04.17.09

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , April 17, 2009

Divine Mercy Sunday is linked to Christ’s Easter resurrection

By Deacon James Dunbar and Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — From the diary of a young Polish nun, a special devotion known as the Divine Mercy Chaplet began spreading throughout the world in the 1930s.

As the universal Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday this weekend, it is no coincidence that it annually falls within the octave of Easter and Christ’s resurrection. They are intimately linked.

Across the Fall River Diocese, the Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed regularly in parishes and in the privacy of people’s homes.

“It’s about trusting in Jesus and forgiveness,” said Lucy Pinto, secretary at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Bedford where she’s organized the devotion since 1998. “Part of the devotion is how Jesus is merciful and loving. We had about 60 people attend last year. You can see how the devotion has grown

over the years and we’ve seen many people finding forgiveness with others.”

Charlie Manning, chancellor with the Falmouth Council Knights of Columbus, said they revived the Divine Mercy devotion at St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth last year and was “surprised” by the great turnout.

“I think we’re living in a time when we really need to hear that phrase, ‘Have mercy on us and on the whole world,’” he said. “It really means something right now because I think the whole world is in a spiritual crisis.”

This Sunday’s reading from the Gospel of John 20:19-31 centers on the mercy and forgiveness Jesus tells the Apostles they must show as they forgive sin; as well as the faith and trust the doubting Apostle Thomas must have, and all Christians as well, in the redemption earned by the risen savior.

The message Jesus gave to Sister Faustina Kowalska — of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy — was that God loves all of us not matter how great our sins; that he wants us to recognize his mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon him with trust and receive his mercy.

While that message is nothing new, and had always been taught by the Church in Scripture and tradition, the new Divine Mercy devotion that the uneducated nun, known now as St. Faustina since her 2000 canonization, was given to be a role model and promote, takes on a powerful new focus, calling people — all sinners — to accept God’s mercy with thanksgiving and to spread that knowledge to others that they may come Turn to page 19

ROMEIROS — Catholic pilgrims — men and women — clad in shawls and carrying walking sticks, recalled a Lenten tradition started centuries ago on the Island of St. Michael in the Azores, as they made an all-day walk April 4 to churches in New Bedford. Singing hymns and reciting prayers asking for God’s protection in their lives, they capped their day by attending an evening Passion service.

(Photo courtesy of Marijanna Lokitis)

Priests to receive career achievement awards from New Bedford Voke Tech

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

NEW BEDFORD — Two priests who were graduates of Greater New Bedford Vocational Technical High School will be honored with the school’s Career Achievement Award during a reception May 3.

Father Michael Racine, pastor of St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet, and Sacred Hearts Father Martin Gomes, who formerly Father Michael Racine served within the diocese and is now stationed as pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Nassau, Bahamas, will be among six recipients this year of New Bedford Voke’s annual alumni honor.

“The award is given to past graduates of our school who have gone on to excel in all levels of work and industry and who we deem as being successful,” said Donald Desrosiers, president of the school’s alumni association and member of the award selection committee.

“We’re definitely going to have divine intervention this year.”

Father Gomes graduated in 1960 from the school’s Father Martin Gomes electrical department and is part of the Gomes Family from New Bedford whose members are wellknown for excelling in athletics, particularly basketball. According to Desrosiers, Father Gomes Turn to page 18

Young celebrities continue famed Rosary Priest’s mission and vision

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

NORTH EASTON — It’s a page right from Father Peyton’s playbook … or rather his prayer book. Family Theater Productions in Hollywood, Calif., affiliated with Holy Cross Family Ministries headquartered in North Easton, recently released a DVD, “Rosary Stars Praying the Gospel.”

The project, aimed at spreading the Gospel message by making the rosary come alive, particularly for a younger generation of Catholics, features 21 young athletes, actors, direc-

tors, TV hosts, recording stars, authors and lecturers sharing a Scripture reading, a meditation from Father Peyton, their own

personal reflection and a decade of the rosary, encompassing the four mysteries of the rosary; the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.

Congregation of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton, “the Rosary Priest,” now holds the title, Servant of God, as anyone whose cause for canonization is ongoing. He is renown for spreading the Gospel message, utilizing state of the art resources that reached thousands of people in the U.S. and across the globe. He saw a great tool in radio and teleTurn to page five

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Pope’s Way of the Cross had an Asian viewpoint

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — This year’s meditation for Pope Benedict XVI’s Good Friday Way of the Cross has a distinctly Asian perspective, referring to Hindu scriptures, an Indian poet and Mahatma Gandhi.

But the linchpin of this Eastern reflection is the passion of Jesus Christ. In that sense, it reflects Pope Benedict’s view of Christianity’s relationship with the nonChristian world — that the Gospel enlightens and fulfills the beliefs of other faiths.

Indian Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati wrote the meditation on the 14 stations, to be read as the pope led the candlelit “Via Crucis” at Rome’s Colosseum.

The pope chose Archbishop Menamparampil, a 72-year-old Salesian, after hearing him deliver an impressive talk at last year’s Synod of Bishops on Scripture.

The archbishop took it as a sign of the pope’s interest in Asia.

“His Holiness regards very highly the identity of Asia, the cradle of civilization. Moreover, our Holy Father has a prophetic vision for Asia, a continent very much cherished by him and his pontificate,” he said.

Archbishop Menamparampil has assumed a leading role in conflict resolution among warring ethnic groups in northeast India, and his Good Friday meditation reflects his conviction that violence is never the way to resolve problems.

But he didn’t explicitly mention anti-Christian discrimination. His aim here was not to list Christianity’s grievances, but to present its hopes and its answers to universal questions.

The archbishop is chairman of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’ Commission for Evangelization, and has spoken many times about the receptivity of Asians to the Gospel. He has argued that the Church’s presentation of the Christian message tends to be intellectual and doctrinal, but that it works best in Asia when it is more personal, experiential and poetic.

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He follows that approach in his “Via Crucis” meditation, focusing on the way Jesus deals with violence and adversity, and finding parallels in Asian culture.

Condemned to death before the Sanhedrin, for example, Jesus’ reaction to this injustice is not to “rouse the collective anger of people against the opponent, so that they are led into forms of greater injustice,” the archbishop wrote.

He cited another Christian success story in India, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, when reflecting on how Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus carry his cross.

Simon was like millions of Christians from humble backgrounds with a deep attachment to Christ — “no glamour, no sophistication, but profound faith,” in whom we discover “the sacredness of the ordinary and the greatness of what looks small,” the archbishop said.

Archbishop Menamparampil echoed one of Pope Benedict’s favorite themes when he spoke about Jesus being mocked before his crucifixion. Today, he said, Jesus is humiliated in new ways: when the faith is trivialized, when the sense of the sacred erodes and when religious sentiment is considered one of the “unwelcome leftovers of antiquity.”

The archbishop said the challenge today is to remain attentive to God’s “quiet presences” found in tabernacles and shrines, the laughter of children, the tiniest living cell and the distant galaxies.

His text reflected the idea that Jesus’ own life embodies Indian values, including an awareness of the sacred through contemplation.

“May we never question or mock serious things in life like a cynic. Allow us not to drift into the desert of godlessness. Enable us to perceive you in the gentle breeze, see you in street corners, love you in the unborn child,” he wrote.

He ended with a meditation on Jesus’ entombment, borrowing insights from the Eastern spiritual distinction between reality and illusion.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 53, No. 15

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April 17, 2009

SPEAKING TO THE WORLD — Pope Benedict XVI delivers his Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city of Rome and the world) April 12 overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. In his message he called for renewed efforts to bring about peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said he would carry a message of reconciliation when travels to the Holy Land May 8 for a weeklong visit. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano)

Humanity must use weapons of truth, mercy to end conflict, says pope

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Christ’s resurrection is not a myth or fairy tale; it is the one and only event that has destroyed the root of evil and can fill the emptiness in people’s hearts, Pope Benedict XVI said in his Easter message.

But Christ still wants humanity to help affirm his victory by using his weapons of justice, truth, mercy and love to end the suffering in Africa, build peace in the Holy Land, and combat hunger and poverty worldwide, he said April 12 in his message “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world).

“Africa suffers disproportionately from the cruel and unending conflicts, often forgotten, that are causing so much bloodshed and destruction in several of her nations,” and increasing numbers of Africans fall prey to hunger, poverty and disease, the pope said in the message broadcast from St. Peter’s Square to millions of people worldwide.

He said when he visits the Holy Land May 8-15 he will “emphatically repeat the same message” of reconciliation and peace he brought to Africa during his March visit to Cameroon and Angola.

Pope Benedict read his message and gave his solemn blessing after celebrating Easter morning Mass in St. Peter’s Square, which Vatican Radio said was attended by approximately 100,000 people.

He offered Easter greetings in 63 different languages and gave special encouragement to those struck by the April 6 earthquake

and string of aftershocks in Italy’s L’Aquila province.

During the April 11 Easter Vigil, Pope Benedict baptized and confirmed one woman and two men from Italy, a woman from China and Heidi Sierras, a 29-year-old mother of four from St. Joseph Church in Modesto, Calif.

During the evening ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope asked that the fragile flame and delicate light of God’s word and his love, which God has lit in every Christian, may not be snuffed out “amid the confusions of this age but will become ever stronger and brighter, so that we, with him, can be the people of the day, bright stars lighting up our time.”

The next morning, after celebrating the Easter Mass, the pope urged Christians to spread the hope the world so desperately needs.

“At a time of world food shortage, of financial turmoil, of old and new forms of poverty, of disturbing climate change, of violence and deprivation which force many to leave their homelands in search of a less precarious form of existence, of the ever present threat of terrorism (and) of growing fears over the future, it is urgent to rediscover grounds for hope,” he said in his Easter message.

Christ’s resurrection “is neither a myth nor a dream, it is not a vision or a utopia, it is not a fairy tale, but is a singular and unrepeatable event” that brings light to the dark regions of the world, he said.

But while the resurrected

Christ vanquished death, “there still remain very many, in fact, too many signs of its former dominion,” said the pope.

Christ wants today’s men and women to help him “affirm his victory using his own weapons: the weapons of justice and truth, mercy, forgiveness and love” and spread the kind of hope that inspires courage to do good even when it costs dearly, he said.

The earthquake in central Italy was never far from the pope’s mind during Holy Week and Easter services. At the end of the candlelit Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum April 10, Pope Benedict again asked for prayers for those affected by the earthquake.

Under an awning on a hill overlooking the Colosseum, the pope knelt through the entire service while women and men from Italy and India, as well as two Franciscan friars from the Holy Land, were among those who carried the black wooden cross.

Pope Benedict left the Vatican Easter afternoon for the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

Reciting the “Regina Coeli” prayer with hundreds of visitors gathered in the courtyard of the villa, the pope said Christians rejoice. “We who have risen with Christ through baptism must now follow him faithfully with holiness of life, walking toward the eternal Easter, sustained by the awareness that the difficulties, struggles, trials and sufferings of our existence — including death — can no longer separate us from him and his love,” the pope said.

April 17, 2009

The International Church Knights Templar may have secretly held shroud, Vatican expert says

MAJOR DAMAGE — A firefighter inspects the damaged St. Mary of the Holy Souls Church April 8 in L’Aquila, Italy, in the aftermath of an April 6 earthquake. (CNS photo/Alessandro Garofalo, Reuters)

Pope says he wants to visit Italian earthquake victims

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Encouraging solidarity with the victims of the earthquake that struck central Italy April 6, Pope Benedict XVI also promised to visit the survivors.

“My dear ones, I hope to come see you as soon as possible,” the pope said April 8 at the end of his weekly general audience, which is televised throughout Italy.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said planning for a papal visit to the region was under way, but he said it would take place at least a week after Easter.

Shortly before the papal audience, Italian government officials raised the official death toll in the city and province of L’Aquila to 250 people and said more than 1,000 were injured, about 100 seriously.

The main quake, which struck at 3:30 a.m. April 6, registered a magnitude of between 5.8 and 6.3 on the Richter scale.

Hundreds of tremors followed, including an aftershock April 7 that registered 5.3 on the Richter scale and caused more buildings to crumble.

At the end of his audience, the pope said he wanted to reaffirm his closeness to the people of central Italy suffering because of the earthquake.

Pope Benedict praised the work of the Italian government, police, firefighters, military and volunteers working to rescue victims, house and feed the thousands left homeless, and ascertain which homes, churches, offices and businesses are safe to enter.

The assistance efforts, he said, “demonstrate how important solidarity is for overcoming such a harsh trial together.

Once again, I want to tell those dear people that the pope shares their suffering and their worries.”

“Know that the pope prays for all of you, imploring the mercy of God for the deceased, and he asks for the maternal comfort of Mary and the support of Christian hope for their families and the survivors,” Pope Benedict said.

Father Lombardi said Pope Benedict spoke to Archbishop Giuseppe Molinari

of L’Aquila by telephone after the audience.

Archbishop Molinari told SIR, the news agency of the Italian bishops’ conference, that he hoped the pope’s visit would take place in the first days after Easter; Italian news agencies quoted a spokesman for the archdiocese as saying the pope would visit this week, flying by helicopter from Castel Gandolfo, the papal villa outside Rome where the pope was scheduled to spend Easter week.

Among the rescue workers assisting in the region were eight members of the Vatican fire department.

Domenico Giani, director of Vatican security services, told Vatican Radio that as soon as he heard about the earthquake he and the officials in charge of the Vatican governor’s office discussed ways they could help and then spoke to Pope Benedict about it.

“It seemed important at this moment of great pain to ensure that one of our fire department squads was present to lend a hand,” he said.

The firefighters, including a structural engineer, were sent to Onna, a tiny town near L’Aquila that was almost completely destroyed by the quake; 40 of the town’s 350 residents were killed.

Interviewed from Onna, Paolo De Angelis, the Vatican structural engineer, told Vatican Radio April 7, “The situation is disastrous. The town is destroyed.”

But, he said, even though most of the residents have lost everything, they are helping each other.

The quake, which was felt even 70 miles away in Rome, also did major damage in the town of Paganica, where it claimed the life of Abbess Gemma Antonucci, head of the Poor Clares’ Convent of St. Clare.

In an interview with SIR, Father Dionisio Rodriguez Cuartas, the pastor in Paganica and director of Caritas L’Aquila, said the roof of the Poor Clares’ convent caved in.

“The most beautiful churches” in L’Aquila and nearby towns were destroyed, he said, listing five buildings.

And, like the Poor Clares’ convent, the cathedral was damaged when several sections of the roof caved in.

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The idea that the Knights Templar were VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Vatican resecret custodians of the shroud was put forsearcher has found evidence that the Knights Templar, the medieval crusading order, held ward by British historian Ian Wilson in 1978. secret custody of the Shroud of Turin during Frale said the account of the initiation ceremony, along with a number of other pieces the 13th and 14th centuries.

The shroud, which bears the image of a of evidence, supports that theory.

The shroud’s history has long been the man and is believed by many to have been the burial cloth of Jesus, was probably used subject of debate. It was believed by some in a secret Templar ritual to underline Christ’s to have been in Constantinople, now Istanhumanity in the face of popular heresies of bul, Turkey, when the city was sacked during the crusades in 1204. It turned up for public the time, the expert said. display in France The researcher, in 1357, and today Barbara Frale, made is kept in the cathethe comments in an dral of Turin, Italy. article published by The cloth’s imthe Vatican newspaage, according to per, L’Osservatore some experts, corRomano. The article responds with that anticipated evidence of a man who was the author presents scourged and cruciin an upcoming book fied. on the Templars and Frale said the the shroud.

Frale, who works HOLY IMAGE — The Shroud of Turin is Knights Templar in the Vatican Secret shown in this positive, left, and negative may have kept Archives, said docu- combo undated file photo. (CNS file photo) the shroud secret because of papal ments that came to light during research on the 14th-century trial orders of excommunication for anyone inof the Templars contained a description of a volved in looting relics from Constantinople or trafficking in them afterward.

Templar initiation ceremony.

She said the shroud’s image was particuThe document recounts how a Templar leader, after guiding a young initiate into a larly important for the Knights Templar, as an hidden room, “showed him a long linen cloth “antidote” to the heresies that had arisen — that bore the impressed figure of a man, and especially those that affirmed that Christ was ordered him to worship it, kissing the feet a purely spiritual being, and never really had a human body or shed human blood. three times,” Frale said.

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The Church in the U.S. Divine Mercy Sunday is April 19

April 17, 2009

Reaction to Notre Dame’s choice of Obama for commencement continues

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — Bishops from across the country continued to express their disapproval of the University of Notre Dame’s choice of President Barack Obama as the May 17 commencement speaker.

Their comments, in publicly released letters to Holy Cross Father John I. Jenkins, president of the Indiana university, have used words such as “travesty,” “disappointment” and “scandal” that Obama would not only address graduates but would also be given an honorary degree.

Critics of Obama said his support of legal abortion and embryonic stem-cell research make him an inappropriate choice to be commencement speaker at a Catholic university.

In criticizing Notre Dame’s decision, announced March 20, most of the bishops referred to their 2004 document, “Catholics in Political Life,” which states in part that “the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

Bishop John M. D’Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend — the diocese where Notre Dame is located — said he would not attend the graduation in protest of Obama’s policies regarding life issues.

Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted called the university’s decision “a public act of disobedience to the bishops of the United States.”

Some U.S. bishops have urged Father Jenkins to rescind the offer to Obama. Among them are Archbishop John C. Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, Okla., and Bishop Thomas G. Doran of Rockford, Ill. Father Jenkins has not issued any statements beyond what he said March 23, when he said the invitation to Obama “should not be taken as condoning or endorsing his positions on specific issues regarding the protection of human life, including abortion and embryonic stemcell research.”

He also said the university community sees “his visit as a basis for further positive engagement.”

Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said April 3 that he has had private discussions with the university, but that “unfortunately those discussions are now complicated because of the publicity” on the issue.

He made the comments at Vincentian-run DePaul University where he was delivering an address about education and the Latino community.

No one questions the good faith of Father Jenkins or Obama, Cardinal George said, adding that he has great respect for the U.S. president and his office, and “he knows that.” They agree on other issues, but on abortion they profoundly disagree, he said in the video.

Retired Archbishop John R. Quinn of San Francisco questioned whether a rescinded invitation would do more harm than good.

In a March 30 editorial in Jesuit-run America magazine, he said: “We must weigh very seriously the consequences if the American bishops are seen as the agents of the public embarrassment of the newly-elected president by forcing him to withdraw from an appearance at a distinguished Catholic university.”

Bishop Robert N. Lynch of St. Petersburg, Fla., said in a blog entry on the diocesan Website that the university “may have acted way too early and too generously” in its invitation to Obama.

A March 27 editorial in the Catholic magazine Commonweal disagreed with that view, saying: “Honorary degrees signify an institution’s admiration for the accomplishments of the recipient. They do not signify blanket moral approbation.”

As of April 6, the Cardinal Newman Society — a Manassas, Va.-based Catholic college watchdog group — had received more than 245,000 signatures for an online petition calling for Notre Dame to rescind its invitation to Obama.

The Associated Press reported that less than a week after the university announced its commencement speaker Notre Dame’s student newspaper received more than 600 letters — almost equally divided among alumni and current students — about it.

Seventy percent of the alumni letters said they opposed the invitation to Obama and 73 percent of students supported it.

Of the 95 seniors who wrote to the paper, 97 percent supported the school’s decision.

April 17, 2009

The Church in the U.S.

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Young celebrities keep Father Peyton’s legacy alive continued from page one

NEW MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY — Young people sign the Book of the Elect March 1 during a Rite of Election ceremony for catechumens and candidates at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, N.Y. As many as 150,00 new or returning Catholics joined the U.S. Catholic Church and received baptism, confirmation and first Communion at the Easter Vigil. (CNS photo/Mike Crupi, Catholic Courier)

Thousands of new or returning U.S. Catholics join Church in 2009

WASHINGTON (CNS) — As many as 150,000 new or returning Catholics joined the Catholic Church in 2009 in the United States. Many of them did so during the Easter Vigil April 11 in parishes across the country.

Only partial figures from a sample of U.S. dioceses were available so far for 2009, according to a March 31 news release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The numbers do not include infant baptisms, which are recorded separately.

In some cases the numbers of new or returning Catholics show growth in the Church in places where it has traditionally been a minority, like Georgia.

The Archdiocese of Atlanta estimated that 513 catechumens and 2,195 candidates joined the ranks of the archdiocese in 2009. Approximately 1,800 of them did so at Easter.

Catechumens, or people not yet baptized, receive the sacraments of initiation — baptism, confirmation and first Communion. Candidates, who are already baptized Christians, entered full communion with the Church by receiving confirmation and first Communion.

“The Archdiocese of Atlanta is in a part of the country with a large non-Catholic population, and has been blessed with an authentic dynamism during recent years, which is perhaps best expressed in our annual eucharistic congress, which draws some 30,000 participants,” said Father Theodore Book, director of the archdiocesan Office of Divine Worship.

“One of the many blessings that we have received from the Lord is the large number of individuals entering the Church,” he said in a statement.

On the opposite side of the country the Archdiocese of Seattle welcomed 736 catechumens and 506 candidates for a total of 1,242

new members; and the Diocese of San Diego baptized 305 new members and welcomed 920 other baptized Christians, adding a total of 1,225 to its ranks.

In the mostly rural Diocese of Birmingham, Ala., the Cathedral of St. Paul could not handle all who are joining, 445 people in total, and their families for the Rite of Election. The rites where held in three different ceremonies, two at the cathedral on the first Sunday of Lent, and another one in Huntsville, Ala., the prior Saturday.

Some people came from as far as 80 miles away to participate.

The Rite of Election, usually celebrated at the beginning of Lent, marks the official countdown to initiation or admission into the church.

Baptism also will have a special significance this year for Heidi Sierras of Ceres, near Modesto, Calif., along with her family, Church sponsors and parish community.

Sierras were in a group of five people — representing different areas of the world — who were baptized by Pope Benedict XVI April 11. The 29-year-old mother of four represented North America.

“It’s hard to put into words how I feel,” Sierras told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview from her home in Ceres. “I feel honored. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Around the country parishes in dioceses big and small, urban and rural, held the special Easter liturgies filled with symbolism that led the “neophytes,” or the newly-baptized, those received into full communion, their new faith community and the entire Church “from darkness into light.”

In 2008, according to the “Official Catholic Directory,” 49,415 adults were baptized and 87,363 people came into full communion with the Church. In 2007, those numbers were 62,464 and 92,975, respectively.

vision to make the rosary come alive for thousands, and drew in celebrities of the 40s, 50s and 60s to help him carry out Christ’s mission.

In addition to his use of the electronic media, the vibrant Father Peyton organized rosary rallies across the world attended by millions through the years.

A three-day Lenten retreat held during Holy Week at the Father Peyton Center, featured meditations and reflections from the DVD, followed by Mass.

Brian Sheehan, a member of Holy Cross Parish in South Easton, was one of many who attended the retreat. “This was a wonderful experience,” he told The Anchor. “It was a beautiful way to get closer to God during this holy time of year.”

Sheehan, 53, said he grew up in a household where they prayed the rosary often. “My father was very devoted to the Blessed Mother, and over the years I followed that tradition. I feel the DVD offers a new way to appreciate the rosary. The young celebrities are not that much different than myself, and when they offered personal reflections on prayer and the rosary, I could relate to them very much.

“I think it’s a very good idea to utilize young actors and athletes to reach younger people. I recall as a boy being a big fan of legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. I was very pleased when I found out he prayed the rosary daily. In fact when coach Rockne died in a plane crash, they found rosary beads with him. It made a great impression on me.”

Sheehan continued, “These celebrities have found success in

their respective careers, but they haven’t forgotten from where that success comes — from God. Everything is part of his plan.”

Sheila Paiva-Jones is a parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish in Norton, and she too made a special effort to attend the retreat. “I heard about it and felt I should go,” she said. “I had never been to the Father Peyton Center and thought this was a great opportunity to go and also receive some blessings.”

Paiva-Jones teaches Religious Education and also homeschools her children and is part of a group of other mothers who home-school their children. “I think the DVD is a great introductory tool to the rosary for young people. There has been a whole generation of American Catholics who missed the rosary and its benefits. Young people will be attracted to the Scripture readings, reflections and recitation of the rosary by people they know and admire. The celebrities are speaking from their hearts. It’s nice for them to see that rosary beads are not meant to be worn like Madonna the rock star, but rather to be used to meditate on Christ through the Gospels and realize the rosary, instituted by the real Madonna, is Scripturebased, something others don’t realize.”

Holy Cross Father Willy J. Raymond approached many of the “Rosary Stars,” asking for their help in the DVD venture.

Much like to Father Peyton, folks have a difficult time saying “no” to Father Willy — a fact that brought a chuckle to two of the young celebrities who took the time to speak to The Anchor by phone.

From his home in New Orleans, J. Omar Castro, a first generation Honduran-American actor, told The Anchor, “I was so very flattered to be asked to take part in this DVD. I saw this as a great opportunity to show others the power and relevance of the rosary as a prayer tool and maybe to demystify what the rosary is.”

In his reflection on the DVD, Castro, who has appeared in the television hit shows, “Without a Trace,” and “CSI,” as well as in films with Nicolas Cage and Cuba Gooding Jr., shared the painful divorce of his parents when he was eight years old, and told of how praying the rosary helped him during that difficult time. He mentioned how at times he felt God was not answering his prayers, but he persisted in praying the rosary. “I think what kept me going was God would send little signs along the way that things would be all right,” said Castro. “I got good grades in school, my mother would show up at many school functions for me, and folks helped my brother and me stay in the Catholic grammar school we were attending. In retrospect, it was an eye-opening experience for me. It taught me that no matter what, God will help you get through the tough times.”

Castro said he sees Father Peyton’s mission and vision as “very much in the mix even today. There are more people than let on who share Father Peyton’s vision. Just look at the Rosary Bowl held in 2007 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. I was there and amazed that more than 50,000 people showed up on a Saturday night near Hollywood.”

Continued on page 18

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The Anchor The new gravitational force

A year ago, Pope Benedict was in the midst of his apostolic pilgrimage to the United States to lead us in spiritual renewal on the theme of “Christ our Hope.” In his visits with Christians in Washington and New York, he spoke repeatedly and explicitly about how Jesus Christ, the face of God among us, incarnates true hope for all men and women to attain genuine human fulfillment as individuals and peoples. In his visits with interreligious leaders, President Bush and the United Nations Assembly, he focused more broadly on how mankind’s only hope for peace, justice and freedom would come through obedience to the law of God that Jesus brought to fulfillment in his commandment to love one another, which he said is the most defined expression of the “golden rule” knowable by reason.

It was clear in his choice of the theme for the pilgrimage — following upon the publication of his second encyclical five months earlier on the distinctive nature of Christian Hope (“Spe Salvi”) — that one of Benedict’s major pastoral concerns is that many in the United States and across the globe are living without hope because they are living “without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). In his frank talk to the U.S. bishops, he described the various “barriers” Americans need to overcome to experience the life-transforming hope that comes from Christ and his words.

He first mentioned the “subtle influence of secularism,” which leads to treating religion as a private matter and to separating the faith we profess on Sundays from the life we live throughout the week. “Only when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives,” he stressed, “do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel.”

He turned next to the obstacle posed by materialism, which seduces people to focus on the here-and-now at the cost of eternity. “Entranced” by the possibilities of science and technology, we can begin to believe we can fulfill our deepest needs through our own efforts.

Lastly, he warned that we Americans often exaggerate the personal values of freedom and autonomy so much that we lose sight of our dependence on and responsibility for others, which quickly corrupts the person, the Church as well as society.

While it’s still too early to determine how the seeds of hope planted by Pope Benedict a year ago have been competing against these pernicious weeds, it’s clear by the emphasis he placed on hope in his Holy Week homilies, however, that the Holy Father feels that remedying the world’s crisis of hope remains one of his top priorities.

In his Easter message to the city of Rome and to the world, Pope Benedict focused the hope that comes from the Lord’s resurrection. Jesus’s rising from the dead is a highly relevant question for the world, as he said, “one of the questions that most preoccupies men and women is this: what is there after death?” Quoting St. Paul, he affirmed that if Christ has not been raised, then Christians, too, would join the dirge of despair, since our faith and life would be in vain (1 Cor 15:14,19). But he stressed the plausibility of the resurrection of Christ, saying the Christian certainty of the resurrection is based “not on simply human reasoning, but on a historical fact of faith.” The resurrection “is not a theory, but a historical reality. It is neither a myth nor a dream. It is not a vision or a utopia. It is not a fairy tale, but it is a singular and unrepeatable event.” He adds against discredited theologians who have posited that the resurrection was only a matter of “faith” and not “fact,” that “Jesus is risen not because his memory remains alive in the hearts of his disciples, but because he himself lives in us, and in him we can already savor the joy of eternal life.” He does not enter into a full apologetic of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, but he boldly issues a challenge to the secularized within the world and nominally within the Church to confront the evidence of the resurrection on the plane of history rather than fable.

The truth of the resurrection, he stressed, is the medicine for the plagues the world, the antidote to the obstacles of secularism, materialism and individualism that make it harder for people to hope. “The proclamation of the Lord’s resurrection lightens up the dark regions of the world in which we live. I am referring particularly to materialism and nihilism, to a vision of the world that is unable to move beyond what is scientifically verifiable, and retreats cheerlessly into a sense of emptiness that is thought to be the definitive destiny of human life. It is a fact that if Christ had not risen, the ‘emptiness’ would be set to prevail. If we take away Christ and his resurrection, there is no escape for man, and every one of his hopes remains an illusion. Yet today is the day when the proclamation of the Lord’s resurrection vigorously bursts forth, and it is the answer to the recurring question of the skeptics” about whether anything is really new. The novelty in Christianity, Benedict says, is that life truly and definitively triumphs over death, a truth that “changes the lives of those who accept it, as in the case of the saints.” The “sense of emptiness, which tends to intoxicate humanity, has been overcome by the light and the hope that emanate from the resurrection.”

Without stating it, Pope Benedict implies that one can see that light and hope transparently shine in figures like Blessed Mother Teresa, even in the midst of the poorest of the poor while experiencing the darkest of dark nights.

The Church’s mission in the midst of a world where “there still remain very many, in fact, too many signs” of death’s dominion, the pope says, is to give witness to the resurrection and the firm hope that flows from it. Benedict obviously recognizes that some Catholics, looking at the present statistical situation of the Church in Europe and in certain parts of the United States and Canada, have begun to despair for the future of the Church,.

He sought to reassure them in his Easter Vigil homily. He noted that the “situation of the disciples of Jesus Christ in every age [and] the situation of the Church in the history of this world” can be likened to a vision in the 15th chapter of the Book of Revelation. There we see the saints walking amidst a sea of glass mingled with fire singing God’s praises, much like the Israelites walked through the Red Sea chanting God’s praises. Humanly speaking, the pope says, the Israelites and the Church should have been drowning, and yet, each sings the song of the saved. The Lord’s hand holds them above the waters. Even though there is the “force of gravity of death” trying to pull the Church under water, there is the “new gravitational force of God, of truth and of love” that is “stronger than that of hatred; the force of life is stronger than death” raising her up. The situation of the Church in every age is that she “always seems as if she ought to be sinking, and yet she is always saved. The Lord’s saving hand holds us up, and thus we can already sing the song of the saved, the new song of the risen ones.”

One year after Pope Benedict’s visit to our country, he is reminding all of us not to be afraid, to grab hold of the risen Lord’s hand, and to begin to sing with him in joyful unison the ever new song of salvation.

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April 17, 2009

My conversion to Divine Mercy

hen I first entered Mount St. Mary’s corner of the front-right section. Italians, SpanSeminary in Maryland, I met some iards, Brazilians, French- or English-speaking fellow seminarians with a devotion to the Poles and Germans, as well as a few from Divine Mercy. They would often get together Britain and the United States, all humbly knelt and recite the chaplet together. I was invited on down and poured themselves out. I was blown several occasions to join them, but I always po- away by the depth and tearful beauty of the litely declined. I thought I didn’t need another penitents’ contrition and appreciation for the devotion and preferred to use my rosary beads gift of God’s mercy. As only a priest could see for the rosary. I also didn’t want to spend the from the “inside” of people’s souls, I witnessed time researching the devotion to see whether the profound fruits that the devotion to Divine it was genuinely from the Lord or merely the Mercy had produced in Catholics from various latest Catholic fad. countries, cultures and languages. As Mass When I got to Rome, my thoughts remained began, I thanked the Lord for having moved the same, but on my way back and forth beme to go out to the square that morning and for tween the North American College and St. Pe- having used me as his instrument to share his ter’s Basilica, I would always pass the Church Divine Mercy with so many. of Santo Spirito, which was the center for the During John Paul’s canonization Mass Divine Mercy devotion in Rome. One day I homily, I was surprised and thrilled when he stopped into the church to go to confession said, “It is important then that we accept the and the church was packed with young people whole message [of God’s merciful love] that praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It struck me comes to us from the word of God on this that in order to be a good priest, I minimally Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on was going to have to study the devotion to be throughout the Church will be called ‘Divine able to reply to young people like them should Mercy Sunday.’ By this act I intend today to I ever be asked about whether it was salutary pass this message on to the new millennium.” for their spiritual growth.

I knew that from that point forward, I was So I got a copy of “The Diary of Blessed being summoned, as all priests were, to be a Faustina Kowparticular herald alska,” the 730of that message. page journal of I felt that the exwhat this Polish periences of that nun during the morning were a 1930s said the gift from God to Lord revealed to help me to see her as his “secthe greatness

By Father retary.” I began of the interior Roger J. Landry to read it, but it miracles that the gave me vertigo. devotion could It just seemed effect in people. to repeat the same points with very minor I remember rejoicing that I would have the opchanges, and I didn’t know what to do with the portunity, returning to parishes in the diocese, massive amounts of unsynthesized spiritual to bring this message and celebrating Divine data. I read about half of it before I concluded I Mercy Sunday each year as the culmination of couldn’t take it anymore. Even though many of the Easter octave. the points were beautiful and nothing seemed When I came back exhilarated to the to be contrary to the faith, I determined to put seminary that afternoon, I couldn’t help talking off a final evaluation until I could muster the about these experiences with my fellow neotime and the willpower to return to finish it. phyte priests and other seminarians. I asked one Everything changed for me, however, on of the older seminarians, who had a devotion April 30, 2000, the day Sister Faustina was to Divine Mercy for years, whether there was canonized by Pope John Paul II. That morning a better way to learn the devotion than through I celebrated Mass in a closed and almost totally the “Diary.” He smiled, said he had the same empty basilica of St. Peter and headed to the problem with the “Diary,” and then pulled off Blessed Sacrament chapel to make my thanks- his shelf and lent me a great book by Father giving. When the pope celebrated outdoor George Kosicki entitled “Tell My Priests.” This public Masses, I normally would stay there 123-page gold mine excerpts and organizes praying the breviary until the masters of certhe “Diary” specifically for priests to learn the emony arrived to pass out surplices and stoles devotion and to pass it on clearly and passionfor those who were going to be distributing ately. Father Kosicki demonstrated, convincholy Communion during the Mass, a privilege ingly, that everything in the devotion is just that always came with a great seat. an application of what Jesus himself did and That day, however, as I was finishing my preached in the Gospels. He also highlighted thanksgiving, the unbidden thought came to the messages that Jesus had specifically asked me that Sister Faustina’s canonization might St. Faustina to tell his priests, one of which was be my last chance to see a papal Mass from that whenever a priest preached on his Divine the perspective of the piazza before returning Mercy, huge sinners would return to him. I back home to take up a pastoral assignment. honestly have to say that every time I have, the So I walked through the Jubilee door about Lord’s prediction has come true.

7:30 and out into the square. Some of those Over the course of time, I have grown in who were responsible for seating must have love and appreciation for this devotion. I love erroneously thought that since I was leavthe fact that praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet ing the closed basilica, I had to be someone unites the two sacraments the Lord set up for us important. I was able to proceed unimpeded to to receive thousands of times in our lifetimes, the back left corner of the front-right section the Mass and the sacrament of his mercy. before the altar. I wondered what I’d do for the I’ve always looked at eucharistic adoration as three hours before the canonization Mass. As it one means by which the Lord has established turns out, I didn’t have to worry about how to through mystics in the Church to help his people occupy my time. grow in appreciation of the great sacrament that After I had finished the morning prayer, is the source and summit of any Christian life. a young man, one of the first people to enter I now look at the Divine Mercy devotion — the the square after the gates were opened at 7:30, prayers and the image — as the means the Lord approached and asked me in Italian whether I established to help us to adore and appreciate would be able to hear his confession. “Certo,” him in the sacrament of confession.

I replied, as he knelt down on the hard stone The Divine Mercy is a devotion that has of St. Peter’s Square in front of me. After I had changed my life as a disciple and apostle and given him absolution, a young girl came and has brought me to experience much more fully queried whether I spoke Spanish. I told her that the heart of the redemption and the joy of life I did, and she asked whether I would be willing with the risen Christ. I encourage you, as we apto hear her confession, too. I said that I would proach the feast of Divine Mercy on Sunday, to be happy to do so. come to know the Lord more intimately through For the next two hours and 45 minutes, un- this ever-timely and beautiful devotion as well. til literally the opening antiphon of the Mass, Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony’s I heard confessions non-stop in the back-left Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

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Our Catholic schools: A treasure for our Church and our society

students who live at the poverty ome years ago I became level. I was elated that she had friendly with Marion Hepburn Grant, sister of Katha- come to this conclusion and for pointing out to the general pubrine Hepburn and mother of lic the value of our schools.

Catherine Houghton, who was In doing so she echoed a a long time resident of West point about which Archbishop Hartford. She confided to me that as a Protestant and community activist, she felt that Catholic The Value of schools were a divisive Catholic Schools element in society.

Sometime later she became aware of

By Bishop the work of Catholic Peter A. Rosazza schools and wrote an op-ed article in The Mansell frequently reminds us, Hartford Courant entitled “I that the Catholic school eduAm a Converted Bigot.” In the cates a child with excellence article she praised Catholic schools for three points: forma- at a significantly lower cost. tion of students in moral values, The Catholic schools system saves the general commuexcellent education accomnity $400,000,000 each year. plished at one-third the cost of Furthermore, the efficiency public education, and effective of the Catholic school system education and formation of

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The Anchor

April 17, 2009

Galatia

alatia was not a city Law, with all that that entailed: at all, but a Roman circumcision, dietary regulaprovince in central Asia Minor. tions, holy days, etc. Probably, The inhabitants of this region the radical message of the were actually not Greeks but Gospel was too much for them Celts (related to the Irish and and they found it consoling to the Scots), which may explain practice at least a few things some of the problems Paul had. from the Old Law. We might The Celtic temperament is not say that’s only understandable, always an easy one to deal with: but Paul is furious because he not tractable at times.

The Galatian Church, Living the founded by Paul, were mostly converted pagans Pauline Year who had received Paul and his Gospel with enBy Father Andrew thusiasm but were then Johnson, OCSO “counter-evangelized” in Paul’s absence; they were preached a different gospel from Paul’s and, to knows how much is at stake: Paul’s dismay and anger, they “O foolish Galatians! Who has received it. We’ll see in a mobewitched you?” (3:1). Paul sees ment what that counter-gospel the cross of Christ as having acwas. complished everything the Law These Galatians seem to have of Moses was trying to do (and been enthusiastic folk but with a more), and he lets them have it. tendency to waver. Acts gives us God gives us new life through the a vignette: when Paul and Barn- cross, he writes; we don’t make it abas arrived in Lystra (a major ourselves by following any law. city of Galatia) and worked a We empty the cross of its radical miracle of healing, they tried to meaning if we try. If the Mooffer sacrifice to them, thinking saic Law with its traditional 613 they were an appearance of the precepts has any standing at all, Greek gods Hermes and Zeus the cross and Christ himself lose among them (Acts 14:13). something absolutely fundamenWith this ethnic and relital. Paul would say there’s no gious background, it is likely cozy way to fit the Law of Moses that they were feeling a bit into the life of Christ. Gal 5:2: If uprooted in their journey from a you have yourselves circumcised, comfy paganism to the stringent Christ will be of no benefit to demands of Paul’s Gospel. So, you. when Jewish Christians came So Paul sees the cross as the among them, telling them they concrete answer to this concrete had to be Jews before they could problem of confusion in Galatia. be Christians, they embraced His doctrine of the cross hits the concreteness of the Mosaic the most sublime and the most

was underscored by the MoeChubb Report produced by two social scientists and used as the intellectual basis for vouchers proposed by President George Herbert Walker Bush.

Chubb gave a lecture to a group of Catholic bishops at which I was present. He made us aware that the public schools have a huge bureaucracy whereas our systems do not.

For example, the central office of the New York City School System provides one administrator for every 200 students. The central office of the Catholic system in the Archdiocese of New York provides one administrator for every 4,200 students in that system.

The success of Catholic education in poverty areas is a well established fact. As stated in the

mundane notes, reconciling all things. The cross in Paul’s eyes is a universal antidote to our confusion. To the Corinthians he would write, “But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:23-24).

We could say without exaggeration that in St. Paul, all roads lead to the cross, and through the cross, to resurrection. The theology of the cross in Paul’s mind is the great sign of reconciliation, linking Jew and Gentile, law and grace, suffering and glory, weakness and power, death and rising, faith and works, theology and the moral life. In Paul’s doctrine of the cross we find a theological “hinge” that was so creative and has become so fundamental that we may miss the genius with which he uses it. I say “uses” because Paul does true theology with it: revealed theology.

We’re not sure how the Galatians took Paul’s pointed, stinging wake-up call in the short term. In the long term, however, the cross triumphed in their hearts and minds. May it do the same in us: may this Holy Week and Easter Week of 2009 be for us the liturgical moment when we acknowledge that triumph and rejoice in it.

Father Johnson is diocesan director of the Pauline Year and parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis.

pastoral letter, Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium, June 2005, our schools make a “major impact in closing the achievement gap for poor and minority students in inner city environments. We have a lower dropout rate (3.4 percent) than both public (14.4 percent) and other private schools (11.9 percent).” The text then refers to a study produced by Harvard University and issued in the year 2000. It states that Catholic school students performed better than other students on the three basic objectives of civic education; the capacity for civic engagement or voluntary community service, political knowledge or learning, and using civic skills and political tolerance or respect for opinions different from their own.

This defeats the old canard we so often hear that Catholic schools produce narrow-minded students.

In the context of the success of our schools in poor areas, I wish to advocate for our Hispanic/Latino young people, a population with whom I have worked for the past 39 years.

First, our pastoral letter says that it is “critical for us to work with our people to erase any lines of prejudice and bias that may exist, and create welcoming communities for these immigrants.” Though there are many recent immigrant nationalities, the Hispanics/Latinos constitute the largest, making up 39 percent of the Catholics in our country and 44 percent of Catholics under the age of 10. Just as our Catholic schools have educated immigrant communities in the past, helping catapult them into the middle class in less than two generations, so it is my hope, and that of our bishops, that we can do the same for these people.

Moreover, we applaud our pastors and bishops in their efforts to encourage Hispanics/Latinos to join school boards both on the parish and diocesan levels.

Now to Marion’s realization about our schools and moral values. In our text we say, “By equipping our young people with a sound education, rooted in the Gospel message, the person of Jesus Christ, and the cherished Catholic traditions and liturgical practices of our faith, we ensure that they have the foundation to live morally and uprightly in our complex modern world.”

Integral to this formation is an ever deepening knowledge of our rich Catholic social tradition. It focuses on the prophets of Israel and on Jesus

Christ, who is rooted in that culture. It calls on students to become increasingly respectful of their own inestimable dignity and that of each and every human being. It then joins this awareness to that of solidarity with every woman and man on earth. This connection is essential and protects against self-centeredness and selfishness. To paraphrase Descartes and quote Albert Camus, “I suffer, therefore we are.” From our dignity flow human and Godgiven rights such as the right to life, food, shelter, clothing, education, basic medical care, and work. These and many others are found in one of the most important documents ever written, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.”

Several years later, Pope John XXIII reflects on them in his Encyclical, “Pacem in Terras” (Peace on Earth). He stresses the fact that revolution and war often erupt when human rights are not respected. From solidarity emanates the option for the poor, a concept contained in the Bible that has become more evident to us in recent times.

Just as God stood with the poor in The Old Testament and Jesus in The New Testament, so must we in our times.

Catholic school students not only study Catholic social teachings but more importantly put them into practice through their service projects. Thus students have the opportunity to experience poverty first-hand, and, guided by their teachers, ask the question, “Why are these people poor?” This is a far more complex question, which students who are immersed in Christ-centered, person-connected environments of Catholic schools seek to answer through faith and love of Jesus. It echoes what my friend, the late Archbishop Helder Câmara of Brazil used to say, “When I feed the hungry, they call me a saint. When I ask why people are hungry, they call me a communist.”

What a treasure our Catholic schools are for our Church and our society. I offer my humble and heartfelt expression of thanks to superintendents, teachers, staffs, volunteers, and all others who support them. St. Irenaeus of Lyon, who died in the year 200, once proclaimed, “The glory of God is the human being fully alive.” Thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit, our Catholic schools work tirelessly and hopefully to produce students desirous of reaching that ideal.

Bishop Rosazza is Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford.

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his Sunday is the last day of the Octave of Easter, our continuous celebration of the great victory of Christ, when he conquered the devil, sin, and death, and gave us new life, the life of grace.

Christ is risen. Christ is alive.

It is in Jesus that we come to know God the Father and his infinite mercy for us. Through the cross and resurrection, Christ not only renders full justice to God for the debt we owe because of our sins, but he also reveals God’s merciful love and how it is to be lived.

In the Gospel of John, Our Lord appeared to the Apostles for the first time on Easter, and he breathed the Spirit upon them. Whenever the Scriptures speak of the Spirit being breathed forth by God, new life is born, as seen in the creation account when God breathed his Spirit over the water and gave it life. Here the life that Our Lord breathed forth is God’s life, freely given out of his mercy (where

The Anchor

April 17, 2009

Seeking and responding to God’s mercy sin brings death, God’s mercy their own sake, forgetting the brings life). What a profound injuries they may have caused experience the Apostles must us, and moves us to think have had when the reality of about the other’s good. the risen Christ was before Mercy flows from love, in them, realizing the world and which a heart-felt sympathy their lives would never be the for another is shown. It ensame as they were now parables us to forgive and be recticipating in God’s new creation.

From the moment Homily of the Week we were baptized, God Divine Mercy mercifully poured his Sunday life into us. Yet we often take this message

By Father of God’s merciful love Kevin A. Cook for granted. When we lose the sense of God’s mercy and the importance of living in it, we distort onciled with others. Mercy is the true understanding of how indispensable in maintaining God relates to us and how we and governing any relationare to relate to God and othship. A home without mercy ers. When we no longer recogis one that is cold and unable nize the need to call upon to love (in which one simply God’s mercy, we no longer coexists and puts up with the know the joy of Christ’s vicothers — a phenomenon all tory, and our hearts become too common today). hardened. When we seek and It is easier to forgive othrespond to God’s mercy, God ers when we remember how enables us to love another for much we have been forgiven

by God through Christ’s death and resurrection. We must all the more be resolved to make many acts of thanksgiving to God for his mercy, and by that gratitude have a greater confidence in our union to Jesus through prayer and the sacraments, no matter what our struggles in life.

We need to remember Our Lord has given us the means to experience his forgiveness through the power he gave to the Apostles (and those ordained to act in his person) to forgive sins, and through his mercy we may come to know our dignity as children of God, as well as recognize that dignity in others.

As seen in the Acts of the Apostles, the more we are aware of the victory of Christ, the more we will respond with gratitude and show mercy towards others.

One beautiful, simple, yet powerful prayer that can help

us be aware of God’s mercy is the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I encourage all of you to foster this with your families and in your homes, and you will see the mercy of God all the more at work in your lives. Lastly, today, Divine Mercy Sunday, our diocese will be joining our bishop at the cathedral in Fall River to pray for vocations during the hour of mercy, 3 p.m. I encourage all of you join us at the cathedral to pray for all vocations, but especially to pray for men to respond to God’s call to the priesthood, that by responding like the Apostles, they may shepherd us by proclaiming the fullness of the faith and giving us the sacraments, so we may all the more know and experience the mercy and new life of our risen Lord.

Father Cook is assistant director of the diocesan Vocation Office and chaplain at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Apr. 18, Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118:1,14-15,16ab-21; Mk 16:9-15. Sun. Apr. 19. Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, Acts 4:32-35; Ps 118:2-4,13-15,22,24; 1 Jn 5:1-6; Jn 20:19-31. Mon. Apr. 20, Acts 4:23-31; Ps 2:1-9; Jn 3:1-8. Tues. Apr. 21, Acts 4:32-37; Ps 93:1-2,5; Jn 3:7b-15. Wed. Apr. 22, Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-9; Jn 3:16-21. Thu. Apr. 23, Acts 5:27-33; Ps 34:2,9,17-20; Jn 3:31-36. Fri. Apr. 24, Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27:1,4,13-14; Jn 6:1-15.

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ull disclosure, up front: Thomas F. Farr, author of “World of Faith and Freedom: Why International Religious Liberty Is Vital to American Security” (Oxford University Press), is my friend. Friendship notwithstanding, Dr. Farr has written a very important book.

A 21-year veteran of the Foreign Service, Tom Farr was the first director of the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom. In that capacity, he traveled the world, trying to persuade persecuting governments to cease and desist.

That was hard enough. Farr’s hardest work, however, was inside his own department in Washington.

Religious freedom and American security The Department of State, like of whom were educated at elite the Department of Defense and universities where religion equals the Central Intelligence Agency, mythology. is institutionally allergic to the You might think that 9/11 idea that religious conviction has would have drawn these intelligent something to do with how the 21st-century world works — and why the 21st century world explodes. That allergy reflects the bias of foreign policy realists, according

By George Weigel to whom military and economic power are the only units-of-account in world politics; the biases of people’s attention to the fact that secularization theory, according religious conviction is — to put to which a modernizing world it gently — a dynamic factor in is becoming ever more secutoday’s international environment. lar; and the personal biases of But you would be wrong. To this Foreign Service officers, many day, the chief foreign policy and national security agencies of the U.S. government live in a state of denial about contemporary history’s falsification of the notion that a modernizing world is getting ever more un-religious. By any empirical measure, the world is getting more religious, not less; that basic fact of life has yet to take hold at State, Defense, and CIA. Thus the task that Tom Farr sets himself in “World of Faith and Freedom” is both essential and difficult: to change the corporate mind of the American foreign policy establishment on the relationship between religious conviction and world affairs,

The Catholic Difference

and on the role that promoting religious freedom ought to play in U.S. foreign policy. His tone is measured; his analyses are fair and balanced. He understands that policy-formation is a complex business in which competing goods must be weighed and trade-offs inevitably occur. No one can reasonably accuse Farr of being a naif.

“World of Faith and Freedom” also offers an intriguing look at the difficult legislative birth of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act and the even more difficult labors involved in giving the State Department’s new Office of International Religious Freedom some bureaucratic traction. The late Wayne Hays (D-Ohio) used to say that the two things people shouldn’t see being made are sausages and laws — to which Farr would likely add, “new offices at State that State doesn’t want.” The story is a fascinating, if sobering, look at what crawls out when you lift up the bureaucratic rocks.

Tom Farr’s tests his own proposals for reconceiving the role of religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy by applying them to two tough cases: religious freedom in Islamic states,

and religious freedom in China (which Secretary of State Clinton unfortunately deemed less urgent than working with China against global warming). I’d argue with some of Farr’s specific proposals; he senses possibilities in the Muslim Brotherhood becoming a long-term force for decency in the Islamic world that I can’t quite see, for example. But with his general proposition — that religious freedom, successfully secured, advances American security because states that guarantee everyone’s religious freedom are less likely breeding grounds for terrorism or aggression — I am in complete agreement.

The liberals of the Obama administration seem oddly enamored of a “new realism” in foreign affairs. They will soon learn, as others learned before them, that there is nothing “realistic” about supporting tyrants on the ground that only nasties can keep the lid on in nasty places like the Middle East. It doesn’t work. U.S. policy that helps channel religious energies into building civil society where freedom is imperiled is far more realistic. Tom Farr’s learned, lively, and important book shows why, and how.

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

I once met a girl named Maria

gious experience, but it’s honest Thursday 16 April 2009 — Cathedral Camp, East Freetown and it’s spring and what can one — Eighth annual National High expect from a ninth-grade boy in the month of April? The note Five Day t’s good when parishes are willing and able to work together for the benefit of Reflections of a our young people. This Parish Priest happened recently between the Youth Retreat

By Father Tim Team of East Taunton’s Goldrick Holy Family Parish and Dighton’s St. Nicholas Faith Formation Program. It was was unsigned, but I know who wrote it. Now I just have to find a confirmation retreat day. out who Maria is.

As one retreat exercise, the I read the notes as soon as the 50 students in my confirmation whirlwind of weekend parish class wrote notes to parents and activities subsided. Sitting in priests. One note to me read, the quiet of the rectory, I found “Thank you for making me go myself LOL (“laughing out on this retreat. I soon met a girl loud” in Internet jargon). named Maria.” It’s not exactly Many of the letters, although an account of a profound reli-

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The Anchor

April 17, 2009

The Ship’s Log

perhaps not as articulate as a treatise by St. Augustine (Doctor of Gratitude) or of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Doctor of Love), were nevertheless filled with both gratitude and love. The kids told me they were thankful for their parents, parish, and catechists, and had a newfound love for the Church and its teachings. They also said they had a lot of fun while they were at it. I took this as a sign that the Church must be doing something right. It was an indication to me that the kids were finally getting the message that faith is not only a matter of the intellect, but, perhaps more importantly, a matter of the heart. This can only mean the Church’s future is bright.

Catch me now, I’m falling

checks of all their climbing e enjoy the sport of inequipment from another belayer. door rock climbing as At first, this rule drove me crazy. a family. In fact, we often climb Often there is not another beat a world-class climbing gym right in New Bedford. Upon first layer anywhere around when I am belaying the kids by myself. glance, the gym is an intimidatThis means that for an hour’s ing place. A towering seven worth of climbing, I have to stories high, it is formed by exshout across the gym requestpansive gray walls draped with 112 climbing ropes and speckled ing multiple safety checks from multiple complete strangers. with colorful handholds. Even Now the last thing I want to more intimidating are the rock do is draw any more attention climbers themselves. Every to myself by shouting, because bulging muscle flexed, they give nowadays I have our 15-monththe impression that scaling a 65-foot wall by fingertips and toes is no big deal. After a few climbs, however, one learns the ropes, the intimidation factor fades, and it is actually pretty easy to

By Heidi Bratton forget the potential lifeand-death risk of each individual climb. old baby in a backpack babbling Parenting is not unlike away and pulling my hair while rock climbing in that initially I belay the older children. I we can be intimidated by the can’t even pretend to look like expansiveness of it all, and the serious rock climber I was more by the experienced “super in my 20s, and so, at first, the parents” whose juggling skills buddy rule really chafed at my are already honed, making the ego. Thankfully, I didn’t give in complexities of family life look to my pride, and soon discovlike no big deal. After a few ered that requesting and giving short years, however, we grow safety checks actually helps to confident in our roles, the increate a protective community timidation factor fades, and it is actually pretty easy to forget the of climbers out of complete strangers. Best of all, the rule eternal, life-and-death responkept me craning my neck up sibility God has place in our those 65-foot, man-made climbhands with the delivery of each ing cliffs and remembering the individual child. life-and-death responsibility of To help rock climbers keep being properly connected to my from getting complacent about Spiderman-like children, while the risks of climbing, there is safely working the ropes down one firm rule at the gym. That on the floor. rule is a type of buddy system To help every Catholic parthat mandates that before each ent remain aware of the eternal climb, both climber and belayer responsibilities of parenting, (the person working the safety Jesus has given us one firm rule. ropes) must get duplicate safety

Home Grown Faith

That rule is found in John 13:34, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Viewed properly, this rule is a buddy check with Jesus.

It’s a call to know the Bible and Catholic teaching in order to know how Jesus loved. It’s a call to know other Catholics with whom we can double check our parenting, family style, and individual children to be sure that as a unit we are properly connected to each other, and to the one true faith which will safely lead us to eternal life. I’m certain Jesus knew that we’d need buddy checks when he sent his disciples out two-by-two instead of all alone (Luke 10:1).

Few of us want to draw attention to ourselves by shouting out for a spiritual buddy check, especially if we are divorced, have troubled teens, or for some reason just feel outside the norm of the parish community. As it turns out, buddy checks create a protective community within the Church, just like they do in the climbing gym. Best of all, they remind us to cast our eyes up to heaven and remember the eternal responsibility of parenting faithfully down here on earth. It may chafe at our egos, but shouting out to the Lord and to fellow Catholics for spiritual buddy checks will make us better parents and will increase the chances of our kids making it safely to heaven, even if there are a few slips along the way.

Heidi is an author, photographer, and full-time mother.

She and her husband raise their six children in Falmouth. homegrownfaith@gmail.com.

Here are some of the other comments from the kids: “I feel closer to God.” “God is in charge of what I will do with my life. Pray for me.”

“Can we make retreats more often, and for a longer time?”

“My parish has helped me so much in my spiritual journey.”

“I’m ready to accept Jesus into my life.”

“I now have a stronger relationship with God and I’m learning to be a better Catholic.

By the way, this retreat brought out my dancing side.”

“I’ll be back!”

“I’ll remember this.”

“I plan to attend Mass weekly and to pray daily (for the most part).”

“I feel connected to God.” “I’m looking forward to being more involved in the Church, in community service, and in learning more about my faith.”

“God is now a big part of my life and I’m not ever going to let go.”

“Where do I sign up to help with these retreats next year?”

“This was a life-changing experience.”

“I came to this retreat thinking it would be b-o-r-i-n-g. I changed my mind.”

Lastly, from a high school boy on the same wavelength as me, “The food was great.”

Confirmation is not a Catholic Bar/Bat Mitzvah. It’s a sacrament of initiation. It has little to do with being an “adult” in the Church. Ninth-graders are still ninth-graders, confirmed or not. Confirmation means you have full Church membership, whatever your age. In some of our Eastern Rite traditions, infants are confirmed at baptism.

Some dioceses in our country (for example, the entire State of Maine) have been experimenting with administering the

sacrament of confirmation at the second-grade first Communion Mass. Children have the right to the sacrament of confirmation because they are baptized, not because they have made their first Communion. Parishes cannot use confirmation as the proverbial “carrot on a stick” to keep kids in Religious Education classes.

Obviously, a Church member needs to know the facts of faith, but one also needs to have a hunger in the heart. We need to address matters of the heart with our young people. Classroom attendance alone, although important, is not total faith formation.

You may be able to name the popes all the way back to Peter, but what good is it if you have not taken the faith to heart and translated it into action?

This is the reason I’m all in favor of youth and adult retreats.

Retreats are where the rubber meets the road, as they say.

My kids also had comments addressed to all priests.

“Thank you for all your inspiring words, kind-hearted nature, and consistent teachings.”

“I feel very good because you’re there for me.”

“Christ is in you and you’re not afraid to let him show through.”

“At Mass, I always learn something new about our faith (which is awesome.)”

“You have changed me dramatically.”

“Thank you for understanding us kids.”

One note, addressed to yours truly, read, “Thank you for being such a jokester. Ha. Ha. I (heart) you.”

As Art Linkletter maintained, kids say the darndest things.

Don’t you just (heart) it?

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.

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The Anchor

April 17, 2009

South Easton man learned long ago prayer does make a difference

By Michael Pare Anchor Correspondent

SOUTH EASTON — Maybe it was the nuns at St. Patrick’s School in his native Brockton that instilled it in him so deeply. And years later, it was a lesson that would be reinforced when he took part in a Cursillo movement at Immaculate Conception Parish in North Easton.

Maybe it was the simplest, yet profound aspect of the Catholic faith: prayer.

Roy Owens has always prayed.

“You’ve got to talk to him,” says Owens. “I’ve always believed in that. I’ve always had a deep faith.”

The Cursillo deeply impacted Owens’ life. He looks back on it today as “an unbelievable experience.” The idea of the Cursillo is to provide the individual with an opportunity to grow in faith and spirituality. Often a three-day retreat, the Cursillo is a “little course in Christianity” designed to help the faithful understand their own callings to be leaders, to evangelize their faith and draw others closer to Jesus Christ.

For Owens, it did something beautiful. It strengthened his oneon-one relationship with Jesus Christ.

“It forced you to look at your real relationship with Jesus Christ,” he recalled. “It taught us how to pray. It taught us how to talk to him directly.”

About five or six couples took part in that Cursillo back in 1969, said Owens, including him and his wife Marlene. The couples stayed together as a group for about 25 years. Together, they deepened their faith through the ups and downs of married life.

Over the years, Owens was so these past few months, when a a serious situation and there were struck by his own Cursillo expe- health scare landed Owens in the days when it seemed that Owens’ rience that he served on teams hospital for several weeks. It was very recovery was in question. guiding subsequent Cursillo Would he ever go home weekends. He wanted othagain? But Owens prayed. ers to experience what he Marlene and the rest of the had experienced. He would family prayed. And so did also serve as a retreat leader so many friends and paat the Holy Cross Retreat rishioners at Holy Cross.

House.

Owens was profoundly Owens, who just turned touched by the outpouring 75, is a parishioner at Holy of support. He was not surCross Parish in South Easprised, but he was moved. ton, which was built some “In a real time of need, 40 years ago. A population everyone was there for boom in the area meant that me,” said Owens. “Things Immaculate Conception in don’t always go the way neighboring North Easton, you think they will … but near the Stonehill College you’ve got to maintain campus, would spawn anyour faith. You’ve go to other parish. And so Holy talk to him.”

Cross Parish was born.

Owens says this with Owens was involved from great confidence. The the beginning, heading the nuns in Brockton were building committee for the right. Prayer does make a new church. difference.

From his home in South Father Jim FenstermakEaston, Owens thinks back er, pastor at Holy Cross Parall those years and marvels ish, has been struck by the ANCHOR PERSON OF THE WEEK — Roy enthusiasm and passion that at how time has flown.

All those years — all Owens with his wife Marlene.

Owens demonstrates in livthose prayers.

They really have made a difference.

That power of prayer has always guided Owens. He and Marlene, married 54 years, raised five children, and have been blessed with seven grandchildren.

Back in 2004 they lost a son.

It was a difficult time, but instead of turning away from their Catholic faith, they turned toward it. It helped. It wasn’t easy. It still hurt.

But prayer helped. As Owens learned years ago, it always does.

“Our faith has carried us through a lot of turmoil,” said Owens.

It certainly carried him through

Please visit us at: www.CarmelTerrace.org or 508 788 8000 933 Central St. Framingham, MA 01701 On the campus of St. Patrick's Manor

ing out his faith. The pastor calls it a “beautiful Christian virtue.” Owens is a man, said Father Fenstermaker, who is proud of his faith. It is a refreshing approach and one that can be infectious in others.

“When you are in Roy’s presence, you experience that cheerfulness that must come from him truly living out his faith and the joy that his faith obviously brings to his life,” he said. “His enthusiasm is contagious. He can infect others with the joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is just that kind of person.”

Owens continues to serve as a lector at Holy Cross. Many years ago, at Immaculate Conception, he was one of the first three lectors in the diocese. He thinks back and marvels at the speed of time.

And he marvels at the earlier lesson he learned from the nuns at St. Patrick’s School, and later at Cursillo, the message that above all others has guided his faith.

“You’ve got to talk to him.”

To nominate a Person of the Week, send an email to FatherRogerLandry@AnchorNews.org.

The Anchor

April 17, 2009

You’re shaking my confidence daily

I

’ve had a few weeks to lick the wounds of my bitter defeat in the NCAA March Madness hoop pool. Denise has collected her winnings. Rest assured there was no gambling involved.

Prior to the tourney we agreed that the losers would chip in to buy the winner the Wii game of his or her choice. Emilie, by the way, is still waiting to receive her winnings — poor delusional child.

The wounds may have healed,

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet but the scars still remain, and one of the blemishes has affected my confidence in sports prognostication.

Not that I was omnipotent by any stretch. It’s just that I actually believed my predictions ... but now, not so much.

So, reluctantly I share these Home Towne Team forecasts with you.

Let’s start with the Boston Bruins. I should be on cloud four (in reference to Bobby Orr, the best hockey player ever). The B’s captured the best record in the Eastern Conference, giving them home-ice advantage until the Stanley Cup finals. Add to that their first-round opponents are the New York Yankees of hockey, the Montreal Canadiens.

Last season, the tide was turned.

L’Empire Malfaisant (the Evil Empire) was the top seed and Boston the last. This year we’re

favored, have home ice, yet I still sense the same old results — défaite — four games to two.

The defending champion Boston Celtics have limped into the playoffs sans Kevin Garnett.

Good old No. Five should be back, but at what percent?

I’m haunted by visions of LeBron James & Co. manhandling the champs. I see King James reviving his State Farm commercial gig, dancing at center court on his way to the NBA finals, at the expense of the C’s.

And the Red Sox? I fear the younger members of Red Sox Nation will finally live through a season we older citizens endured for years in the 60s, 70s and 80s. I know it’s very early in the season, but the bad memories are too deeply ingrained in my psyche to remain dormant. I have a feeling that come August and September, my only hope will be that we finish ahead of the baseball version of the Montreal Canadiens.

Don’t get me wrong though.

I’ll continue to watch the B’s, C’s, and Sox. I’ll just do what the nuns in grammar school taught me — “Offer it up.”

I know I sound pessimistically pessimistic, but March Madness did a tune on me. It’s like the line from Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia” — “You’re shaking my confidence daily.”

On the bright side, look how well I predicted college hoops — what do I know. And at least I’m not still waiting for my Wii game.

11

12

The Anchor

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Adventureland” (Miramax) Sensitive but downbeat comingof-age tale, set in 1987 Pittsburgh, about an awkward college graduate (Jesse Eisenberg) who takes a summer job at a third-rate amusement park and falls for one of his co-workers (Kristen Stewart), not realizing she is having an adulterous affair with an older employee (Ryan Reynolds). Though generally restrained in its presentation of sexuality, director Greg Mottola’s wryly nostalgic romance takes a benign view of its characters’ frequent indulgence in marijuana and reaches a morally unacceptable

conclusion. Nongraphic adulterous and premarital sexual activity, brief partial nudity, repeated drug use, some sexual and fleeting scatological humor, pervasive rough and crude language, and a few uses of profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling.

“Hannah Montana the Movie” (Disney) Breezy romance with music in which a teen singer (Miley Cyrus), who has gained fame under the pseudonym Hannah Montana, is forced by her concerned father (Billy Ray Cyrus) to retreat temporarily from her hectic career and spend time with him and her grandmother (Margo Martindale) on the Tennessee farm where she grew up, where she falls for a local farmhand (Lucas Till) while fending off a British paparazzo (Peter Gunn) out to reveal the secret of her persona. Director Peter Chelsom’s delightfully innocent country idyll emphasizes humility, simplicity and the primacy of family obligations over professional goals. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I — general patronage.

“LOURDES, FRANCE; GARABANDAL, SPAIN; & FATIMA, PORTUGAL PILGRIMAGE Spiritual Director: Fr. Joseph P. McDermott, Pastor Immaculate Conception Church 122 Canton Street, Stoughton, MA 02072

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Includes Airfare, Ground Transportation & Lodging with Breakfast & Dinner each day.

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Fatima: - Tour Fatima - Mass @ Chapel of Apparitions - Visit Basilica of Our Lady - Visit home of Francisco & Jacinta - Stations of Cross along the Via Sacra Lisbon: - Tour the beautiful town of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital - Mass @ the Church of the Holy Eucharist - Visit St. Anthony’s Church - Visit Jeronimo’s Monastery (Belem)

SPAIN:

Salamanca: - Tour & overnight in the cultural town of Salamanca - Mass @ the new Cathedral Garabandal: - Tour, Mass, & overnight in the amazing town of Garabandal - Apparitions of Blessed Virgin occurred here San Sebastian: - Visit & have lunch in the sophisticated seaside resort of San Sebastian

FRANCE:

Lourdes: - Tour & Mass in the spiritual town of Lourdes - Visit St. Bernadette’s Farmhouse - Bathe in Miraculous Waters @ Lourdes - Torch Light Procession Nimes: - Tour the Roman town of Nimes Lyon: - Tour & overnight in the City of Lyon - Visit Arena Nevers: - Mass @ St. Bernadette’s Church - View incorrupt body of St. Bernadette Paris: - Mass @ St. Catherine Laboure Church (Miraculous Medal Chapel) - View incorrupt body of St. Catherine - Visit St. Vincent de Paul Church - Mass @ Notre Dame Cathedral - Visit the Louvre Museum Lisieux: - Mass @ St. Theresa Lisieux Church - Normandy Beach - Dinner @ the Eiffel Tower

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B

April 17, 2009

Protestantism: Its origin and background (continued)

y the summer of 1518, Luther eventually to conclude that following day, when urged to Luther’s case had prothe Roman Church thought itself disavow his writings, he replied, gressed far enough to require that above God’s revealed word in the “Here I stand. I can do no other. he present himself in Rome for Bible. It was in this context that God help me. Amen.” interrogation. After his territohe came, over the next several Luther then took part in intense rial ruler, Frederick of Saxony, years, to believe that the papacy discussions involving the papal intervened on his behalf, Luwas the prophesied Antichrist of legate, Elector Frederick, and ther was summoned instead to the end times. representatives of the emperor.

Augsburg, where an imperial Diet Formal proceedings against Despite every effort to induce him was in session. Rome acceded to Luther resumed in the fall of to recant, Luther repudiated not a Frederick’s wishes, first, because 1519. On June 15, 1520, Leo single sentence from the 41 cited it needed support for a planned issued the bull Exsurge Domine in Leo’s bull. On April 26, he hastcrusade against the Ottoman (Arise, O Lord), which charged ily left Worms. While headed for Turks, who were poised to invade that 41 sentences in Luther’s vari- Wittenberg he was whisked away central Europe from Hungary, ous writings were “heretical, scan- to safety by Frederick’s soldiers and second, because and spent a year in hidFrederick was one of ing at the fortified castle the electors who would at Wartburg, where he The Fullness choose the successor of began work on one of of the Truth the ailing Holy Roman his foremost achieveemperor Maximilian. ments, the translation

By Father The papacy had a vital of the New Testament Thomas M. Kocik interest in the outcome into German (though his of this election. wasn’t the first GerThings went badly at man translation). At the Augsburg, where for three days in dalous, offensive to pious ears.” conclusion of the Diet at Worms a October 1518 Luther met with the He gave Luther 60 days to recant month later, he was put under the pope’s representative, Cardinal and another 60 days to report his imperial ban and his books were Cajetan. By this time, what began recantation to Rome. Luther reordered destroyed. as a critique of abuses in the ceived the bull on October 10 and In March 1522, after almost a practice of indulgences had grown defiantly burned it on December year in seclusion at Wartburg, Luinto a dispute over the ultimate 10. The ensuing bull of excomther returned to Wittenberg, bereft question of salvation. Indulgences munication, issued on January 3, of the power to act at Church or epitomized for Luther everything 1521, formally declared Luther state level but with many supportthat was wrong with the Church: a heretic, as well as his followers ers. The rupture between Rome they were human works lacking and anyone who from then on and the budding Reformation was apparent biblical foundation and subscribed to Luther’s views. complete. Now, all the energy of abhorrent to the gospel of salvaOrdinarily, those condemned Luther’s theological vision was tion by grace alone. Luther further as heretics were arrested by secuharnessed to the forces already asserted the potential fallibility of lar authorities and put to death by at work to dissolve the Church’s the papacy and Church councils, burning; in Luther’s case, howev- unity. particularly in view of the false er, a complex set of factors made But how did Luther’s original (to his mind) doctrine of the such punishment impossible. The criticism of indulgence sales Church’s “treasury.” According new emperor, Charles V, called for become entangled with a controto this doctrine, set forth by Pope the imperial Diet to meet in the versy over the sources of authority Clement VI in 1343, the source spring at Worms, where Luther in the Church, a controversy that of indulgences is the overflowing should be given a formal hearresulted in the fracturing of west“treasury of merits” of Christ and ing. Though Charles guaranteed ern Christendom and more than a the saints (the latter also being Luther’s safety, it would nonethe- century of religious warfare? The the merits of Christ); this treasury less be risky for the German friar answer is bound up with Luther’s was entrusted to St. Peter, the to leave Wittenberg; for, nearly spiritual and psychological grapkey-bearer (Mt. 16:19), and his a century earlier, the Bohemian plings, which we’ll consider next successors for the benefit of the priest Jan Hus was burnt at the time. Suffice it to say, he had built faithful. The 62nd of Luther’s 95 stake after being summoned to his arguments on a crucial point at Theses states, “The true treasury the Council of Constance on an which he hinted in the exchange of the Church is the Holy Gospel imperial pledge of safe conduct. at Augsburg: the Bible alone as of the glory and grace of God.” Even so, Luther appeared before the source of Christian truth.

Luther challenged Cajetan to the Diet at Worms on April 17, Father Kocik is a parochial refute him from “Scripture and 1521. According to a traditional vicar at Santo Christo Parish in right reason.” In Cajetan’s view, but apocryphal account, on the Fall River. the debate finally boiled down to papal authority. Having refused to recant, Luther returned to Wittenberg, where he continued to lecture and write.

The following month, Pope Divine Mercy Sunday, Leo issued a bull explaining the doctrine of indulgences and April 19 at 11:00 a.m. defending the Church’s authority to grant them. Luther’s views Celebrant is were declared to be in conflict Father Kevin A. Cook, assistant with the Catholic faith. As Luther diocesan director of Vocations and saw it, Leo had defined Church chaplain at Coyle and Cassidy teaching without accountability High School in Taunton to Scripture, the Church Fathers, or the ancient canons. This led

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6

13

The Anchor

April 17, 2009

When no clothes were in fashion

A

woman uses clothes, among found outside of herself, but rather from other reasons, to feel good about within. She is loved by God the Father herself. She wants to communicate to infinitely and unconditionally. He has others her personality and her tastes. She brought her into existence and is tenderly wants to feel pretty. She wants to feel watching over her. God the Son has paid loved. for her sins in advance through his incarNotice how the word feeling shows nation, passion, death and resurrection. up a lot. The connection between clothes He has left his grace and showed her and feelings can be traced right back to the pathway to come home to heaven. the origins of the human person as told A real experience of God’s unbounded, in the book of Genesis. never-ending love for her is the source In the beginning, there was no probof profound security for a woman. When lem of modesty in the Garden of Eden. she knows she is loved in this way she Both Adam and Eve were nude and has remarkable strength and joy. didn’t think anything about it. But as Her dignity also lies in being cresoon as they had sinned they discovered ated in the image and likeness of God. they were naked and experienced shame. This likeness isn’t physical because God Their first reaction was to sew fig doesn’t have a body. We are made in leaves together to protect themselves God’s image because we can think and from the unwholesome gaze of the other. will. We’re free creatures not directed God supported their efforts by providing by instinct but by our capacity to choose them with longer lasting clothes before and to love. they abandoned Our freethe Garden. dom to direct Our first ourselves is parents had what makes us been tested persons. Pope by our creator John Paul II and chose to emphasized

By Joan Kingsland rebel against this in his book, him. Their act “Love and of disobediResponsibility.” ence broke the original harmony that had Then he concluded that a person should existed in their relationship with God. never be used as an object by someone He respects their freedom, though they else. It would go against our dignity as misused it, and thus permits other relapersons. tionships to be wounded by their rebelThat’s why Adam and Eve covered lion: within their very selves; between themselves in the garden once they had man and woman and between them and injured themselves through original sin. all creatures.

From then on we all suffer from the The Lord specifically addresses the same weakness, called concupiscence, wound between man and woman when which inclines us to perceive and treat he speaks to Eve about the part she the other as an object and not as a human played in their fall. She is told that she subject. will yearn after her husband and he will This is where modesty comes in. “The rule over her. The woman’s yearning is Catechism of the Catholic Church” says to experience love from the man. But “modesty protects the intimate center that’s not the man’s weakness: he tends of the person. It guides how one looks to dominate her, to subject her to his at others and behaves toward them in desires. God’s prediction matches our conformity with the dignity of persons experience today. and their solidarity. Modesty protects Man tends to be more independent. the mystery of persons and their love” He is more impersonal and can tend to (2521-2522). be more egocentric. He is able to disWhen a man fixes his gaze on a womsociate love from sexual pleasure, which an dressed in revealing clothes, odds are explains why there’s a huge disproporhe isn’t thinking loving thoughts. It’s tion between the number of male and quite possible that she’s being reduced to female prostitutes. a mere object of x-rated imaginings.

On the other hand, the woman is tied If a woman dresses fashionably but to interpersonal relationships. She natumodestly she does feel very good about rally wants to please others. Her sexualherself. She knows she looks attractive ity is more integrated, involving her afand yet she’s conveying a healthy selffections and emotions. Though a woman respect as well. She’s also respecting may concede to a sexual relationship that men by not tempting them to give into doesn’t involve love, she’s certain that their weak tendency towards unwholearrangement cannot satisfy her intimate some thoughts and desires. longing for true love.

A man can read her message loud and Conclusions? Women don’t have to clear. He’ll value the woman who knows dissociate themselves from their feelhow to transmit both her inner and outer ings. That would be “defeminizing.” beauty through modest clothes. That Women do, however, need to channel could be the beginning of a relationship feelings and desires according to what’s that blossoms into a deep and lasting objectively good. A woman should feel love. good about herself and that ought to Joan Kingsland, a consecrated show in the way she dresses. But the woman of Regnum Christi, teaches source of her security shouldn’t be based theology at Mater Ecclesiae College in on how others see her.

Greenville, R.I. This is the fifth installAfter all, a woman’s dignity isn’t ment in a six-part series.

Faithfully Feminine Fashion

Transgender facilities for Mass. aired at conference

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

BOSTON — Proposed legislation called the “Bathroom Bill” that would allow anyone to use public facilities such as rest rooms and locker room according to their “gender identity or expression” regardless of the individual’s biological sex at birth, found residents of southeastern Massachusetts among those voicing their opposition at an April 8 Citizens’ Lobbying Day and press conference.

Massachusetts is the latest state to consider banning discrimination because of transgender status. New Hampshire voted down legislation because of the fear that transgender people could use any lavatory, but is reconsidering the bill. In Connecticut, a bill to protect transgender people from discrimination died in a legislative committee two weeks ago, but activists hope to attach it to other legislation as an amendment Held in the Great Hall of Flags in the Statehouse, the meeting was co-hosted by the Massachusetts Family Institute and the Coalition on Marriage and Family, with Kris Mineau, president of the MFI, as moderator.

“I oppose House Bill 1728, a bill intended to protect transgender rights, because of its impact on public schools,” said Joseph Martins of Fall River, a former superintendent of the Greater Fall River Vocational School District and director of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School.

“It is difficult enough to control student behavior, prevent discrimination and ensure the safety of all students without having to distinguish between truth and a lie of a student claiming at will a gender-related identity other than his or her assigned sex at birth, simply to gain access to the opposite at birth sex locker-rooms, showers, or lavatory facilities,” asserted Martins.

Nothing in the bill protects students who may be in various stages of undress from unwanted eying or on purpose body touching by students of the opposite sex claiming to be the same sex, Martins explained.

He said allowing such a measure to become law would cause parental uproar; a huge financial burden on already strapped school districts to provide new, “any sex” facilities; and would result in lawsuits incurred by school districts caught between the rights of privacy and the rights “of those whose body is not what their mind wants it to be.”

Martins was joined in urging legislators to reject the bill in its entirety, by Deborah Furtado, a retired teacher from New Bedford; Atty. Phil Moran of the Lawyers for Life; Joanne Powell from Charlton, a member of the Coalition; and Kate Grayton, a 16-year-old student from Haverhill.

In essence, the speakers said the dangerous loophole in the bill is that anyone could gain access to the opposite sex’s facilities simply by indicating, verbally or non-verbally, how he or she inwardly feels at any moment.

Public and charter schools and their sports team and facilities would not be exempt.

Grayton said she feared she would lose her privacy and protection should the measure become law.

Mineau said the April 8 conference was held “to get the message out to our legislators how opposed we are to this so-called bill to protect the transgendered, and which we call the ‘bathroom bill’ and to get the media’s attention to our challenge and the 5,000 letters in opposition to the bill that already have been sent to legislators.”

The previous day, April 7, advocates of the measure held their lobbying day hoping to advance the legislation.

“We are concerned about the issues of safety, privacy and modesty that are being challenged,” said Mineau.

On the issue, Mineau reported that women and children in Colorado, where a similar measure has passed, have begun to fear for their safety in public bathrooms.

“Are we going to have the bathroom police to check everybody of a different gender that goes into the women’s room?” Mineau asked rhetorically.

“We certainly are against discrimination of any members of society, but that’s not the issue here.”

14

The Anchor

Policies & Procedures of the Fall River Diocese

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 policies & procedures described below have been abridged for this publication. Complete policies and procedures are available for review by contacting Catholic Social Services or by accessing the Diocesan Website, fallriverdiocese.org.

Procedures to be followed when an Employee or Volunteer of the Church in the Diocese of Fall River is accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor or Sexual Misconduct with a Minor GENERAL PROCEDURES 1. When there is reasonable cause to believe a child under the age of 18 is suffering serious physical or emotional injury resulting from sexual abuse inflicted upon him or her by a lay employee or volunteer, the person in charge, or their designee, of such institution or facility, Diocesan Director or Department, Agency, Apostolate, Program and Institution, as well as Pastor, within the Diocese where such alleged abuse has been reported shall immediately report such allegations to the Director of the Abuse Prevention Unit of Catholic Social Service. He or she will then notify the Moderator of the Curia and the Massachusetts Department of Social Services. If following an initial investigation by the Director of the Abuse Prevention Unit of Catholic Social Services, it is determined that the allegation of abuse has substance, the volunteer or employee is to be suspended with pay (if applicable) pending the outcome of the final investigation.

If the Massachusetts Department of Social Services finds the allegation to be supported and subsequently the alleged perpetrator is found not guilty by a court of law, a decision shall still then be made as to whether or not the employee/volunteer shall be reinstated. Such a decision concerning reinstatement shall be made after a consultation by the Moderator of the Curia with the head of a Diocesan Department, Agency, Apostolate, Program or Institution or the Pastor.

2. If the allegation of sexual abuse involves a cleric or an employee of Catholic Social Services, then the normal investigative procedures of the Bishop’s Review Board shall apply and in all such cases the Bishop’s Delegate shall be the designated agent to investigate/report the allegation both to the Massachusetts Department of Social Services and to notify the Moderator of the Curia.

3. The alleged perpetrator employee or volunteer will be notified of the allegations made against him/her, and given an opportunity to respond during the initial investigation process. Anyone affiliated with Catholic Social Services will be notified by the Bishop’s Delegate.

4. The initial investigation involving non-clerics should include interviews with the accused employee or volunteer, the person making the complaint, and any witness(es). The interview will be extended to members of the alleged victim’s family and with the alleged victim if permission is given by a parent or guardian to interview the minor, and it is deemed appropriate. When a young child is interviewed, it should be done by a recognized expert in this field. Interviews should be performed in person, but telephone interviews might be necessary in exceptional circumstances.

5. If after these initial interviews the allegation has been found to be initially credible, an oral report of the suspected child abuse or misconduct must then be given immediately to the Moderator of the Curia as described above in number l.

6. The personnel file of any employee or volunteer against whom an allegation has been finally substantiated by

the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, is to be properly noted.

7. If an allegation of child sexual abuse or misconduct involves a parish employee or volunteer, the pastor should contact the family of the alleged victim and offer spiritual care and support, as his function is strictly pastoral in nature.

Catholic Social Services will be available to provide confidential counseling and/or identify other resources for assistance.

Procedures to be followed when a cleric or religious brother or sister in the Diocese of Fall River is accused of sexual misconduct with a minor The Diocese commits itself to the following action: * There will be an immediate response to all allegations of sexual misconduct by a cleric or religious brother or sister with a minor. For allegations of such conduct made by a person who is an adult at the time the allegation is received by the Diocese, the response shall be made within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed thirty (30) days. * If an initial review reveals that the allegation is credible, the cleric or religious brother or sister will be placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. Administrative leave involves the transfer of the residence of a cleric to another residence, the private celebration of Mass, and restriction of his celebration of the Sacraments. The alleged offender will not be permitted to celebrate Mass publicly, to wear clerical garb, or to present himself or herself as a priest or religious brother or sister. The Diocese will continue to pay the salary and benefits of a cleric while on administrative leave. * Any suspected case of sexual misconduct with a minor will be reported to civil authorities. * Confidential counseling will be offered to the alleged victim and his/her family. * No cleric against whom a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been made will be given any assignment in or by the Diocese of Fall River or be authorized to seek pastoral work outside the Diocese.

It should be noted here that both the law of our land and the law of our Church calls for the presumption of innocence. While every allegation will be investigated seriously and fairly, we must remember that an accusation does not mean that someone is guilty. Such a judgment can be made only after all parties are heard and the evidence is reviewed.

The procedures do not detail the processes that are found in the Canon Law of the Church. In order to appreciate the rights and obligations of the clergy in a more complete manner reference needs to be made to the procedural and penal laws of the Church.

PROCEDURES 1. A Review Board shall be established by the Bishop to serve as an advisory body in general matters concerning the issue of sexual misconduct and to serve as a monitoring and advisory board when a specific accusation of sexual misconduct by a cleric or religious brother or sister with a minor is made.

The Board will have no less than 7, but no more than 10 members, at the Bishop’s discretion. The members shall, at a minimum, include:

— An appropriately credentialed mental health worker who has expertise in matters concerning child abuse; — A civil lawyer; — A canon lawyer; — A priest with a pastoral/parochial assignment; — An adult survivor of child sexual abuse; — A parent of a victim of sexual abuse; and — A lay person.

The members of the Review Board are appointed by the Bishop, for a term of five years, which can be renewed.

The Review Board is composed of men and women, lay and clergy, who have (or gain) expertise in the area of child abuse.

2. The Bishop shall appoint a Delegate from among the members of the Review Board to serve as his representative in cases involving an accusation of sexual misconduct by a cleric or religious brother or sister with a minor. The Delegate will chair the Review Board.

The Bishop is free to appoint a substitute Delegate as circumstances warrant.

The Bishop’s Delegate represents him in these matters. This person may be any member of the Review Team. For various reasons a substitute or alternate Delegate may be named to assume the role.

It could be that the Delegate is not available at the time or that a particular case may call for a certain type of person being named by the Bishop, e.g. a woman rather than a man, someone who speaks a foreign language, etc.

3. Upon receipt of an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor by a cleric or religious brother or sister, the Delegate (or a substitute Delegate) shall conduct a preliminary investigation and shall file a report with the Department of Social Services, if required. This initial review is expected to be completed within twenty-four to seventy-two hours of the receipt of an allegation involving a victim who is a minor. For allegations by adults who were minors at the time of the alleged act(s), the initial review is to be completed within two weeks of the allegation’s receipt. If the cleric or religious brother or sister is a member of a religious order, his religious superior is to be notified and made part of subsequent steps in the process, with due regard for the requirements of canon law.

4. The initial review will ordinarily include interviews with the accused cleric or religious brother or sister, the person making the complaint, and any witnesses. The review may include interviews with members of the alleged victim’s family and the alleged victim himself/herself (with a parent or guardian’s consent if with a minor) and it is judged appropriate to do so.

The Delegate, and in certain limited circumstances, another individual, at the Delegate’s direction, is to talk to the key people involved and as many others as he/she feels are warranted. The intent of the initial review is to clarify the nature of the claim. When a small child is interviewed this is to be done only by a person with recognized expertise in this specialized field.

5. The accused cleric or religious brother or sister is to be advised of his/ her right to retain independent legal and canonical counsel. He/she shall also be provided with a list of approved clerics or religious brothers or sisters appointed

April 17, 2009 by the Bishop from which to choose a “support advocate,” but not for the purposes of either actively participating in the proceedings or rendering civil or canonical law advice.

6. Upon receipt of an allegation, the Delegate shall notify the Review Board which shall meet within forty-eight hours of the completion of the initial review, when the alleged victim is a minor, and within a reasonable period of time upon completion of the initial review, when the alleged victim is no longer a minor. If the alleged victim is presently a minor, the Delegate shall immediately notify the proper civil authorities, as required under State Law. 7. If the Delegate, after receiving the results of the initial review, concludes that the accusation of sexual misconduct has some credibility then, by virtue of his executive power of governance, the Bishop may immediately place the accused cleric or religious brother or sister on immediate administrative leave, pending the results of further investigation, including professional evaluation of the accused. The professional evaluation is to take place at a recognized treatment facility. Administrative leave does not carry with it any presumption of guilt. Temporary residence is to be provided by the Diocese with no contact with minors. The priest’s or deacon’s faculty to preach is removed and the priest’s faculty to hear confessions is suspended and he is advised to celebrate Mass privately. If the cleric or religious brother or sister refuses to cooperate, the appropriate procedures of canon law shall be invoked. If after an investigation has been completed, the accusation is found to be without merit, the Diocese will assist with appropriate measures to respond to any harm done to the cleric’s or religious brother or sister’s reputation and ministry, especially if the accusations were made public.

The Review Board is to give its recommendation to the Bishop as soon as possible. It is noted that administrative leave has no direct parallel in canon law but it has proven to be a useful instrument to protect both the accused and the accuser. It should be clear that administrative leave does not imply guilt but rather a need for time to pursue a serious accusation. The cleric’s or religious brother or sister’s faculties are removed on a temporary basis. Finally, the evaluation of the cleric or religious brother or sister is to take place at a recognized treatment facility. Ordinarily this evaluation takes place over several days. If the accusation is without merit, it is important that any damage to the cleric’s or religious brother or sister’s reputation and ministry be addressed.

When sexual abuse of a minor by a cleric is admitted or established after an appropriate process in accord with canon law, then for even a single act of sexual abuse of a minor - past, present, or future - the offending cleric will be permanently removed from ministry, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state if the case so warrants. In every case involving canonical penalties, the processes provided for in canon law shall be observed.

8. Appropriate and confidential counseling is to be offered to the alleged victim and his/her family. When necessary, the needs of the parish and wider community should be included in the response of the Review Board.

9. All applicable civil reporting laws are to be followed.

Any suspected case of child abuse involving an alleged victim who is a minor is to be reported to civil authorities by the Delegate. This step recognizes the legitimate right of the state to be involved in these cases. Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor received when the alleged victim is no longer a minor shall

be reported to the office of the district attorney for the district where the alleged abuse occurred, when reasonable cause exists.

10. If the alleged misconduct is a matter of public record, the Diocesan Office of Communication shall issue a statement and serve as the ongoing liaison with the media. The members of the Review Board should not serve as spokespersons.

11. The alleged victim and family will be kept informed of the response of the Diocese through regular reports from the Review Board or its representative.

12. These written procedures are to be given to every incardinated cleric or religious brother or sister ministering in the Diocese of Fall River.

13. These procedures are to be reviewed on a yearly basis or as needed, by the Sexual Abuse Review Board and must be approved by the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Priests’ Council.

14. Anyone wishing to report an incident to the Bishop’s Delegate should call Catholic Social Services at Fall River (508) 674-4681. Catholic Social Services shall immediately thereafter contact the Delegate.

15. The Board shall have no jurisdiction over cases of allegations involving a cleric, or religious brother or sister who, at the time of the Delegate’s receipt of the allegation, has resigned or is deceased.

16. The investigation of religious brothers or sisters should devolve to their community, and the Diocese stands ready to refer the matter to the Review Board for its investigation if the religious community lacks procedures of its own to deal with this issue.

17. In the event that any of these procedures shall be determined to not be in compliance with the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing With Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons of November 13, 2002, or any amendments or revisions thereto, then the Norms and not these policies shall govern.

MANDATES 1. Prior to being hired, each prospective Diocesan and parish employee shall complete an informational questionnaire, to be filed with the Director of the local entity or the pastor, where applicable.

2. All volunteers shall complete the volunteer questionnaire. A copy shall be kept on file at the local parish or local Diocesan agency, to be inspected by the Deans at their annual visitation to the parish or by the Directors of the individual Agencies of the Diocese.

3. The informational questionnaire for an employee and the volunteer questionnaire for a volunteer shall be updated as needed so that the information is current.

4. An employee/volunteer who may have unmonitored access to children shall be trained by the Office for Child Protection of Catholic Social Services. This training is mandatory and attendance is documented.

5. Each employee/volunteer shall be given a copy of the Diocesan procedures regarding the sexual and physical abuse of children, and shall, in writing, acknowledge receipt of same.

6. The Diocesan Education Office and the Office for Child Protection of Catholic Social Services are to provide mandated, regular education for students, concerning sexual abuse.

7. The Diocesan Education Office and the Office for Child Protection of Catholic Social Services are to provide mandated, regular education for religious education students, concerning sexual abuse.

8. Background check on Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) shall be conducted on every current diocesan employee/volunteer having unmonitored access to children. A background check is also to be done on all new employees/volunteers prior to having unmonitored access to children.

9. Each employee/volunteer/priest/deacon/religious will sign and strictly follow the Code of Conduct as a condition of providing services to the children and/or youth of our parish/school/Diocese.

April 17, 2009

The Anchor

Internet poses major hurdle in prevention of child abuse

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

FALL RIVER — Even as they maintain a bevy of “safe environment” programs including training and development of all diocesan personnel, including those responsible for protection of children and youth from abuse, youngsters’ easy access to Internet chat rooms is becoming a growing concern, a diocesan official reports.

“One of the biggest concerns is that children using the Internet — often teen-agers — can and are meeting sexual offenders, and these unknowing kids think they have met a friend, or made a friendship with someone they meet there,” said Juraci Capataz, director of the Office of Child Protection, which is under the diocese’s Catholic Social Services office.

“The young people are engaged in what they think is playing on such things as ‘Penguin’ or ‘Facebook’ and think they’ve made 500 good friends, when in truth they don’t know 499 of those they are meeting.” Sometimes they also meet a sex offender she added.

Just as problematic, said Capataz, “is that their parents frequently have outdated understanding of modern day technology and have no idea what their children are getting into online, and what sex predators they can be associating with.”

What is of vital importance, she said, is that parents need to know how to keep children safe, how parents deal with what needs to be done if they get a report of sexual abuse, and how to provide a safe environment to guard against such abuse.

Capataz’s comments came as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Child and Youth Programs marks April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, providing brochures, posters, bulletin announcement, liturgy guides and prayer cards, heralding the Catholic Church’s hallmark protection of life and the dignity of the human person.

“We’re making use of those resource materials to help children, parents, and all those involved in protecting children from abuse stay vigilant,” Capataz noted.

Faced with the crisis of child sexual abuse by clerics that dra-

matically came to light in 2002, the Church set up an aggressive safe environment program, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The Charter is a comprehensive set of policies established by the USCCB for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of clergy.

It also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, and accountability, all directed at any future acts of abuse.

“We’re faring well in educating and training those in our schools and parishes responsible for child and youth protection programs, and in December we were notified that we passed our numerical audit and are in compliance with the Charter for 2008,” reported Arlene McNamee, director of the Fall River Diocese’s Office of Catholic Social Services.

Next year there will be an onsite audit by members of the Galvin Group, the independent firm contracted by the U.S. bishops to measure the implementation of the Charter in dioceses across the country.

“The abuse training given Religious Education coordinators and volunteers in the schools and parish programs has resulted in them becoming more vigilant, and we are busy with continually providing the screening as part of the Criminal Offenders’ Record Information, or background checks,” McNamee added.

The Secretariat currently produces an annual report on the progress made in implementing and maintaining the standards in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People following an audit report showing which dioceses are in or not in compliance with the provisions and expectations of the Charter.

In essence, the diocese’s CSS directs action in such matters as creating a safe environment for children and young people; healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors; making prompt and effective response to allegations; cooperating with civil authorities; disciplining offenders; and providing means of accountability for the future to ensure any problems are effectively dealt with, said McNamee.

From 2003 through 2008, the Catholic Church in the U.S. trained more than 1.8 million clergy, employees and volunteer groups.

In the Fall River Diocese, the most recent numbers show an estimated 36,056 children and youth having been educated about abuse prevention; and another 2,467 that includes priests, deacons, candidates for ordination, educators, diocesan and parochial employees and volunteers.

The background or CORI checks that include the same groups as listed above totaled 3,371.

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16

Youth Pages

April 17, 2009

PASSION PLAY — The St. Pius X Youth Ministry recently presented Living Stations of the Cross at the South Yarmouth parish.

SEEING THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES — After reading a photo journalist’s story of the Amazon rainforest in their reader, the fifth-grade class at Holy Name School, Fall River, researched the animal and plant life of the rainforest.

They created a slide show in computer class, made rain sticks in art class and painted animals and plants for a classroom mural, pictured above. Below, some students display rain sticks they created as part of the lesson.

Correction In last week’s edition, The Anchor was provided incorrect names identifying the reunion of a student and his father, who had just returned from Iraq. The correct named are student Jaidon Leroux and his father Robert Leroux.

BUDDING SCIENTIST — The students at St. Joseph’s School in Fairhaven recently participated in the annual Science Fair. All students from Pre-K to Grade Eight were exposed to concepts related to research, investigation, and the scientific method. Students in grades four through eight were judged. Above, sixth-grader Ryan Paiva explains his project to interested guests.

BEST OF FRIENDS — Obviously enjoying their time together in the Pre-School Class at Espirito Santo School in Fall River are, front from left: Chris Pacheco, Lucas Carvalho, Logan Vieira, and Kianu Seixas; Middle: Bella Simoes, Seth Baptista, Nathan Kuznar, Chris Guzman, and Mackenzie Bell; Rear: Aliyah Ribeiro, James Hickey, Connor Santos, and Sofia Silva.

SERVICE ORIENTED — Bishop Feehan High School Senior Kyle Nyskohus was the recipient of the Outstanding Youth Award at North Attleboro/Plainville Rotary Club’s 24th Annual Distinguished Service Award Banquet. Nyskohus is an officer on Feehan’s Campus Ministry Leadership Board, and president of Feehan’s St. Vincent de Paul Society. He also helps coordinate Christ’s Closet, Feehan’s free clothing store and helped register 200 families for Feehan’s Santa Shop that collected more than $60,000 worth of toys. As a member of the National Honor Society, he also helps coordinate Thanksgiving Food baskets for families in need.

Nyskohus (center) poses with Abdul Samma, Rotary Board member, and Irene Frechette, fellow St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteer and recipient of this year’s Rotary Distinguished Citizen Award.

April 17, 2009

T

his past weekend marked the highest point of our Catholic faith. It was the week that we celebrated the paschal mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Teen-agers and adults I’ve spoken with often find it hard to believe that Christmas is not the highest celebration of our faith. So much emphasis, mostly commercial, is placed on the “holiday season” rather than Holy Week and Easter that it would be difficult for the average CAPE (Christmas, Ashes, Palms, Easter) Catholics to grasp. Sometimes even those

Youth Pages Alleluia! Alleluia! He is risen

who attend every Sunday find it become a holiday of “lists” that difficult. Of course we could not the bunny checks twice before celebrate Holy Week without hopping from house to house, celebrating the birth of Christ, hiding his eggs or the soaring but it’s the journey of the last three years, particularly the last 24 hours, of Jesus’ life that is critical to our faith.

Since Holy Week for the most part is not

By Crystal Medeiros as commercialized as Christmas — sure there is the Easter Bunny and all of his glorious baskets — it stock of Russell Stover chocoallows Holy Week to be siglates. Instead, it is the culminificantly more reverent than nation of why, in fact, we are Christmas. Easter does not Christian.

Our faith is poignantly represented at our Easter Vigils.

The Anchor is always On those Saturday evenings, in pleased to run news and churches across the world, we welcome new members into our photos about our diocCatholic faith. They are bapesan youth. If schools tized with the water with which, or parish Religious Edaccording to Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter Vigil homily, “The ucation programs have Lord makes us not only persons newsworthy stories and of light, but also sources from which living water bursts forth.” photos they would like Witnessing these adults and to share with our readers, occasionally children and teens send them to: schools@ baptized into the faith on the highest of holy days brings a anchornews.org sense of renewed hope to us and

Be Not Afraid

our Church. We are witnesses to their joy, to their “Alleluia” as they embark on a new journey filled with the light and love of Jesus Christ.

Do we, teens and adults alike, approach our faith with the renewed conviction and joys of the paschal mystery? Can we joyously proclaim our “alleluias” with happiness and zeal that our newly-baptized felt this past Saturday — and still feel?

This is a glorious time for us. A time when we can truly understand and celebrate Christ’s sacrifice for us. We get a glimmer of that sacrifice during our Good Friday veneration services. When the priest stands in front of the altar holding the cross for each and every one of us, we can’t help but wonder what it must have been like for Christ to be nailed to that cross, breathing his last so that we may live eternally in him.

Sometimes I cannot help but wonder, “Do we get it?” I would like to think so. Holy Week and the Easter season — which culminates with the feast of Pente-

17 cost — gives us the opportunity every year to grow in our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and immense love for us. When we walk into our churches over the next 50 days, can we grasp the joyfulness of it all? Or now that Easter Sunday has come and gone, do we simply revert to the rote and mechanical approach to our liturgies?

We should be shouting “alleluia! alleluia!” from the rooftops and spires of our churches. Do we do that? Can we do that? It is my solemn prayer that we, as baptized Catholics, truly celebrate that our Lord is risen. Enjoy the season and revel in Christ’s resurrection. Let us spread the joy of a new life with those around us. And as Pope Benedict XVI said, “Let us ask the Lord, who has given us the grace of baptism, for the gift always to be sources of pure, fresh water, bubbling up from the fountain of his truth and his love.”

Alleluia! Amen.

Crystal is assistant director for Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the diocese and youth ministry coordinator at St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford. cmedeiros@dfrcec.com.

18

The Anchor

Priests receive awards from New Bedford Voke Tech continued from page one

and his brother Paul took New Bedford Voke to the state tournament back in the late 1950s at the old Boston Garden. From high school Father Gomes went on to St. Mary’s College — now St. Mary’s University — in Winona, Minn., and then entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts seminary in New Hampshire.

Before moving to the Bahamas in 1996, Father Gomes previously served in the Fall River Diocese at St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven, Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich, and at his home parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in New Bedford.

Due to a 75th anniversary celebration at his parish, Father Gomes will be unable to attend the May 3 ceremony. But his sister, Mary Louise Rodrigues, will be present to accept the award on his behalf.

Father Racine graduated in 1983 from the school’s graphic arts department and went on to receive an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Bristol Community College in 1986 and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UMass-Dartmouth in 1990. He received his master’s of divinity from the Holy Apostle Seminary in Cromwell, Conn., and was ordained by Bishop Sean O’Malley on June 10, 1995.

Before becoming pastor at St. Bernard’s Parish two years ago, Father Racine previously served at Notre Dame Parish in Fall River and St. Mary’s Parish in South Dartmouth and was chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and also chaplain for the Fall River fire and police departments.

This year Father Racine and Father Gomes will join the ranks of New Bedford Voke Tech’s esteemed alums alongside Frank

Warrington, a former teacher who just retired from New Bedford Voke Tech; Matthew Cabral, who just retired from a 30-year military career; Charles Bickerstaff, a former teacher and member of the National Guard; and Paula Bailey, principal at the Betsy Winslow Elementary School in New Bedford.

Desrosiers said the selection committee’s criteria is based on how the prospective alums have benefited the community overall and how their technical education has fostered humanitarian efforts.

“A lot of people have the impression that people who graduate from technical schools simply go into the workforce as a blue collar worker, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Desrosiers said.

Father Gomes said he was both “excited” and “surprised” at learning of his selection for the award.

“I just feel good about it,” Father Gomes said. “It’s an opportunity for the school to recognize people who have graduated and gone on to different careers.”

Father Gomes said his electrical background has been invaluable to him in working on three building projects for the parish in the Bahamas. He’s had discussions with contractors who have been amazed at how much he knows about electrical codes and wiring.

“The state of Massachusetts did not waste its money on me,” Father Gomes said. “There were challenges, however, in coming from a vocational high school.

Languages were difficult for me … but I was able to study Spanish with the nuns in the seminary.”

Father Racine echoed the sentiments of his fellow alum in

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learning he would be receiving the honor.

“Obviously I was extremely honored and surprised,” Father Racine said. “Up until that point, I didn’t even know they gave out a career award.”

Although Father Racine said he hasn’t really used any of his graphic arts skills in his ministry, he felt the education he received at New Bedford Voke was exemplary.

“They certainly provide an excellent education there and I had wonderful teachers,” Father Racine said. “I guess I was one of the few that chose a different calling than my trade … but I’ve come to learn that other priests have come from a vocational/ technical school background.”

“These people have been moving on, not sitting still at a job where they just punch the clock,” Desrosiers added. “Our graduates touch a lot of people in their careers.”

When asked what message he hopes to send by honoring two priests this year, Desrosiers said it speaks to the importance of having a diversified education.

“I guess you could say the sky’s the limit … and I mean all the way up to the heavens,” Desrosiers said. “A vocational technical education offers endless opportunities. Everything today is technical or computerized and people need that next level of education. Whatever your calling is, it teaches you a good work ethic and gives you a great background.”

Greater New Bedford Vocational Technical High School’s Career Achievement Awards will be given out during a dinner-reception at The Century House in Acushnet on May 3 beginning at 5 p.m. For tickets and more information, contact Donald Desrosiers at 508-9983321, extension 251.

April 17, 2009

Father Peyton’s legacy lives on continued from page five

He continued, “I see a resurgence of younger people praying the rosary, and I hope the DVD can help continue that trend. I really don’t consider myself a celebrity. I’m just a guy who loves what he’s doing, and it’s through God’s graces that I’m where I am today. Through the DVD’s Scripture readings, meditations and praying the rosary, I hope people can deepen their faith and realize they can get through life’s challenges with God by their side.”

Ali Landry, a young actress and former Miss Louisiana and Miss USA, shared many of Castro’s sentiments. Landry, who had a role in the recent Pro-Life film, “Bella,” and who was also known as the “Doritos” girl, told The Anchor in an phone interview from Hollywood that she agreed to work on the DVD “to share my faith and bring others closer to the Lord.”

The Catholic faith played an important role in Landry’s upbringing. “Like Father Peyton said, ‘The family that prays together, stays together,’ praying the rosary was the glue that held my family and my faith together.”

In her DVD reflection, Landry expresses the importance of “reaching out to others.” “Praying the rosary publicly shows others the meaning of opening up and touching someone. When people see and hear the meditations and reflections, it’s just a natural thing that some of them are going to be touched, and that’s why I wanted to be a part of this.”

Like Castro, Landry senses Father Peyton’s mission and vision as very much alive in her circles.

“Family Theater Productions has been so important in my life and in the lives of many Catholic actors in Hollywood,” she said. “It provides us with a place where we can share our faith and grow in God’s love. In fact, I met my husband Alejandro Gomez Monteverde at a Bible study program at Family Theater.” Monteverde directed and co-wrote “Bella.”

Landry admits staying focused on God in such a hectic business is very difficult. “I think this is one of the most difficult professions to stay focused on God,”

she said. “That’s why Family Theater becomes so important and the rosary is such a powerful prayer. The rosary helps you focus on the life and mission of Christ, and sharing with other Catholic actors helps us regain that focus.”

“Rosary Stars, Praying the Gospel,” was released in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Father Peyton’s birth. Individuals can view trailers of the DVD at www.familytheater.org or www.rosarystars.org, and can be ordered online at www.hcfmstore.org, or by calling 1-800PRAY (7729).

Also in continuing Father Peyton’s 100th birthday remembrance, a Family Rosary Fest is set for June 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the athletic stadium at Stonehill College in North Easton.

The event will include a Living Rosary, praise and worship music, and inspirational talks, and is free and open to the public.

Bishop George W. Coleman, of the Diocese of Fall River will deliver the keynote address, “Returning to the Rosary.” Other witness speakers will include Gerrie Stadelmann, a recent survivor of the attack in Mumbai, India, where she and her husband prayed the rosary waiting for assistance to arrive. Emcee for the fest will be radio show host Dina Marie Hale from KBVM Radio in Portland, Ore. For more information on the Family Rosary Fest, visit www.hcfm.org or call 508-238-4095 or 800-299-7729.

Back when Father Peyton was a young priest, he called on the assistance of Hollywood stars the likes of Gary Cooper, Loretta Young, Lucille Ball, Jane Wyatt, Henry Fonda, Jack Benny, Rosalind Russell, Shirley Temple, Margaret O’Brien, Gregory Peck, Jimmy Durante, Gene Kelly, Natalie Wood, Vincent Price, Charlton Heston and Raymond Burr. These influential folks helped kick off Father Peyton’s vision of spreading the Gospel of Christ around the world.

Today a new generation of stars has answered Father Peyton’s call, and are adding yet another chapter to the Rosary Priest’s playbook and prayerbook.

* EVERY 4TH PRAYER CENACLE with OUR LADY, QUEEN OF TUESDAY the HOME — using the book of Our Lady’s Message 7:00 PM of Mercy to the World. * EVERY 2ND ST. MONICA’S PRAYER GROUP to pray for our THURSDAY children, family, and loved ones before the 7:30-8:30 PM Blessed Sacrament. * EVERY 1ST MONTHLY DISCIPLESHIP/PATRICIAN THURSDAY Meeting - MEN & WOMEN. Why not join us this 7:00-9:00 PM month?

Check out our website at www.myfathershouse.com for upcoming Parish Missions

Call us to have your family reunion here. Lodging & meals available.

Specializing in: Brand Name/ Foreign Auto Parts 1420 Fall River Avenue (Route 6) Seekonk, MA 02771

April 17, 2009

Around the Diocese Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration ACUSHNET — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Church, 125 Main Street, Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., ending with evening prayer and Benediction.

FALL RIVER — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Friday from 8:30 a.m to 6:30 p.m. in the Lourdes Chapel at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 529 Eastern Avenue.

NEW BEDFORD — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street, Mondays following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until 1:30 p.m. For more information call 508-995-2354.

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.

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.

TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m. Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous BUZZARDS BAY — Artie Boyle will speak of his healing during a Divine Mercy Sunday service to be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church, 141 Main Street. Refreshments will follow in the school gym.

CENTERVILLE — A Mass of the anointing of the sick will be celebrated at the parish center of Our Lady of Victory Parish, 230 South Main Street, Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Refreshments will follow. For information call 508-428-6019 or email: dianejdupont@verizon.net.

FAIRHAVEN — Our Lady of Angels Catholic Association, 7 Jesse St., will hold a giant yard sale tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with all proceeds to benefit the Relay for Life. For more information, call 508-995-0776.

Divine Mercy Sunday is linked to Christ’s resurrection continued from page one

to share his joy, resurrection, and ultimately their own.

Through Sister Faustina, who died in 1938, Jesus revealed five special ways to live out the response to his mercy: veneration of the image of Divine Mercy; recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet; celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday; a novena prior to Divine Mercy Sunday; special prayers at 3 p.m. each day, which he called the Hour of Mercy.

The Chaplet of Mercy, recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades, is prayed daily by the faithful across the globe.

St. Faustina’s 600-page diary, “Divine Mercy in My Soul,” written in obedience to her spiritual director, has become a handbook for the devotion which are firmly rooted in Church doctrines and are intimately linked to Christ’s resurrection message.

Born Helena Kowalska in the village of Glogowiec west of Lodz, Poland, on Aug. 15, 1905, she was the third of 10 children. When she was nearly 20, she entered the Congregation whose members devote themselves to the care and education of troubled women.

After receiving her religious habit, she was given the name Sister Maria Faustina, to which she added, “of the Most Blessed

FALL RIVER — A Healing Mass will be held at St. Anne’s Church, 818 Middle St., April 23 at 6:30 p.m. Rosary will precede at 6 p.m. with Benediction and healing prayers after Mass.

In Your Prayers

FALMOUTH — The Falmouth Knights of Columbus Honor Guard will present an icon of Divine Mercy at St. Patrick’s Church Sunday at 3 p.m. The Chaplet will be recited, a history of St. Faustina, and Benediction will complete the service.

For information call 508-540-1808.

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

NEW BEDFORD — The Daughters of Isabella will meet April 28 at 7 p.m. at the Holy Name of Sacred Heart Church, 121 Mount Pleasant Street. The group is an international Catholic charitable organization for women ages 16 and over. For more information on membership, contact Elizabeth Almeida at 508-728-9483.

NEW BEDFORD — Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will take place at Our Lady of Fatima Church Sunday at 3 p.m., including adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Refreshments will follow in the parish hall.

STOUGHTON — A Mass and Healing Service will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street (Route 27). The celebrant and homilist will be Father Joseph P. McDermott. For more information, call 781-344-2073.

SWANSEA — St. Louis de France Parish, 56 Buffington Street, will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving commemorating Father Richard Gendreau’s 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, May 3 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in the parish hall. For information, contact Nancy at sldfo@comcast.net or Lucia at 508-674-9746.

WEST HARWICH — A Divine Mercy celebration will be held Sunday at 2:45 p.m. No confessions will be available. For information call 508-4300014.

Support Groups FALL RIVER — Courage, a support group for people experiencing same-sex attraction who would like to live the Church’s teaching on chastity, will gather for prayer and conversation on May 2 at 7 p.m. For location and more information, call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408.

Pro-Life ATTLEBORO — Concerned faithful are needed to pray the rosary outside Four Women, Inc., an abortion clinic at 150 Emory Street, Thursdays from 3-4 p.m., or 4-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. For information call 508238-5743.

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The Anchor

Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks

April 21 Rev. John O’Beirne, Pastor St. Mary, Taunton Rev. Thomas Feeley, CSC, Holy Cross Family Ministries, North Easton, 2004 April 22 Rev. James L. Smith, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1910 Rev. Thomas F. Fitzgerald, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1954 April 23 Rev. Rev. John J. Murphy, Retired, Catholic Memorial Home, 2007 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

Sacrament.”

Divine Mercy devotions will be held Sunday at: — St. Mary’s Cathedral, 327 Second St., 3 p.m.

— St. Patrick’s Parish, 511 Main St., Falmouth (sponsored by the Falmouth Council Knights of Columbus) beginning at 3 p.m.;

— Our Lady of Fatima Parish, 4256 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford beginning at 3 p.m.; — St. Margaret’s Parish, 141 Main St., Buzzards Bay beginning at 2 p.m; — St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 1359 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, beginning at 3 p.m.

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The Anchor

April 17, 2009

Speakers hope to spark new evangelization at the 2009 Catholic Men’s & Women’s Conferences

By Christopher Harding Special to The Anchor

BOSTON — Effective lay evangelists today are following the lead of Pope John Paul II by maximizing the use of all modern forms of communication to spread the Gospel message. While few have imitated the Holy Father in making a music video, they have learned that a multi-pronged media approach reaches the greatest number of souls.

This wide-ranging mindset underlies the ministry of many of the speakers at the upcoming Boston Catholic Men’s Conference tomorrow and Boston Catholic Women’s Conference Sunday. Among them are Johnnette Benkovic and Curtis Martin, who not only host programs on Eternal Word Television Network, but also write books, utilize Catholic radio and address thousands such as expected at Boston College’s Conte Forum tomorrow and Sunday.

In 1987 an estimated one billion people watched John Paul II’s “A Prayer for World Peace” when 23 satellites linked him to 16 countries. That same year Johnnette Benkovic, host and executive producer of EWTN’s “The Abundant Life,” first began her work with Catholic electronic communications.

She notes that while television, radio, and Internet can potentially reach millions and

offer a certain one-way intimacy, good oldfashioned speeches have their own unique advantages. “There is a synergy between the participants and the presenter that is unlike any other,” said Benkovic. “As a presenter, I benefit by being able to see the responses of the attendees. I can gauge what may need more explanation.

Likewise, the participants can see and experience my excitement, exhilaration, and passion for the things of God. A live presentation is perhaps the most efJohnnette Benkovic fective way to communicate the faith.”

Benkovic and Curtis Martin, co-host of the sports-flavored EWTN series “Crossing the Goal” and “Family Matters,” endorse the idea that the “mountain peak” experience of a conference must be followed by ongoing small faith support group meetings during our everyday lives “on the plain.”

IN PREPARATION — Youth at St. Mary’s Parish in South Dartmouth decorated shrines for the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary they received after learning all their prayers in preparation for receiving their first Communion in May. Pictured here, from left standing, Dylan Senra, Owen Ribeiro, Cody Santo, Michael Lima; standing far right, William Smith, Colton Almeida, Nathan Oliver, Christopher Breault; kneeling in front from left, Jacob Lisa, Chloe Martinez, Abby Tavares, Grace Woodcock, Jenna Rainville, Olivia Vital, Jessica Nunes, Jasmine Roche, Emily Hale, and Max Winterholter. (Photo courtesy of Judy Fernandes)

Bishop Coleman meets with major superiors of a dozen religious orders

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Bishop George W. Coleman recently met with major superiors of 12 men’s and women’s religious congregations. The gathering, held at the Office For Religious at the Family Life Center, is an annual event.

The morning reflection and conversation was “Charism, Our Gift to the People of God.” The afternoon session centered around “Vulnerable Prophets for God’s People.”

Sister of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Nancy Sheridan facilitated the sessions. Bishop Coleman addressed the

group and was available for informal conversation afterward.

Representatives for the women’s religious communities of Bernadine Franciscans, Dominicans of Hope, Dominicans of the Presentation, Franciscans of the Immaculate, Holy Union Sisters, Missionaries of Charity, Sisters of the Assumption, Sisters of Mercy, and Sisters of the Sacred Hearts were present. The men’s communities of Fathers of the Sacred Hearts, Franciscans of the Immaculate and Holy Cross Fathers, were represented.

Martin knows the value of such groups as president and founder of the fast-growing Fellowship of Catholic University Students, which has missions at 39 campuses in 21 states including U-Mass Amherst.

“Hundreds of people invest hundreds of hours to put on conferences like these. But the hard work is really done after the conference is over. Christianity is a marathon; we need to learn how to run with diligence for a lifetime.

Small groups are the most effective Curtis Martin way I’ve ever seen at equipping Catholics for lifelong faithfulness,” Martin said.

Benkovic, who has more than 50,000 women participating in her multi-disciplinary, multi-media Women of Grace study groups, concurs: “While initial conversion of heart can occur in a conference setting, it needs to sink roots in the heart, grow, flour-

ish, and produce fruit. It rarely does this well on its own. We must help each other remain steadfast in times of woe or temptation. If a conference is the catalyst that lights the flame, follow-up is the bellows that keeps the flame lit.”

Martin uses a similar metaphor for inspiring men. “If we imagine Christianity as a fire, women in many ways are like a brush fire; you light a spark and the fire begins to burn in a very powerful way and very quickly. Men are more like a ‘big old log’; you have to put a lot of fire underneath them before they’ll actually catch fire themselves. But, once they do, they can burn for a very, very long time so it is certainly worth the work,” he said.

Midday break-out sessions at both events will help ignite support group “home fires.” The Men’s Conference will feature Jim Caviezel, the actor who played Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ.” Joining Caviezel and Martin on the men’s program will be Boston College hockey coach Jerry York and fathering expert James Stenson.

Women will also hear from Scripture scholar Dr. Mary Healy, charismatic leader Sister Nancy Keller, pro-life activist Kerri Caviezel and from Benkovic. Complete details and a video preview are available at www.CatholicBoston.org.