04.09.93

t eanco VOL. 37, NO. 14

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Friday, April 9, 1993

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Easter Message Dearly beloved in Christ, .

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"0 truly blessed night, which alone ,deserved to know the time and hour in which Christ rose from the gravel The holiness of this night drives away all wickedness, cleanses faults and restores innocence to the fallen and gladness to the sorrowful. It puts to flight hatred, brings peace and hum, bles pride. May this candle continue to burn to dissipate the darkness of this night.

May the morning star find its flame alive; that star which knows no setting, that star which shone serenely upon mankind."

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In joyful chorus, we cry out "Lumen Christi! Deo Gratias!" "Christ our light! Thanks be to God!" We "ave journeyed for forty days and like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, "we have come to believe." , During the course of our Lenten baptismal pilgrimage, we too have faced the temptations in the deserts of our personal dryness and have come to know the light of God's transforming love. We have come to believe that no tomb is the final victor but Christ, the Risen One, is truly Lord and Savior.

As those who have seen and believed, we confront the stones ofthe tomb and cry out, "We are not tomb dwellers but we are life celebrators!" Jesus Christ is the Risen One who has conquered the tomb . that would confine him. Death has no victory because the darkness of death is vanquished by the victory ofthe light ofthe Resurrection.

Many in our world still approach the tomb like Mary Magdalene on that Easter morning. While still in darkness, Mary simply comes to express the loss she felt at Jesus' death. In anguish, she fears the body of Jesus has been stolen. But Mary also comes to believe that Jesus is not the victim but the victor. In a world that knows well the grave sites of hunger, violence, anger, abuse and misplaced love, we 'are not immune to the tug of death but we have come,to believe like Mary that it is Jesus who has robbed the grave of its power. Jesus Christ is God's great protest in the face of all our tombs.

On this Easter morning, we echo the conviction of St. Paul: Who will separate us from the love of God? Trial, or distress, or.perse~ution, or the sword? For I am certain that neither death nor life, neitller height nor depth nor any creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that conies to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35,38,39) There are trials, distresses, dangers, and swords along life's journey. The fearful stones ofsickness and death, the lifelessness of living a lie, the coolness' ofill will and misplaced priorities, the emptiness of broken promises and shattered dreams - these are very real tombs that confront the believer. ' In the face of the catacombs of human brokenness, on this day we cry aloud "Lumen Christi!" What appears as the darkest time of day, midnight, is for the believer our new dawn. In Christ, we proclaim ."Deo Gratias!" because we know of God's enduring love.

The stones of the tomb cry out of mistrust. The empty tomb beckons us to trust in the power of Christ. The stones of the tomb speak of love's limits. The Risen One assures us of unlimited love.

The stones of the tomb say there is no hope. The Risen One declares hope never fails.

Today we celebrate the power of Easter, a power that transforms every Good Friday into an Easter Sunday. We have corne to believe that yes, the stones ofthe tomb cry out but the tears they shed are not of fear but of joy. We herald today good news that no pain, no sorrow, no rejection, not even death, can ever be victorious over us.

We have come to believe the stones of the tomb cry out, "Lumen Christi! Deo Gratias!" Alleluia!

Devotedly yours in Christ,

r~Fkd'~/~ Bishop of Fall River Bishop O'Malley will celebrate the Mass of Easter at 10 a.m. Sunday at St. Mary's Cathedral. It will be telecast from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. that day on WLNE- Channel Six. The television Mass will resume its usual broadcast time of 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 18.

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Apr. 9,1993

OBITUARY

It is necessarily so!

In keeping with the Fellowship of Merry Christians' annual exhortation to observe April as "Holy Humor Month" with Easter season merrymaking, Sister Helen Carpinelli, SUSc. was inspired to song.

~@ SISTER HELEN Carpinelli, S USC-contemplating an encore to last year's Easter Monday celebration? We hope so!

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Last Easter Monday, when she was administrator of Sacred Hearts Convent, Fall River, Sister Carpinelli entertained at the retired sisters' "Day the Angels Laughed" celebration with new lyrics to the song "It Ain't Necessarily So'·' from Porgy and Bess. The sisters in the audience sang the chorus.

The song, which follows, appears in this month's "J oyful Noiseletter," the Fellowship's monthly publication.

Now the devil shouted with gleet .. There's no one happier than me!

"Lord Jesus is dead.

"Now I'm ahead "And people will/ollow met" Chorus: It ain't necessarily so, It ain't necessarily so.

Into the tomb Satan peeked, And then suddenly he shrieked: "Something:v terribly wrong, "The Lord Jesus is gone, "And angels are laughing at me.

Chorus: It IS necessarily so.

It IS necessari~1' so, etc.

Now Jesus' power prevails.

Take to Him whatever ails: He's the risen Lord.

Angels shout abroad: "Good News never/ailst" Chorus: It IS necessarily so, etc.

'"

Father Coyle

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DIRECTOR AND assistant director for the Catholic Charities Appeal in the New Bedford area are Rev. Maurice O. Gauvin, left, and Rev. Daniel W. Lacroix, shown as they met with Bishop Sean O'Malley, the Appeal's honorary chairman.

(Gaudette photo).

CCA kickoff April 21 The kickoff meeting for the 52nd annual Catholic Charities Appeal of the Fall River diocese will be held Wednesday, April 21, at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, with a reception at 7 p.m. and the meeting at 8 p.m. The Appeal provides funds for the maintenance and expansion of the diocesan apostolates of mercy, social services, education and other charitable endeavors.

Bishop Sean P. O'Malley will be keynote speaker at the meeting, to be attended by more than 700 priests, religious and laity from every area of the diocese.

They will hear Mrs. Michael J. McMahon of Fall River, Appeal

chairperson, stress the role of the laity in the campaign and Appeal director Father Daniel L. Freitas explain mechanics of the Appeal.

Father George C. Bellenoit, diocesan director of ministry to the sick, will also speak. . Father David Costa will lead a gathering song and an Evening . Prayer Service and Msgr. Henry T. Munroe, diocesan vicar general, will offer the closing prayer.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, Fall River, for Rev. James 8. Coyle, 77, pastor emeritus of St. Dorothea's Church, Eatontown, NJ, and a Fall River native. He died April 2.

The son of the late George and Bridget (Griffin) Coyle, he was ordained June 7, 1941, at St. Mary's Cathedral, Trenton, NJ. He was associate pastor in two parishes and in 1949 was named pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Beverly, NJ. He was later pastor at St. Catherine's Church, Farmingdale, NJ, and at two mission churches before being named pastor at St. Dorothea's, Eatontown, NJ in 1960. During his tenure, a new church, parish center and rectory were built. He retired in August, 1990.

He is survived by two sisters, Dorothea Leary of Fall River and Catherine Golz of Swansea; two nephews and one niece.

It's Been Done "Should we all confess our sins to one another we would all laugh at one another for our lack of originality."-Kahlil Gibran

The Special Gift Phase of the Appeal will run from April 19 to May I. The parish phase is scheduled for Sunday, May 2, when 20,000 volunteer solicitors will visit diocesan Catholics.'

Sister Helen is now serving in North Carolina, and has been succeeded as Sacred Hearts Convent administrator by her sister, Sister Jean Carpinelli, SUSc. "Holy Week recalls the greatest should seek fraternal support from Bishop O'Malley asked layperCal Samra, founder and presiamnesty in history, when Christ one another. sons to "support priests, love them, dent of Fellowship of Merry Chrisdied to redeem us," said Bishop pray for them" and closed by sug"Celibacy," he stressed, "is part tians, says in the April 1993 "N oiseSean P. O'Malley as he celebrated of the theology of priesthood. We gesting that all "ask the Lord's letter" that early Christians wholehis first Mass of Chrism in the Fall will all live forever in Christ, so it is help to be patient and generous heartedly celebrated the 50 days River diocese. and to be repentant when we are not necessary for all of us to live on between Easter and Pentecost to Speaking to ~cores of priests in a posterity." not." balance the Lenten period of fastand representatives of parishes and ing and self-denial.

Advising humility, the bishop Recognized as celebrating sigagencies throughout the diocese Easter Monday parties and picnoted that "the apostles werejock- nificant anniversaries this year were who gathered Tuesday in St. Mary's nics were customary in the 19th eying for first place at the Last Rev. James F. Kenney, Very Rev. Cathedral for the annual rite at century, and Eastern Christians Supper-then Jesus came and James F. Lyons and Rev. Antowhich holy oils are blessed for use celebrated "Bright Week" for an washed their feet. We shouldn't nino Tavares, 50 years; Rev. Justhrough the coming year, the bishop entire seven days. fight over first place, but over the tin J. Quinn, Msgr. Norman Feralso emphasized that the Mass is a The fellowship encourages partowel." ris, Msgr. John J. Regan, Msgr. time when priests recommit themishes and groups to bring back Quoting Danish philosopher and Henry T. Munroe and Rev. Jose selves to their vocation. such traditions by sponsoring "Priests," he said, "are the glue theologian Seren Kierkegaard to A.F. dos Santos, 40 years; and "Fools for Christ" days and Easter that holds the church together, the effect that "the madman is one Rev. Edward E. Correia, Rev. Monday parties in honor of Jesus' . and they must avoid the Lone who gives everything equal impor- Edmund J. Fitzgerald, Rev. George "last lau,gh" on the devil.

Ranger syndrome." By that, he tance," he further advised the fine E. Harrison and Rev. Kevin F. "Sing songs, tell jokes and celeTripp, 25 years. art of prioritizing. explained, he meant that priests brate," said Samra. "If we are truly an Easter people, how can we settle for celebrating Easter only on [one] Sunday?"

The "J oyful Noiseletter" tells of other Holy Humor Month celebrations, including an Easter Monday party at St. Joseph's Church in St. Joseph, MO, which included a kite flying contest and "throwing the devil over a cliff."

At Westminister Presbyterian Church in Portland, OR, choir members, 'wearing names and numbers on their robes, used kazoos for the opening hymn. After preaching on holy humor, Rev. Bud Frimoth smashed two hard boiled eggs on his head (a Hispanic Easter custom) and proclaimed "Christ is Risen!" to which the congregation responded, "He ~.' . '>i.1;.: ;•.,j!. is risen indeed!" , Just as the Holy. Union Sisters said, "It is necessarily so!"

For more information about the BISHOP O'MALLEY blesses the holy oils at Tuesday's Chrism Mass at St. Mary's Fellowship of Merry Christians, Cathedral. The oils are used during the year throughout the diocese for baptism, confirmation, write P.O. Box 895, Portage, MI ordination, dedication of churches and altars and anointing the sick. (Hickey photo) 4908 1-0895.

"Fight' over the towel" advises bishop

St. Anne's Hospital gratefully acknowledges contributions that we have received to the Remembrance Fund during March, 1993. Through the remembrance and honor of these lives, St. Anne's can continue its'Coring With Excellence.'

ST. ANNE'S HOSPITAL REMEMBRANCE FUND John Barressi Leonard E. Boardman Armand H. Boutin Dorothy Burgess Lilia Camacho Alphonse Demers John Faris Dorothy Fillion Adaline Franco Maria Franco Antone Furtado John Joaquim Gerard LaVigne Paul E. Lebel Beatrice Lekom HectorS. Levesque Jarid KoryLinhares Antone Medeiros Joseph Medeiros Raymond Parise Keneth Philips Leo Rodricks James Shovelton Sylvana Silvia HenrySliwa Joseph Travers

•....... ,.,

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We are grateful to those who thought. fully named St. Anne's Hosp~al's Remem. brance Fund.

-,,;..~

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

an Orthodox Jew to study of the intriguing question that if the shroud is in fact determined to have enwrapped Jesus, could it also have been the tablecloth at the Last Supper.

A convert to Christianity six years ago and to Catholicism two years ago, Mrs. Jackson will have as her topic at the Rome sympo-

Fri., Apr. 9, 1993

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sium "Hasadeen Hakadosh: The Holy Shroud in Hebrew."

Her argument will begin with the "Jewishness" of the shroud cloth, which is hands pun and handwoven in a three-to-one herringbone twill.

"The width of the shroud measures perfectly as two Jewish cuhTurn to Page Eight

FRANCISCAN FRIARS MASS AND DEVOTIONS to

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Every Thursday • 9:30 A.M.

JOHN JACKSON demonstrates how Shroud of Turin might have enwrapped the body of Jesus (top photo); at right, Jackson with his wife Rebecca. (CNS photos)

ST. LOUIS CHURCH 420 Bradford Avenue. Fall River

"Man of Shroud" remains a mystery

~ MSA, /;~~PSAGUIAR LANDSCAPING

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

(CNS) - John Jackson was a teenager when his mother gave him a holy card bearing the face of the "Man ofthe Shroud." That is how the prominent U.S. physicist first became interested in the Shroud of Turin.

As a scientist who has studied the shroud for 19 years, Jackson never has claimed that it's that of Jesus Christ. But as a Christian, he believes it important to determine, using the tools of modern science. whether it could be.

The shroud. named for the Italian city in which it is kept, appears to bear the image of a crucified man. In 1988, experts using carbon-14 testing concluded that the cloth dated from the Middle Ages. though other scientists said the testing did not answer all the questions about the shroud's origin.

Many people still believe it is Christ's burial cloth.

Jackson, a Catholic who headed the 40-member U.S. scientific team that investigated the shroud in 1978, and his Jewish-born wife, Rebecca, who believes the cloth may also have covered the table at the Last Supper, will be among speakers at an international symposium on the Shroud of Turin in Rome June 10-12. The event will convene scientists, scholars and clergy from around the globe.

The former professor of physics at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs will also present evidence that he believes shows that the 1988 carbon-14 dating of the shroud may be inaccurate.

"Here we have a cloth with frontal and dorsal images on it. the

impression of a human form." he said.

"We ask. 'What made this image?' Is this the true image of Jesus after his burial or not? There is a strong correlation ofthe image with emblems of the Passion. We call the image the 'Man of the Shroud' since we don't want to beg the question of who this person is." .

The body image on the shroud looks like a faint shadow similar to a scorched cloth.

"Chemically that is what it is, although the image probably was imprinted on the cloth by something other than heat or direct chemical transfer from the underlying body," Jackson said in an interview with the Denver Catholic Register, newspaper of the Denver archdiocese.

The image is that of a badly wounded, naked man who appears to be about 5 feet 10 inches in height. He has a heavy dark beard and moustache and his hair seems to be tied back in a long pigtail.

He looks between the ages of 30 to 40 and is estimated to weigh about 175 pounds. His body shows evidence of a violent death, but no sign of decay.

Between 90 and 120 scourge wounds can be seen in excruciating detail. The wrists and feet are pierced, as is the right side of the body, which appears to have been opened by an instrument corresponding to the size, of a Roman lance.

"The entire back of the image is peppered with many lacerationtype wounds," Jackson said.

"The 'Man of the Shroud'

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TO YOU Easter is a special time of year when Christians come togetller to celebrate tile rebirtll of hope and promise in a brigllt new season.

As you and your loved ones gather, everyone in the Bradlees family would like to extend our sincere best wishes for joy, peace and contentment - now and forever.

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His Excellency, the Most Reverend Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., has approved the nomination of the Very Reverend Roderick A. Crispo, OFM, Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception, and has appointed the Reverend Richard Donovan, OFM, as pastor ofSt. Louis Parish, Fall River.

Effective March 11, 1993

36 Years of Service -

LANDSCAPE SERVICE appears as if he had been whipped with a Roman f1agrum," he said.

"Each scourge mark appears in pairs, which is consistent with what is known from archeology. The Romans used whips with iron, bone or metal tips that ripped out pieces of flesh."

Jackson had a whip made that resembles those used by the first century Romans. It has two long strips of leather w'ith dumbbellshaped pieces of iron at the ends.

The scientist illustrated the whip's power by hitting a large and heavy, one-quarier-inch-thick piece of corrugated cardboard. It was shredded by the blows.

"The dumbbells were like slow bullets that hit with high velocity," he said. "This was a great act of violence, and a technique of execution in Roman times."

The more than 100 dumbbellshaped wounds can be seen clearly on the shroud, angled at different directions. Jackson said.

"He was hit down upon from the top of the body and from the side," he said. "He has wounds on his back and buttocks. and wounds that wrap around to the front of his chest and legs and up on the ankles, again consistent with those from a Roman whip."

"All of these wounds are wounds that happened to Jesus Christ," Jackson added.

Was Shroud Tablecloth?

While her husband seeks the identity of the Man of the Shroud, his wife brings her background as

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri.: Apr. 9, 1993

themoorin~

the living word .

Resurrection The Church of the Resurrection was one of the great churches of Russia's St. Petersburg. The Communists emptied it by means of flooding it, then transformed it into a military training area for mountain climbing by attaching ropes to its many domes.

This Easter, this church is being resurrected and the end of Russia's long Calvary is being celebrated by both Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians with firm and assured alleluias.

The church of Russia does, however, face formidable prob.路lems. Sad to say, some of the old Catholic and Orthodox antagonisms are resurfacing. Much as in the case of the unfathomable strife among the religious factions of the former Yugoslavia, the memories of the past are slow to disappear.

Yet for those who have survived the years of trial, there is great hope. The pastor of the newly opened Church of the Resurrection feels that the faith in Russia is alive because families have passed it on. Indeed, young people who have learned about God at home are eager to know still more about their faith.

Each Sunday about 5000 members of the Catholic community crowd the few restored churches for Mass, and dailyfresh contacts are made among people who long to be part of the Church. After its long period of persecution and neglect, the Catholic community of St. Petersburg is experiencing resurrection.

Its joy and that of all the other Eastern Christians is shared by the universal Church during these days of Holy Week, as all of us keep festival and celebrate the triumph of Christ, the banisher of darkness, the vanquisher of death.

The Resurrection is the glorious culmination of the Lord's earthly journey, the most striking proof of his divinity and the foundation of our faith. His victory over evil and the world is also our victory. We rose with him, and the power of this holy mystery continues in the Church.

All over the world but especially in the newly freed churches of Eastern Europe, the new birth of baptism will highlight the Easter celebration. What so many take for granted will become a precious gift for those who seek to cast off the darkness of the past as the tears and heartbreak of persecution give way to rejoicing in freedom and salvation.

The experience of our brothers and sisters in Russia and all the churches of the East should be a lesson to all of us. First and foremost, we should not take our religious freedoms and rights for granted. Secularism is as insidious as Communism in its false promises of plenty. If we fail to recognize this, our churches, like those of Russia, may be commandeered for whatever ends the state may decree.

The indifference of the Catholic community in this country to the violence inflicted by the state on religious values is appalling. Perhaps we too will have to go down to the dark valley in order to be lifted up again in a rebirth of faith.

We who still joyfully celebrate the Resurrection must become a sign and symbol of rebirth to all who now feel that Easter bunnies and Easter eggs are more important than the promise and fulfillment of Christ. If we fail to proclaim the news ofthe Risen Christ, we actually fail to believe in our own resurrection and that could lead to spiritual suicide.

The Editor

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 Send address changes to路P.O. Box 7 or call telephone number above

PUBLISHER Most Rev. Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., PhD.

EDITOR

GENERAL MANAGER

Rev. John F. Moore

Rosemary Dussault ~5

LEARY PRESS - FALL RIVER

('~s

I:Osser\,3tOre Romano photo

POPE JOHN PAUL II MAKES HIS TRADITIONAL LATE-NIGHT WAY OF THE CROSS ON GOOD FRIDAY AT THE COLOSSEUM IN ROME

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Gal. 6:14

Dying to self, we live in Christ

By Rev. Kevin J. Harrington Death is a topic most people avoid like the plague'. Perhaps that is why our churches will be filled with worshipers on Easter Sunday but not on Good Friday. One senior priest noted that the falloff in Good Friday attendance coincides with the decline in the number of people who frequent the sacrament of penance. I wonder if these simultaneous declines are purely coincidental or may indeed indicate something of greater significance.

Suffering and death are a familiar part of life but most people prefer not to dwell on them. But our faith teaches us that there can be no Easter Sunday without Good Friday and our experience teaches us that no one's life is filled only with joy.

No matter how eagerly we seek to enjoy the passing pleasures this world affords, we should never lose sight of the fact that God has made us for himself, and our hearts will not be at rest until they rest in him. The earlier we learn this cruciallesson the more we will value living for him and the less we will clread death.

The tragedy of Good Friday is not simply the forerunner of triumph at Easter. The cross itself is a triumph. But taking up the cross means leaving the company of the good for the company of the condemned. Why were the Romans' victims made to carry the crossbar of their instrument of torture except to advertise their criminality to the populace?

Christ was numbered with the transgressors, crucified between two thieves. We will not find him in our hearts except in the same company. Any distancing ourselves from sinners by building ourselves up on the premise that we are good enough or by convincing ourselves that si,nners are other people triv-

ializes the meaning and value of the reconciliation Christ gained for all of us on the cross.

When we learn this lesson we will understand the significance of Paul's declaration, "God justifies the ungodly!" (Rom 4:5). God admits sinners into fellowship, welcomes and honors them and unites them with the living Christ. By human standards God's behavior is very risky; but Christian experience teaches us that it is this risky, vulnerable, unconditional acceptance by God which alone

praye~BOX The Easter Vigil Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! exult, all creation, around God's throne! Jesus Christ, our king, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, 0 earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your king.

Christ has conquered! Glory fill you! Darkness vanishes forever!

The power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred, brings us peace, and humbles earthly pride.

Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth and we are reconciled with God! Alleluia!

can remake our lives and transform them from within.

Every Good Friday we return to the foot of the cross to re-expose ourselves to the devastating and glorious absurdity which John expressed with these thrilling words: "In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation of our sins" (I J n 4: 10).

To every believer Good Friday is an all-day invitation to die to sin and self. As we ceaselessly let go of our lesser loves, we die little by little. It would behoove us to imitate Jesus whose life can best be understood as a series of little deaths, of letting go.

He surrendered the glory that was rightly his as Son of God to wear our inglorious flesh. He let go a secure way of life in Nazareth to be an itinerant preacher of repentance with no place to lay his head. He let go of Mary, his mother as well as of Lazarus, Martha and Mary whom he loved deeply. He let go of his apostles while they still had much to learn. Hardest of all, he let go of the sheer miracle of being alive.

Compared to that of Jesus, our letting go seems child's play, but sadly it seems that every human being at some time in his or her life becomes inordinately attached to a lesser good than God. We all know how painful letting go can be. Without the grace of God, we know that certain acts of self-surrender are beyond our own willpower. Only by a self-emptying similar to that of Christ can we grow into him, be shaped each day in his likeness.

This is why St. Paul wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh 1live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20).

Royal children ate ordered legitimized

Baptism as it was of old Genesis 1:1-2:2 Romans 6:3-11 Exodus 14:15-15:1 Matthew 28:1-10

By FATHER ROGER Note: We should not cut any of the KARBAN Easter Vigil's nine readings from the service. But because of this manding them to march into death. column's limits, I only have space Trapped between Egyptian charito comment on the first, third, ots and the sea, they're doomed eighth and ninth passages. until the Lord says to Moses, Tonight's celebration is full of "Why ar~ you crying out to me? symbolism; every action charged Tell the Israelites to go forward!" with meaning... particularly the bapGo forward into annihilation! tismal ritual. The readings should help us explore the significance of Yet the sea suddenly divides and the Chosen People cross from slavthis all-important action. ery and death into freedom and If we find the readings boring it life. No wonder the early Christian might be because our baptismal community always used this readritual is boring. Often there's no ing to help them understand not connection between Scripture and only Jesus' death and resurrection, action. A humdrum rite usually but also their own experience of guarantees the readings will be baptism. meaningless.

Paul probably knew nothing of No one was bored in Shawneetown, IL, during last year's Vigil. - a baptismal ritual in which just a few drops of water are poured over Like many pastors, Father Ray the candidate's forehead. Tonight's Engelhart had a baptism. But unlike Roman's pericope can be undermost, his execution of the sacrastood only against the background ment happened in a very special of immersion. The Apostle preway. The catechumen, Becky Stasumes we Christians show our nelle, requested that the rite take passing from Jesus' death to Jesus' place in the Ohio River! life by employing outward signs At the proper point in the liturgy, which actually express that reality: a group of St. Mary's parishioners first buried under water to show left church and drove down to the death, then raised up to symbolize river. There, with a safety rope tied life. . round her waist, Becky and Father Of course, any quest for meanRay waded out into the dark, ingful symbolism must always begin uncertain water, where he imwith the belief that Jesus lives. mersed her three times. (Only weeks This event. is the basis for our later did Becky confess she was entire faith. Nothing comes before terrified of wated) Rarely does it, and everything which happens sacramental ministry involve risk after it can only be explained by for the participants. But on this our experience of it. night, in this ceremony, the danger No matter how the evangelists helped convey the meaning. treat the Lord's resurrection, there's I presume the people of Shawneetown were more attentive to always an element of surprise. No one anticipates such a turnabout. the readings than ever before. They In Matthew's account, women were hearing them proclaimed against a background quite differ- come to the tomb expecting to find . a dead body, but instead discover ent from former years. Death and a risen savior. "I know you are rising were sharply outlined. looking for Jesus the crucified," For instance, the Genesis authe angel proclaims, "but he is not thor's concept of creation revolves here. He has been raised, exactly around a God who is driven to pass on life. Biblical creation is as he promised. Come and see the always a process of producing order spot where he was laid."

The double command to "... Go from chaos. At the very beginning "a formless wasteland" existed in quickly..." an'd ..."Go and carry the "the abyss." All "living creatures" news..." reminds us that the reason spring from that chaos just as cer- prompting the women to visit the tomb is totally different from the tainly as Jesus' life sprang for reason now impelling them to run Becky from the dark, swirling Ohio away from it. They arrive because River.

In the same way, Yahweh saves of death, but leave because of life.

If we could invite Paul, Matthe Israelites from death by comthew or any of the first Christians to our Easter Vigil this year, they'd probably show up at the nearest DAILY READINGS river instead ofthe church. They'd April 12: Acts 2:14,22-32; go where they'd expect to find real Ps 16:1-2,5,7-11; Mt 28: 8-15 "Christian action."

April 13: Acts 2:36-41; Ps 33:4-5,18-20,22; In 20:11-18 April 14: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 105: 1-4,6-9; Lk 24: 13-35 April15: Acts 3:11-26;Ps 8:2,5-9; Lk 24:35-48 April 16: Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2,4,22-27; In 21:1-14 April 17: Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118:1,14-21; Mk 16:9-15 April 18: Acts 2:42-47; Ps 118:2-4,13-15,22-24; 1 Pt 1:3-9; In 20:19-31

Asking Forgiveness "We ask God to forgive us our evil thoughts and evil temper, but rarely if ever ask him to forgive our sadness." - R. yv. Dale 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020). Second Class Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass: Published weekly except the week of July 4 . and the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue. Fall River. Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail. postpaid $11.00' per year. Postmasters send address changes to The Anchor. P.O. 'Box 7. Fall River. MA 02722.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The three children of Princess Caroline of Monaco have been made legitimate in the eyes of the church by a decision signed by Pope John Paul II. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the Vatican spokesman, told journalists April 5 that the pope has signed a rescript rendering the children legitimate. A rescript is the church equivalent of an executive order.

The children are the offspring of Princess Caroline and Stefano Casiraghi, whom the princess married in a civil ceremony in 1983. Casiraghi was killed in a boating accident in 1990.

In 1983 the princess was still awaiting a Vatican decision on her 1982 request for an annulment of her first marriage. She had married Philippe Junot in 1978 but divorced him civillv in 1980.

The 1983 civil marriage was not recognized as valid by the church.

According to church law, children born of an invalid marriage are illegitimate.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Although illegitimacy has no effect on a child's standing in the church, under Monaco's laws a child who is illegitimate according to church law is ineligible for royal succession.

The papal decision came some six months after the princess wrote a letter to the Vatican appealing for the action "from the depth of my heart."

Princess Caroline was granted an annulment of her first marriage last June after 10 years of study by two papally appointed commissions. The second commission, which issued the definitive decision, confirmed the ruling of the first panel, declaring that the first marriage did not exist from the beginning because of "insufficient consent."

At the time the annulment request was made, the Code of Canon Law gave the pope, rather than a local marriage tribunal, the authority to decide cases involving the son or daughter of a head of state.

Navarro-Valls said the pope signed the rescript of legitimation

Fri., Apr. 9, 1993

5

drawn up by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments in accordance with Canon 1139 of the Code of Canon Law. The code says: "l1legitimate children are rendered legitimate through the subsequent valid or putative marriage of their parents or through a rescript of the Holy See." Italian newspapers said that after the annulment, Princess Caroline .wrote to the Vatican asking for the rescript which would legalize her children's position "in the midst of the church."

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The Anchor Friday, Apr. 9, 1993

By

DOLORES CURRAN

One of my favorite posters portrays a colorful butterfly soaring away from its cocoon. The caption reads, "You can fly, but that cocoon has to go."

After our Lenten cocoon, we're ready to soar into the Easter season ~ or should be. "If we aren't happy at the idea of Easter, then our spirits are dulled and numbed by the world around us," a theologianremarked. "We're dead. We've

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Releasing our Easter butterflies forgotten who we are - sons and daughters of the Risen Christ. If we truly believe that, we have to be joyous."

Sadly, there are some among us who find it easier to be repentant and remorseful during Lent than joyful during Easter. They've lost the capacity to be happy. Their spirits are numb. Worse, they're annoyed by people who are happy.

and giving birth to their own joyful babies. .

What happens to people who lose their capacity for joy? They aren't born that way. Babies squeal with joy on finding their toes, standing up, or seeing a grandparent. Young children joyfully splash through puddles and await Christmas.

Teens find joy in drivers' licenses, concerts, and new sneakers, while young adults experience it in acquiring their first real job, love,

If they recognize their deadness and truly desire to rekindle their spirits, there is hope for those who' relate to the phenomenon of the joyless spirit, for those who find more comfort in the psalms of despair and country music than the uplifting psalms and joyous music, and for those whose greatest experience of joy is being the . last one through a yellow light.

This hope lies in training our-

Then something seems to happen to dispirit them. Life becomes routine, and bit by bit, joy tunis into cynicism. They lose the capacity to find happiness in little things.

Children's play becomes annoying, puddles become problems, and Christmas becomes a chore. Their spirits are dead.

selves to become aware ofthe simple joys of daily life. Just as we deaden our spirits gradually, so we must revive them gradually. "Habit is habit," Mark Twain said, "and not to be flung out the window but coaxed down the stairs one step at a time."

The first step is as easy as being aware of the joy ofa hot shower in the morning without thinking of the clock, just feeling grateful that God has gifted us with hot water today. We follow that with the pleasure in seeing a sleepy toddler emerge, having the car start, and having ajob to go to, regardless of its attractiveness.

When we deliberately seek out moments of joy in our daily lives, our spirits begin to be reborn. But we have to do the work, just as we have to 'work during Lent to make

Easter joyful. We can't keep waiting for others to make us happy.

As the saying goes, "Most people are as happy as they want to be."

Another way of reviving the numbed spirit is to recall past joys. in our lives and ask God to reinfuse us with those feelings so that we can remember what it was like to be happy. This takes a little prayer and practice, but it will come in time.

After a bit, we will be able to call up those feelings at will and experience a moment or hour of uplifting joy which then propels us to find it in the today as well as the yesterday.

God created us to be happy and gave us his Son's resurrection so that we could soar withjoy at least once a year. When we refuse this gift, we're refusing life. .

Wonders of God's surprising creation By ANTOINETTE BOSCO.

Fascinating information from varied sources recently indicates that we've taken plantsfor granted far too long.

We marvel at the stars and the moon and the majesty' of the universe and forget the same Creator brought forth the lowly creatures rooted in the earth.

By

¥' Dr;JAMES&'

MARY KENNY· Dear Dr. Kenny: My closest friend does not have much.longer to live. His doctor says six months at the longest. I want to help him as much as I can.

My own feelings of hurt and loss aren't important now. But for the moment, he's still befUddled and numb. At times, he doesn't believe the verdict. Other times he believes it, but doesn't have the emotional reaction I think he should.

By

FATHER JOHN J. DIETZEN Q. A priest in our parish told us that we do not have general absolution here because there is no emergency and there are always enou2h priests.

He also said that if we ever receive general absolution we must make the private confession we missed as soon as possible, and that we cannot receive general absolution twice in a row.

This information as I write it was also in our parish bulletin.

I have talked with several friends

Perhaps it's time to marvel at these growing things, not just. because they become our food or table decorations, but because they are living creations endowed with amazing sensitivities by.theGod who is the absolute master of creating mystery stories.

I got a whole new fe.el for plants recently when I saw a story in the science section of a newspaper headlined, "Plants Found to Send Nerve-Like Messages."

The article reported on the findingsof a team of researchers from England and New Zealand. This team had discovered that when a

leaf on a tomato seedling is chewed by insects, it sends out electrical warning signals, alerting the rest of the plant to the danger.

Until recently, we have known about the marvelous ways animal and insect forms communicate with each other. But this was entirely '.' new information, justifying what' . biologist Keith Robertssaid of the finding.

"It's really a conceptual breakthrough to think plants use electri- . cal signals in the same way animais' use them in nerve cells," Roberts 'said.

Only afew weeks before, I heard

a' fascinating talk by .Dorothy selectivity going on in the process Maclean, one of the three found- of mating. It seems that "those ers of a botanical garden, the plants that are most attractive tend Findhorn Community, in Scotland. to mate with other very attractive orchids," said Swedish scientist L. Ms. Maclean explained how this Anders Nilsson. garden once was a barren area.

The founders started their garden In anflther study, researchers at believing that spiritual forces are .the University of Edinburgh found all around us' and that if we coop- . that tobacco plants gave off light erate with nature, nature's own when· they were blown by wind. spirit responds.

The plants also luminesced when they were touched by an experiThen ~ read a piece about orc!)ids menter's hand .. 'and how they mate. Scientists studying a particular orchid in I am waiting for the next scienMadagascar found .that when it tific research report on the hidden powers ofplants. It will again reincomes to breeding, only a small number of the orchids are involved. force something I've known a long Apparently, there's a certain time: God is full of surprises.

When death .has a date. on it What is he supposed tofeel?-Indiana You sound like you have dealt realistically with the anticipated loss 'of your friend, but that he is still in shock. Unpleasantinformation may have short-circuited his emotions. That's normal.

Most of us think of death rarely.

When forced to consider it as now he must, we don't know how.

Anger and sadness are the two obvious emotions he is likely to experience.' The anger may· be focused on someone else, perhaps someone who has it better than he does.

He may take it out on you. Be understanding.

Encourage him to let the anger come. Suggest that he keep a "mad"

book.. He might write out some of his angry feelings. The anger is very human, and it won't help anything if he tries to suppress it' or pretend he is above that type of feeling.

The other obvious emotion is sadness. feeling the loss of things he won't get to do, places he won't get to see. people he won't be able" to love. Encourage him to let the· tears come.

Lest he feel the rest of us are luckier than he, remind him that life is terminal for us all. He received . his invitation a little earlier than some, and with a date on it. He won't be surprised by death, and that offers him an opportunity.

If possible, encourage him to take full advantage of the precious days he has.

- Perhaps he can enjoy the outdoors: Look at the sky and stars, and wonder about the u·niverse. Feel the warmth of the sun, the touch of the rain.

Smell the' sweet grasses and new flowers.

- Encourage him to remain in contact with his friends - if not by visiting, then by phone .or letter. .

- As much as he is able, travel.

Get around. See places that he has always wanted to visit. It's a big country, a big world. Experience new and different locations as his physical condition permits. Perhaps you can travel with him.

- If he shows any signs. of generosity, encourage him. Better to give personal gifts and valued items to his family and friends

directly rather than waiting till he is not around to experience the joy.

Finally, encourage him to pray.

He doesn't have to mouth "verbal'~ prayers. To showjoy in experiencing creation is itself a prayer of gratitude. How it would please God to see his delight.

Teach him in quiet moments to let his mind drift to the world beyond appearances. He might come to realize that, in a true sense, there is no death, only· change, and he might be more accepting of his transition in the grand· plan of creation. .

Reader questions on family living and child care to be answered in print are invited by The Kennys; 219 W. Harrison St.; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.

Regulations concerning general absolution absolution applies only when a who attended services with general The first part of what you say is serious sin is involved. absolution. They tell me they never accurate. General absolution is As canon law (962) puts it, for heard that before. I'm confused. permitted only "if there is a grave valid reception of this sacramental (Ohio) need, namely when, in view of the A. Just to be sure everyone number of penitents, sufficient absolution given to many at one knows what we're talking about, confessors are not available to time, it is necessary to intend to general absolution means that a hear individual confessions prop"confess individually the serious large number of penitents receive erly within a suitable period of sins which at present cannot be so absolution at one time, without time" (Introduction to the Rite of . confessed." previous individual confession. . Similarly, there is no obstacle to Penance, No. 31).

It is different from communal receiving general absolution twice This might occur in various cirpenance services. for example. at or more in a row if there is no cumstances, but the judgment and which prayer, Scripture, examinagrave sin to ~onfess. When such a the decision on the lawfulness of tion of conscience and other prepsin is involved. the individual general absolution are reserved to arations are done together; then should go to confession privately the bishop of the diocese. each penitent confesses privately within a year (Introduction to the If it is not possible to contact the to a priest and receives individual Rite of Penance, No. 35). bishop beforehand, he should be absolution.

As I indicated, according to Obviously, the usual dispositions informed about the situation present church regulations general and conditions for reception of the afterward. absolution will be quite rare, outsacrament of penance (for examThe other statements of your side of massive danger of death or ple, sorrow for sins and resolution . priest are not so accurate. First. other emergencies not commonly to avoid them in the future) apply the requirement concerning indiexperienced. at least in our country. also for general absolution. vid ual confession after general These rules for general absolu-

tion may be found in brief in Can~ ons 861-863 and in the larger context of the sacrament of penance in the Introduction to the Rite of Penance mentioned above, especially Nos. 31-35.

A free brochure answering questions Catholics ask about baptism requirements and sponsors i~ available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, III. 61701. Questions for this column should be sent to the same address.

Deep-Sea Divers "Today's Christians are too often like deep-sea divers, encased in suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely forth to pull plugs out ofbathtubs."-Peter Marshall.

A thank you Dear Editor: Thank you sincerely for the coverage you gave to the canonization of Claudine Thevenet and the beatification of Dina Belanger.

It was greatly appreciated.

The Religious of Jesus and Mary Fall River

Information please Dear Editor: The Secular (or Third) Order of St. Francis of Assisi is regionalizing. As a filst step toward this goal, it is necessary to gather information on fraternities in the New England region.

As chairman of the Holy Name Province New Englind Region information committee, I ask area fraternities of whatever province to notify me of name and location, the minister's and secretary's name, address and telephone number and first order provincial affiliation.

Thank you.

Francis L. Gammon, SFO 33 Spring St. Holbrook, MA 02343 (617) 767-0249

A refutation Dear Editor: A letter (Anchor March 26) from Dale Szczech. deserves, not. only comment but also refutation. First, he states that "many, many" gays have given their lives for ourcountry but how could this P9ssibly be known since most gays have kept their orientation secret? This is a gratuitous statement similar to his "many, many" government polls that say that lifting the ban would not be a problem. Name one such independent and reputable poll which included current and exservicemen and which w.as not funded by a homosexual and/ or radical feminist organization.

Second, the claim that "homosexuality is not a choice" is true only if referring to an inclination but absolutely false' as regards deviant behavior. The Sixth Commandment is binding on all human beings and to say that God created two and a half percent (the correct figure from a recent University of Chicago study and also one in France) of the population who would be unable to observe it is nothing short of blasphemy.

Our correspondent also seems to be unaware of the homosexual agenda which, in case gays are admitted into the military, in a two-page document from the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Military Freedom Project, calls on the armed forces to begin mandatory training sessions and specifically target the service academies, chaplains, doctors and law enforcement officers for indoctrination.

This is the same kind of moral rubbish that this type of organization is promoting in the civil sphere and even in some of our public schools. The general public is generally unaware of this because of the biased media who are opposed to anything in the JudeoChristian tradition.

As long as we are discussing this subject, let's go back to the year

1840 when John Henry Newman, then the Anglican chaplain at Oxford and later to convert to Roman Catholicism and eventually become a cardinal, delivered a sermon on riches.

He said that while nobody Seemed to recall the Biblical admonition against riches, everybody remembered the story of the flood and also Sodom and Gomorrah.

He pointed out that while God promised to never again send a flood on his people he made no such promise about Sodom and Gomorrah.

Newman finished by saying that he hoped that we would live our' lives in such a way as not to invite divine retribution. Considering the free fall in morality in the nation during the last 20 years I wonder if his hope is justified.

John W. Corbett Yarmouth Port

Rebuttal rebutted Dear Editor: In answer to the person who "felt compelled" to answer Father Kevin Harrington on his Feb. 12 Anchor article "Why Women Need Not Be Priests," I feel "compelled" to disagree with this person!

First of all, women are far from being discriminated against in the Church. They are allowed in the sanctuary as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, cantors, w.hile others bavep.oJitioDSClf resPQnsibility a,s teachers of Christian DOCtrine6r coordinators and secretaries.

Secondly, at the Last Supper, Our Lord himself ordained his first priests when at the breaking of the bread he said, "Do this in memory of me."

And last but not least, this person says when women are permitted to be priests, then will the Church be "One in Christ Jesus."

My answer is, how can this bring unity when in fact it is causing dissension in the Church? Or when they are not accepting the Church's doctrine? Or, when they are going against the Church teachings? And, most important of all, when they are not listening to Pope John Paul II, who is representing Christ on earth?

Keep up the good work, Father Harrington. We need to hear from our priests what you so candidly express!

Alice Beaulieu New Bedford

Can't stand by WASHINGTON (CNS) - The Administrative Board of the U.S. Catholic Conference, decrying "the litany of horrors" in the ongoing Balkan war, has said in a statement it was "time for religious believers and the international community to act with new resolve" in the conflict. The statement approved "strictly limited" use of force, a political solution to the war, the creation of a war crimes tribunal, and help for refugees and nations accepting them. "The world cannot stand aside as innocent people are destroyed, as aggression shapes a new world, as the hopes of freedom turn into the violence of war," said the board.

THE FORMER Father Herbert Nichols, now Father Anthony Nichols, stands before Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, General Servant of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and Father Andrew Apostoli, General Vicar, after investiture in tile conlIIllJnitY'~l1abit{left pM:ture}; right, _Father Anthony after the ceremony.

Father Nichols is now Franciscan of Renewal Father Herbert T. Nichols, formerly a priest of the Fall River diocese, has been invested as a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. He received the grey habit of the community at recent ceremonies in St. Adalbert Church, Bronx, N. Y., taking the name of Father Anthony.

A Taunton native, the son of Herbert T. and Helen (Furmanik) Nichols, he graduated from the former Immaculate Conception parochial school and Msgr. Coyle High School in Taunton and prepared for~ the priesthood at' St. _ Thomas ,.{)eminary,; 1l100mfieId, .~ CT, 'aiid')St. lohh's Seminary, Brighton.

He was ordained Dec. 20, 1975

by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin and thereafter served as parochial vicar at St. Ann's parish, Raynham; St. Mary's, Taunton; St. Anne's, Fall River; and St. Joan of Are, Orleans. He left Orleans in January 1992 to enter the Franciscan community.

The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal were established in 1987 by eight Capuchin Franciscans who sought to return to the roots of their order and pattern their lives after that of their 13th century founder, St. Francis of Assisi.

"We feel the church in society is in lousy shape," the new community's superior, Father Benedict Groeschel, told a New York Times interviewer last year. "Christians in general are ,a little too worldly.

A lot of people in the church have grown far from concern for the poor."

Seeking to tip the scales in the other direction, the Friars of the Renewal minister in New York's South Bronx, one of the poorest and most drug-ridden areas in the nation. There they operate a shelter for homeless men, distribute

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food to the needy and are developing a single-occupancy hotel, in addition to providing recreation for area children.

Similar activities are carried on by a parallel community of sisters and both groups have members who speak and preach throughout the nation.

The new Father Anthony will continue his preparation for the Franciscan life as a novice in residence at his community's house of format jon in Yonke~s, NY.

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Shroud Continued from Page Three its," she told the Denver Catholic Register. "The length is nearly eight cubits. The cubit or 21.7 inches was the standard of measure used by Jews at the time of Christ."

In addition, Mrs. Jackson said, "the weave of the cloth is not 'shatnez,' a fabric blend that is illegal according to Jewish Jaw. Linen and wool are not allowed to be used together, but the shroud is linen and cotton - perfectly kosher."

Scripture notes that the cloth of the shroud in which Jesus was wrapped was purchased by Joseph of Arimathea. .

[ came that they may have life, and have it abunJantly.

"He could have bought it for the Last Supper," Mrs. Jackson said.

"He had to know that the tablecloth had to be kosher and not shatnez."

Orthodox Jews "usually get a new tablecloth for Passover," she said. "Cloths containing leaven or crumbs cannot be used, and they would not serve the meal on a bare table. Jesus was an important guest.

If the archbishop were coming to dinner, I would buy a new cloth."

Jesus had to be buried before the Sabbath, and "it's unlikely that Joseph or Arimathea would have been able to seek an audience with Pilate and buy a suitable cloth for burial in the scant hours between Jesus' death and burial," Mrs. Jackson said.

"They would have had to use what was available to them," she said. "Why wouldn't they use the tablecloth? Joseph probably said.

'What about the tablecloth ....?"

Jackson, who never has stated that the ma_n of the shroud isJesus Christ. admits he is moved by the thought that the shroud might be a cloth involved in the entire Passion of the Savior.

"Think of the symbolism," he told the Register. "Jesus gave us the Eucharist. his own body and blood. as depicted on the image that is on the cloth.

"Look at the Mass. We have an altar cloth over the altar. It represents the burial cloth of Jesus."

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The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) will hold its annual Spring Adoption Party I I a.m. to.2 p.m. May I at LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro.

The event will allow prospective adoptive families to meet with older and special needs children awaiting adoption. Activities will include outdoor games, arts and crafts, and a picnic lunch. Interested families will also have the opportunity to talk with agency representatives and social workers.

In the past, waiting children and prospective adoptive parents have met and become families as a result of these adoption parties.

MARE is a nonprofit private agency that helps both public and private adoption agencies find homes for children age eight or older, children of color of all ages, children with physical, emotional or intellectual handicaps, and sibling groups.

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Early and Late

SACRED HEART PARISH FAMilY .>.' .

NOI?TH AmEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS

Easter, celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox, can be as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. An early Easter is a rare occurrence, however: the last time it was celebrated on March 22 was 1818; the next time Easter falls on that date will be in the year 2285. For those who like early Easters, the feast will occur on March 23 in 2008; for those who prefer a late holiday, Easter 20ll will fall on April 24.

Good Friday means heavy load in Sicily TRAPANI, Sicily (eNS) - For 200 men in Trapani, bearing the burden of Good Friday means carrying several tons of wooden statues, silver armor and floral arrangements.

Since 1603, the residents of this Sicilian seaport have commemorated the day with a procession of religious statues showing major events in Christ's life.

As men strain to lift the platforms holding the wooden images, their hooded wives and children march alongside. All keep step to brass bands playing funeral music.

The ritual takes almost 24 hours as the procession winds throughout the entire city of almost 100,000 people.

The Trapani procession is among the many elaborate Holy Week activities in Sicily. Based on popul!lf religiosity, tl1~ I~flect the Med-_ iterranean island's Arab, Spanish and Catholic heritage. Activities range from marches to street theater passion plays, most with theological emphasis on Christ's suffering, but also with a prominent role for the Madonna.

In Trapani, each event in the procession is called a "mystery" and is composed of a statue or group of statues resting on a wooden platform with long poles attached for lifting. There are 20 "mysteries."

They begin with Jesus leaving a sorrowful Mary to begin his public ministry and end with a sorrowful, solitary statue of Mary. In between are the major events of Christ's ministry, culminating in his crucifixion and burial. As is typical in Good Friday commemorations, there is 'no specific reference'to his resurrection.

The statues are surrounded by flowers donated by patrons and by tall, thick candles [it at night. Battery powered lights hidden among the flowers are modern-day innovations to aid after-dark viewing.

Depending on weight, each mystery is carried by eight to 20 men.

The heaviest is a five-statue group showing Christ struggling to rise under the weight of a silver cross after Veronica has wiped his face.

The image of Christ's visage is embedded in silver in Veronica's veil. Two Roman soldiers dressed in silver armor and helmets threaten Christ, while Simon of Cyrene bends over to help lift the cross.

The lightest is a wood-framed glass coffin containing a statue of the dead Christ, but no one knows the exact weight of each "mystery." Periodically, the procession stops, allowing the bearers to rest the platforms on their stilts and take a breather.'

In other "mysteries," statues of Pontius Pilate and Jewish officials wear the wood-carved turbans and robes of Saracens, recalling the ninth- to II th century Arab domination of Sicily.

The Saracens were defeated at the end of the I I th century by the Normans, who replanted Christianity on the island. But it was not until Sicily passed under Spanish control several centuries later that the ritual aspects of Catholicism became firm traditions.

The Trapani procession is based on Spanish originals and was an effort by Sicilian church authorities to purify the numerous religious processions which had developed - rna_oy including flagellations and pagan references - by substituting one solidly based on Catholic teachings.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Local artists were commissioned to carve the wood statues and guilds were recruited to sponsor each "mystery." The statues in the current procession were carved over several centuries and many had to be redone after major World War II bombing damage.

Today, professional associations

Fri .. Apr. 9, 1993

9

from fruit vendors to clothiers continue to sponsor the "mysteries," providing the money to maintain the statues and the muscle to carry them.

In a bow to modern times. the "mystery" of Peter's denial of Jesus, orginally assigned to barbers, now is also sponsored by hairdressers.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Apr. 9, 1993

Faith goes

hi~tech?

Not!

By Mitch Finley Dr. Tom Budzynski, director of On a recent hour-long flight, I behavioral medicine at St. Luke flipped through the pages of the Medical Center, Bellevue (a subairline's in-flight magazine. Now, I urb of Seattle), commenU that the thought, let us see what they're MasterMind gadget isn't for evewriting for the typical airline tra- ryone. "It's not very effective with veler these days. (Publishers of people who are unwilling to give such magazines have determined up control of their thoughts," he that the "typical airline traveler" is explained. . a businessperson.)

MasterMind, the article conFlip, flip, flip. I flipped the cluded, is "an appealing quick fix pages as I and my fellow pas- for chaotic lifestyles." And if you sengers shot nonchalantly through buy this, would you be interested the sky in a shiny metal tube with in some real estate on the moon?

I'll grant you that there may be horizontal and vertical stablizers attached. some therapeutic situations where What's this? Yikes. If Thomas using a MasterMind might be helpM~rt~n k~ew .about this he'd be ful on a temporary and limited _splnmng_ m hIs grav~: S~ms ~_ basis. But essentially, fellow ttaSea~tle-based ntgli-tech firm velers, what we-have in'Masfei=-(whIch means you and I ~an forget Mind is an electronic faith substiabout ever understa~dmg what tute. Yet another pseudoblessing these. people are domg), called from a high-tech culture to help Sy~etIc Systems, of~~n; a techno- you escape from yourself.

Th M h logIcal way to facIlItate) and I t "d" " o m a s erton once wrote t at quo e - me ItatlOn or catnaps th h t fth Ch . f rf'" or bring on "a feeling of euphoe ear 0 e rIS I~n I ~ IS to ria." The gadget they will sell you put away all care, to hve ~Ithout for a mere $229.95 is called Master- ca~e: to not have to. car~. Msgr.

Mind Wilham Shannon, m hIs recent : ., biography of the famous Trappist ThIS deYlce IS sI?aller than one monk, "Silent Lamp" (Crossroad), ; of those httle radIO-cassette tape explains that this does not mean players you can h?ok ~o your belt "to live without responsibility." It and looks somethl.ng hke acalcu- means "refusing to let'fesponsibillator. It co~es Wlt~ headph,ones ity breed anxiety." . and a set of .~Iasses you .can t see Authentic faith leads a person bl~ck plastIc lenses to be responsible and trust in God's , th.rough ,Wlt~ r~d ~ED hghts attached to love. Instead, for Americans anxthe mSlde. . iety is a way of life. Will a MasThe headphones fIll your ears . . '" 'th" h th' d bl' terMmd umt help us to put away WI r .y mlc soun s resem mg all care, to live without care, to not ~verythmg from sonar pulses to have t 0 care.?" I d ou bt I. 路t路 a I h 'h . f fb " nya life of faith that makes room daily t e ummmg 0 a s~arm 0 ees.

(A swarm of bees IS supposed to .' , '-.: b mg . " f I' f h ' "?) for some form of prayerful abanon a e~ m~ 0 eup;trIa. donment to the.,love of God can ' you canCDoo your aster- -bring such a gift. '" ' '.; M md to a or cassette tape B 'd k'- f' f d'l player to listen to music or the eSI es, ~a 109 Ime .pr al y latest "motivational tapes." prayer won t cost you $229.95.

In your ears you hear the sonar pulses or whatever, while your We Arise eyes gaze at the red LED lights "Eternal Lord of 10Ve... If dead dancing in various patterns. "The idea," the magazine article said, "is in you, so in you we arise, you the first born of all the faithful dead; to combine the effects of the flickand as through stony ground the ering lights and the pulsing tones green Sbootsbreak, glorious in to achieve an electronically inspired springtime dress of leaf and flower, hypnosis." so in the Father's glory shall we Do I hear the theme music from wake-."-Thomas H. Cain "Twilight Zone?"

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Aging children caring for aged ,parents

By Antoinette Bosco The problem of aging children taking care of their aged parents is likely to worsen, and there seems to be no help in sight. According to the latest statistics, one in five families takes care of an elderly parent. And with people living well into their 80s and 90s, that number is certainly going to increase.

There was a news story last year about an 82-year-old man who, suffering from Alzheimer's disease, was left abandoned outside a men's room at a dog-race track in Idaho.

He held a bag of diapers and a teddy bear, with a note pinned to his chest.

He had been checked out oJ a

Easter Eggs The egg has long been a symbol of new life; some of the earliest civilizations believed the world was hatched by the creator from an enormous egg. As a symbol, the egg has long been part of spring festivals.

The ancient Romans honored mythological twins Castor and PoIlus, born from an egg of Leda, the swan. The Jewish people make a "paschal" egg, symbolizing new life, a part of the Passover::feast.

And Christians adopted the egg as a symbol of Christ's "rebirth" at the Resurrection: hidden new life bursting through an eggshell seems a fitting parallel for the emergence of Christ from the dark tomb.

In Italy, children are given egg-shaped candies on Easter and bring them to church for the priest, to bless. The eggs then become part of the Easter feast at home.

FAMILY TRADITION: Making intricately decorated Ukrainian Easter eggs is an annual tradition for the Welych family .of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Syracuse, NY. From left are Lilie, Anita, Lilia and Nicholas. (eNS photo)

nursing home in Portland, are., by a family member and apparently left at the track. But his predicament is not an isolated case.

The American College of Emergency Physicians estimates that 70,000 elderly Americans were abandoned last year by family members unable or unwilling to care for them or pay for their care.

In many cases, care-giving children of aged parents can' become overwhelmed by mounting bills, bureaucratic hassles and hopelessness. Statistics show that the burden often falls on the female relatives; three of four people caring for the elderly are women.

People who care for an aged pare'nt often reach a breaking point when that parent is ailing. My 83year-old mother has developed a progressive 'paralysis ef her legs and feet in the past few months.

She is widowed, lives alone and is adamant in her refusalever to go to a nursing home.

The closest one to care for her is my older sister, Rosemary. The problem is that Rosemary is 65, and she has a 77-year-old husband in poor health who needs constant' care. With an elderly husband who needs to be bathed, fed and changed daily, how is Rosemary going to be able to care for our mother?

My other brothers and sisters are considerably younger than Rosemary. But they all have many family responsibilities. And they all work, most of them not too

close to the old family home. They can give only limited time to nursing care.

What about me? I live in another state and still have to work. I can try to get tei our mother's home on weekends to help care for her.

But what about during the week?

How long would it take before Rosemary capitulates to (atigue?

Then there's another problem.

We're not talking about an inert presence here but a parent who in some cases may be used to asking a lot from a son or daughter. A demanding parent can press the buttons that set your emotional buzzers zinging, even after you are past 60.

My mother's deteriorating ability to walk has finally been diagnosed. She has a benign tumor on the spine After surgery and rehabilitation she should regain enough use of her legs to be on her own.

But these recent events have been an eye opener as our family has had to face the possibility that mom could sometime become an invalid needing our full-time care.

How can we do this? We have to struggle for some of the answers.

All I can say is that the aging caregivers who serve their aged parents so faithfully and lovingly, as does my sister, deserve sainthood. But, having said that, wouldn't it be nice if some real solutions could be found ori how to help an aging adult child care for an aged parent. >

Easter Bunny tales

By Dan Morris When my daughter was very young, she had vital concerns about the Easter Bunny. For one thing, she suspected he was recruiting the Tooth Fairy to help hide eggs and candy - and probably not withholding Social Security, unemployment or Medicare.

It only made sense - the extra help, that is. I'm sure the Tooth Fairy qualified as an independent contractor under current IRS rulings, The point, though, is that Santa has a sleigh, reindeer and elves.

Peter Pan can fly and has Tinkerbell. Snow White has the seven dwarfs. All the Easter Bunny seemed to have was a medium size basket and two "feet" (seeing how he had given his other two feet over to animated paws to carry the basket).

It was entirely possible, if you think about it, that the Easter Bunny could have been recruiting characters left and right from the cartoon and mythology labor lodge.

Given these characters' propensity for making themselves scarce when your eyes are open, we would have known little about it unless Dumbo's mother had left tracks across someone's front yard while hiding eggs for the Bunny.

The rabbit's religious practices also held some mystery for our .

\

children. My wife and I leaned toward claiming him as a Catholic because he's such a good guy.

However, this strained logic for the children because there is little evidence of him attending Mass -and a lot of evidence of him tripping around on Easter morning outside of any religious service.

Besides, claiming him as Catholic would be an ecumenical minefield. We did not need our kids telling Lutheran cousins and my Presbyterian aunt that the Easter Bunny was Catholic, although I'm sure my aunt would drag up the you-guys-d o-m ulti ply-Ii ke-them bromide.

We tried explaining to our youngsters that animals are not human and therefore cannot be Catholic and do not have to attend Mass.

"But do you think he believes in Jesus?" asked Marie.

Spouse and I exchanged glances. A "no" would trash Bunny's image and the positive values the rabbit portrays. A "yes" would throw us back into theological never-never land.

"What do you think?" I cleverly asked our 6-year-old.

"I think Jesus must love him because he's so nice to bring us stuff on Easter," she answered.

Made sense to me. Now, what about the Tooth Fairy?

Santa Fe to have administrator

Hospital offers $1,000 scholarship

WAS HINGTON (CNS) - Pope St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River, John Paul II accepted the resignahas established a $1,000 scholartion of Archbishop Robert F. Sanship in memory of Victor A. chez of Santa Fe, N. M., April 6.

Palumbo, M D, who practiced The archbishop had tendered obstetrics and gynecology in the his resignation Ma,rch 19 amid city for more than 38 years. He allegations that in the 1970s and was president of the medical staff '80s he had intimate relations with at St. Anne's and was a member of several young women. the American Medical Association, the Catholic Physicians Guild, and The pope named Bishop Michael the Fall River, Bristol County and J. Sheehan;53, of Lubbock, Texas, New England medical societies. as apostolic administrator of Santa The scholarship willbe awarded Fe until a new archbishop is to a local student pursuing an chosen. associate's or bachelor's degree in Archbishop Sanchez, 59, was the health care field who meets the the nation's first Hispanic archfollowing criteria: bishop and is widely regarded as a I. Is a resident of Greater Fall leader in the awakening of U.S. PERMANENT DEACON River (including Dighton, FreeHispanic Catholic cultural contown, Rehoboth, Swansea, Somer- Manuel H. Camara has been sciousness over the past quarterset and Westport, and Tiverton named Man of the Year by century. He was ordained archand Little Compton, RI.) the Fall River chapter of the bishop of Santa Fe July 25, 1974.

2. Is entering or pursuing a Prince Henry Society, an orBishop Sheehan will remain degree in nursing, allied health or another health care profession at ganization that provides bishop of Lubbock, a largely rural an accredited college or university.. scholarships for Portuguese- diocese bordering on New Mexico, while serving as temporary Preference will be given to candiAmerican students. He will be administrator of Santa Fe: dates enrolling in a southeastern honored at an award banquet He was born July 9, 1939, in Massachusetts or Rhode Island Tuesday, April 13, at PBA Wichita, Kan., and was ordained a college or university.

3. Is a graduating high school .Cultural Center, 205 South . priest of the diocese of Dallas July senior or currently-enrolled col- Main St., Fall River. Among . 19, 1964. lege student.

After earning a doctorate in guests of honor will be Bishop 4. Is able to use the scholarship' Sean O'Malley, who will be canon law at the Lateran Univerduring the 1993-94 academic year. sity in 1971, he spent five years in Applicants may be interviewed inducted as an honorary Washington as assistant general society member. . . secretary of the National Conferbefore a final decision' is made.

Deacon Camara, a member ence of Catholic Bishops ;lOd U.S. Deadline for application is April 16. Scholarships will be announced of St. Anthony of Padua par- Catholic Conference.

April 30. ish, Fall River, was ordained He was ordained first bishop of Applications may be requested Lubbock, a newlycreated diocese, . to the diaconate in 1980 and from St. Anne's Hospital Medical serves at his own and at Sacred June 17, 1983. He is especially Staff Office, 795 Middle St., Fall noted for his work on evangelizaHeart parishes in Fall River. tion.

River 02721-1798; tel. 674-5741. .

Seminary figures Up' WASHINGTON (CNS) - The total number of U.S. Catholic seminarians rose by 0.03 percent last fall, showing the first overall increase since 1982. More significantly, the number of post-college students - most of them in academic theological studies - rose 5.3 percent, going up for the first time since 1983. The theology figures are the most reliable indicator offuture ordinations. The number of high school seminarians dropped 5.5 percent and the number of college-level seminarians dropped 10 percent.

Bishops, Clinton meet WASHINGTON (CNS)- Three bishops and the general secretary of the U.S. Catholic Conference recently met with President Clinton "as pastors, not as politicians," in a wide-ranging discussion of

church interests. "The meeting was frank and very cordial," said Baltimore Archbishop William H. Keeler, president of the National Conference of Catholic BishopsU.S. Catholic Conference.

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COMPLIMENTARY CHURCH BULLETINS Printed Weekly Profit Sharing Hard- Bound Volume Annually Complimentary Flyers! Inserts

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P. O. Box 274, New Town Branch Boston 02258 (617) 527-8375 (617) 848- 5072

The conclusion of the three days of prayer will take place on Sunday, April 18, 1993 at the 11:00 A.M. Mass.

We invite and encourage all our parishioners and friends to join us in the Triduum in honor of the Divine Mercy.

Feast

of

Divine Mercy

Sunday, April 18, 1993 Special Liturgy & Devotions at 11 A.M.

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APRIL 15,.16, 17, 1993

WASHINGTON (CNS) - The "deteriorating status of American teens" is leading to the creation of a new generation of families likely to live in poverty, according to a new study. Th~ "Kids Count Data Book," prepared by the Washington-based Center for the Study of Social Policy, looked at 10 indicators of social well-being to assess the state of children and adolescents today. The report found slight improvement since 1985 in the infant mortality rate, down 14 percent nationwide, and the child death rate, down 10 percent.

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He is senior inspector of food and niilk in the Division of Don't Argue .

Frank X. Bova, President Human Services of the city of . "If anyone begins to argue with Fall River. us.about Jesus, and to question.his Active in many religious supremacy, the best ofall answers and civic organizations, he is . is not to counter. argument with a recipient of the diocesan argument, but to say, 'Give your Marian Award. He is treas- life to him; and see what he can do with it.'~'- William Barclay urer of the Fall River Como munitySoup Kitchen, president of his parish credit union and a member of the diocesan committee for the Charismatic Renewal as well as diocesan OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHURCH representative to the New 235 NORTH FRONT STREET. NE\1(T BEDFORD England Service Committee for the renewal.

He has served as administrative assistant to the mayor of Fall River and on many city boards and has been assistant spiritual director for many youth retreats.

Deacon Camara is married . to Mary J. (Carvalho) Camara and has three children.

Mass and Triduum Prayers Information on the award Each Day at 12:00 Noon banquet is available from Albert Domingos at 675-7458.

Headed for poverty?

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BOVA PUBLISHERS, INC.

A Triduum to The Divine Mercy

April 10 1944, Rev. John P. Doyle, Past~)f, St. William, Fall River April II 19.14, Rev. John F. Downey, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich April 12 1909, Rev. John Tobin, Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River April 14 1935, Rev. Louis N. Dequoy, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro 1977, Rev. Cos mas Chaloner, SS.CC., St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet April 15 1908, Rev. Christopher G. Hughes, D. D., Rector, Cathedral, Fall River April 16 1928, Rev. Arthur E. Langlois, on sick leave, Denver, Co.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Apr. 9, 1993

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Courtesy, prudence needed on Vatican switchboard

eNS photo

RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

Pope discusses confession with priests VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A priest who demonstrates a welcoming attitude and' personal holiness in the confessional can help penitents become more aware of sin and forgiveness, Pope John Paul II said.

During a recent meeting with priests and seminarians, the pope spoke about how to administer the sacrament.

"A particularly important and delicate obligation" of the priest is to he.lp penitents become aware of their sins and of the need to be complete in explaining the type, number and circumstances of serious sins committed, he said.

The practice of listing sins is "not meant to make confession' odious or painful, especially for those whose religiosity is weak or for whom the process of conversion is in its early stages," the pope said.

"In this respect, delicacy in dealing with the subject of the sixth precept of the Ten Commandments can never be too highly recommended," he said, referring to the commandment against adultery.

The pope told the priests and seminarians that they may be approached with problems they ,

are not prepared todeal with from a canonical or psychological point of view.

With "pastoral prudence" and humility, the priest must refer the penitent to another confessor in urgent situations or must make an appointment for the person to come back after the priest has had time to study or get advice.

"The sacrament of penance is not and must not become a technique of psychoanalysis or psychotherapy," the pope said.

"Nevertheless, a good preparation in psychology and human sciences in general certainly can help the minister to better penetrate the mysterious realm of the conscience" he said.

At the same time, he said, people must recognize that some modern schools of thought try to excuse various types of behavior which are not completely excusable.

"The psychological fitness of the confessor is invaluable for helping a person who is shy or subject to embarrassment to become aware of his or her sin," the pope said.

He said that priests must never show astonishment, no matter how grave or unthinkable the sin confessed by the penitent. .

-Must never"pronounce words which sound like the condemnation of the person instead of the sin."

-Should never sow terror instead of fear of the Lord.

-Should not try to investigate areas of the penitent's life unnecessary for evaluating his or her actions.

-"Must never use words which only hurt delicate feelings even if, strictly speaking, they do not violate justice and charity."

-Should never show impatience' or try to rush the penitent, although he may gently guide a person who is overly verbose.

The pope also told the priests and seminarians that they must noUmpose on a penitent their personal preference for confessions face to face or behind a screen.

The greater the "moral misery" of the pe'nitent, the greater mercy must be shown, he said.

"And if the one confessing is a priest, more humbled by his sins than a lay penitent and perhaps more vulnerable to despair because his own dignity is wounded," then the confessor must regard him with the same loving gaze Jesus showed Peter; even after the apostle denied him.

Northern Ireland situation discussed VATICAN CITY (eNS) - Irish, Cardinal Cahal Daly favors "constructive involvement" of the U.S. government in Northern Ireland, but opposes a mediating role for the Catholic Church.

In a wide-ranging Vatican Radio interview, the cardinal, who is primate of all Ireland, said that U.S. government involvement in North- ' ern Ireland would reflect the concerns of the large Irish community, in the'United States.

"Any constructive involvement by the U.S. administration. would be 'welcomed," he Said when asked about the naming ofa special U.S. envoy to Northern Ireland. ' Great Britain has reacted cautiousJy to the: idea, . saying the Northern Ireland situation is basicaliy'a,Bri'Hsh'dorilestlc affair,- ' :~ 'The路7.5:i~eai~oid ~a;dinai heads -'

the archdiocese of Armagh. The city is in Northern Ireland but the archdiocese extends into Ireland and the cardinal is president of the Irish bi,shops' conference.

He was interviewed by Stephen Banyra of Vatican Radio after several days of intense violence resulting in the deaths of two boys in an Irish Republican Army bombing ora shopping center in England and the murders of six Catholics in Northern Ireland.

The cardinal opposed Catholic Chun,h mediation in Northern ireland, saying "there is a real fear" that the IRA would want to use the church, which "has no political mandate, no political negotiating c~pacity." , . ," The cardinal favorea.direct talks -'between the IRA, wh'ich 'fav6rs"

Northern Ireland's incorporation into the Irish republic, and political groups favoring the Noith's continued union with Great Britain.

Cardinal Daly said that religion is a sociological factor contributing to tensions, but the conflict is not a religious war between Catholics favoring union with Ireland an? Protestants wanting British union.

The conflict involve~ on one side "people who come from a Catholic background" but "who have ceased to listen to their church," he said.

On the other hand are "people who come from a Protestant background" but "who may not even be baptized and may never darken a church door," he said.

"The vast majority of the faith community reject [both]," he said.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) Their voices are gentle and their conversations - about 2,000 each day - carry the hushed tone of a cloister.

Meet the Vatican's electronic gatekeepers: 10 mild-mannered nuns who run one of the most important switchboards in the world. Adept in several languages and discreet as confessors, they connect monsignors and diplomats, bishops and papal aides, confused tourists and museum officials.

"This is a job that takes the utmost tact, courtesy and prudence. It's not for someone who gets angry on the phone," said Sister Rosalba, taking a breather after a late-morning "rush hour."

Located deep inside Vatican City, in a building just behind the pharmacy, the Vatican switchboard was computerized last year to handle most of the 12 million phone calls going in and out of the tiny city-state each year.

But in a sparsely furnished cubicle next to the humming computers, the human voice still has a place. Here the nuns deal with the myriad callers who don't have a direct number or even a clear idea of which Vatican office they should approach.

Not surprisingly, many calls are for the pope.

"We pass the serious ones on to his private secretary, or to the secretary of state. The rest we try to help in some other way," Sister Rosalba said.

Those asking for financial help are sometimes directed to the Office of Papal Charities or to Italian Caritas, for example. The emotionally upset are advised to try the St. Anna Listening Center inside the Vatican.

"Many who phone the pope are seeking some kind of spiritual connection. We explain that the Holy Father would like to help everyone, but unfortunately he has larger problems taking up his attention - such as preventing wars" or solving universal church matters, Sister Rosalba said.

"We try to direct them to a priest. Sometimes we suggest that they write to the pope - that way there is a better chance that it will reach his attention," she said.

But no false promises are made in the pope's name, the nun said.

The operators work in teams of six, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Until 1989 they did the night shift, too, but now that is covered by lay people, in part because fewer sisters are available.

The nuns are Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, an Italian-based missionary order. Its 10 multiingual member's currently operating the switchboard are Italians, Poles, Indians, a Korean, a Mexican, a Filipino and a Maltese.

They live in the building, so are always on hand for emergencies.

Sister Rosalba said the sisters consider themselves missionaries in special service to the pope. That service includes loyalty and discretion - there's no eavesdropping on papal phone calls.

The phone numbers in the papal apartment are "the operators' secret," the nun said. Except for a few top Vatican officials, even Curia personnel have to go through the switchboard if they want the pope, she said. He himself never answers his own phone, she confided.

Part of the nuns' job is telling the difference between a crank call and an urgent communication from an important prelate or a world leader. Here is where good judgment comes in. They didn't explain how they judge calls, but a look around the room left no doubt that this group had its antennae up.

Two young Polish nuns are fiercely protective of any information going astray, and with a smile dismissed all questions about their work.

An Italian, the veteran of the . group, treats reporters like a wrong number. Korean and Indian sisters smile but do not gossip.

Typically, calls are heavy from 9 a.m. to noon: a pilgrim in search of a hostel is told which religious order might help him; a priest looking for information on an African bishop is directed to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; a bookstore calls with an order for the new universal catechism.

And the calls pour out, too: in 1991, they averaged 25 calls daily for each official resident of Vatican City. Overall, Vatican phone traffic has increased more than 35 percent under the present pope.

Sister Rosalba said callers sometimes want an authoritative judgment on matters of faith or morals. They're usually referred to the doctrinal congregation - "we don't offer theological opinions," she said.

The operators want to assure callers that while the Vatican can't solve all their problems, it does want to help.

"Most of these people are calling with a great deal of hope. This is a beautiful thing, that the Christian community has this trust in the Vatican. So we try to help them as much as we can," Sister Rosalba said.

And if the nuns sometimes have to listen to criticism of the Vatican, political harangues or general orneriness on the phone, they suffer it gladly - and never hang up.

"That wouldn't be right," said Sister Rosalba. "We always say goodbye."

Deep-sea treasure beckons Catholic diver

BISHOP ANGELL

Angell is connected to "Wings" WAS HI NGTON (CNS) Bishop Kenneth A. Angell of Burlington, Vt., has a very close tie to the media elite.

His brother, David, is a writer and coproducer of the hit NBC comedy "Wings."

"I oftentimes have called him and told him what I thought of the program," Bishop Angell told Catholic News Service.

His brotherly criticisms, he said, center mostly on "the moral tone of the program."

David's reply?"He told me, 'Hey, if it wasn't for me, it would be worse than it is.'''

Is "Wings" one of the bishop's favorite shows?

"It would be one of the ones," he said, although he admitted, "I don't catch it every week."

David Angell was on the writing staff of NBC's "Cheers" before moving to "Wings," set in a small airport on Nantucket.

The Angell brothers, born 17 years apart, are Rhode Island natives and the bishop, 62, was an auxiliary bishop in Providence for 18 years before his appointment to Burlington.

Bishop Angell said his brother and sister-in-law are "very faithful, practicing Catholics." Mrs. Angell is a convert. "[David) called me up on a Holy Saturday evening and told me his wife had been received into the Catholic Church. [Lynn) got on the phone and told me the reason she joined was the great example that he set," Bishop Angell said.

On the day Bishop Angell's appointment to Burlington' was announced, Mrs. Angell told the Providence Visitor, diocesan newspaper, that she and her husband had no idea he was being considered. They had spoken to him a few days earlier, she said, "and he didn't say a word. But that's just like him. He wouldn't want to get our hopes up."

David Angell noted another similarity. "My brother has that dry New England sense of humor and he's quite a storyteller. If that can be inherited, I guess we both got it from my father," he told the Visitor.

He added that the bishop's path to the ministry was already chosen by the time he was old enough to know him. "I think he envisioned himself as the pastor of a small parish, leading a quiet life. Instead his life has taken a different path," said his brother.

Keeps World Alive "Not truth, but faith it is that keeps the world alive." - Edna St. Vincent Milay

WASHBURN, Wis. (CNS)Visions of silver and gold have been dancing in the head of veteran deep sea diver Scott M itchen since he was given permission to dive on the treasure laden shipwreck, the San Pedro d' Alacantara.

Miichen said the Spanish warship, which sank off the coast of Venezuela in 1815, may hold silver and gold coins, artifacts and jewels.

The king of Spain sent the San Pedro d'Alacantara to Venezuela in 1815 "to free the country from the rebels," said Mitchen, a member of St. Louis parish in Washburn.

The ship's soldiers had pillaged Marguereta Island off the coast of Venezuela and looted the island's Catholic cathedral. Part of the booty included a jeweled crown taken from a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary.

Mitchen told Catholic News Service that the statue is still venerated by the 28 million Catholics in Venezuela and is "their most prized national treasure."

The diver said he is also interested in the personal items of the crew of more than 500 men and said such a find would be "enormous in itself."

M itchen, a native of M ilwaukee, started his career in treasure hunting by diving in southern Wisconsin waters at age 14.

He said his company, Exploration I nternational, has the green light to conduct the salvage operation that will begin this month or next. The project is expected to take several years, Mitchen is keenly a ware of the risks involved. In a recent treasure hunt in the Caribbean, he suffered from the bends, air bubbles in the bloodstream caused by a too-rapid ascent to the ocean's surface.

The ailment is one of the diver's greatest fears, according to M itchen, who required hospital treatment and said he had "never felt pain like that before; it was like somebody was constantly jabbing a knife in my arm."

He called the experience "a wake-up call from above" and said he would be very careful on upcoming dives. , As precaution, before every diving expedition, he stops at the' Shrine of the Virgin Mary in Benoit to pray for a safe trip. His prayers intensified during a recent dive in the Caribbean when his crew tossed at sea for five days. "I never prayed so much in my life," he said.

Mitchen's lifelong search for sunken treasure, especially religious treasure, is deeply rooted in his faith and his love for the Catholic Church.

"It all revolves around my faith.

Every shipwreck usually' has religious items, and they certainly are my favorite 'treasure' to discover.

Finding treasure is like shaking hands with the past," he said.

A year ago, Mitchen donated 250 of his most prized religious medallions to his home parish.

The medallions, salvaged from Wisconsin aQd Caribbean waters over the past decade, are worth over $10,000, and will be permanently displayed at the church.

In the upcoming expedition, M itchen said, three teams of two divers· each will spend about a half-hour at a time under water working on the shipwreck, which lies in 80 feet of water off the shore of Marguereta Island.

He said the treasure - which is thought to include thousands of artifacts, cannons, muskets, pistols, swords, military supplies, personal items, cooking and eating utensils, coins and jewels will be split evenly between his company and the government of Venezuela.

But he hopes to give the most coveted treasure, the crown of the V)rgin Mary, back to the people of Venezuela. "It will be the biggest thrill of my life to return the crown of the Virgin Mary to the people," he said.

"I just hope they get me on film when I bring it to the surface," he added.

Catholics join coalition urging health care for all WAS H INGTON (CNS) Catholic groups concerned about health care reform have joined a broad coalition of medical personnel, insurers, consumers and health care advocates in urging President Clinton to take swift action on universal health coverage.

"We do not need to recite the statistics about the growing number of uninsured and underinsured people," said a letter to Clinton signed by more than 180 organizations.

"But we do want to forcefully convey our shared conviction that the crucial element of health care reforms is' guaranteeing health coverage with comprehensive benefits for all Americans," they added.

Signers ofthe letter included the Catholic Health Association of the United States, the Jesuit-run Center of Concern in Washington, the Columban Fathers Justice and Peace Office, the National Office of Jesuit Social Ministries, the National Council of Catholic Women, and Network, the national Catholic social justice lobby.

Other signers with religious ties

included Jewish, Unitarian, Episcopalian. and Afro-American groups.

The joint letter was organized

by Families USA, a consumer group which said each signing group would contact the president about its own health care concerns.

Among the largest organizations signing the letter were the American Medical Association, of America, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association, the Consumer Federation of America, Children's Defense Fund, Alzheimer's Association and several major unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the Steelworkers. .. Doctors, hospitals, insurers and consumers may seem like strange bedfellow on health reform," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. "But we .come together on this key issue: the most crucial element of health reform is guaranteeing comprehensive health coverage to all Americans and doing it quickly," he added.

13

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Apr. 9, 1993

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Good Friday Services 12:10 OUTDOOR WAY OF THE CROSS 3:00 THE LORD'S PASSION 6:30 PASSION PLAY Holy Saturday, April 10 - 8:00 P.M. EASTER VIGIL Easter Sunday, Apr. 11 6:00 SUNRISE SERVICE & MASS (Cafeteria open afJer Mass) 2:00 EASTER CELEBRATION FOR CHILDREN SIrrine Theater Thursday, April 15 - 10:00 A.M. BIBLE STUDY CLASS Fr. Joseph Ross, M.S. *** Coming Event*** HEALING NEGATIVE ATTITUDES A Workshop with Sr. Philomena Agudo, FMM, Ph.D. Saturday, April 24/Pre-Registration

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14

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Apr. 9,1993

By Charlie Martin

I'M STILL ON YOUR SIDE

By Christopher Carstens In the winter of her junior year; Therese started waking up with nightmares - terrible, frightening dreams that shot her sweating out of sleep.

She could hardly remember the dreams, but they left her feeling dirty, soiled and ashamed.

Then one afternoon her mom found Therese on the living room floor, pounding her head with her fist, and crying, "No, no, no..."

Her mom brought her in. Therese and I ha.d met before, about four years ago when there was trouble in the family, so she didn't feel so badly about being dragged off to see a shrink.

When people are carrying that much shame and self-hate around, the problem almost always revolves around drugs, violence or sex.

This time it was sex.

When Therese was in seventh grade she'd been dating Brian, and they got way too involved way too fast. Before long, they were having intercourse.

They broke up after a few months, and Therese decided that she wasn't ready for sexual rela- . tionships, and she put it as far out of her mind as she could.

During the next two or three years, she'd had a couple of boyfriends, nothing very serious and nothing sexual. She was having a good time and feeling good about herself.

That was until she started datingTim. . Tim was an old friend of Brian's. Guys being the way guys are, Tim had heard about what went on with the two of them way back in seventh grade. . Tim started off riice enough.'

"No pressure," he said, "I'm willing to go slow."

"Slow" turned out to be about three weeks, and then Tim began really pressing Therese to go farther and farther. He made it clear that

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if they were going to have a relationship he expected intercourse: "You did it for Brian."

Therese began calling herself"a slut."

Here was the way she was thinking: She'd had sex with Brian, and Tim knew about it. Tim wanted sex, and she'd like to keep dating him, so that meant she had to have sex with Tim. Only she didn't want to. She was thinking about doing something she felt was wrong, but she wasn't sure she had the right to say no. After all, she'd had sex with Brian. It wasn't like she was a virgin.

The truth is that Ti¡m was doing his best to use Therese, and somewhere in the back of her mind she knew it. Tim was treating her like she was "a slut" and that was what made her feel dirty and ashamed.

Teenage boys can be very pushy and utterly irresponsible. Girls have to be good at saying no.

First, the smartest thing you can do is put sex off. The earlier you have intercourse, the more problems it causes in your life.

Seco.nd, even if you've been sexuaIly active, you can stop.

Nobody can make you have sex against your will. They call that rape, and it's a crime. .

Just because you've been sexually active with a guy does not mean you need to have sex with him again. It's your right to say no.

The fact that you've been sexually active with a prior boyfriend doesn't place you under any obligation to have sex with a new boyfriend, even if he knows what happened before.

If he knows your personal history, he may think you're an easy mark. That's what was making Therese feel cheap and dirty, even though she wasn't doing anything wrong.

No matter what your past has been, your future begins today.

Your most important obligation is to maintain your self-respect.

...

STUDENTS,in Sister Doris Desrosiers' first grade class at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, learned about vocations to the priesthood during a recent visit from school director Father Marcel Bouchard.

Emotions run high And the words are strong Heard the screen door slam And you were gone You can't win a fight You don't understand I wake up alone And reach for your hand Like a cold winter in December We don't see eye to eye But I want you to remember I'm still on your side When you need me girl I'm still on your side As sure as the river runs to the sea There will have to be times That we both disagree Sometimes I feel like shouting It's like a frenzy in my heart Basically I'm living on doubt I'm still on your side When you need me girl I'm still on your side I looked up to see you standing there Well you just look right through me Somebody tell me I'm dreaming That you don't care Because you turn around And walk out that door Written by Barnes, Cain and Vallance. Sung by The Heights (c) 1992 by Capitol Records Inc., Spelling Television Inc. BE IT pop music or television, the Heights are doing well.

Music from their television show is once more on the charts with the release titled "I'm StiIl on Your Side."

The song describes a difficult time in a relationship. A painful' conflict has occurred, leaving the future of the romance in doubt.

In the guy's words, "emotions run high" and "the words are strong." We don't know what the fight was about. The guy "heard the screen door slam," and teIls the girl, "you were

gone." StiIl, he wants her to know, "When you need me girl, I'm still on your side."

As the song states, in every relationship "there wiIl have to be times tha t we both disagree."

It is not conflict that destroys relationships. Rather, it is how we handle conflict.

When approached with fairness and respect for each other, conflict can actuaIly bring a couple closer. Consider these suggestions when faced with conflicts within relationships: I. Before anything else, cool off. Don't try to talk through a

problem while feeling the intensity of anger.

Go for a walk, listen to music or do anything that helps you diminish the energy within the conflict. This step alone would help a relationship survive a difficult and angry episode.

2. Once cooled off, resolve to be fair in how you approach the other person. Remember, this other person is someone you love! Refuse to engage in namecalling or any putting down of the other person.

Practicing respect toward yourself and the other individual is the second most important step in handling conflict effectively.

3. Work toward a win-win resolution of the problem. By this I mean don't look just to getting your own way. Likewise, don't give up your point 'of view. Instead work toward a compromise, while of course protecting your personal values and beliefs.

When couples stick to this goal their relationship always wins, even though neither may get fuIly what he or she wanted.

4. If you reach an impasse in trying to reach a compromise, bring in a mutaIly trusted third person. He or she might be able to s'ee solutions that your own emotions currently block.

Such a step gives a strong statement about how much each of you cares about the love that you share.

5. Remember to stick'to the problem at hand. Reaching a fair solution is nearly impossible if either person brings up hurts from- the past.

Perhaps these repressed problems do need to be discussed, but for now stay focused on the current issue.

Pray for guidance. Ask God to guide you and your partner in ways that bring out the best in both of you. AIlow God's spirit to be a source of healing within your relationship, uplifting and supporting the love that both of you cherish.

Your comments are welcomed

by Charlie Martin" RR3, Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.

St. Mary-Sacred Heart School The North Attleboro Cultural Council has awarded a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant to St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, for use in the school's â&#x20AC;˘ arts enrichment program.

As part of the program, students in grades 5 through 8 recently attended a performance of"Children of Eden" at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy. The play enabled students to study the correlation between language arts and religion, using literary elements of contrast and comparison, inference, conflict and plot to evaluate scenes and dialogue as related to biblical texts. Students also examined the correlation between art and music.

THE EM'PTY TOMB: An Easter display at St. Patrick's School, Fall River, forms an engaging background for Pauline Desrosiers, speaking on "Jesus, the Foolish Lover among Us" Flowers' Fragrance "Flowers leave some of their at a "Come and See" day of recollection for single young adults fragrance in the hand that bestows, held on Palm S~nday. Also speaking were Beth Lee on "Listenthem." - Chinese proverb ing with a Renewed Heart" and Father Robert A; Oliveira on "Seeing with New Eyes." The group will next meet 5 to 8 p.m. ...................... -..-.....- .... ----- ............. ........-May 16 at St. Thomas More parish, Somerset, to view the film "Saving Grace." For information contact Father Oliveira at GOD'S ANCHOR HOlDS the Diocesan Departrri~nt 'of Educa.t:ion, 678-282( (Hickey photo) -------- -

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Apr. 9, 1993

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schools Bishop Connolly Fall River Mayor John R. Mitchell honored Bishop Connolly High School ice hockey team members at a recent banquet celebrating the Cougars' win of the Division HI Massachusetts State Championship, the Eastern Mas. sachusetts crown and the Eastern Athletic Conference title.

Cocapta ins Jon Ruel, Lenny Moniz and Ted Buxbaum were named to the Fall River Herald News All-Scholastic Team. They were EAC all-stars along with John Chepren and Tom Pavao.

Moniz was state tournament MVP, and Ruel was named Division III Player of the Year and a member of the Boston Herald AllScholastic Team.

Junior Matthew Tracy of Fall River played viola in the recent 1993 Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra. The program, performed at Springfield Symphony Hall, featured selections from Copland, Prokofiev and Smetana. Tracy is also a member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Junior Laurie Leal of Swansea recently had a poem, "When the Sea Gull Cries," published in Where Dreams Begin, a poetry anthology published by The National Library of Poetry.

Miss Leal began writing poetry at age 7. As an eighth-grader she was among the top 300 poets in a field of 18,000 in a national contest, meriting honorable, mention in the National Scholastic Writing Awards.

At Connolly, Miss Leal is involved in the choir and Paw Prints, a literary magazine. She is also a yearbook editor.

Two 1992 Connolly graduates will be honored at the annual chemistry honors and awards presentation April 14 at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth.

George Moniz of Swansea, one of the top two freshman chemistry majors, will receive a Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Jason C. Sousa of Fall River will be cited for academic excellence.

The undefeated Bishop Connolly Law Team was named District 8 champion after winning their fifth meet. The team is now among the eight remaining in a statewide competition involving a field of 120 schools.

St. Anne's School As part of their study of lighthouses, grades 4, 5 and 6 at St. Anne's School, Fall River, received a visit from Sarah Gleason, author of Kindly Lights: A History 0/ Lighthouses in Southern New England.

A reading specialist at Schechter Day School in Providence, Ms. Gleason included a slide show with her discussion. about New Eng~ land's lighthouses.

She first became interested in the subject while working on state park exhibits for the Rhode Island Department of Environ'mental Management. She created a traveling exhibit on Rhode Island lighthouses and established the Parks Association of Rhode Island.

The nonprofit group raised funds for renovation of the assistant keeper's house at Beavertail State Park, the country's third oldest

15

SPRIN G BREAK: Students John Hirschfeld from St. Louis University and Erin Gibbs from Marquette University repair the roof of a home in Jackson County, KY. They were among 340 student volunteers who spent their spring break doing service work organized by the Christian Appalachian Project. (CNS photo)

Missouri teens write bishop about prayer SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (CNS)Traumatic circumstances have a way of producing memorable talks with God, according to teens who wrote to Bishop John J. Leibrecht of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo., on the subje~t of prayer.

But many said they had never had a significant moment of prayer.

In the second of three pastoral letters to more than 3,000 high school students in his diocese, Bishop Leibrecht asked the students to recall an unforgettable prayer experience.

"When do we pray? A brief answer is: Whenever we decide to.

When waking in the morning. In the car. On the way to the store or the movies. Before class or some school activity. Before going to bed. Any or all of these times are good times for prayer because God is with us at all these times," the bishop wrote.

A sampling of responses from teenagers to the bishop's letter were printed in the April 2 edition of The Mirror, Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocesean newspaper.

Greg Halter of Poplar Bluff recalled a time when his brother hit his head on a rock while swimmingat a local state park. "He was bleeding very badly," Halter wrote.

"I was praying very hard that he would be all right." After his brother recovered, "this experience made me pray twice as much as I normally did," he added.

When Shelly Jones' father had a liver transplant, she turned to prayer. "I pray for him every day," she wrote. "It was a scary moment and a wonderful moment: scary because I was afraid he was dying, wonderful because he was going to have a better life without being sick all the time."

"I felt everything in my life had gone wrong and no one cared or understood me," wrote Jaime Kinder of Poplar Bluff about her feelings after the death of a close friend.

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lighthouse and now a museum housing lore of the beacons of Rhode Island's maritime past.

The program at St. Anne's was arranged by Skip OTonncll, Fall River harbor master, and John DaSilva, assistant harbor master.

Plans are underway for a school trip to the harbor this spring.

"One of my friends told me to try prayer," she added. "I thought that was stupid at first. But when I did, I felt totally different. It felt as if someone really cared about me.

Now I believe in prayer totally."

A b~sy schedule with school and extracurricular activities can be stressful, wrote Jennifer Felter of Benton. "Many times throughout the school week, I feel as if I'm going to lose my mind," she said.

"When I talk to Jesus, I ask him to help m~ manage' a~d remain in control. Then something catches my eye, like the sunrise, and it occurs to me how truly blessed I am."

Thomas Benton of Granby wrote to Bishop Leibrecht about how deeply the Persian Gulf War affected him. "I didn't agree with all that was happening, so I turned to prayer," he said. "I knew all the violence and suffering couldn't end immediately but I prayed that it would end soon." The war ended shortly thereafter, and Benton said he knew "there is a very strong power behind prayer."

Other teens said they were confused about God and prayer. "I have seen and heard of some miracles God has done but still I have never had one of my prayers answered," said one student in a difficult relationship with a parent.

"Maybe I didn't know if who I was praying to is real, or maybe I didn't believe enough."

Another teen, who has been in a foster home for two years, couldn't understand "why God took me away from my mother. I want to go home. Please help me understand why he let these things happen to me."

Bishops, Clinton jibe WASHINGTON(CNS)- Henry Cisneros, secretary of the u.s.

Department of Housing and Urban Development says many elements of President Clinton's economic plan are in line with the U.S. bishops' 1986 pastoral letter on the U.S. economy.

Speaking to social action workers at an annual social ministry meeting, heasked them to urge Catholics to call members of Congress in support of the Clinton plan.

Recent box office hits

Recent top rentals

1. Teenage Mutuant Ninja Turtles III: The Turtles Go Back...!n Time, A-II (PG) 2. Point of No Return, 0 (R) 3. Fire in the Sky, A·II (PG·13) 4. CB4, 0 (R) 5. Groundhog Day, A-II (PG) 6. Falling Down, 0 (R) 7. The Crying Game, A·IV (R) 8. A Far Off Place, A-II (PG) 9. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, A-I (G) 10. Aladdin; A-I (G)

1. Last of the Mohicans, A-III (R) 2. A League of Their Own, A-II (PG) 3. Sneakers, A-III (PG-13) 4. Single White Female, 0 (R) 5. Death Becomes Her, A-III (PG-13) 6. Honeymoon In Vegas, A-III (PG-13) 7. Mr. Baseball, A-III (PG-13) 8. Unlawful Entry, 0 (R) 9. Raising Cain, A·III (R) 10. Cool World, A-III (PG-13)

us, courtesy 01 Vertely

o 1993 CNS Gf8IHcs

Stonehill College Mark Peterson, associate professor of government at Harvard University' and author ofLegislating Together: The White House and Capitol Hill/rom Eisenhower to Reagan, will speak 7:30 p.m.

April 15, Donahue Hall Dining Room at Stonehill College, North Easton. The lecture is part of the "Is Congress Broken?" lecture series. Information: 230-1120.

The EOS Chamber Music Ensemble will perform as part of the E. .

Nakamichi Foundation concert ser..

ies 8 p.m. April IJ in the auditorium of the Joseph W. Martin Jr. Institute for Law and Society. Ensemble members are Marjorie J. Atlas, piano; Mark Margolies, clarinet; Jessica Stensrud, violin; Deborah Grace Coleman, soporano; and Tim Roberts, cello.

The performance will include vocal and chamber music by Mozart, Schubert and Vaughan Williams. Information: 230-1487.

Both events are free, open to the public and handicapped accessible.

Area Religious Broadcasting The following television llnd radio programs originate in the diocesan viewing and listening area. Their listings normally do not vary from week to week. They will be presented in the Anchor periodically and will reflect any changes that may be made. Please clip and retain for reference. parts of the diocese on various OnTV Each Sunday, 8:00 a.m WLNI~, channels. Consult local listings.

On Radio Channel 6. Diocesan Television The American Catholic," 5:45 Mass, also broadcast on radio a.m. Sundays, WPXC, 102.9 FM, station 87.9 FM. Portuguese Masses from Our Hyannis.

St. Jude Novena, 6:45 a.m.

Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, New' Bedford: 1:15 p.m. each Sundays, WHTB, 1400 A.M. Fall .

Sunday on radio station WJFD- River.

FM,7 p.m. each Sunday on tele"Talking Religion" with Sister Mary Hennessey, a rabbi and vision Channel 20. rotating Protestant ministers, 6:05 "Vivendo a Nossa Fe" (Portua.m. Sundays, WRKO, 680 AM. guese), 9:30 ·p.m. Saturdays Fall Charismatic programs with River/New Bedford Channel 20; Father John Randall are aired 2 p.m. Sundays Fall River/New from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday Bedford Channel 13; 'Rhode Isthrough Friday on station WRIB, land Interconnect, Channel 50; 1220 AM; Mass is broadcast at I TCI Cable Channel 58, 4 p.m. p.m. each Sunday.

Sundays.

"Topic Religion," presented by "Confluence," 8:30 a.m. each Sunday on Channel 6, is a panel two priests, a rabbi and a Proprogram moderated by Truman testant minister, is broadcast at Taylor and having as permaneJlt 6:06 a.m. each Sunday on station participants Father Peter N. Gra- WEEI Boston, 590 AM. Programs of Catholic interest ziano, diocesan director of socinl services; Right Rev. George Hunt, are broadcast at the following Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island, times on station WROL Boston, 950 AM: Monday through Friand Rabbi Baruch Korff.

Mass 9:30 a.m. Monday to day 9,9:15, 11:45 a.m.; 12:15, 12:30, I p.m. .

Friday, WFXT, Channel 25.

"In Season & Out of Season" "Rejoice and.Hope" 6:30 a.m. with Father Tom DiLorenzo, 3 alternate Sundays, Channel 10, and 11:45 a.m.; 9:45 p.m. 1260 features Providence Bishop Louis AM. .

Gelineau.

A Polish-language Mass is "Maryson," a family puppet heard from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. show with moral and spiritual every Sun.day on station WICE, perspective 6 p.m. each Thurs- 550 AM. day, Fall River and New Bedford The rosary is broadcast at5:45 Cable Channel 13. . a.m. Monday through Saturday "Spirit and the Bride," a talk and the St. Jude novena at 9:15 show with William Larkin, 6 p.m. p.m. each Thursday on WPLM Monday, cable channel 35.

Plymouth, 1390 AM, 99.1 FM. EWTN can be viewed in most Both programs are simulcast.

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16

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Apr. 9,1993

Iteering pOintl PUBLICITY CHAIRMEN are asked to submit news Items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town should be Included, as well as full dates of all acllvItles. Please send news of future rather than past events.

Due to IImlted'space and also because nol/ces of strictly parish alfalrs normally appear In a parish's own bulletin, we are forced to limit Items to events of general Interest. Also, we do not normally carry notices of fundraising acl/vltles, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from The Anchor business olflce, telephone (508) 675-7151.

On Steering Points Items, FR Indicates Fall River; NB Indicates New Bedford.

LaSALETTE SHRINE, ATTLEBORO Easter sunrise service beginning at tomb of outdoor Stations of the Cross 6 a.m. Sunday; Mass will follow in Shrine Chapel celebrated by Father Raymond Vaillancourt.

Easter Celebration for Children (ages 10 and under) 2 p.m. Sunday, Shrine Theater, conducted by Father Joe Ross, Brother Dave Dumaine and LaSalette youth group members.

Children will receive Easter eggs.

Information: 222-5410.

ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON Easter egg hunt for children eightand under 10 a.m. tomorrow. CCD grades 3,4 and 5 will accompany Easter Bunny in bringing baskets to Marian Manor residents 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. All welcome..

SECULAR FRANCISCANS St. Francis of Peace Fraternity meeting 2 p.m. April 18, Holy Trinity Church, W. Harwich. Father Cornelius Kelly, OFM, spiritual assistant, will celebrate Mass and speak on "St. Francis - the Mirror of Christ through the Stigmata."

Business meeting, dialogue and refreshments will follow. Rosary recited 1:30 p. m. for end to abortion.

Inquirers welcome. Information: Dorothy Williams, 394-4094.

RETROUV AILLE Catholic program for couples whose marriages are stressed, or who are separated or divorced, will meet April 23 to 25. The program includes no group discussions and has follow-up sessions. Information: Phil and Diane Caruso, 429-6293.'

Inquiries confidential.

ST. JOSEPH, F AIRHAVEN Due to bad weather, a reunion of alumni and anyone who has attended St. Joseph's School has been rescheduled from Feb. 6 to May 15. A 4 p.m. Mass will be held in the church, followed by dinner in the school.

For information, call the school at 996-1983 by May 7.

O.L. CAPE, BREWSTER Loaves and Fishes group will have sign-up meetings 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

April 14, parish center. Volunteers are needed to make bag lunches for the homeless at Salvation Army headquarters in Hyannis on Saturdays and also to serve them. Supplies will be provided if necessary. Information: Anne 'Mason, 385-6140, or Kathleen O'Leary Lofstrom, 8965219. ' WOMEN'S PRAYER DAY A prayer day for women interested in learning more about the Sisters of Mercy will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 at Mercy Lodge, Cumberland, RI. Sponsored by the Vocation Team. Registration requested by April 21. Information: Sister Aliceann Walsh or Anne Rendine, (40 I) 333-6333.

DCCW Diocesan Council of Catholic Women District IV, Attleboro, open meeting 7 p.m. April 13, St. Mary's, Norton; officers will be elected.

District V, Cape and Islands, meeting and installation of officers 2 p.m. April 18.

SEPARATED/DIVORCED CATHOLICS; NB Support group meeting 7 to 9 p.m.

April 14, Family Life Center, N. Dartmouth. Father Jim Mattaliano, guidance counselor at Bishop Connolly High School, will speak on self-esteem and self-image.

HOLY NAME, NB Stations of the Cross for children 3 p.m. today; children may dress as people from Jesus' time.

SaJJivan)s Est. 1962

Religious Articles Books • Gifts Church Supplies . 428 Main St. • Hyannis, MA 02601 508-775-4180 Mon.-Sat. 9-5

St. Stephen Priory Spiritual Life Center 20 Glen Street, Box 370 Dover, MA 02030 Tel: ~78'>-0124

April 16-22 23-25

May 7-9 11

17 - 21

.Directed Retreat Retreat for Complusi-ve Eaters The Contemplative Way: A Retreat with James FInley Gospel Reflec.tion Day lOam - 2 pm. Bring Bible &lunch Directed.Retreat

DIOCESAN COUNCIL of Catholic Nurses members meeting April 3 for a day of recollection at Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford, included, from left, Sister Rachel Lafrance, SC<:,2, Delores Santos, Betty Novacek, Joan Morin, Marylee J. Meehan, Alice LeBlanc and Sister Therese Bet:geron, SCQ. Ms. Meehan facilitated the program, themed, "Why Did God Make Me a Catholic Nurse?" (Hickey photo)

Mark Hoyle race set for May 16 The sixth annual Mark G. Hoyle Memorial Road Race, benefiting the Mark G. Hoyle Memorial Trust Fund for college scholarships, AI DS research and education, will be held May 16 beginning at 9:30 WALK FOR HUNGER BOSTON Agencies throughout the Fall River diocese, including St. Joseph's parish Food Cellar, Attleboro, and Market Ministries, New Bedford, will participate in Project Bread's 24th annual Walk for Hunger, to take place Sunday, May 2, with registration from 7 to 9 a.m. on Boston Common. Its 20-mile route begins and ends at the Common, passing through Brookline, Newton and Cambridge. Further information: (617) 723-5000.

ST. ANNE, FR 103rd annual paraliturgical and dramatic Way of the Cross and procession 7 tonight.

ST. PATRICK, WAREHAM Youth group will sponsor Easter egg hunt for preschool through fourth grade children 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

CATHOLICWOMAN'SCLUB,NB Bishop Sean O'Malley will be the honored guest and harpist Nancy Miles will entertain at the annual Bishop's Nigl1t 6:30 p.m. April 14, Wamsutta Club, NB. CATHOLIC WOMAN'S CLUB, FR An. additional meeting for the Catholic Woman's Club of Fall River will be held at 7:30 p.m: Tuesday, April 13, in Holy Name school hall, Pearce Street, Fall River.

Voting on acceptance of revised bylaws will take place. All members are urged to attend'.

Entertainment will be by the Dixieland Musical Trio, consisting of Bill Kingsland on trumpet, trombone and saxophone; Sid Sterling on piano; and Phil-Yitali on drums.

They have played extensively at various.Cape Cod hotels· and at various club functions in the Fall River-New Bedford and upper Cape Cod areas.

They will offer music from the 30s, 40s and 50s.

Hospitality committee for the evening will be Rena Desmarais and Rita Auger; coffee hour chairman will be Lorena Pacheco.

Tickets for the annual communion breakfast, to take place Sunday, April 25, will be available, with Celia Corcoran and Grace Dunn as ticket cochairmen.

a.m. at Cardi's Furniture in Swansea (Exit 2 off 1-195). Runners, joggers and walkers are invited to complete the three-mile course.

More than $30,000 has been distributed in memory of Mark, who died in 1986 at age 14. The Swansea youngster, who contracted AIDS through treatment for hemophilia, was the first student in the nation knowingly allowed to attend school while suffering from AIDS. Swansea·'s new elementary school is named for him.

He was a member of St. Dominic's parish, Swansea, where his father, Jay, is a eucharistic minister. A teacher at St. John Evangelist School, Attleboro, for 24 years, Hoyle wrote a book about his son titled "Mark."

The first 750 registered applicants for this year's memorial race will receive T-shirts, and prizes are as follows: trophies to the first

male and female runners in seven divisions - junior (13 and under); high school (14 to 18), open (19 to 29), submaster (30 to 39), master (40 to 49), senior (50 to 59) and veteran (60 and older). Cardi's will award gift certificates to the top overall male and female finishers, beds to first boy and girl finishers in the junior division, and recliners to the first male and 'female finishers over age 50.

Joseph Case High School, whicl: Mark attended, will award plaques to the first male and female finisher from the school. A post-race raffle for all participants will offer other prizes.

Race applications are available from Jayne Wilson, 17 Circuit Drive, Swansea 02777, tel. 6785801. Applications have gone to last year's participants; new applicants are asked to send a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

It's ethics, stupid.

WASHINGTON (CNS) - The abortion movement is facing a doctor shortage. Although fear of harassment and lack of training are most o.ften labeled as causes, otpers say the bottom line is' a moral issue: the medical community just doesn't feel right about performing abortions.

A recent Columbia University study of U.S. residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology reported that 47 percent of graduating residents had never performed a first-trimester abortion.

The study, published in the February issue of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said "if gynecologists are going to provide the care that American women want for control of reproduction, then we must begin to set specific competency goals ... and not leave the clinical experience of residents to optional, elective or moonlight settings."

But training isn't the real issue, according to Dr. John Gianopoulos, director of maternal and fetal medicine at Loyola University of Chicago.

He. told CNS that residents are

trained in abortion procedures because they are trained to deal with miscarriages, he said.

"Our students have received the didactic information on how to perform abortions, so I disagree that [they] are poorly trained," he said, adding that such training is balanced with ethics courses discussing the sanctity of life.

His explanation for a shortage of abortion providers is simple: "Emotionally, it's a difficult thing to do."

The European edition of Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper, reported that obstetrics staffs at Army, Navy and Air Force hospitals were unwilling to perform abortions. Initially only one of 28 Army physicians was willing, but a spokesman for the Army's 7th Medical Command said the doctor involved "has thought about his or her original decision and decided that he or she is unwilling to perform abortions because of ethical and moral reasons."

"Over my dead body am I doing abortions. They can't make me," one Army doctor was quoted as saying.