, Lent doesn’t just happen. Lent requires advance preparation. The first matter needing to be addressed (as soon after Christmas as possible) is

H

this: are there going to be Entrance Procession to any additional Spiritual get from the north lobby activities for the season? of our church to the SancFollowing the tradituary steps (that’s 125 tion of most parishes feet). Talk about customworldwide, our schedule made Liturgical music. here includes Stations of On the Second Sunday the Cross on the Fridays of Lent.

These days, parish The Ship’s Log deacons are wellReflections of a qualified for the Parish Priest task. Of course,

By Father Tim any parishioner can Goldrick lead the Stations.

One Lent we had an evening of faith sharing prepared of Lent, the entrance proand presented by our own cession somehow ended parishioners. It went very up in reverse order and well. This year, the decihad to be reorganized. sion was made to hold As a result of the confua Spiritual formation sion, I was only halfway series on four Wednesdown the center aisle days of Lent. The topic when the musicians ran is the Cenacle of Divine out of antiphon. I decided Mercy. Following each not to sprint up the aisle. presentation, a meatless It might have appeared Lenten lunch of soup and undignified to some in the sandwich was planned. assembly. Barbara LeighThis Lenten program ton, the parish music diwill hopefully lead to an rector, simply improvised enthusiastic observance until I eventually reached of Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sanctuary. With April 23. As is our cusapologies to the Scottish tom here in Falmouth, poet Robert Burns, it the town-wide Knights of reminded me of that old Columbus Council leads adage, “The best laid plans the devotions on Divine of mice and men often Mercy Sunday. go awry.” I prefer another One very unique aspect saying: “The Lord proof our parish Lent this vides.” In the end, I don’t year is the Liturgical mu- think anyone noticed my sic. Father Ray Cambra tardiness. is a composer and direcOf course, Lenten tor. He composed (specif- Spiritual exercises are ically for us) the Entrance always in addition to the Antiphons prescribed year-round parish schedfor each of the Sundays ule. Falmouth Catholics of Lent and accompanyhave the choice of attending Gospel Acclamation, ing daily Mass at 7, 8, or Memorial Acclamation, 9 a.m. We have the 7 a.m. and Great Amen as well.

Mass Mondays through All are scored for organ Fridays. The priest has or piano, flute and hand to rise well before dawn bells since these are the to pray over the Holy instruments to which we Scripture and to prepare have access. the homily for the day, In fact, the antiphons but it’s worth it — espeare set to the precise cially during Lent when length of time it takes an the homily can provide a

meaningful Lenten message to ponder. Since ours is the earliest daily Mass in town, it fills a definite need in Falmouth.

On Saturdays, our parish daily Mass at 8 a.m. instead. It’s the only daily Mass in the area. This is due to the paucity of priests and to the popularity of Saturdays for both weddings and funerals. We intend to provide an 8 a.m. Saturday Mass as long as we are able.

I experimented with a daily evening Mass during Lent one year. There are no evening Masses anywhere in Falmouth so I thought it might be

convenient to some.

I was wrong. Although I myself enjoyed celebrating Mass quietly at the end of the day, the Lenten evening daily Mass attracted little interest.

It was an experiment I didn’t repeat.

No, dear readers, Lent does not just happen. It takes planning. Speaking of planning, I’d better get the parish Holy Week and Easter plans finalized. I’m running behind schedule. As with Lent, neither does Easter happen automatically, although it’s supposed to look that way.

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

Lenten shrine St. Patrick Church, Falmouth.

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Notice to Anchor subscribers: Since the parishes are no longer responsible for collecting and returning Anchor renewals and new subscriptions, we ask that any new Anchor subscriptions and renewals be sent directly to The Anchor at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02721.

Thank you.

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The Anchor - March 24, 2017

Themed “Thirsting for Hope: Can You Drink the Cup I Drink?,” the first-ever diocesan Women and Men’s Conference was held at Stonehill College in Easton on March 11 and included a keynote address from Cardinal Séan P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., top left, and breakout sessions for women with ValLimar Jansen, center, and for men with Michael Cumbie, bottom. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., top right, celebrated the closing Mass at the conference. (Photos by Kenneth J. Souza and Deacon Alan J. Thadeu) The Anchor - March 24, 2017

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I

met him for the first time this past summer when he appeared on the scene as one of the new guides for Damien Tours. He is tall and burly with bulging biceps like the spinach-fueled Popeye the Sailor Man. As he himself has told me, he has spent time on our island waters and I don’t doubt that on more than one occasion, as he looked out over the southern waters of Molokai, he has called out, “There she blows!” even as the great whales frolic in the channel between Molokai and Maui.

Indeed, like some of the sea-

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The Anchor - March 24, 2017

There she blows

that he is Molokai’s version faring men of the ages, Rick of the late great Irish balSchonely looks like he is at ladeer, Liam Clancy. So I was home with the sea.

Rick, who makes his home very happy to learn that Rick brings in the east his uke end of Moon Over along on Molokai, is the tour known for Molokai so that he his colorful

By Father can sersports colPatrick Killilea, SS.CC. enade his umns in the pilgrims weekly issues of the Molokai Dispatch. during his presentations.

Kalaupapa now has two He also features prominently tours to accommodate the on the Molokai music scene. many pilgrims who journey Skilled with uke and guitar, he possesses a powerful sing- here from all over the globe. ing voice, thrilling the ladies, Kekaula Tours unveiled its naturally, and I would suggest two white vans in the summer of 2016 and meets the mule train and some of the many hikers who brave the three-mile trail from Topside Molokai. Damien Tours celebrated 50 years of service in May of 2016 and continues to give top class service with tour guides like Rick Schonely.

As of this writing, it has been four years, eight months,

and 10 days (but who’s counting?) since I touched down at Kalaupapa’s airport in June of 2012.

During this time I have met people from all over our world, many of whom have yearned for much of their lives to visit this settlement which celebrates two saints.

Because of the limitations on visiting this land of SS. Damien and Marianne over the years, many have wondered whether they would ever get the opportunity to visit. So when they do finally arrive here, it is an emotional experience for them.

Like the great whales that visit our waters and our harbor each winter, they have come a long journey and bring with them an excitement that touches those who encounter them here. There she blows!

Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

Wife, husband tout ‘Couples for Christ’ continued from page nine

— Servants of the Lord (men, ages 40 and above); and — Couples for Christ (married couples).

“We know there have been a lot of attacks lately against the family,” Charisma said. “So CFC is a good place to strengthen that, because every part of the family can be involved in the group.

We want to bring families back together and closer to Christ and have them spend

more time doing things together as a family.”

Now married for 13 years, the DaSilvas met while both were grad students at the University of Rhode Island.

“I was studying oceanography, and Steve was studying ocean engineering and we were classmates,” Charisma said. “We have three children and we’ve now been involved with Couples for Christ for three years.”

Although she’s of Fili-

pino descent, Charisma had not been involved with the Couples for Christ movement before she joined with her husband.

“Wherever Filipinos go globally, they bring the CFC tradition with them,” Steven explained. “Some time ago we went to visit the Philippines and (Charisma) mentioned the CFC group to me when we were in Manila and said we should join, but it never quite happened. Then her sister joined in Maryland, where they are also quite active. She joined about a year before we did and that is what brought it back to our attention. So I was open to it.”

As active parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford, the couple found that their pastor, Father Jack Oliveira, was receptive to the ministry.

Friends at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Bedford also received the blessing of their pastor, Father Kevin Harrington.

“Those are the two parishes where we’ve conducted

the CLP so far,” Charisma said. “During our first CLP we started with three (married) couples and five Handmaids of the Lord.”

As a member of the Knights of Columbus chapter based at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford, Steven also hopes to bring that parish into the fold.

“CFC includes Hispanic people in the ministry, the Spanish-speaking group is known as Parejas Para Cristo,” Charisma said. “So they have people who can conduct a Spanish CLP for people if needed.”

“We’re looking to grow,” Steven said. “We’ve averaged about two CLPs a year and each time we brought in about five members. That’s kind of low, but we haven’t really been pushing before now. It’s all been by word of mouth. But I’m hoping to put in a good effort and see if it will yield any fruit. We’ve been involved with the group for a while now and we’re familiar with the way it works.”

The DaSilvas have found

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 March 26, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Richard D. Wilson, pastor of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Attleboro, and executive editor of The Anchor.

April 2, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is retired Father Thomas McElroy, SS.CC.

their involvement with Couples for Christ has not only benefitted their Marriage, but it has also strengthened their faith and family as well. And Steven said CFC’s outreach to different age groups could be beneficial to parishes in the diocese.

“The way it works is you develop the Couples for Christ first, and then you develop the youth programs,” he said. “The idea is, post-Confirmation, to keep the kids involved in the Church and the parish. So this could be helpful where you have a situation where it might not make sense for a single parish to have a youth group, but several parishes combined might be able to support it. You could get a lot more kids involved that way and have them involved in a bigger group.”

“If there’s a parish in need of a youth group, we can certainly help facilitate with that,” Charisma agreed.

“That’s one thing we’re looking at — helping a parish start a Youth for Christ group.”

In the meantime, the couple is making a concerted effort to get the word out about Couples for Christ and the countless blessings they’ve received from this growing worldwide ministry.

“We’ve sort of been keeping things low key, but I think it would be great to get the word out about Couples for Christ,” Steven said.

“We’re really hoping to get more people involved.”

“I think our roles have become clearer for us and I think we’ve been doing better with communicating,” Charisma added. “CFC really helps bring the family together.”

For more information visit www.couplesforchristusa.org.

For information about the local Couples for Christ chapter, contact Charisma DaSilva at 508-863-7314 or email chadecas@yahoo.com.

The Anchor - March 24, 2017

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For and About Our Church Youth

I

can remember thinking one time in college that I couldn’t wait to be out in the “real world.”

It was during finals and I was pulling another allnighter writing a paper that was due at 8:30 a.m.

Instead of being in a deep sleep at 3 a.m., I was pouring myself another cup of coffee and was on page eight of a 15-page paper on Anson Burlingame.

Since college I have only really done one allnighter (not counting a couple of years of working overnight shifts in the 90s), yet deadlines have still been a challenge.

That was the real issue in college (and still is among college students 20-plus years later!). That 15-page

It’s about who we are

paper due at 8:30 a.m. had Some presented by work or school (print deadbeen assigned 15 weeks lines, reports or tasks due earlier. I had successfully at a certain time) or by put it off because I had life (have to have dinner 15 weeks, then 14 weeks, ready at a certain time, then 13 weeks, etc., until need to shuttle one child it was due. Now I was in to practice and the other the position that I had to work by this time; five hours left before it was due. As I am writing this, I am actually past the deadline for when it was due.

By Father I am now in the David C. Frederici real world, and I still find I struggle with deadlines and sometimes late nights and need to take this medication at this time). Life early mornings, which at quickly becomes going 45 are similar to some of the all-nighters from col- from one task to another.

Even those things that lege. I have been reflectare meant to relax us get ing on this a bit recently. caught up in the deadline So much of our lives revolve around deadlines. world. We need to be at

Be Not Afraid

St. Vincent’s Home welcomes part-time child/adolescent psychiatrist

FALL RIVER — Dr. Irwin Bennett, M.D. has accepted the position of child/ adolescent psychiatrist at St. Vincent’s Home.

Bennett will be working on a part-time basis on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He is licensed in Massachusetts and R.I. and is board certified as a diplomate in child psychiatry. He is familiar with St. Vincent’s, having worked there many years ago through its clinical affiliation with the Stanley Street Treatment and Resources program.

John T. Weldon, executive director of St. Vincent’s said, “Dr. Bennett brings many years of child/adolescent psychiatry experience in various clinical settings, including: Butler Hospital, where he held various positions over time, including unit chief, developmental disabilities 16

program; Center for Neuropsychology and Learning Disorders; psychiatric consultant at the Groden Center; and child psychiatry consultant for the Special Education Department of the Pawtucket School Department.”

Bennett has also held positions as a child/adolescent psychiatrist at Kidspeace of New England, where he was medical director; Northern R.I. Mental Health Center; East Bay Mental Health Center; Family Services of Fall River, where he was also medical director; and the May Institute, where he has

The Anchor - March 24, 2017

provided services for children and adults.

He has maintained a private practice in Providence, R.I. since 2004. Bennet has held academic appointments through various medical schools and has held hospital appointments at various local hospitals, including: Boston Children’s Hospital and Judge Baker Guidance Center, Fuller Memorial Hospital, and Butler Hospital. Bennett will provide services primarily for clients/ families through St. Vincent’s licensed outpatient mental health clinic and CBHI program and highly values ongoing collaboration as part of the clinical teams of both programs.

St. Vincent’s welcomes Bennett and the opportunity to expand psychiatry services through its outpatient clinic.

the airport by a certain time. We need to hurry here so we can get here by a certain time.

While we may be getting things done, we are missing life itself. We can miss seeing our kids grow up, or the opportunities to share an intimate moment with a friend or family member. We can put God on the back burner and even forget about Him totally.

I am reading a book that is a collection of Pope Francis’ words to priests on the priestly ministry. I will be honest, it is very challenging. For example, he stresses that the homily is the most important task of the parish priest and that time must be spent in preparing not only the Sunday homily, but the daily homily, the homily for the funeral and wedding and the brief comments that the priest may address to the group of parishioners gathering for a social event or meeting. Such preparation requires a commitment of time. He isn’t making this up himself, it is actually spelled out in the Church’s documents. It is a teaching that I struggle with. I am constantly dealing with issues far removed from the homily. Contracts, finances, personnel, maintenance issues, scheduling, meetings on all of these things. Even more important than those issues are appointments with parishioners, hospital visits, etc. Homily prep (time reflecting on the readings, researching the Scriptures and the catechetical

themes and identifying the issues in the community and how Scriptures speak to them) gets pushed aside very often.

Here is the thing. Our identity is not based on what we do, it is about who we are. Yes, we need to take time for our responsibilities, but we also need to be sure that we take time for those things that connect us to ourselves, one another and to God. Otherwise, we ultimately do a lot and accomplish nothing.

I would like to conclude with a quote I came across recently that highlights this point and has challenged me greatly.

While it is addressed to priests, it can easily apply to anyone. After all, we are each baptized into the family of faith, and entrusted to a share in the mission of the proclamation of the Gospel.

So where it says “priest” insert “mom” or “dad” or “friend,” etc.

“If the priest is a saint, the people will be fervent; if the priest is fervent, the people will be pious; if the priest is pious, the people will be at least decent.

But if a priest is only decent, the people will be godless. The Spiritual generation is always one degree less intense in its life than those who beget it in Christ,” (Dom JeanBaptiste Chautard).

Challenge accepted.

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 Bristol Community College.

For and About Our Church Youth

Fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford recently welcomed guests from the New Bedford Fire Department and the United States Armed Forces to celebrate, “We Honor Our Nation Day.” Fifth-grader Daniel volunteered to see how it felt to wear a fireman’s turnout gear and he assured everyone it was heavy.

Seventh-grade students from St. James-St. John School ​in New Bedford created 3-D models of animal and plant cells.

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools, parish Religious Education programs or home-schoolers have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org

Third-graders at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro learned how to recognize signs of bullying and how to stop it. Susan Roche, facilitator from Boston vs. Bullies, visited the class to help promote healthy friendships. Boston vs. Bullies, a three-week program facilitated by The Boston Sports Museum, brings New England professional athletes into the schools via the presentation.

Pre-kindergarten students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton had fun dressing up like Dr. Seuss’ Lorax.

Fifth-grade students from Holy Name School in Fall River recently shared projects about Native American tribes with schoolmates and family members.

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For and About Our Church Youth

Bishop Feehan High School president Tim Sullivan and principal Sean Kane recently presented nine incoming members of the class of 2021 with Presidential and Principal scholarships at a “Welcome Class of 2021” event at the Attleboro school. The President Scholarships were given to four students who display exceptional leadership potential in one or more areas, and the Principal Scholarships were presented to those students who scored highest on Bishop Feehan’s entrance exam. Back row from left: Tim Sullivan, Olivia Kline, Julia Carson, Sophia Arruda, (President’s Scholarship); Molly Jordan, (Principal’s Scholarship); and Feehan Sean Kane. Front row: Kathleen Malone, Ryan Sullivan, (Principal’s Scholarship); Ryan Enright, (President’s); and Mary Woods (Principal’s). Missing from photo is Ava Park (Principal’s).

American Heritage Girls Troop MA3712 delivered the remainder of the re-gifting items from its annual Re-gifting Drive to The Doorways Food Pantry in Seekonk recently. A big thank you went out to the donors and drop-off locations: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk; S &B Cleaners; Seekonk Library; Aitken and Hurley Schools; Anawan Cleaners; Anawan Pharmacy; and Vino’s Cafe.

The girls toured the pantry and got all their questions answered

by Food Acquisition and Stocking volunteer Diane Fox. The pantry is located in the North School and serves 65 families a week with more than 100 volunteers providing a social experience for clients and volunteers. The pantry has collection boxes around town and always accepts new non-food items to pass on to those in need. If you have questions or would like to volunteer or donate, please call 508-761-6380. Pictured with Diane Fox, Doorways volunteer, are front, from left: Ashlyn McCormick, Ziz Elseman, Avy Conti, Sarah Edgar, Jayna Zimberlin, and Ella Briggs. Middle row: Siera Larkin, Ireland Larkin, Lily McCormick, Grace Howarth, Lilya Fournier, Madison Burbank, and Emma Pfeffer. Back: Sarah Baldini, Amanda Abbott, Abi Eckerson, Elsie Omondi, Lisa Omondi, Sara McMahon, and Emily Day.

Diocesan CYO hoop stars finish off March Madness

FALL RIVER — The Fall River Diocese’s CYO recently held its annual AllStar Basketball Tournaments.

The Junior A Girls played at the McCarrick-Sullivan CYO Center in Fall River with Fall River taking on New Bedford.

The hometown jumped out to an early 10-0 lead and led by 11 at halftime.

New Bedford made a run in the second half but Fall River answered and kept control of the game.

MacKenzie Carreiro led Fall River with 16 points, A.J. Coleman had nine and Sadie Fitzgerald had four.

New Bedford scoring was led by Kelly Medeiros with eight points.

The All Tournament Team included, from Fall River: MacKenzie Carreiro, MVP; A.J.Coleman; Avery Rounds; and Dakota Azevedo.

Representatives from New Bedford were Kelly Medeiros and Brianna Machado.

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The Boys Prep Tournament was also held at the McCarrick-Sullivan CYO Center, with Fall River taking on Taunton.

Fall River took an early lead but Taunton came back to lead at the half, 32-24.

The lead changed hands in the last minutes of the game but, with two minutes left in the game Taunton hit two three-pointers to pull out the victory 72-64.

Taunton’s Kenny Knute led all scorers with 31 points and Cory Pintabone and Sean Quinlan each had 10 points.

For Fall River, Anthony Lopes had 25, Noah Soutowith 19 and Tre Fletcher had seven.

The All Tournament Team representatives from Taunton were: Kenny Knute, MVP; Cory Pintabone; and Sean Quinlan.

From Fall River Anthony Lopes, Noah Soutowith and Tre Fletcher made the team.

The Junior Boys Tournament took place in Taunton.

In the first game, New Bedford and Fall River squared off.

New Bedford pulled away with a 53-43 victory. Shane Poitras led all scorers with 27 for New Bedford and teammate Myles Rosa had 10. Jevon Holley led Fall River with 14 and Jackson Lewis chipped in with 10.

New Bedford then played Taunton for the championship. In a very close contest, New Bedford pulled away to a 42-38 win.

Shane Poitras led all scorers again with 11 points aided by teammate John Paulino’s 10 points. For Taunton, Dolan Campbell had nine and Will Rowan had eight.

The All Tournament Team included, from New Bedford: Shane Poitras, MVP; Luis Cortijo; and John Paulino.

Players from Taunton making the squad were: Will Rowan and Dolan Campbell.

Jevon Holley from Fall River also made the team.

Diocesan Pro-Life Essay winners — ‘Moved by Mercy’ Editor’s note: The first-place winner in the High School Division was Ebelechiyem Anuoluwatele Okafor, a junior at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth. As of press time, The Anchor had not received a copy of the winning essay.

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Second place — High School Division

efore the pilgrimage to the March for Life took place, my parish gathered for prayer services, Eucharistic Adoration, and Rosaries dedicated to the unborn. This Spiritual preparation was not done a couple of weeks before the pilgrimage but took place throughout the year.

Before we departed for the pilgrimage, the pastor of my parish read the story of the Visitation to my youth group. He emphasized the moment when John “leaped” in Elizabeth’s womb. The Gospel of Luke proves that at the moment of conception a new life comes into existence and that the baby has dignity just as any other human being. This passage was in the back of my mind throughout our entire pilgrimage because of the word “leaped,” proving that the child inside the womb is fully alive.

I went to Washington, D.C. with the intention to advocate for the unborn. Participating in the March for Life now means so much more than just simply standing up for the people in society who cannot be heard. Experiencing the march for the first time and seeing so many people fight for the same cause was humbling and sparked a desire

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we are always forgiven of our sins no matter the severity.

The Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade did more than just legalize abortion. This legal case shows the power and the magnitude of society to control the world’s outlook on social issues such as abortion. It is important that as Catholics we stand out from the rest of society and stop politely tolerating the situation at hand and pray for the courage to become the voice of the voiceless. My experience at the March for Life made me realize that as time progresses things begin to slowly change. It comes down to people in society realizing the unborn baby in the womb is a person. The only way that this can be accomplished is if society is moved by the mercy of Christ. When she realized that the baby inside Mary’s womb was the Christ Child, Elizabeth was overcome with joy. Like Elizabeth, we are called to recognize and care for life in the womb. This way we too can be filled with joy as we experience the love and mercy of God. Emma Mello Bishop Connolly High School Fall River

that the Women’s March, that took place one week before, received more media than the ProLife March has ever gotten. They advocated for pro-choice rights, while this march advocated that “Women’s Rights Begin in the Womb.”

Watching Vice-President Pence speak on behalf of President Trump gave me hope that Roe v.

Wade and Doe v. Bolton will be stopped. The most inspiring part of the entire journey was simply the power of one. As we were tiredly walking a hill to reach the final stretch of the march, a young college student began the Rosary.

She was standing in the middle of thousands of people and began to pray the Apostle’s Creed.

By the middle of the prayer, almost every person

in my sight was praying. Being able to tangibly see one person making a change was the moment where God was truly showing me what His Creation has done.

The Pro-Life March has truly changed my perspective on all issues regarding Pro-Life. The quote: “Go and do likewise” expresses what the people who attended the Pro-Life March are called to do from what we have had the blessing of being a part of. I hope that I may continue to grow in my knowledge of Pro-Life issues and hope to be able to attend the Pro-Life March in Washington, D.C. once again.

Sara Pereira, Grade 8, All Saints Catholic School New Bedford

human being that has been created by God. One frequently made argument is that it isn’t a human because the baby is unconscious and cannot make decisions for him or herself. This statement is indeed partially true in the sense that it cannot fend for him or herself in the world, but the question is, how does this baby differ from one outside the womb? A one month old is not conscious of what is going on either, nor does he or she have the capacity to make decisions on his or her own. Does that mean that he or she is not a human being and does not deserve to experience the joys of life? Of course not, because “like the Good Samaritan, may we always treat each person with merciful love and respect that affirms the gift of his or her life.”

Abortion is not the only option as many think, because there is also adoption. I do not know the story of how or why I was put up for adoption, or even my birth parents who made the choice to give me up, but I am glad that they did. If I had been aborted, then I would not have the amazing mom that I do today. My sister is also adopted and we are not biologically related, but she, too, could have been aborted. Luckily, she and I were put up for adoption and are living happily. The saying “don’t take what’s not yours,” applies to everyone, not just children. That innocent baby’s life is not yours to take, for he or she belongs to God. Angela Ambrogne, Grade 8, All Saints Catholic School, New Bedford

First place — Junior High School Division

n Jan. 27, 2017, my perspective on the Pro-Life movement changed forever. I attended the Pro-Life March in Washington, D.C. with my school. A crowd filled up the mall surrounding the Washington Monument, which seemed like one million people, but was realistically only about a few hundred thousand. I always thought that I was a true Pro-Life advocate, but now I know that I truly did not understand the meaning. Now, I do. To be Pro-Life is to respect all life from conception to natural death. We all have heard that before, but Pope Francis reminds us, again, “We are called to protect our humanity — and respecting it as it was created.”

At the march, almost every speaker stressed

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in me to bring about change. The desire to bring about this change does not just come from human beings, it comes God and His mercy. It was not just the actual march that strengthened my conviction of the dignity of the human person, but the Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy that prepared me for the march.

Participating in all these forms of prayer made me realize I was not going into this fight alone but that I was marching alongside many people who were connected through Christ. The march is more than a protest to me; it is about opening the eyes of the people to see the love and mercy that God has for all of us.

Pope Francis once said, “We are called to protect humanity, and this means, in the first place, accepting it and respecting it as it was created.” Pope Francis explains that the first step in protecting humanity is acknowledging the life of the unborn.

Once that is acknowledged, one can respect and give the baby the dignity he or she deserves. With Christ as our leader, we shared in His abundant love and infinite mercy. Due to the abundant amount of mercy that we have been given through Christ,

Second place — Junior High School Division

s Pope Francis said, “We are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us.” Every human deserves to have respect and this includes the voiceless babies living in the womb.

Some may say that because the fetus has not been born yet, it depends on the mother for survival, and therefore life is not present. This thought, however, is incorrect. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that at the moment of conception, a life is created.

Catholics believe that life begins at conception and ends at natural death. A mother’s right to an abortion is a belief that is unsupported because the mother is willingly choosing to take away that child’s life. A child is not just a parasite, as some people would call it, but a living and beautiful

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Orientation session for parish Vocation Team members offered continued from page three

The second gathering is held during National Vocation Awareness Week, from November 5-11. Then, members will share in prayer and camaraderie, and will hear presentations on understanding and communicating with youth; exploring insights on individual vocation; and on the various vocations in the Church. Time is also dedicated to discussing practical ways of implementing vocation programs and activities at the parish level.

“The attempt to promote Vocation Awareness at the parish level, although it may seem self-evident given the various times when the community of the faithful gathers for worship, study and reflection in preparation and celebration of specific moments

of family and personal life, it is a striving at responding to why, among the choices for a fulfilled life, the selection for well cemented Christian family life, Consecrated religious life and the priesthood at the service of God and of social needs are less heeded,” said Sister Hurtado. “Is it perhaps because the call from God is less listened to?

“This endeavor to stimulate Vocation Awareness, therefore, will call for and undergo various phases for its growth. Parishes according to their appreciation and expectations operate in various ways and at this stage, it is primarily opting for a good start with an engaged committee of a workable number of members to arrive at a common un-

derstanding of its vision and mission. The support of their priest, the choice of a chair person and the frequency of meetings will give them the rhythm needed to pray, to share conversation on the plans, goals and expectations they see fit for the parish at particular times.”

“There is no coincidence that the increase in the number of seminarians and the increase in the number off faithful lay people praying for vocations,” said Father Peschel. “Having organized groups praying for vocations is surely reaping benefits.”

Pastors who wish to send names to start a parish Vocation Team are invited to do so by contacting the diocesan Vocations Off ice at 508675-1311.

Youth rallies, conventions remain vibrant continued from page two

signed to be “an enhancement of a parish Confirmation formation,” said McManus. “We recognize that the majority of those youth who attend are in the ninth or 10th grade and are preparing for the Sacrament. We thought it would be a service to the parishes if the convention complemented their programs.”

While the High School Convention caters to students in grades nine-12, the Middle School Rallies will focus on students in grades six-eight. Utilizing three strategically placed locations in the diocese over three separate days, the middle school rallies will reach large number of the Fall River Diocese’s youth, who will enjoy a shorter, but no less comprehensive version, of the high school convention. With more than 1,000 middle school students already signed up

to attend, McManus knows that the rally is only part of what helps shape a young person’s faith.

“The purpose of offering middle school rallies is to introduce to younger youth the large group gatherings that have been shown to be effective ways of evangelizing youth, and keeping them connected to the Church,” said McManus. “Of course, we also know that no gathering can replace the important role that parents have in raising children in the faith, but these gatherings enhance the faith experience that the child is getting at home and in their parish.”

To register for the high school convention or a middle school rally, visit www.

FallRiverFaithFormation. org for the link, or call Rose Mary Saraiva at 508-6782828.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers @anchornews.org

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The Anchor - March 24, 2017

MCALLEN, Texas — Msgr. Agostinho Pacheco, born in Fall River, died March 14. He was born

Msgr. Agostinho Pacheco, Fall River native

to the late Manuel and Belmira Pacheco and was ordained to the priesthood on Jan. 30, 1960. He

In Your Prayers Please Please pray pray for for these these priests priests during during the the coming coming weeks weeks

March 25 Rev. John J. Brennan, SS.CC. Retired Founder, Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 1991 Deacon Thomas Prevost, 2007 March 27 Rev. James W. Conlin, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1918 Rev. Msgr. 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 March 29 Rev. James H. Carr, S.T.L., Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1923 Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Moriarty, Pastor, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1951 March 30 Rev. Aime Barre, On Sick Leave, Fall River, 1963 Rev. Benoit R. Galland, USN Retired Chaplain, 1985 Rev. Lucio B. Phillipino, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 2002 Rev. Robert F. Kirby, Catholic Memorial Home, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, South Attleboro, 2015 March 31 Rt. Rev. Msgr. George C. Maxwell, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1953 April 1 Rev. George A. Lewin, Pastor, St. Mary, Hebronville, 1958 Rev. Edwin J. Loew, Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1974 April 2 Rev. Adolph Banach, OFM Conv., Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford, 1961 Rev. Donald Belanger, Pastor, St. Stephen, Attleboro, 1976 Rev. James B. Coyle, Retired Pastor, St. Dorothea, Eatontown, N.J., 1993 April 3 Rev. Henry F. Kinnerny, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Sandwich, 1905 Rev. Roger G. Blain, OP, 2000 Rev. Clarence P. Murphy, Former Pastor, Our Lady of the Assumption, Osterville, 2010 April 4 Rev. Lionel Gamache, S.M.M., 1972 Rev. James F. McCarthy, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1985 Rev. Gaspar L. Parente, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa, Patagonia, Ariz., 1991 April 6 Rev. Philip Lariscy, O.S.A. Founder of the New Bedford Mission, 1824 Rev. Edward J. Mongan, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1920 Rev. Msgr. John A. Chippendale, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1977 Rev. Lorenzo Morais, Retired Pastor, St. George, Westport, 1980 Rev. Msgr. William D. Thomson, Retired Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1987 Rev. Gerald E. Conmy, CSC, Associate Pastor, St. Ann, DeBary, Fla., 1994 Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Gilligan, P.A.,STD, Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minn.

1997 Rev. Lucien Jusseaume, Chaplain, Our Lady’s Haven, Fairhaven, Retired Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 2001 April 7 Rev. James A. Dury, Retired Pastor, Corpus Christi, East Sandwich, 1976 Rev. Lucien Jusseaume, Retired Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 2001

was preceded in death by his brothers, Manuel and Arthur Pacheco, and his sisters, Idalina Perry and Mary Mosher. He is survived by his sister, Irene Habib of Westport; sistersin-law, Margarite Pacheco and Elaine Hebert; and several nieces and nephews.

Father Pacheco’s first assignment in the Fall River Diocese was at Immaculate Conception Parish in New Bedford. After several other assignments in our diocese, in 1968 he joined then-Bishop Humberto Medeiros in the Diocese of Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, where he spent the rest of his priestly ministry.

His tenure in the Brownsville Diocese saw him serve communities in numerous assignments, under the leaderships of Bishop Medeiros, Bishop James Fitzpatrick, Bishop Enrique San Pedro, Bishop Raymundo Pena and Bishop Daniel Flores, in Brownsville, Alamo, San Benito and McAllen, Texas. He served from the lower part of the Rio Grande Valley to the Mid Valley where he assumed the pastoral assignment of what was to become Holy Spirit Parish in McAllen.

After completing the creation of this new parish, and serving there during its initial years of growth, he was assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in McAllen. There he served as pastor overseeing a large congregation and McAllen’s only Catholic elementary school with more than 500 students.

During his time at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, he was responsible for the construction of its new church building and office complex.

Father Pacheco served

as chairman of numerous pastoral commissions throughout the diocese including chairman of the diocesan insurance committee and head of the deanery in which he served. In 2005, Father Pacheco was elevated to the status of monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI, at the recommendation of Bishop Raymundo Pena. In 2007, Msgr. Pacheco retired from active ministry and began serving in the hospital ministry at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg, Texas, also in the Brownsville Diocese.

During his ministry, he impacted the lives of many people and he himself received many graces from the people he served.

There are so many individuals who were of great assistance to him dur-

ing his many years in the priesthood and especially during his final months.

His family would like to recognize, in his name, Alfred Wasielewski, Alonso Cantu, James Moffitt, Lee’s Pharmacy, the chaplains at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, the San Juan Nursing Home and his colleagues, the priests of the Brownsville Diocese.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 17 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen. Burial will be at a later date in Massachusetts.

Donations in his memory may be made to: Our Lady of Sorrows Capital Campaign Fund, 1108 W. Hackberry, McAllen, Texas, 78501, or to the San Juan Nursing Home, 300 N. Nebraska, San Juan, Texas 78589.

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Around the Diocese Dr. Gloria Polo died after being terribly burned by a lightning bolt on May 5, 1995 in Bogotá, Colombia; she was judged dead, and then came back to life. Come hear Polo tell her amazing story as a Lenten reflection on March 26 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford beginning at 4 p.m. For more information, call the parish rectory at 508-993-1691 or visit www. saintanthonynewbedford.com.

St. Mark’s Parish will be holding a Tenebrae Service of Scripture and Song on April 4 beginning at 7 p.m. at 105 Stanley Street in Attleboro Falls. The word Tenebrae means “darkness” in reference to the darkness held in the heart of the Church during the days and hours of our Lord’s Passion, death and Resurrection. The order of service for Tenebrae takes its form from the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Catholic Church which is offered at specific times throughout a given day. Music will be provided by the Chapel Choir of Stonehill College under the direction of Phillip Perreira. All are welcome and refreshments will be served following the service.

Sacred Heart Academy for Homeschoolers will sponsor a parent information night on April 26 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue in East Taunton. This is a Catholic co-op and home curriculum for preK to 12 using a Catholic Classical Curriculum (Schola Rosa) based in Southeastern Massachusetts. Come and see what they did this past year and what’s being planned for the year ahead.

All are welcome. For more information, contact Jennifer (jjrbbr10@gmail.com, 508-405-7041); Charisma (chadecas@ yahoo.com, 508-863-7314); Rasa (rasa@abouzeidfamily.org, 617-842-5441) or Danielle (dcrain02@gmail.com, 401-455-1756).

The United Nations International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima will be coming to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford on April 29-30. The pilgrim statue ministry promotes Our Lady’s intercession through prayer. The statue will be accompanied by first-class relics of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto, two of the child visionaries who witnessed Our Lady in Fatima’s apparitions in Portugal. Reserve the date, pass the word, and come join the celebration of the centennial anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. For more information call 508-993-1691 or visit www. saintanthonynewbedford.com.

Living the Fatima Message invites all to Say Yes to Mary: Fatima’s 100th Anniversary, which will be held on Saturday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Bishop Connolly High School, 373 Elsbree Street in Fall River. Discover how you can live Our Lady’s “peace plan” through a Living Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and Confession and learn to make your own Rosary. The day will include glimpses into Our Lady’s life through art and performance, reflections on answering her call from Rwandan genocide survivor Father Leonard Kayondo, and an address from keynote speaker Father Thaddeus Lancton, MIC, of the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge.

Admission is free and a full schedule is online at facebook. com/livingfatima under “events.” For more information call 781-521-3677 or email livingfatima@gmail.com.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

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Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 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.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

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, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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 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 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. 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 — 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.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

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 Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 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.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m.

Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

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.

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 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

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.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount 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.

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 are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

A

A real jersey barrier

whites didn’t like the blacks; the Americans didn’t like the Russians; and, to quote the great Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart), “and so on, and so on, and scooby dooby doo.”

In my nearly 60 years of being aware of things around me, I’ve never, ever understood how someone can hate another because they are “different.”

This is why I love dogs so much; like Christ, their love is unconditional.

I’ve had a longtime philosophy that mankind can mess anything up — and it has.

In 2016 there were more than 800 million people worldwide who were My View malnourished — dying evFrom ery day. There the Stands were also 65

By Dave Jolivet million displaced from their homes, and of those, 22 million who in, they tossed their shovels were refugees. And God and broke into a bhangra knows an enormous number routine right in the street that was absolutely delight- of those were not terrorists.

God knows. ful. For three minutes the In the late 1980s thentrio, well-synchronized to President Ronald Regan say the least, put on a dance routine, each with a constant (with help from then-Pope John Paul II) orchestrated Cheshire cat grin. the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Why? It was to raise Today there is a president funds for ALS (Lou Gehwho wants to build anrig’s Disease).

I had to post a comment, other.

Last week the Houston and said how much I enPolice Department, the joyed it, and how sad I was Texas Rangers and the FBI that the U.S. was so prejuculminated an investigation diced that this would likely and located Patriots’ quarnot happen here. terback Tom Brady’s SuperI received nearly 40 bowl jersey stolen from his “likes,” all from people I don’t know, from all over the locker the night of the big world. I was touched by that show. Talk about a jersey barrier. and proud to be a human I had to shake my head at being. the money that must have Ever since the dawn of been wasted pursuing that humanity, prejudices have case. Just like the dollars been mainstream attributes of man. The Jews didn’t like wasted investigating deflated footballs. the Samaritans; the Arabs Wasted money not unlike didn’t like the Jews; the video came across my Facebook page last week. I’m not a big video fan, largely because many are quite lengthy, but this one caught my attention. It featured three men, out in the snow wearing just sneakers, sweatpants and T-shirts.

But that wasn’t the draw for me. All three wore turbans, had dark hair and long beards — exactly the type that would be racially profiled in this country.

The video was on the “Only in Canada,” Facebook page, and it was titled, “Bhangra Snow Dance.” The men were shoveling snow when Indian music chimed

that spent on the red carpet at the Oscars or any of the 50 country music award ceremonies, et al.

All I can say to that is 800 million people.

Mankind fouling things up.

Well, the world can rest

easy knowing TB12 has his jersey back, except for those dying of hunger or looking for a place to begin life again.

And the three Indian bhangra dancers? They’ll continue to raise money for a cure to a devastating dis-

ease — but they better not try to cross the border into the U.S. They don’t look like people who belong here.

Me, I’m like Sly and the Family Stone: I am everyday people, yeah, yeah. And I always will be. davejolivet@anchornews.org.

The Anchor - March 24, 2017

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Anchor notice: Just this year alone, The Anchor has had to compensate the U.S. Postal Service more than $300 for subscribers who had not notified us of an address change. These fees are prohibitive and greatly affect production costs. As of April 1, The Anchor will have to charge subscribers $2 to offset the crippling fees. We regret the need to do this. If any subscriber will be changing an address, please call the office at 508.675.7151 or email subscriptions@anchornews.org, to prevent the fees.

Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

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The Anchor - March 24, 2017