03.29.13

The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , March 29, 2013

Bishop Coleman’s Easter Message Dear Friends, On Saturday, March 30, millions of Catholics will celebrate the Easter Vigil in parish churches all over the world and will gather on Easter Sunday with all their friends and families.

They will celebrate and commemorate an event that took place nearly 2,000 years ago, when Jesus Christ, the Son of God Himself, rose from the abyss of death and passed over from death to life. Through the Resurrection Our Lord has rescued all the baptized from the bondage of sin and death.

This wonderful holiday will be prefaced by Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the two other great events and Sacred Mysteries that form the Easter Triduum. When Easter Sunday dawns, we will have passed through the institution of the Body and Blood of Christ and the passion and death of Jesus on the cross.

When we gather in prayer during Holy Week and Easter, when we gather with our families, we must think not only of the past. We must think of Easter not only as an important historical event, as a memory of days that took place long ago.

Instead, the Paschal Mystery is something that we can experience as a present reality even today!

When we renew our Baptismal Promises at the Easter Vigil, the priest addresses the faithful in the following words: “Through the Paschal Mystery, we have been buried with Christ in Baptism, so that we may walk with Him in newness of life.” This shows us that through the Sacrament of Baptism, we participate in the Resurrection of Christ. This means that Our Lord shares His life with us and accompanies us wherever we go. This also means that our new life in and with Christ has already begun; we do not have to wait for the future to start enjoying the gift of eternal life.

As we celebrate Easter this year, let us be mindful that the Paschal Mystery is not only a miracle of the past, nor is it only a promise for which we have to wait. Instead, we experience the joy of Christ’s Resurrection even in the midst of our daily lives. We receive the grace and the new life of Jesus today!

With prayerful wishes that the living presence and blessings of the Risen Christ remain with each of you and with your families this Easter, I am Sincerely yours in the Lord,

Bishop George W. Coleman

News From the Vatican

2

March 29, 2013

Pope pledges renewed cooperation; Jewish leaders praise election

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said he plans renewed cooperation to further Catholic-Jewish relations and hopes to contribute to a world where all people live in harmony with the “will of the Creator.”

In a message to Chief Rabbi Riccardo di Segni of Rome, the pope said he “profoundly hopes to be able to contribute to the progress that Jewish-Catholic relations have seen starting from the Second Vatican Council, in a spirit of renewed collaboration.”

He said he also hoped to be “at the service of a world that may grow in harmony with the will of the Creator.”

The pope sent his “cordial greetings” to the head of Rome’s Jewish community the evening of his election March 13. The Vatican released a copy of the message to journalists March 15.

Rabbi di Segni, who attended the Mass, said the pope’s reference to continuing the work begun with Vatican II was “very, very important.”

“There are elements in the Church that have put themselves on the fringes because they don’t accept the council or they accept it in a very limited way,” he told the Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera.

“To establish that our relationship cannot do without the council, which is at the foundation of (Catholic-Jewish relations), means to go forward rather than in reverse,” said the rabbi.

After Pope Francis’ election, the rabbi sent his best wishes to the new pope, saying he hoped his leadership would be graced with “strength and wisdom in the formidable task that has been entrusted” to him.

“In the past decades, Rome has been a privileged place where historical steps have been taken in

Christian-Jewish relations,” Rabbi di Segni wrote the pope.

Pope Francis’ election as Bishop of Rome “gives us the hope that the journey of friendship, respect and fruitful collaboration will continue,” he wrote.

Israeli President Shimon Peres congratulated Pope Francis, inviting him “to pay a visit to the Holy Land at the earliest possibility.”

“He’ll be a welcome guest in the Holy Land, as a man of inspiration that can add to the attempt to bring peace in a stormy area,” he said in a recent written statement.

“The relations between the Vatican and the Jewish people are now at their best in the last 2,000 years and I hope they will grow in content and depths,” the president said, adding that the new pope “represents devotion, the love of God, the love of peace, a holy modesty and a new continent which is now awakening.”

“We need, more than ever, a spiritual leadership and not just a political one. Where political leaders may divide, spiritual leaders may unite: unite around a vision, unite around values, unite around a faith that we can make the world a better place to live. May the Lord bless the new pope,” Peres wrote.

Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, called Pope Francis’ election “a significant moment in the history of the Church” that will foster positive relations in the wake of “the transformational papacies of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI — pontiffs who launched historic reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people,” he said in a recent statement.

“There is much in his record that reassures us about the future,” Foxman said, including “the new pope’s sensitivity to the Jews.”

page one artwork — The Resurrection is depicted in “Christ Risen from the Tomb,” a painting by Italian Renaissance artist Bergognone. The artwork is from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington. (CNS photo/courtesy of the National Gallery of Art)

The Anchor www.anchornews.org

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 57, No. 12

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

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

Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass.

blessing from papa — Pope Francis reaches out to bless a child as he arrives in St. Peter’s Square before a recent Mass at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Hanna, Reuters)

Pope says religions must cooperate to remind humanity God exists

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For the good of all people, the care of the poor and the future of the Earth, religions must cooperate in reminding modern men and women that God exists and has a plan for their lives and their behavior, Pope Francis said.

“The Catholic Church knows the importance of promoting friendship and respect among men and women of different religious traditions,” he said, repeating the entire phrase twice for emphasis during a recent meeting with the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Jain delegations that had come to the Vatican for his inauguration.

The Catholic Church, he said, “is equally aware of the responsibility that all have for this world, for creation — which we must love and protect — and we can do much good for those who are poor, weak and suffering, to favor justice, to promote reconciliation, to build peace.”

“But more than anything,” he said, “we must keep alive in the world the thirst for the absolute. We must never allow a onedimensional vision of the human person to prevail — a vision that reduces the person to what he produces and consumes.”

“This is one of the most dangerous, insidious things of our age,” Pope Francis told his guests from other Christian churches and other religions.

Too much violence, he said, has resulted from “the attempt to eliminate God or the Divine” from people’s personal and social lives.

To be open to the transcendent, to seek God, is part of being fully human, and continues to exist in the human heart, he said.

The pope told the religious leaders that he and they have an obligation to be close to people who do not belong to a faith community, but who are “searching for the truth, goodness and beauty.”

Such people, he said, “are our precious allies in the commitment to

defending human dignity in building peaceful coexistence among peoples and in safeguarding creation.”

Before meeting the entire group, the pope held private meetings with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the “first among equals” of Orthodox bishops and a frequent visitor during Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy, and with Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of ecumenical relations for the Russian Orthodox Church.

At the beginning of the audience with all of the religious leaders, Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the pope, congratulating him on his election and emphasizing the importance of the Catholic Church’s involvement in the search for Christian unity as a sign of the credibility of the Gospel message and a way of strengthening the good Christians can do in the world.

“We have an obligation to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, cure the sick and, more in general, to care for those in need,” the patriarch said, acknowledging how much Pope Francis did that as archbishop of Buenos Aires.

He said Pope Francis’ choice of a simple papal style is a sign of his focus “on the essential, which fills with joy the hearts” of Catholics and non-Catholics alike, because it demonstrates the priority of “justice and mercy” in Christian teaching.

In his talk to the group, Pope Francis spoke explicitly about the Second Vatican Council for the first time in a public speech, and he quoted the council’s description of Muslims as people who “adore the One, merciful God.” Pope Francis sat in a simple chair, not a throne, as he met the delegates in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. Sitting closest to him on one side was Patriarch Bartholomew and on the other was Rabbi Riccardo di Segni, chief rabbi of Rome.

He offered special greetings to members of the Jewish community “with whom we have a very special spiritual bond,” because, as the Second Vatican Council said, the beginnings of the Christian faith are found in God’s relationship with the Jewish people.

“With the help of the Most High, may we continue that fraternal dialogue that the council hoped for and which, in effect, has been realized, bearing much fruit, especially in the last decades,” he said.

Greeting the Christian delegates, Pope Francis said he wanted to continue Pope Benedict’s Year of Faith and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the council’s opening, “promoting a kind of pilgrimage toward that which is essential for every Christian: a personal and transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Pope Francis said the heart of Vatican II’s message was “precisely the desire to proclaim this perennially valid treasure of faith to the people of our time.”

The pope said that with so many Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant communities present at his inauguration March 19, he felt even more strongly the call to work and pray for Christian unity, especially because the Mass offered a bit of a foretaste of how good it is for Christians to pray together.

“For my part, I want to assure you of my firm commitment to continuing the journey of ecumenical dialogue in the footsteps of my predecessors,” he said.

Firmly believing in Christ and giving a “free, joyful and courageous witness” to the faith “will be our best contribution to the cause of unity among Christians, a service of hope for a world still marked by divisions, contrasts and rivalries,” Pope Francis said.

“The more we are faithful to His will in our thoughts, words and deeds, the more we really and substantially will move toward unity,” the pope said.

March 29, 2013

High school students rally for children with brain cancer

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

COURTLAND MANOR, N.Y. — The name Jaclyn means “to protect,” and that’s exactly what Dennis Murphy wanted to do when his daughter Jaclyn began to experience serious signs of an illness while out with her family. A simple trip for pizza became a cause for concern when the nine-year-old’s leg suddenly began to drag, changing her gait when she walked.

“We were really nervous and we immediately took her to the hospital,” said Murphy.

Jaclyn spent a week in the hospital as doctors tried to find a diagnosis. It was when she received a CAT scan that the truth was revealed.

“That’s when they found a mass and it was in the fourth ventricle of her brain the size of a golf ball,” said Murphy. “That’s when our life turned upside down and we went into crisis mode.”

Rushed to a different hospital, Jaclyn’s parents had less than a day to pick out a surgeon who would perform the eight-hour surgery to remove the brain tumor; a biopsy would show the tumor was malignant.

Diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a highly malignant brain tumor that affects just under two million people per year and affects children 10 times more than adults, Jaclyn’s protocol (treatment) called for eight, six-week cycles of three different types of chemotherapy. Prior to starting chemo, Jaclyn had to undergo 32 straight days of radiation.

“Fortunately at nine years old she didn’t have to be put out,” recalled Murphy. “She was really good and cooperated.”

A “great athlete,” said Murphy, Jaclyn played soccer and lacrosse before she was diagnosed. It was

during her chemo treatments that Jaclyn’s lacrosse coach spoke with the family, and then reached out to friends who were playing lacrosse at Northwestern University in Illinois. The players sent Jaclyn a package that included a ball signed by all the players, a T-shirt and a game schedule.

When the schedule showed a Thursday night game being played five hours away — the closest the team would play to Jaclyn all season — Murphy said he didn’t hesitate to take Jaclyn on the 10hour round trip in the car to see the two-hour game. Even though her white blood cell count was low and doctors were against her attending, parents of children suffering from brain tumors “will take their kids anywhere,” said Murphy.

The assistant coach of the lacrosse team, Alexis Venechanos, helped Murphy arrange a meeting between the players and Jaclyn during a pre-game dinner at the hotel.

Murphy said the experience was inspiring to many of the players, who vowed to stay connected to Jaclyn as the lacrosse season continued; the players kept their word by sending Jaclyn emails and text messages during her stay at the hospital.

“One day, while we’re sitting on the ninth floor — and if you’re ever wondering where Heaven and hell meet, that’s where it is,” said Murphy. “It’s the saddest place on the planet at cancer hospitals, lots of bald heads, missing limbs and kids running around with chemo-poles; it’s another world. To me it’s hell, but the good doctors and nurses are the good people trying to save lives.”

On that day, Jaclyn was sitting next to a little girl. As Jaclyn texted away to her new friends on Turn to page 15

ANGELS AMONG US — The photos of children who are part of Jaclyn’s Angels program are hung in a place of honor in the shed owned by the girls’ lacrosse team of Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro. Lacrosse coach Nancy Anderson-Semple read about the Friends of Jaclyn program and continues to nurture the bond between her players and those children in Hospice care after being diagnosed with pediatric brain tumors.

3

The Anchor

LIFE ADVOCATES — Recipients of the 2013 John Cardinal O’Connor Award, given by the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate at the annual Pro-Life Mass celebrated at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth last week, are seen here with celebrant Bishop George W. Coleman, center, and include, from left, Andrew Hamel of Bishop Stang High School and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet (youth award); Amanda Tarantelli, campus minister at Bishop Stang High School (adult award); and Kathleen St. Laurent, who received the special “To Live Each Day With Dignity Award” for her work in helping to defeat the physician-assisted suicide initiative on last year’s election ballot. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Diocesan Pro-Life Mass celebrates God’s greatest gift

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Young and old alike from across the Fall River Diocese came together to celebrate the Gospel of life at the annual Pro-Life Mass at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth on March 21.

Sponsored by the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate, the annual Mass is an opportunity to give thanks and praise for God’s greatest gift — life itself — while honoring those whose tireless efforts

help support and sustain the ProLife movement in the Fall River Diocese.

As principal celebrant for the Mass, Bishop George W. Coleman offered thanks during his homily for the newly-elected Pope Francis and referenced the Holy Father’s recent remarks on the feast of St. Joseph. “(Pope Francis) has a message for all of us,” Bishop Coleman said. “In particular, for us who desire to help others to deepen their understanding of the respect that

is owed to all of God’s creation — particularly, to the human persons in every stage of their lives.”

Noting that God entrusted St. Joseph to be the primary protector of Mary and the Child Jesus, Bishop Coleman said his protection also extends to the Universal Church.

“Just as St. Joseph took loving care of Mary and dedicated himself to Jesus’ upbringing, he likewise watches over and protects Christ’s Body, the Church,” Turn to page 14

40 Days Attleboro learns of life saved

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

ATTLEBORO — On the second day of the spring 40 Days for Life, the witness of vigilers in Attleboro led to a life spared. A couple exiting the abortion clinic confirmed the save with those praying across the street. The campaign ran from February 13 to March 24.

Attleboro 40 Days organizers sent out an email, calling the save a “blessing.” “This is our 10th campaign and only in the most recent of our campaigns have events like this occurred with more frequency. Your steadfast support through prayer and fasting does make a difference, and one more child has been saved through your diligence and faithfulness to the cause of life,” the email says.

The first 40 Days for Life was conducted in College Station, Texas in 2004. Since then, 2,210 individual campaigns have taken place in 481 cities. Reports from previous campaigns document 6,749 lives that have been spared

from abortion, 76 abortion workers have quit their jobs and 27 clinics have closed their doors.

As of press time, there were nearly 500 recorded saves in the most recent campaign alone.

This spring marked the 12th nationally-coordinated campaign. Vigils were held at 261 locations plus cities in England, Australia, Poland and Spain. For the first time, vigilers participated in Nigeria, Russia, South Africa and Wales.

There was also a new location in Massachusetts. For many campaigns, five communities — Attleboro, Haverhill, Lynn, Springfield and Worcester — participated. This time a location in Boston, outside the Planned Parenthood on Commonwealth Avenue, hosted a peaceful vigil.

Ron Larose, one of the 40 Days Attleboro coordinators, said that the news of the most recent save has been the talk of the campaign.

“Everybody knows that it happened. The word spreads very quickly, and there’s a real

sense of joy and satisfaction,” he said.

There have been a handful of saves at the Attleboro site, located at Angel Park between divided state highway Route 118, since the first campaign in the fall of 2008. Because of the location, vigilers do not usually have contact with the women entering the clinic and the impact of their prayers can be difficult to gauge.

Steve Marcotte, another local 40 Days coordinator, said that confirmed saves bring encouragement. Vigilers see the Holy Spirit working in a “very tangible way.”

“We know that prayer is powerful, but we don’t know sometimes specifically the impact it has until we get a confirmation,” he said. “I know we’re not called to be successful but to be faithful, as Mother Teresa said, but we’re human, and we need some encouragement.”

Marcotte added that abortion itself is an “emotional issue.”

“Whether you’re a mother, faTurn to page 19

4

The Church in the U.S.

March 29, 2013

Maryland Catholics call death penalty repeal a Pro-Life win

Annapolis, Md. (CNA) — Catholics in Maryland are welcoming the repeal of the death penalty in the state as a step towards a culture of life that respects the dignity of all human persons, from conception to natural death.

“As Catholics we recognize the intrinsic dignity of every human life,” said Linda Brenegan, Respect Life program director for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

“Repealing the death penalty acknowledges in law that value (of every human life) — even of those who have degraded themselves by committing serious crimes,” she recently told CNA. “Could Maryland now begin to move toward acknowledging the obvious dignity of the most innocent among us — the child in the womb? We hope, pray and work for that day,” she continued.

On March 15, the Maryland House of Delegates approved a measure to repeal the death penalty, following the state Senate’s passage of the same bill. Gov. Martin O’Malley, who introduced the bill in January, has strongly supported it and promised to sign it into law.

When the legislation takes effect, Maryland will become the 18th state to end the practice of the death penalty, replacing capital punishment with life in prison without the

possibility of parole.

Opponents of the measure have not stated whether they will continue to oppose the repeal, but they do have the option of bringing it to a referendum for the state’s citizens to vote on it before it goes into effect.

Pro-Life advocates are applauding the measure as an important part of fostering a coherent defense of all of human life.

“We are grateful to the many members of the general assembly who considered this issue with great deliberation over the last two weeks, and who followed their conscience in supporting repeal and the value of all human life,” said Mary Ellen Russell, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference in a statement.

The conference emphasized that the “Catholic Church teaches that a consistent ethic of life demands respect for the dignity of every human life, including those of criminals on death row.”

“The test of whether the death penalty can be used is not the gravity of the offense, but whether it is absolutely necessary to protect society,” the statement said.

Sylvia “Cookie” Harris of Maryland Right to Life told CNA that “as a Catholic I feel that the repeal of the death penalty is a good thing.”

Harris now hopes that the renewed respect for the lives of prisoners will lead to a culture that respects the unborn.

She explained that going forward, she is hopeful that “all of the effort, and time and resources focused on ending the death penalty will now be refocused on ending abortion in Maryland.”

advocate for the poor — Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service and executive director of Network, a national Catholic social justice lobby, urges U.S. lawmakers to protect the poor and families as budget talks continued on Capitol Hill in Washington. Clergy and faith activists kicked off their “Loaves and Fishes Day of Action” by calling on lawmakers to reject austerity measures that would harm the poor, families and senior citizens. (CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

Bishops remind Congress that poor must be first in budget priorities

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The needs of poor and vulnerable Americans must remain at the top of the country’s spending priorities as Congress debates the federal budget in the coming weeks, the chairmen of two U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops committees said.

Holding firm to earlier stances, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, told members of Congress in a recent letter that budget expenditures reflect the priorities of a nation.

“As Catholic pastors, we continue to emphasize that these choices are economic, political and moral,” the bishops said.

“While we lack the competence to offer a detailed critique of entire budget proposals, we do ask you to consider the human and moral dimensions of these choices,” they said.

The letter comes as Congress prepared to debate the fiscal year 2014 budget. Contrasting proposals have risen to the forefront in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The House budget, written by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., calls for reducing domestic spending and lowering tax rates for most income earners while growing military spending. His proposal, made as chairman of the House Budget Committee, calls for privatizing Medicare, reducing funding for Medicaid and food stamps by turning them into block grants ad-

ministered by states, and abolishing the Affordable Care Act. Ryan has said such steps are necessary to balance the budget by 2023 and begin reducing the federal deficit.

The Senate budget, offered by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., calls for slower growth in discretionary spending and new revenues from wealthy Americans and the biggest corporations. In introducing her proposal, Murray said the budget “tackles the deficit and debt the way the American people wanted it done.”

The real debate will occur once both houses of Congress adopt a budget plan and leaders from both chambers sit down in an attempt to iron out differences in a comprehensive bill.

The budget debate comes on the heels of automatic across-theboard spending cuts that took effect March 1. Known as sequestration, the cuts in current fiscal year spending total about $109 billion.

They equally affect domestic and military programs in an attempt to whittle down the country’s $16 trillion deficit.

While supporting the goal of reducing “future unsustainable deficits,” Bishops Blaire and Pates told Congress “this worthy goal” must be “pursued in ways that protect poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad.”

The bishops reiterated their call for a circle of protection around people struggling to find work, obtain adequate housing, put food on their tables and place their children in educational programs. In particular, they cited programs such as Head Start, Supplemental Nutri-

tion Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, Pell grants, Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and poverty-focused international assistance as vital to protect.

The letter called for leaving in place the earned income tax credit and the low-income component of the child tax credit.

Bishops Blaire and Pates also cautioned against repealing the Affordable Care Act altogether, saying the USCCB’s opposition to it is limited to “addressing the morally problematic features of health care reform.”

The USCCB has opposed some of the regulations governing implementation of the Affordable Care Act such as the contraceptive mandate and its current limited definition of those religious organizations that would be exempt.

While calling for Congress to consider options to raise revenues, the bishops shied away from offering specific ideas to do so.

“Our nation has an obligation to address the impact of future deficits on the health of the economy, to ensure stability and security for future generations, and to use limited resources efficiently and effectively,” they wrote. “A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons; it requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary military spending and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly.”

The International Church In Buenos Aires slum, Church counters drugs, evangelicals

March 29, 2013

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNS) — Mass at the Christ the Worker Parish is celebrated on a cement soccer pitch. There, parishioners sit on portable pews and relax on the embankment of an overpass; shipping containers soar over the fence behind the altar.

The service starts as the sun sets, with children and local youth beating drums and dancers dressed in blue and white costumes — similar to the national patroness, Our Lady of Lujan — circling the pitch.

The Mass unfolds like any other: readings, homily, consecration, handshakes and Communion.

The chapel near the soccer pitch is part church, part community center and serves Villa 31, one of the more than 500 shanties surrounding the Argentine capital, places where the authori-

ties are often absent and drug dealing is rife. Christ the Worker Parish has six chapels in Villa 31 and adjacent areas.

It’s an example of the outreach to outcasts and the poor employed by Pope Francis during his 15 years as archbishop of Buenos Aires, where he wanted the Church brought closer to the people and sent seminarians and priests to serve them.

“The outskirts of Buenos Aires” — where many “villas de emergencia,” or shanties, are located — “were the center for him, not the downtown,” said Father Jose Maria di Paola, or, “Padre Pepe,” perhaps the bestknown of the priests who live and work in the villas.

“The orientation of the archdiocese has been directed toward the most needy,” Father di Paola said, adding that the Church at times has provided more social

assistance in the villas than the state has provided.

The villas were such a priority for Pope Francis that he established chapels and missions, providing education, serving hot meals and organizing youth groups and drug rehabilitation programs.

He also denounced drug use, drug decriminalization and drug dealing — especially paco, a form of crack cocaine processed with sulfuric acid and kerosene and sold in the villas. In 2009, the pope’s denouncements forced Father di Paola, 50, to temporarily leave the villas after he received death threats.

None of that slowed down the mission work, which Father di Paola suspected has been successful because priests actually live and work in the villas and become part of the community.

Their numbers grew under Pope

Salvadoran clergy hopeful for canonization of Archbishop Romero

SAN SALVADOR (CNS) — Salvadoran clergy are hopeful that the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero, murdered while celebrating Mass March 24, 1980, during El Salvador’s civil war, will move forward under the Church’s first Latin American pope.

“We are in the best of circumstances. The time is ripe for a final verdict,” Auxiliary Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez of San Salvador told Catholic News Service, referring to Pope Francis, who as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, until he was elected pope March 13.

The media, he said, have reported about the admiration that the new pontiff has for Archbishop Romero and the conviction

that the martyred prelate should be canonized.

“The stars are aligned (for Romero’s canonization), but I insist that we should not rush.

God has its time and that time will come,” Bishop Rosa Chavez added.

The canonization process for Archbishop Romero began in 1994. The case is being studied by the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes.

Msgr. Jesus Delgado also told reporters that in 2007 he spoke with Cardinal Bergoglio, who told him that if he were the pope, the beatification and canonization of the slain archbishop would the first thing he would pursue.

In another meeting in 2010, Msgr. Delgado said Cardinal

Bergoglio recalled what he said about Archbishop Romero in 2007, but added that the problem was that he would never become pope.

When Cardinal Bergoglio was elected pope, Msgr. Delgado told local media it was “a wonderful surprise,” and that he thought it was time that Archbishop Romero became a saint.

Archbishop Romero was a staunch defender of the poor and criticized the human rights violations of the military junta that ruled El Salvador beginning in October 1979. His outspokenness led to his assassination.

Regardless of how the canonization advances, “the Salvadoran people have named him saint long ago,” Bishop Rosa Chavez said of Archbishop Romero.

Francis, going from “eight or nine” priests to more than 20, he said.

“This has stopped evangelicals” from moving in, added Father di Paolo, 50, who looks like a man in late 30s with his shaggy hair, thin beard and black tennis shoes.

It also gives a sense of community to those originally from other places: Father di Paolo said priests often incorporate customs that Catholics bring from the neighboring countries into their celebrations.

Pope Francis frequently visited the villas, places polite society members, and some taxi drivers, avoid. He arrived on the bus or “collective transport,” walked the rutted roads and baptized and confirmed the children of the residents — many of whom worked as bricklayers and maids or came from countries such as Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay in search of better economic opportunities.

“He used to come to the villas, sip mate (an Argentine hot beverage) and visit with the people,” Father di Paola said.

“People can show you photos of him in their house,” he added.

“Humble people can’t believe

5

that he came to my ‘villa,’ my barrio, and now he’s pope.”

Maria Laura, 20, said, “It’s pretty strange to say that I was confirmed by the pope.”

She participates with a youth group at Christ the Worker and said her group tried to help “a lot of kids getting into drugs.”

The youth groups also provide a path for young men to enter the seminary, although many seminarians and priests not from the villas are sent to serve them.

Father Martin Carrozza, 36, grew up near the archdiocesan seminary, but was asked by Pope Francis to serve the villas.

“He said, ‘If you don’t like it, I (will) remove you from them,” recalled Father Carrozza, vicar at Christ the Worker.

Father Carrozza said he would not consider leaving the community, explaining: “The people made me feel at home. They really opened their hearts.”

With his former archbishop now in the Vatican, Father di Paolo expects pastors like him to be priority in the papacy of Pope Francis.

“Any priest working with the poor will have a pastor close by,” he said.

6

The Anchor Easter glory

A Protestant Church in the Attleboro area has been running an advertisement in the local newspaper, reminding people to not let “the Bunny get all the glory” at Easter, thus inviting people to come and praise Christ on the day of His resurrection.

The night before He suffered on the cross, Jesus told His Apostles, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him” (Jn 13:31). He said this right after Judas left the Last Supper to fetch the soldiers who would arrest Jesus.

This does not seem like “glory” to us human beings, but from God’s point of view Jesus’ supreme act of obedience to the Father and His supreme act of love for sinful humanity is infinitely more glorious than any earthly luxury.

Our then-Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI explained this back in a general audience on Jan. 25, 2012. “The glorification that Jesus asks for Himself as High Priest, is the entry into full obedience to the Father, an obedience that leads to His fullest filial condition: ‘And now, Father, glorify Me in Your Own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world was made’ (Jn 17:5). This readiness and this request are the first act of the new priesthood of Jesus, which is a total gift of Himself on the cross and on the cross itself — the supreme act of love — He is glorified because love is the true glory, the Divine glory.”

The humility and simplicity of our new pontiff, Pope Francis, shows how he is trying to live out that new priesthood of Christ, into which he (and all of us) entered at Baptism. We are all called by Christ to imitate Him by making a total gift of ourselves to our Heavenly Father. If we do this, then we also are glorified.

But this glory, like that of Christ, is not an easy thing to embrace. In another comment on Jesus’ glory, Pope Benedict told a crowd in Turin on May 2, 2010, “When Judas leaves the Upper Room to carry out his scheme of betrayal that will lead to the Master’s death, Jesus says: ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and in Him God is glorified’ (Jn 13:31): the glorification of Jesus begins at that very moment. The Evangelist John makes it quite clear: he does not in fact say that Jesus was glorified only after His Passion, through His resurrection; rather he shows that precisely with the Passion His glorification began. In it Jesus manifests His glory, which is the glory of love, which gives itself totally. He loved the Father, doing His will to the very end, with a perfect gift of self; He loved humanity, giving His life for us. Thus He was already glorified in His Passion and God was glorified in Him.” The Easter Bunny does not embrace that type of glory, but Christ does and He wants us to do so, too. As we observe the Triduum this weekend, we behold in prayer our Savior “lifted up” so as to “draw all men to [Him]self” (Jn 12:32), as Jesus predicted. We examine our consciences to see whether our words and actions are helping to draw people towards or away from Christ. We then behold the sorrows of our Blessed Mother, enduring an agony so many other women (and men) have had to endure — that of burying a beloved child. In contemplating her sorrow, we realize that we are not alone in our own tragedies, that she accompanies us and strengthens us, as she did for Jesus, and for John and Mary Magdalene, on that first Good Friday.

On Easter Sunday and throughout the 50 days of the Easter season we rejoice in the Risen Christ. The wisdom of the world says that this did not happen, that His body became “worm food,” but St. John Chrysostom (“gold mouth”) points out that it would have been nonsensical to think that the Apostles made up the story of the resurrection. “For how … could 12 uneducated men, who lived on lakes and rivers and wastelands, get the idea for such an immense enterprise?

How could men who perhaps had never been in a city or a public square think of setting out to do battle with the whole world? That they were fearful, timid men, the evangelist makes clear; he did not reject the fact or try to hide their weaknesses. Indeed he turned these into a proof of the truth. What did he say of them?

That when Christ was arrested, the others fled, despite all the miracles they had seen, while he who was leader of the others denied Him!” In other words, St. John Chrysostom reminds us of how uncourageous they were.

He continued, “How then account for the fact that these men, who in Christ’s lifetime did not stand up to the attacks by the Jews, set forth to do battle with the whole world once Christ was dead — if, as you claim, Christ did not rise and speak to them and rouse their courage? Did they perhaps say to themselves: ‘What is this? He could not save Himself but He will protect us? He did not help Himself when He was alive, but now that He is dead He will extend a helping hand to us? In His lifetime He brought no nation under His banner, but by uttering His name we will win over the whole world?’ Would it not be wholly irrational even to think such thoughts, much less to act upon them? It is evident, then, that if they had not seen Him risen and had proof of His power, they would not have risked so much.”

Our embracing the glory of the cross, our embracing self-sacrificial love, makes no logical sense if Jesus is not risen. If He were not risen, we would have no hope for immortality either. We might as well do whatever will please us now, since we would have no Heavenly afterlife (let’s not say “reward,” since that implies that God “owes” us). And yet, the amazing kindnesses that we sometimes receive in this life are other proofs of the resurrection — that Jesus is moving hearts to find “glory” not in themselves, but in sacrificing to love God and neighbor. May He help us to do the same.

O

March 29, 2013

Chosen through mercy

ne of the most fascinating aspects of the despite one’s sins but precisely because of them. biography of our Pope Francis is when This is so that, having been transfixed by the and how he discovered his priestly vocation. It’s Lord’s mercy, they might be capable of ministera mystery worth pondering deeply on this Good ing that same life-changing merciful glance to Friday. others.

Jorge Bergoglio was a 16-year-old boy It’s certainly possible that during that Confesplanning to go out to celebrate with friends on sion, after Jorge Bergoglio contritely confessed Students Day, an Argentine national holiday, his sins, the gentle confessor mentioned to him which is always held on the first day of spring, that the whole experience of humbly confessing September 21, in the southern hemisphere. his sins might be part of God’s larger plan to In the Church’s liturgical calendar, however, help form him to be a tender, merciful confessor September 21 is the feast of St. Matthew, the of others one day. once despicable tax collector who was shockRegardless, over the years as he looked back ingly called by the Lord to become one of His at the experience and marked each year the anApostles, and who in response to his own call niversary of his calling, he pondered St. Bede’s summoned others who were spiritually sick to insight about the connection between God’s experience the same healing from the Divine mercy and call. He likely saw an autobiographiPhysician he himself had received. cal application to the seventh-century English Jorge decided to start the holiday by going saint’s words, “By an invisible, interior impulse to pray at his parish Church of St. Joseph. When flooding his mind with the light of grace, he he arrived, he saw a priest he didn’t know but taught him to walk in His footsteps.” who gave off a strong impression of holiness. He He also probably discovered the path of his decided to approach him for the Sacrament of future priestly apostolate in St. Bede’s commenPenance. The need to confess may have been the tary of how Matthew responded to his vocation. reason this teen-ager had wanted to go to church “This conversion of one tax collector gave many that Monday morning in the first place. men, those from his own profession and other We don’t know what he confessed to the sinners, an example of repentance and pardon. priest or what the No sooner was priest said to him he converted in response. But than Matthew we do know that drew after him that Confession a whole crowd totally changed of sinners along not only Jorge the same road to Bergoglio’s day salvation.” but the trajecOn the first

By Father tory of his whole Sunday of his Roger J. Landry existence. papal ministry, Reminiscing Pope Francis 57 years later in called far more “El Jesuita,” a 2010 book-length interview, the people to God’s mercy than any party St. Matfuture pope said, “In that Confession, somethew had ever thrown with Christ as the guest thing very rare happened to me. I don’t know of honor. In his homily at the Vatican’s parish what it was, but it changed my life. I would say church of St. Anne and in his Angelus meditathat I was caught with my guard down. It was tion from his study window before a crowd of a surprise, the astonishment of an encounter. I 300,000, he stressed what he discovered back on realized that God was waiting for me. From that Sept. 21, 1953. moment for me, God has been the One Who acts “The Lord never tires of forgiving: never! first. One is searching for Him but He is looking It is we who tire of asking for His forgiveness. for you first.”

Let us ask for the grace never to tire of asking During that Sacramental conversation with for forgiveness, because God never tires of the priest, he realized that that the merciful God giving His forgiveness,” he said at the end of Who had been waiting for him and Who had his homily. come to meet him through the priest’s ministraAs the exclamation of his Angelus meditions was calling him to be a priest. After the tation, after repeating those words from his profound encounter with the Hound of Heaven homily, he exhorted us: “Let us never tire, let us — the same One Who had once invaded St. never tire! He is the loving Father Who always Matthew’s life and called him to leave his illpardons, Who has that heart of mercy for us gained money on the table and come follow Him all. And let us too learn how to be merciful to — Jorge decided not to go to the train station to everyone.” meet his friends, but to return home, pondering On this Good Friday, this theme of mercy the mystery and meaning of his call. ought to be very much before us. The Lamb of The new pope still retains in his breviary a God was slain precisely in order to take away lengthy personal credo he wrote during a spiritu- the sins of the world, and it’s in this act of ally intense moment before his priestly ordinareceiving this forgiveness that we discover our tion, in one of the articles of which he states, “I true vocation, miserando atque eligendo. Christ believe in my history, which was pierced by the came to call sinners and our vocation is found in God’s look of love and, on the first day of spring, responding to and living in accordance with that September 21, He came to meet me and invited offer of mercy. me to follow Him.” We see that most powerfully in the story of While we don’t know for sure any of the Dismas, the good thief. He heard the crucified details of that conversation between Christ and man to his left, as his torturers were hammering His future vicar on earth through the in persona his limbs to the cross, cry out not in pain or in Christi ministrations of the confessor, we can complaint but shockingly in prayer for mercy: deduce a lot from the motto that Jorge Bergoglio “Father, forgive them for they know not what chose for his episcopacy and now his papacy: they do!”

“Miserando atque Eligendo.”

It pierced him to the heart and provided a It comes from a commentary by St. Bede the sort of summons that led him in faith to ask to Venerable on Christ’s call of Matthew, which is steal Heaven. read by priests across the world every year on “Jesus,” he said, “Remember me when You September 21 in the Office of Readings. St. Bede come into Your Kingdom.” And Jesus looked at wrote, “Vidit publicánum et, quia miserándo him with a piercing glance of merciful love and atque eligéndo vidit, ait illi: Séquere me,” which is revealed to him the most sublime vocation of all: translated, “He saw the tax collector and, because “Truly I tell you today, you will be with Me in He saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose Paradise!” him, He said to him: “Follow Me.’” Today is a day in which we all should ask for It’s quite possible that the priest hearing Jorge what the good thief begged.

Bergoglio’s Confession might have mentioned And helped by our new Holy Father to recto him St. Bede’s insight that just as the Lord ognize that the Lord Jesus is always miserando looked at Matthew with mercy and called him, atque eligendo, let us recognize that in dying so He might be looking at Jorge with the same for us today and crying to the Father for mercy piercing look of merciful love and choosing him on our behalf, He was likewise calling us to in the same way.

Himself, like Matthew and Francis, to receive It’s quite often that young people think that that forgiveness and bring others to experience because they’re sinners, they cannot possibly it, too. have the call to be a priest. As we see in the life Father Landry is pastor of St. Bernadette of SS. Matthew, Peter, Paul, Augustine and so Parish in Fall River. His email address is many others, however, the Lord often calls not fatherlandry@catholicpreaching.com.

Putting Into the Deep

A

s I write these words, the conclave to elect the next pope has been completed. Our new pope is Pope Francis. His “inauguration” on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, the feast of the patron of the Universal Church, not only was timely, but in God’ great timing, was perfect.

As I look back on those historic few days, it was amazing to note how many journalists, even from our own diocese, travelled to Rome to be in the “forefront of the action” as it were. There were daily reports from Rome and photos of the beautiful Sistine Chapel, where the voting was held. Video opportunities were provided to show us where the cardinals would be staying during this period and what their room would look like.

Placing a covering on the original floor of the Sistine Chapel was shown and photographs of the preparations being made for the seating and tables to be used by the voting cardinals were distributed. In an attempt to satisfy curiosity and provide information, photographs of the stoves to be used in burning the ballots and spewing forth the black smoke (no pope elected) or white smoke (new pope elected) were shown.

The prayers of preparation were also shown. The cardinals gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Altar of the Chair to cel-

7

The Anchor

March 29, 2013

Renewing our love for God and neighbor

ebrate Vespers, pray the Rosary In all the maneuvering and and participate in Benediction attempts to select or predict a of the Blessed Sacrament. The certain outcome by the media, Mass opening the conclave and the main mover in this imthe procession into the Sistine portant election was the Holy Chapel for the conclave itself Spirit. The Church believes were publicized.

God’s Spirit inspired the voters Press briefings and interto select the best man to be the views were featured in broadBishop of Rome at this time in casts throughout the world. Newspapers ran articles penned by observant reporters based on interviews of differing people and cardinals. The resignaBy Msgr. tion of Pope Emeritus John J. Oliveira Benedict XVI has generated much interest.

While this interest is based on the novelty the history of the Church. The of the first “retirement” of a remainder of what was said pope in nearly 600 years, there or done was accidental to the was also interest in knowing reality that God plays the most who the successor would be. important role in all this.

Consultations of cardinals were To witness those who are so held to discern what the major critical of the Catholic Church, concerns were and the issues its standards and values, being the next pope would have to so interested in this election address. is mind-boggling. They know Those who see this as an op- that many of their followers are portunity to change the teachCatholics and wanted to know ings of the Catholic Church what was happening. They will be sorely disappointed. were aware of the importance This was not an election of a of the role of the pope in the person to change the teachings world and individual countries. of the Church, but the prayerful There is no doubt that Pope and discerning process to find John Paul II and Pope Benedict the person who can most faithXVI each contributed in a large fully, creatively, and authentimeasure to this interest. cally proclaim the teachings of But there has to be someChrist. thing else. Perhaps it is the

Living the Faith

profound respect, not only for the person of the Holy Father, but also of what he represents and what he teaches. Why care otherwise? This is not just another election of a leader or of a president. It is the selection of the Vicar of Christ on earth by rules that have worked for centuries.

Pope Francis, in his meeting with the cardinals, reflected on this point and said: “The period of the conclave was full of meaning, not only for the College of Cardinals, but also for all the faithful.

In these days we felt, almost tangibly, the affection and solidarity of the Universal Church, as well as the attention of many people who, although they do not share our faith, look to the Church and the Holy See with respect and admiration.”

Throughout all of this, I was reminded of the time I served in the Chancery Office as Vicar for Administration, now called Moderator of the Curia. It was the time of the transition of Bishop Daniel A. Cronin to be the Archbishop of Hartford. It happened again in our diocese when Bishop Sean O’Malley was transferred to the Diocese of Palm Beach. We had no bishop. An interim administrator was chosen to administer the diocese until a new bishop was

named to the See of Fall River.

In the wisdom of the Church, there were rules for this interim period. It was not the first diocese, nor the last, to be without a bishop until a new one was named. It will happen again and again.

The rules were created so the work of the Church, the salvation and care of souls, would continue. Masses were said, Communions were given, funerals and Marriages were celebrated. Baptisms and Confirmations were held. The work of the Church continued without missing a beat.

The same thing has happened with the resignation of the pope. In the interim, the work of the Church had continued. Christ had continued to be present to His people in Word and Sacrament. That is the beauty of it all.

At this historic time, during this Year of Faith, we welcome the newest Successor to St. Peter, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. He will guide us to make Christ present. Let us pledge to work with him.

As Lent draws to a close, I pray there are many blessings remaining for you.

God bless you.

Msgr. Oliveira is pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford and director of the diocesan Propagation of the Faith Office.

Following losses in enrollment, SS. Peter and Paul School to close in June

FALL RIVER — Over several years, SS. Peter and Paul School in Fall River has been experiencing a steady decline in student enrollment with recent losses becoming increasingly steep. In the current 2012-2013 academic year, there are 111 students attending the pre-kindergarten through elementary school; that is a decrease of 61 students — or one-third of total enrollment — of the previous 2011-2012 year.

SS. Peter and Paul School Principal Kathleen A. Burt had developed a plan and budget for the school to go forward next year based on a projection of 110 students. She and members of the school community worked hard to recruit students, and diocesan school administration extended the registration period. Unfortunately, as of the March 1 deadline, only 79 students registered to attend next year.

One year ago, in light of its projected enrollment decline, the school reorganized to become a multi-age “mastery

level” school. This approach required a smaller number of teachers than traditional classroom models. It was hoped that in this new model, enrollment and finances could be stabilized, but low registration figures for next year indicated that this would not be the case.

Upon consideration of this low number of prospective students, the school’s overall downward enrollment trend and the school’s accumulated debt of $124,000, Fall River diocesan administration and Catholic Schools Office officials have come to the difficult conclusion that SS. Peter and Paul School must close in June at the end of this academic year.

Though the decision to close this venerable 90-year-old parish school is not an easy one, it is necessary to make it now in order to give parents and students sufficient time to consider options for next year and for school staff to plan ahead as well.

On March 19, Fall River diocesan Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael S. Griffin met with Father Steven B. Salvador, the pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish, and Burt to explain the decision, and parents of students and school faculty and staff were informed of it in meetings on March 21.

Bishop George W. Coleman has been kept apprised of the declining student numbers over the years and the school’s recent acute enrollment losses.

With regret, he accepted the decision that the school close.

He understands the sadness that this will bring to current and former students and their families, to the longtime school principal and her staff, and to Father Salvador and parishioners of SS. Peter and Paul Parish. To them all, he extends his heartfelt gratitude for their support of the school for many years and he promises to remember them all in prayer during this time of transition.

Griffin explained that there

is sufficient space in the remaining Catholic elementary schools in Fall River to accommodate students from SS. Peter and Paul who wish to transfer to one of them. In point of fact, nine students currently enrolled at SS. Peter and Paul School have already registered for next year at other Catholic schools in Fall River.

“I have met with the pastors and principals of our other Catholic schools in Fall River and they have assured me that they will do all they can to welcome any of these students,” he said. Parents have been provided with an informational sheet on the city’s other Catholic schools and the application process.

He also noted that SS. Peter and Paul School staff will be given strong consideration should any wish to apply for employment for next year in another Catholic school in the diocese SS. Peter and Paul School has been steadily impacted by a number of factors over the past decade. There has been

a decline in the school-age population in Fall River. The overall Catholic population has declined as well and smaller parish communities mean fewer prospective students and diminished financial support, both of which affect parish sponsorship of a school. Add to that Fall River’s challenging economy and its impact on a family’s ability to pay school tuition.

These issues are not unique to Fall River; they are common in many older urban areas. In fact, on the whole Catholic elementary schools in Fall River have proved resilient. Five will remain next September to serve the city’s youth. By comparison in New Bedford, with demographics similar to that of Fall River, there are three Catholic elementary schools; in Pawtucket, R.I., three; and in much larger Hartford, Conn., two.

At this time there has been no decision made with regard to any future use of the SS. Peter and Paul School building.

8

I

n the four words of the title, our entire story is summarized. Through these four words we show that death, despair, and disobedience to God, namely sin, has been defeated. This wonderful Gospel is something that was unheard of to those who first heard this message. The Apostles and the women sought the Lord in the garden of death and were told, “Why seek the living among the dead?” They forgot the words of the prophets and God, for their God and our God is the God of the living, not the dead.

Written into the very creation of the cosmos, the Lord wrote this wonderful event into our lives. From the very first moments of the Earth, when the sun descended into the darkness of night, it rose again on the next day, so too does the Son rise on the third

March 29, 2013

The Anchor

The Lord is risen!

day. The Lord has shown us the resurrection of the dead, throughout our history that and the life of the world to even in our weakest mocome.” We don’t say these ments, that we too shall rise, words together approximately whether it is from the wa58 times a year because it ters of the Red Sea, returning from the exiles, to the birth Homily of the Week of the One Who will Easter show us that death Sunday will not be the last chapter of our lives.

By Father When God became Peter J. Fournier Man He experienced all that we experience except for sin.

He experienced our joys and sounds nice, but rather besorrows, laughing and crying, cause we truly believe that at and death and resurrection. the appointed times we will Yes, Christ rose from the rise from dead. We believe dead and so we too shall rise that our life does not end from the dead on that day yet when our earthly body dies, to come. Christ’s rising from that it continues, waiting in the dead is not just a matter love of God, for that moment of our faith, but it is a matter when we can truly love and of our hope. Every Sunday worship our Creator in our we pray and end our creed glorified bodies, an act which stating: “We look forward will be the most human act

that we could ever hope to accomplish.

The Lord is risen; these four words show the love of God: the love of a Father Who was willing to allow the Son to die on a cross; the love of a Father Who sent His Son as ransom; the love of a Father Who through His Son, showed us our end. The resurrection of Jesus shows how much our God loves.

It shows us that no matter the cross we carry in our life, no matter what difficulties arise in our daily life, no matter the struggles of sin, we know there in faith, hope and love, those things are not the end.

Rather new life, the glorified life, life eternal with our Father is the end.

The joy and love of the Easter season penetrates

throughout time. It is not a joy that was only experienced by the followers of Jesus 2,000 years ago or a love that only effects those who witness with their eyes the resurrection of Jesus. The love and joy is made manifest in our own life anytime we fully give of self to God. This is something that happens anytime we receive God’s love in the Eucharist, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The love is made manifest to those in our lives when we utilize the grace and strength we have received during our Baptism and Confirmation and live the vocation the Lord has called us to live.

The Lord is risen. May the joy of the resurrected Lord enter into our lives and allow us to dwell always in love and joy of God. Father Fournier is a parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. March 30, Easter Vigil, (1) Gn 1:1—2:2, or 1:1,26-31a; Ps 104:1-2a,5-6,10,12-14,24,35c or Ps 33:4-7,12-13,20,22; (2) Gn 22:118 or 22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18; Ps 16:5,8-11; (3) Ex 14:15—15:1; (Ps) Ex 15:1-6,17-18; (4) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2,4-6,11-12a,13b; (5) Is 55:1-11; (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6; (6) Bar 3:9-15,32—4:4; Ps 19:8-11; (7) Ez 36:16-17a,18-28; Pss 42:3,5bcd;43:3-4; or when Baptism is celebrated, (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6 or Ps 51:12-15,18-19; (8) Rom 6:3-11; Ps 118:1-2,16ab-17,22-23; (9) Lk 24:1-12. Sun. March 31, Easter Sunday, Acts 10:34a,37-43; Ps 118:1-2,16ab-17,22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or 41: Lk 24:1-12 or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, 46: Lk 24:13-35. Mon. Apr. 1, Acts 2:14,22-23; Ps 16:1-2a,5,7-11; Mt 28:8-15. Tues. Apr. 2, Acts 2:36-41; Ps 33:4-5,18-20,22; Jn 20:11-18. Wed. Apr. 3, Acts 3:1-10; Ps 105:1-4,6-9; Lk 24:13-35. Thurs. Apr. 4, Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8:2a,5-9; Lk 24:35-48. Fri. Apr. 5, Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2,4,22-27a; Jn 21:1-14.

I

n a Sistine Chapel homily, given to the cardinals who had elected him pope the evening before, the new Bishop of Rome, reflecting on the dialogue between Jesus and Peter at Caesarea Philippi (Mt 16:13-25), challenged those who had just laid a great cross on his shoulders to deepen their own commitment to Christ crucified: “The same Peter who has confessed Jesus Christ says to Him, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I will follow You, but let us not speak of the cross.

This has nothing to do with it. I will follow You with other possibilities, without the cross.’

Cross-centered Catholic renewal

“When we walk without the And in this way the Church will cross, when we build without move forward.” the cross and when we confess That challenge to the carChrist without the cross, we are dinal-electors applies to every not disciples of the Lord: we are Catholic, as Preface I of the Pasworldly, we are bishops, priests, sion of the Lord reminds us: cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord.

“I would like that everyone should have the courage, truly the courage, to walk in the presence of the Lord,

By George Weigel with the cross of the Lord; to build up the Church upon the Blood of the Lord that was shed upon “For through the saving Pasthe cross; and to confess the sion of Your Son, the whole only glory — Christ crucified. world has received a heart to confess the infinite power of Your majesty, since by the wondrous power of the cross Your judgment on the world is now revealed and the authority of Christ crucified.”

Easter is the axial point of history: the moment when God demonstrates that His creative purposes have been vindicated — redeemed — such that the entire cosmic drama of creation, redemption and sanctification will be brought to its proper conclusion in the New Jerusalem, at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. No Easter, no Easter faith; no Easter, no Church; at

The Catholic Difference

Easter, history and the cosmos are re-ordered to the trajectory intended for them “in the beginning” (Gen 1:1). Still, the Church remembers throughout Lent that there is no Easter without Good Friday. Good Friday is not an accidental prelude to Easter; Good Friday is the essential, Divinely-ordered gateway to Easter.

This has always been hard to accept, as we see from the dialogue at Caesarea Philippi to which Pope Francis referred in his post-election homily. We would have arranged things differently; we would have chosen another kind of Messiah — that theme runs like a bright thread throughout Lent, in the readings from the Old and New Testaments that the Church assigns to the Liturgy during the 40 days, so that the Church can ponder again the full panorama of salvation history. And as the Holy Father suggested in the Sistine Chapel, the temptation to deny the cross is perennial; moreover, it is at the root of the Church’s failure to be the credible witness it must be, if the world is to be offered friendship with Jesus Christ.

There is much that needs reforming in the Church; and true reform, as I describe it in “Evangelical Catholicism” (Basic Books) is always Christ-centered and mission-oriented. True reform gives fresh expression to the truth of Christ crucified; true reform equips the Church for the more effective proclamation of Christ crucified. That expression and proclamation ought to be done with joy, for we are living on the far side of Easter.

But Easter can never be emptied of the Passion and death of the Lord; Easter faith must be faith built on an embrace of the cross.

So in venerating the cross on Good Friday, in the first Holy Week of a pontificate of reform and renewal, let the entire Church remember the truths expressed in what we may imagine as the first papal encyclical: “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.

He Himself bore our sins in His Body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed” (1 Pet 2: 21, 24).

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

March 29, 2013

I

t was approximately 5:15 a.m. as I stepped out onto the front porch, then onto the lawn facing those great green pali (cliffs) to the south. To the west over Maunaloa hung the full silvery moon lighting up the landscape and the pali, shimmering on the harbor waters. It was time to prepare for the 5:45 a.m. Mass here at St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa.

I have completed my eighth month here in the land of Father Damien and Mother Marianne, and I have witnessed many such moons, majestic in the night sky above Kalau-

S

9

The Anchor

Moon over Molokai: My life in Kalaupapa

papa during this time. Though tisms, weddings or funerals, I will not suggest that I’ve but I have encountered and been busy all the time durgreeted many pilgrims from ing these eight months, I can many countries all over the say that the weeks and months just seem to fly by for me and not just because I have not had to wield a shovel this Hawaiian winter.

Life here under

By Father the warm subtropiPatrick Killilea, SS.CC. cal sun, watching the palm trees sway in the trade winds is, of course, very world. Some fly in, others ride different from life back in the mules down the three-mile southeast Massachusetts. So trail, while others still “hoof far I have not had any Bapit” down the same steep trail.

Guest Columnist

An Easter message

itting in Church this past week was unnerving to say the least. I guess, in a way, there’s always been something unsettling about the Gospel on Palm Sunday.

Obviously, it is an uncomfortable and sobering passage, for its very nature is that of the persecution of Christ and His sentence to death, all of which will transpire to His eventual resurrection. But over the past few years a couple of things have hit me.

Allow me to provide some background. At my parish in Swansea I’ve normally been a part of the Mass at which the youth council is responsible for acting out the Gospel, with our priest serving as the voice of Christ and designated members of the council as Pilate, the crowd, and solitary voices as needed. This year I attended the earlier Mass, at which singular choir members were responsible for the narrator role, Pilate, and other dignitaries. Our priest reprised his role as the voice of Christ, and we, the parishioners, spoke on the part of the crowd. Now for where I’ve been struck with some realizations: As a youth council member who was usually always part of the corralled crowd responsible for disparaging Jesus and turning Him over to Pilate, I often stood in front of the parish, on the opposite side of the altar from “Jesus” and felt a flush of red creep across my face as I shouted “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Now, at first thought it could seem that the blush was the result of the little bit of stage fright that comes along with

standing in front of any large crowd, and then the addition of acting out, in what in any other circumstance, would be seen as a bizarre fashion. But this year, as a single person, away from my fellow group of youth council members, my partners in Gospel crime, I felt a different kind of shame. This shame did not come from facing a parish of

Radiate Your Faith

By Renee Bernier people, who merely listened as we acted out the Gospel, the scapegoats for this awful reenactment. This shame was a shared shame and a solitary shame all at once.

I stood alongside my mom wondering if she felt it too; if she too just wanted to stop responding altogether to the parts that were boldfaced in our Missalette. Each time it was the crowd’s turn to speak, to disparage the Man Who was Jesus, my voice got quieter and quieter. In earlier years, despite the stage fright, I often felt I wanted more emotion from the youth group when it came our turn to speak. Despite how uncomfortable I was merely being in front of everyone, I still wanted to present a believable act. But this Palm Sunday, I did not share those sentiments. Instead, I was embarrassed and angry. I did not want to whisper the words that would condemn Christ to the cross, let alone make a splendid presentation of acting skills out of them.

And so perhaps this is what makes Easter that much more radiant. For me, it took the recognition of betrayal, a cold, hard look in its face, to understand that people really did miss the message, they really did fail to see Christ for the Messiah, and even when they did, they rejected what that would mean. They saw instead an omen, a falsehood, a liar. Standing on Sunday, facing the priest and not my fellow parishioners, I felt alone. I did not like being in the position of the one who lay the blame, of the one who cast the stone. I did not like rejecting Christ. I wanted no part of it.

And then I think about the repercussions of those who did that very thing, who spoke those very words in real time.

How I was feeling, alone in my pew, must have been how Christ felt in the garden at Gethsemane, asking, “If it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me.” Like me, He felt alone and for a brief moment, maybe, He wanted no part of His ultimate mission either. However, He included a caveat, “Yet not as I will, but as You will,” through which He revealed the inner strength, the wisdom to know that His life had a greater purpose. And faith in that greater purpose is what we share in at Easter. May you have a blessed and peaceful Easter; may you persevere in your moments of shame and doubt by trusting in Christ’s unfailing sacrifice and love.

Renee lives in Swansea and is a senior at Stonehill College in Easton. She is involved with youth ministry at St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham.

I know it is steep because I myself hiked up and down again one morning a couple of months ago.

I have hosted one jovial cardinal, three archbishops, bishops and several priests so far. They come and go but, like Old Man River, I go on forever.

Recently I was told that I am the highestranking cleric on this peninsula. That makes good sense since I am the only cleric on this peninsula — for any denomination. So I am in effect the shepherd of a motley flock … and I enjoy it. It is good that I am a son of a farmer!

In Kalaupapa we ordinarily have 10 resident patients, six of whom are Catholic. On Sundays, our 9 a.m. Mass gathers an average congregation of 15.

This includes two NPH workers, one of whom is Protestant and the other is Buddhist. They are great men and have been prominent members of the pil-

grimages to Rome for the canonization of our great saints.

On occasion, others from the Congregational Church join us for Sunday Mass … and not just in a blue moon.

I enjoy telling pilgrims that, like Damien, I am a “son of a farmer but have probably been called other things along the line.” I find it rewarding to take guests to Kalawao and to St. Philomena and to brief them on the story of Damien and Marianne. I tell pilgrims that I do not mind where I pass away from this world or where this old body gets placed in the earth, be it here on the Hawaiian island, in Massachusetts or in the west of Ireland, but please, please do not dig up my body again … no matter how many miracles happen in the meantime. Aloha.

Father Patrick Killilea, SSCC, is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii. He is the former pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Fairhaven.

FALL RIVER — The Television Mass on Easter Sunday, March 31, will expand to a full hour and will air at a special time, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on WLNE-TV, Channel 6, Providence-New Bedford.

Bishop George W. Coleman will celebrate the Easter Mass from the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River.

Concelebrating the Mass with

the bishop will be Father John C. Ozug, who is rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Msgr.

Barry W. Wall, a retired priest of the diocese. Deacon Peter R. Cote will serve as deacon for the Mass.

The St. Mary’s Cathedral Adult and Youth Choirs, under the direction of Madeleine Grace, will lead the music for the Liturgy.

Easter TV Mass to air at special time

10

The Anchor To

advertise in

The Anchor,

contact

W ayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or E mail waynepowers @ anchornews . org

May the joy of the risen Christ be with you throughout the year

From the community of St. Pius X Parish South Yarmouth, MA

Father George C. Bellenoit, Pastor

March 29, 2013

March 29, 2013

The Anchor

11

12

S

March 29, 2013

The Anchor

He’s just ‘poping’

ometimes it’s tough to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Make that most of the time.

I don’t know about others, but I take for granted that others think, respond and act the same way I do to the same stimuli.

Thank goodness that’s not true.

This world doesn’t need a population with my train of thought.

A good example of this is the recent election of Pope Francis.

Since his becoming our new Holy Father, I’ve been thrilled

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet

with watching this humble, simple man set a powerful, Christlike example through his thoughts, words and actions.

With such easy access to the happenings of the Church, I follow our new pope via Catholic wire services on a daily basis.

There has rarely been a day when I haven’t discovered something wonderfully fresh about Pope Francis. And when I do, I share the scenarios at home.

It’s very interesting because Emilie’s beau, Danny, isn’t Catholic, so much of what I say is new and different to him, but he listens. I know he respects our faith, and his family makes it a point that when they take Emilie out, she can follow the Lenten regulations — also a sign of respect.

But back to my main point.

Oftentimes in the last few weeks, I’ve shared with Emilie and Danny how Pope Francis has a great love for God, the Church, and the poor and suffering.

I’ve mentioned how he asked for the worldwide Church to seek God’s blessing on him when he first appeared; how he returned to the hotel at which he was staying during the conclave to pay his bill; how he eschews fanfare and pomp for a simpler approach; how he stopped the papal procession one day to kiss and bless a disabled man; how he celebrated a special Mass for the Vatican gardeners and cleaning staff; how he greets as many people as he can; and myriad other little things that have a big impact on the watching world.

This week I was trying to explain to the teens just what our new Holy Father was doing, but the right word escaped. It was Danny who filled in the blank.

He’s “poping,” was his simple, yet profound response.

I chuckled at first, but as the word sank in, I thought, “Indeed he is.” If you ask me what the definition of poping is, it’s living the way Christ did — with compassion for everyone; with a great love for God the Father; and a concentrated effort to walk the walk and talk the talk of Jesus every day, in simple and great things.

Pope Francis is just poping.

And by all indications, he’s good at it.

new face in town — A print of Pope Francis is seen for sale at a religious goods store near the Vatican in Rome recently. (CNS photo/Lauren Colegrove)

crood awakening — Animated characters appear in the movie “The Croods.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/DreamWorks)

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

“The Call” (TriStar) A 911 operator (Halle Berry) becomes personally invested in helping a teen (Abigail Breslin) escape from the psychopath (Michael Eklund) who kidnapped her.

For most of its running time, director Brad Anderson’s thriller plays out as serviceable, if uninspired, entertainment for adults. But late developments make it first thoroughly implausible and then morally unacceptable. Endorsement of vigilantism, much violence, some of it gory, at least one use of profanity, several sexual references, occasional rough and crude language.

The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“The Croods” (Fox) Beautifully rendered and refreshingly good-humored, this 3-D animated comedy follows the adventures of the Stone-Age family of the title as they face the perils of climate change. The overprotective father (voice of Nicolas Cage) keeps his clan — including his loving wife (voice of Catherine Keener) and rebellious teen-age daughter (voice of Emma Stone) — safe inside a dark cave. But curiosity leads the latter to encounter a resourceful stranger (voice of Ryan Reynolds) who pledges to guide her and her relatives into the light of a safe haven. Directors and co-writers Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco provide fun for moviegoers of just about any

age with a tale that carries an intriguing Christian subtext. Only frightening interludes that might overwhelm the littlest viewers pose any concern for parents. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

“Olympus Has Fallen” (FilmDistrict) Frequently bloody action flick in which North Korean terrorists (led by Rick Yune) seize the White House and take the president (Aaron Eckhart) and other high officials hostage. But they fail to reckon on the fighting skills of a Secret Service agent (Gerard Butler) whose temporary desk job in the Trea-

sury Department saves him from being mowed down in the initial attack — or on the statesmanship of the speaker of the House (Morgan Freeman), who takes the nation’s helm as acting chief executive. Slaughter is interspersed with demonstrations of American ingenuity and moral superiority in director Antoine Fuqua’s shallow fightfest. Gory scenes of combat, murder and torture, several uses of profanity, much rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6

Sunday, March 31, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Easter Mass from St. Mary’s Cathedral

Celebrant is Bishop George W. Coleman of the Fall River Diocese

March 29, 2013

13

The Anchor

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone

H

abemus Papam! Pope Francis (Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires) was elected on March 13, the second day of the conclave, achieving the necessary two-thirds vote (77 out of a possible 115) on the last ballot of the day. There are a lot of firsts here: he is the first pope called Francis, the first from the Americas, and the only Jesuit to be elected pope thus far.

In choosing the name Francis, of course, he was summoning up the example of St. Francis of Assisi, the poverello founder of the Franciscans, the charismatic and humble friar who was never ordained a priest. As Pope Francis told journalists on March 16, “For me, [St. Francis] is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation; these days we do not have a very good relationship with creation, do we? He is the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man.

How I would like a Church which is poor and for the poor!”

In various ways, Pope Francis has been practicing what he preaches. After his election, he preferred to ride back to the cardinals’ residence in the minibus with the cardinals, rather than take the papal limousine. He asked the bishops of Argentina to spare the expense of coming to his inaugural Mass on the Feast of St. Joseph and give it to the poor, something he also suggested to his sister in Argentina, who didn’t attend for that reason.

There’s an interesting side-story here, which I read in the Italian newspaper La Stampa. When he was named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001, Cardinal Bergoglio balked at paying the $6,000

euros for his cardinal’s outfit. his bill, and to personally So he simply purchased the fetch his suitcase. These small necessary red cloth, and his details illustrate a man who sister sewed his cardinal’s is simple, humble and frugal, robes herself! She also said like St. Francis. Not a person she had talked to him before to insist on clerical privilege. the conclave, and he had told One of the other things her he had gotten a cheap round-trip flight to Rome, and that he planned to be back in Buenos Aires by last weekend, “pope or no pope,”

By Dwight Duncan because he was needed there (and presumably he wouldn’t be able to change his ticket without paying again). he told the journalists, echoGod had other plans, it seems. ing a favorite theme of Pope Similarly, the morning after Benedict’s, is that Christ is his election, he went to the the One Who’s important: Basilica of St. Mary Major to “Christ remains the center, not pray before the image of Our the Successor of Peter: Christ, Lady Salus Populi Romani, Christ is the center. Christ the protector of the Roman is the fundamental point of people. He went in an ordireference, the heart of the nary Vatican Volkswagen, Church. Without Him, Peter rather than in the popemobile, and the Church would not exand without a motorcade. On ist or have reason to exist.” the way back, he stopped at It has been reported, in the priests residence where seemingly reliable accounts, he had been staying to pay that at the last conclave in

Judge For Yourself

Our Lady’s Monthly Message From Medjugorje March 25, 2013

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina “Dear children! In this time of grace I call you to take the cross of my beloved Son Jesus in your hands and to meditate on His passion and death. May your suffering be united in His suffering and love will win, because He who is love gave Himself out of love to save each of you. Pray, pray, pray until love and peace begin to reign in your hearts.

“Thank you for having responded to my call.”

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

2005, Pope Francis was the runner-up to Pope Benedict XVI. Before the final vote then, he made an appeal to cardinals over lunch not to vote for him, but instead vote for Cardinal Ratzinger, who was then elected. Yet another manifestation of his humility.

Almost a hundred years ago, in the conclave to elect a successor to St. Pius X, his secretary of state, Cardinal Merry del Val, concerned that an ecclesiastical rival, the cardinal archbishop of Bologna, Giacomo della Chiesa, would be elected pope, asked for a recount. The recount confirmed the election of Cardinal della Chiesa, who took the name Pope Benedict XV. When, as is the custom, the cardinals came up to individually pledge their obedience to the new pope, Benedict XV told Cardinal

del Val, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Ps 118:22).

Without missing a beat, the cardinal replied quoting the next verse from the psalm, “By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes” (Ps 118:23).

Obviously, the biblical reference applies first and foremost to Christ, as the rejected stone Whose redemptive suffering and death we commemorate during Holy Week.

Pope Francis would doubtless agree. But, since the pope, Peter with his successors, is the rock on which Christ built His Church, it also applies to him. Having been passed over in 2005, “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

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

14

The Anchor

Diocesan Pro-Life Mass celebrates God’s greatest gift continued from page three

Bishop Coleman said. “St. Joseph was the constant protector of Mary and Jesus in every aspect of their lives.”

Bishop Coleman likewise said we are all called to be protectors of God’s greatest creation at every stage of life.

“The vocation of being a protector … means protecting all creation — the beauty of the created world,” he said. “It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every

person, especially children, the unborn, the elderly and those in need. It means caring for one another in our families. In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it.”

That lesson certainly seems to have struck a chord with the four winners of this year’s Pro-Life Essay Contest, who read their winning essays during Mass.

Open to all students enrolled in diocesan schools or Religious

Money is flying out the window In 2012, The Anchor spent nearly $2,000 in postage change fees!

The Post Office charges The Anchor 70 cents for notification of a subscriber’s change of address. Please help us reduce these expenses by notifying us immediately when you plan to move.

Please Print Your New Address Below

NAME: STREET ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: NEW PARISH: MOVING DATE: Please attach your Anchor address label so we can update your record immediately.

Clip and mail form to: The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722

Education programs, the contest was divided into two age groups — junior high school level and high school level — and was themed “Faith opens our eyes to human life in all its grandeur and beauty.”

Eighth-grader Ryan Torres of Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford noted in his secondplace essay: “Human life is a sacred gift given by God that should be treated with respect and dignity.

It is sacred because we are made in the likeness of God. We have a plan and a purpose in each of our lives, but we must keep God close to us in order for us to live a beautiful life and enjoy all it has to offer.”

“Life is magnificent, and it is not our place to decide its fate — that’s for God to decide,” read second-place winner Kathryn Saba, a 10th-grade student at Bishop Feehan High School and parishioner at St. Mary’s Parish in Norton.

“All we can do is promote life in all of its stages, and protect those who have not yet had the chance to show the world just how wonderful God has made them.”

Kristina Perez, an eighthgrader from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk, noted how her experience of driving by a group of people keeping vigil outside the abortion clinic in Attleboro with her sister made her realize the value of life.

“As we quickly approached the clinic, I reached over from the passenger seat to the wheel and quickly honked the horn, to show even the slightest bit of support to those brave messengers of God,” she read. “Then time stood still as, in almost slow motion, one of the old men rose his head from

March 29, 2013 intense praying, broke his sullen demeanor, smiled, and nodded in approval. As I turned back to the old man from the rear-view mirror, I could see that his eyes were wide open, and so are mine.”

In her first-place essay, Nicole O’Leary of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans succinctly stated: “In our modern, secular culture, we often mistakenly claim our bodies for selfish purposes, saying, ‘This is my body; I can do whatever I want with it.’ Christ made a similar declaration that He repeats at every Mass: ‘This is My Body.’

But He continues: ‘Given up for you.’ He chooses life in the most radical way, renouncing His Own life so that others may live. Our faith calls us to imitate Him, responding to His boundless love by defending the dignity of the human person simply because each person, no matter how small, is created by Divine love and is of infinite worth.”

At the closing of the Pro-Life Mass, Marian Desrosiers, director of the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate, presented the annual John Cardinal O’Connor Awards to individuals who went above and beyond the call in promoting the Pro-Life cause during the past year.

This year’s recipient of the John Cardinal O’Connor Youth Award was Andrew Hamel, a student at Bishop Stang High School and member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet.

“Andrew is a dedicated young man who knows his Gospel of life,” Desrosiers said. “He has been present regularly at all 40 Days for Life campaigns. He has attended many Marches for Life in Washington, D.C. and attended our first Pro-Life Boot Camp and continues to attend. At his parish, St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet, he initiated the Cupcakes for Life drive to raise funds for a local pregnancy resource center. His humor, sacrifice, courage and dedication to those who are neglected and forgotten make him an ideal recipient of this award.”

“It was great to win this award, but I know it wasn’t my own victory,” Hamel told The Anchor.

“It really belongs to the people who inspired me — people like (Bishop Stang High School campus minister Amanda) Tarantelli and (my pastor) Msgr. Gerard P. O’Connor, especially — along with the excellent example I’ve had from my parents.”

Appropriately enough, the recipient of the John Cardinal O’Connor Adult Award for 2013 was Amanda Tarantelli of Bishop Stang High School, whom Desrosiers described as someone who “embodies the Pro-Life mission of the Gospel” and “a leader of the Pro-Life movement at Bishop Stang.”

“She restarted the Pro-Life Club at the school that has grown to include more than 140 students … and has empowered students to develop awareness through Pro-Life activities such as Cupcakes for Life and Silent Protest Day,” Desrosiers said. “Moreover, Amanda coordinates Bishop Stang’s participation in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. as part of our diocesan pilgrimage with Bishop Coleman.

She’s also always there for my office — whenever I ask for help, Amanda is one of the first to step forward.”

“I just feel humble and blessed … and I’m doing what God is asking me to do and nothing more,” Tarantelli told The Anchor. “Someone asked me to chaperone the March for Life eight years ago and I initially wanted to do it for the kids. Now I’m in it because of my love and passion for this ministry.”

For the first time this year, a special “To Live Each Day With Dignity Award” was presented to Kathleen St. Laurent for her outstanding work and leadership in helping to defeat the referendum question on the November 2012 Massachusetts state ballot that would have legalized so-called physician-assisted suicide in the Commonwealth.

“Had it passed, as early as Jan. 1, 2013, patients in Massachusetts could have requested of their doctors a legal prescription to end their lives,” Desrosiers said. “After a very long, very tedious battle which began with a late-May poll still showing support in favor of the measure, the initiative finally failed by a 51 to 49 margin.”

Desrosiers noted that St. Laurent worked tirelessly to present public forums and engage the media in debating the opposition supporting the bill.

“As a former nurse and bioethics teacher, she was the ideal person appointed by Bishop Coleman to lead this initiative and to explain why the ballot question was misguided, misleading and extremely dangerous to the voters of Massachusetts,” she added.

St. Laurent, who currently serves as vice president of Academics and Spirituality Director at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton, said it was an honor and privilege to have served in this campaign.

“It’s really through the grace of the Holy Spirit that we were able to defeat the ballot question, but I am truly honored,” she told The Anchor. “I share this award with Marian Desrosiers and Jean Arsenault because it was the work of the Pro-Life Office that helped get the word out, despite what the media was saying. We knew we were speaking the truth and we just hoped and prayed that enough people would hear it.”

High school students rally for children with brain cancer continued from page three

the Northwestern lacrosse team, the little girl sat next to her watching Jaclyn, until she finally leaned over and asked, “Who keeps texting you?”

“Those are friends who play lacrosse in Chicago,” was Jaclyn’s answer. When the little girl was called away for her chemo treatment, Jaclyn turned to her father and said, “‘Dad, you have to get her a team.’ That’s when the light bulb went off,” said Murphy.

Murphy admits he knew nothing about running a non-profit, but knew he had to help the children — and that’s when Friends of Jaclyn was born. The idea is to match a child suffering from a brain tumor with a college/university sports team who would essentially “adopt” the child.

“When a child is adopted, the biggest misconception is that the child is a mascot or a lucky charm,” said Murphy. “The child is an honorary member of the team, having all access, and is invited to games and practices depending upon where the child is in their journey.”

This is a program that is for life and that’s the difference from a lot of programs, Murphy explained.

A lot of programs are a one-time shot, but this program is forever; it changes the child’s life, the family’s life.

“The child becomes a brother or sister forever,” he said. “Seniors who graduate still keep in touch and freshmen coming in are told of the program. I’m not afraid to tell any coach that you need to be able to handle a child earning their wings in the middle of a championship season. Are you willing and prepared to even comprehend that?

If there’s any hesitation then it’s not for you because it’s not fair to the child.”

When he first started to approach teams with this idea, many coaches “couldn’t quite process” what he was trying to do, said Murphy. Now Friends of Jaclyn has 385 children who have been adopted in 31 different sports nationwide in division I, II and III schools, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and junior colleges. There

15

The Anchor

March 29, 2013

is a waiting list of more than 1,200 teams.

“We even have a professional surfer, Dillon Perillo; he adopted a child out in Malibu,” said Murphy.

When Nancy Anderson-Semple, the girls’ lacrosse coach at Bishop Feehan High School in North Attleboro, read about Friends of Jaclyn, she knew she wanted to get the girls’ lacrosse program involved: “I was so interested in it,

on how it was talking about how all these lacrosse teams from different colleges were getting involved and I just thought that, even though we were a high school team, we could do it too,” she said. “It was such a compelling story.”

When she contacted Friends of Jaclyn, she was told they had no other high school programs at the time. Undeterred, she tried to find a child in the area who had a brain

tumor, to no avail.

“I guess it’s a good thing we haven’t been able to adopt a child,” she said of the six years her team has been part of the program. “We began to think of what else we could do and we started the car wash.”

To date the annual car wash

has raised nearly $5,000 with the proceeds being split between the lacrosse team and Friends of Jaclyn. When the boys’ team came on board last year, the total raised was significantly higher than in years past; the next car wash is scheduled for May 4.

Continued on page 20

Happy Easter from

www.bathsplashshowroom.com

16

Youth Pages

a great start — Coyle and Cassidy High School officials awarded five academic scholarships to outstanding members of the incoming Class of 2017 at the Taunton school. The scholarship winners were selected from a very high quality pool of applicants. Selection was based on entrance exam results, middle school grades, as well as recommendations from teachers and guidance counselors. From left: Vice Principal Kathleen St. Laurent, Alexander Cassady, Peter Horvath, Robert Moore, Alexandra Baker, Director of Guidance and Admissions Mary Haynes, and Kaitlyn Ruane.

the inner workings — The Mystic Aquarium traveling program came to St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro to give presentations to the science classes. The fifth-graders participated in a presentation about beluga whales. The sixth-grade students learned about the unique characteristics of an estuary and analyzed water samples to determine the water quality of Long Island Sound. The seventh-graders studied the squid, one of the largest, fastest and most intelligent invertebrates in the sea. Shown here are seventh-graders Alexander Simoneau and Jonathan Moore dissecting a squid.

March 29, 2013

irish melodies — Tracy Gallagher, Liadan Gallagher and Erin Carr entertained at St. Anthony’s Parish in East Falmouth during a bake sale sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society on St. Patrick’s Day. Proceeds will go to the poor of the parish.

better than it sounds — Students in first grade at St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently celebrated Dr. Seuss with green eggs and ham.

the fruits of their labor — Holy Name School in Fall River recognized its middle school science fair winners at a special assembly. First-, second- and third-place awards were given in the categories of Outstanding Research Paper, Display Board, Best Model, Media Presentation, and Original Experimental Design. Ten of the students will be representing Holy Name at the Regional Science Fair to be held at Bristol Community College.

March 29, 2013

I

t is an interesting time to be Catholic. From Benedict XVI’s announcement of his resignation to the election of Pope Francis, news and social media outlets have been flooded with all things Catholic.

As I sat on the edge of my seat waiting for our new pope to step from behind the Vatican curtains onto the balcony for the first time, I couldn’t help but think that the Church would cease being viewed in such a positive light after his inaugural Mass. I thought that this would be just another historic event and the media would shout, “Next!” But from the moment Pope Francis stepped onto the balcony in a simple white cassock minus the lace sleeves and other hierarchical symbols of our Church, the world has become atwitter with (almost) all things Catholic.

Did the cardinals truly elect a humble servant of God not only in word but in deed?

This is the thematic question that appears to umbrella the fascination with our new pope … the first Jesuit pope … the first pope to invoke a new name onto the See of St. Peter in a very long time. Pope Francis’ election has breathed a renewed interest into the Catholic Church — perhaps in time it will breathe new life, a New Evangelization of sorts, into the Church entirely.

Within days, even hours, after waving his first hello to his flock and bowing before them asking for their prayers, Facebook and other social media platforms blew up with pictures and quotes about and from our new Holy Father. One of the most shared photos depicted a ver-

Youth Pages

17

A model of courage and humility

sion of the mission sent to St. Fran- about the mission of Jesus Christ Franciscan in nature. Pope Francis cis in a dream, “Go, Francis and brought to us in the Good News of is quickly becoming the living and rebuild My the Gospels. breathing example of the quotation Church.”

I am attributed to St. Francis: “Preach Although sure we all the Gospel always and when necesthe quote thought it sary use words!” may be ininterestAmen! And may the Holy Spirit accurate in ing that the continue to be the breath of fresh its text (“Go first Jesuit air through our Holy Father and

By Crystal Medeiros Francis pope would may we follow his example. and repair assume the Crystal is assistant director My house, name of for Youth and Young Adult Minwhich as St. Franistry for the diocese. She can be you see is falling into ruin”) the cis instead of St. Ignatius but his contacted at cmedeiros@dfrcec. mission and context are the same — spirituality and actions are clearly com. something is broken and it needs to be repaired.

Hope and humility radiates from Pope Francis. And although in the grand scheme of things he has in fact said very little, his actions speak volumes. From returning to the hotel on the bus with the cardinals to paying his own hotel bill to walking instead of taking the Vatican car and to his most recent announcement that he will celebrate Holy Thursday in a juvenile detention facility has everyone talking about “those Catholics” in a positive light — something we have not seen in far too long. What strikes me is the number of my non-Catholic friends who are talking about Pope Francis and how much they like him.

What has them talking? As I mentioned above, his hope and huWORDS OF LIFE — Winners of the 2013 essay contest sponsored by the diocmility attracts them. In their mind, esan Pro-Life Apostolate seen here with Bishop George W. Coleman, center, at the and quite frankly in many of our annual Pro-Life Mass celebrated at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth last week include, from left, Kathryn Saba of Bishop Feehan High School and St. Mary’s own, Pope Francis epitomizes what Parish in Norton (second place, high school division); Nicole O’Leary of St. Joan of the Church is truly about through his actions. The Church is not about Arc Parish in Orleans (first place, high school division); Kristina Perez of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk (first place, junior high division); and Ryan Torthe hierarchy of its leaders — it is, res of Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford (second place, junior high has always been and always will be division). (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Be Not Afraid

impressive achievement — Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth has been awarded a 2013 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils for its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community. Bishop Stang is one of only 163 high school councils nationwide to receive the highly-esteemed honor of being named a National Gold Council of Excellence. Sarah Oliveira, the advisor for the Student Council at Bishop Stang, received the runner-up award for Massachusetts Advisor of the Year. She credits the leadership of the Student Council Officers for the success of the program. “Our student officers lead the way and are a key reason for the achievements of our Gold Council Award winning Student Council,” she said. From left: Patrick Rogers, vice president; Morgan Lester, president; Dorothy Mahoney Pacheco, secretary; Gina DeLeo, treasurer; and Sarah Oliveira, advisor.

filling big shoes — Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro selected senior tight end/defensive end player Kehma Johnson as this year’s recipient of the Flynn Memorial Award. The award honors a member of the football team in remembrance of Lance Cpl. Gary Flynn U.S.M.C., a 1965 graduate of Feehan, who gave his life for his country in the Vietnam conflict. It is presented annually to the athlete who most typifies the qualities for and by which Flynn aspired and lived: inspiring leadership, cooperation, significant contributions, loyalty, diligence, and dedication to his school and team. “In the memory of Gary Francis Flynn class of 1965, Kehma was an inspirational leader of the Shamrock football team of 2012,” said Feehan President Chris Servant, “His example of continuous hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm was a motivational factor for Bishop Feehan’s Super Bowl team.” Here, Servant presents Johnson with the award.

18

The Anchor

March 29, 2013

Our readers respond Communion by the hand This is a topic (Father Andrew Johnson’s letter to the editor in the March 15 Anchor) very close to my heart, because I had been a Eucharistic Minister for over two years, and I stepped down from personal beliefs on how and who should be serving the most blessed Holy Eucharist.

I served the Eucharist to many people in our church, along with others. We all have a deep love of God, or we wouldn’t be up on the altar.

After fighting my reasons that I had been brought up with, I walked away from this honor. For months, I wondered if it was the devil taking me away from this sacred privilege, or God talking to me. My husband finally gave me the answer when he said, “If you have this turmoil in your heart every Sunday giving Communion, than you shouldn’t be serving Communion to the parishioners.”

My heart would break watching the young and old putting Jesus’ Body in their hands with a fast toss, chewing on His Body like gum, and so many going back to their seats with no heads bowed in prayer, showing their heartfelt devotion with having received Jesus’ nonbleeding renewal in all Holy Masses on earth from His death for us.

We as humans can become so weak. Because we can’t see or feel the blessings and graces Jesus is giving us, we don’t stop to think what had been offered to us from Heaven.

I had witnessed a strong desire bursting from a woman standing in front of me, ready to receive Communion. She, like myself, wanted to receive the Eucharist on her tongue. Her hands were together in prayer, eyes closed, with tears running down her face. I gently placed Jesus’ Body on her tongue, and her face was full of love. I watched her adoration, which brought a warm feeling over me, and a sensation of His presence. I actually thanked God for letting me witness her emotions. It was a gift to me.

Everything in life changes, but the changes in the Church actually sadden me. I still believe that the Holy Eucharist should be in the center of the altar. After all, isn’t Jesus the center of our life? La Salette in Attleboro actually has the Holy Eucharist in another room off the altar. Why is He hidden away from His people?

I miss walking slowly down the aisle to receive. It gave me time to say the Act of Contrition, especially, if I hadn’t gone to Confession. I felt Jesus waiting for me to receive Him. Today, there are so many Eucharistic Ministers serving Communion, the procedure seems like we are rushed through the most sacred part of the Mass. I miss kneeling at the rail on the altar to get in touch with Jesus, before His Body is placed on my tongue.

I believe that priests are the only ones who should be giving out Communion. They are the ones who studied and waited for years to have the honor of presenting Jesus’ Body and Blood to parishioners.

They’re the ones who had their hands blessed by bishops to hold and serve God. All of us are not free from sin.

There aren’t many people who go to Confession anymore, and I’m no different. Our Lady asks us to go once a month, and we act like it’s such a chore. Going to Confession makes us free of sin, and keeps us in a state of grace if God will call us home. How many ask, “What sins do I have?” Pray for the ones we remember, and the ones we don’t realize hurt God. How serious are sins? If you follow the visionaries in Medjugorje in Bosnia, when the Blessed Mother first appeared to them in 1981.

She had allowed people to touch Her, even though they could not see Her. The visionaries had them stop, because Our Lady’s white gown turned black from our sins. The Virgin Mary asked the people to go to Confession the next day.

I use to wonder reading the Bible, why it stated, “Fear the Lord!”

If He was so merciful and loving, why would we fear Him? It took years for me to realize that if we feared the Lord, we would think twice before we sinned. Many children don’t go to church or know Who God is, so committing rapes, murder and stealing, dying from alcohol and drug abuse, is so out-ofcontrol in this world today, because they fear no one in authority, not even God. We need to get back to Church as a family to save our children.

Teach them the blessings of having the honor to receive Jesus’ Body and Blood at Mass. He is the One to pull them out of the depth of no hope when they feel alone.

I pray Pope Francis will somehow, through the grace of God, pull us back to Christ, Mass, Confession and Communion. Our life is very short on earth. Life after death is forever. We need to save our souls.

This is God’s world, and no one will make the Church or God Himself crumble.

Alberta Sequeira Rochester Parishioner of St. John Neumann Church in East Freetown Communion by the hand II Dear Father Wilson, first of all I want to congratulate you for your addition to the wonderful family of The Anchor. I am praying that you might be strong to heed the call of Jesus and proclaim His Gospel to all.

I am writing regarding the letter from Father Johnson regarding the issue of receiving of the most Holy Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Blessed Lord in the most

Blessed Sacrament. I agree not 100 percent but 1,000 percent with Father Johnson. I, as a layperson, have been a witness of the irreverence towards our Blessed Lord. I admire Father Johnson for his courage to open this Pandora’s box that most know about, but are too shy or cowardly to open it. A true lover of Our Lord would have to do this and he did it. I was a little shocked by your response to his letter. I know you a little and I know you love Our Lord, I have witnessed how much you love Him in His people and it shocked me the most when I read your response, since it seemed that you were excusing somehow the negligence Father Johnson was talking about. Yes, His Holiness, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI did not mandate that every priest do what he did when giving Holy Communion to people kneeling and on their tongues, but I think, “he does not have to mandate” a respect and love for the Holy Eucharist, as some people see it necessary.

Our pope emeritus preached us to love Our Blessed Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament, just as St. Francis would say, “Using words when necessary.” By his example he was leading us to the way Our Blessed Lord should be loved, adored and received into our unworthy bodies.

I cannot conceive in my heart that we do not realize the true presence of Our Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament. Most of us believe it in our minds, but if we truly believe it in our hearts we would never dare to receive Him standing and in our hands. We would be kissing the floor in the sanctuary where He is silently waiting to be loved by all of us. We as lay people need to be taught to love Him, respect Him and receive Him with love when He, the Paschal Lamb, gives Himself entirely to us out of love. How are we to pay Him back? By receiving Him with such irreverence, standing face-to-face with Him like equals and grabbing His most Holy Body like a cracker? I am not saying all of us receive Him like that, but some of us are ignorant of His love and true presence in the most Blessed Sacrament and this leads to bad and unholy behavior, as Father Johnson detailed in his letter.

I will pray for you, Father, that Our Blessed Lord keep blessing you and giving you strength to do His most holy will.

Judith Sousa Fall River Communion by the hand III In the interest of continuing the dialogue regarding reception of Communion in the hand vs. on the tongue, I posit a different position. With all due respect to Father Johnson, I think that we sometimes buttress our own opinions with an appeal to universal truths which can be skewed to reinforce those opinions. Yes, we would all like to see a return to reverence for the

Sacrament of the Eucharist. However, that reverence relates not so much to the way we receive, but to the reverence in our hearts as we receive, either in the hand or on the tongue.

As a retired Catholic school principal, a grandparent, and an active Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion in my parish, I take umbrage at the notion that children cannot or do not understand the concept of reverence. How can anyone say there is no catechesis for reverence? Children in Catholic schools and in CCD classes are taught reverence and awe in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Is the cleanliness of their hands as they receive a sign of the cleanliness in their hearts? Father Johnson denigrates all children and reduces them to a common denominator with his statement of “cute but dirty hands.” At any age, either young, middle-aged, or elderly, people are individuals capable of reverence or lack thereof. If the pastor observes that many in his parish are receiving Communion frivolously, it is his obligation to provide catechesis, either through homilies, in the parish bulletin, or by monitoring his own CCD program.

Here in my home parish of Our Lady of Victory in Centerville, our pastor, Father Mark Hession, has brought the GIFT program (Generations in Faith Together) as a replacement for the traditional CCD program. Through this program, which has been in place for several years now, families come together to share in and learn about their faith. Parents who themselves are the product of failed CCD programs are relearning, along with their children, the awesome reality of a God Who gives Himself in the Eucharist and Who loves them unconditionally for all eternity. I would like to invite Father Johnson to visit our parish and witness firsthand the rev­erence with which all members of our parish approach the Sacrament, receiving in the hand or on the tongue, as is allowed by the Apostolic See. I further take issue with Father Johnson’s using Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as authority for his position of receiving on the tongue.

Are we to have a spitting contest between popes now? Vatican II, under the aegis of Pope John XXIII, authorized the reception of Communion in the hand. Is his authority or infallibility less than that of our most recent pope? In Scripture, Jesus “took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying ‘take and eat.’” Nowhere is it said that He asked His disciples to stick out their tongues to eat.

As an aside, and in my role as Extraordinary Minister, it is my humble opinion that it is much more sanitary to give Communion in the hand than to place it on a person’s tongue, thus transferring saliva from one recipient to the next.

That, of course, is my opinion, not to be used to heavy-handedly influence others. I would also humbly posit that a bit more of Christ’s compassion be part of Father Johnson’s interaction with his parishioners.

Nancy B. Ronayne Parishioner, Our Lady of Victory Faith Community Centerville Executive Editor responds: Thank you, Alberta, Judith and Nancy, for your letters. Most of my response to Father Johnson was a quote from Blessed John Paul II. I think something all can agree about is the need for interior reverence for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, a reverence which demands the we love Him both in that Presence par excellance and in other human beings, who are created in His image and likeness. In 2007 Pope Benedict issued the Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, in which he wrote at #69, “The correct positioning of the tabernacle contributes to the recognition of Christ’s real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Therefore, the place where the Eucharistic species are reserved, marked by a sanctuary lamp, should be readily visible to everyone entering the church. It is therefore necessary to take into account the building’s architecture: in churches which do not have a Blessed Sacrament chapel, and where the high altar with its tabernacle is still in place, it is appropriate to continue to use this structure for the reservation and adoration of the Eucharist, taking care not to place the celebrant’s chair in front of it. In new churches, it is good to position the Blessed Sacrament chapel close to the sanctuary; where this is not possible, it is preferable to locate the tabernacle in the sanctuary, in a sufficiently elevated place, at the center of the apse area, or in another place where it will be equally conspicuous.” One is free to disagree with the placement of the Tabernacle at La Salette (or any other church), but the shrine did follow these norms. In terms of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, there is no denying that there have been abuses of them, of which the popes have reminded us, but we cannot presume that priests are holier than lay ministers. Also, if one goes to the Vatican website, one can also read some positive quotes from Blessed John Paul II regarding extraordinary ministers. I would imagine that Popes Benedict and John XXIII would not be as far apart as people may posit regarding their positions on reverence for the Eucharist.

March 29, 2013

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

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

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

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

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

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

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

Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

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

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

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

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the chapel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

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

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

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has 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. Expostition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass.

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day.

Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Every First Friday, Eucharistic Adoration takes place from 8:30 a.m. through Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Morning prayer is prayed at 9; the Angelus at noon; the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m.; and Evening Prayer at 5 p.m.

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

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

19

The Anchor 40 Days saves life continued from page three

ther, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, we all have a connection with abortion — directly or indirectly,” he said.

Many vigilers find it difficult to watch a pregnant woman enter the clinic and know that her child’s life will soon be terminated. They can feel anger, frustration and sorrow. Often, their only recourse is prayer.

Larose hopes to continue to expand the coverage of 40 Days with longer hours and ensure a strong presence on the days abortions are performed — Thursdays and Saturdays. Because the vigil takes place outside the only abortion clinic in the Diocese of Fall River, Four Women Health Services in Attleboro, resources from across the diocese are concentrated at that site, he said.

The idea is that a larger group and more prayers will lead to more saves.

One of the goals of the campaign is to change enough hearts and minds that the facility is no longer commercially viable, he said.

For more information, visit www.40daysforlife.com/ attleboro.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks 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 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, O.P., 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

Around the Diocese 4/1

Holy Cross Parish in Easton invites inactive and fallen-away Catholics to participate in Landings, a national evangelization program, on Monday evenings, April 1 through May 20. Interested parties should contact Harold Smith by March 27 at 508-238-1899 or hrsmith@comcast.net, or visit www.holycrosseaston.org.

4/5

A New Beginnings Women’s Retreat will be held April 5-7 at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham. For more information, contact Peggy Patenaude at 508-548-9149 or email timeoutretreats@comcast.net.

4/6

A Day with Mary will be held April 6 at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 1 St. John’s Place in Attleboro from 7:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will include a video presentation, procession and crowning of the Blessed Mother with Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There is an opportunity for Reconciliation. A bookstore will be available. Please bring a bag lunch. For more information call 508-996-8274.

4/7

The Feast of the Divine Mercy will be celebrated at St. Margaret’s Parish, 141 Main Street in Buzzards Bay, on April 7 at 2:30 p.m. featuring Chaplet with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions and veneration of the image. Food and drinks will be served in the school hall immediately following.

4/14

On April 14, Holy Trinity Women’s Guild will be hosting a spectacular Spring Penny Sale at 1 p.m. in the church basement located on the corner of Tucker Street and Stafford Road in Fall River. Admission is $1, which entitles you to 100 prizes on the grand table. Additional raffles will be offered for the larger prizes such as food baskets and appliances, etc. Door prizes are free to players in attendance. Also, a luncheon menu will be available including: chow mein sandwiches, hot dogs, chouriço and peppers, variety of delicious pastries and other goodies.

4/16

The Daughters of Isabella Hyacinth Circle had to cancel last month’s meeting due to inclement weather, but they are eagerly ready to start anew. The next meeting will be held at St. Mary’s in South Dartmouth on April 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the parish center. The group will be holding its annual baby shower for Birth Right. Please bring a baby gift to benefit local young parents in need. All past, present, and new members are welcome.

4/27

Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street in Fall River will be holding its annual Penny Sale on April 27. The kitchen will open at 5 p.m. and drawings will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free with hundreds of prizes, along with a children’s table and a money rose table. Menu items include linguiça, meatball and chow mein sandwiches, stuffed cabbage, clam cakes, meat pie, stuffed quahogs and much more.

4/25

The parishes of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent DePaul in Attleboro are hosting a special screening of the full-length epic motion picture “Restless Heart” at Showcase Cinema in North Attleboro on April 25 at 7 p.m. The movie uses a historic backdrop to tell the true story of Augustine of Hippo — one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved and well-known Saints. Its message is as timely today as it was only a few generations after Jesus walked on Earth. More information on the film can be found at www.restlessheartfilm.com. For more information or to purchase tickets contact Chris Donoghue at 617-7948442 or Email AttleboroRHmovie@gmail.com.

4/28

The Respect Life Walk will be held in Boston on April 28.

The Greater Fall River Massachusetts Citizens for Life chapter will sponsor a bus to bring local walkers to Castle Island in South Boston. Please note: the walk will no longer be held on the Boston Common. There will be two pick-up locations in the diocese: the former Immaculate Conception Church on County Street in Fall River and the Taunton Galleria Mall Park and Ride in Taunton. For more information, call 508-673-9757 or 508-415-2599.

Misc.

Maya textiles from the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology (Brown University) and the weaving collective Oxib’ B’atz (New Bedford) will be on display through April 7 at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford. Maya weaving is a storytelling practice rooted in tradition that remains an essential form of expression to this day. The exhibit is co-curated by Anna Ghublikianand and María D. Quintero and is funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

20

Attleboro parishes to host screening of ‘Restless Heart’ film

ATTLEBORO — The parishes of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent De Paul in Attleboro are hosting a special screening of the full-length epic motion picture “Restless Heart” at Showcase Cinema in North Attleboro on April 25 at 7 p.m.

“Restless Heart” uses a historic backdrop to tell the true story of Augustine of Hippo — one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved and well-known saints.

March 29, 2013

The Anchor

Its message is as timely today as it was only a few generations after Jesus walked on earth. It is the story of one who pursues fame and fortune without a moral compass — and the changes that occur when events lead him to see the light. More information on the film can be found at www.restlessheartfilm.com.

For more information or to purchase tickets please contact Chris Donoghue at 617-794-8442 or email AttleboroRHmovie@ gmail.com)

Continued from page 15 Anderson-Semple also got the lacrosse team involved in Jaclyn’s Angels, a program run under the Friends of Jaclyn banner that is designed for children who are in Hospice care. So far, the Bishop Feehan girls’ lacrosse team has prayed for 11 children, and each child’s photo is proudly displayed in the team’s shed.

“Each year that goes by, more photos get stapled to the walls; the shed is really cool. We have captain photos and team photos,” said Anderson-Semple. “The doors at the end we have dedicated to the Friends of Jaclyn. The children that we pray for, who go into the Angels [program] because they’re going to pass away, we put up a photo of them.”

Freshmen coming into the lacrosse program are shown the shed, introduced to the values of the team, and shown the photos of the children who have “earned their wings.” The most common reaction, said Anderson-Semple, is just silence.

“They stare and some will have tears in their eyes,” she said. “It’s just respect; it’s an amazing thing.”

Anderson-Semple also posts messages through the Caring Bridge website, a blog that allows parents to update his or her child’s progress and status during treatment, and also allows teams to stay connected to children who are part of the Friends of Jaclyn program.

Last year’s team dedicated their season to a little boy, and Anderson-Semple continued to post the team’s progress for him to read.

“I would put funny stories in there,” she said. “I imagine the mother getting those messages and reading them out loud to the child.

To me, if you can say something funny or talk about what you’ve done, it just brightens up that child’s day.”

Those human connections are often severed when a child is diagnosed, said Murphy. No one wants

to sit with the family as the child is receiving treatments. The entire family, who deal with the effects on a daily basis, feels the stress and when a child dies, the divorce statistics skyrocket.

“It tears families apart,” said Murphy.

Keeping that in mind, along with Jaclyn’s Angels, Friends of Jaclyn also launched a Safe-on-theSidelines program for siblings of adopted children, who can also be adopted by an athletic team. Many of the students who have participated in the program tell Murphy they’ve chosen a career in medicine because of what they’ve experienced with his or her adoptee.

“That blows me away, “ said Murphy. “They reaffirm everything that I’m doing here and that everything is happening for a reason.”

In an eerie twist of fate, a member of the Bishop Feehan girls’ lacrosse team was diagnosed with a brain tumor a couple of years ago.

“God works in mysterious ways. The girls have been doing all this work for years,” and now one among them had been diagnosed,” said Anderson-Semple. “She’s actually the captain of the team this year; she’s a wonderful girl. We couldn’t adopt a child, but we have one on the team. She’s doing great.”

The namesake of Friends of Jaclyn is also doing well. Currently an 18-year-old freshman in college studying sports communication who just finished her first semester, a recent scan showed “no evidence of disease,” said Murphy. “I’m really guarded — there’s no such thing as remission, I don’t use that word in my vocabulary. I’m really guarded about it because this is such an insidious disease.”

Children deserve all the support they can get and when they’re in a situation when no one knows when a child may “earn their wings,” that’s when the Friends of Jaclyn slogan “Live in the moment; play in the moment” becomes all too real — but when a child continues to live in the moment, it can provide encouragement to others.

“Jaclyn is giving children the inspiration to live that long because most of them don’t make it, and to go to college,” said Dennis. “Our mission, and this is important to understand, is to improve the quality of life for children who are battling pediatric brain tumors. We’re focused on what we can do for the children today, not tomorrow or a year from now — today.”

For more information on the programs run by Friends of Jaclyn, go to www.FriendsOfJaclyn.org.

WASH AND GO — Last year’s captains of the girls and boys’ lacrosse teams of Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro flank Christopher Servant, president of the high school, and Paul O’Boy, athletic director, and show the amount raised by that year’s car wash, an annual fund-raiser that benefits Friends of Jaclyn, a program that allows a child suffering from a brain tumor to be “adopted” by an athletic team.