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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, April 1, 2016

finance officer — page 3 Catholic media — page 4

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Faith’ in its community — page 7

Hundreds of students, faculty, and employees of Stonehill College joined with area faithful at the recent Jubilee Year of Mercy celebration on the Easton campus. (Photo by Will Baker/Baker Designs) The Anchor - April 1, 2016

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It’s a sea of color and good deeds at St. Mary’s Parish in Norton with the Religious Education program’s annual Lenten project banner. This year’s project was based on the Year of Mercy as students from grades one-through-five did Corporal Works of Mercy for each addition to the banner. The banner grew each week as 350 students collected clothing, food and other items that were donated to area ministries and organizations.

Parish’s youth live out Corporal Works of Mercy

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

NORTON — St. Mary’s Parish in Norton created a unique Lenten project for the young members of its Religious Education classes as students in grades onethrough-five took part in creating a 40-foot banner while embracing five Corporal Works of Mercy.

Laura Vergow, director of Religious Education classes, began her work as director seven years ago, and wanted to do an annual project that would involve the students on a visual level, and thus creating a banner was born.

The students do a banner every Lent, and last year’s banner was based on prayer: “Pray for someone they love; pray for someone in need; say a special prayer at night,” said Vergow. “We started with a big, blue banner and the theme was, ‘We grow God’s Garden of Love.’ They had stems, leaves and flowers; we just built that up and it was absolutely beautiful.”

Vergow said the finished project was so rich in layers and colors, that she didn’t think she would be able to 2 The Anchor - April 1, 2016

top it.

She said she got the idea for this year’s banner from the Year of Mercy: “We wanted the kids to be involved in an organic way, a physical way, in the Year of Mercy,” said Vergow. “We looked at the Works of Mercy and it was something they could do. The proportions were way beyond what I expected, in terms of the response.”

The step-by-step creation of the banner began with each student being represented by a plain white cutout, essentially a blank slate. Each student was told that each figure showed they were children of God first; so 350 little figures went up.

Each student drew a face on his or her figure “and they were just little white bodies on the banner at the start,” said Vergow.

Each week of Religious Education classes brought color and life to the banner as students added to the banner while simultaneously acting out a Corporal Work of Mercy.

The first week focused on “Clothe the Naked,” and each student brought in a

piece of clothing for someone in need; donations that totaled 42 bags of mainly children’s clothes.

“Beautiful clothes, jackets and snowsuits, even new clothes on hangers with tags; from infants to adults,” said Vergow. “It was unbelievable the response.”

For each student who donated clothing, his or her figure on the banner then earned a piece of paper clothing that Vergow or her assistant glued on.

The following week “Feed the Hungry” resulted in 35 bags of groceries being donated and saw each class make a plate and have it added to the banner.

“Some of them drew the food as a meal, and some of them cut out food ads. Every class had a dinner plate on that banner,” said Vergow.

For the Corporal Work “Give Drink to the Thirsty” dozens of juice boxes and more than 20 cases of water were brought in by students.

Pitchers were cut out with students each putting a glass in one of the pitchers.

For “Provide Shelter to the Homeless,” umbrellas Continued on page 15

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., lights the Paschal candle at the beginning of the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River last Saturday evening. (Photo courtesy of cathedral rector, Father John C. Ozug)

Students from Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth cheer on their basketball team at the Division 3 State Finals at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on March 19. The Stang Spartans beat Oxford, 80-64, clinching the first-ever state championship in the school’s history. Look for The Anchor’s exclusive interview with the new state champions in its April 15 edition. (Photo courtesy of Jana McHenry)

Chief financial officer and chancellor appointed for Diocese of Fall River

FALL RIVER — Kevin R. Kiley, who has spent more than 20 years in finance and planning for the Archdiocese of Boston, has been appointed chief financial officer and chancellor for the Fall River Diocese, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has announced.

The appointment, made by the bishop, becomes effective Apr. 19, 2016.

As chief financial officer, Kiley will oversee temporal areas of diocesan administration such as budgeting of ministries and offices; monitoring finances of parishes; legal matters involving parishes, schools, and diocesan offices; insurance coverage; employee benefits; construction and renovation projects; and the diocesan Development Office.

As chancellor, he will be the notary of official documents and serve as the chief record keeper, managing the gathering and safeguarding of all diocesan documents.

Kiley started with the Boston Archdiocese in 1991 as a staff accountant/budget analyst, working his way up in successive years to become accounting supervisor and assistant controller. After a twoyear period away, he was recruited by the archdiocese to return in 2004 as manager of Budget and Planning and led the effort to restructure its central operating fund and stabilize finances.

While holding several different titles since then, Kiley developed a new fund-raising model for the archdiocese, oversaw the renovation and relocation of its headquarters, and was interim human resources director.

As director of Strategy and Financial Planning for the past three years, he has been responsible for the development and implementation of strategic plans, financial and operating plans, and budgets for the archdiocese, and was second in command to the chancellor.

As part of a management team, his oversight also included IT, human re-

Kevin R. Kiley

sources, risk management and parish services.

In 2013, Kiley completed requirements to become a certified diocesan fiscal manager from the national Diocesan Fiscal Managers Conference. He now serves as secretary/treasurer of that conference.

“Kevin comes to us not only with business and financial expertise, but also with experience working for a diocese — and

a large one at that,” said Bishop da Cunha in making the announcement of his appointment. “He understands our mission and is very familiar with the many components that make up the diocese as well as the needs and challenges particular to it. I am confident he will serve us well in these two important positions.”

Serving as a chancellor/ chief financial officer “has always been a goal of mine while working for the Church,” Kiley explained.

“It provides the opportunity to expand my scope of responsibility while at the same time utilizing my 20-plus years working

for the Church in Boston.

With a commitment to accountability and transparency, I am excited and honored to serve Bishop da Cunha, priests, religious, diocesan/parish staff, and parishioners of Fall River,” he said.

Kiley holds a degree in accounting from Suffolk University and worked first as an accountant after graduation for two private companies and also as a financial planner.

Born and raised in Weymouth, he now resides in Marshfield with his wife, Susan, and their four children. He attends St. Christine Parish in that town.

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May 14 road race to benefit Anchor, Catholic media

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

WAREHAM — In the days leading up to Easter, Bill Sylvia was eagerly looking forward to returning to Masses at his beloved St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham.

“I miss the people; I really, really do,” he told The Anchor. “I pray every night and I can’t wait to get back to church next weekend.”

Sylvia has also been preparing for a long overdue, resurrection-like return to the sport he’s dedicated his life to: marathon running.

“I’m going to start training again in April,” Sylvia

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said. “I just miss the sport, you know? People tell me all the time that I don’t look 73 years old. I think that’s because I keep running.”

Anyone involved in the countless road races and marathons in the Southeastern Massachusetts area has probably run alongside and competed with the affable Sylvia at one point or another.

For more than 50 years, Sylvia said he’s “run in just about every major race and marathon in the area.”

“I’m well-known among runners in this area,” he added. “A lot of times I show up at races and they joke: ‘Just give Bill the trophy now.’”

But a serious health scare two years ago sidetracked what had been an unbroken series of race wins for the longtime marathoner.

“I was supposed to run in the (Wareham) YMCA Road Race that year and I woke up that Saturday morning and I had a cramp in my stomach,” he said. “I

thought I ate something that didn’t agree with me the night before — but I didn’t feel right.”

Sylvia eventually ended up at Tobey Hospital, where he would learn that he had cancer in his bowels, which would require major surgery.

He regrettably had to back out of several subsequent races, including the YMCA event that would have marked his 10th consecutive year in the competition.

“I couldn’t do anything for a whole year,” he said. “If I had won, that would have been my 10th (first-place finish) in a row — I won it nine years straight.”

So, instead of beating the pavement, for the past two years Sylvia has been busy beating the cancer inside him.

Not surprisingly, he once again found himself inside the winner’s circle.

“I’m completely cancerfree now,” Sylvia said. “I have to go for a CAT scan every year, just to make sure.

I’m due again in June, but so far — knock on wood — I’ve been feeling good.”

Sylvia is feeling so much better, in fact, that he jumped at the chance to help friend and fellow parishioner Kevin Ward organize a new road race in his hometown.

The first annual Bill Sylvia 5K to Benefit Catholic Media will be held on Saturday morning, May 14, beginning at 10 a.m. from St. Anthony’s Chapel, 35 Gault Road in West Wareham.

The 3.5-mile course will loop around the surrounding area of West Wareham, and return back to St. Anthony’s Chapel.

Knowing his vast experience with road races, Ward initially asked Sylvia for his help in planning the event

as a benefit for The Anchor, the official publication of the Fall River Diocese, and Life With Christ Radio, a proposed Catholic radio station on Cape Cod, which Ward has been spearheading.

But when Ward suggested the race be named in Sylvia’s honor, the distance runner was deeply moved.

“When I found out, I was very, very pleased,” Sylvia said. “To be honest, I had a tear in my eye when Kevin told me. I think it’s a great honor.”

It’s appropriate that the longtime town resident has become the namesake ambassador for the newest Wareham race.

Sylvia cut his teeth on two popular Wareham races — the Cranberry Classic and the Decas Road Race — both of which are now defunct.

“Those were my first two road races and they were great races,” he said. “I wish they still had them — they really attracted a lot of people. They haven’t held them for about 20 years now.”

Sylvia’s lifelong obsession with running can be traced back to grammar school, when he remembers spotting an older man who would be out running every morning.

“We used to wait (for the school bus) and this old man used to come running by us and I always wondered who he was,” Sylvia said. “I found out he was (O. Gardner Spooner) whom they had named the Greater New Bedford Track Club’s 10K Spooner Road Race after. So one day I put my lunch box down next to my buddy and I decided to run alongside him for a couple of blocks. After that, I couldn’t keep up with him anymore.”

For the 12-year-old Sylvia, that was enough of a spark to light a fire in him.

“I was just a kid, so to be able to keep up with the guy for a couple of blocks made me feel good and I’ve been running since then,” he said.

“The first time I met Mr. Spooner, I knew I wanted to be a marathon runner.”

In high school, Sylvia would soon master track, which led to cross country, which led to road races.

While watching the 1972 Olympics, Sylvia was inspired by marathoner Frank Shorter, whom he called “one of my idols.”

Within a year, he would be running in his first Boston Marathon.

“I ran in the Boston Marathon for 15 years straight,” Sylvia said. “I also ran in the New Bedford Half Marathon — I did that for 15 consecutive years, too. I used to love that course. It’s a great race and the people are really nice.

I was pretty much running marathons from 1972 to 1989. That last year was my best time — I finished in 2:45.”

Throughout his stellar running career, Sylvia has racked up more than 30 first-place trophies and more than 50 other ribbons in a variety of divisions and age categories.

“My advice is to go out and run your own pace,” he said. “That’s what you’ve got to do the first time out. Then you come back the following year and set your PR, your personal best time. But you need to get to know the course the first year. After that, you can do better.”

The mistake many inexperienced runners make, Sylvia said, is going full steam ahead the first time out.

Continued on page five

Road race to benefit Anchor, Catholic media continued from page four

“I had a good friend who ran in a race the first time and ended up blowing both of his knees out,” he said.

“You need to get to know the course first — know where the hills are, where the turns are, know what you’re doing. If you attempt a race the first time and take off like a rocket, you’re going to burn yourself out.

I’ve seen it happen time and time again.”

Sylvia said he’s not only looking forward to getting back to training this spring, but also to helping organize his namesake road race on May 14.

“I’ve been to a lot of races and I watch how they organize,” he said. “You have to do it right — you have to have so many water stops, because people dehydrate and you have to keep drinking along the way. You never know what the weather is going to be like — it could be cool, it could be hot — but you still need plenty of water to drink. That’s what I always tell kids who ask me about road racing.”

Despite a recent bout with pneumonia that kept him homebound for several weeks this winter, Sylvia is

feeling much better and is more than up to the task.

“I’m very dedicated to the sport and very dedicated to the Church,” Sylvia said. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting back into it. I just pray that God will give me the power and strength to keep doing it.”

The first annual Bill Sylvia 5K to Benefit Catholic Media will be held on May 14 beginning at 10 a.m. from St. Anthony’s Chapel, 35 Gault Road in West Wareham. A lunch and awards ceremony will immediately follow in the hall of St. Patrick’s Parish, 82 High Street in Wareham. Awards will be given to the top runners, male

and female, in each age category.

All proceeds from the event will benefit The Anchor and Life With Christ Radio.

Advance registration is just $20 per person and

the first 50 registrants will receive a free commemorative T-shirt.

For more information, contact Kevin Ward at 508291-0949.

To register online, visit www.runreg.com/sylvia5k.

The Anchor - April 1, 2016

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C

Entering through the Divine floodgates of mercy

atholics are not obliged to believe “private revelations,” even approved ones, with the faithful assent we give to the “definitive public Revelation” of Sacred Scripture and Sacred tradition.

Rather we evaluate private revelations on whether they are probable, credible and prudent.

The Church teaches that private revelations — like the appearances of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary or of the Blessed Virgin in Guadalupe, Lourdes or Fatima — help us to live Christ’s definitive Revelation in Scripture and tradition “more fully in a certain period of history” (“Catechism” 67): to interpret the signs of the times, understand the fuller significance of the Gospel and live it with greater faith, hope and love at a particular time.

They are meant prophetically to make more explicit, actualize and lead us back to the definitive Revelation.

When the Church approves a private revelation as worthy of belief, it does so acknowledging that it is a help offered, and while one is not obliged to follow it, one should also not totally disregard it either.

After all, if Jesus Christ has appeared with a message for us on how to live

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mercy; and that we must with greater faith, hope, share His mercy, forgiving and love, or if the Blessed others as God has forgiven Mother has been allowed us. to come as a missionary The five ways that Jesus calling us to conversion, indicated to St. Faustina prayer and charity, or even we can grow in living out to build a place of worship the Gospel of Mercy today where God will pour out is through stopping evHis graces, we should not easily dismiss the summons, because in doing so, we might Putting Into really be turning a the Deep deaf ear to God. That provides

By Father context to what Roger J. Landry is happening this weekend. If Jesus’ revelations to St. Faustina Kowalska are to be erything at 3 p.m. each believed, this Sunday would day for a moment to unite really have to be considered ourselves to His saving death and offer to Him our the apex of the extraorprayers for mercy; praying dinary Jubilee of Mercy. a Chaplet of Divine Mercy St. Faustina, a Polish nun in which we unite ourselves in Krakow, says that Jesus to Him and offer what He appeared regularly to her did on Holy Thursday and in the 1930s asking her to become His “secretary” and Good Friday — His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity write down the revelations — to the Father in atoneof His Divine Mercy. The Church has evaluated these ment for ours and others’ revelations and found them sins; venerating Him in an image He asked St. worthy of belief.

Faustina to have painted in The basis of the Divine which He blesses us with Mercy devotion is Jesus’ His mercy flowing from own guidance as to how to His wounded side; praying live by the three essential truths about His mercy He a Novena starting Good Friday, asking His mercy revealed in Sacred Scripto be poured out on nine ture: that we’re sinners in specific groups of people need of His forgiveness; ever in need of forgiveness; that we must trust in, ask for and come to receive His and finally celebrating His mercy on the Sunday after Easter as the exclamation point of everything the Church celebrates during the Easter Octave.

About Divine Mercy Sunday, Jesus revealed to St. Faustina, “I want the first Sunday after Easter to be the feast of Mercy. I desire that the feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day, the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces

upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are open all the Divine floodgates through which graces flow.”

St. John Paul II acted on this message during St. Faustina’s canonization Mass in 2000, when he announced in his homily, “It is important that we accept in its entirety the message that comes to us from God’s Word on this second Sunday of Easter. From now on, throughout the whole Church, this day will take the name of ‘Divine Mercy Sunday.’”

Through St. Faustina, Jesus made a particular appeal to priests. “My daughter,” He said, “speak to priests about this inconceivable mercy of Mine” because “I desire that priests proclaim this great mercy of Mine towards souls of sinners.”

He added, “No soul will be justified until it turns with confidence to My mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone about My great and unfathomable mercy.”

And He promised extraordinary fruits if they heeded His appeal, a promise I have seen repeatedly validated: “Tell My priests that hardened sinners will repent on hearing their words when they speak about My unfathomable mercy, about the compassion I have for them in My heart. To priests who will proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak.”

In an instruction on the indulgences associated with Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church has said to priests, “Priests who exercise pastoral ministry, especially parish priests, should inform the faithful in the most suitable way of the Church’s salutary provision. They should promptly and generously be willing to hear their Confessions.

On Divine Mercy Sunday, after celebrating Mass or Vespers, or during devotions in honor of Divine Mercy, they should lead the recitation of the prayers [of Divine Mercy] and should gently encourage the faithful to practice works of charity or mercy as often as they can.”

Thankfully there are many priests, faithful and parishes who have acted on the Church’s clear indications and the strong encouragement of the Divine Mercy devotion and Divine Mercy Sunday by St. John Paul, Pope Benedict and Pope Francis.

Sadly and strangely, however, as various articles and Internet surveys have demonstrated, the majority of parishes not only do not yet observe Divine Mercy Sunday, but most often have annual homilies and bulletin meditations on doubting Thomas, even though the Gospel likewise focuses on Jesus’ establishment of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation on Easter Sunday evening.

Wouldn’t it be great, as a particular fruit of this extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, if every parish, priest and faithful did something special this Divine Mercy Sunday to celebrate the gift of God’s merciful love?

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

Parish is ‘Awakening Faith’ in its community

sharing in a setting of hospitality and acceptance. A small community is formed and over the six weeks beFAIRHAVEN — St. comes a bridge to the larger Mary’s Parish in Fairhaven Church community. has a large number of “The world is so ugly,” people listed on its parish said Cabral, “and I really register, but when it comes to those who actually attend feel it’s because people are Mass the number is signifi- losing their connection with God. We are so busy cantly smaller. and get involved in other The parish council has been trying to launch a type things, and Church just isn’t an important thing. I of program to reach out went through it with my to those who have fallen away from the Church, and children; you have baseball games or soccer games with encouragement from on Sunday morning, and the parish’s pastor Father sometimes you just get Martin Gomes, SS.CC., pulled away. longtime parishioner Dot “Sometimes it could be Cabral took the initiative, other personal issues that formed a small group, and pulled you away — but is ready to launch on April 6 a free-to-attend, six-week they’ll still say they’re Cathprogram, “Awakening Faith” olic. Then they get married, to help reconnect Catholics or they put their children into Faith Formation to their faith. programs; you see so often “Because I’ve been inthey drop their children off volved with the parish for awhile — I started in youth but they don’t participate in the Mass. We’re hopministry years ago and I’ve ing to spark their interest, stayed very active in the Church — I have seen that and to see why they left the Church in the first place.” attendance is dwindling Catholics need to evandown,” said Cabral. “The gelize their faith more, pews are becoming empty. said Cabral, and reach out One of the missions that the parish council has been to those who may define themselves as Catholic, but working on is trying to improve the attendance, and don’t practice their faith.

“When a Catholic goes bring people back to the to a hospital,” said Cabral, Church.” “they will designate they’re According to its website a Catholic but they’re not (www.pemdc.org), “Awakactively practicing. Or ening Faith: Reconnecting with Your Catholic Faith” is maybe some Catholics are practicing but only come a small group process that to church on a Sunday and helps inactive Catholics then really don’t have any return to the Church. The other connection with the group meets once a week Church, but are looking for six weeks of conversafor deeper Spirituality and tion and socializing. The growth in their faith.” conversations are based on Those are the people St. short, easy-to-read essays about Spirituality, Jesus, the Mary’s wants to reconnect with during the Awakening Holy Spirit, God’s mercy, Faith six-week sessions, she the Mass, and the Church. said.

The meetings foster reflecCabral’s small group tion, prayer, and honest

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

researched multiple programs online, eventually settling on the Awakening Faith program because “it had what we wanted,” said Cabral, adding the program is easy to follow and not heavy on academic theology, but more focused on helping Catholics create their own Spiritual connection with their faith.

Each session will be 90 minutes, focusing on a different topic each week to explore different elements of the Catholic faith.

“It will give them a chance for conversation, for sharing; everything they say will be held in confidence, and done in a comfortable environment,” said Cabral.

“It’s an opportunity for them to express how they feel and how they relate to the topics that are covered.”

Some people who have signed up have stated they will not be able to attend all six sessions due to other commitments, but Cabral invites them and anyone to “attend the sessions they can; some are better than nothing. Come to what you Turn to page 15

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Anchor Editorial

Forgive offenses

In 1999 the International Theological Commission, in a document entitled, “Memory and Reconciliation: the Church and the Faults of the Past,” spoke about the upcoming jubilee year of 2000 and said, “This singular experience of grace prompts the people of God as a whole, as well as each of the baptized, to take still greater cognizance of the mandate received from the Lord to be ever ready to forgive offenses received.”

The ITC footnoted Tertio Millenio Adveniente, St. John Paul II’s 1994 Apostolic Letter in preparation for the jubilee. The ITC pointed to paragraphs 33 to 36 of TMA, where the pope hinted at how he would be apologizing in 2000 for the sins of Catholics throughout history. He said (in No. 33), “As the second millennium of Christianity draws to a close, the Church should become more fully conscious of the sinfulness of her children, recalling all those times in history when they departed from the Spirit of Christ and His Gospel.”

Later in the same paragraph the Polish pontiff spoke about 2000 in a way which also applies well to the current Year of Mercy: “She (the Church) cannot cross the threshold of the new millennium without encouraging her children to purify themselves, through repentance of past errors and instances of infidelity, inconsistency, and slowness to act. Acknowledging the weaknesses of the past is an act of honesty and courage which helps us to strengthen our faith, which alerts us to face today’s temptations and challenges and prepares us to meet them.”

In paragraph 34 St. John Paul spoke about the scandal of Christian disunity and the need to pray for unity, while in No. 35 he discussed the need for “repentance [for] intolerance and even the use of violence in the service of truth.” In No. 36 he turned from looking back at the past to the duty of Christians to “examine themselves on the responsibility which they too have for the evils of our day.”

It is interesting that in reminding us of our Christian duty to carry out the Spiritual Work of Mercy of forgiving offenses, the ITC made reference to the examination of conscience which all Christians need to do about our own sins. By being aware of our own sinfulness, we are less likely to be harsh towards those who have offended us (since we have offended God).

On Aug. 18, 2014 Pope Francis preached in Seoul, South Korea, where he spoke about Jesus’ command to Peter that he needed to forgive offenses “‘not seven times, I tell you, but 70 times seven’ (Mt 18:21-22). These words go to the very heart of Jesus’ message of recOFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 60, No. 7

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

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PUBLISHER - Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. 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

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onciliation and peace. In obedience to His command, we ask our Heavenly Father daily to forgive us our sins, ‘as we forgive those who sin against us.’ Unless we are prepared to do this, how can we honestly pray for peace and reconciliation?”

Pope Francis acknowledged that Jesus’ order seems rather odd: “In telling us to forgive our brothers unreservedly, He is asking us to do something utterly radical, but He also gives us the grace to do it.

What appears, from a human perspective, to be impossible, impractical and even at times repugnant, He makes possible and fruitful through the infinite power of His cross. The cross of Christ reveals the power of God to bridge every division, to heal every wound, and to reestablish the original bonds of brotherly love.”

The Argentine pontiff exhorted the Koreans (but it’s a message good for us all to follow): “Trust in the power of Christ’s cross! Welcome its reconciling grace into your own hearts and share that grace with others! I ask you to bear convincing witness to Christ’s message of reconciliation in your homes, in your communities and at every level of national life.”

St. John Paul made reference to Jesus’ answer to Peter about forgiveness to the bishops of Rwanda in 1998 (who had to work at reconciling their fellow citizens after the brutal violence in their country in the early ’90s). He said, “Among Christ’s disciples there can be no true unity without that unconditional mutual love which demands a readiness to serve others generously, a willingness to welcome them as they are, without ‘judging’ them (cf. Mt 7:1-2), and an ability to forgive up to ‘70 times seven’” (Mt 18:22).

On Holy Thursday in 2008 Pope Benedict tied this Work of Mercy with the Corporal ones. “We must wash one another’s feet in the mutual daily service of love. But we must also wash one another’s feet in the sense that we must forgive one another ever anew. The debt for which the Lord has pardoned us is always infinitely greater than all the debts that others can owe us (cf. Mt 18: 21-35). Holy Thursday exhorts us to this: not to allow resentment toward others to become a poison in the depths of the soul. It urges us to purify our memory constantly, forgiving one another whole-heartedly, washing one another’s feet, to be able to go to God’s banquet together.”

Jesus did not demand revenge for what He suffered on Good Friday. Instead, He begged the Father to forgive us. We need to have that same attitude towards those who have offended us if we want to enter into His Kingdom.

Daily Readings April 2 — April 15

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Apr. 2, Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118:1 and 14-15ab,1618,19-21; Mk 16:9-15. Sun. Apr. 3, Second Sunday of Easter, Acts 5:12-16; Ps 118:2-4,13-15,22-24; Rv 1:9-11a,12-13,17-19; Jn 20:19-31. Mon. Apr. 4, Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-8a,8b-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38. Tues. Apr. 5, Acts 4:32-37; Ps 93:1ab,1cd-2,5; Jn 3:7b-15. Wed. Apr. 6, Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-9; Jn 3:16-21. Thurs. Apr. 7, Acts 5:27-33; Ps 34:2 and 9,17-20; Jn 3:31-36. Fri. Apr. 8, Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27:1,4, 13-14; Jn 6:1-15.

Sat. Apr. 9, Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; Jn 6:16-21. Sun. Apr. 10, Third Sunday of Easter, Acts 5:27-32,40b-41; Ps 30:2,4-6,11-13 (2a); Rv 5:11-14; Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14. Mon. Apr. 11, Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24,26-27,29-30; Jn 6:22-29. Tues. Apr. 12, Acts 7:51—8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4,6 and 7b and 8a,17 and 21ab; Jn 6:30-35. Wed. Apr. 13, Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a,4-5,6-7a; Jn 6:35-40.

Thurs. Apr. 14, Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9,16-17,20; Jn 6:44-51. Fri. Apr. 15, Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc,2; Jn 6:52-59.

CRS president and CEO delivers lecture at Stonehill College entitled, ‘I Am Climate Change — Exploring Climate Change in the Context of Laudato Si’

By Professor Robert Rak Special to The Anchor rrak@verizon.net

EASTON — Dr. Carolyn Woo, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services delivered the recent André Lecture at Stonehill College in honor of St. André Bessette, a member of the Holy Cross Brothers canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 2010. Begun in 2011, with a theme of “Welcoming the Other,” it is a tribute to St. André’s example of welcome, inclusivity and acceptance. Woo, herself an immigrant from Honk Kong, was one of five presenters in Rome at the release of Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, in June 2015.

She is also the author of the book, “Working for a Better World” (Our Sunday Visitor, 2015).

Woo began by explaining how Catholic Relief Services started in 1943 as part of the Catholic Church’s response to helping the refugees of World War II in Europe. Today they serve in 103 countries around the world helping 85-100 million people each year. Woo has traveled extensively with CRS and spoke of the current crises in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, and in Central Africa and Southern Sudan. The problem is greater than after World War II. Woo’s presentation was based on the concept that the abundance of God is “not just for the lucky, but for all.” She spoke of how five million children still die each year from malnutrition. She said that CRS works to “give food to the hungry, and give a hunger to those with food, for justice.”

Woo showed the video, “Catholic Social Teaching 101: Care for God’s Creation” (www.youtube. com/watch?v=wSnXuCxiHXE).

This instructs us that the environment is the support system for human life and that, in the book of Genesis, God directs us to “keep and till the natural world.” We are tilling, but not doing a good job keeping. The pope’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, is a call for all of us to care for the environment and to always take into account the needs

of the poor.

Woo developed her lecture around 10 points: Point No. 1: Laudato Si’ means praised be. It is a praise for the bounty of God’s Creation with a warning that the earth, and many of its people, are crying out for help.

are polluting our planet. They ask “Why us?” She showed the video “Living on the edge of climate change” (https://www.facebook. com/CatholicReliefServices/ videos/1015356859949545/) which presents the current plight of farmers in Guatemala.

Point No. 5: Climate change is

duce consumption. Again the poor are excluded from the benefits, but suffer from the consequences. Our priorities should be people, planet, then profit.

Point No. 8: Our relationship with the earth means we have responsibilities. The pope is concerned about how we purpose our lives, and what type of world we want to leave behind for our children. We need an ecological conversion. We cannot depend on the markets or technology to solve all the problems we are facing.

Solidarity and sustainability are virtues that we must seek for the common good of all people.

Point No. 9: Our ecological conversion must lead to action.

We need to renew the soil, rebuild our watersheds, use less water, and plant more trees. We can try to live a simpler life that is ecologically friendly. We need to push for clean, renewable sources of power CRS president and CEO Dr. Carolyn Woo spoke recently at Stonehill Col- and advocate for a better way of lege on climate change. (Photo by Professor Robert Rak) living.

Point No. 10: Each of us must take something away from her talk.

Point No. 2: The earth is our causing a movement away from Woo presented the video, “The common home and we are made the family farms. It is splitting up Best Speech about Humanity,” from its elements. We breathe families, as parents seek work to

by American astronomer, Carl its air and we eat its food. It is as support their families. This can Sagan (https://www.youtube.com/ intimate to us as our own bodies, lead to parents migrating to coun- watch?v=EWPFmdAWRZ0). but the pollution we are creating is tries, such as the U.S., and leaving Sagan points out that the earth is affecting the health of our bodies. their families behind just a small dot in the universe, Point No. 3: Laudato Si’ is not Point No. 6: Institutional and yet it is the only world that is a scientific document but it is not business behaviors around the known to harbor life, thus “it without science. The pope knows world are causing problems. The underscores our responsibility to about science. He was a chemist. rise of some cheap products in the deal kindly with one another and He brought together top climate U.S. are not without human costs. preserve and cherish this tiny dot, scientists for his encyclical. Science There is the use of cheap slave because it is the only one we have is the best tool for us to hear the labor and workers are exposed ever known.” Woo pointed out cry of the earth. to poor working conditions and that we are taking so much from Point No. 4: Laudato Si’ is toxic compounds. Water is taken the earth, but we are not giving similar to a country love song. away from local farmers to support enough back to it. We each have a The pope is trying to tell us business activities. Overconsumpresponsibility to do what we can. that God loves us, but we don’t tion is leading to greater waste. We We don’t have permission to give appreciate that love. God, the dispose of what does not serve our up on these problems. Through earth and our neighbors are needs and has no value to us. In Jesus’ Resurrection and return to all interrelated. We must be the process we dispose of the poor, His disciples, He showed that working together to care for our the elderly, the handicapped and His love for them was always planet. Our overconsumption of prisoners. The pope calls this the there. It gave them strength to products has become like idol Globalization of Indifference. face their future challenges. He worshipping. It is destroying our Point No. 7: Institutions’ and teaches us that love is stronger planet and the lives of the poor. business’ major priority has bethan all of the world’s evils. Love They suffer without gaining any of come profits. The concept is to gives us the strength to face our the benefits that others gain who build at all costs to feed and inchallenges today.

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They will know you by your joy!

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inding joy, something we all search and long for, yet joy is a Christian’s natural birth right. As Lent comes to an end with the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, we cannot help but feel the warmth of the light that has lifted us out of the darkness. Like the seedlings and plants waiting for those first warming rays of spring, we too bask in the glow that comes from the Risen Christ.

There is something about Easter that we cannot deny, it transforms us, changing our perception of the world; giving us new hope, turning our doubts and fears into faith. So many of us have experienced the death of a loved one and fully understand the pain of grief; for me and so many others, the promise of the Resurrection helps ease the burden of our loss, giving us comfort in knowing that our loved ones are safe in the arms of Jesus, until we meet again.

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Jesus’ death and Resur- we bear witness to the rection takes us from sin truth of Jesus’ rising from into grace, from death the dead, greatly impactinto eternal life. His words ing how we go through to the criminal who was life and our very attitudes. crucified along with Him, There is a strong convicprovided comfort to that tion in the knowledge man as it does to us so that Jesus sacrificed His many years later: “Truly life so that we should gain I tell you, today you will eternal life. His love was be with Me in Paradise” that great and that self(Lk 23:43). How can we not be transformed by In the Palm the sheer reality of what Jesus did and of His Hands said on our beBy Rose Mary half ? How can we Saraiva not have joy, when joy is what was given to us that first Easter morning? sacrificing.

It is our joy that identiIt is because of this fies us as Christians — Je- great love, that we are sus Himself told us, “Peo- transformed like the butple will know that you are terfly, which becomes My disciples by your love” free from her trappings, ( Jn 13:35). Which could dancing from flower to very easily be paraphrased flower in celebration of to read: “They will know her rebirth. We too, with you by your joy,” because the help of the promises this joy permeates every of Easter, are able to shed inch of us, filling us to our those things that separate very core. Why is this joy us from God’s mercy and so evident in us? Because, love. This is why we are known as Easter people, not only because of one Sunday dedicated to the

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Resurrection of Christ, but because we live the Easter promises every day of our lives. The hope and joy that was freely given to us upon the cross on Good Friday, when Jesus stretched out His arms opening wide the gates of Heaven so that we may all one day enter into His Father’s house, is hard to ignore or hide. Even as He was nailed to the cross, Jesus implored God saying, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). He continued to intercede on our behalf right up until His last breath. Not many of us would be that willing to forgive another’s grave transgressions against us, but yet Jesus in His infinite mercy and love, did just that.

The challenge, therefore, for us Christians is to carry this joy into the world. To forgive others who disappoint and hurt us, to go beyond our comfort zone to help others who find themselves

in darkness, giving them hope. It is in reaching beyond all that we know, to share all the joy that we have with others. Simple acts of love and kindness; being present to those in need; entering into the discomfort of others in order to comfort them; and daring ourselves to find Christ in everyone we encounter, in doing so, we allow them a glimpse of the Risen Christ. We become instruments of God’s mercy and love; helping others encounter Jesus in our deeds and actions and in the way we live our lives.

Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22).

This gift, along with the other gifts of the Spirit, provides us with the tools necessary to help us enjoy the true freedom that is offered to us by Jesus’ death and Resurrection. So this Easter season remember to “rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice” (Ph 4:4). For Christ was dead, but now is Risen.

May the joy of Easter always surround us, our loved ones, and all those we hold dear. May we know the true joy of being a disciple of Christ, and may we be known as Christians, not by our words but by our actions and how we choose to live our lives.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!

Happy Easter!

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva lives in Fall River and is a parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish, and she is the Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. She is married with three children and two grandchildren. rsaraiva@dfrcs.com.

DCCW to host Day of Reflection at Cape Cod parish April 9

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

POCASSET — St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset will be the site of a Day of Reflection sponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women on April 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The purpose of the day is for women to celebrate the mercy of God within their families.

The guest speaker will be Alicia Ambrosio, a senior producer for the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation based in Toronto and Montreal, Canada. She will be speaking on the importance of media on Marriages and family life.

Ambrosio is the host of the weekly television series, “Vatican Connections.” On its website, Salt and Light asks viewers, “Ever won-

der what goes on in the Vatican on a daily basis? What does the p ​ ope do? Who helps him? Why does it matter? Get answers to all th​ese questions on ‘Vatican Connections’ with Alicia Ambrosio. O ​ ver four seasons, Alicia has brought you

the inside scoop on what happens behind Vatican walls.”

Vancouver, Canada native Ambrosio went to Rome and finished her graduate studies at the Salesian Pontifical University and worked with CNS in Rome.

After returning to Canada, she joined the Salt and Light team in 2008.

Free bus transportation (while seats remain available) to the event will be available from White’s Restaurant in Westport on the morning of April 9, leaving at 7:30 a.m. To

reserve a seat on the bus or for more information: in Fall River, call 508674-7036 or 508-678-6941; in New Bedford, 508-995-1604 or 508-9935085; in Attleboro, 508-761-4638; and in Taunton, 508-676-6515 (for information on Cape Cod, call 508540-3370).

The DCCW asks all women to join them and women across the diocese to take time to pray, reflect and meet new people.

The cost is $10 with lunch included. For further information call Beth Mahoney at 508-821-6201.

Alicia Ambrosio

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Zorba the Geek Friday 1 April 2016 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — April Fool ’s Day ’m writing today about Zorba the Geek, not to be confused with Zorba the Greek.

I’m writing about the technician with whom I recently dealt while purchasing my new computer. “Zorba” isn’t his real name. I didn’t get his real name. I do, however, know he was a geek. There was a big sign suspended from the ceiling proclaiming “Geek Department.” I was in the Better Buy computer store.

As we all know, there are two types of computers. One is PC and the other Mac. I’ve been using a Hewlett/Packard

I

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since Vice President Al the Better Buy computer Gore invented the Inter- store. It was there I met net (fact-check required). Zorba, standing under At any rate, my HP the geek sign. I told him computer was showing its I wanted to buy an Apple age. Multicolored verticomputer. He asked what cal lines were appearing I knew about computers. on the screen. With my I masterfully avoided the knowledge of technology, question.

I knew immediately that a whatchamacallit was The Ship’s Log letting go.

Reflections of a I keep my Parish Priest thumb on the

By Father Tim pulse of the Goldrick culture. All the groovy people I know use Apple computers. It was time Zorba showed me for me to switch. I seven models. I pretended wouldn’t want to appear to read the descriptions square, as today’s young posted next to each modpeople would say. el, occasionally muttering On my day off-duty “Hmmm,” as if I knew I drove the 20 miles to what I was doing. The truth was it was all geek to me. Within a minute, I proclaimed, “I’ll take this one.” This made Zorba very happy.

Then my ruse fell apart. “What is your Apple password, sir?” asked Zorba. “Are you kidding me? I have no idea.” So, Zorba asked for my cellphone and searched it for a password. That was a waste of 20 minutes.

We tried the security question. “What is the name of your dog?”

“Which one? I’ve rescued many greyhounds over the years. I have no idea which was the dog on the day I set this password.” We went through the names of eight of my dogs (kennel names and professional racing names), all to no avail.

“Not to worry,” assured Zorba, “I’ll call Apple headquarters in California.” He phoned several times. “Press one. Press

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two. Press three. Press No. Please hold.” Music.

“Oh these computers!”

Zorba expressed with exasperation. My sentiments exactly.

Finally, Zorba got through. An undercover agent at the Apple high command promised Zorba he would send a secret code to my cellphone within 24 hours. The code, however, would automatically self-destruct 15 minutes after it was sent.

Nothing more could be done. I left my computer in the store and drove back to Falmouth to spend the next 24 hours waiting.

The secret code never arrived. I found out later it had been sent to a friend’s phone, but it self-destructed after 15 minutes.

My cellphone did eventually ring. It was the geek department. “Your new computer is ready for pick-up, sir.” “How can that be? You don’t have the secret code?” “No problem. We broke the encryption.” This would be a skill set very useful to the FBI, I pointed out.

Back I drove to Better Buy and then back home again with my new computer.

Eager to begin my new life as a hipster, I opened the computer. “Enter Password.” I did. It didn’t work. I entered another.

No luck. I entered a third.

Nothing. I was shut out.

I called the geek department. The technician gave me all sorts of instructions on how to

access the operating system. “Hold down this key while pressing that key and tap a third twice and then a fourth.” Tap with what? My nose? It didn’t work. “You’ll have to bring the computer back to the store.” The next day I drove the 20 miles back to Better Buy. There was a long line.

I chatted with an elderly woman also waiting in line. “You must know all about computers,” she remarked. “Why do you say that?” “Well, that’s a very hip computer you have there.” “It is, but I’m not. The truth is, I don’t know how to open it.” She didn’t believe me.

“Don’t be so modest,” she advised. “My husband also knew all about computers, but he died. So I’m here.”

Finally, it was my turn.

I immediately admitted to the young man that the problem wasn’t the computer; it was me.

The geek simply smiled knowingly, took his index finger, and gently tapped “enter.” The computer sprang to life. “No need for a password, sir. We didn’t set a password.”

I passed the same elderly woman on my way out the door. “That didn’t take long. I knew you were a computer expert,” she opined. “Yes, first you have to turn on the computer.” She laughed. I wasn’t joking.

Now I feel like such a fool (in April or any month of your own choosing). It’s not easy being hip.

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

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ecently, some Catholic Memorial High School students embarrassed themselves and their school by chanting, “You killed Jesus,” at a basketball game in Newton, the largely Jewish community where I live. This was in response to taunting from Newton North about the Catholic

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Who killed Jesus?

all-male school (“Where good to recall what Vatiare the girls?” etc.) The can II formally declared administration of Catholic more than 50 years ago, Memorial, and the stu“Neither all Jews indisdents involved, promptly and Judge rightly apologized for the anti-SeFor mitic slur.

Yourself At this time of

By Dwight Duncan commemorating Good Friday, it is

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criminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during Christ’s Passion.” This should be obvious to anyone by now. Guilt by association is just not fair.

But more fundamentally, and at a deeper Spiritual level, the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” reiterates what the Catechism of the Council of Trent had said in the 16th century: “Since our sins made the Lord Christ suffer the torment of the cross, those who plunge themselves into disorders and crimes crucify the Son of God anew in their hearts (for He is in them) and hold Him up to contempt.

And it can be said that our crime in this case is greater in us than in the Jews.

As for them, according to the witness of the Apostle, ‘None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.’ We, however, profess to know Him.” In this Year of Mercy, it is fitting to remember one of Jesus’ last utterances, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

All too often, by contrast, we do know, or at least sense, the evil that we do.

The “Catechism” promulgated by St. John Paul II almost 25 years ago goes on to quote St. Francis of Assisi, who said, “Nor did demons crucify Him; it is you who have crucified Him and crucify Him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.”

And so the proper answer to the question of who killed Jesus is, “I did”— because of my sins.

Maybe you did, too, but judge not, that you may

not be judged. In any case, it doesn’t seem a proper subject for sports trashtalk, only for examining one’s own conscience with becoming humility and, hopefully, repentance.

Which brings me to my second sobering reflection this Holy Week.

Secretary of State John Kerry just declared that ISIS, the self-proclaimed Islamic State, is engaging in genocide of Christians and other religious groups like the Yazidis and Shiite Muslims. This bloody persecution and modern martyrdom is finally being recognized for what it is, and hopefully the international community, in conjunction with the United States, can act forcefully to put a stop to it. If Saul, the future Apostle Paul, was prostrated by hearing Christ ask, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” when he was persecuting early Christians, and Jesus Himself said, in the Gospel according to Matthew, “Whatever you do to these, the least of My brethren, you do to Me,” then there is a deep identity between Christ and His followers.

And so, we can probably conclude that ISIS is killing Christ anew in the Middle East. The good news is that we now have many contemporary examples of Christian witness, and, as Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed” of the Church. The bad news is that it’s mass murder, often by beheading. What are we, and what am I, going to do about it?

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

Parish’s youth live out Corporal Works of Mercy continued from page two

were created by each class as a symbol for shelter, and students were asked to bring in cleaning supplies so that those in shelters could keep their space clean and nice, as well as personal care products, such as shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

“Shelters in the area were very happy with what we brought in,” said Vergow.

“People were very inventive with what they brought it, and it was very appreciated at the shelters.”

For “Visit the Imprisoned and Comfort the Sick,” each student made a heart for the

banner, representing the love that they shared for people.

Students brought in Easter cards and those were distributed to nursing homes and to a local halfway house in Norton.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Mary’s Parish in Norton, as well as at St. John’s Parish and St. Vincent de Paul’s thrift shop in Attleboro; New Hope in Attleboro; two nursing homes and a couple of other organizations that Vergow wished to remain anonymous, all benefitted from the students’ generosity.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 April 3, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Msgr. Gerard P. O’Connor, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet.

April 10, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Thomas C. Lopes, a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese.

“When we brought some of the things to St. Vincent de Paul’s store, they were overwhelmed,” said Vergow.

“They were just so thankful because most of it was children’s clothes, and that’s their biggest clientele. We even had two First Communion dresses.”

The nursing homes were thrilled to get the cards and though no one has yet sent any thank you notes, “we don’t need them because it was all about giving,” said Vergow.

Even if a student missed a week, he or she would automatically make it up the following week. Due to a snowstorm that fell on a Monday, the biggest day for classes, said Vergow, more Easter cards will be coming in with students that will also be delivered, albeit late, to nursing homes.

As the banner was coming together with students doing most of the creative work, it was the participation of the whole family that Vergow said she appreciates the most.

“The kids couldn’t have brought all this stuff in without the parents, they were very involved,” she said. “Parents were very responsive.

I have never seen so many parents get up and look at something in our building.

[The banner] is hanging up where the kids come in for class, and the kids stop and show their mom or dad what they did, and on this 40-foot banner try to find their one little heart or person. One mom told me that every week it’s a different person their child says that they drew, but I like that because it doesn’t matter. They’re all God’s children.”

The banner will stay where it is until Pentecost, and though they would like to move the banner and hang it in the church, the logistics

of moving a 40-foot banner and keeping it intact may make it impossible.

“A lot of pictures were taken and we’ll share it with the kids,” said Vergow.

So how will Vergow top this one?

“I’ve already been asked that,” said Vergow, laughing.

“I have no clue, but the Holy Spirit will lead me.”

Regardless of what next

year brings, Vergow knows this year’s project made an impact: “What we want the kids to understand is that God loves all the children of the world, whether they’re as rich as we are in family and community with the Church to support us, or if they’re just desperately looking for something to hold on to — we can help them.”

Fairhaven parish is ‘Awakening Faith’ continued from page seven

can and build with us; that’s what it’s all about.”

Booklets will be provided at no cost; and though St. Mary’s Parish is trying to create a Spiritual connection within its own parish community, “it’s open to anyone,” said Cabral. “It’s for anyone looking to deepen their Spirituality; the doors are open to them.”

“Hopefully it will build relationships with people,” said Cabral. “You really need to reach out to the community and the parish, and sometimes all it takes [is asking] would you like to be a part of this?”

Many parishes in the diocese seem to have the same group of active participants in parish events, and while that is a beautiful thing, Cabral wants to build up a larger community of active members.

“Building a community at the parish needs to happen — all parishes, not just ours,” she said. “We’re hoping it brings people

closer together, to be more of a family community and to really build off of one another. I would love to see more parish things taking place, and bring everyone together to be involved. We need it. The world outside of the Church is so bad — between the bullying or what we hear on the news — that we need a place for people to be accepted and loved for who they are, and letting people know they are welcome here, that these doors are open to everybody.”

Awakening Faith at St. Mary’s Parish, 446 Main Street in Fairhaven will be held April 6–May 11, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the parish hall. If you have any questions, you can call the parish office at 508992-7300 or email them at stmarysfairhaven@comcast. net. There is no cost to attend the sessions. Please call the rectory to reserve your place, or simply attend the first session on April 6.

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Youth Pages

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And God waits

omething is weighing heavy on my mind so, in this article, I would like to direct my words to parents, as well as our young people.

Several events over the last few months have directed my thoughts toward the relationship between parents and their children. Hopefully, this article will open up some discussion in your home.

One event that took place last month involved the passing of a young man of a drug overdose and the near loss of another had a friend not called for help in time.

While this one happened at a local university, it has also happened in colleges and universities all over the country and in neighborhoods far and wide. Why have they lost their way?

What are they missing in their lives that even lets them consider such risks?

Having shared in the suffering of this young man’s friends and parent, I’m just left with a hollow feeling of helplessness. But I believe that those who go astray are seeking something that they are missing in their lives, whether it is love, or acceptance or a relationship with their parents or particularly with God. The second event was the birth of my grandson Connor. This event was one of pure joy and hope and excitement, but still clouded by the fear of the loss of children and young people to drugs and suicide and a world that seems to have just gone nuts. What will the world be like as he grows up? What do we do that will help Connor grow into a young man who will be all that God created him to be and perhaps even make a real difference in this world? That is the mission of parents, grandparents and 16

feel is a more valuable point caregivers, isn’t it?

— the very fact that as they I fear that in today’s society parents seem to have grew into adulthood, we knew about what was gogiven up. Many are reing on in their lives and we signed to the fact that there cared about what was going is nothing they can do to help their children lead lives on in their lives. We know because our girls share evcentered on the values of our faith. Are parents saying erything with us. They seek advice and they share their that there is nothing they worries and their successes. can or should have done to We have worked hard impart the knowledge and since they were children to values to their child? How share with them our faith, else could that knowledge and those values get imparted? It’s not like we are born with them? Do we want this knowledge to come from modern

By Deacon culture, TV or peer Frank Lucca groups? Youth still want loving parents our values and our expectawho set boundaries and tions. We have given them expectations. I’m convinced the knowledge and the of that! I believe that today’s youth haven’t changed. challenge from a very early age to go out and challenge Parents have. Ignorance on the part of the parents is not the status quo — to be loving, faith-filled and faithful an excuse. Parents have a followers of Christ. Not duty and a responsibility to preachy but real, not fake, pass the faith and values of but authentic followers of Christ to their children.

His Word — to live in a My wife and I have two very ordinary way, an exdaughters in their 30s who traordinary life. are now moms themselves.

I was once told that our Ever since they could talk, daughters are the way they they have shared their chalare because they respect us lenges at school, their life questions, their struggles and too much and don’t want to disappoint us by not living every other aspect of their up to our values and expeclives. Some may say we just raised talkers, others see that tations. I hope that isn’t the reason. I know they live the we have an incredible open lives they do because they bond with our daughters. respect themselves and love What an honor it is when God. your child reaches out to I apologize if this is you, their parent, to help them make a decision. There sounding a little preachy.

And most likely I’m preachstill isn’t a day that goes by, even with them raising their ing to the choir in this newspaper. However, parown families, many miles ents, don’t forget, you can’t away, that we don’t hear just talk the talk, you need to from one of them, sharing walk the walk, as examples what is going on in their that your children will emulives. late. In our family we just I mention this not as a badge of honor or that we’re tried as best as we could to live our values, to state our such great parents, but I values when different situmention it to make what I

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Be Not Afraid

ations arose and to ask our girls questions about how and what they were feeling or doing and to challenge them to live up to the expectations we set for them. And our great hope is that they will continue to share these values and expectations with their own children.

Parents, unfortunately we don’t have to pass a course or get a license to be parents.

However, if we lead a life centered on the values of our faith and spend the necessary time to impart those values to our children, then our children will know what is expected. Don’t leave the knowledge or the values to others. And while we surely must put our trust in God, we are called to act.

It is the only way your young person will learn how to live a life of Christian values.

Young people, give your parents a chance. Talk to them. In most cases they might be frightened to start a discussion as they don’t want to alienate you. And while it may not be cool, try it, they just might surprise you! Most likely they won’t end up writing about it in a newspaper so it will be just between you and them.

If parents and young people could just take a few minutes a day to talk and share their thoughts, hopes, expectations, and aspirations maybe the lines of true communication would develop.

Not just the surface chit chats but the real deep stuff — sharing, listening and suggesting. I can’t guarantee that all will turn out OK, but even if difficulties arise, open and true communications will assure that you’ll get through it — together.

I’d like to close this article out with a wonderful quote that I saw on the wall of the

hospital nursery where my daughter gave birth to her son several weeks ago. It gives me great hope for this world. I have to admit that I was amazed to see this large sign in a secular hospital, but there it was filling a whole wall! I believe it states so beautifully what I’ve tried to share with you today. It is from Marian Wright Edelman “Guide My Feet,” 1995: “When God wants an important thing done in this world or a wrong righted, He goes about it in a very singular way. He doesn’t release thunderbolts or earthquakes.

God simply has a tiny baby born, perhaps of a very humble home or perhaps of a very humble mother. And God puts the idea or purpose into the mother’s heart.

And she puts it in the baby’s mind, and then — God waits. The great events of this world are not battles and elections and earthquakes and thunderbolts. The great events are babies, for each child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged with humanity, but is still expecting goodwill to become incarnate in each human life.”

Yes, indeed for our sake, God is not discouraged with humanity. It is that which we can hold onto that will get us through a time that these ideals and values are threatened by commercialism, drugs and violence.

Frank Lucca is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Fall River, a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea, and a campus minister at UMass Dartmouth.

He is married to his wife of 37 years, Kristine, and the father of two daughters and their husbands, and a two-year-old and three-week-old grandson with another on the way.

DeaconFrankLucca@ comcast.net.

Youth Pages

Under the direction of third-grade teacher, Mrs. Tarano, students at St. Mary’s School in Mansfield created their own Stations of the Cross display outside of their classroom. Students colored each station then invited various classes to join them each Friday during Lent. Shown here is Jacob Collura leading first-grade students through the Stations.

American Heritage Girls Troop MA3712 thanks all for contributing to its second annual Regifting Rehoboth and Seekonk Drive to benefit the Rehoboth Helping Hands Food Pantry and the Seekonk Doorways Food Pantry. The girls collected new items, from toys to household goods to clothing, to benefit those in need. The girls delivered items and listened to Steve Martin give a brief overview of the Helping Hands Food Pantry, which serves an average of 50-60 families a week. Anyone who has items in new condition that they would like to bless someone in need with can call Martin at 508-252-3263.

Twice a year, at Christmas and Easter, the St. Dominic’s Youth Council in Swansea, in cooperation with the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society, sponsors a Food Bag Project. Food bags, which include a menu, are distributed to parishioners several weeks before the distribution date. The youth council sorts the food, and the society packs and delivers the food baskets to those in need. On average they supply complete meals (as well as additional items such as cereal) to 45 families each holiday. Extra items are stored in a food bank at the parish and distributed as needed.

The Food Bag Project has been in existence at the parish for nearly 20 years.

Preschool-3 students from Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford display their Lenten bulletin board. The school’s Lenten theme was, “Growing into Jesus.” The children assembled flowers with their pictures in the center of each one.

Students in seventh grade from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently learned about the circulatory system in science class.

They had the opportunity to use a stethoscope to hear their own heart beat. They also learned how to take their pulse.

Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton recently enjoyed the Historical Society presenting clothes from the past.

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Youth Pages

Bishop Connolly High School (Fall River) students Mitchell Carter, Harper Wang, Flavianny Rabelo, Emily Borge, and Samuel Fellows were among a select group of artists from 34 Massachusetts high school art programs whose works were showcased at UMass Dartmouth’s recent Emerging Young Artists 2016 Invitational Exhibition. Held at the College of Visual and Performing Arts Campus Gallery, the annual exhibit supports the future of the arts in Massachusetts by featuring promising young artists in a professional gallery environment and introducing them to working artists, designers and faculty in the university’s arts community.

All Saints Catholic School (New Bedford) students recently gathered with Msgr. Stephen Avila for the opening procession of the Palm Sunday TV Mass taped at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth.

Seventh-graders at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro recently celebrated Pi Day. For Pi day the kids brought in round food to measure, they wrote out the full pi number on the board and played with circular things like a hula-hoops and they put the room of desks into one big circle, all to be measured to find pi. Here Adrienne Brewster used the hula-hoop.

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Bishop Feehan High School’s (Attleboro) Mock Trial recently brought the gavel down on another season. Each year the Massachusetts Bar Association in connection with the Massachusetts Bar Foundation sponsors the Mock Trial Program. The team made it to the “Elite 8.” Front row (kneeling): Kevin Kane, Brendan Horrocks, Ian Ross, Michael Castro, and Naman Madan. Standing: Christine Schremp, Matthew D’Ambrosia, Alexander Khabbaz, Cassandra Schifman, Ryan Hutchins, Sean Gray, Jordan Khabbaz, Christopher DaVeiga (captain), Krystal Gladu, Shane Sullivan, Henry Wunderlich, Dominic Mazza (captain), Sarah Wiik, Jack Keenan, Elizabeth Riley, and Kira Hellard.

Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton recently congratulated scholarship winners from the Class of 2020: Nathan Orcutt, Thomas Canuel, Jackson Murray, Thomas Joyce, Alexandra Lunghi, Carrie Sullivan, Nick Tantillo and Chris Armstrong (who was unable to attend).

Students from St. Joseph’s School in Fairhaven recently took part in a STEM Engineering Challenge and Candy DNA Project.

Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN, dies on Easter

Irondale, Ala. (CNA/EWTN News) — The Catholic Church in the United States has lost the Poor Clare nun who changed the face of Catholicism in the United States and around the world. Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, foundress of the Eternal Word Television Network passed away on Easter Sunday after a lengthy struggle with the after-effects of a stroke. She was 92 years old.

“Mother has always and will always personify EWTN, the network that God asked her to found,” said EWTN chairman and chief executive officer Michael Warsaw. “Her accomplishments and legacies in evangelization throughout the world are nothing short of miraculous and can only be attributed to Divine Providence and her unwavering faithfulness to Our Lord.”

In 1981, Mother Angelica launched Eternal Word Television Network, which today transmits 24-hours-a-day programming to more than 264 million homes in 144 countries. What began with approximately 20 employees has now grown to nearly 400.

The religious network broadcasts terrestrial and shortwave radio around the world, operates a religious goods catalog and publishes the National Catholic Register and Catholic News Agency, among other publishing ventures.

“Mother Angelica succeeded at a task the nation’s bishops themselves couldn’t achieve,” said Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia, who has served on EWTN’s board of governors since 1995. “She founded and grew a network that appealed to everyday Catholics, understood their needs and fed their spirits. She had a lot of help, obviously, but that was part of her genius.”

“In passing to eternal life, Mother Angelica leaves

behind a legacy of holiness and commitment to the New Evangelization that should inspire us all,” said Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. “I was honored to know and be able to assist Mother Angelica during the early days of EWTN. Over the years, that relationship grew, and today the Knights of Columbus and EWTN partner regularly on important projects.”

“Mother Angelica was fearless because she had God on her side,” Anderson added. “She saw what He needed her to do, and she did it! She transformed the world of Catholic broadcasting and brought the Gospel to far corners of our world. That witness of faith was unmistakable to anyone who met and worked with her, and generations of Catholics have and will continue to be formed by her vision and her ‘yes’ to God’s Will.”

Born Rita Rizzo on Apr. 20, 1923, few would have predicted that the girl from a troubled family in Canton, Ohio, would go on to found not only two thriving religious orders, but also the world’s largest religious media network. Her life was one marked by many trials, but also by a profound “Yes” to whatever she felt God was asking of her.

“My parents divorced when I was six years old.

That’s when hell began,” Mother Angelica said in a Register interview published in 2001. “My mother and I were desperate — moving from place to place, poor, hungry and barely surviving.”

The seeds of Mother’s vocation were in a healing she received when she was a teen-ager. She suffered from severe stomach pain when

she and her mother went to visit Rhoda Wise, a Canton local to whom people had attributed miraculous healings.

Wise gave Rita a Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. After nine days of prayer, Rita’s pain disappeared: She had been healed.

“That was the day I be-

came aware of God’s love for me and began to thirst for Him,” said Mother Angelica.

“All I wanted to do after my healing was give myself to Jesus.” And give herself to Jesus, she did.

On Aug. 15, 1944, at the age of 21, Rita entered the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Cleveland and took the name by which the world would come to know her — Sister Mary Angelica of the Annunciation.

A life-changing incident then set in motion her abiding trust in Providence.

“In 1946, I was chosen as one of the founding Sisters of a new monastery [Sancta Clara] in my hometown of Canton, Ohio,” Mother Angelica said in her 2001 interview with the Register.

“One day in the 1950s, my work assignment was to scrub the floors in the monastery.”

“Unlike St. Thérèse, I used an electric scrubbing machine. In an instant, the

machine went out of control.

I lost my footing on the soapy floor and was thrown against the wall, back first.”

Two years later, the injury had worsened to the point Sister Mary Angelica could barely perform her duties.

Hospitalized and awaiting surgery, she was told there was a 50/50 chance she’d never walk again.

“I was panic-stricken and made a bargain with God,” Mother recounted. “I promised if He would allow me to walk again that I would build Him a monastery in the South. God kept His end, and through Divine Providence, so did I.” Soon after, she presented her desire to her superior. Confronted with two requests by two different nuns to start separate foundations, the abbess, Mother Veronica, who was Sister Mary Angelica’s novice mistress at the monastery in Cleveland, came up with a novel response.

Mother Veronica mailed two letters on the same day.

One, on behalf of Sister Mary of the Cross, was mailed to the bishop of St. Cloud, Minn.; the other, on behalf of Sister Mary Angelica, was mailed to Mobile-Birmingham, Ala., Archbishop Thomas Toolen. The first nun to receive a positive response from the bishop could proceed with her foundation; the other would abandon her idea. By Providence, Archbishop Toolen responded first, forever wedding Sister Angelica with Alabama.

On Feb. 3, 1961, after various medical problems and potential roadblocks, Rome granted Sister Mary Angelica permission for the Alabama foundation, Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, Ala. At the time, the

Catholic population of the region was only two percent.

Mother Angelica was always a charismatic speaker.

Her persuasive talks on the faith reached the ears of those in charge of radio and eventually television. In 1969, she began recording Spiritual talks on audio for mass distribution. She recorded her first radio program in 1971, 10-minute programs for WBRC, according to her biography, “Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles,”

by Raymond Arroyo, host of EWTN’s “The World Over.”

Encouraged by her new friend and patron Nashville lawyer Bill Steltemeier, she recorded her first television programs seven years later — half-hour programs called “Our Hermitage.” It didn’t take long for her to warm to the idea of a faithful Catholic media apostolate.

While utilizing a secular studio to produce programs for a Christian cable television network one day in 1978, Mother Angelica heard that the station owned by the studio planned to air a program she felt was blasphemous.

“When I found out that the station was going to broadcast a blasphemous movie, I confronted the station manager and objected,” said Mother Angelica. “He ignored my complaint, so I told him I would go elsewhere to make my tapes. He told me, ‘You leave this station and you’re off television.’”

“I’ll build my own!” responded Mother Angelica.

“That decision was the catalyst for EWTN,” said Arroyo. “It led to the Sisters’ suggestion to turn the garage into a television studio.”

Eternal Word Television Network was launched, fittingly, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, Continued on page 20

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Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN, dies on Easter Sunday continued from page 19

Aug. 15, 1981. That garage became the first television studio and eventually became the control room — the nerve center — for EWTN’s global television programming.

Mother’s order, the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, which began in Irondale with five nuns, moved and expanded in 1999 to a monastery at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Ala. The Poor Clares also expanded to new houses in Texas and Arizona.

In November 2015, the Hanceville community was augmented with the arrival of nuns from St. Joseph Adoration Monastery of Charlotte, N.C., which was merged with Our Lady of the Angels, under the leadership of Mother Dolores Marie.

Mother Dolores, who, before becoming a nun, worked for EWTN, described Mother Angelica’s Spiritual legacy as a constant striving to respond daily to God’s will.

“When Mother first had her stroke [in 2001], a lot of people said what a shame because she was a voice of the Catholic faith and for the truth,” said Mother Dolores. “But faith tells us that all these 14 years were not wasted at all. Probably her most profound work has gone

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on in this time, in her silence and suffering. I believe that to be true. Our Lord gave her this time to be truly cloistered in her bed and have that time of deep prayer and intercession and suffering as an offering for the Church and for the world, for our order, for the network, for many things.

And ultimately for souls. We won’t know until eternity the value of these past years.”

Mother Marie Andre, one of five nuns who started the Phoenix house and is now the abbess of the Poor Clares’ Our Lady of Solitude Monastery, also recognized Mother’s total commitment to God’s plan.

“She was never fearful of failure, but only fearful of not following God’s Will” she added.“Mother described it as a train with several cars.

The ‘yes’ was the engine, with everything else attached to that. If she hadn’t said ‘yes,’ neither the foundations nor the network would have been founded.”

The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, like EWTN, continues to draw thousands of visitors annually.

“The first thing you detected with Mother was her spousal love of Jesus. She was always telling people, ‘Jesus loves you,’” said Father Joseph Mary Wolfe, one of the original members of the men’s religious community founded by Mother Angelica, the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word. Currently, there are 15 friars in the community. The friars are

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largely involved in EWTN’s apostolate.

Father Joseph summed up Mother’s Spiritual legacy as marked by her love of Jesus, centered on the Eucharist, a great trust in Divine Providence and a strong family spirit.

Mother Angelica’s remarkable trust in Divine Providence is evidenced by founding the network without counting the cost, as well as by how she prepared for her live television shows.

“She never prepared for live shows,” said Father Joseph, who used to work for the network as an engineer.

“She would just pray with the crew and then go on television and trust that God would give her the words to say.”

On an EWTN television special for her 90th birthday, Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa talked about Mother’s authenticity. “To me,” highlighted Father Pacwa, “one of the most important things about Mother Angelica is that what you saw on TV is what you knew off of the stage as well.

There was no difference.”

Bishop Robert Baker of the Diocese of Birmingham offered yet another insight into Mother’s rare abilities over the phone on the TV special. “In a special way, I think George Weigel’s book “Evangelical Catholicism” summarizes what Mother Angelica was about,” Bishop Baker said. “She not only invented that term, many years ago, but put it into practice concretely — working so beautifully off the Scriptures and bringing the truth and the love and the life of the Gospel of Jesus to so many people, not only to our Catholic household of faith, but to many thousands of people who are not Catholic, in that beautiful way she had of touching lives, bringing so

many people into the Catholic household of faith.”

Commentators say that aside from the foundation of the women’s and men’s religious orders, Mother Angelica also played a larger role. Some have asserted that she helped to safeguard the Church in the United States.

“Mother Angelica has been compared to a powerful medieval abbess. But the mass-media instrument she created has extended her influence for the Gospel far beyond that of any medieval abbess, and even beyond that of many of the last century’s most prominent American bishops,” said Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press.

“Her long-term contribution is hard to assess, of course, but there is no doubt that Mother Angelica has helped root the Church in America more deeply in the Catholic tradition; and at the same time, she has helped make the Church more innovative in how she communicates that tradition. All Catholics in America should thank God for Mother Angelica.”

“Mother Angelica has two important legacies,” said Arroyo. “To the wider world, she’s the first woman in the history of broadcast to found and lead a network for more than 20 years. No one else has ever done that.”

“She was such a great support to Pope John Paul II and his successor,” added Arroyo. “Her active ministry ran parallel to Pope John Paul II’s, and she backed him up at a time when so many people were undermining Church authority, distorting the history and nature of the Liturgy and popular devotion and confusing Catholic teaching. She showed that the commonsense approach of Catholics was right. She normalized the truth of the faith at a time when it was up for grabs.”

On February 12, Pope

Francis sent his greetings to Mother Angelica from aboard his papal plane to Cuba. “To Mother Angelica with my blessing, and I ask you to pray for me; I need it,” the Holy Father said. “God bless you, Mother Angelica.”

She retired from her leadership of EWTN in 2000.

She suffered a stroke the following Christmas Eve. As a consequence, she spent the last years of her life mostly without the capacity for speech. Arroyo said that didn’t weaken her effectiveness.

“While she was unable to speak at length and sound off on the controversies and confusions of the day, what she did through prayer in her suffering was remarkable,” said Arroyo. “It’s certainly not our efforts that have kept EWTN on the air and allowed it to reach people in amazing ways. I attribute it all to the suffering of that one woman in Hanceville.”

Warsaw praised Mother Angelica as an inspiring model of Christian faith.

“The important thing, as Mother Angelica’s life and the lives so many of the saints have shown us, is to be faithful and to persevere,” he noted. “She once said, ‘You have been created by God and know Jesus for one reason: to witness to faith, hope and love before an unbelieving world.’”

“Mother Angelica’s life has been a life of faith; her prayer life and obedience to God are worthy of our imitation,” Warsaw continued. “Everything she did was an act of faith,” Archbishop Chaput agreed.

“She inspired other gifted people to join her in the work without compromising her own leadership and vision,” he said. “I admired her very much, not just as a talented leader and communicator, but as a friend and great woman religious of generosity, intellect and Catholic faith.”

Father Bartley MacPháidín, C.S.C.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Father Bartley MacPháidín, C.S.C., a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross and the eighth president of Stonehill College in Easton, died March 17, at Holy Cross House on the campus of the University of Notre Dame where he had been living.

Taking office in 1978, Father MacPháidín, 79, led the college for 22 years. Under his leadership, Stonehill’s academic reputation grew and the college’s facilities and endowment were

enhanced considerably. He affected every facet of campus life, including academics, finances, physical plant, community involvement, student life, and public image.

As president, he led the college in its first capital campaign, raising $23

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks April 2 Rev. Adolph Banach, OFM Conv., Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford, 1961 Rev. Donald Belanger, Pastor, St. Stephen, Attleboro, 1976 Rev. James B. Coyle, Retired Pastor, St. Dorothea, Eatontown, N.J., 1993 April 3 Rev. Henry F. Kinnerny, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Sandwich, 1905 Rev. Roger G. Blain, OP, 2000 Rev. Clarence P. Murphy, Former Pastor, Our Lady of the Assumption, Osterville, 2010 April 4 Rev. Lionel Gamache, S.M.M., 1972 Rev. James F. McCarthy, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1985 Rev. Gaspar L. Parente, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa, Patagonia, Ariz., 1991 April 6 Rev. Philip Lariscy, OSA Founder of the New Bedford Mission, 1824 Rev. Edward J. Mongan, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1920 Rev. Msgr. John A. Chippendale, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1977 Rev. Lorenzo Morais, Retired Pastor, St. George, Westport, 1980 Rev. Msgr. William D. Thomson, Retired Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1987 Rev. Gerald E. Conmy, CSC, Associate Pastor, St. Ann, DeBary, Fla., 1994 Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Gilligan, P.A., STD, Archdiocese of St. Paul, 1997 Rev. Lucien Jusseaume, Chaplain, Our Lady’s Haven, Fairhaven, Retired Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 2001 April 7 Rev. James A. Dury, Retired Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1976 Rev. Lucien Jusseaume, Retired Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 2001 April 8 Rev. Alvin Matthews, OFM, Retired, Our Lady’s Chapel, New Bedford, 1988 Rev. Bento R. Fraga, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford, 2012 April 9 Rev. Cornelius McSwiney, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1919 Rev. Edward F. Dowling, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1965 April 10 Rev. John P. Doyle, Pastor, St. William, Fall River, 1944 April 11 Rev. John F. Downey, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1914 April 12 Rev. John Tobin, Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1909 Rev. Msgr. Alfred J. Gendreau, STD, Retired Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall River, 1996 Rev. Edward P. Doyle, O.P., St. Raymond, Providence, R.I., 1997 Rev. Bertrand R. Chabot, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, New Bedford, 2002 April 13 Deacon Joseph P. Stanley Jr., 2006 April 14 Rev. Louis N. Dequoy, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1935 Rev. Cosmas Chaloner, SS.CC., St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet, 1977 April 15 Rev. Christopher G. Hughes, D.D., Retired Rector, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, 1908 Permanent Deacon Oscar Drinkwater, 2011

million, which was $3 million over goal. He also oversaw the construction of new buildings and facilities, including: a new library, sports complex, dining commons, computer center, numerous student residence halls, and an institute for law and society.

Active in the promotion of private higher education at state and federal levels, he participated in community causes and also maintained a strong interest in Irish affairs. He served on many boards, including those of the American Ireland Fund, Brockton Hospital and Xaverian Brothers High School. He was also chaplain to the New England Chiefs of Police.

A native of Donegal, Father MacPháidín earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stonehill in 1959. He was directed to the college, where he became a seminarian, by the late Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., the “Rosary Priest.” In 1963, he was ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross. He held baccalaureate, licentiate, and doctorate degrees in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Before becoming president, he taught theology and religious studies at Stonehill. In 2002, he received the papal cross from the Vatican in tribute to his service to the Catholic Church and to the pontiff.

Father MacPháidín is survived by his brothers John of Donegal, Tadgh of Dublin; his sister Margaret of Donegal; and many extended family members including several Stonehill alumni; his nephew Joseph Barbuto of Yonkers, N.Y.; and his nieces Claire McFadden of San Francisco and Marion McFadden of Leitrim, Ireland.

A funeral Mass was celebrated March 30 at Stonehill College in Easton.

Kane Funeral Home, Easton was in charge of the arrangements.

Donations may be made to The Bartley MacPháidín, C.S.C. Scholarship Fund at Stonehill College, Easton, Mass., 02357.

Sister Jeannette Levesque, D.H.S.

PUTNAM, Conn. — Sister Jeannette Levesque, 93, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died March 6 at the daughters of the Holy Spirit Provincial House.

Born Marie Jeannette Levesque in Fall River, on Feb. 22, 1923, the daughter of Alfred J. and Marie (St. Onge) Levesque, Sister Jeannette entered religious life in 1946 and made profession on Aug. 23, 1950 at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France. She was then known as Sister Alvarez de Jesus.

Upon her return to the United States, from 1950-1987 Sister Jeannette served as dietician at Annhurst College, South Woodstock, Conn.; Résidence des Filles du St. Esprit in Greenfield Park, Canada; Sister Anne Convent, Swanton, Vt.; St. Elizabeth Guest House in Hartford,

Conn.; St. Joseph Guest House in New Haven, Conn., and St. Joseph Villa, Putnam, Conn.

In 1987 she was assigned to the Provincial House in Putnam where she served as seamstress and driver for the community until 2005 when she retired there.

She is survived by three brothers, Benoit of Swansea; Joseph of Harmans, Md.; and Roger of Fall River; three sisters, Cécile Chicca of Somerset; Sister Louise Levesque, SJA of Sillery, Quebec Canada; and Eva Desrochers of Fall River; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at the Provincial House Chapel on March 9, followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam, Conn.

Donations may be made to DHS Retirement Fund, 72 Church Street, Putnam, Conn., 06260.

Gilman Funeral Home, Putnam, Conn., 06260 was in charge of arrangements.

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Special Anchor Year of Mercy supplement now available at seven area sites FALL RIVER — The Anchor has published a special Year of Mercy supplement that is available only at the six Holy Door churches across the diocese, and the Father Peyton Center at Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton.

The special 20-page supplement contains information about each of the six Holy Door churches in the diocese: St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River; St. Mary’s Church in Taunton; The La Salette Shrine Church in Attleboro; Our Lady

of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford; Holy Trinity Church in West Harwich; and Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich.

Also included are homilies by diocesan priests and deacons for Easter Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday, the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh Sundays of Easter, Ascension Thursday, and Pentecost Sunday.

Five-hundred copies were delivered to each of the sites. The supplements are free while they last.

Around the Diocese Hector Gauthier (“Happy Hec”), longtime radio host with WSAR, will be the guest speaker at the Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club on April 1 at St. Joseph Church on North Main Street in Fall River. Mass begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a hot meal prepared by White’s of Westport served in the church hall.

The Mass is open to the public, but any gentleman wishing to come for the meal (cost $11) and listen to Hector Gauthier should reserve a seat through a club member or by calling Norm Valiquette at 508-672-8174.

The Feast of the Divine Mercy will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Parish, 82 High Street in Wareham on April 3 at 2:30 p.m. featuring chaplet with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of the image. Guest will be Artie Boyle, an international speaker and native of Hingham, who was miraculously healed of cancer and authored the book “Six Months to Live.” Food and drinks will be served in the parish hall immediately following and all are welcome.

A Healing Mass will be celebrated on April 4 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Parish, 230 South Main Street in Centerville. The Mass is sponsored by Our Lady of Victory Catholic Cancer Support Group, which will meet immediately following in the parish center at 7 p.m. for conversation and light refreshments. All are welcome. In addition the Cancer Support Group sponsors a meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. which offers an informal discussion opportunity for members who would prefer a smaller group. For more information contact Geri Medeiros at 508-362-6909.

St. Mary’s Parish of Fairhaven invites all to six Awakening Faith sessions, to be held on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning April 6, free-ofcharge. This six-session series includes topics such as “Spirituality: What’s the Buzz?”; “Can I Accept God’s Mercy?”; “Can the Mass Make My Life Meaningful?” and “The Church and Me.” Attendees can learn and ask questions, all in a friendly and confidential setting with other Catholics.

For more information call 508-992-7300 or visit www.sscc.org/stmaryfhvn or email stmarysfairhaven@comcast.net.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Anthony Parish in East Falmouth will sponsor a Comedy Night on April 9 with Wayne Soares at The Sea Crest Resort, Quaker Road in North Falmouth. Soares is a nationally known comedian, actor, author and inspirational speaker. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. There will be a silent auction and raffle and food and beverages will be available. All proceeds will help the poor and needy of the community. Tickets are available in advance at Eight Cousins Bookstore, 189 Main Street in Falmouth, or by calling Rosita at 508-477-0744 or Mary Ann at 508-457-0085.

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The Anchor - April 1, 2016

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

Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

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

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

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

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

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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

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

FAIRHAVEN — S t . M a r y ’s C h u r c h , M a i n S t . , h a s E u c h a r i s t i c A d o r a t i o n e v e r y Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m.

Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

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

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

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

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

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

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m.

Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m.

The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

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

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

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

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

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

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

Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m.

Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

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

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

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

Pope: Easter message brings hope to victims of terrorism, persecution

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — In his Urbi et Orbi message for Easter, Pope Francis encouraged victims of terrorism and Christian persecution to find hope in the Lord’s Resurrection.

By rising from the dead, Jesus has “triumphed over evil and sin,” the pope said to the crowds which filled St. Peter’s Square. “May He draw us closer on this Easter feast to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world.”

The pontiff cited the March 22 attack in Brussels, where suicide bombers killed more than 30 people and injured hundreds of others, and other terrorism-afflicted nations.

“With the weapons of love, God has defeated selfishness and death. His Son Jesus is the door of mercy wide open to all.”

Speaking on persecuted Christians, Francis encouraged them to find comfort in Christ’s Resurrection.

“Along with our brothers and sisters persecuted for their faith and their fidelity to the name of Christ, and before the evil that seems to have the upper hand in the life of so many people, let us hear once again the comforting words of the Lord: ‘Take courage; I have conquered the world!’”( Jn 16:33).

Francis delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi address from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to an estimated 70,000 people after celebrating Easter Mass in the square.

“Before the Spiritual and moral abysses of mankind, before the chasms that open up in hearts and provoke hatred and death, only an infinite mercy can bring us Salvation,” he said.

After having suffered

and died, Jesus’ Resurrection “makes us sharers in His immortal life,” while enabling “us to see with His eyes of love and compassion those who hunger and thirst, strangers and prisoners, the marginalized and the outcast, the victims of oppression and violence.”

Pope Francis spoke of the “indescribable suffering” experienced daily throughout the world brought about by “brutal crimes,” whether they take place in homes or through “large-scale armed conflicts.”

He spoke of the longterm conflict in Syria which has left a “wake of destruction, death, contempt for humanitarian law and the breakdown of civil concord.”

“To the power of the Risen Lord we entrust the talks now in course, that good will and the cooperation of all will bear fruit in peace and initiate the building of a fraternal society respectful of the dignity and rights of each citizen.”

Francis remembered the crises in other regions, including the Holy Land.

Referring to ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, the pope prayed for concord, “patience, openness and daily commitment to laying the foundations of a just and lasting peace through direct and sincere

negotiations.”

He also addressed the Ukraine war, praying for humanitarian initiatives in the country.

Praying also for “the seeds of hope and prospects for peace in Africa,” Francis recalled the “political and social tensions” in countries such as Burundi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

The pope remembered the “beloved people of Venezuela,” and the “difficult conditions” they are facing. He called those “responsible for the country’s future to work for the common good,” and to seek “dialogue and cooperation.”

“May efforts be made everywhere to promote the culture of counter, justice and reciprocal respect, which alone can guarantee the Spiritual and material welfare of all people.”

Francis also prayed that the Easter message may invite us to remember the floods of migrants and refugees — “including many children” — who flee “war, hunger, poverty and social injustice.”

He called for the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul to center on human dignity, and to establish policies which especially help the “most vulnerable” and those “perse-

cuted for ethnic and religious reasons.”

Reiterating his appeal for those affected by food crises brought about by climate change, he decried the earth being “so often mistreated and greedily exploited, resulting in an alteration of natural equilibria.”

Finally, Francis prayed this Easter for all those who

have lost hope, from the elderly who suffer loneliness and weakness, to young people who worry about the future.

“May this comforting message of Jesus help each of us to set out anew with greater courage to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our brothers and sisters.”

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Diocese names new president of Bishop Feehan High School

ATTLEBORO — Timothy B. Sullivan, founder and president of School Family Media, Inc., has been named as the new president of Bishop Feehan High School. The appointment of Sullivan, a graduate of the school’s Class of 1987, was announced by diocesan Superintendent Dr. Michael Griffin with the approval by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. He will replace current president and longtime leader at Bishop Feehan, Christopher Servant, who will retire on June 30.

Sullivan’s duties will focus on a wide range of responsibilities including: maintaining and continually developing the school’s Catholic identity; strategic planning; advancement; communications; alumni relations; financial oversight; and collaboration with the principal in further strengthening the school’s academic excellence.

“Mr. Sullivan brings a wealth of experience from five years of teaching at a Catholic high school in the Bronx, to an additional 20 years of business experience as an entrepreneur focused on building school communities and funding school programs and activities,” said Griffin.

“He is also a person of faith, active in his parish and at Bishop Feehan through the years. I am confident he will provide the leadership necessary to guide this excellent school into an even brighter future.”

In fact, Griffin noted, Sullivan has been actively involved with diocesan Catholic schools for more than 10 years now. He has served on the Principals’ 24

Advisory Board at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro and on the President’s Advisory Council at Bishop Feehan, where he has chaired the Strategic Planning Committee. He and his wife have also been longtime supporters of Feehan’s scholarship program and the Fall River diocesan St. Mary’s Education Fund (now FACE), for which Sullivan has been a local

school’s student-sponsor scholarship program.

“I’m immensely thankful to Bishop da Cunha, Dr. Griffin and the Bishop Feehan president succession committee for trusting me with the responsibility to lead such a special institution,” said Sullivan.

“The vision and charism of the Sisters of Mercy and the dedication of hundreds of lay people like Mr. Servant created the Feehan we know today. I’m excited to join such a talented team of faculty and staff, as we build on that foundation, honor it, and reach even higher for the Feehan of tomorrow.”

Sullivan and his wife, Ellen Healey Sullivan, reside in Attleboro and are Bishop Feehan graduates.

The couple’s four children all attend diocesan Catholic schools, two boys at Bishop committee member for six Feehan and a son and years. daughter at St. John the In his business career, Evangelist School.

Sullivan founded the Griffin said the search Wrentham–based School process involved a comFamily Media, publishers mittee of alumni, parents, of PTO Today magazine teachers, administrators and and schoolfamily.com and board members from the teacherlists.com. Founded school, working in collaboin 1999, the company now ration with the superintenhas 33 employees and is dent and assistant superwidely recognized as a lead- intendents of the diocesan ing resource and voice for Catholic Schools Office, increasing parental involve- with the final approval of ment in education. School the appointment given by Family Media was recBishop da Cunha. ognized by Inc. magazine Griffin added, “I also as one of the 500 fastestwant to express my gratigrowing private companies tude to Christopher Serin America. vant, whose commitment A 1991 graduate of to Bishop Feehan for more the University of Notre than 44 years, and his Dame in Indiana, Sullivan leadership as principal and served for five years after president over the past 15 his graduation as a teacher years, have greatly strengthand administrator at St. ened the school’s foundaRaymond High School for tion and guided its growth Boys in Bronx, N.Y., with a toward fulfillment of its special focus on the school’s Spiritual and academic at-risk populations and the mission.”

The Anchor - April 1, 2016

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It’s OK to wait in line

f anyone who knows me Wednesday, Palm Sunday ever sees me in line at and Easter are the days when a register at a retail store, or churches fill up. Frankly, in a line at a gasoline pump, despite knowing many of you should be alerted not to these good folks only cast a follow me. shadow in a church three or You see, I am the guy who four times a year, it’s good to always gets into the line that see them there — although will move the most slowly (if they’re very easy to spot: not at all). There’s always a price knowing exactly when to sit, check, a register tape to be stand and kneel; and defireplaced (after several atnitely still not aware of the tempts), or a car or SUV that Mass response changes that has a 10,000-gallon tank that occurred more than four years takes two hours to fill. ago.

I, like mostly everyone else, I love a full church, but I do not like crowds. Crowds do wish it were more “fullequal lines. Lines equal frusthroated” when it came to tration. Some would tell me that’s a good My View time to pray, From and it builds the Stands patience. I’m an old dog

By Dave Jolivet and new tricks are too much of a challenge. responses and singing.

I especially hate lines leadThe lines for Holy Euchaing to or from sporting events rist were very long, and that and concerts, and traffic jams. didn’t bother me in the least.

Yet, the irony is that I like In fact we stood in our pew crowds at sporting events and for several minutes before we concerts. For me, a sold-out could even make it into the venue makes for more fun aisle. Oh, if it were like this and excitement. But the lines every week! at the rest rooms and vendor The traffic lines after Mass stations is a frustrating price were equally as long, and to pay. equally as tolerable.

There is, however, one Some day maybe Sunday place where crowds and lines Mass will share the same are more than welcome. importance in people’s lives as In fact I wish it could be a do sporting events and conweekly occurrence — at Sun- certs. I suppose that would be day Mass. a good thing to pray for when Last Sunday, as is the cus- I’m stuck in my usual gas or tom in most parishes across cash register lines. But first I’ll the globe, the Easter Sunday have to rid myself of the “old Mass I attended was a “selldog” syndrome. out.”

Happy Easter season!

Faithful Catholics know davejolivet@anchornews. the drill: Christmas, Ash org.