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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, April 15, 2016

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

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Mercy is central to 75th annual Catholic Charities Appeal

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

FALL RIVER — There’s serendipity in the fact that the 75th anniversary of the Fall River Diocese’s annual Catholic Charities Appeal just happens to fall within the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

“I think Pope Francis’ recent exhortation about how to express mercy is inextricably tied to the work of the Catholic Charities Appeal and Catholic Social Services,” said James Campbell, director of the diocesan Development Office and the Appeal. “I think the pope’s example is right in line with what our messaging is.”

In the midst of planning several kickoff meetings and on the threshold of launching his fourth consecutive Catholic Charities campaign, Campbell shared his plans and aspirations for this year’s silver anniversary Appeal with The Anchor.

“We have chosen the theme of ‘Open your heart to mercy,’ playing off the Vatican’s Year of Mercy,” Campbell said. “Symbolically, we’ve designed the brochure this year, so that when you open it up, the first thing you see are two church doors. I think Pope Francis made a point of saying that there should be a church door that symbolically opens as a sign that this is the Year of Mercy; and the brochure incorporates elements of that, asking people to open their heart to mercy.”

Given that most of the ministries supported by the Appeal are mandates of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, Campbell felt the theme was a natural fit.

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“This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Catholic Charities Appeal,” he added. “It wouldn’t appear so if you look at the numbers, because it started in 1942, so you would think 2017 would be the 75th, but you have to remember to count the first year — 1942 was the first year, 1966 was the 25th, 1996 was the 50th year — so this is the 75th Appeal.”

war effort — things like chaplaincy support and war relief. I didn’t realize that, but we found out about it when going through the archives.”

According to Campbell, the debut Catholic Charities Appeal was launched in April of 1942 — just months after the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

“The goal of that first

“That’s something we’ve never done before,” he explained. “We came up with a bookmark with a quote from the bishop on one side, and a quote from Pope Francis on the other.

It reads: ‘As a token of gratitude for your consideration.’ Whether or not people decide to give a gift is up to them, but we wanted to do this. It has the 75th anniversary logo

“The photo of Bishop da Cunha with Pope Francis was taken in Rome prior to his being named the Bishop of Fall River,” Campbell said. “We have the photo and a quote from Pope Francis about the Year of Mercy on the cover.

When you turn the cover page, that’s where you come to the two church doors that open up to the rest of the material inside the brochure.”

With the looming May 1 start date for the 2016 Catholic Charities Appeal just around the corner, Campbell said they have already completed the informational videos that are sent to parishes to inform the faithful about this year’s campaign. Instead of hiring a professional narrator to provide the voiceover on the programs, however, Campbell said Bishop da Cunha provided the commentary himself in all three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese.

“That required a great deal of effort on the part of the bishop,” Campbell said. “He had to go into a This compelling image of a meeting between Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., and sound studio and read the Pope Francis in Rome will be included in this year’s brochure for the 75th annual Catho- script three different times lic Charities Appeal, which will begin on May 1. in each language. We also made it a little bit harder To that end, CampAppeal was to raise on it as well. It’s going to on ourselves this year. We bell said they are putting $100,000 and they exceed- be distributed in person to did three versions for three together a special 12-page ed that by $25,000, so it each of the parishes and different kickoffs — one edition of Sharings, the was a pretty successful efthe pastors have the disfor the Attleboro/Taunton Appeal newsletter, that will fort,” Campbell said. “One cretion as to whether they area, one for the Fall River/ trace the history of Catho- of the things I discovered want to leave it at the back New Bedford area, and lic Charities and include in terms of purchasing of the church or make it a another for Cape Cod and some important milestone power was that original part of their Appeal (mail- the Islands. So there’s three moments.

Appeal total of $125,000 ing).” versions in three languages, “We’re going to highwould translate to about $2 With the Holy Father or nine different versions light the fact that the million today.” serving as the Church’s total.”

Catholic Charities Appeal Another way the develguiding counsel and BishThe full 15-minute in the Diocese of Fall River opment office is celebrating op da Cunha setting the videos — which highlight actually began as a wartime the 75th anniversary is by example here in the diothe various ministries and effort,” Campbell said. “It offering what Campbell cese, Campbell took advan- diocesan services that was a response from Bishcalled “a token of apprecia- tage of a compelling photo directly benefit from the op James Cassidy to answer tion” to potential donors in of the two complimentary Catholic Charities Appeal a need for the parishes to the form of a commemora- shepherds for the cover of — have also been edited mobilize in support of the tive bookmark. this year’s Appeal brochure.

Continued on page 21

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

Saying ‘yes’ to a religious vocation: What better way to share God’s mercy?

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Catholic parishes across the world will recognize this weekend as World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Initiated 53 years ago by Pope Paul VI, the purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, according to the USCCB website, “is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, ‘Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.’”

In his message for this year’s observance, Pope Francis said, “It is my great hope that, during the course of this extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, all the baptized may experience the joy of belonging to the Church and rediscover that the Christian vocation, just like every particular vocation, is born from within the people of God, and is a gift of Divine Mercy.

The Church is the house of mercy, and it is the ‘soil’

where vocations take root, mature and bear fruit.

“For this reason, on the occasion of the 53rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, I invite all of you to reflect upon the apostolic community, and to give thanks for

the role of the community in each person’s vocational journey.

“Each vocation in the Church has its origin in the compassionate gaze of Jesus.

Conversion and vocation are two sides of the same coin, and continually remain interconnected throughout the whole of the missionary disciple’s life.”

In the Diocese of Fall River, Bishop Edgar M. da

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL

Cunha, S.D.V., invites all area faithful to St. Mary’s Cathedral Sunday at 3 p.m. for a Holy Hour for Vocations to pray for an increase in religious vocations.

“We need to let our people know that promoting vocations is everybody’s business,” Bishop da Cunha told The Anchor. “Our people need to know that priests have a happy and fulfilled life, that the Church needs faith-filled and generous young people ready to respond to God’s call.”

“Fostering vocations is one of the greatest works we have because it is simply praying for people to respond to Christ’s call in whatever particular path He has willed for them so as to bring Christ and the Gospel to the world,” Father Kevin A. Cook, diocesan director of Vocations and Seminarians told The Anchor.

“All vocations are crucial and the Kingdom of God and prayer is the primary means to bring a deeper awareness of Christ’s call and open our hearts to Him. The Holy Hour will consist of exposition of the Blessed SacraTurn to page 20

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop of Fall River, has announced the following appointments: Reverend Jay Mello, Pastor, Saint Michael and Saint Joseph Parishes, Fall River Reverend Robert J. Powell, Pastor, Saint Lawrence Martyr Parish, New Bedford Effective: April 12, 2016 Kevin R. Kiley as Chief Financial Officer and Chancellor Effective: April 19, 2016 Reverend John M. Murray, Moderator of the Curia, while remaining Pastor of Saint Ann’s Parish, Raynham Effective: May 25, 2016 The Anchor - April 15, 2016

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Two diocesan school principals named new superintendents FALL RIVER — Two veteran Catholic educators have been named to leadership positions in the Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Office.

Denise M. Peixoto, currently principal of St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro, and Sandra Drummey, now principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton, have been appointed assistant superintendents of Catholic schools for the diocese, effective June 30, 2016.

The appointments were announced April 7 by Fall River diocesan superintendent of schools Dr. Michael Griffin.

Peixoto and Drummey will succeed Dr. Donna Boyle and Louise Kane, the current assistant superintendents of schools, who will both retire at the end of the June.

The responsibilities of the assistant superintendents include providing leadership and support for the 22 Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese in

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a wide range of areas involving Catholic identity, academic achievement, student affairs, marketing, finances and enrollment.

“In today’s environment, traditional roles of school leaders in academic and Spiritual matters are now extended to include leadership in promoting, sustaining and financially strengthening Catholic schools of excellence,” said Griffin.” Our new assistant superintendents bring much expertise and will work closely with our principals and heads of schools in all of these dimensions.”

Peixoto has served the past 20 years as principal of St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro. She is chairman of the Mathematics Committee of the diocese and has been a member of the diocesan Curriculum Committee Religion Committee and Professional Development Committee. In addition, she has served several times as Visiting

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

Committee Chairman on behalf of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. She earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruc-

Taunton, she spent 11 years as a special education teacher, vice principal and director of Special Education at St. Catherine of Sienna School

Sandra Drummey

Denise M. Peixoto

tion from Lesley College in Boston.

“Over the past five years I have had opportunities to work with Mrs. Peixoto on diocesan committees, and have witnessed her leadership skills in action,” Griffin told The Anchor. “She has guided our mathematics committee, and has contributed substantially to professional growth programs for teachers. Her experience and knowledge in all aspects of Catholic school life will be a great benefit to our schools.

Mrs. Peixoto’s understanding of curriculum, academic standards and the integration of faith and values across the curriculum, is combined with knowledge and successful experience in school finance, marketing and enrollment management. I am certain that Mrs. Peixoto will be a great asset to our Catholic schools and our school leaders.”

Drummey has been principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton for the past three years. Before coming to

in Norwood. Drummey is a member of the diocesan Religion Standards Committee and is active in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiatives for the diocese. She is certified in special education and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Boston College.

“When Sandra Drummey came to our diocese three years ago to become principal of Our Lady of Lourdes, we quickly realized her knowledge, skills and enthusiasm would be great assets to the school and our diocese,” said Griffin. “While guiding her school to increased enrollment, she worked with teachers to upgrade the curriculum and has enhanced the school’s ability to work with students with special needs.

She has been a role model as a witness to our Catholic faith and has been an active contributor to our diocesan Religion Standards Committee. She will be a great resource to our schools in the years ahead.”

In comments on their appointments, Peixoto and Drummey expressed enthusiasm about their new positions.

“I am looking forward to this new endeavor, hoping that my collaboration with and support for the wonderful principals and heads of school across the Fall River Diocese will help to strengthen and sustain Catholic education here,” Peixoto explained. “I am excited to have the opportunity to use the experience I’ve gained as a Catholic school principal in any way that will benefit our schools’ administrators, teachers, students and families.”

Noting that she “loves Catholic education,” Drummey said she feels “truly blessed to be given the opportunity to work with Dr. Griffin, Denise Peixoto, everyone at the Catholic Education Center and within the Diocese of Fall River. It is my hope and prayer that Denise and I will continue the wonderful work of our present assistant superintendents, Donna Boyle and Louise Kane.”

The search process for the new assistant superintendents involved administrators and directors in the diocesan Catholic Schools Office and input from candidates’ parish pastors, school pastors and other school professionals.

At the conclusion of the process, Griffin said he conferred with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., on the choices of the diocesan Catholic Schools Office for the positions and that the bishop offered his support for their appointments.

April is raising Awareness of Child Abuse and Violence Month

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

NEW BEDFORD — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Debra Berg, coordinator for the Office for Child Protection in the Catholic Social Services in New Bedford, is currently working on an article to post on the CSS website “just to remind people of some of the basic things to do if you see something, hear something, or someone reports something to you,” said Berg.

From Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center kept track of incoming signals related to issues with human trafficking in Massachusetts. Signals refer to incoming communications with the NHTRC and can take the form of phone calls, online tip reports, or emails. In 2015, the NHTRC received a total of 24,757 signals nationwide.

It’s easy for human trafficking to go unnoticed, even by individuals who interact with a victim on a daily basis. Look for the red flags, said Berg, to get the wheels rolling for helping the victim. She recently had a member of Homeland Security come to CSS in January, and he spoke of local cases of people who are trafficked.

“They usually start at 13 or 14 years old, they run away from home and they’re ‘romanced,’” said Berg.

“At first the person picks them up and gives them everything from fancy clothes to designer bags, then after a couple of months of being seduced by the experience, then they tell you I’ve spent X-amount of money on you and you owe it back to me with interest.”

Feeling trapped, a victim is sent out with a monitor to become a prostitute. Beaten physically and emotionally on a daily basis, victims of human trafficking are moved from one dilapidated house to another to keep ahead of the law.

Surrounded by chain-link fences, boarded up windows and padlocked doors, victims have little hope for escape.

It comes down to others seeing the warning signs; Homeland Security launched the Blue Campaign

(www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign) that offers a comprehensive list of warning signs that include: young people afraid to talk for themselves; don’t have a lot of friends; work long hours claiming they have extra jobs; or are clearly being controlled by someone else.

“One of the big things that’s happening in human trafficking now is victims have tattoos on them that are a barcode or a price tag, and that is an indicator to all the other pimps in the area that this girl or boy is my property,” said Berg. “It’s heartbreaking.

“Do I think some of our kids are victims? I hope not but the reality is you just don’t know. I think there are close to 29,000 kids in the diocese; how could you possibly know what is going on with every child?”

Berg holds regular training sessions at her office at the CSS building in New Bedford. She raises awareness and tells those attending that she is only one person, that she needs “partners” to help her keep the children in the diocese safe. She shares the warning signs, and guides trainees on what to do and how to get help.

Another topic Berg feels is important to cover is suicide. It seems to be increasing because of the extra challenges for kids these days, said

Berg.

“Social media — I love social media — but people need to know how to use it responsibly,” said Berg.

“A lot of young people, teen-agers in particular, don’t always understand how immediate these comments are, you can’t take them back once they’re out there, and how much people can be hurt by them. These are things a generation ago no one even would have thought of, so there’s a lot more pressure on kids these days.”

The window to stop a suicide is narrow—“from the time someone decides today’s the day I’m going to do this to when they attempt the suicide, is 20 minutes,” said Berg — so the second a young person hears from another person they are going to kill themselves, reach out and immediately get them help, said Berg.

“What we know from a lot of trainings is that kids don’t not want to be here, it’s just that they want to the pain to stop,” said Berg, and that if those kids only knew the aftermath of a successful suicide, it would make them think twice. “The trauma is so severe. They would realize how much they’re loved and how many people are devastated; if they could see all that ongoing pain. When students graduate, how will they live with that dear friend

missing? There are always constant reminders.”

Another focus for Berg is gangs and their detrimental affect on youth; parents can try to take a proactive approach to prevent their children from becoming a member, but it isn’t easy.

“Unfortunately there are gangs in this area and we have a lot of drug usage here and on the Cape,” said Berg. “A generation ago, when kids wanted to be edgy, they got drunk, and unless you drank enough alcohol to poison your bloodstream, you survived. Nowadays there’s a whole host of unregulated drugs that kids can buy in convenience stores.”

While marijuana, cocaine and heroin make the news, other littleknown but just as deadly drugs are being used by young people, including “bath salts,” an emerging family of drugs containing one or more synthetic chemicals related to cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant found naturally in the khat plant.

Not to be confused with products like Epsom salts which are sold to improve the experience of bathing, the synthetic cathinone products are marketed as “bath salts” to evade detection by authorities. When taken, these “bath salts” can produce euphoria, but also users can experience paranoia, agitation, and others can display psychotic and violent behavior. Since “bath salts” have always been associated with bathing, it’s not something a parent would Continued on page 16

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

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Anchor Editorial

Counseling the doubtful

The Spiritual task of counseling the doubtful truly is a Work of Mercy, because it helps those who are living in the darkness of Spiritual uncertainty to see some light in their darkness.

The parish and the diocese are essential elements in our carrying out this work. In 2012 at the Synod on Evangelization in the Vatican, bishops and other Catholics discussed how our message of hope could be shared with the people of this world. The military ordinary of Colombia, Bishop Fabio Suescun Mutis, offered remarks which are very timely for us in the Diocese of Fall River now.

The Colombian prelate said, “The Particular Church (which is a Church term for a diocese or its equivalent) requires a pastoral plan to accomplish, in specific circumstances of place and time, the saving will of God the Father which was fulfilled completely in His Son Jesus.”

Our diocese is now working to elaborate such a plan. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has mandated that every parish work on the first stage of this process this month and next by gathering information, from a central parish team and from survey results of as many parishioners as possible.

Back at the Vatican synod, Bishop Suescun noted that “the elaboration, practice and evaluation of the plan should be complete and commit the living strengths of the faithful community.” We need people to fill out these surveys so as to discover our weaknesses (so that we can work to correct them) and our strengths (so that they can be employed better for the spread of the Gospel).

The will of our Heavenly Father is to bring all to Salvation through the agency of the Mystical Body of His Son, which is the Church. Over the last decade we have been saddened by the tremendous decline of the number of people within the boundaries of the Fall River Diocese who approach the Church for the Sacraments, Religious Education or to attend Mass. Thus, we need to diagnose the present situation so Christ, the Divine Physician, can work through us to bring healing.

Part of the problem may be doubts that people have about the Catholic Church. Doubts, in and of themselves, are not something foreign to the Christian experience. St. Paul himself wrote to the Corinthians about his own situation: “We are afflicted in every way possible, but we are not crushed; full of doubts, we never despair” (2 Cor 4:8).

Pope Francis, in an audience on Oct. 30, 2013, spoke about the commonality of doubt: “Who among us has not experienced insecurity, confusion and even doubt on our journey of faith? We have all experienced this, myself as well. It is part of the journey of faith, it is part of our life. None of this should surprise us, because we are human beings, marked by fragility and limitations.

Nevertheless, in these difficult moments it is necessary to trust in God’s help, through child-like prayer, and, at the same time, it is important to find the courage and the humility to open up to others, to ask for help, to ask for a helping hand. How often have we done this and then succeeded in emerging OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 60, No. 8

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

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

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

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

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The Anchor - April 15, 2016

from our difficulty and finding God again! In this communion — communion means common-union — we form a great family, where every member is helped and sustained by the others.”

Unfortunately, it seems that for thousands of Catholics living in the Fall River Diocese the Church is not the place where they think that their doubts and challenges can be addressed. We need to find out why — which is why it is important that not just Massgoers answer the survey (your responses are crucial, but we also need you to invite your relatives and friends who do not go to Church to answer the survey, too).

To be able to counsel the doubtful, we need to understand their experiences, so that we can apply Christ’s message of love to their particular circumstances.

Pope Francis addressed this in his 2014 Message for World Communications Day. “Effective Christian witness is not about bombarding people with religious messages, but about our willingness to be available to others ‘by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence’ (here he quoted Pope Benedict XVI). We need but recall the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. We have to be able to dialogue with the men and women of today, to understand their expectations, doubts and hopes, and to bring them the Gospel, Jesus Christ Himself, God Incarnate, Who died and rose to free us from sin and death. We are challenged to be people of depth, attentive to what is happening around us and Spiritually alert. To dialogue means to believe that the ‘other’ has something worthwhile to say, and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective.”

In his apostolic exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis reminded us that we all have to work at this: “Today, as the Church seeks to experience a profound missionary renewal, there is a kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility. It has to do with bringing the Gospel to the people we meet, whether they be our neighbors or complete strangers. This is the informal preaching which takes place in the middle of a conversation, something along the lines of what a missionary does when visiting a home. Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey” (No. 127).

A little further on (in No. 129) the pope spoke of “countries where Christianity is a minority.” That reality has already come to a few of the counties of our diocese. Pope Francis said that in those places “particular Churches should actively promote at least preliminary forms of inculturation. This is always a slow process of which we can be overly fearful. But if we allow doubts and fears to dampen our courage, instead of being creative we will remain comfortable and make no progress whatsoever. In this case we will not take an active part in historical processes, but become mere onlookers as the Church gradually stagnates.”

Daily Readings April 16 — April 29

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Apr. 16, Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69. Sun. Apr. 17, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Acts 13:14,43-52; Ps 100:1-2,3,5; Rv 7:9,14b-17; Jn 10:27-30. Mon. Apr. 18, Acts 11:1-18; Pss 42:2-3; 43:3-4; Jn 10:1-10. Tues. Apr. 19, Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-7; Jn 10:22-30. Wed. Apr. 20, Acts 12:24—13:5a; Ps 67:2-3,5,6 and 8; Jn 12:4450. Thurs. Apr. 21, Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3,21-22,25 and 27; Jn 13:1620. Fri. Apr. 22, Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-9,10-11ab; Jn 14:1-6.

Sat. Apr. 23, Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14. Sun. Apr. 24, Fifth Sunday of Easter, Acts 14:21-27; Ps 145:8-13; Rv 21:1-5a; Jn 13:31-33a,34-35.

Mon. Apr. 25, 1 Pt 5:5b-14; Ps 89:2-3,6-7,16-17; Mk 16:15-20. Tues. Apr. 26, Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13b,21; Jn 14:27-31a. Wed. Apr. 27, Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5; Jn 15:1-8. Thurs. Apr. 28, Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3,10; Jn 15:9-11. Fri. Apr. 29, Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-10 and 12; Jn 15:12-17.

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here’s a reason why newspapers and magazines illustrate prominent articles with photographs, why Instagram is so popular, why smartphones double as cameras, why Shutterfly continues to grow, and why “selfies” have almost replaced handshakes and hugs. We are visual people and pictures speak thousands of words to us.

They are, and are becoming ever more, a crucial form of communication and memory.

God created us with senses and not only ministers to us through the senses but seeks to incorporate our senses into our worship and our Salvation. At the Incarnation, Jesus became visible, audible, tangible, and odorific and in the Sacramental economy miraculously made Himself edible and potable. Taking on our humanity, He became and remains the living icon of the invisible God. In Him we can behold the Lamb of God Who has come to take away the sins of the world, the long-awaited Messiah Who restores sight to the blind, the Light of the World shining in the midst of darkness, the Savior leading us to the beatific vision.

And so it’s unsurprising that God would continue to incorporate our eyes into our Redemption.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, the Church throughout the centuries has sought to depict the reality of the faith and the mysteries of our Redemption visually, through Sacred images — icons, sculptures, mosaics, paintings, and stained-glass.

For the Master, it wasn’t enough that we know the truth of transubstantiation intellectually; He wanted us to come to worship Him through our eyes in Eucha-

Beholding God’s mercy

blessing and His left hand ristic Adoration. Similarly it wasn’t enough for Him to pointing to His pierced have us believe in the truth Heart from which flow brilliant rays of Blood and of His mercy and seek it water, pointing to the SacSacramentally; He wanted ramental means by which us to behold that mercy in Jesus continues to bathe us action. in His mercy. We see His In the apparitions in left foot advancing toward the 1930s to St. Faustina Kowalska, which the Church has found worthy of belief, JePutting Into sus indicated that He the Deep wanted an image of His mercy made.

By Father “One night when Roger J. Landry I was in my cell,” St. Faustina wrote in her diary, “I perceived us, as He comes as light out the presence of the Lord Jesus dressed in a white tu- of the dark background and nic. One hand was raised in gently enters our world.

His flowing white garblessing, the other rested on His chest. From an opening ment depicts Him as the One Who appeared with in the tunic in the chest, two great rays were coming His wounds to the Apostles in the Upper Room on out, one red and the other Easter Sunday evening, clear. After some time, when He breathed on them Jesus said to me, ‘Paint an the power of the Holy image in accordance with Spirit, gave them the comwhat you see, with the mand to forgive and retain signature, “Jesus, I trust sins, and sent them forth in You.” I desire that this just as the Father had sent image be venerated, first Him, to take away the sins in your chapel and [then] of the world. It also shows throughout the world.’”

Him, in a sense, on Calvary, A little later, our Lord explained to her the mean- with His open side washing us in His Blood and water ing of the two rays: “The as well the eternal High two rays represent the Priest, coming out of the Blood and the Water. The Holy of Holies dressed in white ray represents the Water [Baptism] that justi- white linen.

The inscription Jesus fies souls; the red ray repredesired as part of the imsents the Blood that is the life of souls [the Eucharist]. age “Jesus, I trust in You!,” the response Jesus wants Both rays flow from the depths of My mercy when, us to pray as we venerate Him in His merciful love. on the cross, My Heart in Jesus through this image is agony was opened by the communicating to us the lance.”

This is the famous Image message, “Do not be afraid!

Trust in My mercy!,” and of Divine Mercy that St. He wants us to entrust ourFaustina eventually had selves to Him as He blesses made, with the help of her us with that gift through Spiritual director, Blessed the Sacraments.

Michael Sopocko, through This Sacred image ought the talents of the artist Eugene Kazimirowski. In it we to speak volumes to us as see Jesus looking at us, with we celebrate this extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

His right hand raised in

It’s a little strange — and perhaps a sign of some discomfort with devotional Catholicism among some people in the Church — that this image of Christ’s blessing us with His mercy, this image requested by the Lord if we accept the revelations to St. Faustina, was not chosen or at least incorporated into the visual representation of this Jubilee Year.

Instead, Jesuit Father Marko Rupnik was commissioned to create an almond-shaped logo in which he attempted to show symbolically Christ as the Good Shepherd carrying the wounded Adam on His shoulders with Adam’s left eye and Christ’s right eye merging into one, showing how in Christ the Divine and human way of seeing has become united and how He purifies our vision to look with mercy at others. Around the almond are the words, “Merciful like the Father,” which is the motto for the jubilee.

I generally like Father Rupnik’s richly symbolic mosaics, which surround St. Padre Pio’s tomb in Italy, adorn the façade of the Basilica of the Rosary in Lourdes, and beautify the Redemptoris Mater Chapel

in the Vatican. But this image is flat and has been roundly criticized as inadequate, unattractive and even cartoonish.

That’s the reason why many dioceses and parishes have looked elsewhere, with quite a few choosing as their visual representation for their Holy Year banners and prayer cards Rembrandt’s famous Prodigal Son. But as beautiful as Rembrandt’s depiction of Christ’s parable of the Father’s merciful love is, it doesn’t produce the same direct encounter with God’s mercy as the icon that St. Faustina attests was explicitly desired by Mercy Incarnate, through which He invites us to trust in His mercy and through which He reminds us that He never ceases to bless us with the mercy pouring out from His Sacred Heart through the Sacraments.

The image of Divine Mercy is the one that I’m using for prayer each day of this Jubilee Year, and notwithstanding Rembrandt’s and Rupnik’s artistic creativity, the one I’d likewise recommend to you through this year and beyond.

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

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

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As part of its ongoing abuse prevention efforts and in compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” the Fall River Diocese periodically publishes its policies detailing procedures to be followed when an accusation of sexual abuse of a minor is made against an employee or volunteer of the diocese or a cleric or religious Brother or Sister in the diocese.

Please note that the remaining policies will appear in the April 29, 2016 Anchor. Complete policies and procedures are also available for review by contacting Catholic Social Services at 508-674-4681 or www.cssdioc.org, or by accessing the diocesan Website at www. fallriverdiocese.org.

I. INTRODUCTION In an ongoing commitment by the Diocese of Fall River to address the issues of sexual abuse or misconduct with a minor, the Review Board appointed by the Most Reverend Sean P. O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap., was given the task of developing policies and procedures to be followed when dealing with accusations of sexual abuse or misconduct with a minor by any employee or volunteer within diocesan departments, agencies, apostolates, programs or institutions.

These policies were originally developed by the diocese in 1993.

This is the fourth revision, which includes a new format, a new Code of Conduct and 51-A form, and an updated technology policy. Under the leadership of the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., the Diocese of Fall River remains firmly committed to the protection of all members of the diocese, and most importantly, protection of the children entrusted to our care.

The following policies and procedures are to be followed by all entities of the Diocese of Fall River.

With respect to national organizations or entities that are regulated by the Federal Government or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, these procedures are meant to complement rather than supersede existing procedures governing the issue of sexual abuse or misconduct with a minor.

II. DEFINITIONS The following definitions are to be used in conjunction with, and are restricted to, these guidelines and mandates.

A. Sexual abuse/misconduct: Sexual abuse is an offensive act invading someone’s personal sexual integrity which causes or creates a substantial risk of physical or psychological harm, a threat of harm to a minor’s well-being, including but not limited to, acts of violence, coercion, threats, putting others in fear, deception, and taking advantage of positions of trust or authority for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Reference is made to Massachusetts

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Policies and Procedures of the Fall River Diocese

General Laws, Chapter 272, for a more detailed outline.

B. Minor: Anyone under the age of 18; or, per the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (2011), “a person who habitually lacks the use of reason is to be considered equivalent to a minor” (p. 20).

C. Employee and/or workers under contract: Anyone receiving compensation on a regular basis at least once a month, whether or not considered an employee for withholding tax purposes, who may have access to children.

D. Volunteer: Anyone who may have access to children and gives of his/her time, for no compensation, to the diocese.

E. Mandated reporters: The term, as used in M.G.L. Chapter 119, Section 51A, includes the following persons relevant to our discussion here: nurse; public or private school teacher, including Religious Education teacher and teacher aide; educational administrator or principal; guidance or family counselor; day care worker; Office for Children licensor; social workers; priest, clergy member, ordained deacon (permanent or transitional), or a person employed by a church to supervise, educate, coach, train, or counsel a child. Where there is a person in charge of a school or private facility, then the person in charge, or his/ her designee, is required to report to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

F. Non­-cleric: Any person who is not an ordained deacon (permanent or transitional), priest, or bishop.

III. MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS, CHAPTER 119, SECTION 51A Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 119, Section 51A, requires certain individuals to report incidents of abuse and neglect of children under the age of 18 to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) if there is reasonable cause to believe that such child is suffering serious physical and/or emotional injury resulting from abuse or neglect. This reasonable cause standard serves as a threshold function regarding Section 51A reporting requirements. Cases have indicated that this standard involves an element of judgment. The standard has also been interpreted to encompass “unknown or suspected” cases of child abuse or neglect. The law requires mandated reporters (see II Definitions: E) to immediately orally communicate the condition to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and follow up with a written report within 48 hours of the initial communication (see Appendix C).

Requirements as to the content of these reports are found in the second paragraph of Chapter 119, Section 51A. A mandated reporter’s failure to make oral and written reports where required shall be fined

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

up to $1,000. For serious bodily injury or death, see penalties cited in the Mandated Reporters section of this document.

Upon receiving such reports, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is required to investigate the allegations and complete its investigation within 10 calendar days, unless there is reasonable cause to believe a child’s health or safety is in immediate danger. This would be considered an emergency and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families would respond within 24 hours.

If after its investigation, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been sexually assaulted or exploited in a manner referenced by criminal statutes, the District Attorney will then be notified. M.G.L. Ch. 119, Section 51A is applicable in all abuse or neglect cases, regardless of the alleged perpetrator’s age, position as a cleric or non-cleric, and regardless as to whether the abuse (or neglect) is of a sexual or non-sexual nature.

MANDATED REPORTERS Any physician, medical intern, hospital personnel engaged in the examination, care or treatment of persons, medical examiner, psychologist, emergency medical technician, dentist, nurse, chiropractor, podiatrist, osteopath, public or private school teacher, educational administrator, guidance or family counselor, day care worker or any person paid to care for or work with a child in any public or private facility, or home or program funded by the Commonwealth or licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 28A, which provides daycare or residential services to children, or which provides the services of childcare resource and referral agencies, voucher management agencies, family daycare systems, and child care food programs, probation officer, clerk/magistrate of the district courts, parole officer, social worker, foster parent, firefighter or policeman, licensor of the office of child care services or any successor agency, school attendance officer, allied mental health and human services professional as licensed pursuant to the provisions of Section 165 of Chapter 112, drug and alcoholism counselor, psychiatrist, and clinical social worker, priest, rabbi, clergy member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of any church or religious body, accredited Christian Science practitioner, person performing official duties on behalf of a church or religious body that are recognized as the duties of a priest, rabbi, clergy, ordained or licensed minister, leader of any church or religious body, or accredited Christian Science practitioner, or a person employed by a church or religious body to supervise, educate, coach, train, or counsel a child on a regular basis, who in his professional capacity shall have reasonable cause to believe that a child

under the age of 18 years is suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from abuse inflicted upon him which causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare, including sexual abuse, or from neglect, including malnutrition, or who is determined to be physically dependent upon an addictive drug at birth, shall immediately report such condition to the department by oral communication and by making a written report within 48 hours after such oral communication; provided, however, that whenever such person so required to report is a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, or facility, he shall immediately either notify the department or notify the person in charge of such institution, school or facility, or that person’s designated agent, whereupon such person is in charge or his said agent shall then become responsible to make the report in the manner required by this section. Any such hospital personnel preparing such report, may take, or cause to be taken, photographs of the areas of trauma visible on a child who is the subject of such report without the consent of the child’s parents or guardians. All such photographs or copies thereof shall be sent to the department together with such report. Any such person so required to make such oral and written reports who fails to do so shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000. Any person who knowingly files a report of child abuse that is frivolous shall be punished by: (i) a fine of not more than $2,000 for the first offense; (ii) imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than six months and a fine of not more than $2,000 for the second offense: and (iii) imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 2½ years and a fine of not more than $2,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

Any mandated reporter who has knowledge of child abuse or neglect that resulted in serious bodily injury to or death of a child and willfully fails to report such abuse or neglect shall be punished by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 2½ years or both by such fine and imprisonment; and, upon a guilty finding or a continuance without a finding, the court shall notify any appropriate professional licensing authority of the mandated reporter’s violation of this paragraph.

Further, a mandated reporter who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has died as a result of any of the conditions listed in subsection (a) shall report the death to the district attorney for the county in which the death occurred and the office of the chief medical examiner as required. Any person who fails to file a report under this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.

A mandated reporter who is

professionally licensed by the Commonwealth shall complete a training to recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect.

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN REPORTS Said reports shall contain the names and addresses of the child and his parents or other person responsible for his care, if known; the child’s age; the child’s sex; the nature and extent of the child’s injuries, abuse, maltreatment, or neglect, including any evidence of prior injuries, abuse, maltreatment, or neglect; the circumstances under which the person required to report first became aware of the child’s injuries, abuse, maltreatment or neglect; whatever action, if any, was taken to treat, shelter, or otherwise assist the child; the name of the person or persons making such report; and any other information which the person reporting believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injuries; the identity of the person or persons responsible therefore; and such other information as shall be required by the department.

DEATH OF A CHILD Any person required to report under this section, who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has died as a result of any of the conditions listed in said paragraph shall report said death to the department and to the district attorney for the county in which such death occurred and to the medical examiners, as required, by Section 6 of Chapter 38. Any such person who fails to make such report, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.

NON­MANDATED REPORTERS AND IMMUNITY In addition to those persons required to report pursuant to this section, any other person may make such a report if any such person has reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering from or has died as a result of such abuse or neglect. No person so required to report shall be liable in any civil or criminal action by reason of such report. No other person making such report shall be liable in any civil or criminal action by reason of such report if it was made in good faith; provided, however, that such person did not perpetrate or inflict said abuse or cause said neglect. Any person making such report, who, in the determination of the department or the district attorney may have perpetrated or inflicted said abuse or caused said neglect, may be liable in a civil or criminal action.

RETALIATION AGAINST REPORTERS; LIABILITY No employer of those persons required to report pursuant to this section shall discharge, or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against, any person who in good faith makes such a report, testifies or is about to testify in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect.

Continued on page nine

Continued from page eight Any such employer who discharges, discriminates or retaliates against such a person shall be liable to such person for treble damages, costs and attorney’s fees.

NOTICE TO MANDATED REPORTERS OF DCF’S DETERMINATION Within 60 days of the receipt of a report by the department, from any person required to report, the department shall notify such person, in writing, of its determination of the nature, extent and cause or causes of the injuries to the child, and the social services that the department intends to provide to the child or his family.

PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION Any privilege established by Sections 135A and 135B of Chapter 112 or by Section 20A and 20B of Chapter 233, relating to confidential communications, shall not prohibit the filing of a report pursuant to the provisions of this section or the provisions of Section 24.

Notwithstanding Section 20A of Chapter 233, a priest, rabbi, clergy member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or religious body or accredited Christian Science practitioner shall report all cases of abuse under this section, but need not report information solely gained in a confession or similarly confidential communication in other religious faiths. Nothing in the general laws shall modify or limit the duty of a priest, rabbi, clergy member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or religious body or accredited Christian Science practitioner to report a reasonable cause that a child is being injured as set forth in this section when the priest, rabbi, clergy member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or religious body of accredited Christian Science practitioner is acting in some other capacity that would otherwise make him a reporter.

1. See Care & Protection of Robert, 408 Mass. 52,556 N.E. 2d933 (1990).

IV. DIOCESAN CHILD PROTECTION MANDATES FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS WORKING WITH MINORS Our children are the most precious gifts God has entrusted to our care. We acknowledge that all individuals shall be treated with respect, courtesy, patience, dignity, loyalty and integrity.

All priests, deacons, religious, employees, and volunteers of the Church must strictly comply with all requirements of the policies and procedures in this book, including the Code of Conduct (see Appendix B), as a condition of providing services to the children and youth of our parishes, schools, and other diocesan entities. Failure to abide by any expectation stated in this book will result in an inquiry, and possible disciplinary action, from the diocese. When appropriate, law enforcement authorities will also be

notified and may take separate or additional actions from those of the diocese.

A. Policy It is the policy of the Diocese of Fall River to require background checks and approved diocesan training for all individuals who work with children or who even may have unmonitored access to children. Additionally, individuals are required to complete diocesan application/informational forms and willingly sign the current Code of Conduct to work with minors. No individual may work in any type of caretaker/supervisor capacity with minors without being approved by the diocese.

B. General Procedures 1. United States background checks: Prior to beginning volunteer or paid work in the diocese, all individuals must submit to background checks, as required by their residences and their role(s) in the diocese. Lay employees, subcontractors, volunteers, priests, deacons, and religious shall complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as a background check for any other state in which the individual has lived for the past five (5) years.

Individuals may be denied employment or the ability to volunteer in the diocese, based upon the results of the background check(s).

Per Massachusetts law, employees must renew CORIs every three years; volunteers must renew CORIs every 12 months as a condition of providing services to any minors in the diocese. All CORI renewal forms must be completed as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; must be accompanied by a new, signed Code of form; and must have a valid form of ID for the person named on the CORI attached to the forms. Failure to comply with all of the shall result in an inability to work or volunteer in the diocese.

Subcontractors: Background checks on Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) forms (see Appendix A) shall be conducted on every current diocesan subcontractor who may have unmonitored access to minors. A background check is also to be done on all new subcontractors who may have unmonitored access to children, PRIOR to having such access.

The check must be cleared by CSS for the subcontractor to perform the requested work. All employees, subcontractors and volunteers are required to provide updated address, contact, and emergency information to their employment/ volunteer site as needed so that the information is current.

2. International Background Checks: Prior to beginning work or volunteer activities with minors in the diocese, any employee, subcontractor, volunteer, priest, deacon or religious who has lived in the United States for less than five (5) years shall submit to a background

check from their prior or home country, unless such checks are not feasible. In the latter instance, the individual shall provide a letter from the ordinary of individual’s diocese, or shall provide a criminal background check from the prior country. Individuals may be denied the ability to work or volunteer in the diocese should these requirements be unmet.

3. Code of Conduct: Prior to beginning work or volunteer activities with minors in the diocese, all employees, subcontractors, volunteers, priests, deacons and religious must read and willingly sign the current diocesan Code of Conduct (see Appendix B).

All such employees, volunteers, priests, deacons and religious shall comply with all terms of the Code of Conduct. The original of this form, for all non-clergy, shall be given to CSS and a copy shall be kept at the site of origin (parish/school/ agency) for two renewal cycles.

Thus, copies of the volunteer forms shall be retained for two years and copies of the employee forms shall be retained for six years.

Each time an individual renews his/her CORI, the Code of Conduct must also be renewed.

4. Volunteer Questionnaire: All first-time volunteers shall complete the Volunteer Questionnaire and submit it along with the background check forms, the Code of Conduct, and a valid government ID. The CORI Department of Catholic Social Services shall retain the originals of these documents and all sites are to retain copies of each individual’s completed Code of Conduct and Volunteer Questionnaire.

5. Abuse Prevention Training: Every employee/volunteer who may have unmonitored access to minors shall successfully complete the Diocesan Abuse Prevention Training Class with the Office for Child Protection (OCP) of Catholic Social Services (CSS), or a CSSauthorized trainer. This training is mandatory and attendance shall be documented. No employee or volunteer who will or may have unmonitored access to minors shall be allowed such access until the abuse prevention training and appropriate background check(s) have been completed AND the employee/ volunteer has been cleared by CSS for work with minors. This training must be completed prior to working with minors.

All priests, deacons and religious shall complete the required abuse prevention training provided by the diocese, prior to working with minors.

As part of the training process, each employee/volunteer shall be given a copy of the Diocesan Child and Youth Protection Policies and Procedures (2015) regarding sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of minors and shall, in writing, acknowledge receipt of same.

6. Clearance to Work with Minors — Non­-clergy: No lay em-

ployee or volunteer, or subcontractor may engage in any caretaking/ supervisory activities with minors until the individual has been cleared by the CORI Department/Office for Child Protection of Catholic Social Services. Documentation of all background checks, forms, and trainings required shall be maintained by the CORI Department of Catholic Social Services.

7. Clearance to Work with Minors — Priests, Deacons, Religious: No priest, deacon or religious shall engage in any caretaking/supervisory activities with minors until the individual has been cleared by the Office of the Vicar General. Documentation of all background checks, forms, letters, and trainings required shall be maintained by the Office of the Vicar General.

C. Special Concerns — Trips In the case of overnight retreats, ski trips, etc., great care is to be taken so that sexual abuse or misconduct with a minor does not occur.

The following guidelines are to be followed: 1. A sufficient number of chaperones is to be used; at least one chaperone per every five students.

2. No chaperone is to sleep in a room with an individual student unless the student is a member of the chaperone’s immediate family.

3. In the case of dormitory-style sleeping quarters, at least two adults are to be in each room.

4. Buses are the preferred choice for use during trips. If individual cars are used, there must be at least three students/passengers with each driver unless the driver is a member of the student’s immediate family.

D. Special Concerns — Diocesan Properties Semi-official Church organizations, such as ECHO and Emmaus, because they use Church facilities, are to follow all of the above procedures.

Additionally, any other group or entity using diocesan property must follow all diocesan policies with regard to child protection if said groups/entities are using diocesan property while minors are present.

V. PHYSICAL ABUSE REPORTING POLICY & PROCEDURES FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS WORKING WITH MINORS As part of the Diocese of Fall River’s continuing efforts to ensure the safety of children, the following policy regarding physical discipline/physical abuse of children has been implemented. This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, subcontractors, priests, deacons and religious.

A. Policy It is the policy of the Diocese of Fall River that no one caring for or supervising minors on diocesan property or at any diocesan event such as school, Faith Formation classes, after care and the like shall use corporal punishment on a minor. It is also the policy of the diocese that no one caring for or supervising minors in a diocesan

capacity shall physically abuse a minor. Anyone determined to be responsible for corporal punishment or physical abuse shall be subject to diocesan disciplinary action and shall be reported to the appropriate civil authorities.

Physical injury, as defined by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 119, Section 51A, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is: “Death; or fracture of a bone, a subdural hematoma, burns impairment of any organ, and any other such nontrivial injury; or soft tissue swelling or skin bruising, depending upon such factors as the child’s age, circumstances under which the injury occurred, and the number and location of bruises; or addiction to a drug or drugs at birth; or failure to thrive.”

Abuse, as defined by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 119, Section 51A, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is: “The non­ accidental commission of any act by a caretaker upon a child under the age 18 which causes or creates a substantial risk of physical or emotional injury . . .”

B. Reporting Procedure The following guidelines have been established for the filing and investigation of complaints within the Diocese of Fall River when an employee, volunteer, subcontractor, priest, deacon, or religious of the diocese is accused of physical abuse of a minor.

1. Filing a Complaint: If a minor has been a victim of physical abuse at the hands of an employee or volunteer in the Diocese of Fall River, you are mandated by Diocesan policy to notify the Office for Child Protection (OCP) for the Diocese of Fall River. The OCP is within Catholic Social Services (CSS), and the OCP will notify the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) as required by law, and the moderator of the curia.

2. Investigation: Upon receipt of such notification, the allegation will be thoroughly investigated. The investigation for the diocese will include: 1) meeting(s) with the alleged victim (with permission by a parent or guardian); 2) interview(s) with the accused employee or volunteer; 3) discussion with the person filing the complaint; and, 4) interviews with any witness(es).

Any individual associated with the diocese found to have violated the law will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action ranging from a written warning to termination of employment or of volunteer opportunities. The personnel file of any employee or volunteer against whom an allegation has been supported by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is to be properly noted, including offense(s) and action(s) taken.

The remaining procedures will appear in the April 29, 2016 edition of The Anchor.

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

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Building up the ‘Domestic Church’

P

ope Francis unleashed his reflection on family life on April 8 amidst frenzied media attention.

The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), was written by Pope Francis in response to the two synods on the family that he convened beginning in 2014. The three hot items that grab the attention of the secular press got mixed reviews. Some read into the document that Pope Francis is calling for a more merciful and nonjudgmental Church, while others were disappointed

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that he did not overturn the people’s concern was Church teaching on sameheard, but that the response sex unions and birth control. will not require an overhaul Neither those who want a of Church doctrine. Pope change in doctrine nor those Francis built this document who wished for stronger around the reality of the emphasis on existing doctrine can claim victory. Amoris Laetitia The Great is a triumph for the human conscience.

Commission The two synods on

By Claire McManus the family were each proceeded by an extraordinary request for input from the faithful in the family in today’s society. “No pews, in addition to clergy family drops down from and Church insiders. Amoris Heaven perfectly formed; Laetitia makes it clear that families need constantly to grow and mature in the ability to love.” The Church must be a nurturer of that growth, not an impediment.

Pope Francis warns pastors against using doctrine “as if they were stones to throw at people’s lives. We need to be humble and realistic, acknowledging that at times the way we present our Christian beliefs and treat other people has helped contribute to today’s problematic situation.” Stressing doctrinal, bioethical and moral issues did not open a path for the faithful to be open to grace. “Marriage is a dynamic path that must make room for the consciences of the faithful.”

The word “conscience” comes up several times throughout the document.

“We have been called to form consciences, not to replace them.” This is vindication for the faithful women and men who responded to the pre-synod questions and asked, “What happened to our conscience?” These people had been advised in the post Humanae Vitae era that they should use their conscience when deciding when to have children.

Over time, it seemed to some Catholics that the Church’s teaching about

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

conscience had morphed into an “obey or else” doctrine. Pope Francis urges greater respect for individual conscience: “The upright consciences of spouses who have been generous in transmitting life may lead them, for sufficient reasons, to limit the number of their children.” This is not a reversal of Church teaching but an emphasis that had been made by Pope Francis’ predecessor. He quotes from St. John Paul II in stressing that he is not changing one iota of Church teaching: “Large families are a joy for the Church. They are an expression of the fruitfulness of love. At the same time, St. John Paul II rightly explained that responsible parenthood does not mean ‘unlimited procreation or lack of awareness of what is involved in rearing children, but rather the empowerment of couples to use their inviolable liberty wisely and responsibly, taking into account social and demographic realities, as well as their own situation and legitimate desires.’”

Pope Francis was very direct in his admonishment of pastors who are too reliant on rules. “Thinking that everything is black and white, we sometimes close off the way of grace and of growth, and discourage paths of sanctification which give glory to God.” He devotes an entire chapter to rectifying the exclusion of couples that have remarried after their divorces. While he did not change the Church’s rule on Marriage, he implored pastors to help each person find a way of participating in the ecclesial community.

“No one can be condemned forever, because that is not the logic of the Gospel!” He

urges pastors to use discernment in approaching the various situations in which couples find themselves.

Neither the synod nor this exhortation could rewrite the rules, but Pope Francis asks that there be a “renewed encouragement to undertake a responsible personal and pastoral discernment of particular cases.” There will be some who believe that the demands of Gospel values will be compromised if people who are not in Church-sanctioned Marriages are welcomed back to the Eucharistic table. Pope Francis makes it very clear that “it can no longer simply be said that all those in any ‘irregular’ situation are living in the state of mortal sin and are deprived of sanctifying grace.”

Amoris Laetitia is a beautiful reflection on Marriage, family life and love. Pope Francis makes a strong case for the building up of the “domestic Church” that faces so many difficult challenges.

He wants the Church to partner with families and help them to overcome the issues that tear them apart.

Families face economic injustice, the insecurity of migration, drug abuse, children with disabilities, caring for elderly parents and many other difficulties. “All family life is a ‘shepherding’ in mercy.” The family that overcomes the challenges of life, cares for one another with tenderness, and grows in love is a vital cell for transforming the world.

(Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia [The Joy of Love] can be downloaded in its entirety from the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org.)

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

Series being offered on Natural Family Planning

MILFORD — Natural Family Planning is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies; the Catholic Church supports the methods of NFP because it respects God’s design for married love. NFP represents the only authentic approach to family planning with methods based on observation on the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s cycle. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of Marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.

Mark and Maureen Trettel have been married almost 27 years and have been given the “gift” of seven children ranging in age from 11 to

25 years old. The Trettels learned about NFP while attending an Engaged Encounter weekend six months before their wedding.

“This was the perfect time to learn NFP before we were married,” said Mark, “[We attended] one class a month for three months, and this allowed Maureen to understand her cycles, therefore becoming more confident and competent when we were married.”

“This was an opportunity, taking the classes together, to spend quality time with Maureen in an intimate way. It was an eye opener for me, a simple 25-year-old happygo-lucky guy, how complicated a woman’s body is, in a good way, and what a gift natural motherhood was. We were taught the technical part of NFP, which I call ‘belts and suspenders,’ in regards to how thor-

ough the science is — 99 percent effective — but soon after practicing NFP as newlyweds [up] to now, 27 years in May, the ‘communication’ that we have developed between us through NFP is one of the main factors” as to why their relationship is so strong, added Mark.

Twelve years after that weekend, the Trettels turned their learning about NFP into becoming certified to teach others and holding annual NFP sessions.

“We did attend a weekend training seminar in order to become certified,” said Maureen. “We are professionally certified by the Couple to Couple League International, but we teach as volunteers.

“We were drawn into holding classes because we realized the drastic shortage of teaching couples for this method of NFP, the symptothermal method (monitoring a woman’s temperature). We believe it is the most comprehensive

method for the average married couple to use. The more we shared with others how good NFP was, not only for planning our family but for an overall healthy way of life in regard to Marriage [and] better communication, shared responsibility, respect and awe for how God created our bodies to be complimentary, etc., the more we became aware that there weren’t many teaching couples to refer them to for learning the method!”

The Trettels have been offering classes four times a year since 2001, and have taught more than 200 couples who have seen firsthand “the fruits from NFP,” said Mark. Working as members of St. Brendan Parish in Bellingham, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Milford, the Trettels are gearing up for the next session being held at the end of April, and Maureen helped break down some of the Turn to page 20

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A primer on pastoral planning: Cape Cod edition Friday 15 April 2016 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Tax Day ll across New England, the days are growing longer and the sun warmer. For Cape Codders, this can only mean that visitors in great numbers will soon be arriving. The early-bird tour buses can already be seen on Main Street. These behemoth buses begin to arrive when the daffodils bloom.

Many “Off-Cape People” are unsure of the various regions of Cape Cod. Visitors become confused as to whether they are on the Upper Cape, the MidCape, or the Lower Cape.

Allow me to clarify.

The Upper Cape is that part closest to the mainland. This includes the towns of Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth and Mashpee. I live on the Upper Cape.

Mid-Cape is comprised of the towns of Barnstable, Yarmouth, and Dennis. I once lived on Mid-Cape.

The Lower Cape consists of Harwich, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, East-

A

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ham, Wellfleet, Truro, and of year?” I wasn’t joking and neither was she. She Provincetown. The latter had this mental image of four may also be properly Cape Cod in February as referred to as the Outer a barren, wind-swept sand Cape.

There is no Inner Cape, dune; the desolation broken only by the screech of just as there is no such some scraggly seagull. thing as the Cape Cod This woman grew up in Canal Tunnel (although, for a nominal fee, you can purchase a permit to use it).

The Ship’s Log Having clarified Reflections of a the geographical regions of Cape Parish Priest Cod, shall we proBy Father Tim ceed to consider Goldrick the inhabitants?

Some find it surprising that New Bedford — which is people actually live here not far away as the seagull year-round. During the flies. She is no dummy, past midwinter school either. She holds a PhD in vacation, I received a education. It’s just that she telephone call from a 30-something professional had never considered Cape woman who wanted to vis- Cod anything more than a it with me. I suggested she summer resort.

For those who may hold and her family come down similar opinions, let me to the Cape and we could hasten to assure you that all go out for supper at a people live on the Cape 12 nice restaurant. She was months a year. Cape Cod incredulous. “You mean life goes on after October. there are restaurants on Cape Cod is technithe Cape that remain open during the winter? Are you cally not an island. It is an joking? People actually live “independent land mass” of 339 square-miles sepaon the Cape at this time

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rated from the mainland by a 17-mile long canal spanned by two bridges.

It sticks 65 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. Driving some distance to get somewhere (including Mass) means little to Cape Codders. Perceptions, not maps, determine distance.

True, there are no cities on Cape Cod. There are 15 towns and many villages. Of these 15 towns, Barnstable has the largest population with 44,750 residents. Falmouth is the second largest with 31,576 residents. Yarmouth is the third largest, with a population of 23,680. Coming in a distant fourth is Mashpee, with 14,000 residents.

The four smallest Cape Cod towns are tiny Truro, then Provincetown, Eastham, and Orleans (in ascending order).

Cape Cod life is unique.

Firstly, we are a summer resort destination. Secondly (how can one put this delicately), the local population had the good sense to experience their mid-life crises decades ago.

The vast majority of us are certified senior citizens.

On Cape Cod, there are 74,000 households without children and only 20,000 with children.

There are, of course, some school-aged children on the Cape. According to the 2014 figures of the Barnstable County Commission, the highest concentration of children is found in Barnstable with 5,879. In Falmouth. there were 4,440 kids in our town. Then comes Sandwich, Yarmouth, and Mashpee (in descending

order). At the other end of the scale, Provincetown has only 66 school-aged children.

So, then, how does the Diocese of Fall River meet the pastoral and Spiritual needs of the seasonal and resident populations?

In terms of the summer population, we have seasonal chapels. In terms of the resident population, we have parish churches and missions.

The parish churches are located in Brewster (La Salette Fathers), Centerville (Town of Barnstable), East Falmouth, East Sandwich, Falmouth, Hyannis (Town of Barnstable), North Falmouth, Orleans, Osterville (Town of Barnstable), Pocasset (Town of Bourne), Provincetown, South Yarmouth, Wellfleet, and West Harwich. Not all of these parishes have resident pastors.

The mission churches are in Dennisport, West Barnstable, and Yarmouthport.

The summer chapels are in East Brewster, Falmouth Heights, South Chatham, South Yarmouth, and Woods Hole.

Yes, Cape Cod is unique, but then so are the cities, the suburbs, and the rural areas of the diocese — not to mention the Islands. It may work for stocking caps, but when it comes to pastoral planning, one size does not fit all.

As the parishes of the Diocese of Fall River prepare to embark on another round of pastoral planning, there is much to consider.

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

Father John M. Murray to become new diocesan moderator of the curia

FALL RIVER — Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., recently announced that Father John M. Murray has been appointed to become the new diocesan moderator of the curia to be effective May 26.

Father Murray will take over for Father Michael J. McManus, who has spent three decades serving in the diocesan chancery.

“I am grateful to Father John Murray for accepting this additional responsibility to what I am sure is already a busy life,” said Bishop da Cunha.

I

Father Murray is currently pastor of St. Ann’s Parish in Raynham and will continue this assignment in addition to his becoming modFather John M. erator of the Murray curia.

Father McManus will continue to serve as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield.

In a letter to priests announcing the appointment, Bishop da Cunha said that when he arrived in Fall River nearly two years ago, he asked Father McManus to stay on as moderator of the curia.

“He graciously accepted my request,” said the bishop. “From day one he has been a faithful and loyal adviser. For this I am very grateful to him as well as for all his years of dedicated and faithful service to the diocese. I am sure he will now enjoy being a full-time pastor, serving God’s people at St. Mary’s Parish.”

Taking a fall for Jesus

t was Easter Sunday from Canada and Spain to morning. I had just host and take around and rolled out of bed and was of course we had our Holy wielding my Bic razor Week services on Holy when the phone rang. The Thursday, Good Friday, and female voice at the other Holy Saturday. end identified herself and It was on Saturday apologized for calling so morning that it happened. early, then said that ElSister Barbara Jean, a Franlery, the pilot, was fuelciscan Sister who teaches ing the plane and would touch down in Kalaupapa at Moon Over 6:45 a.m. LeavMolokai ing a large blob of

By Father shaving cream on Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. the phone, I took a super fast shower, skipped into some clothing, and sped to the at St. Francis School in airport. Sister Theresa, Manoa Valley was visitSister Catherine, and Sister ing our Franciscan Sisters Barbara Jean were already here in Kalaupapa. She there. Sister Barbara Jean was helping prepare the was in a wheelchair. altar at St. Francis Church It had been a busy Holy for the Easter Vigil Mass Week beginning with our when she missed a step Palm Sunday service. We while descending from the had lots of palms to carry high altar and went down in procession but we did hard. She took a fall for not have a donkey for Jesus and suffered some the reenactment of Jesus’ elbow fractures but, thank triumphant entrance into the Lord, did not suffer Jerusalem. So I had to take any head injuries. She is a its place. I’m quite good strong woman who loves at that, of course! During to fish and plans on comthe week we had visitors ing back again to fish at

Damien’s Landing but, after spending a night at the care home, she decided to fly to Oahu to have some X-rays taken. It was a good decision.

The four-seater plane with Sister Barbara Jean on board took off as the Sisters and I waved good bye. It soared into the Kalaupapa sky, banked to the left and was on its way to Oahu. We returned to Kalaupapa town to prepare to celebrate Christ’s glorious Resurrection at our 9 a.m.

Mass. To Sister Barbara Jean we say, “Get well soon” and to all of you, “Have a Blessed Easter season.”

Aloha.

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

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What would Attleboro be without a La Salette Shrine?

loved one in need. The priest whom you felt you could confide your pain and suffering to, he too would be gone.

ATTLEBORO — For more than 60 years Remember going to a healing service and lisLa Salette Shrine has been a shining symbol of tening to the witnessing of all the people whose peace, love and joy to all who visit! An inspiralives were changed because La Salette priests tion for those who travel from as far away as anointed them at a Healing Service? The perCanada and upstate New York and many more son who felt compelled to come to La Salette cities and towns across America, just to find the Shrine because they were told their illness was peace and reconciliation they feel would make terminal and they were desperate, then the letter their lives whole again! Possibly a refuge and saying, “I was anointed at La Salette Shrine and a home where they could share their pain and I am now healed.” All this would be gone! hurt to one of the dedicated priests. There is Of course, the Christmas lights that bring so never a charge to go to La Salette, or the “Festi- much joy and happiness to young and old alike, val of Lights!” They solely depend on donations! would be dimmed! There would be no excitement What would Attleboro be without La Salette on Thanksgiving night as the beacon of hope and Shrine? joy, we are all so used to, would be stilled. The How would Attleboro be different without memories of the people who came as children, La Salette Shrine? For one thing, that walk you now grown up and are bringing their children to loved to take around the Rosary Pond would be keep that tradition going. Do you want all this gone! The Holy Stairs that brought you so much to end? Well, it could very well happen if the city peace when you were at your lowest ebb, this of Attleboro continues to tax parts of La Salette too would be gone! The day you finally decided Shrine to the tune of $92,000 per year! to make peace with your God, in the Sanctuary La Salette Shrine is there for the people of of the church would no longer be there for you. Attleboro. It provides numerous free services. It Or when you dropped by to say a prayer for a is the “anchor” in the city of Attleboro and the priests, Brothers and nuns are there to serve the people of Attleboro and all the people who come and bring business to the city of Attleboro! Just ask Bliss Brothers Dairy, Briggs Corner Pizzeria and some of the other restaurants that are filled to capacity for five weeks of the Christmas season and beyond! All because of La Salette Shrine!

Do you love La Salette Shrine? Have you been helped by the priests, Brothers and nuns there? Then voice your objections loud and clear to Stanley J. Nacewicz at 508-223-2222 for his efforts in trying to close down La Salette Shrine by being overzealous in taxing a religious organization! Call and tell the assessor what you think, this is a grim portrait of what Attleboro would be like without La Salette Shrine and a warm reminder of what makes La Salette Shrine great!

We must protect her from fading away!

By Fran Gunning La Salette Shrine Special to The Anchor

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The Anchor - April 15, 2016

S

now showers, that is! Even down here in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, we are still seeing snow in the forecast. At this rate, I’ll be wearing mittens in July! OK, that’s enough of my commentary on the weather.

However, my April showers reference does begin to segue into my message. As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, right?

Maybe this year, we switch the words “bring” and “May,” but still, in the event that they do finally arrive, as they have slowly started to on JMU’s campus, they will be beautiful. Perhaps even more appreciated because of how long of a hiatus they took from last season’s foliage. Why, why am I talking about flowers, though?

That, friends, will come in time.

First, you should know that as I’ve been journeying through the job search and the interview process, I’ve been consuming mass amounts of information. I’ve been researching websites and people and positions. I’ve looked up mission statements, vision statements, and university values. And I’ve loved every second of it. Inundating myself with information, however, often leaves me mentally exhausted and constantly looking for an outlet to share that information. And when I need a break from it altogether, I find myself at a loss. So what becomes my outlet?

Well, recently, it’s been the Facebook app on my phone, or Snapchat, even Pinterest. I immediately turn to my phone while simultaneously feeling shame that this has become my brain dump. No! Why “no?” Because what am I really gaining from

April showers

this? Yes, Pinterest has the ability to provide me with a fun outlet for all the crafting I’ll do when I graduate, all of the creative ways to furnish my new apartment wherever that may be. Snapchat keeps me in touch with friends across the country. But Facebook? Most of the time I mindlessly scroll through the lives of other Radiate people until I Your Faith realize I’m not truly lookBy Renee ing at anyBernier thing. Then I go back to researching. I go back to work.

Here comes my tie back to flowers.

Life, like a flower after a never-ending winter, is absolutely beautiful. It is full, for us, of relationships, of opportunities for adventure, of conversation, of family, of faith. Yes, work is a part of that life and for many of us it is a necessity, a means of comfort, of stability, and hopefully a source of joy. However, with some flowers, come thorns.

The things that pinch us, stab at us unexpectedly, and make us consider that our flowers are more than beautiful; they carry a threat with them, a reminder that if you’re not careful, what is so beautiful can also hurt you.

This, also is true of life.

Those outlets I mentioned earlier, my social media brain dumps, are not inherently evil. It doesn’t have to hurt us. But when we use it to fill the void, when it becomes a replacement for human relationships, when it deviates our attention and keeps us away from self-reflection and introspection, then

is when it becomes a thorn — when the harm begins to sneak in, a surreptitious force that begins to steal the beauty of life from us. In a reflection on being Benedictine, a piece I was reading for a recent interview, the very first section of the document talks about how “we eat, worry, spend, and work too much; we exercise, sleep invest and earn too little.” Then later on that “if we don’t take time to stop, we are buying into a culture that says work 24-7. If we cave into the expectation of our culture, we will be choked off.”

Again, this metaphor of the flower and the thorn takes shape, for if allowed to grow wild and unruly, out of

control, the thorns will choke out the life that it coexists with — the flower.

So, as I continue my job search process, and straddle the line between research, work, and the social media platforms that my society tells me I should utilize and love, I must also be very aware that if I’m not careful, these things can be thorns. If I forget to leave space for reflection, for quiet, for the other parts of my life that feed my soul and not choke it, then I will be in a thicket that’s tricky to navigate and difficult to emerge from. That being said, I encourage you to join me as I take a break from some of those expectations we face that might inhibit our ability to bloom and welcome into season our own personal spring, and as I remind myself of a faith that renews in the face of the unknown.

Anchor columnist Renee Bernier is a graduate student at James Madison University in Harrison, Va.

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Youth Pages

The pre-k students from St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently collected infant accessories such as diapers, sleepers, washcloths and blankets for New Hope as their fourth annual Lenten Service Project.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., recently visited St. Mary’s School in Taunton for its annual third-grade religion fair.

April is raising Awareness of Child Abuse and Violence Month continued from page five

associate with drug use.

“It’s just one bad choice.

I read online of parents who are heartbroken, their child was a straight-A student who went to a party and made one bad choice,” said Berg. “I try to make folks aware of these things. They may not run across it but at least be prepared.”

Parents can feel overwhelmed, especially after a training session with Berg, who covers multiple topics; “but they all go home with

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The Anchor - April 15, 2016

a renewed commitment to reconnect with their kids and make sure that they talk to them,” said Berg. “Really, the only thing that parents can do is educate and communicate with their kids.

That’s the biggest preventative action any parent can take. Spend time, sit down, and talk with your kids.”

Berg offers many resources on the CSS website: www. cssdioc.org/services/child_ protection_services. Craig Miller attempted suicide

and survived; his story is “phenomenal” said Berg, adding that his website, www.ThisIsHowItFeels. com, offers additional resources.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, there is a NHTRC confidential 24-hour hotline: 1-888-373-7888. Or call Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line (24/7 with more than 300 languages and dialects available): 1-866347-2423.

Youth Pages

Students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton had fun creating Resurrection Eggs in preparation for Easter.

Eighth-grade students from St. Joseph School in Fairhaven recently acted out the Stations of the Cross during a prayer service.

Eighth-grade students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently demonstrated for the school the Way of The Cross during Holy Week.

The students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford experienced a Seder meal in celebration of the Passover and Jesus instituting the Holy Eucharist. Special songs and readings enhanced the prayer service which was led by Father Craig Pregana and Sister Muriel Ann Lebeau, SS.CC., (inset).

The two fourth-grade classes at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro performed a tableaux of the Stations of the Cross. The two classes performed still-life reenactments of each of the 14 Stations of the Cross. It is an annual tradition at the school performed during Holy Week to help the students understand the importance of the week.

Jesus (Luke Massari) washes the feet of Apostle John (Heather Gauvin) as St. Margaret Regional School commemorated the Last Supper of Our Lord on Holy Thursday.

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Youth Pages Stang Spartans find success on and off the basketball court

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

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Looking back on his senior year playing basketball for Bishop Stang High School — a stellar season that culminated with the first-ever Division 3 state title for the school — it’s easy to understand why team co-captain Avery DeBrito gets a little emotional.

“In my freshman year, I was always ‘the little guy’ — that’s what coach used to call me,” DeBrito said.

But when newly-appointed head coach Colbey Santos came onboard two years ago, he saw something in DeBrito and his teammates that he sensed could become a winning formula.

“I think the team already had some good pieces in place before I got here, so we just molded it and worked on the team and in this second year they got better,” Santos recently told The Anchor. “These guys were competing every day at practice and sometimes they were just as competitive as they were during a game, so we were able to build on that. I think that’s when we started making a serious run at this.”

Tapping into that rare blend of skill and camaraderie, Santos was able to lead the Stang Spartans on the road to victory, ultimately besting Oxford, 80-64, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on March 18 to win the Division 3 MIAA state championship.

“It’s just been so much fun to play for him,” DeBrito said of his coach. “I just love basketball now because of him. He really taught me how to play my game.”

But Santos gives most of the credit to the 15-mem18

ber team — a tight-knit group that forged a fast friendship on and off the basketball court.

“This group was so close,” Santos said. “I mean, practice would end and these guys wouldn’t want to leave.

Some of them would sit in the locker room forever.

They genuinely liked each other, and you don’t find

big win was particularly satisfying after suffering a stress fracture last year that forced him to watch from the bench during the playoffs.

“Matt and Brycen Goodine were both injured last year and couldn’t play — we didn’t have either one playing with us during the state tournament last

guys who were key, but they played the game the way it was supposed to be played and it showed.”

“Both captains were major parts of this team’s success,” Santos added. “Avery played key minutes last year and he became our starting point guard toward the end of the season, and Matt is the ultimate leader. So hav-

Members of the Bishop Stang High School boys basketball team pose on the court at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on March 19 after clinching the school’s first-ever Division 3 state title by beating Oxford, 80-64. The winning team consisted of Justin Lopes, Damien Perry, Malik Morris, Brycen Goodine, Nick Landry, Caleb Lawrence, Matt Golden, Avery DeBrito, Connor McIsaac, Greg Fernando, Ronan Dasher, Nick Andrade, Mike Pelletier, Jeff Zhang, and Sam Golden and was coached by Colbey Santos, with assistants Mike Duarte, Dan Dias, Gary Pope and Chris Mulvey. (Photo courtesy of Jana McHenry)

that too often.”

“I think I’ve been really fortunate to have a great group of guys and a great coach this year,” agreed co-captain Matt Golden.

“Coach really bought into us (as a team) and we’d have fun and he’d always be there during practice and would play against us. Anytime one of us thought we were getting pretty good, he’d come out and show us that we still needed to work harder to get where we wanted to be. It was pretty cool to have a coach who could do that with you and kind of put you in your place a bit.”

For Golden, this year’s

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

year,” Santos said. “We had to deal with a lot of injuries and I think that hurt us last season.”

Having watched the team grow and develop over the last two years, director of Athletics Ryan Sylvia said it was gratifying to see them work together to capture the title.

“From my perspective, it was great because I got to watch these guys play all year,” Sylvia said. “To me the real strength of this team was the fact that there was no selfishness at all. They were truly playing as a unit. They had some great individual players out there and they had some

ing those two players right away gave us a leg up.”

With just six seniors on the varsity team, Santos also relied on a healthy complement of underclassmen — including two freshmen — to contribute.

“When we stepped onto the court that first practice and moved up two freshmen, they had an impact right away,” he said. “If they can play as a freshman, I have no problem putting them on the team and throwing them out there.

As long as you can play and do the right thing, you’ll play for me. And once they proved they could play a little bit, they really ended

up helping us out.”

Another key to Stang’s hoops success this year may have been Santos’ signature rallying cry of “havoc!”

“When I was a player at James Madison we played against Virginia Commonwealth University, and they had a coach named Shaka Smart,” Santos explained.

“That’s what he taught — this havoc, pressure, defense; havoc, pressure, defense idea. And looking at the kind of team that we had (here at Stang) — guys who were athletic, who would take charges, who could dive for the ball — I wondered if I could bring that same culture into our basketball program.

“And from day one they bought into it — and if you play as hard as you can for a couple of minutes on defense, you’re not going to be mad when I sub you out and bring someone else in. So that became a full team concept and the crowd bought into it and we bought into it and it got us a nice little run.”

Having now served as head coach at Stang for just two seasons, the impact of this win isn’t lost on Santos, who previously worked as assistant coach under Brian Baptiste at UMass Dartmouth, and came close to capturing his first championship while coaching Wareham High School in 2012 after a 20-0 season that ended with a disappointing loss against Danvers at the TD Garden.

“This is the first-ever state championship I’ve had, it’s the first-ever for the school and the first for these guys, and it’s been awesome,” he said. “Now that I’ve won the championship, I’ve set the bar pretty high.”

Continued on page 22

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 April 17, 11:00 a.m.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Celebrant is Father Kevin A. Cook, pastor of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton, and diocesan director of Vocations And Seminarians

April 24, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael Racine, pastor of St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet

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Saying ‘yes’ to a religious vocation: A wonderful way to show mercy continued from page three

ment, some Scripture readings, a homily, intercessory prayer, a blessing for those in our diocese who are involved in their parishes promoting vocations, time of silent prayer, and Benediction.”

Father Cook, along with Father Christopher M. Peschel, assistant director of Vocations and Seminarians, and Dominican Sister Paulina Hurtado, Episcopal Representative for Religious and associate director of Vocations, have been hard at work developing strategies to foster vocations in the home, school, parish and community.

“Along with prayer there are so many other essential things to foster vocations: family life, parish life, works of mercy, growing in knowledge of our faith, growing in generosity of heart with those we encounter in our lives, joyful example of others living their vocations in generous, heroic, and daily ways, etc.,” added Father Cook.

“We have a long way to go, and it’s a challenge, but we’re heading in the right direc-

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tion.”

Father Cook told The Anchor that the Vocations Office will continue to offer the Quo Vadis Retreat for area young men, allowing them time to escape the usual day-to-day routines and find quiet time to listen to what the Lord is asking of them. There was also a recent weekend retreat offered to young men with the purpose of fostering vocations.

Additionally, the diocesan Vocation team has been speaking at diocesan parishes and Catholic schools in the attempt to promote vocations among the many young people across the diocese.

“It starts in the home, and then the parish and schools,” said Father Cook. “And now we’re trying to establish a Vocation Team in all of the diocesan parishes, where they can look at what is specifically needed in the parish and encourage families to be active in praying for vocations.”

Last year, Sister Hurtado began working with pastors to gather names of people in parishes who may be interested in helping to collaborate with the Vocations Office in the formation or

The Anchor - April 15, 2016

reformation of vocation committees in diocesan parishes.

The interest has been increasing and several gatherings of parish vocation committees have been held. All parish vocation committee members have been invited to Sunday’s Holy Hour for Vocations at the cathedral.

Sister Hurtado has already offered two days of reflection for young women to help them discern if they are being called to a religious vocation.

“The next scheduled day of reflection for girls 14-18 is May 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dominican Sisters Convent, 3012 Elm Street, Dighton,” Sister Hurtado told The Anchor.

“The RSVP date is May 2 by calling 909-496-2022 or emailing sr.paulina@dioc-fr. org.”

Currently the diocese has six men in seminaries in formation for the priesthood, and several more candidates, added Father Cook.

One of the seminarians, Matt Gill, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro and currently in II Theology at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, recently received the ministry of lector in a ceremony there led by Bishop Robert Deeley of Maine.

“Being installed as a lector, as a part of priestly formation emphasizes the importance of the priest’s responsibility and privilege of proclaiming the Word of God, what the

Lord has said to us throughout Salvation history,” Gill told The Anchor. “There was a beautiful instruction that Bishop Deeley of Maine said. He told us to receive the Scriptures from him (who represented the Church) as he handed us a Bible and he told us to ‘be faithful in handing on the Word of

God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.’

“That is what I have used as a reflection, internalizing the voice of the Lord in the Scriptures so that I can then foster a love for Him and His Word in the hearts of all those who I serve and will serve in the future.”

NFP series being offered continued from page 11

main points each couple focuses on during the threeclass sessions: “To understand that the human body speaks the language of love in a unique way through the sexual powers; learn how to record and interpret the observable signs of fertility; know how to identify the boundary between the most-fertile time and the most-infertile time of the female cycle; effectiveness of NFP compared to that of contraception; know how to use NFP to achieve a pregnancy; learn about other methods of NFP; how to apply NFP in special situations; recognize behaviors that attack human dignity and marital love; understand problems with contraception; supplemental classes are available when relevant to the couple’s needs; and postpartum return of fertility and pre-menopause.”

“The Church’s teaching on NFP is beautiful,” said Maureen. “The Catholic Church is often mocked for its so-called ‘archaic attitude’ toward birth control and marital sexuality. We disagree! The Catholic Church recognizes the Sacredness of sex, and will continue to protect it in the context of Sacramental married love between one man and one woman.

Contraception has wreaked havoc on our society in a vast number of ways. It has put the focus on self instead of focusing on being self-

less and life giving. It has also made it easier for many other immoral behaviors to come in on the scene.”

Maureen cited Pope Paul’s encyclical Humanae Vitae, stating that “you will realize that he warned us that if contraception became accepted, so would all immoral behaviors” such as promiscuity, adultery, pornography, abortion and other deviant sexual behaviors.

Maureen clarified that NFP is not the “rhythm method” and that NFP is backed up by years of research and science. She said they often hear from happy couples who have conceived using NFP, and they appreciate the positive feedback. The Trettels are passionate about NFP and how their experience has strengthened their Marriage: “I mean really,” said Mark, “if you can talk about mucus, estrogen levels, etc., you can talk about anything that life can bring you! This simple open communication has allowed us to work through everyday stresses like finances, jobs, [and] life challenges in general.”

The next NFP series begins April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Brendan Parish Hall, 384 Hartford Avenue, Bellingham. Registration can be done on the Couple to Couple League website: www.ccli.org. The site also offers live online classes and self-paced online classes.

Mercy is central to 75th annual Catholic Charities Appeal continued from page two

down to shorter, sevenminute versions for use during weekend Masses or to be embedded on parish websites.

Another change that Campbell implemented this year was where the various Appeal kickoff events were to be held.

Instead of venues like

White’s of Westport or the Cape Codder, they decided to host the three kickoff receptions at diocesan schools: one at Bishop Feehan High School (Attleboro/Taunton); one at Bishop Connolly High School (Fall River/New Bedford); and one at St. John Paul II High School

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks April 16 Rev. Arthur E. Langlois, on sick leave, Denver, Colo., 1928 Rev. Norman F. Lord, C.S.Sp., Hemet, Calif., 1995 Rev. John W. Pegnam, USN, Retired Chaplain, 1996 April 18 Rev. Hugh B. Harrold, Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1935 Rt. Rev. John F. McKeon, P.R., Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1956 Rev. Joao Vieira Resendes, Retired Pastor, Espirito Santo, Fall River, 1984 Rev. Wilfred C. Boulanger, M.S., LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro, 1985 Rev. George E. Amaral, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, Taunton, 1992 Permanent Deacon Vincent P. Walsh, 2014 April 19 Rev. William Wiley, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1855 Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Duart, Pastor, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown, 1975 Rev. Daniel E. Carey, Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Retired Pastor, St .Dominic, Swansea, 1990 Rev. Msgr. Antonino Tavares, Retired Pastor, Santo Christo, Fall River, 2008 April 20 Rev. Edward F. Coyle, S.S., St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Md., 1954 Rev. James E. O’Reilly, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Seekonk, 1970 Rev. James P. Dalzell, Retired Pastor St Joseph , Woods Hole, 1999 April 21 Rev. John O’Beirne, Pastor St. Mary, Taunton Rev. Thomas Feeley, C.S.C., Holy Cross Family Ministries, 2004 April 22 Rev. James L. Smith, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1910 Rev. Thomas F. Fitzgerald, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1954 Rev. John J. Murphy, 2007

April 23

April 25 Rev. John J. Wade, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1940 Rev. Raymond J. Lynch, Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, 1955 April 26 Rev. Ubalde Deneault, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1982 Rev. James F. Greene, Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford, 2002 April 27 Rev. Francis J. Bradley, D.D., Retired Rector St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, 1925 Rev. Romeo D. Archambault, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1949 Rev. Edward F. O’Keefe, S.J., retired, St. Francis Xavier, Boston, 1973 April 28 Rev. Stanislaus J. Goyette, Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 1959 Rev. John P. Cronin, 2014 April 29 Rev. James Leo Maguire, Pastor, Diocese of Monterey, California, 1987 Rev. Adolph Szelagowski, OFM Conv., Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford, 1989 Rev. Peter P. Mullen, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 1999 Rev. John M. Breen M.M., 2005

(Cape Cod).

“One of the things I heard over and over again since I started three years ago was a complaint that we spent too lavishly on our kickoff events,” he said. “The kickoff events are important to help rally the troops and to educate people and motivate the volunteers to go out and advocate for Catholic Charities, but I guess the complaint was we didn’t need to spend money on such a lavish meal or locale.”

Campbell said he consulted with Bishop da Cunha about using diocesan high schools and, in turn, getting the students more directly involved with the Catholic Charities Appeal.

“The notion was twofold: one, it’s a diocesan facility so it wouldn’t cost us anything to rent; and two, it would give us an opportunity to integrate the students, who were learning about Catholic social teaching, with the parish volunteers, who are practicing in their advocacy for the Appeal,” he said. “That was the goal — to simplify the presentation and to do a better job of integrating our teaching with our practice.”

Campbell said he’s been very impressed with the cooperation he’s received from all the high school administrators, faculty and staff.

“They really have embraced this idea,” he said.

He also wanted to make a point that this was one change that was made in response to feedback from others.

“When people write to us, we hear them,” he added. “We may not always react the way they want

us to, but we do take it all into consideration and the fact that we’ve rejiggered the way we do the kickoffs I think is a testament to that.”

With three successful Appeal efforts now under his belt, Campbell said he hopes to set another record this year as far as charitable support.

“I recognize that in some quarters folks are worried about the impact of the diocesan assessment on people’s charitable giving,” he said. “But the message that Bishop da Cunha has been using in talking to people about that is we all — collectively, as a diocese — have to move from being just in maintenance mode to mission mode. Part of that means not overlooking our obligation to the poor and these ministries that are essential to our identity

as Catholics.”

Having raised nearly $4.6 million during last year’s Appeal, Campbell aspires to reach the $5 million mark during this silver anniversary year.

“That’s a big jump and it’s going to require some extraordinary gifts, but I think we have the capability to do so,” he said.

“Despite the fact that we are asking our parishes and parishioners to do more, we are hoping they will take up the mantel willingly.

“Based on the early conversations I’ve had with people, I’m reasonably optimistic that we’re going to be able to again achieve a record level of generosity.”

The 75th annual Catholic Charities Appeal will take place from May 1 through June 30, 2016. For more information, visit www. frdioc-catholiccharities.org.

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Stang finds success on and off the court continued from page 18

“You preach to these guys all year long, and you try to teach them that if they work hard and do what your coach tells you to do, it will put you in the best position possible, and these guys went out and did it,” added Sylvia. “There are life lessons in the things we talk about that are more important than wins and losses — and those things are important to every team. But when you do things the right way, then the wins will follow, and that’s what these guys did so it was nice to see.”

It seems that Santos’ coaching skills and the band of brothers on Stang’s basketball team made for a winning combination this year.

“The coach always told us, from the beginning, that we had the pieces to do something big this year,” DeBrito said. “So we re-

ally bought into the program and I think that made each of us play better every day as we practiced.”

And as he stepped onto the court for that final game, DeBrito said he was confident they would bring the trophy back home to Stang.

“I knew we were going to win — I wasn’t going to take no for an answer,” he said.

“The thing we kept talking about was don’t take this one for granted — this is the state championship game and this team is here for a reason,” Golden agreed.

“But you also can’t go into the game believing that you’re not going to win. You have to believe you’re going to win it all and you have to work for it. And that’s what we did. We knew we could do it and we ended up getting it and that was exciting!”

Around the Diocese

Crossroads Cultural Center and the Movement of Communion and Liberation will present the exhibit, “A People, A Face, A Newness in the Rubble,” a dialogue with Christian refugees in the Middle East consisting of a series of panels and a short video. The exhibit will be presented in the Memorial Chapel of St. Mary’s Parish, 343 Tarkiln Hill Road in New Bedford after all Masses (4 p.m. on Saturday; 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday) on April 16-17. For more information, email CLnewengland2@gmail.com or call Amy Hurteau at 508-525-5722.

All are invited to pray the Culture of Life Chaplet on April 21 beginning at 1 p.m. in St. Jude’s Chapel of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. Recitation is on ordinary Rosary beads and will include a brief meditation preceding each of the five decades.

A Healing Mass will be celebrated on April 21 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. The Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include Benediction and healing prayers. At 5:15 p.m. there will be a holy hour, including the Rosary. For more information, visit www.saintanthonynewbedford.com or call 508-993-1691.

A presentation on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit will be presented by Father Patrick Magee, a Franciscan Hermit and a hospital chaplain, at Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River in the Nannery Conference Room on April 23 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Mass and lunch will follow the presentation the presentation. Deadline for registering is April 15. For registration information contact Betty at 508-678-2373. Everyone is welcome to attend.

St. John Neumann Parish, 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, will be hosting another Day of Silence with the Masters on April 23 with St. Catherine of Siena. The quiet day of prayer will be at nearby Cathedral Camp and grounds (camp house is accessible through the road next to the rectory) and will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m. with the parish Liturgy at 5 p.m. as an option for those who would like to stay. Midday prayer will be offered at 1 p.m. and Confessions will be available at 4 p.m. St. Catherine’s teachings are posted throughout the property at 12 stations and a booklet containing the stations and midday prayer will be distributed. There is no charge, but participants are asked to bring a bag lunch and beverages will be provided. For more information, contact Karen Howard at klhoward@aol.com or at 508-947-0193.

The Lazarus Committee at Our Lady of the Cape Parish is offering a six-week bereavement support program called “Come Walk With Me” that begins on April 28. It is a program designed for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one within the past two years, Sessions will run each successive Thursday through June 2, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. The program will be held in the parish center on Stony Brook Road in Brewster. The spring program is facilitated by Judi Pregot, LICSW, MSW/MED, and is open to people of all faiths. Please note that this is not a drop-in program or an ongoing support program. Participants are expected to attend all six sessions and pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Judi Pregot at 508-896-8355 or Happy Whitman at 508-385-3252.

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The Anchor - April 15, 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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To subscribe to The Anchor, or give it as a gift, contact Mary Chase at 508-675-7151 or Email marychase@anchornews.org

O

My little chickadees

ne of my favorite expressions is “It’s tough to soar with eagles when you’re flying with turkeys.” Although I do love turkeys, as ornery as they are. This must be a record for me, digressing in the very first sentence of my column. But I digress again.

Anyway, I like the saying because there are far too many negative people in the world today for my liking. Granted, it is a mad world, mad meaning not only insane but angry.

There is a Facebook page of which I follow about Massachusetts and they routinely post photos of various locations in the Commonwealth sent in by people who love this area.

The photos are spectacular and beautiful. We live in a very picturesque area.

My View I decided to share a From photo I took the Stands at the North Watuppa

By Dave Jolivet Pond of the water and the woods and a bush that was occupied by five of the chubbiest chickadees you could find. Not to pat myself on the back because it was God’s artwork and I was only the photographer, but the picture was magnificent. It was identified as “a peaceful image of the beautiful Fall River.”

The picture garnered 200 likes, scores of shares and a few comments. Yet there was one comment that said, “Yeah, and right behind him someone is getting mugged.”

I couldn’t for the life of me imagine why someone would be so arrogant and vain to post such a comment. There isn’t a city or town in this great region that doesn’t have crime, bad sections and problems. On the other hand, there isn’t a city or town in this area that doesn’t have its own intrinsic beauty.

Perhaps this dude lives in his own Garden of Eden, or perhaps he’s too dense to find the blessings provided by God outside his shallow little world.

I know this sounds negative, but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. This guy may believe Fall River is the crime capital of New England, but I still think it’s beautiful, my little chickadees. davejolivet@anchornews.org 24

The Anchor - April 15, 2016