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VOL. 50, NO. 15 • Friday, April 14, 2006

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

BISHOP GEORGE

"My Lord and my God."

W. COLEMAN'S

EASTER MESSAGE

John 20:28

"Blessed are they who have not seen and yet believed."

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: With hearts full of joy and thanksgiving, we celebrate Our Lord's Resurrection at Easter, knowing that he offers each of us a share in his victory over suffering and death.

Each time we celebrate Our Lord's Resurrection, we also celebrate the victory of truth. During his years of preaching, Our Lord often met with opposition and rejection of his teachings, which he presented to the world as the truth (In 14:6).

Yet, as Our Lord approached the hour of his saving death, he was heard to say, "Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out" (In 12:31).

And, it was when Jesus rose from the dead that he proved and proclaimed, once and for all, the triumph of truth over every false teaching, theory and obstinacy opposed to it.

I am aware how distressful and painful it can be, especially during these difficult and challenging times, to see and hear the truth of our faith being maligned almost regularly and without restraint in our secular society. The incidence of these hostile criticisms seems to increase the more the Church proclaims the saving truths revealed to us by Christ, truths about both God and tHe human person. " In the face of these challenges, we can and must be consoled by knowing that Christ has a1reaqy conquered evil and given the definitive triumph to the truth of his saving teachings. It is our faith in the Lord's Resurrection and his victoI}' of truth that encourages us to persevere in preaching his Gospel with the conviction that it is true, for all peoples, of all ages and in all places.

As we celebrate Our Lord's victory of truth this Easter, and unite and resolve to defend the truth of our faith, let us be guided and encouraged also by the episcopal motto of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, "Cooperatores Veritatis," or, "CoWorkers of the Truth." As members of the Church, the Body of Christ, we are indeed co-workers in the awesome task of preaching the truth of his Gospel.

With prayerful best wishes for God's abundant blessings upon you and your families, I am

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John 20:29

77

Bishop of Fall River

Anticipation of Easter sacralDents excitescatechulDens New Christians eager to be formed by baptism, first Communion and confirmation

By DEACON

JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

"It's a great time for· celebration," said FALL RIVER - For dozens of cat- Deacon Robert D. Lemay, director of the echumens in parishes throughout the dio- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults for cese, these 40 days of Lent were the busi- the Fall River diocese. "Let's remember est and yet the most exciting and expect- that Lent, a time of prayer and charitable ant in their personal pilgrimage to encoun- deeds, is also a time for fasting. These catter Christ. echumens have been doing just that, beThis week, on Holy Saturday, they will cause they are fasting from the Eucharist, enter full communion with the Catholic the bread of life, which they will receive Church as they become members through on Holy Saturday for the first time. It will the sacrament of baptism, are strengthened make their celebration complete." in the sacrament of confirmation, and It all began some 40 days ago on the nourished on their journey in the faith first Sunday of Lent when they gathered through the reception of their first Com- .at inspiring ceremonies in St. Mary's Camunion. thedral in Fall River. Called by Bishop

George W. Coleman, they heard the word ofGod proclaimed and then came forward with their sponsors to sign the Book of the Elect, demonstrating their willingness to become Christians.

Lent was a period of enlightenment for these candidates in the RCIA. Their preparation journey in faith found them focusing on the scrutinies during the last three Sundays.

On April 1, at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown, with invited godparents and RCIA team members, the catechumens I participated in a Lenten Retreat, themed , "Continuing Our Faith Journey." It was led

by Mercy Sisters Dympna Smith and Shirley Agnew.

Last week, The Anchor talked with several of those who will become full members of the Church. Here's what they said: George Hults Jr., who is from Christ the King Parish in Mashpee, said it was through his wife Mary, a practicing Catholic, and 10-year-old son, Gregory, that he was led to the Church.

"I never was a person who went to church, although I recall going to a Methodist Sunday school when I was about eight years old. But knowing my son is Tum to page six - Anticipation

Friday, April 14, 2006

Mrs. Anna C. McNally; was mother of Father Richard McNally SS.CC. FALL RIVER - Mrs. Ann C. (Wall) McNally, 88, mother of Father Richard P. McNally, SS.CC., of Paris, France, died April 1 in Clifton Nursing Home.

She was the wife of the late Michael J. McNally.

Born in Fall River, a daughter of the late Richard T. Wall and the late Catherine M. (Mullaney) Wall, she was lifelong resident of the city. A homemaker, she was employed at the former Hudner's Market in Fall River prior to her marriage.

She attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School

in 1934. She was active working on class reunions. She was a member of St. Joseph's Parish and a founding member of its Women's Guild.

Besides her priest son, she leaves two other sons, Michael 1.

McNally of Tiverton, R.I., and Patrick 1. McNally of Taunton; a grandson; and nieces and nephews.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated April 5 in St. Joseph's Church, Fall River. Burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery.

The Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street, was in charge of arrangements.

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BISHOP FEEHAN students react to a recent presentation given by author and lecturer Jason Evert. (Anchor/Gordon photo)

Feehan students embrace message about chastity Bv MIKE GORDON

Steubenville. Ohio. The San Di- practice chastity from this day ego resident worked for Catholic forward. "Don't run from mercy," ATTLEBORO - Twenty- Answers, an apostolate for advised Evert. "Go to daily Mass, eight-year-nld Jason Evert knows apologetics and evangelization, get a clean heart through reconhow to capture a high school au- for seven years and now is a full- ciliation." dience. He recently opened up a time speaker, addressing more When speaking about the diftalk on chastity at Bishop Feehan than 100,000 young people a year. ficulties of peer pressure when it High School by telling students "I do this because there is a big comes to sex, Evert advised teens that God has a plan for their love l1eed for it," said Evert. "I have a to be strong in their moral conlife. great love for young people and I victions and exercise self-control.

He spoke about a man and understand what they're going "Find your independence with woman who recently returned' through because I went through it God and don't tell your confrom their honeymoon. The hus- also." science to shut up." band was showing his bride a . He is the author of several He advised the teens to write a photo album from when he was books including "If You Really love letter to their future spouse nine and traveled to Europe with Loved Me," and "Pure Love." and save it until their wedding his family.

Both challenge young people night.

Ironically, she also had made to embrace the virtue of chastity.

He encouraged girls to be moda trip to Europe when she was He has given chastity talks for est and avoid the message that young. As they looked at the pho- several years teaming up with society is trying to send them retos, the husband pointed out a pic- Crystalina Padilla. The two even- garding their attire. "Billboards ture of him with other pilgrims on tually married and recently cel- have ads telling girls their bodies the steps of a church in Eastern ebrated the birth of their first are fat. They are getting the wrong Europe. As he was ready to tum child. message on how to dress. Purity the page, she stopped him. There Evert told students that when is a gift from Jesus Christ." next to him in the photo was his he was growing up the talk about Senior Kathleen Burke found wife at eight-years-old. They sex always revolved around guilt the talk to be "inspiJing," and said were hip to hip on the steps and and fear. No one ever talked about she learned a lot of information now were sitting hip to hip on love and lust. "We have a desire he didn't know before. Her classtheir couch some 15 years later. to properly love, but we've been mate Debra Bartos also found the "God has a plan for your love lied to by our role models," said talk to be informative and said life," Evert told the high Evert citing how society has con- Evert was "a great speaker." schoolers. "You might be sitting dition men to want to "get some" Evert advised girls in the audinext to your future spouse right advising that if people hear that ence to avoid being on birth connow." After the laughter and enough they start to believe it. trol to regulate their menstrual smiles subsided, Evert got to Quoting from the Letter to the cycle. "There's so much you don't work.

Ephesians, Evert told the men in know about it," he said. "You are His 45-minute talk, sponsored the audience to love their bride as 15 times more likely to get cerviby campus ministry, covered a God loves the Church. "Be faith- cal cancer, it increases your variety of topics including chas- ful to your bride before you actu- chances of breast and liver cantity, sexually transmitted diseases, ally meet her." cer and the patch, the alternative how far is too far, love. vs. lust, He then asked them how they to the pill, has already been remarriage, pornography, adoles- would feel if they knew some- .sponsible for the deaths of 23 girls cence, self-respect, pregnancy, where in another high school in in the United States." modesty and self-control.

America their future wife was He advised when they get mar"We wanted to do something being pursued by someone with ried to use Natural Family Planspecial for Lent and this is some- lusty intentions. "Love can wait," ning which is 99 percent effective thing we've been planning for a said Evert. "Couples who fall in and has no side effects. year," said Director of Campus love and wait until they are marEvert told students that he has Ministry Carla Tirrell. "The stu- ried to have relations triple their asked high schoolers around the dent body needs to learn the chances of marital success." nation to pray for him and he Catholic approach to sexuality "I enjoyed Evert's talk," said asked Feehan students to pray for and we hope this will clear up a school chaplain Father Michael him and those he visits. He said . lot of confusion that our teens Fitzpatrick. "It was a positive op- that if you need a positive influmight have." portunity for our students and ence in your life then' develop a Evert holds a master's degree we're glad to have him." devotion to Our Lady and pray the in theology and undergraduate Evert encouraged students to rosary. degrees in counseling and theol- fill out a chastity pledge card and "Evert offers a positive mesogy from Franciscan University of even if they have not done so, to.

Turn to page /3 - Message ANCHOR STAFF

Friday, April 14, 2006

Area parishes continue Divine Mercy tra~ition

and for the whole Church. "We will also offer prayers for those who do not know God as a God ot mercy," !: he added.

At St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, Gregory Smith mitt a faithful woup recite the Divine Mercy

By DAVE JOUVET, EDITOR

Chaplet each weekday morning at 6:25. "We offer the Chaplet each day for those who are sick, and for those who need Christ to walk with them," Smith told The Anchor.

Smith, a parishioner of St.

He told her it is fitting to pray the be offered for parishioners of St. NEW BEDFORD - It was in Chaplet at three o'clock in the af- Anthony, people across the diocese Turn to page 13 - Mercy 1934 when a young, uneducated temoon. ''This is the hour of great Polish nun named Sister Maria mercy for the whole world," he Faustina of the Most Blessed Sac- said. "I will allow you to penetrate FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY OF STEUBENVILLE rament, began keeping a diary of my mortal sadness. In that hour, I her conversations with Our Lord. will deny nothing to the soul that At his urging and that of her spiri- asks me in the name ofmy passion:" tual director, Sister Faustina reIn 1937, Our Lord asked St. corded divine revelations, mystical Faustina to write down a special experiences and her own insights, novena to be prayed from Good thoughts and prayers.

Friday through Easter Saturday. The .

The result of her four-year mis- Lord told St: Faustina the intentions Teaching Excellence • 35 Majors, 7 Graduate • Dynamic Orthodoxy sion was a 600-page journal, sim- for each of the nine days, asking for Engaging Campus Culture • Life-cKanging 'Outreaches ply written for the world to better a different .grouP. of souls to be understand God'.s love for his brought to him each day to l:>e impeople and how to respond to God's mersed in "the ocean of my mercy." ranciscan University's demanding academics integrate faith and reason within a mercy and share it with others.

Once published, the povena invibrant spiritual environment. Our life-giving intellectual and faith community On April 30, 2000, then Pope stantly became popular. To this day, teaches our students to love God and love true wisdom. Our engaging campus culture John Paul IT canonzied St. Faustina, . thousands pray the Divine Mercy invites them to seek ongoing personal conversion in the power of the Holy Spirit. the former Helena Kowalska. The Novena, including several parishes pope, also of Polish heritage, des- in the Fall River diocese.

This total Catholic educational experience helps students achieve the Christian maturity, ignated the first Sunday after EasAt St. Anthony ofPadua Parish, integrity, and kno~ledge they need to live as "salt and light" in the world. terto be thefeast of Divine Mercy. New Bedford, Father Joseph "It is important that we accept Blyskosz will lead a Divine Mercy in its entirety the message that Novena beginning at 3 p.m. today. comes to us from God's Word on Included in the nine-day event this second Sunday ofEaster," Pope will be novena prayers, recitation John Paul IT said. "From now on, of the Ch.aplet, veneration of the throughout the whole Church, this Divine Mercy image, and veneraday will take the name 'Divine tion of a relic of St. Faustina.

Mercy Sunday.'''

The novena continues tomorrow In his Divine Mercy Message, at 3 p.m., Easter Sunday through Our Lord instructed St. Faustina to Easter Thursday at 5: 15 p.m., Easurge people to pray to the Divine ter Friday at 5: 15 p.m., Easter SatMercy image that he revealed to her. urday at 5: 15 p.m.. concluding on St. Faustina was also instructed Divine Mercy Sunday at 3 p.m. to encourage people to pray the Father Blyskosz told The Anchor .

I Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. The that the novena is "a nine-day prepa• J • .

Lord taught her this prayer, which ration for Divine Mercy Sunday." can be prayed on rosary beads, tellHe cited Jesus' promise to St. ing her, "Whoever will recite it will Faustina that even the most hardreceive great mercy at the hour of ened sinners can be forgiven. ·death. It pleases me to grant every- through God's great mercy. "Jesus pr~gram thing they ask of me by saying the is the doctor of the human heart and Chaplet ... if it be compatible with the human soul," said Father my will."

Blyskosz. "He provides us with In his revelations to St. Faustina, therapy if we are just open to his Our Lord asked for special remem- mercy." brance at the hour of his passion.

During the novena prayers will

Academically Challenging Passionately Catholic p~ograms

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Friday. April 14, 2006

T HE LANDINGThe betrayal of Judas This afternoon, at the beginning of the recitation of the Passion according to St. John, Catholics will hear of the treachery of the most famous traitor ofall time, Judas Iscariot. This was a man who' had watched Jesus raise at least three people from the dead, miraculously multiply food to feed multitudes, walk on water, cast out countless demons, and cure scores of people of leprosy, paralysis, withered hands, blindness, hypochondria, and other maladies. He had listened to him preach and teach vast crowds, leaving them astonished. Along with the other 11, he had been instructed by the Lord for three years in an intimate mobile seminary. He had even been given the Lord's own incredible power to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. Yet, after all of this, he valued Jesus less than 30 pieces of silver. He led a band of soldiers to capture his innocent teacher and friend in the Garden of Gethsemane, betraying him by faking a gesture of love. What happened next, to Jesus and to Judas, we all know.

Last week, National Geographic Magazine and many either gullible or complicit media outlets sought to call into question the whole nature of Judas' betrayal. National Geographic'had a dramatic roll-out of the rediscovery of The Gospel of Judas, a fourth- or fifth-century copy of a ,second-century document that makes the outrageous claim that Judas was ~ked lesus to betray him. It paints a story tf:1at Judas was considered Ithe strongest and most courageous of the apostles. It describes that Judas would be called apart by Jesus to receive speciaJ instruction on the mys" teries of the kingdom and was once told by Jesus that he would come to rule over all the others. All of these actions and assertions are found in the midst of flamboyantly outlandish cosrri910gical claims placed either in the mouth of Jesus or in lengthy visions received by Judas himself.

It is silly and surprising that National Geographic 'and, many in the mainstream are taking this document seriously. It was written well over 100 years after Judas died by a crazy religious group widely known to invent documents and put them into the mouth of famous historical personages. These gnostics were responsible for the eccentric pseudo-gos, pels of"the Consummation," "Eve," 'The Egyptians," "Peter," "Matthias," "Philip," 'Thomas," and the equally off-the-wall "Acts" of "Peter," "Andrew," and "John." Despite this track record, some are treating the pseudogospel of Juda~ as a primary historical source on par with the' Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It would be as if the unabomber, pretending to be John Wilkes Booth, wrote a document that, within the context of bizarre musings like those found in his infamous "Manifesto," claimed that Abraham Lincoln actually asked Booth to kill him in Ford Theater - and National Geographic and media outlets treated it as equivalent to eye witness accounts and hyped that it would "shake Lincolnian historiography to its foundations."

Early Christians were not so naive. St. Ireneus of Lyons, to whom Pope Benedict referred recently as the first true Christian theologian, refuted and . ridiculed the Gospel ofJudas in a treatise against heresies written aboutthe year 180. He described that it was written by a gnostic sectcalled the Cainites, famous for attempting to tum the most infamous Scriptural villains into saints. They tried, for example, to rehabilitate Cain, whom they said was just following God's instl1lctions in murdering his brother Abel, as well as Korah, the insurrectionist against Moses, ano the people ofSodom. Ireneus said that the Cainites produced "a fictitious history ofthis ["black is white"] kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas."

Christians today likewise cannot be nai've. We are living in an agelike that of the time of St. Ireneus - when so many, including those who by their education should know better, are willing uncritically to accept even the most outrageous claims against the faitJ:1. Millions have treated the fanciful concoctions of Dan Brown in the "Da Vinci Code," such as the assertions that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were lovers and that their progeny became the French kings, as exciting revelations rather than what they really are: blasphemous fabrications. The only way for Christians to ~ft through truth and falsity - and to help others to do so - is to know the faith better and, like Ireneus, to do what is necessary to defend and promote it: On that first Good Friday, Christ gave his life in "witness to the truth" (.Tn 18:37). Ireneus spent his life doing the same. Now it's our tum. Love for God and for others demands it.

,

the living word

THIS STATUE OF THE SCOURGING OF JESUS, CREATED BY KEN ROSE OF HOLY FAMILY PARISH, EAST TAUNTON, HAS BEEN A VIVID REMINDER FOR MANY PEOPLE OF CHRIST'S ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. THE STATUE IS CURRENTI"Y ON LOAN TO THE

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OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER.

Published weekly except for two weeks in July and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675·7151 - FAX 508-675:7048, E-mail: theanchor@anchornews,org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 peryear.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use E-mail add~~SS Member: Catholic Prc" A"ocialion. New England Press A,sociation. Catholic News Scrvi~c

PUBLISHER· Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchOl'rleWS:6rg EDITOR David B. Jollvet dav~ollvet@anchornews.otg NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar limdunbar(jjlanchorrtew$.otg REPORTER Michael Gordon mikegordon(jjlanchomews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase(jjlanchornews.org

Send Letters to the Editor to: theanchor@anchornews.org POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722, TIlE ANCHOR <USPS-545-(20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass.

THIRD ORDER

' .·'.llItU! :;)fU FRANCISCANS. "FOR BY HIS WOUNDS, YOU 'VERE HEALED" (1 PETER 2:24).

It is finished "When Jesus had received the Jesus encountered many obstacles which he had to overcome, and vinegar, he said, 'It is finished'; through which he had to persevere. and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit"(Jn 19:30).

He met the people for whom he To think about Our Lord's would die, and they did not always death, about what he endured out appreciate him. Even his closest friends and disciples, to whom he of love for us, is extremely painful for anyone who has even an ounce kept predi~ting his suffering and of compassion. It is even more death, often acted with shameful painful for anyone who undercallousness and selfishness (cf. Lk stands the sinlessness of Christ, 22:21-24). and who admits his or her own Jesus had to persevere through sins, knowing that the sins of each misunderstandings, false accusaof us caused his terrible death. But tions, stubbornness of mind and when we contemplate Our Lord's death, as we '., r;"" do so solemnly today, ~'\gputti~g we see not only the greatest act of love that i.:~he.Deep the world·has ever seen, ~"'"GC':"-'-"-i'" (,' .-'\~ but also the most heroic feat of spiritual perseverance.

From the beginning of his life, Our Lord knew that the ultimate reason he had heart and plain old malice. He had been bom was to die. He was sent to put up with the vices of childi'sh into the world to teach us about adults - envy, arrogance, hypocrisy and pure evil. In fact, it God and about ourselves, but primarily fo offer his life on behalf was evil that he was up against the whole time; the' evil reigning in of sinful humanity, in order to people's hearts and trying to reconcile us to God. He was the maintain its firm grip on the world. one sent into the world to "die As Our Lord made his way to instead of the people" (In 11 :50).

His death was the climax of his the cross, he knew that stepping aside; or checking out, was not an mission --:- it was the goal and finish line set before h,im at all option, just as it is never an option for any of us who have made • times, toward which he was heading at every moment. The lifetime commitments, whether in salvific work of Christ was marriage, in the priesthood or in definitively accomplished, not by religious life. The same evil against his miracles and teachings, but by which Our Lord battled on his way to the cross is still at work in the the shedding of his precious blood ("Catechism of the Catholic world, tempting us to be overcome Church" 571). by the.obstacles, and to give in and Along the way to his death, surrender, by stepping aside or

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throwing in the towel.

But when fears, frustrations, doubts or oppositions arise, there should be no cloudy or confusing question of God's will for us. His will is always that we keep our promises, that we maintain our integrity, that we act with the love of self-sacrifice, by persevering in our commitments, as Christ persevered all the way to the cross.

In one of the most inspiring and moving things I have done as a priest, I was recently privileged to witness a remarkable example of Sitch perseverance, as I presided over the renewal of marriage vows by my grandparents on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary.

Sixty-five years of marriage is an extraordinary accomplishment of love and commitment. It is also a trophy of Christian perseverance, through the trials and challenges of life.

Our goal as Christians is to run the race of our faith and to reach the finish line (2Tim 4:7).

As we remember Our Lord's terrible death today, on Good Friday, we also'celebrate his example of perseverance, which inspires each of us to persevere.

When we face unpleasant tasks in life, or even a lifetime of painful sacrifice or suffering, Our Lord asks us to put out into the deep by imitating his heroic perseverance, so that, at the end of oUf lives, we can accomplish something noble and beautiful, and say together with Christ, "It is finished."

the

Friday, April 14, 2006

anchotS>

Like nails on a chalkboard Any diehard fan of New England sports accepts that life, as we know it, is a constant series of adjustments.

Through the years we've had to adju.st to not winning a World Series for nearly a century, having a perennial doormat for a football team, and most recently, accepting the cold hard fact that neither team that calls Boston Garden home, can win.

But I think the most difficult adjustment for fans; especially young qnes, is the perpetual turnover of players.

In the old days, a kid could reasonably expect the same corps of players to remain on the Home Towne Team through the formative years - then another corps through the teen years - and so on, and so on.

Not so today. Kids today can barely expect a player to remain a homey for longer than the span of a sixth-grl,lde crush.

Over the last few seasons, my 11 ~year-old daughter and my wife have felt the sting of sports dysfunction.

Emilie loved Dave Roberts and he lasted with the Sox for . four months. .

She loved Johnny Demon (Damon), and we all know how that one ended up.

She loved Pokey Reese gone.

My wife was as big an Adam Vinatieri fan as could be. She even bought a No.4 jersey

(which still astounds me) gone.

I've learned to adjust over the years, but the women of my . household are only beginning . the process.

To me, I see Vinatieri's exodus as never having to hear his squeaky voice say "It's good," on a pizza commercial again.

Demon's betrayal? - I see it as the Pinstripes getting an outfielder in the great expanses of Yankee Stadium whose. throwing aim rivals that of the Venus de Milo. Oh, and by the way, my wife has a Johnny

Demon shirt too. Go figure.

This week, I was sitting in the living room with a smug look on my face. Big Papi, David Ortiz, had just signed a four-year extension with the Sox. My daughter is a huge Big Papi fan, and to ease her Red Sox anxiety a bit, I glanced over at her and said, "Well kiddo, Big Papi is 'going to be with the Sox until you're at least 15 years ald."

"Yesssssss," was the elated response.

My wife chimed in with, "Yeah, until they trade him." . . The sentiment echoed like fingernails on a chalkboard, like a lawn mower at 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning, or for you older readers, like a stylus needle across a record album.

Ouch.

Comments are welcome at davejolivet@anchornews.org.

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check out ,the Holy Childhood AssociatiJn's (HCA) website for kids f~aturing fun download~, interesting stories and news from HCA kids all over the world! Visit www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org and follow me, Polly Parrot, the HCA Mascot.

(Attention teachers and parents - don't forget to '. visit the HCA web page for adults and educators for free mission education materials.)

For more than 160 years, children in this country have made a real difference in the· lives of children in the Missions by showing them the love of Jesus through their prayers, sacrifices and financial help. Please, won't you

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also help the smallest among us learn about the love ofJesus?

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DCA Holy Childhood Association

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music for the liturgy.

Also, Mass for Easter in Portuguese from Espirito Santo Church in Fall River will air at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday evening on The Portuguese Channel. Father James Ferry, pastor of Espiritb Santo Parish, will be the celebrant. The Portuguese Channel is available on most cable systems in the region.

Those unable to attend a parish Mass because of age or infirmity are encouraged to make this telecast a part 'of their Easter celebration.

realized she's le~ing how to make adjustments. How typically New England of her.

We still have to work on our ll-year-old though.

I immediately jumped online to see if Big Papi'sfeworked contract included a no-trade clause. Nope, not until 2010.

I was pretty annoyed with my spouse for taking the wirtd out of my sails. But then I pr~udly

Cover artwork: CNS iIIustration/Lucas Turnbloom, The

Easter Masses to air on TV FALL RIVER - The Television Mass on Easter Sunday, April 16, will expand to a full hour and will air at a special time, from 11 :30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on WLNE-TV, Channel 6, Providence-New Bedford.

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

Father Paul Bernier, Cathedral rector, will concelebrate.

The St. Mary's Cathedral Choir, under ·the direction of Madeleine Grace, will lead the

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Friday, April 14, 2006

The Fifteenth Station

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We enter an unfamiliar church, and if we are in doubt we ask:- "Is this a Catholic Church?" We look for familiar comforting symbols: a tabernacle, sanctuary lamp, crucifix, statue of-Mary, Stations of the Cross. We walk these stations as we have prayed them during Lent. We remember Jesus' words: "If you wish to follow me, you must also pick up your cross and follow in my footsteps."

The path of sorrows leads to Jesus' death and finally to his burial - the Fourteenth Station.

Unfortunately in many Catholic churches, the symbol of Redemption ends with this last station. But we do need to be-reminded constantly that. the grave is not the end but a passage to the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to his disciples and to us of life eternal.

Visually, we fail to make the

link between the Jesus who died on the cross and the Christ who rose from the dead. As the three days of the PaschalTriduum are really three chapters of one Paschal Liturgy, Good Friday is but one of three essential facets of our Redemption. , The disciples and the women in Jesus' company did not understand his words as we discover in today's Easter Oospel.

Mary of Magdala, according to St. John, was the first to go to the tomb "on that first day of the week." Another Gospel.says that she went with oils to anoint the dead body of Jesus. She arrived and found the tomb open. The body of Jesus was missing. "They have taken the Lord from the tomb," she tells Peter and John. Doubting her

A~ticipation

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story, they also went to the tomb and found the tomb empty. Today's Gospel ends with these words: "For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise

from the dead." Do we?

Jesus had prepared his disciples and friends for this Easter event. He told them that he would suffer, die and rise on the third day: They may have remembered the words; but they did not understand - they did not , accept. To accept the Resurrection is to demand a leap of

faith far beyond human comprehension. It is to plunge into the mysteries of suffering and death and find life. What a contradiction.

During 'the past three days, we have lived the institution of the Eucharist and Jesus' example of service on Holy Thursday; we stood by his cross and were redeemed by his death on Good Friday; today, we walk into the promise of eternal life as Christ rose from the dead.

As we enter our churches on Easter day, we still search for those comforting symbols of our faith -.:.. our faith in the risen Lord and in our crucified savior. Our eyes welcome the sight of lilies, tulips, daffodils and all the colors of spring which proclaim new life and promise. We listen eagerly for

really want to do," she said con- ,first. But then Deacon Lemay fidently. Although she infre- blessed me. It was quite an exquently had gone to an Episco- perience. I had been baptized in going to be raised a Catholic Saturday approaches she admits pal church as a small child, she a Congregational Church, and brought the realization that as she's "feeling some anxious- had never been baptized. later 'went by he wayside,''' he.

She was led to Santo Christo said candidly. "Because that one with a scientific, logical ness, but I think I'm ready. I've mind I should know all about it been going to church regularly Parish in Fall River by her boy- church suffered a fire and its if I was going to answer his but never really understood what friend. "But it was my idea. I de- records were lost, I'll be bapquestions," the 41-year-old fa- was going on. I had much to cided to join t~e parish he at- tized and receive the other sacther explained. learn, and still do. Now all of tended. I wanted to be baptized raments at the same time in Holy "At first ... I started at the be- us will be going to Church and and become part of everything Cross Church." ginning ... reading the Bible. I taking part in all it renews in our else that entails." She enrolled Geraldine Belanger will befound I had to know something faith." in the RCIA and began learning come a Catholic and a member of St. Louis de France Parish in more about the sacrifices deBaptista Mandlate is looking about the faith last January.

"The excitement has been Swansea on Saturday night. scribed. I read non~Catholic forward to fulfilling' the long. books from a logical point of awaited reception of the sacra- . building," she said last week.

"My husband's family has be~ view. Then I began meeting with ments of initiation at St. An- "As a child I would never have longed there forever, and last Deacon Lemay once a month. thony of Padua Parish in New remembered my baptism. It year there were two deaths in the means more now because I will family and I spent more time in Having concluded during the Bedford.

RCIA process that Jesus is the "All my young life I wanted be able to remember and cel- Church that I had ever previously," she said, recounting her Son of God and through further . to be in the Catholic Church ebrate it."

Off and on for years, Herbert journey in faith. study I started to become ex- back in Mozambique, but I was cited. Everything was coming up the only one of the children in Bates accompanied his wife "Listening to Father (RichCatholic," he recalled. my family never baptized and I Marie to Mass, and waited in the ' ard R.) Gendreau, the pastor, Hults says the excitement has never got to ask my mother pew for her to return from re- speak and how positive he was, been building over the past year. why," the 26-year-old recalled. ceiving Communion. After cer- made, me think of religion more.

"It takes that long and even "My parents .and brothers and emonies next week in Holy I had, entertained thoughts of longer, because it is like getting sisters had been baptized. But I Cross Church in North Easton, joining the Church for路 some married. You can't rush into it. was somehow left out," he said he will join with her in the line while. I met with hir:n last July. to receive Jesus' Body and and he pointed m~ in the direcThe process makes me feel I am laughing. tion of the RCIA director in the truly becoming part of路 someWhen he came to the United Blood, soul and divinity.

"When I got married I told parish," she said. thing bigger ... which beginning 路States four years ago, his wife next week will become the pri- Maria, who is a Catholic and Marie I migtit consider becom- .

She said weekly Mass and onority of my life." registered at St. Anthony's,-sug- ing a Catholic, but it took me a going instruction has been a Donna Thibodeau of Provi- gested he talkto the parish priest long time (44 years)," said wonderful experience ... although I've only 'touched the tip dence, R.I., will be baptized and and begin the process. "Right Bates, who is 73.

His gift to her a year ago "when of the iceberg. I wish I had done receive the sacraments at St. away, I said 'wonderful' and we were celebrating our anniver- it sooner," the 48-year-old wife Mary of the Immaculate Con- that's how it all started." ception Church in North He said the excitement has sary, I told her I wanted to join the and mother said. "My father was Attleboro because it was the been building to fulfill what has Catholic Church. I needed to bring in the military and we moved parish of her mother and grand- been a timeless journey. "We spirituality into my life. Because around a 'lot and I never got mother. That's also where she formally started back in March. my son wanted to be involved.- around to being baptized. I am learned the tenets of Catholicism And it is so wonderful knowing and he lives in Easton - we went so excited that it's going to hapin preparation for entrance into I will be receiving all the first up to Holy Cross Church and pen."

Although her children are the Church. sacraments in just another week. . talked to Deacon Lemay, who was Married and with small chil- Unless you have been wanting there for an RCIA presentation. My grown, she hasn't given up that dren, Thibodeau, 26, said she to do this all your life and now daughter-in-law had been in the they too might enter the Church "always believed in the faith, but seeing it about to ha'Ppen, you RCIA there and thought it was a some day. "I think it will happen."

"The RCIA book says the penever got around to making. it of- can never understand my feel- wonderful experience," said Bates, ficial. My husband is Catholic' ings right now," Mandlate said. who lives in Mashpee. The Bates riod of mystagogy that begins on . and we are both excited about Kimberly Chaplin, 22; says will ultimately be attending Mass Holy Saturday for the catech'uthis," she said. mens ends at the feast of Penteshe's nervous about receiVIng at Christ the King Parish there. ''I've enjoyed the RCIAjour- cost,'" Deacon Lemay noted.

Her adventure into the the initiating sacraments "beChurch through the RCIA began cause so many people will be ney with Deacon Lemay," said "My opinion is that it continues formally last fall. And as Holy watching. But it is something I Bates. "I was apprehensive at on and on and on."

Continued from page one

the vibrant and joyous refrains of alleluias proclaiming the Resurrection. And in many of our churches, we now see sculptures of the Risen Lord which do not replace the more familiar crucifixes of Catholic worship but which totally complete the true images of our faith. The Fourteenth Station is not the last station.

The last station is the resurrection of Christ. Otherwise,' ours would be a faith of no hope. The Fifteenth Station is the empty tomb visited by Mary, Peter and John on that first Easter morn - it's the Resurrection. Lord, help us to believe. ' Jesus has (lied. Christ is truly Risen. Alleluia.

Father Baris, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Saletie;' has been pastor of Our Lady of the Cape Parish in Brewster for the past eight years.

Daily Readings April 15

April 16

April17 April 18 April 19 April 20 April 21

(1) Gn 1:1-2:2 or 1:1,26-31 a; Ps 104:1-2a,56,10,1214,24,35c or Ps 33:4-7,1213,20,22 (2) Gn 22:1-18 or 22:12,9a,10-13,1518; Ps 16:5,8-11 (3) Ex 14:15-15:1 (Ps) Ex 15:16,17-18 (4) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2,4-6,1112a,13b(5) Is 55:1-11 (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6 (6) Bar 3:915,32-4:4; Ps 19:8-11 (7) Ez 36:16-17a,18-28; Pss 42:3,5bcd; 43:3-4;or, when baptism is cel ebrated, (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6 or Ps 51 :1215,18-19 (8) Rom 6:3-11; Ps 118:1-2,16ab- , 17,22-23 (9) Mk 16:1-7 Acts 10:34a,3743; Ps 118:12,16ab-17,22-23; CoI3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; In 20:1-9 or 41 :Mk 16:1-7 or, at an after noon Mass; Lk 24:13-35 Acts 2:14,22-33;路 Ps 16:1-2a,5,7. 11;Mt28:8-15 Acts 2:36-41 ; Ps 33:4-5,18-20,22; In 11-18 Acts 3:1-10; Ps 105:1-4,6-9; Lk 24:13-35 Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8:2a,5-9; Lk 24:35-48 Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2,4,2227a;Jn21:1-14

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Friday, April 14, 200$

Behold your mother 14 March 2006 - Port-O-Call: Mashpee - Jewish Observance:

Weeks later I run into David, home from Honduras. He mentions two of his teen-agers painted a mural of the Blessed Mother on a library wall during their time in Honduras.

The artist was Laura Parsons,

Pwim I'm too early for a meeting at Christ the King Parish. There's a large group here, though, for some event or other. I follow the crowd.

David Ryan welcomes me to a reception for Mission Honduras.

"Come in and grab a bite while you wait," he says.

I'm never one to refuse food.

I know about Fathers Paul Canuel and Craig Pregana and our dioc- L·';;;;··.........,;;;....i-,,;,;;·,, ...;;... esan Honduran mission in Guaimaca, but Mission Hondu- assisted by Kirsten Quinn. They ras is not that. David fills me in. copied a photo of Our Lady of Seems he wanted to jump-start a Suyapa, Patroness of Honduras, youth program. He needed a min- from an image at the Basilica in istry focus. Adults and clergy from Tegucigalpa.

13 April 2006 - Holy ThursChrist the King, Mashpee, St. Patrick, Falmouth, and Corpus day - Homeport Lent is over. As the celebration Christi, East Sandwich, have been participating in Mission Hondu- of Easter begins, I ponder one of ras for several years. The adults the traditional "Seven Last Words help the young people organize of Christ": "Behold your Mother." their first trip to Honduras. Janet Ever since Jesus spoke these Kirsch and many others coach the words from the cross, the Blessed youth during their nine-month Mother has held a place of honor preparation and send them off to in Catholic spirituality and art.

In the Diocese of Fall River, the missions.

we take these words of Jesus to heart. One way we have chosen to honor Mary is by naming 39 churches after her. Ten churches are named St. Mary, some with one of her titles added. These include'the Cathedral Church of St. Mary of the Assumption (our diocesan patroness); St. Mary-Our Lady . of the Isle; and St. Mary Star of the Sea. One church is named after an event in the life of Mary, Visitation Church' in North Easton.

Twenty-eight churches begin with "Our Lady of...." The most popular is Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The Blessed Mother is the Patroness of the U.S. under this title. The imagery of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (from the Book of Revelation) includes a crescent moon and cherubs at her feet. Twelve stars surround her head.

We have three churches named Our Lady of Grace. Standing on the world, she has rays of light emanating from both hands. A serpent is shown under her feet.

We have two Our Lady of

Giving from the heart . , My heart is so fickle. I came home from our mission trip to Honduras deeply convicted about increasing our financial support of missionary and charitable organizations, but I haven't done it yet. Specifically, I wanted to give more to the needy in the developing world. I saw how much we in America have compared with those in Honduras, and it touched my heart. My husband was completely amenable to the idea of boosting our giving, but once we dove into the budget and looked at the needs of our own family, I got cold feet. I became afraid. To cut more items from our budget in order to give more money away just didn't look reasonable or even possible.

With one breadwinner in the family, two kids in Catholic school, and three more kids behind them, our income is totally spoken for before it even hits the bank account. A dear friend and an Irish-born nun, Sister Angela, used to call it "livin' on a bit-of-a-shoestring," and how right she was. But still, in comparison to the people I had just met in Honduras, we are at least the king and queen of the shoestring factory.

Of course Lent is a time set apart not only to fast and pray, but also to give alms. So, timingwise, the past five weeks turned out to be the perfect season for me to wrestle with my fears of giving so much that my own family would suffer. We have always supported our local

Mount Carmel churches. This but only on Cape Cod. There is image shows Mary in the brown , even an "Our Lady of the Isle" and white habit of a Carmelite window on Nantucket. Mary is nun. She is holding the Infant standing not on Cape Cod, but Jesus and a scapula. I!. only on that island.

There are two Our Lady of the When I first visited the VilAssumption Churches. Mary is lage, I noticed a statue of Mary. seen being lifted by angels into the From a distance, I thought it was clouds of heaven.'

Our Lady of LaSalette, since it We also have twb churches included two children. Turns out each dedicated to O*r Lady of it was Our Lady of Lourdes. Two the Holy Rosary and Our Lady of the three children of Fatima of Perpetual Help. knelt before her. Why had two There are two Our Lady of Portuguese visionaries moved to Lourdes churches. This French France? What happened to the apparition has Mary liressed in a third Fatima child? Nobody white robe with blue sash and gold knew.

Between our own diocesan roses at her feet.'

There is one Our Lady of mission in Guaimaca and Fatima Church. ThisjPortuguese Franciscan Father Emil Cooks' apparition portrays Mary dressed Mission Honduras program, our in white and appearing on a cloud youth have left their mark on to three shepherd c~~ldren. She Honduras in more ways than one often holds a rosary ~nd wears a - including a mural honoring crown. ::.

Mary. So, how do you saY" "BeThere is Our i Lady of hold your Mother"rnrSp'hJish?

Guadalupe at St. Jarftes Church. Father Kevin Harrington helps Our Lady of Guadalppe is por- me with this one: "Ahi tienes a trayed as an expectarlt mother in tu Madre. " the garb of the indig~nous tribal Anchor readers may schedpeoples. She is blocl~ing the pa- ule an Honduras Youth MinisII gan sun god. OUI; Lady of try Team speaking engagement Guadalupe is the patrbness of the by contacting David Ryan Americas.

II through Christ the King Other Marian churches include Church Office at 508-477Our Lady ofVictory( Our Lady 7700. Speakers from our own of Health, Our Lady of Hope, diocesan mission to Honduras Our Lady of Purgatory, Our are also available' at any time Lady Star of the Sef' and Our by contacting Pam Potenza Lady of the Highway.

508-252-6872 or . The~e is. 'one ch~rch named pgp1234@cs.com. In addition, Our Lady, 'of the C~pe. In, this Father Canuel is available dur- , 'regional iCQnogiaptly, Mary is ing the month of July anilFashown standing not o'D.the world' .ther PregaflQ during August.

parish, specif1c mis§ionaties,. and .room for a poverty thatqeni~~ .. , '. anyone what is needeq for a certain Catholic institutions. We think it is our responsibility to do dignified life." I couldn't duck '.

II ...'.................."..."...... so, but I, personally, have ducked or dodge any longer. At the Stations of the Cross one Friday . and dodged Blessed Mother Teresa's advice to "Give until it afternoon, I looked up from all hurts, and smile." With a smile or my external researching and not, I do not like to hurt. internal wrestling and caught Turning to the Bible and sight of the crucifix. Jesus did Church teachings, Ibegan to not stop giving because it hurt. look into the topic of Christian Jesus didn't give what was giving. First I found that Chrisreasonable. Jesus didn't calculate his giving to exactly 10 percent and then say, ''There, I've done my part." He gave it all. And it hurt..

Oh, dear Lord, I would give up my . shoestring kingdom for a heart like yours. For a heart that could hold on to the heartbreaking, tin . ' I ~AURA PAJ:lScpNS, assisted by Kirsten Quinn, painted and cardboard homes I saw with tian giving is not something one my own two eyes and the sickly this mural of Our L~dy of Suyapa, patroness of Honduras, on a does out of financial surplus, but Honduran baby I held in my own library wall during their stay at Mission Honduras. two arms. For a heart that could rather off the top, before calcuembrace and not let go of the lating living expenses. Ouch.

II . simple truth that everything I Secondly, from the time of the PRO-LIFER CHRISTIAN Old Testament, the Biblical think is mine, is really a gift from standard of giving has been a you. From the struggle of this ApOSTOLIC' HELPER tithe or 10 percent of a family's Lent and in the sorrow of this "ADVISOR gross income, measured in grain, Good Friday, I ask for an Easter TRUE animals, or dollars. That amounts sunrise where I could truly give RESTORER to four hours of wages from a 40- you my heart. And, more than HOLY MEDICATOR hour workweek. Double ouch. that, please, grant me a glorious Thirdly, I consulted the new springtime where 1 won't take it ANTI-ABORTIONIST ONE papal encyclical, Deus Caritas back again. But, please, at least GAREGIVER THOMAS PASTERNAK Est. In it Pope Benedict wrote the give me the strength to start with LOVING Phannaclll NSTRUCTOR following: "For the Church, what Blessed Mother Teresa .said INFALlI~LE charity is not a kind of welfare and to "Give until it hurts, and 202 Rock St. SPECIALIST activity which could equally well smile."

Fall River CHARITABLE ~HERAPEUTIST be left to others, but is a part of Heidi is an author, photogra508·679·1300 The NIIIonII CatIIoIc I'IIIrmIclsta Gulkl 01 lilt United SIll.. her very nature, an indispensable pher, andfull-time mother. She expression of her very being," and her husband raise their five ii and "within the community of children and grow their faith in believers there can never be Falmouth.

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Friday, April 14, 2006

Santo Christo's Joseph' Mello: an icon of parish commitment By

DEACON JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - The vital parish that is Santo •~ Christo is well known for its many and varied pro• grams and activities that cover a multitude of religious and social traditions.

And while that necessarily means a steady volunteer workforce, one of those most actively involved in Joseph Mello.

Assisted by his wife Margaret, Joe Mello has taken on a host of responsibilities that has pastor, , Father Gastao A. Oliveira, giving ';0.--:" ~.t\ .

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cation there and it was then that I took over his class of seventh-graders," he recalled. "I've been doing so ever since," said Mello, who is a driver for Whaling Manufacturing in the textile industry. .

"Our family - there are two more adult children - has always been committed to parish life, and after Patrick's death we became even more involved."

It's a busy involvement. Mello has also been working with youth as teacher of the confirma. tion class, and chas served as a

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tiveinourparish him busy life," Father Lt:::'::=~~="'-'~~=~~~_~~~"""--_~~~_.....:-J enough, he is Oliveira said. also a lector at "Joe is well-known English liturgies as • and well-liked in the well as an extraordinary minister of f. parish community and is always willing holy Communion. to extend himself to He and Margaret have also served others in service. He had shown his devomany years as dedicated workers in tion in many ways, Santo Christo's and is someone we can count on no matCatholic Charities 1 ter what is asked of 1 Appeal Team, and

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gious Edocat;ou to tlriugsIliketodo;n, ' 18 seventh-graders volves being a memprior to attending the PARISH UFE: THE TEAM OF MARGARET AND JOE MELLO. ber of our parish's 10 o'clock Mass. At Portuguese-Amerithe same time his wife Margaret is teaching first- can Citizenship Committee," Mello commented. graders. ''The Citizenship Program involves coming up ''This is my original parish in this country," said with innovative ideas to encourage people to vote," Mello, 63, who emigrated from Furnas in the he explained. "It is another important part of parAzores with his parents in 1952. When his par- ish life. Many people think one has to be a genius ents moved to the city's North End he attended St. to vote. We don't tell them who to vote for. But Michael's Parish, and remained there after his we do urge them to get out and vote, and explain marriage. His· children attended the parochial how important that responsibility is as part of school.

Catholic Citizenship."

"But,when the children grew older we attended He added, "You know, parish life involves many St. Joseph's for a while because of the many youth things," said Joe. If anyone knows, Joe Mello does. activities there," he said. "After that we returned The Anchor encourages readers to nominate to Santo Christo, where my son Patrick had become very much involved." others for the Person of the Week - who and Twelve years ago, in 1994, Patrick, then 23, why? Submit nominoJions at ourE-maiIaddress: died. theanchor@anchomews.org, or write to The An"He was wonderful in teaching Religious Edu- chor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

New principal announced for Pope John Paul II High School HYANNIS - Christopher W. Keavy, an Ohio Catholic school administrator with roots in this area, has been named to serve as the first principal of the Pope John Paul II High School in Hyannis.

Bishop George W. Coleman announced the appointment today.

Keavy will assume his duties as principal on July 1,2006 in preparation for the opening of the school in September 2007.

A native ofNew Bedford, Keavy is currently the principal of the nearly 1,OOO-student Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.

He joined the school's faculty in 1995 as a theology teacher and then went on to become chairman of the Theology Department. He became principal in 2002.

He began his teaching career at a Catholic high school in Detroit, Mich.

While at Padua Franciscan, Keavy initiated and oversaw a partnership program between students and teachers from that high school and those from St. Francis School, an inner-city elementary school in Cleveland. Together, the partnered schools completed a number ofservice projects each year.

Through the years he also directed the school's Business and Community Leadership Program, its Senior Retreat Program, served as JV soccer coach, and led the committee preparing the school for its accreditation review.

Dr. George A. Milot, who is superintendent ofCatholic schools in the Fall River diocese and who led the search process to hire the principal, noted that the search committee was very pleased with the choice of Keavy to lead the school as it prepares to welcome its first class.

"We are very fortunate to have someone with Mr. Keavy's back-

CHRISTOPHER

W.

KEAVY

Paul II High School Board of Directors," he said, "we are delighted to have Mr. Keavy a<; the first principal ofthe school. We look forward to introducing him in a few months to our faith-based community."

Keavy, who is 38, is a 1986 graduate of Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth.

He attended Assumption College in Worcester, where he received a bachelor's degree in philosophy and political science, and went on to earn two master's degrees, one in philosophy from Boston College and another in educational administration from Ursuline College in Ohio.

He is married and has two elementary school-age children.

rDi~~~;~ to greet Cardinal O'M~Jley at r.A.pril18 Mass in St. Mary's Cathedral t.> Due to limited space, the CollegeofCardinals atceremo-

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nies at St. Peter's Basilica at which Pope Benedict XVI presided. t" Approximately 75 pilgrims that ,FAtLRIVER-Cardinal Sean included clergy and 'laity from the O'Malley, OFM Cap., Fall Fall River diocese had the opportuiR!ver's former bishop in the 1990s, nity to greet Cardinal O'Malley. At . will return for a Mass of Thanks- that time he said he was looking forgiving in St Mary's Cathedral on ward to a meeting witlh many ofthe April 18 at 3 p.m. clergy, religious and laity he had led To ensure as wide a representa- and fraternized with during his detion as possible of the laity from cade in the diocese. throughout the Fall River diocese, "My stay in Fall River was a fourtickets havebeendistributed by friendly time in my life, and going the pastors of each parish to those back there to meet with so many who will attend the Mass. kind friends from so many areas of However, the public is invited to the diocese is something I'm lookattend the reception open to all fol- ing forward to," Cardinal O'Malley lowing the Mass at White's of said to dozens ofconsistory pilgrims Westport, beginning at 6 p.m, to at a lunch in Rome on March 27. extend congratulations to the new NBC Channell 0 will streamcardinal. or air - the Mass ofThanksgiving BishopGeorge W. Coleman and. live on its Website at priests of the diocese will be www.tumtoIO.com. The station is also planning to air the Mass on concelebrants at the Mass.

At the March 23-25 consistory broadcast TV later in the week at a in Rome, Cardinal O'Malleyjoined date and time to be determined.

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WORSHIPPERS GATHERED in St. Peter's Square as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican April 9. In his homily, the pope said the poverty of the Gospel must be understood not only as a material condition, but as a spiritual state of humility. (CNS photo/Chris Helgren, Reuters)

ground and experience in Catholic education come on board to be the first principal of our new diocesan high school," Milot said.

As part of the principal selection process the board of directors of the Pope John Paul II High School also interviewed Keavy, and offered their input to Milot regarding the hiring.

Milot made the decision to recommend Keavy to Bishop Coleman for the appointment.

The acting president of the board ofdirectors, Cape Cod Attorney Mark Boudreau, expressed the strong support of board members for Keavy.

"On behalf of the Pope John

admission is by ticket o,"'/rv . "".

9

Friday, April 14, 2006

New papal nuncio to U.S. cites vitality of u.s. Catholicism

By JERRY

FILTEAU

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

A PHOTO of the late Pope John Paul II appears with burning candles during a prayer vigil in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 2. Tens of thousands of pilgrims were present to remember the beloved pope on the first anniversary of his death. (CNS photo/Daniele Colariete, Catholic Press Photo)

Pope Benedict celebrates Mass, calls his predecessor 'rock of faith'

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II was a "rock offaith," communicating the Gospel even when he could no longer speak and suffering racked his body, Pope Benedict XVI said, celebrating a memorial Mass for the late pope.

Just as he did a year earlier when he lay dying, Pope John Paul drew tens of thousands of people - mainly young peopleto S1. Peter's Square to mark the first anniversary of his death with an April 2 nighttime vigil and an April 3 evening Mass.

In his homily at the Mass, Pope Benedict said, "Those who were able to associate with him close up could almost touch that pure and solid faith of his," a faith that also impressed huge crowds as he traveled the world.

Pope Benedict was speaking from personal experience as one of Pope John Paul's closest collaborators for more than two decades as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Among the dozens ofcardinals concelebrating the Mass was one who knew Pope John Paul even better: Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, Poland, who served as his private secretary for almost 40 years.

Addressing some 30,000 people - including Italian actress Sofia Loren - gathered in S1.

Peter's Square for the Mass, Pope Benedict said his predecessor had a "convinced, strong and authentic faith, free of fear and compromise, which touched the hearts of many people," particularly at the moment of "his agony and his death."

On the actual anniversary of

his death, April 2, some 80,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square to recite the rosary, sing hymns and remember the vigil kept by thousands of people as the pope lay dying a year earlier.

"He continues to be in our minds and in our hearts," Pope Benedict told the crowd gathered for the candlelight vigil.

"He continues to communicate to us his love for God and his love for humanity," Pope Benedict said.

A group of young Romans in the square when the pope died returned with a banner addressed to the late pope: "We are here with you. We are here to thank you."

The banner-maker, 27-year-old Bindu Casalini, said, 'There were so many moments when he made us feel important."

"Rereading the words of John Paul, I feel he's still close. He's still important to me," she said.

Her friend, Marco Iannotta, said: "It was like losing a member of the family. But he left us so much written down that it's like we can still dialogue with him."

Pope Benedict knelt in the window of his studio overlooking the square, reciting the rosary with the crowd. .

As the clock approached 9:37 p.m., the hour of PopeJohn Paul's death, the rosary concluded and Pope Benedict addressed those present and thousands of Catholics watching by satellite in Poland.

Pope Benedict said that especially in how Pope John Paul accepted his weakening physical condition and death "he gave suffering dignity and value, testifying that a person does not have worth because of his efficiency or appearance, but for his self, because he was created and loved

by God." Jerzy ZoIc of Lublin, Poland, was one of thousands of Poles who traveled to Rome to mark the anniversary by praying at the tomb of the Polish pope.

"I was here last year and when I left I wondered if I ever would come back. But I promised myself to be here on this night," he said. Pope John Paul "showed us the way to live."

Jay Mello of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., was one of dozens of seminarians from the Pontifical North American College who were praying in the square when Pope John Paul died; they returned for the anniversary vigil.

"At Mass 'when we pray for 'Benedict, our pope' it still seems strange," he said. "It seemed right to come here tonight."

Pope John Paul, who served almost 27 years, was the only pope many of the seminarians ever knew.

Pope Benedict also dedicated his midday Angelus address April 2 to Pope John Paul.

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WASHINGTON - Archbishop Pietro Sambi, new papal nuncio to the United States, said that he is impress~p by the vitality of U.S. Cath~licism.

"There are problems in the Church ofthe Unite(I States," he said in an April 3 interview with Catholic News Ser~ice. "I know also there is a lot ofj vitality - I would like that tllis be more known." ~: The nuncio, whb arrived in the United States in late February, just before Lent began, said he was impressed at reports from U.S. bishops on the "hundreds and hundreds ,of adult persons" who came to their cathedrals on the first Supday of Lent to begin the final stages of preparation to be Ibaptized or enter into full communion with the Church at East~r.

He said he is al~o impressed by the level of weekly Mass attendance among uJS. Catholics and by their generbsity toward I others. .11 As a papal diplomat "I travel a lot throughout theI' world," he said. "It is difficult 'to find a part of the world wher~ the charity of U.S. Catholics did not reach the poor or sick pebple."

In his previous ppsting Archbishop Sambi, who speaks italian, English, French and Spanish, was the Vatican representative to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Asked about his views on peace in the Middle East and the U.S. role there, he said, "I come with a deep conviction that peace in Jerusalem means peace in a great part of the world."

He declined to comment on U.S. policy in Iraq, saying that was beyond his mandate as a Vatican diplomat. But he said he shares the feeling that he thinks is common among Americans, "to pray and hope that this conflicted situation will soon end and that a democratic and free society will emerge."

When asked to comment on the current U.S. debate over immigration reform, in which a

number of U.S. bishops have spoken out strongly against proposed restrictive legislation, Archbishop Sambi said as an ambassador it was not his role to comment on a nation's "internal" issues.

"But I am happy the Catholic bishops are really outspoken on this matter," he added.

When questioned about responding to the cultural upheavals in the United States over issues with moral dimensions such as abortion and same-sex marriage, he addressed the question in terms of what it means to be Catholic.

"I don't like to speak inside the Catholic Church about liberal or conservative, but about people faithful to Jesus Christ and to his Church," he said.

"The Church has been established by Our Lord to continue the mystery of the salvation of human beings. It is not your invention, it is not my invention.

To be faithful to the Church means to accept the lordship of Jesus Christ over your life. The question of the Church is not only a question of culture, it is a question of the Gospel."

He summarized the Church's vitality in three principles: - "First, have a clear identity, what it means to be Christian and Catholic; - "Second, have a strong sense of belonging. Your community needs you and you need your community. (The one) who is walking alone will be lost; - "Third, quantity is not the (only) way to emerge and have influence in society. Exceptional quality is the best way to have influence."

In general terms, he said, "My job is路 this: to strengthen communion between the Holy Father and the bishops and the Catholic Church of America, to bring all the time the support and encouragement of the pope to his brothers in the episcopate and to their faithful, to be an instrument of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, to defend life and the dignity of every human person, to find a way of peace with justice in the world."

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Friday, April 14, 2006

Gnostic 'Gospel of Judas'discovered

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WASHINGTON (eNS) - A why a member of Jesus' inner · gnostic writing long thought to circle would betray him. · have been lost, the Gospel of JuMarvin Meyer, a Bible and das, was put on display April 6 Christian studies professor at at the National Geographic So- Chapman University in Orange, ciety in Washington.

Calif., and another chief translaThe document, a third-century tor, said it was interesting to note Coptic translation of what had that - as opposed to the canonioriginally been written in Greek cal Gospels, which are Gospels' before 180 A.D., paints Judas in "according to" - this document · a more sympathetic light than his is a Gospel "of." What is less well-known role as Jesus' be- clear is whether the Gospel of trayer in the canonical Gospels.

Judas is "a Gospel 'about' Judas In it, Jesus said Judas would or a Gospel 'for' Judas." · "exceed all" of the other disThe Gospel of Judas, which ciples, "for you will sacrifice the contained three additional Coptic man that clothes me" - a refer- documents, was unearthed in El · ence to Judas' impending be- Minya, Egypt, in the 1970s. An · trayal of Jesus. It is also an allu- Egyptian trader in such antiqui_. sion to gnostic belief that held the ties tried to sell them in the ~niritin;higheresteem than the United States but could not get body, and that, through the lib- the price he sought. eration of Jesus' body, his spirit The fragile pages stayed for 16 would be freed. years in a bank safe-deposit box The Gospel of Judas was con- in Hempstead, N.Y., where they demned ina book attacking her- deteriorated. The documents then esies that was written by St. changed hands on a couple of oc· Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon, France, casions, and later spent some . "in 180 A.D. time in the freezer compartment The find, though, was touted of a refrigerator in Ohio, where at an April 6 press conference as they suffered more deterioration. one of the three most significant Because of the deterioration, discoveries of sacred writings of only about 80 percent of the the past century, along with the documents have been restored Dead Sea Scrolls, thousands of and, despite the best efforts of re'fragments of biblical and early storers, it is unlikely they will Jewish documents discovered be- ever be fully restored. tween 1947 and 1956, 'arid the The G'ospel of Judas find · Nag Hammadi Library, a collec- spawned a television special that tion of 50 texts found in Egypt was scheduled for Palm Sunday, in 1945.

April 9, on cable's National GeoIn the Gospel of Judas, "Ju- graphic Channel. It also is the das is portrayed as the only dis- . cover article of the May issue of ·ciple who knows Jesus' true iden- National Geographic magazine. tity," said Gregor Wurst, a proEarly Christians used the term · fessor of Catholic theology at the gnosticism to describe various University Of Augsburg-in Ger- 'sects that arose in the second cen,, many and one of the chief trans- tury which exalted arc~ne knowl. lators of the Gospel of Judas edge, mixing Christian belief , from the Coptic. with pagan speculation and theoPassionist Father Donald Se- ries. "Gnosis" is the Greek word nior, president of the Catholic for knowledge.

Theological Union in Chicago, Repudiated as heretics, said it was doubtful the Gospel . gnostics claimed that salvation , of Judas would shed new light qn could be obtained only through the New Testament Gospels or the knowledge and acceptance .serve as· a source of inspiration of certain di vinely r~Yealed :. to rival,them. mysteries which they alone.pos.. The New Testament canon sessed. , '~'was not chosen by some elites" Until the 20th century most · without :regard to how early of what was known about gnos.' Christians used the sacred texts ticism came from the antiavailable to them, Father Senior gnostic writings of Christian said. The canonical Gospels had theologians of the second ·and already enjoyed wide use be- third centuries. cause they "nourished" early That has changed sInce ·Christians, he added.

1945, when an ancient library But as to whether the Gospel of about 50 gnostic works in of Judas would give insight into Coptic, including the so-called gnostic thinking, Father Senior Gospel of Thomas, was discovsaid the answer was "emphati- ered in a cemetery near the cally yes." 'He later said there modern Egyptian village of Nag would always be questions about Hammadi.

Movies Online Can't remember how a recent film was classified by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops? Want to know whether to let the kids go see it? You can look film reviews up on the Catholic News Service Website.

Visit www.cathQlicnews.cQrn and click Qn "MQvies," under the "News Item" menu.

DAN DEMATTE is one of four Catholic men with a calling to the priesthood featured in the new A&E reality series "God or the Girl." The five-part special will air beginning on Easter.

(CNS photo/A&E Television Networks)

'God or the Girl': Reality TV finds religion

By HARRY FORBES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK - It's finally happened: Reality TV has found religion.

In the A&E cable channel's new five-part "God or the Girl," four yoting men with a calling to the priesthood must decide whether to enter the seminary or serve God as laypeople.

The series will air, appropriately enough, during Easter week, with the ·first two episodes premiering on Easter, April 16, 9-11 p.m. EDT. (The third and fourth hours debut Monday, April 17, 9-11 p.m. EDT, with the finale Sunday, April 23, lOII p.m. EDT.) Apart from the slightly sensational title - actually a misnomer as none of these devout men would ever consider abandoning God the series created by Danyl Silver, Stephen David and David Eilenberg and executive-produced by Silver and Mark Wolper offers a surprisingly reverential treatment of a profound life passage.

In its essentials, the series is as serious-minded as a public television documentary on the subject, albeit fitted out with all the trappings of "Survivor."

The four are a varied bunch.

There's Joe Adair, a 28-year-old procrastinator from Ohio who has already been in the seminary twice but can't decide about a lifelong commitment, particularly when there's a warm and attractive girl who could be waiting for him in Germany. He's so infuriatingly indecisive, however, you mayjust want to shake your television set.

His frustrated mother Palma's disingenuously soft-pedal approach masks a fervent desire for her last available son to take the cloth.

There's Steve Horvath, a 25-yearold VIrginian who chucked his lucrative consulting job, luxury home and girlfriend to become a campus missionary at the University of Ne-

braska. Steve is probably the most emotional of the four, his quivering sensitivity coming to the fore when he reluctantly accepts the challenge to go solo to Guatemala, where his worries range from the crime rate to his lack ofSpanish. (Never mind that he'd be accompanied by a camera

crew.)

, The 24-year-old Mike Lechniak from Scranton, Pa., felt a calling at age 17, but has such a natural rapport with sympathetic girlfriend Aly that it's clear why he's highly conflicted.

And finally there's Dan DeMatte, a 21-year-old Ohio Dominican University student with an obvious talent for youth ministry who lives with nine other celibate young men in a house they call "Fort Zion." His relationship with girlfriend Amber is as amiable as Mike's is with Aly. The tug between collar and wedding ring promised by the title seems most vivid with Mike and Dan. .

At one point, we see Dan organize a demonstration at an abortion clinic during which he engages in a lively debate with a couple ofyoung women who support legalized abortion. Dan is less effective later when he takes on an articulate fundamentalist who insists the Church led people "into error," an encounter that deeply frustrates Dan. The series careens among all four, as Joe sets out for World Youth Day in Germany with older brother Tom, hoping to contact 24-year-old Anne - though once there, days go by before he calls het Later in the series, he'll set offon a "pilgrimage" to Niagara Falls with not a dime in his pocket, and charm waitresses into feeding him, sometimes in return for doing odd jobs.

Though his housemates are skeptical, Dan - on the advice of his mentor, Dominican Father Jeffrey Coning, to "seek the Lord in a radical way" - embarks on a project to build and then carry a wooden cross for 20 miles. Of course, no one told

him to build a cross weighing 80 pounds, and when you see Dan sweating and straining under the weight you'll feel his pain.

Mike must make up his mind quickly when the opportunity for a good teaching position materializes, and goes on retreat to sort things out in his mind.

You may wonder at the pressure techniques of Father Francis Pauselli, his mentor, who seems to push way too hard for his charge to ditch Aly and become a priest. ('The , two of you can still be friends," he assures Mike.)

At one point, Steve must break the news of his calling to his fraternity chums, and then set off with great trepidation - especially after reading the government's security warnings - for a brief ministry in Guatemala.

Despite the avuncular support of local missionary Father George Puthenpura, some, if not all, of his fears will be realized.

The sincerity of all four is never in doubt even if their respective worldviews sometimes border on the naive, as when Mike describes his occasional yearning to. hug his girlfriend as "sick and disgusting."

The program touches only lightly on the sex abuse shadow.

"Everyone will think you're a child molester," remarks Steve at one point, anticipating outsiders' reactions.

We won't ruin the surprise of which of the four (if any) actually decides to enter the seminary, but the ftlmmakers have done all in their power to hook viewers, with standard pre-commercial teases and clifihanger closes. And ifthose methods build a large audience for such an atypically religious-based series, then why not? .

An occasional crass expression and a few sexually related words and innuendo are the only flags among otherwise unobjectionable content.

the ancho,(S)

Friday, April 14, 2006

111

Immigration bill 'provisions analyzed

by U.8. bishops' committee. chairman

By PATRICIA ZAPoR CATliOUC NEWS SERVICE

WASHlNGTON - The immigration bill approved late last month by the Senate Judiciary Committee addresses many of the Catholic Church's concerns, although it also needs work, according to statements from the U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops and other Church representatives..

An April 3 letter to senators from Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bef!1ardino, Calif., chairman of the bishops' Committee on Migration, detailed what legislative proposals for immigration the bishops support and which ones they oppose.

The letter lauded provisions ofthe bill approved by the Judiciary Com-: mittee that would allow the II million to 12 million undocumented immigrants the chance to legalize their status, establish a temporary worker program and reor~anize legal immigration procedures to reduce the backlog ofapplications for family reunification visas.

Bishop Barnes praised the committee bill for including legislatjon known as the Agricultural Jobs, 0pportunity, Benefits and Security Act, or AgJOBS, and the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, known as the DREAM Act AgJOBS would allow several hundred thousand agricultural workers already in the United States to legalize their status and seek permanent residency visas. The DREAM Act would create a way for students who were brought illegally to the Unite4 States by their parents to legalize their own status while getting

a college education at in-state resident rates.

The letter also expressed appreciation for amendments to the committee bill that would exempt from criminal prosecution Church and other humanitarian workers who' provide social, medical and other types of service to undocumented immigrants. Amendments also eliminated previous provisions that would have retroactively imposed penalties on immigrants.

Those penalties were included in a version ofimmigration legislation passed by the House in December.

Like the Senate Judiciary Committee's bill, and one proposed

by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., the House legislation is among the possible laws ~ing considered by the full Senate. . "We also are pleased that the committee rejected provisions from the House-passed version of H.R. 4437 that would criminalize unlawful presence," Bishop Barnes wrote.

It currently is a violation ofcivil, not criminal, law to be in the country without permission.

Aspects of the committee bill dealing with due process rights are harmful, however, "and should either be stricken or ameliorated during Senate floor consideration ofthe measure," the bishop's letter said.

Among provisions !:Qat concern .the bishops are those that would expand the definition ofan aggravated felony, which would inake "many deserving aliens ineligible for immi- . gration relief."

Also troubling are provisions that would increase the use of ''indiscrirni-

nate, mand3.tory and indefinite detention" and expand th~ use ofexpedited removal, he said. Those changes "mightrettim refugees, asylum seekers' unaccomPanied children, trafficking .victims, battered spouses and other vulnerable IX?pulations to sitI,Jations where they may face harm."

Catholic Charities USA president Father Larry Snyder reiterated the key goals the Catholic bishops and other organizations and their Justice for Immigrants campaign have promoted for immigration legislation.

They include: - a path to lawful permanent residency and citizenship for undocumented people already here; - improvements in legal immigration procedures to makeit easier for families to be reunited and allowed to stay together; - promotion of national security; .

-creation ofmore legal avenues for necessary workers to be admitted to the United States.

Father James R. Stormes, secretary for social and international ministries' for the Jesuit Conference of the Unites States, issued statement warning that, "with emotions running high over immigration reform and both sides becoming more polarized, people offaith may feel tom by an apparent choice between national security and the call of Jesus to welcome the stranger."

"It's a false choice," he said "because Americacan secure its borders in a way that protects our labor force . and promotes human rights by bringing 12 million peopleout ofthe shadows.'"

a

THOUSANDS OF people gather to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge as P?rt of the Great Walk in Solidarity With Immigrants in New York recently. This march was one of many' around the United States in recent weeks calling for changes in U.S. immigration law. ( eNS photo/Seth Wenig, Reuters)

St. Anne's Prayer , "Good St. Anne, Mother of Mary, and Grandmo$er of Jesus, Intercede for me and my . petitions. Amen."

. Cleveland qishop retires; Boston auxiliary is successor WASHlNGTON (CNS)- Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the retirement ofBishop Anthony M. Pilla of Cleveland and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Richard G. Lennon of Boston as his successor.

Archbishop Pietro S~bi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, made the announCement.

Bishop Lennon's installation is to takeplaceMay 15 at Cleveland's Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

In what was then the National (now U.S.) Conf~rence of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Pilla served as treasurer 1990-92, vice president 199295 and president 1995-98.

He turned 73 last November and marked his 25th anniversary as bishop of Cleveland January 6.

In an interview last December with the Catholic Universe Bulletin, his diocesan new~paper, he said he was looking forward to retirement because after 25 years "it's time for a change."

Bishop Lennon, 59, has been an auxiliary bishop of Boston since 2001. He was apostolic administrator of the archdiocese for a turbulent seven months from December 2002 to July 2003 after Cardinal Bernard F. Law resigned as arch-

bishop in the midst of Boston's crisis over clergy sexual路 abuse of minors.

Since the arrival of Archbishop (now Cardinal) Sean P. O'Malley as archbishop, Bishop Lennon has been archdiocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia Bishop Pillawas the first Cleveland native and first Italian-American to head the Cleveland diocese.

Born Nov. 12, 1932, he was ordained a priest in 1959. After a year as ~sociate pastor in a Cleveland parish he was assigned to Borromeo College Seminary, where he served as a professor 1960-72 and rectorpresident 1972-75.

In 1975 he was named diocesan secretary for services to clergy and religious, and in June 1979 he was made an auxiliary bishop of Cleveland. When the diocese became vacant in July 1980 he was named apostolic administrator, and six months later he was installed as head of the diocese.

He was forced to rest from most duties for several months in 199798 while recovering from heart bypass surgery, and in 1999 he underwent successful prostate surgery.

On the national level Bishop Pilla

headed the bishops' conference as it was going through the preparatory phases of amajor restructuring. He spoke out on behalf of tlie bishops on a wide range ofissues, including sharp criticism ofthe U.S. insistence on a Wide economic embargo on Iraq and Cuba.

Richard G. Lennon was born in Arlington, Mass., March 26,1947.

He was ordained a priest of the Boston Archdiocese in 1973 after studies at St. John's Seminary in Brighton. He has master's degrees in sacramental theology and Church history. , After 15 years in parish work, in .

1988 he was named archdiocesan assistant for canonical affairs.

In 1998 he was named rector of St. John's Seminary. After he was ordained a bishop June 29,2001, he continued as rector of the seminary but took on added duties as regional bishop for the western part of the archdiocese.

When Cardinal Law resigned Dec. 13, 2002, Bishop Lennon announced that in order to give full time to his flew role as the papally appointed administrator ofthe archdiocese, he was resigning his posts as rector and regional bishop.

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Friday, April 14, 2006

Cardinal Dulles affirms lay mission in Church, world

By CATHOLIC

NEWS SERVICE

hierarchy, they already particiNEW YORK - Laypeople pate if} the saving mission of the are called to serve the Church's Church through their baptism mission, both by ministry within and confirmation," he said. the Church and by apostolate to "Th~ough these sacranien'ts the the world, U.S. Cardinal Avery Lord himself commissions them Dulles said in a recent, March to the apostolate. Far from being merely passive recipients of lecture.

While some Catholics would the ministrations of the hierarlike to restrict the use of "min- chy, all the lay faithful have a istry" to what the ordained do, positive role to play; they are Scripture, tradition and official called to make their own contriChurch documents make the use bution to the growth and sanctiof the term much broader, the Je- fication of the Church," While the council generally suit theologian said.

It is also a mistake to view lay used "apostolate" for the laity ministry within t,he Church - a and applied "ministry" to them . necessary support for strong lay only a few times, those instances "are s'ignificant in view of later apostolate toward tpe world as somehow undermining lay developments;" Cardinal Dulles apostolate, he said. said.

He said the council "speaks â&#x20AC;˘ Cardinal Dulles, the Laurence J. McGinley professor of servers, lectors, commentaof religion and society at Jesuit- tors and choir members as perrun Fordham University, spoke forming a true ministry." about "The Mission of the LaThe council also applies the ity" in his spring McGinley lec- term "ministry" to religious instruction by laypeople, to misture at the university.

"In some past centuries it sionary activity, whether clerical might almost have seemed that or lay, to teaching catechism, to the laity had no mission" be- practicing charity in social or recause Church documents used lief work and, in one document, the words "mission" and "min- "rather loosely to indicate any istry'~ in ways that applied to the kind of service, including work Church itself and to its clergy on behalf of peace, justice and the defense of human life, which but not to the laity" he said.

That changed early in the are normally. the tasks of layper20th century when popes "began sons," Cardinal Dulles said. to involve the laity 'in the minisHe said "ministry" is used try of the Church," he s,aid. He particularly for service to build cited the establishment of up the Church from within while Catholic Action by Pope Pius X "apostolate" connotes activities and its strong encouragement by directed outward to the world, but since the council there has Pope Pius Xl. , By mid-century, he said, been, a growing tendency in ofPope Pius XII went further, de- ficial Church documents to use scribing the laity as "on the "ministry" for lay activities that front lines of the Church's life" would have been called and encolJraging not only "apostolate" by the council.

Catholic Action but other H'e said one is the desire by works of lay apostolate that some to restrict "ministry" and "could be left more or less to "minister", to the ordained, or at the free initiative of layper- least "to the¡exercise of an essons, while of course being tablished office in the Church. conducted within the limits al- But neither of these positions lowed by competent ecclesias- seems to be warranted by offitical authorities." cial Catholic teaching; still less He noted that in the 1960s the by Scripture and tradition."

Second Vatican Council de- , "It would be a mistake, I beclared that by virtue of baptism lieve, to make a sharp'dilaypeople share in their own way chotomy between ministry in th~ in Christ's threefold office of Church and apostolate in the priest, prophet and king. world, as if it were necessary to In the council's teaching, choose between them," Cardinal "prior to any lJ'iandate from the Dulles said.

PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS,' , AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA'

On December 10,1925; Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promisf! to as.sist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall.'

I. Go to confession; 2. Receive. Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each' to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immacutate Heart otMary."

Confessions may be made during 8 days before, or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or ~vening Mass on the first Saturday. .-;-

THE KNIGHTS of Columbus Hall in Buzzards Bay'was the site of a recent gathering ,of three Franciscan fraternities - from Bourne, Harwich and Plymouth. From left, back row: Vincent E. Corsano, Lorraine McDermott, and John Raymont. Front: District Councilor Jacquiline Walsh; Father Richard Trezza, OFM, national spiritual assistant; Sister Francis Sheehy, OSF; Father Francis DeSalles Paolo, OFM, spiritual assistant; and Mary Love.

PARISHIONERS OF St. Patrick's Parish in Wareham have volunteered their time to cook and serve needy people for nearly five years at the St. Patrick's Table food pantry.

Wareham parish food kitchen closes in on five years of s~rvice WAREHAM - St. Patrick's Table has been serving free meals to the needy in the Wareham area each Monday night since July of 200 l.

This July, the charitable mission at St. Patrick's Parish will celebrate its fifthanniversary, The Table averages 40 to 50 people in need of a meal each week, There are no requirements to be met to be served a meal.

Take-out meals are also occasionally available, In addition,

the Table volunteers deliver nearly 30 meals each week to senior housing units in the Wareham area.

St. Patrick's Table is fortunate to have 30-plus v'olunteers, made up of adult and young parishioners. Folks from other denominations also lend a much , needed hand. Duties include: food bank pickup, shopping, dining room setup, prep cooking, meal service, deliveries, Cleanup, and grant-writing..

Upper Cap~ Voke Tech pro-

vides the cooks once per month during the school year, which gives the kitchen volunteers a breather and the clients a little menu variety.

The goal of the St. Patrick's Table has been and continues to be one of serving tl.e social and economic needs of the are'a less fortunate.

Future plans. when the budget allows, include "special occas'ion" meals. such as Christmas; an Italian night; and a Dr. Seuss night.

Friday, April 14, 2006

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

ATTLEBORO - Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is held at St. Joseph's Church, 208 SO'.lth Main Street. Adorers are needed to cover open hours. For more information call 508-226-1115.

DENNISPORT - A Divine Mercy holy hour will be held April 17 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady ofthe Annunciation Chapel, l)pper County Road. It will continue all week culminating with a divine mercy Sunday celebration April 23 at 2:45 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD-The feast of Divine Mercy will be celebrated April 23 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima ~Mch. It will include recitation ofthe chaplet ofdivine mercy and BenediCtion of the Blessed Sacrament. Re. freshments will follow. For more information call 508-995-7351.

week study group "The Da Vinci . Code," on Monday evenings beginning April 24. They will convene at 7 p.m. in the church's recoriciliation chapel. Pre-registration is required. For more information call 508-222-541 O. ATTLEBORO - A three-part se-' ries entitled "Mary: Mirror of Jesus," will begin April 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. The first part, "Love and Faith of Mary," will be presented by Anna Rae Kelly in the church reconciliation . chapel.It will continue on May 18 and June 15. For more inforrnation call 508-222-5410.

BREWSTER - The Lazarus Ministry Group 9f Our Lady of the Cape Parish will conduct the bereavement program "Come WalkWith Me," ,for six weeks beginning April 28. Sessions will be held from}-8:30 p.m. in the parish center. For information call Happy Whitm~ at 50~-385.-3252. '

HEALING MASSES

CENTERVILLE - The annual Mass of Anointing will be celebrated

by Father Mark Hession April 23 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Parish.

The sacrament of the sick will be administered. Light refreshments and musical entertainment will follow. For more information or transportation call Ralph Babusci at 508-778-0193.

WAREHAM c A-workshop on Biblical Social Justice will be held April 12 from 1-3 p.m. in the church hall at St. Patrick's Parish, 82 High Street. It will include presentations by Sacred Hearts Father David Reid and BlessedTrinity SisterCatherine Lamb.

For more information call 508-2952411.

MISCELLANEOUS

FALL RIVER- A healing Mass will be celebrated April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anne's Church, 818 Middle Street. Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m.

Benediction ofthe Blessed Sacrament will follow. For more information call 508-674-5651.

LECTURE/PRESENTATIONS

ATTLEBORO - The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette announces its Post-Easter reconciliation. schedule as follows: Monday to Friday from 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays reconciliation will also be available from 5-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday the sacrament is available from 1-4 p.m. For more information call 508-222-5410.

ATTLEBORO - La Salette Father Donald Paradis will lead a four-

FALL RIVER - District I of the

In Your Prayers Please pray for the following priests during the coming weeks April 18 .

1935, Rev. Hugh B. Harrold, Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield 1956, Rt. Rev. John F. McKeon, P.R., Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford 1984, Rev. Joao Vieira Resendes, Retired Pastor, Espirito Santo, Fall River 1985, Rev. Wilfred C. Boulanger, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro 1992, Rev. George E. Amaral, Retired Pastor, S1. Anthony, Taunton ~l>riI19

1855, Rev. William Wiley, Pastor, St. Mary,Jaunton 1975, Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Dum,. f>ast<Jt;StcPeter the Apostle, _,/\ \/" .

Provincetown 1990, Rev. Danie1/E.Cafey,cqaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Retired Pastor, St. DOminiC; Swansea , 'April·2Q· 1954, Rev. Edward F. Coyle, S.S:, St. Mary. Seminary, Baltimore, Md. " 1970, Rev. James E. O'Reilly, Retired~astor, Our Lady ofMt. Carmel, Seekonk \ 1999, Rev. James P. Dalzell, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole April 21', \ 1859, Rev. John O'Beirne, Pastor St. Mary, Taunton 2004, Rev. Thomas Feeley, esc, Holy Cross Family Ministries, North Easton April 22 1910, Rev. James L. Smith, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton 1954, Rev. Thomas F. Fitzgerald, Pastor, S1. Mary,. Nantuc~et

Fall River Diocesan Council ofCatholic Women will meet April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the St Mary's School hall. They will discuss detaiIs of the May 6 convention to be held at St. Anthony's Parish Center in Taunton. For more information calI50S-673-6145.

called the "Prayer of the Heart" will be the main feature of this retreat. For more information call 508-695-6161.

tional Shrineof Our Lady ofLaSalette.

A speaking program will follow. For more information call Brother Robert L. Nichols at 508-236-9019.

SOCIAL EYENTS I

ATTLEBORO - The third ~mnual benefit concert for the Honduran FALL RIVER - Plans are in the. Mission in Guaimaca will be held April works for an all-school reunion of 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen's Church, graduates ofthe former Sacred Hearts 683 South Main Street. It will feature Academy. The event will take place at the St. Stephen's M~sic Ministry, reVenus de Milo Restaurant in Swansea cording artist Tom Kendzia and guest on September 10. If you are a gradu- performers. A free ~Il offering will be ate and have'not been contacted, call taken. For more information call 508·508-678-6675,508-824-1163, or 508- 222-0641.

674-1992, extension 14.

ATTLEBORO - St. John's NEW BEDFORD - A Divine Council No. 4040ft]1e Knights ofCoMercy Novena wiu be held from lumbus will hold its annual Dinner for April 14 to Divine Mercy Sunday at Priests and Religious of the Attleboro St. Anthony ,of Padua Parish. For Deanery . .April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Namore information call 508-993-1691 or visit the Website: www.saintanthonynewbedford.com.

NEW BEDFORD-The Catholic Women's Club ofNew Bedford will hold its annual Bishop's Night April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wamsutta Club.

Bishop George W. Coleman will be the honored guest and pianist David Arruda will provide music. For more information call 508-995-0360.

NEWBEDFORD-Anorganrecital, on the recently repaired Casavant organ will be held April 23 at4p.m. at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street.. It will include works featured in the inaugural recital of 1960 along with new pieces ofmusic. Barry Turley will be the featured musician.

"

RETREATS

EAST FREETOWN - The next Emmaus retreat weekend for young Catholic adults ages 2040, will be held April 28-30 at Cathedral Camp. This co-ed. weekend offers a chance to grown in your relationship with Christ regardless ofcurrent level offaith and practice. For more information call John Griffin at 781-341-1709.

EAST FREETOWN - "The Unfolding of Contemplative Consciousness," a retreat by Father Robert 1. Powell, will be held April 29 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Cathedral Camp. Silent contemplative prayer

Messa.ge Continued/rom page two

sage to our students," said Principal Chris Servant. "As a Catholic school we have a moral responsibility to our students and this helps us reach that. I hope they. are open to this message of chastity and the possibiliqes of ·change."

"I think this talk will have an impact," said Junior Connor Bradbury. "Evert presented a good message to us. I found it inspirational."

Following the prese'ntation, students split up into groups. Visiting priests gave students the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation and while that was going ·on the remaining students went into classrooms to further discuss the presentation.

For more information about Evert and his ministry visit the Website: www.pureloveclub.com.

Mercy

Continued/rom page three

Francis Xavier, ~as one of the originators of the daily devotion since its inception in Hyannis more than thret1 years ago. "I made a Cursillo retreat and I felt the Holy Spirit!lask me to do more," he said. I , After visiting the National Shrine of Div~ine Mercy in Stockbridge, Smith got the answer he was looking for and began the daily devotion at St. Francis Xavier. "If we just promise to confess our sins and convert, Jesus will wipe away all our sins," .he . added.

Smith, who i~ employed as a mechanic, and <Ii. group of others have formed a cenacle which will travel to Stockbi-idge for Divine Mercy Sunday next week.

"We've done this for a couple of years now," said Smith. "We go up there and stay Saturday night and attend the Di'vine Mercy Sunday services with thousands of other faithful." I I,

Iliu1D1£J

Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston is scheduled to be the principal celebrant of the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass in Stockbridge this year.

A Divine Mercy holy hour will be held April 17 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel in Dennisport. It will continue all week culminating with a Divine Mercy Sunday celebration April 23 at 2:45 p.m.

The feast of Divine Mercy will be celebrated April 23 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church in New Bedford. It will include recitation of the chaplet of Divine Mercy and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

For more information about Divine Mercy devotions, visit the Website at marian.org/ divinemercy.

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Friday, April 14, 2006

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Pro-Life Essay Contest Win.ner First

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Junior High School

Roe v. Wade v. "The Gospel of Life" , "Today I believe the Lord is saying to .us all: do not hesitate, do not be afraid to engage the good fight of the faith (cf. I Tim 6: 12). When w~ preach the message of .Jesus Christ we are offering the words of life to the world. Our prophetic witness is an urgent and'essential service notjust to the Catholic community but to the whole human family." This is a quote from the late Pope John Paull!. Here I believe the late pope is trying to tell us to do the right thing, fight the good and faithful fight and to follow what, God has taught us. Fighting Roe v. Wade is a great example of doing what the pope is telling us to do. Roe v. Wade is the most controversial Supreme Court case in the last 33 years. And throughout those 33 years that Roe v. Wade has been an issue, Catholics have continued to be "Pro-Life" or opposed to the act of abortion.

Many Catholics including myself are so strong in our convictions because we follow the Gospel of Life. In the Book of Jeremiah, the Lord says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were bom I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." So in the act of abortion, the supporters of "pro-choice" or supporters of the act of abortion are taking the life of "a prophet to the nations." In my eyes ''pro-choice'' literally means pro-death.

As a matter of fact, what is the "pro-choice" philosophy?

Advocates for "pro-choice" describe the pro-life opinion on abortion to be that "Pro-Lifers are trying to wrench away awoman's control of herown body." To me the issue is not about awoman's BISHOP CONNOLLY High School in Fall River has recently instituted a body or life choices. To me it is about the taking of one of God's "Cougar of the Month" award, recognizing students for their contribution to children's lives before they have a chance to fend for themselves. Some slogans that pro-choice supporters use are, the school community; their drive to succeed; and their example of Christian 'Women need partial-birth abortions for health reasons" but at leadership. Winners of the inaugural award were, from I,eft: Teacher Joyce congressional hearings no doctor was able to' cite a single Phelan; Sophomore Melanie Pavao; Assistant Principal Bob Jarvis; Senior health problem that could be treated with partial-birth abortion.

Amie Vieira; Freshman Scott Cote; Junior Grace Lapointe; and Principal Another line is "every woman has the right to control her own Paul Cartier.

L.i- - I body" and the dictionary defines woman as a "female human BETH POWIS being." Sex is determined at conception and over half of those aborted are "female human beings" that means obviously not COYLE AND CASSIDY High all women have the right to control their own body. These slogans create a language of Scho,ol Spanish and French Teacher illusion.

Cathy Eddlem, was recently presented In a November 1994 Reader's Digest article it was reported that 91 percent of with the Golden Applet Award at Bristol women surveyed in post-abortion interviews stated that they would have carried their Community College. This award recchild to term ifthe support had been there. Items most frequently mentioned were help with medical bills, ability to continue in her career or education, and most importantly, ognizes outstanding use of technolunderstanding from family, friends, and the father of the child. These excuses seem ogy in the classroom and is named like such selfish opinions because they ,are not taking away their own life but an innofor a small piece of programming code cent child's. So does that mean that they are trying to wrench away the life of an that makes big things happen. Eddlem innocent child? was recognized for her outstanding In the court case of Laci Peterson, her husband Scott was found guilty of two counts and creative use of technology in her of first-degree murder. The first count was for murdering Laci; the second count was world language classes at the Taunton for. the murder of the baby that Laci was eight r:nonths pregnant with. So shouldn't all the doctors in abortion clinics be charged with murder? There seems to be a double sc~ool. She was also selected to standard. Another example of this double standard is the unborn victims of violence. present some of her technology-enUnborn victims of violence are children that have been killed in the womb in an act of riched projects in the "Best Practices" violence similar to a car accident or domestic assault and their abuser or murderer is showcase held on the same day. charged with the crime.

Albert Einstein once said ''There are two ways to live your life; one, like nothing is a miracle, and two, like everything is a miracle." Life in itself is a miracle and t~ take it away from an innocent child is wrong because from the moment of conception the Lord God is with us. In the Gospel of Luke 1:15 he says "...he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb."

Euthanasia or as some call it "the right to die" is becoming an increasingly talked about issue as well as "assisted suicide." Take for one example Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who let Janet Adkins, a 54~year-old sufferer of early Alzheimer's, use his homemade "suicide machine" to kill herself. She pushed a button that released lethal fluids into her, body. He has also offered this option to dozens of others. Or the Nancy Cruzan case that is very similar to the much publicized Teri Shiavo case. Nancy had been in a coma for almost eigtit years, but was not dying, not deteriorating. The courts allowed food and water to be discontinued, and 12 days later (on the day after Christmas) she died.

She did not die of the coma. She died of starvation; She was 33 years old.

Only in the state of Oregon is euthanasia legal. But like the rest of the states in the U.S.A, murder is not legal. In my opinion there is no difference betWeen murder and ~uthanasia. 'In the society that we now live in, a heartbeat and brain waves are considered life. So why is it that we can stop the heartbeat and the brain waves of a living human being in the acts of euthanasia andassisted suicide? Where is there a difference? Pope John Paull! once said "Your country stands upon the world scene as a model of a democratic society at an advance stage of development. Your power of example carries with it heavy responsibilities. Use it well, America!" That is what we must do, use our power in God to stop doing what is wrong and the killing of innocent children of the Lord and we cannot allow our society,to push Christ out of our lives.

Our very own Constitution is based upon the values and morals in the Bible we use today and these same morals should be used in our courts. The courts and thei proTHESE STUDENTS were top finishers in the annual science fair at Holy abortion supporter~ are trying to remove these same Bible teachings and morals. But Trinity School: Fall River. Front from left: science fair coordinator Laurie Leal, we cannot allow them to push 'Christ out of our lives or us.

Mackenzie Biello, Paulo Borges, Emily Cheung and Kelsey Lavoie. Back Beth Powis, Grade Eight row: Clarice Sousa, Lauren Desrosiers, Talia Boyer, Katherine Gibney and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Seekonk ...J L...-- Natasha Garcia.

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Friday, April 14, 2006

Moving past :,mistakes

By CHARLIE

MARTIN -

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

"made a commitment'fto a girl, and tant, but even more significant is the RIGHT HERE he's "willing to bleed'~ for her. Yet plan for change by the person who I know I've been mistaken she treats him poorly, qften bringing made the mistake. After apologizing But just give me a break up his past mistakes. Hb responds by for what has been done, this indiAnd see the changes saying, "I've got sOf11e imperfec- vidual needs to express how he or that I've made tions, but how can you collect them she will act differently when similar I've got some impeifections circumstances arise. Acting differall and throw them in my face?"

But how can you collect them all He also says, "If you chose to ently requires more than intent. A And throw them in my face? walk away, I'd still De right here person sho.uld clarify what new beRefrain: But you always find a way to keep waiting, searching forll the things to haviors will be practiced when the say." This dance in their relationship same situation reoccurs. me right here waiting The third step depends on the seems to move both ways, as he too You always find the words to say 'I can find the words "to ~eep you right person who was hurt. In the song, to keep me right here waiting this person often focuses on what the .

If you chose to walk away, I'd still here waiting."

Clearly, this relationship has other did in the past. Such repetition be right here waiting, problems. Yet, the bigger question blocks healing. If the other person Searching for the things to say to keep you right here waiting. has taken .th.e two step~J~~ out, then It IS the hurt person sturn I hope that you're not intending to grow.

To be so condescending This means extendingforgiveness.

It's as much as I can take To forgive another is not to forget the And you're so independent painful incident. Rather, forgiveness You just refuse to bend is the decision to move beyond it and So I keep bending till I break. no longer to bring the si~ation up for (Repeat refrain.) discussion. Forgiveness requires a I've made a commitment willingness to put hurt aside.

I'm willing to bleed for you Most times, this goal cannot be.

I needed fulfillment the song raises is, How do couples attained quickly. Yet, it is necessary I found what I need in you ifthe relationship is still valuable to Can't you just forgive me? move past mistakes? II All of us learn in relationships. the individual who felt hurt by the I don't want to relive Knowing how to hangle mist*es is .other's mistake. all the mistakes All of this demands spiritual SEVENTH-GRADER Molly Endler placed first in the ana necessary skill if a beginning iove I've made along the way. connection is to deepen and endure. growth. That's a reason I often spell But I always find a way to keep nual Science Fair at Saint Mary-Sacred Heart School, North ...The Il}QsUmportadt step in h~al- . "Jove" this way: "w-o-i-~k." '. YOl~ right here waiting.,.".. ..

Attleboro. Her project focused on wind turbines. In eighth .

Relationships present' all of us ing pain caused by mistakes is for I always find the words to say to grade Elizabeth Gingras placed first with her project on wind both people ,to. admit: what has oc- with a "lab" in which to grow. When keep you right here waiting turbines. Scott Robinson placed second and third place went But you always find a way to keep curred. The one who made the mis- both people involved in' a relationto Cassandra Lewis. In seventh grade Shelby Finan placed me right here waiting . take needs to acceptifesponsibility ship want to be more what God wants second and Hunter 0' Brien placed third. In sixth grade there We always find the words to say to for the injury he or sHe caused. The them to be, healing and growth are was a four-way tie for first between Patrick Burke, pressure keep me right here waiting . other person should ~9t minimize the possible. Ask God to help you when you need to recognize a mistake and hurt that is felt. .I If I chose to walk away, would treated wood/water; Michael Keane, fantastic freezing you be right here waiting, As with all aspects oflife that God to understand how your .are being bubbles; Brent McCann, temperatures of light; and Emily Tormey, hot water and pressure. Second place in sixth grade Searching for the things to say to heals, getting past a mistake rests on invited to change, grow and, most . acknowledging the full truth of the important, heal. keep me right here waiting? was a four-way tie between Olivia Cortellini, Jack LaBelle, Your comments are always welSung by Staind situation.

Mary Kate Petterson, and Hannah Wolf. Third place was a Copyright (c) 2005 by Elektra Next comes making amends. This come. Please write to me at; four-way tie between Mary Margaret Dunn, Daniel Fournier, The character in Staind's latest hit involves much more than saying chmartin@swindiana.net or at Matthew Lordan, and Christopher Pierson..

"Right Here" has a dilemma. He's "I'm sorry." These words are impor- 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.

The rescue mission Good Friday. One of the most important days in the history of the world. It's the tail end of a true drama that began thousands of years ago. The story begins in the first chapters of Genesis.

Adam and Eve ... the garden ... the animals and plants ... Tree of Life ... everything is great. But then comes the serpent, and he begins to talk to Eve. He begins to ask her questions. Wait a minute. Go back a minute.

What's the serpent there for?

Where did he come from?

That's really the beginning of the story.

In the beginning, God, in his love, creates - everything. One of the creatures he creates are angels. Angels are highly intelligent, powerful, spiritual beings. Like humans who will be created later, the angels have free will. We really don't know many of the details, but at some point, a huge number of these angels rebel against God. Th~re

is some kind of coup attempt.

Imagine thousands, if not millions, of angels in battle with each other. The majority of them are fighting on God's side; about a third of them are fighting on the side of an angel named Lucifer. The bottom line: Lucifer and his followers lose, and they are hurled from the presence of the Trinity.

Where did the' "fallen angels" go?

Evidently to earth. In one of the Gospels, Jesus said, "I was there when Satan fell from the sky like lightning." Lucifer, now called the devil, hated God for kicking him out of heaven, and sought his revenge. Then ,comes Adam and Eve. They were created into a world at war. The angel battle had already taken place.

Satan encounters the first

humans and his treachery continues. He lies and makes what is truly evil seem something good. That's his typical method of operation, and he's very good at getting humans to

fall for it. When the first man and woman disobey God, sin and death enter the world. As long as Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Life, they would live forever. But their sin, the original sin, led them to be kicked out of the garden, leaving behind the Tree of Life. Death enters for the first time.

However, because he loves us like a Father, God launched a rescue mission at tHat moment.

Fathers fight for their children, at least this Father ooes. In his wisdom, he initiated a series of events over many centuries that seemed random to humans, but were all part of a master plan. The culmination of the plan was the sending of the Messiah. For centuries, God promised that he would send a rescuer into the world. No one ever expected that the Messiah, the rescuer, would be God himself.

I' Why did God personally come? Because only God could defeat the enemy. Mere humans were not strong enough to take on sin, death, and Satan. Only the God-Man, Jesus Christ, . could wage that fight.

When Jesus entered the world,

Satan knew that this was trouble, but the devil cannot tell the future. He did not know what God was up to. When Satan convinced Judas to betray Jesus, and he convinced the crowds to demand Jesus' death, he smelled blood, literally. He thought he could finally get his revenge on God. When he got the Romans to crucify Jesus, his excitement couldn't be contained.

Satan thought Jesus' death would be the end of the story. It would be his greatest triumph over God. But, unknown to him, a new big bang was about to occur two days later, and the rescue mission that was launched so many centuries ago was just about to be completed.

We celebrate Good Friday, the day Christ died for us, because, by his Cross, he has redeemed the world.

Bud Miller is the director of Religious Education at St. Patrick's Parish, Wareham.

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Friday, April 14, 2006

Four-day Lenten Mis~ioJ;i attracts large gatherings in New Bedford

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

NEW BEDFORD - The New Bedford Deanery's Lenten Mission, held April 3-6 at St. Mary's Church, was well received by hundreds from across the diocese.

Father Jason Jalbert, associate vocations director for the Diocese of Manchester, N.H., was principal celebrant and homilist for several of the Masses at noon and 7 p.m. He preached on the theme, "Being Passionate for Christ and His Church."

Teresita Ryan, a parishioner at St. George's Parish, Westport, attended the April 4 noon Mass and called it a "wonderful community affair." After hearing the homily

by Father Jalbert, Ryan said, "He's filled with the Holy Spirit and a very special friend of Jesus."

Bishop George W. Coleman was principal celebrant for that Mass. Concelebrants were Fathers Philip N. Hamel, John J. Oliveira, Robert A. Oliveira, Msgr. John J. Oliveira, retired Father Clement E. Dufour, and Father David A. Pignato.

The bishop said he was very pleased that the priests had collaborated to provide a city-wide Lenten Mission for the deanery. ''I'm grateful to them and to Father Jalbert for spending this week in New Bedford and offering a very beautiful and faith-filled ministry."

The bishop added, "I'm encouraged to see so many people from across the diocese taking advantage of this spiritual mission and their Lenten journey towards Easter."

FATHER JASON Jalbert, associate vocations director for the Diocese of Manchester, N.H., directs his Lenten mission homily towards students from St. Mary's School in New Bedford. Father Jalbert preached on "Being Passionate for Christ and His Church," at the Mass at St. Mary's Church, which was part of the New Bedford Deanery's four-day Lenten Mission last week. (AnchorlGordon photo) Mass was attended by students from St. Mary School, New Bedford. Teacher Jessica Bonvino thought it was a good opportunity for her seventh-graders to learn more about their faith and Bishop Coleman.

"It's a nice occasion for our students and it helps make their faith stronger," said Bonvino. One

of her students, Ethan Kelley, was enthusiastic about the Mass and said it's because, "I love the Church." .

In his homily, Father Jalbert spoke about the need to read the word of God every day. He gave students a verbal quiz about their faith and said they should "strive to know God better."

He said he studied a lot when

he was preparing to become a priest and it was through Scripture that he began to know Jesus and the Church better. "I encourage you to read the Bible each morning and each night. The words of Scripture are meant for you, but do you really know him?" asked Father Jalbert.

He talked about writing a diary each day and if one offered

that to someone to read, he or she would most certainly want to read it, because it contains details of one's life. ''Think of the Bible as God's diary,'? said Father Jalbert.

"It was meant for us. God doesn't want us to fit him into our lives, he wants us to build our lives around him. He has awesome things in store for us. Know him in the depths of your heart."

Those words were inspirational for many of the attendees including Pat Ferreira. A parishioner of St. John the Baptist Parish, Westport, Ferreira said, ''The mission has been awesome and the talks have been very moving."

She attended each of the days and planned to come back for more.

When asked why, she declared, "It inspires you."

Father Jalbert concluded by telling attendees if they read the Bible each day, "It will transform you. The word of God is alive and it speaks to us today.

"Allow the Lord to speak to you through Scripture."

Judith Viera from St. Mary's Parish, South Dartmouth, was making the mission as part of her Lenten journey and said seeing all the children from St. Mary School in attendance and hearing the "wonderful" speaker, "gives me new life."

Father Dufour was impressed by the guest speaker and enjoyed the fact that he addressed the chil. dren during his homily. "It's important for us all to get to know Jesus as a person," said Father Dufour. He was also pleased to see many people in attendance and stated, "All can benefit from a Lenten retreat. It's truly a wonderful experience."

All are invited to a

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood APRIL

'.~,

17 - 7 P.M. AT & PAUL PARISH

SS. PETER

AT HOLY CROSS CHURCH,

47 PULASKI STREET,

30 FROM 2-5

APRIL

FALL RIVER

P.M. AT ST. JULIE BILLIART

PARISH CENTER IN NORTH DARTMOUTH FOR HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATIENDING, CONTACT FATHER ED CORREIA AT

508-672-6713.

Holy Hour for Vocations MAY

7-3

P.M. AT ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL

327 SECOND STREET,

FALL RIVER

www.FaIiRiverVocations.org

PARISHIONERS OF St. John of God Parish in Somerset collected Easter baskets during Lent for critically ill children in area hospitals. The baskets will be distributed to patients at St. Anne's Oncology Department in Fall River, Children's Hospital in Providence, R.I., and Children's Hospital in Boston on Easter Sunday. Volunteers will deliver the baskets to more than 180 children.