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the VOL. 50, NO. 17 • Friday, April 28, 2006

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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Eucharistic adoration, sacrifice part of 'God's battle plan' to restore meaning of marriage

By DAVE JOLIVET,

EDITOR

NEW BEDFORD - Recalling Jehoshaphat's great victory over three enemy armies in 2 Chronicles 20, by turning to prayer and fasting, Institute of the Incarnate Word Father Samuel Leonard suggested the same approach to uphold traditional family values in the Commonwealth.

"By turning to God with prayer and fasting, the army of Judah didn't even have to raise a weapon," said Father Leonard, pastor of St. Kilian's Parish in New Bedord.

'The Lord rewarded their faith by having the other armies. destroy themselves."

"Father Leonard said that God's battle plan is for us to stand firm with prayer and sacrifice," said Jane Wilcox, a parishioner of St. Bernard's Parish in Assonet, and a legislative liaison with Catholic Citizenship.

Based on that sound advice, Wilcox and Bea Martins, regional coordinator for Catholic Citizenship, have enlisted the forces of diocesan parishes to schedule time for eucharistic adoration, prayer and sacrifice, to invoke God's assistance in changing hearts of state legislators who seek to change the definition of marriage to something other than that between one man and one woman in an upcoming Constitutional Convention.

"Father Leonard told us that the post card campaigns and other works were good, but that we needed to do more," Wilcox told The Anchor.

"When it comes to upholding traditional family values, we also have to consider heavily the spiritual di-

mension," said Father Leonard in a recent interview. "Our of ourselves." good works must be backed up with disciplined prayer Part of the spiritual dimension of '~od's battle plan," and sacrifice such as fasting. The Lord honors humbling will be praying for elected officials. "At St. Kilian's we will pray for each legislator by name," said Father Leonard. "God does not tamper with free will. But in his infinite mercy, he gives grace to people, and they choose to yield to his will."

To date, nearly 25 diocesan parishes have scheduled time for eucharistic adoration and prayer. Most of the parishes have opted for May 5, encorporating it into First Friday devotions. "First Fridays of the month have alI. ways been a special day for prayer in honor of the Sacred f Heart of Jesus," added Father Leonard. , St.Dominic's Parish in Swansea is one of the parishes taking part on May 5. Eucharistic adoration will begin following the 8 a.m. Mass and conclude with Benediction at 6:30 p.m. "Our parish has always had a very active Pro-Life apostolate," said pastor Father Joseph F. Viveiros. "It's crucial to concentrate on all Pro-Life issues from the cradle to the grave, and upholding traditional marriage and protecting the family is a Pro-Life I issue."

Father Joseph Mauritzen, pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Woods HO~,e, has also scheduled adoration and prayer time on May ~. "Marriage is the foundation of this country," he told The Anchor. "And an attack on marriage is A LISTING of parishes, dates and times for an attack on this country. Prayer and fasting is the way eucharistic adoration and prayer for the protec- we're going to get this country back on track." . tion of marriage appears on page 12.

Tum to page J2 - Adoration

Diocese completes year of intense vocation~ recruiting By

TWO ADULTS were baptized and three were welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil at this beautiful Easter font at Sacred Heart Church in North Attleboro.

DEACON JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - A holy hour at St. Mary's Cathedral on May 7 at 3 p.m., will conclude what has been a busy year promoting vocations to the priesthood in the diocese in a campaign called Operation: Planting Seeds.

The hour of prayer coincides with the Sunday heralded as the 43rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, said Father Edward E. Correia, director of the Diocesan Office of Vocations since August 2005.

"It's our final celebration of this campaign, and is cosponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Vocations Office," Father Correia said.

Bishop George W. Coleman will preside at the holy hour.

"The whole idea of the vocations campaign began at our seminarian's convocation last year when we discussed how we could foster more vocations to the priesthood," the director recalled. "From that we began a program, short in time, but very intense, to focus specifically on priestly vocations, because this was in connection with pastoral planning which was advancing at that time."

Operation: Planting Seeds officially began in

~b05

July following the ordination to the priesthood of Father Karl C. Bissinger. At the invitation of Bishop Coleman, Father Bissinger began a whirlwind diocesan tour of 10 parishes in 10 weeks, speaking at weekend Masses about his call to become a priest, and inviting young men and their families to consider such a vocation a future option.

The 30-year-old priest recounted his growing up in St. Joseph's Parish in Fall River, the influence of his parents, a parish priest and a religious Sister had on his spirituality. Following college and service in the U.S. Navy.he picked up on an ongoing discernment and entered the seminary.

He related his unique and interesting vocation story from July through September to congregations at parishes in all five deaneries.

When schools opened for the fall semester, Father Bissinger "cont(nued his mission, visiting mostly all of our Catholic elementary and high schools, some 18 in all," Father Correia noted. "He would talk and answer all of their questions."

Following that assignment, Father Bissinger reTum to page 12 - Seeds

2

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Letters to the Editor I don't usually bother writing regarding articles in The Anchor, but I was so impressed with the insight shown by First Place Winner re: Roe v. Wade v. "The Gospel of Life" by Beth Powis. What great insight this young lady shows regarding abortions. Hurray for Beth.

It is wonderful to see our youth of today with such great understanding of the values and morals of the Bible. As Beth says, life is a miracle.

Joan Roster Raynham Center

As someone who has been involved in the Pro-Life!

Pro-Family Movement for many years, Iwant to thank the editors and columnists of The Anchor for presenting the teachings of the Church so forcefully and courageously_ You are a voice crying out in the desert in this age of political correctness and a witness to what it means to be Catholic. Personally, I've waited a long time to hear voices such as yours rise above the relativism of many in the Church who espouse the culture society would impose on us.

To teach with compassion, with firmness the truths that are unchangeable, is what the Church is commissioned to do. Catholics who believe in the Church's authority know that the Church not only will not, but cannot compromise on issues offaith and morals. The foundation of our faith is based on Jesus' teaching: "Upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

Continue to speak the Good News as nourishment to those of us who await it. May the Holy Spirit inspire your message.

Doris ToohiIl Orleans Your editorial "Catholic Democrats and Principles" March 17, was excellent especially when you point out that "almost 60 percent of them (the signatories) .. _ voted against the Partial Birth Abortion Ban in 2003." But, in my opinion, you didn't go far enough. I think you should have explained that the primacy of conscience imposes an obligation on all supposed practicing Catholics to bring their conscience into conformity with the teachings of Holy Mother the Church in defined matters of faith and morals. Anything less is well, unconscionable. We really have no right as practicing Catholics in good conscience to think and act contrary to the Magisterium of the Church.

Father Paul T. Lamb Marion In the March 31 issue of The Anchor Mr. Peter Conroy has a problem with practicing Catholics that have "swung over" to the Republican Party ignoring or unaware or in support of the Republican agenda.

In his last paragraph he makes reference to the scourge of legal abortion in this country. Who is the most outspoken political supporter of abortion in this country? It is our senior senator from the State of Massachusetts, Edward M. Kennedy D-Mass., "Our Catholic brother" who is 100 percent in support of abortion. He is not just simply in support of it, but is constantly reaffmning his position. Oh! that's right, he calls it "the right to choose." I call it murder.

I am a practicing Catholic and registered unenrolled.

Francis McGarry South Yannouth I am saddened, but agree with Catholic Charities' decision to stop adoption services rather than be mandated to place children in homes ofgayllesbian couples.

Catholics like me have sat idly by as society continues its ferocious attack on the family unit. Attacks come daily from contraception, legalized abortion, pornography, immoral TV shows, and now so-called samesex "marriages." It's time to stand up for what we believe. I applaud the Massachusetts bishops for seeking an exemption to exclude same-sex couples in granting adoptions. We need to pray for all bishops and

priests who continue to preach the truth in season and out of season. We also need to pray that those who promote attacks against the family unit will stop, Bruce Pawelczyk Mattapoisett The Catholic Church is definitely off track by pinning its reputation on the offensive misinformation of Dale O'leary. But then, if determined to buy a red coat, then that's all one would seek on the rack.

The four major psych/social agencies have refuted homosexuality as a "mental disorder" since the late I970s. Consequently, "conversion" or "reparative" therapy, as claimed by NARTH and Ms. O'leary, are minimally successful and struggling.

On child-rearing, the copyrighted Patterson document used in trial courts refutes any difference between heterolhomosexual parenting other than stress levels ... usually by outside sources, like the Church perhaps? I have found no conclusive evidence that the non-traditional lifestyle threatens traditional families in any way. Most blatantly inaccurate are the causes of homosexuality_ One might as well claim that all teens are perverts. I am astounded'you would print such UI1corroborated allegations. The Church looks shamefully ignorant and misguided. Biblical assumptions of"grave immorality" are ludicrous in the light of developmental doctrine. r deplore the misuse of the Bible to oppress others, as should you.

With a reported 17 percent of Catholics attending Mass there are greater issues to face. lime would be better spent on all Catholic families than to make the marginalized unwelcome. r too ask forgiveness for our Church ... its mission should be 100 percent love. With prayers of enlightenment.

Anita Matthews Dennis When I read the Letters To The Editor, sometimes I wonder if some of those who pen letters to you are Catholic. Idon't understand the fuss and big deal about eight people leaving the Catholic Charities in Boston for the ban on adoptions to gay couples. Sure the loss of millions will hurt, but religious fidelity is foremost.

I am sure the bishops consulted the Vatican before announcing their policy banning these gay adoptions.

The Magisterium which consists of bishops and the pope is responsible for setting the doctrine of our faith we Catholics must follow. The eight good people who resigned, plus anyone who is unhappy with this decision, will be missed, but now they will be able to join the Faith Of The Faithful, or join the Fraternity Of Cafeteria Catholics.

AI Laurino Plymouth At last these people have revealed themselves for what they are, i.e. servants of a philosophy that is despite its posturing about "compassion," which for them means spending other people's money on programs that benefit their power base - profoundly antithetical to Catholicism.

It's amazing that their twinges of conscience never seem to extend to the teachings of their political masters, only to those of their Church. Apparently their "principles" have limits ifthey might interfere with reelection.

The real question is how long it will take the practicing Catholics in the electorate - there must be a few to catch on to this tired routine. But then again maybe we deserve what we get - think of that every time you hear Kennedy or Keny preaching to us about morals.

This lot has been taken up onto the mountain top by you-know-who, shown the kingdoms of the world, and said "Heck, yes!" without any hesitation. How pathetic. And even more pathetic is the fact that they keep getting elected.

BiD Black Falmouth

Letters are welcome but the editor reserves the right to condense or edit for clarity if deemed neces· sary. Letters should be typed, no longer than 100 words and should include name, address, and telephone number. Letters do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of The Anchor.

Letters should be sent to: The Anchor, Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722-0007, or E·mailed to fatherrogerlandry@imchornews.org.

Friday, April 28, 2006

the

ancholY

Boston Archdiocese in 'dire' financial condition reports Cardinal O'Malley BRIGHTON (CNS) - Boston parishes" led to a decline in con- cial report shows is in the clergy pension plan, a result of probCardinal Sean P. O'Malley called tributions.

"These numbers are one re- lems in the stock market and dethe archdiocesan financial condition "dire" as he unveiled audited sponse of a wounded community, creased interest rates, said disclosure reports showing a $46 an expression of deep hurt and a archdiocesan chancellor David million deficit for the 18-month measure of our need to remain Smith. A report on the Website focused on the long process of said that the unfunded liability period ending.June 30, 2005.

"It is quite obvious that the healing that lies ahead," said the for clergy retirement and disabil. ity benefits was $135 million as situation is urgent," putting pro- letter.

A fact sheet posted on the of June 30, 2005. grams and ministries at risk, CarMoney gained from closed pardinalO'Malley ~.lid at an April 19 Website said that contributions to news conference held to release the annual Catholic Appeal ishes has gone toward the lay penthe financial disclosure reports dropped from $15.6 million in sion fund, the parish revolving and an archdiocesan fiscal recov- 2001 , the year before the child sex loan fund, new parishes that hav,e created ,through abuse scandal broke, to $11.6 mil- been ery plan. ' Also announced were plans to lion in 2005, but have started to reconfiguration and grants to parishes in debt, said Smith. cut the deficit that include elimi- pick up.

Cardinal O'Malley said parInformation t:eleased at the nating 50 positions, consolidating or merging programs, selling news conference showed that the ishes were not closed merely to more property and making efforts archdiocesan expenses related to raise revenue. Aging clergy, the clergy abuse totaled $150.8 mil- cost of building maintenance and to increase fund raising.

"I don't think there are any lion prior to last June 30. Settle- the close proximity of many parquick fixes but we are poised to ments with victims comprise 84 ishes necessitated many parish closings, he said. stop the bleeding and hopefully percent of that amount.

A report also posted on the site Jim O'Connor, who heads the our fund-raising efforts will continue to generate the kind of cited the sources of ,the funds to archdiocesan organization and capital we need," the cardinal , pay for abuse expenses. These management review committee, said at the news conference held included: sale of real estate, $85.3 said the archdiocese's central adat St. John's Seminary in million; insurance coverage, 'ministration will be restructured $43.4 million; archdiocesan- and more functions will be Brighton.

He expressed hope that by ful- funded insurance reserves, $20.1 handled in the archdiocese's five filling the promise of financial million; and donations earmarked regions. The archdiocesan Cabitransparency he made last Octo- for therapy assistance to child sex net will be reorganized, programs will be consolidated or merged ber trust in the archdiocese will abuse victims, $2 million.

No money from the sale of and 50 positions will be elimibe restored.

In an April 19 letter to Catho- closed churches or from parish nated.

Cardinal O'Malley stressed lics in the archdiocese that was collections was used to pay for posted on its Website, the cardi- abuse settlements or for the on- that, despite challenges, the archdiocese was committed to plannal said "anger over the sexual going support of victims.

The largest deficit the finan- ning for a future that is within its abuse crisis and the closing of economic means; and that despite the difficulties there are signs of hope. He cited increased Mass

and more don'ations \:0 the annual appeal, which after years of shortfalls has reached its goal for the last two years.

attendance after years of decline;, the participation of 8,000 Catholics in this year's Mien's and Women's Conferences; an increased interest in vocations to the priesthood represented by higher ,II atten dance at semmary retreats;

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Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the nominati.on of the Reverend Gustavo Nieto, LY.E., Provincial Superior of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, and has made the following appointment: ' Rev. Walter Bejarano, I.v.E., Parochial Vicar, Saint Kili~n Parish, New Bedford: Effective Immediately

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Friday. April 28, 2006

THE LANDING The Church's reconstruction' Ten days ago, the largest and most famous Church in the world celebrated the SOOth anniversary of the inauguration of its reconstruction.

The original St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, erected in the 300s over the t~mb of the Galilean fisherman by Constantine, was by the late 1400s, like the Church as a whole, collapsing because of decay. .

The low point was the pontificate of Alexander VI (1492-1503), the most degenerate pope of all time. Upon his election, won in large part through bribery, he already had eight illegitimate children by several different women, and he would add to both numbers as pontiff. That such a man was capable of being elected the successor to St. Peter testifies to the deplorable state to which the Church had fallen. His pontificate would only lower the bar further, leading to call~ for a thorough reform of the Church in head and in members.

When Pope Julius II was elected in 1503; he dismissed talk about repairing the Constantinian basiljca. Instead he decided to tear it down and begin again.' On April 18, 1506, he laid the cornerstone for the new basilica and commenced the l20-year rebuilding effort that spann.ed some 20 popes, incorporated many of the greatest artists and architects in history, and became the Church's visible response not just to the theological errors of the Protestant Reformation in 1517, but to the moral scandals and decay within the Church that spawned it. As a result, the current basilica is not merely an architectural and artistic marvel, but a great catechesis in stone, which proclaims the splendor of the faith and the path of the rebirth of the Church after the moral ruin of notorious clerical scandals. '. There are so many lessons the current basilica, built to symbolize the Church as a whole, preaches to us today. The first is the foundation of the Church. The main altar is built right on top of the tomb aqd bones of St. Peter, epitomizing that the universal Church is built according to Christ's architectural plans: right on top of Peter (cf. Mt 16: 18). Next is the role of the saints. Within the pillars of the interior basilica, capping the pilasters of the fa~ade, "and above the columns in the square, are the statues of thousands of saints, male and female. They typify that the Churchis built n?t out of marble, wood, brick and glass, but of men, women, boys and ~lfls who b~come "living sto~es" which are "built together spiritually mto a dwellmg place for God (1 Pet 2:5; Eph 2:19-22). The interior of the basilica features saints of the counter-reformation, those whom Christ raised up to bring the Church back to its true nature after the age of the scandals.

Perhaps the most interesting detail, however, is placed right above the main entrance ~o the Church. There is a huge sculpture of Christ's handing the keys of the kingdom of heaven ,to Peter.(Mt 16:19), located there to remind those entering, including critics; of the divine foundation of the papacy. But this image was placed in counterpoint to a mosaic located on the inner side of this same entrance, which those exiting the basilica are supposed to see and remember: Christ's saving Peter from drowning after , the fisherman had taken his eyes off of Christ while walking to him on the water (Mt 14:28-33). Even though the foundation of the papacy is divine, the basilica 'stresses, the popes are very human, and when they take their eyes off of Christ, they can and will sink to great depths. Many popes, like Alexande~ VI, have done just that. This mosaic was a visuaJ indication to pilgrims of their need to pray for the popes, so that they might keep their eyes on Christ and help all of Christ's people to do the same.

Even though St. Peter's Basilica is 4,134 miles from Fall River, its message is one of hope and light to all those scandalized by more recent clerical infamies and ecclesial decay. It points analogically to the divine foundation of the priesthood and episcopacy, but also td the falls that can occur when clergy take account of the winds and take their eyes offof the master; thus it indicates the ever urgent need to pray for the clergy. It shows the path to a stronger Church through holier men and women, clergy, religious and lay, whom the Lord is calling to become the pillars of an even more beautiful spiritual edifice. And it is a livi~g witness that rebuilding after scandals can take a very long time, perhaps even several generations.

The history of the rebuilding of St. Peter's is, therefore, a lesson of hope, and the current basilica an unmistakably resplendent symbol that patient rebuilding is worth the tir.ne and the effort.

thea~

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

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

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River. MA. call or use E-mail address Member: Catholic Pre" A""cialiun, New England Press Association. Catholic News Service PUBLISHER· Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry f8therrogerlandry@anchomews.otg

EDITOR David a.Jolivet davejollvet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jlmdunbar@anchornewa.org REPORTER Michael Gordon mlkegordon@anchomews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchOrnews.org' Send Letters to the Editor to: 1hearlctlpr@anchomews.org <.~ . ...•••.•... . '...... >..•. > send address~ .•.•••t() .~ ~().Box7,fallj,QY\\I'•.MA 02722.

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the living word THIS IS AN INSIDE VIEW OF THE

1558 WOODEN MODEL MICHELANGELO MADE OF HIS DESIGN FOR THE DOME OF

ST.

PETER'S BASILICA. THE MODEL WILL BE PART OF AN EXHIBIT OPENING IN OCTOBER AT THE VATICAN TO CELEBRATE THE SOOTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE BASILICA.

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PHOTO

COURTESY FABBRICA DI SAN PIETRO)

"AND JESUS SAID TO HIM, ,'BLESSED ARE YOU, SIMON BARJONA, BECAUSE FLESH AND BLOOD DID NOT REVEAL THIS TO YOU, BUT MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.

'I ALSO SAY TO YOU THAT YOU ARE PETER, AND UPON THIS ROCK 1 WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; AND TilE GATES OF HADE~ WILL NOT OVERPOWER IT'" (MATTHEW

16: 17-18).

Redemption vs. salvation "Are you saved?" is a question' we might be asked by some of our evangelical friends. Although some of us might be inclined to respond with an unhesitating "yes," the answer, we must admit, is "no." We are not saved; at least yet. While the question reveals a fundamental difference between Catholic and evangelical theology, it also challenges us to think seriously and clearly about what we believe Christ accomplished for us.

It is true that we believe Christ came to earth "for us men and for our salvation," as we pray in the Creed each Sunday at Mass. It is also true that the terms "redemption" and "salvation" have often be.en used interchangeably in the tradition of Catholic theology.

But the distinction between redemption and salvation is a real one that is made clear in sacred Scripture. It is a distinction that we must carefully preserve, if we are to be faithful to the Christian revelation.

Redemption, properly defined, is what Christ accomplished by his death on the cross. It is the condition of being reconciled with God and having the possibility of forgiveness Of sins. After Jesus rose from the dead, he reminded his disciples that his suffering, death and resurrection was ordained by God for the forgiveness of sins

(Lk 24: 46-47).

Salvation, on the other hand, is the definitive state of eternal life with God. It is something we achieve only at the end of our lives here on earth, if we die in a state of sanctifying grace.

Our redemption has made our salvation possible. Our redemption has already been accom- ' plished by Christ, but our salvation is something yet to be determined and achieved.

St. Peter emphasizes the future quality of salvation when he writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord' Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have bee'n born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefj1ed, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (lPet 1:3-5).

Our salvation is the goal of our lives, made possible by the redemptive death of Christ.

Again, 51. Peter writes, "AI-

though you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls"'(IPet 1:8-9). St. Paul stresses the same character of salvation when he urges us to "work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2: 12).

Admitting that we are not yet saved in no way shows a weakness in our faith in Jesus Christ. On the contrary, it strengthens our faith by causing us to profess more accurately what Christ accomplished for us. It also helps us to understand more clearly. the reality of our lives: we are redeemed, but we are not yet saved.

The difference between redemption and salvation also helps to emphasize the importance of avoiding sin and seeking God's forgiveness. Our redemption has made possible the forgiveness of sins; but our salvation will depend on whether or not we take advantage of that offer from God, and seek to live a life of holiness and love. As we continue our celebration of Christ's resurrection this East~r, we will honor, him more faithfully when we thank him for our redemption, and look forward with hope to OUF salvation.

Friday, April 28, 2006

the ancholS)

Living the ~ospel message,.

Dr. Karina Ferrari Barahona could be working at one of the three large hospitals in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. Instead she has chosen to work in her home town of Guaimaca in the parish medical clinic.

The clinic, part of our Diocesan Mission, was established by Dominic"an Sister Maria Ceballos to meet the health care needs of the poor in the community who otherwise could not afford it.

The team is comprised of Dr. Karina, Nurse Pamela Newton from Colorado, and Marvin Ortega and Mirna Chavez, two young people from Guaimaca, who have been. inspired by Dr. Karina's example and hope to study medicine.

Together they see patients who travel to town from the outlying villages. Many leave their homes early in the morning and walk a couple of hours carrying their sick children in order to add their name to the waiting list at the clinic. There they are met by Sister Luci~ who has been up just

as early preparing a warm breakfast drink of oatmeal, sugar, cinnamon, and milk. "They leave their homes so early and walk so far," tells Sister Lucia. "The

children need something to eat when they get here."

Dr. Karil1a's day begins early and ends late as she attempts to see the caseload of patients which averages more than 1,000 per month. Their medical conditions range from simple respiratory ailments, caused by all the dust, smoke inhalation from the stoves in the house, and burning of trash, to more serious conditions, such as diabete.s, hypertension, cancer, and malnutrition among children.

The clinic is a converted classroom turned into three

so far. That, of course was immediately followed by a three-game losing streak. She nodded her head in approval and then said, "Do you think this is the year?"

The questioned echoed through' every nook and cranny of iny cerebrum, evoking scores of painful Septembers and hopeful Aprils.

Somehow that question lacked the passion of the dozens of times I asked the same thing growing up.

I think it was the painful memories that spoke first when I responded, "Why, is two years a long time to wait for a championship?"

I wouldn't want any child to bear the burden of disappointment and trauma the Red Sox put me through for a good 40 years before the redemption of 2004. Or so I thought. Emilie's query whisked me into the dark side. I started thinking, hey, she's only 11, and

has only been into sports for five years, tops. Yet, in those five years she's witnessed three Super Bowl championships and a World Series title - all of which I waited 40 or so years to experience.

That's not fair. Where's the pain? Where's the heartache?

Where's the frustration?

How can she be a true New England sports fan if she's never experienced years upon years of angst? Talk about the.dark side.

Quickly, my thoughts locked onto the thousands of New Englanders in their 70s, 80s and 90s who probably thought about punky 50-year-olds like me who didn't have to wait 60, 70 or 80 years for glory. .

'Did they also ask, "Where's . the pain, where's the heartache, where's the frustration?"

I hastily flicked the devil off my left shoulder and lent an ear to the angel on my right. It's not Emilie's fault that she's lived a charmed sports life so far, and . she did experience the misery of the 2003 playoffs with the Yankees.

Yeah, she's a·true New Englander all right - she and the untold number of youngsters who know the thrill of victory more than the agony of defeat.

They're one of us.

Just don't ask me if this is the year.

Comments are welcome at davejolivet@anchornews.org

home, as well as the many prayers offered by mission supporters.

Their goal to heal body:: and spirit makes tangible the he~ng presence of Christ in the work being done.

This spring Dr. Karina has been given the opportunity to travel to the diocese for a few months and work with the medical staff at Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River. There she

hopes to iearn new ways of responding to the medical needs of the sick, as well as share her experience of working at the Mission. During her visit, she also is looking forward to seeing many of volunteers who have traveled to Guaimaca to help the poor here. We know she will return to the Diocesan Mission enriched by the exchange. www.HonduranMission.org

"rooms" divided by sheets draped over cords. Although the conditions are less than ideal, Dr. Karina treats each patient with dignity, taking time to listen to them and to offer comfort, as well as mediciU care.

Recently, a woman with terminal cancer came to the clinic. After cleaning her wounds and offering consolation, Dr. Karina came to the rectory to ask for the sacrament of the anointing of the sick for her patient. She helped the woman walk next door to the eucharistic chapel at church and there we celebrated the sacrament.

The work done by the medical clinic is a blessing not only to those who receive medical care but to the parish as well. As the Gospels remind us, Jesus came to heal body and spirit. His work continues in the ministry of Dr. Karina, Sister Maria, and their staff. They are able to extend such I care through the many donations.

DR. KARINA Ferrari Barahona sits with a young mother of medicines from folks back . and child at a medical clinic in Guaimaca.

I!

These are my children's Red Sox It's every dad's duty to want to give his children more than what he had as a child. That theory was sorely put to the test this week by my ll-year-old.

Emilie and I were discussing (what else?) the Red Sox, and I said that they looked pretty good

51

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Called to witness St. Luke, author of the Acts of the Apostles and of the third Gospel, was the only gentile amongst the four evangelists of the New Testament. In Acts, Luke records the growth and development of the early Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit beginning with the mother Church in Jerusalem and ending with Paul under house arrest in Rome, the capital of the empire. It is true that the Acts of the Apostles picks up where Luke's Gospel ends, with our Lord's ascension· . into heaven in the presence of his disciples. As a gentile convert to Christianity, Luke wants to show that Christ's prophetic ministry, recorded in his Gospel, is now being realized in the conversion of the gentiles coming into the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In today's Gospel Luke records Jesus commissioning

his disciples saying to them, "You are witnesses of these things." What the disciples have witnessed are the lifesaving words and deeds of Jesus Christ, sent by the Father to destroy the works 'of the devil and to restore mankind to a relationship of grace with God. Having wit.nessed the risen Christ, and now enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the disciples are charged with proclaiming to the whole world God's offer of salvation made possible through the passion, death and resurrection of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

The first thing that should strike us about today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles is the courage and confidence of Peter in his· address to the thousands of

Jewish pilgrims who have come to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost.

This.is the same Peter who, on the eve of the passion, assured Jesus of his loyalty, vowing to die for bim, and then, only a few hours later,

denied he even knew Jesus, three times. What has happened to Peter? How do we explain the change that has taken place in him from fearful to fearless apostle?

Now, instead of hiding for fear of the Jews, Peter boldly proclaims to the Jews the good news of Jesus Christ.

Not only has Jesus risen from the dead and appeared to his disciples many times before ascending into heaven, he has sent them his Holy Spirit to strengthen their faith.· Peter'i) speech to the Jews, calling them to repentance and conversion, is a powerful example of the grace of the Holy Spirit working in Peter to add new members to the nascent Church.

Peter tells the Jews that they acted out of ignorance when they handed Jesus over to Pilate to be executed, and that now is the acceptable time to repent and believe in the Gospel. Himself pardoned by Christ, who, better than Peter, to appeal to the Jews' own failure to recognize Christ, preferring Barabbas, a murderer to the "righteous one."

The Easter season is

a

special time in the liturgical year to rejoice and to proclaim that the Lord is truly risen from the grave. This is why after Lent the Church resumes singing the Gospel acclamation, "Alleluia" which means "Praise God." Like St. Peter we too should b.e full of joy, confidence and courage as we proclaim our faith in the resurrected Christ whose sustains us and strengthens us with his grace.

Now is the time of the Holy Spirit who spreads the grace of Christ's sacraments to all the members of his Mystical Body, the Church.

We are not alone for we are all members of the one body of Christ whose Spirit unites us to one another in the bonds of faith, hope and charity.

Father Harrington was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Fall River on June 5, 2004.

Get ready, get set Editor's note: This begins a jive-part series on the soon to be released movie "The Da Vinci Code."

I don't like to be taken for a fool. Who does? I suspect no one; therefore, fasten your seat belt, be sharp, and be prepared for more of the wild ride created by "The Da Vinci Code" that began in the spring 2003 and now continues with a feature film based on this fictional·best seller authored by Dan Brown. With both the hardcover and soft-cover versions of the novel still prominent in bookstores everywhere, the movie is sure to.swing public attention back to this intriguing, fanciful, and controversial tale.

It has already served as grist for many books, television shows, and Websites d~voted to debunking, decoding, and demolishing the Code.

Catholics, angered by this thinly-veiled Catholic-bashing book, stand to look pretty darn foolish if we're not ready to step up and explain our faith and Church's history when we're aCl;osted by Code fans emboldened by the movie -

believing or wanting to saturate the media with coverthere, and everywhere. Question believe Brown's story of Mary marks, exclamation points, age and movie previews deMagdalene as.the "Holy Grail" signed to launch this film highlighted text all left me who had a child by with a messy, ear-marked to record-br.eaking financial Jesus. According to the Code, heights. The hoopla already has book. I was motivated to do a this intimate Jesus. begun. I suspect the media will little research because Brown Mary relationship began a states at the beginning of his gush at the opportunity to take bloodline protected by a Priory advantage of the Church already book - and I assume the movie of Scion's fending off the hurt by sexual abuse scandals of will do the same - "All Catholic Church's descriptions of ---'!l"""'----...-oir-""':";~-'~artwork, architecture, attempts to hide or destroy documents, and secret the "truth." Brown ends rituals in this novel· his book with the are accurate." In so following many words, Brown is conclusion: "The quest stating that the puzzle for the Holy Grail is the has been finished; the quest to kneel before the . image is clear; the .

1IiiIJiioi.....----------i.._~ Church is a sham. Are bones of Mary Magdalene. A journey . you angry yet? to pray at the feet of the the worst kind - for which we, Being, first, in my third of outcast one. With a suClden as the Body of Christ, all are four years of education and upwelling of reverence, Robert training for the permanent . ashamed and Langdon fell to his knees. For a especially incensed. diaconate; second, a fan of moment, he thought he heard a We'll all be drawn - young Leonardo da Vinci and woman's voice ... the wisdom and old alike - to the movie his spectacular works, such as of the ages ... whispering up The Vitruvian Man (his famous version of the Code that some from the chasms of the earth." say will even surpass the drawing of a human figure with There's no doubt the movie's cinematic pull of Mel Gibson's limbs extended within a circle) hucksters will work overtime 'The Passion." However, in this and his portrait, Mona Lisa; and, prior to the film's May 19 case the pull will be to a film third, fascinated by the glorious opening to tout this Ron leaving the viewer not with a and sometimes far-from.Howard film with. Tom Hanks in sense of awe and inspiration glorious (downright nasty) a starring role. They will but with disillusionment and history of the Catholic Church, unsettling questions. Remember I've concluded the Code movie to take the movie for what it . cannot be ignored without St. Anne's Prayer likely will be: a slick production surrendering the floor to those "Good St. Anne, Mother of Mary, and with a clever tale directed and who wish to do our Church acted by skilled professionals harm. The Codf< is a powerful Grandmother of Jesus, Intercede for me and my anti-Catholic weapon, and the subtly and explicitly portraying petitions. Amen." fiction, forgeries, and hoax as book version already has historical facts. been wielded for that I take special note of this purpose. The book is highIn honor of Sister Lucia dos Santos, movie because I read the book, powered weaponry. The movie seer of Fatima, who died and I enjoyed it. My copy, likely will be tactical nuclear. however, read on the beach Mona Lisa peers through'the, February 13,2005, age 97. during my summer moments of "tear" in the book jacket and Lucia pray for us. escapism, is marked up here, appears to beckon you to open

._....-

the cover, read, and discover what the Church has hidden from you through its own lies and deceit. That is what Brown wants you to believe. What do you believe? If you read the book, were you seduced? If you're going to skip the book and go right to the movie" beware of Mona's smile. She's Brown's unwitting shill in his grand scheme to bolster his reputation and income at yours and the Church's expense. Don't be beguiled.

David E. Pierce is a 2007 candidate for the pennanent diaconate. He and his wife Diane are members ofChrist the King Parish in Mashpee where both are active in their parish's RCIA and RCIC programs. They have two sons, Michael and Jonathan.

Daily Readings April 22

April 23

April 24 April 25 April 26 April 27 . April 28

Acts 4:13-:21 ; Ps 118:1,1415, 16ab-21 ; Mk 16:9-15 Acts 4:32-35; Ps 118:2-4,1315,22-24; 1 In 5:1-6; In 20:1931 Acts 4:23-31; Ps 2:1-9; In 3:1-8 1 Pt 5:5b-14; Ps 89:2-3,6-7,16-17; Mk 16:15-20 Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-9; In 3:1621 Acts 5:27-33; Ps 34:2,9,17-20; In 3:31-36 Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27:1,4,13-14;Jn 6:1-15

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Friday, April 28, 2006

Silly rabbit 23 April 2006 - HomeportEastern Orthodox Easter

Laughter is not against our religion, although some may think so. Once while on retreat, I was at a strictly silent supper in a monastery. The Monastery Rule was being read aloud for our edification. "A good monk'never laughs," quoted the reader solemnly. I burst into uncountable laughter. It struck me as hilarious, but in a holy way. The abbot was not amused. I laugh often. I don't need a "reason."

Some saints laughed a lot. St. John Bosco got people's attention by juggling, magic tricks, and acrobatics. He also liked to clown around in the streets. St. Thomas Aquinas used the word "risibility" for humanity's unique ability to laugh. St. Thomas wrote limericks when he wasn't writing theology. St. Francis of Assisi would spontaneously break into song walking down the road. St. Thomas More, on his way up the gallows, said to the guard: "Would you help me up these stairs? Coming down I can shift for myself." St. Francis De Sales

said: "A sad saint is a sorry saint."

That tambourine-playing Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila, prayed, "From somber, serious, sullen saints - save us o Lord." Amen to that.

The most famous of all clowns

of God is the "Apostle to Rome" - no, not St. Peter, St. Philip Neri. Philip would stroll the streets of Rome followed by a menagerie of his favorite pets. He' loved to tell jokes. When curious people would peak in the door of his monastic cell to glimpse the famous mystic, they would find him reading joke books.

I know of no other parish in the diocese that has a wardrobe department. It's actually just a closet. It began with our youth theater group, 'The Village Kids."

When I saw something they might possibly use in one of their

productions, I would pick it up.

Now that the "Village Kids" are all grown up, I had to find some use for this stuff, so I wear it. You just never know what "character" is going to show up around here.

St. Nicholas walked on stage during the children's pageant last DecembeL The director, high school Senior Ben Levesque, was a bit startled. It wasn't scripted. Ebenezer Scrooge rode down Main Street in a hay wagon, carol-singing with the kids. An ungainly six-foot leprechaun crashed the March 17 dance for middle school kids. He did some strange step he called the "Assonet Riverdance."

Then there was that silly rabbit in the garden, pointing out to the wee ones where the eggs were hidden.

But it's not just the kids who need to laugh. We all do. We have an adult health care program that meets daily in the church hall.

These are adults with medical problems, physical or psychological. Sometimes their routine can get pretty monotonous. Sometimes they talk about nothing but their latest aches and pains. They

need to laugh. Opportunity knocks. I can get double use out of the costume department.

There was a large Easter Bunny hiding in the bushes, peeking thought the windows during the daily "current events briefing." The clients saw him waving, but he would duck whenever a supervisor looked in his direction. Finally, cine woman could no longer contain herself: "I see a rabbit!" she exclaimed.

"Now, Ruthie, Easter is a current event, but I suspect yOH forgot to take your pills this morning, didn't you?" asked a solicitous health aid. "I took my pills. I still see a silly rabbit." The Silly Rabbit decided to reveal himself, just to be on the safe side. "Quick, somebody take a picture of me and this Silly Rabbit. When I get home and tell my family, they will say '.R.uthie, you're crazy.' Then I'lI~whip out the photo and answer "Does this look like crazy?" Good thinking! .

Laughter, spontaneity, and surprise are healthy interruptions.

It is an oft-proven medical fact that laughter (like sunshine) increases the brain chemical Serotonin. It makes you feel better. It's holistic healthcare--:-

body, mind and spirit. Laughter is about spirit. Not only that, but it builds community. Laughter is the best medicine for body, mind and soul. The technical word is psychoneuroimmunology.

These are somber days in the Church. The news reports always seem so grim and depressing.

Nobody laughs much any more.

This is spiritually unhealthy.

"Joy is a sure sign of the presence of God." Whatever happened to Christian joy? If anyone should be rejoicing, seems to me, it should be the followers of the risen Christ. The early Church Fathers called it "Risus Paschalis" - Easter Joy. We sure could use more joy in our churches.

"Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering - and it's all over much too soon." Woody ADen "May we all meet merrily in Heaven." St. Thomas Moore 'Thaaaaat's all, folks." Some silly rabbit.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. BernardParish, Assonet.

Comments are welcome at StBemardAssonet@aoLcom.

Previous columns are at www.StBernardAssonet.org.

Coffee, tea, and me: Part two Last week I shared the heartwrenching tale of how I found myself having to renounce an old love, coffee, and embrace a stranger, tea. I recounted how a good friend named Birgit introduced coffee and me 12 years ago in California. I must now add to my confession that I didn't leave my love of coffee behind when we moved back East.

But, as the world turns, I took up the same ritual of getting together for coffee and conversation with new friends. Alas, I was recently told that coffee is replete with bad stuff and that for my own health I must leave it behind and take up with tea. Could I make such a change?

Oh, the drama of it all!

Okay, okay, so maybe the hot beverage tale isn't really all that dramatic, but it represents a bigger question about human nature. If it is true that we feel most at home with the ideas, habits, and relationships we learned as children, can someone who is outside or drifted away from God's Church, be changed and drawn back in? If we have made God and faith strangers, but the trappings of this world good friends, is it possible for us to tum to the Church when these trappings fail us? Or will we return to ever more trappings?

Unfortunately we might, because unhealthy or not, old habits are comforting and die hard. Just ask a reformed alcoholic, a junk-food junkie, or me with my coffee. But, thanks be to God, there is more

hope than all the tea in China for those who want to embrace a new, healthier way of living called Christianity, even if God has been a stranger for a long time.

One can hardly tum a page in the Bible without reading about change of heart and being born again. Change is what the Christian life is all about; dying to

self and rising anew in Christ Jesus. The parable that gives us the nuts and bolts of authentic change can be found in Luke 11: 24-26: "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first." In order to experience authentic conversion we can't just clean up our act, get rid of the bad, and remain .empty. The temptation to regress will be too strong. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must replace bad habits with good habits, bar buddies with AA buddies, People magazine with Catholic Digest. We

must fill our new lives with new rituals, join in a Bible study, a rosary group, an RCIA class, or a service group and thereby gain the support of the body of Christ.

Active replacement is the key to authentic conversion.

My good California coffee friend, Birgit, now lives in Japan, half a world away from where warm fingers of sunshine caress my Cape Cod afternoons. As often as I think of our afternoons together and still desire a cup of coffee right around 4 p.m., I try to make a cup of tea instead. I am making progress, and I think there is real hope for the relationship between tea and me, because the other day my daughter came home from school and joined me in the dining room for a snack.

Just four years old when we moved to California, this is the daughter that used to collect and bring buckets of worms to Birgit and me as we sat in the garden. Now 16, this daughter plopped down at the table, handed me a mug, and told me to drink. No, it was not worms, but Raspberry Zinger tea. I took a sip. Hmm. Teatime with my daughter. I think true conversion just became more promising, and a lot sweeter.

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

She and her husband raise their five children and grow their faith in Falmouth.

Comments are welcome at homegrownfaith@yahoo.com.

RUTHIE, right, tracked down the Easter Bunny at the Adult Health Care program at St. Bernard's Parish in Assonet.

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Friday, April 28, 2006

Martha's Vineyard couple takes being Catholic to heart

By DAVE JOLIVET, EDITOR MARTHA'S VINEYARD - What do a poor orphanage in Russia, a group of Brazilian immigrants seeking a better life for themselves and their families, and a tiny island eight miles off the coast of Massachusetts have in common?

They're all a crucial part of the faith journey of Constance and Steve Bernier, members of Good Shepherd Parish 'on Martha's Vine-

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ion. "It was amazing to see the courage he had making his first penance, then doing a reading at Mass and receiving Jesus for the first time," Steve added. "It's been an amazing journey for him the last two-and-a-half years. From an orphanage where he didn't even have a blanket or clothes of his own, to consciously receiving Jesus at Communion is amazing.

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the parish, and ~, .• ::' Steve owns are pro-acti ve \ . .' ',> and operates a men:tbers of the \ .l'~~ grocery store Good Shepherd " on the island faith c o m m u - \ and 60 percent nit)'. of his work 'The Berniers \':' staff are Brazilare so generous ian immigrants. with their faith "Some of these and time," pastor ,people are Father Michael ~;. afraid and worNagle told The 1\ <' (". '. -.ried;" he said.

Anchor. "Every"It' a new culthing is dicTHE BERNIER FAMILY of Good Shepherd Parish on ture and a diftated by the at- Martha's Vineyard are greeted by pastor Father Michael ferent lantitude of 'ho~ Nagle, rear, at Easter Mass. From left: Steve, Serogia, guage. We just can we help. Olya, Andrei, and Constance. (Photo by Karen Felder) whant fito. hehlp And, they're t em It In t e such down to earth people." parish. If you work from the heart things can get Constance and Steve met in 2000 and were done. It's faith, trust and heart." married in 2002. "We knew we wanted children Through Steve's efforts, the Brazilian comand part of our vows was to raise them Catholic munity enjoyed a special Portuguese Easter Mass, and provide them with the chance to have a close and one is planned for Pentecost. relationship with God," said Constance. "We Constance says her parents helped form her tried having children, but we couldn't. So we faith as well as attending Catholic school. "I seriously thought about adoption. I thought that also was fortunate enough to be able to trust if maybe if we couldn't have children, we could it was God's voice I heard in my head, or my take care of some that were already on earth." own."

The couple prayed about the decision and once Steve's dad and mom were influential in his they said "yes," things happened almost imme- faith foundation, and as an adult, after years of a diately. A friend of the Berniers who had just lukewarm faith, it was rekindled in full through adopted a foreign child told them of an adoption Constance and Father Nagle. conference occurring within days. Registering at In addition to his involvement with the Brathe last moment, the island couple attended and zilian community, Steve is also on the parish fiwere drawn to a booth providing information nance committee and is part of the stewardship about Russian orphans. program. Constance edits a parish newsletter and "Once we made the decision to adopt, every- was one of the driving forces in the parish MOMS thing fell quickly into place for us," said Steve. program.

Steve and Constance Bernier have made a ''Within six months we had traveled to Russia. met Serogia. now age nine, and his sister Olya, world of difference for three very happy Rusnow seven, and they quickly became part of our . sian children, and for scores of Brazilian immifamily," said Constance. grants seeking a better life. And in doing so, they "Once we had the children for six months, we have enhanced their own faith lives.. "I am just knew we wanted another one and Serogia told so blessed with my family and all I have," said us he'd love to have his best friend Andrei be- Steve. "We love each other, our family, our parcome part of the family," Constance told The ish and our God," added Constance. "We just Anchor. Andreiindeed became part of the Bernier can't help but wanting to help."

Family. "One day I was asking Andrei if he re"I enjoy having the Berniers come to Mass," membered when we first traveled to Russia and said Father Nagle. "It's a joy to see such a nice took Serogia and Olya home," said Steve. "He family and such happy children. It's wonderful said he remembered. I asked him what he thought that they are part of this parish." of that and without hesitation, Andrei said, 'I The Anchor encourages readers to nomiknew you'd be back for me.'" Steve and nate othersforthePerson ofthe Week-who Constance agreed that was such a powerful state- and why? Submit nominations at our E-mail ment on the plans that God has for us if we only address: theanchor@anchornews.org, or write say yes. to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA Last Sunday, Serogia made his first Commun- 02722.

II

SISTER HELEN Prejean, a Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille, signs copies of her books "Dead Man Walking" and "The Death of Innocents" following her workshop presentation at the National Catholic Educational Association's 103rd convention in Atlanta. (CNS photo/Michael Alexander, Georgia

Bulletin)

Archbishop: Future of schools may be different but no less glorious

By MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ATLANTA Catholic schools have a precedent from which they can learn how to break through when things loo~ rough, according to Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta.

"The Church of Jesus Christ was born in challenging times!" he said, echoing the theme of the National Catholic Educational Association's 103rd annual convention, "Charting the Future in Challenging Times."

"From our very beginnings, we have faced difficulties that would have overwhelmed ordinary people," Archbishop Gregory said in his homily at the NCEA convention's opening Mass April 18.

The convention was relocated to Atlanta after the original site, New Orleans, became unsuitable following Hurricane Katrina last summer.

"Catholic educators are the heirs to the legacy of faith that was born in those challenging times," the archbishop said) alluding to the Gospel reading for the Mass, in which the apostles knew that Jesus was dead - but did not yet know that he had risen.

"Yours is the great opportunity to continue the proclamation of Christ risen from the dead and to invite today's generation to come to the same issue of faith that will result in people even today asking the basic question 'what are we to do?'" Archbishop Gregory said.

He called it a "temptation" within the Church "to believe that yesterday was the zenith of our lives."

He said, "Catholic schools in the United States have known many great and cherished moments," thanks to men and women religious who founded schools

across the United States, making Catholic education available "to literally hundreds of thousands of families and hundreds of diverse communities. It was a grand moment to be sure."

Now, Archbishop Gregory said, laypeople "whose generosity and dedication is no less a treasure" are guiding much of Catholic education.

"We must face a future that will not be exactly the same as the past, but not necessarily any less glorious or worthy of the Church of Christ," he said.

"Even as we redesign Catholic schools in many areas that have seen significant demographic shifts in population and establish new schools for growing communities, we cannot lose heart or cease to focus on the mission that comes to us from apostolic times - to proclaim Christ risen from the dead," Archbishop Gregory said.

"If we look only at yesterday and at the models and triumphs that we enjoyed, we may not be able to see the great possibilities that tomorrow holds for us," he said.

The archbishop also took note of the large numbers of nonCatholics attending Catholic schools "because they recognize and honor the heritage of excellence that is the legacy of Catholic schools."

The celebration of Catholic education that is part of an NCEA convention, Archbishop Gregory said, is done with delegates "fully aware of and grateful for the structures and organizational strength of the past, but open to responding to the challenges that we face today."

About 5,000 registered participants were taking part in NCEA activities in Atlanta, which were scheduled through April 21.

Friday, April 28, 2006

9

Besides the key administrators, is every day and it offers a foundatwo Coyle and Cassidy seniors tion for life. Now that I'm involved took time from' classes to speak in Church I can't see losing it. I'm with The Anchor. not about to let it go when I go to Suzanne Keyes, 17, a senior college. I'm still deciding what I from Plymouth, said she chose the want to do and where I'll go. I'll school "because five of our very go undeclared," said Henderson, large family of seven kids all stud- who is captain of the basketball ied here. I love it. I' m glad I made team.

Why did he come to Coyle and a choice to come here. The whole environment offered is exactly Cassidy? "My mother is an what I need. I definitely feel free alumna," he said. . talking about my Catholic faith Asked what The Anchor might here, something I could not do be missing as part of the Coylewhen I went to a public school. We Cassidy story, Brother Hathaway have prayer in the morning and I responded: "We're missing a lot of feel good about that. T~achers no- things we wish we had; for intice when someone is having a bad stance, land and facilities." day and they come to us and help He said a few years back "we us get over it. Knowing that some- purchased the old mill site next to one is there for you is tile best feel- the school and we haven't been ing in the world," she said. able to do anything with that. We'd Keyes' best-liked s4bject is En- like to create a couple of athletic glish. She is taking an elective "Lit- practice fields there. It's about five COYLE AND CASSIDY Seniors Suzanne Keyes and Christopher Henderson said they are erature in Hollywood; Read the acres. Of the four diocesan high happy they chose to spend four years at the Catholic high school in Taunton, and that it has Book and Compare the Movie." schools in the diocese, that's what prepared them academically and spiritually not only for college but for a lifetime. (Anchor photo) She is involved in drama at the we are lacking the most. We deschool and candidly admits she pend on the city of Taunton for would like to go into theater. Cur- lease of fields. We rent Hopewell rently she's working in "The Park next door at a cost of$15,000 Whiz" based on the "Wizard of a year. But even at that we do a lot Oz." considering we field teams in basOn the religion side she also ketball, soccer, football, golf, track, Plymouth, Middleboro, Carver, course which I have actively been likes the Peer Program, attending volleyball, hockey and swim> Enrollment is on Lakeville, Norton, and Dighton to involved in. We integrate medical Mass and prayer, and the opportu- ming." increase andadd/lional Next year, tuition at Coyle and name a issues of the day along with theol- nity for the sacrament of penance. few. music and athletic ''We weren't coed back in 1962, ogy. It enables us to teach how to Father Jeff Cabral is the school Cassidy will be $6,800, Brother lac/ldies are planned.

Hathaway said. ''That is up $250 but all my experience as a princi- apply theology to various issues, chaplain.

Keyes also likes participating in from the current year. At that, pal and president has been with something we realize our students

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR that, and there is a certain value to really need to know about," she the Community Servi~e Program. we're about even with the other Christopher Henderson, a 17- high schools."

TAUNTON - "We're a well being a coeducational facility," he said.

In something of a roundup, he "Community service has been year-old senior from West oiled machine and things are look- said. ''The current breakdown is ing good," remarked Congregation pretty much even with boys and an integral part of who we are at Bridgewater, talked about his in- said, ''Things here run quite easily daily and we don't have too the school; certainly it is our motto, volvement in that program.

Holy Cross Brother Harold girls."

"In junior year we have to do much of a problem. The students Dr. Tranter also knows the 'Enter to learn, leave to serve.' I Hathaway on a sunny day recently.

The president of Coyle and school well. She is a 1980 alumna. think every year itjust goes another 26 hours of community service," are great ... both in and out of the Henderson explained. "We pick a classroom with their activities, Cassidy High School for the past In its administration she has been step in terms of what we do." placement ... last year I went to and they are fine young men and Recently Coyle and Cassidy three years, Brother Hathaway, and 15 years at the school, three as Dr. Mary Pat Tranter, principal, principal and one year as academic hosted its Human Awareness Day, the WISE facility in Taunton. We women. We are very happy dealplayed host to The Anchor for an principal prior to that. She had also a tradition that harkens back to meet and spend time with elderly ing with the Church's ministry of update on the Catholic high school served four years as director of 1985. Held every two years, it cen- who are mentally challenged, and education as far as faith formation in the northern sector of the Fall guidance, and prior to that in the ter on a keynote speaker and work- one can feel how much they enjoy and the community-building aspect, and students feel at home shops that allow students exposure our visit." science department.

River diocese.

He too spoke about how much with one another. There's not ''There are a number of things to topics they normally wouldn't Coyle and Cassidy Memorial religion plays a part in his daily life much of a disciplinary situation High School was established in that have been put into our curricu- study in a regular school day. and there is a strong element of as a student.

In recent years the high school 1971 bringing together the fine tra- lum that are innovative and keeps "I went to public schools up to service. We feel we are presentditions and the academic excel- us on the cutting edge," Tranter has also made giant strides in its the eighth grade. Faith and religion ing a very good Catholic educalence of the former Msgr. James said. "Such things as the integra- fine arts program: "We hired David Rainone, who were never mentioned. But here it tion."

Coyle High School for boys and tion of technology into the curricuBishop James Cassidy High lum is a huge aspect here at Coyle. is an outstanding talent who inI'll give you an example. Just this spires the children in our music School for girls.

Catholic secondary education in morning, although we have two ministry," Tranter told The Anchor.

Taunton had its start in 1912 when mobile laptop units and two com- His work shows in our liturgical Msgr. Coyle opened a high school puters labs and even computers in celebration with our chorus. His at his St. Mary's Parish. In the the classroom, they still didn't have work with concert and musicals is 1930s, Bishop Cassidy moved for- enough. So they borrowed a laptop electric and awe-inspiring. And as from my office because a teacher a result the numbers are growing ward with a school of his own.

Coyle and Cassidy merged to needed one for a presentation," she in our band and chorus."

Because of that, "we're taking become co-educational and has reported.

She said there is a tremendous about three-fifths of third floor since developed its own image as a Catholic secondary school pro- use of Microsoft and various tech- - which was originally the residence viding a quality education respon- nologies for many of the courses. of the Holy Union Sisters when sive to the needs of individual stu- Students make PowerPoint presen- they first came here to teach, and converting it for the music departdents, the area community and the tations and video clips.

Church. ''They are able to use the tools ment," Brother Hathaway re. So much so that its student body they will need either in industry or ported. represents a much broader scope in college next year," she added.

"So we will have two major "We also try to do as much in- renovations that involve two arts of the Fall River diocese than just Taunton. tegration of the technology as pos- room and chorus rooms. It will cost ''We currently have close to 800 sible. A number of years ago, Sis- about half a million dollars," he students - the largest enrollment ter Mary Catherine, who is a phe- said. "It will begin in June and be PRESIDENT OF Coyle and Cassidy High School, Brother ever - ana about 60 percent of nomenal math-physics teacher, in- completed in time for next SeptemHarold Hathaway,IC.S.C., right, says the Taunton Catholic our students come from Taunton," tegrated honors analysis with hon- ber." secondary school i!is flourishing, witnessing a growth spurt Tranter added that the music said Brother Hathaway, a gradu~ ors physics into a course we call ' and plans to add athletic fields and music education studios. himpt, rooms will be fitted with state-of'" said Tranter.

It is a twoate of Coyle High School in 1962.

"But we also draw from doz- credit course integrating math and the art recording equipment, which Principal Mary PatTranter reported that additions to the curwill include new digital media riculum at Coyle and Cassidy High School is not only chalens of communities that include science technology.

"We also have a bioethics equipment the students need.

Bridgewater, Brockton, Easton, lenging but well accepted by its students.

Coyle and Cassidy High meeting modern needs of students, community and Church

10

Friday, April 28, 2006

eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies on video have a USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification. These classifications refer only to the theatrical version of the films, and do not take into account DVD releases' extra content.

"The Greatest Game Ever Played" (2005) Absorbing and inspiring truelife story ofa young amateur working-class golfer, Francis Ouimet (Shia LeBeouf), who played against British golf champion Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane) in the 1913 U.S. Open. Director Bill Paxton's film is filled with excellent period detail, and though the pace is leisurely, the color palette muted and the dialogue low-key, the themes of class conflict, achievement against improbable odds, loyalty and good sportsmanship are vividly drawn, and the golf sequences are grippingly suspenseful. This film contains minimal mild language. The handsome anamorphic widescreen DVD of one of 2005's Ten Best includes two full commentaries by Paxton and screenwriter Mark Frost. There are good "making-of' and historical featurettes, as well as a rare blackand-white TV profile from 1963 with the elderly Ouimet. The USCCD Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I - general patronage. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)

''Must Love Dogs" (2005) Amiable but uneven comedy about a recently divorced teacher (Diane Lane) whose well-meaning family runs a personal ad on her behalf that brings her into contact with a lonely boat-builder (John Cusack) in similar straits, but the possibilities of romance are complicated by the woman's attraction to the handsome father (Dermot Mulroney) of one of her preschoolers. Writer-director Gary David Goldberg's script meanders, and the plot turns are sometimes implausible, but the central characters are decent and played by likable leads, with good support by Christopher Plummer, Elizabeth Perkins and Stockard Channing.

Freewheeling attitude toward premarital sex, condom use, an instance ofprofanity, scattered crude language, sexual banter and a scantily clad go-go dancer. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L - limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (Warner Home Video)

Movies Online

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LEWIS ALSAMARI, left, ~~~amie Harding star in a scene from the movie "United 93."

For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Universal)

IC~' ~'t()vii(e

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

Visit catholicnews.com and click on "Movies," under the "News Item" menu.

ICaIIV~Ulllle~ NEW YORK (CNS) - The following is a capsule review of a movies reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic

Bishops.

"United 93" (Universal) Tense, well-acted documentary-style drama about the hijacking of an aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001, when passengers fought back, downing the plane in the ensuing melee and preventing destruction of a probable Washington target, while air traffic controllers on the ground struggled to make sense of what was happening. Director Paul Greengrass has avoided exploitation with his dispassionate approach and the use of a no-name cast, but many will obviously find this extremely dis-

tressing. Yet as a testament to heroism and a vivid cautionary tale, the film was, on balance, a worthwhile endeavor. Harrowing suspense, violence and bloodshed (though discreetly shot with quick editing), other disturbing Sept. II imagery, a smattering of profanity and four-letter words uttered under extreme distress. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is Rrestricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Does Hollywood get religion right? Critics' reactions vary

By MARK PAmSON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - Does Hollywood get religion right when it makes movies? The answers are almost as diverse as the cinematic fare coming to mall multiplexes.

"Some people do their homework and get it right; other people JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT exploit it," said Paulist Father Frank Desiderio, head of Paulist ProducIn Concert with tions and overseer of the Humanitas TOM BOOTH, Prize.

"If you mean the studios, then no National Life-Teen Music Director they don't," said Barbara Nicolosi, I who runs the Act One screenwriting FRIDAY, MAY 5,2006 at 7:00 p.m. program for Christians who aspire Rhode Island Convention Center to a Hollywood career. "Studios are One Sabin Street - Providence, Rhode Island 02903 not in the habit of hiring people of faith to either write or direct projects that involve religion."

• Name Phone _ "In the old days, Hollywood I Address _ would bend over backward not to I City/StatelZip _ offend," said Harry Forbes, director of the U.S. bishops' Office for Exp. _ : Visa_ M/C_ No. Film & Broadcasting. He defined I Signature _ "old days" as "from the dawn of sound through the '60s." While that II Would Like: Adult Tickets @ $25.00 each andl era may have been inaccurate by 1 Children's Tickets @ $10.00 8ach (12 and Under). portraying "an overly idealized II would like to make adonation to help someone less fortunate in the amount of $ .• view of religious types,': he added, is preferable to a disparaging • Total Enclosed: $ I "that view of religion, as you often get PRE·REGISTRATION REQUIRED-PLEASE REGISTER EARLY I I I Mail self-addressed, stamped envelope with credit card information or I today."

In separate telephone interviews check or money order made payable to: with Catholic News Service, I Morning Star Christian Center, 9 Cedar Swamp Road. Smithfield, RI 02917 I Forbes, Nicolosi and Father ~ We are not affiliated with Morning Star stores in MA, CT, NH, or Warwick, Rl Desiderio offered their views on

••• • • • • • •

1

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Hollywood's successes and shortcomings in portraying religion on the big screen.

The interviews were prompted by the impending release of 'The Da Vinci Code," a movie based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Dan Brown, a work criticized for its treatment of Catholic figures and institutions.

"Hollywood knew there was money to be made from striking that grand religious chord" in films such as 'The Robe," "Ben-Hur," 'The Ten Commandments," and Bing Crosby's "Father O'Malley" movies, "Going My Way" and "The Bells of St. Mary's," Forbes noted.

A modem example of a positive portrayal of faith, Forbes told CNS, is "Ladder 49," a 2004 film about firefighters and the bonds they share.

It had "a fairly extraordinary, for this day and age, portrayal of a Catholic societal subculture, where everyone in that film - all bluecollar working-class firemen were clearly Catholic. Throughout the film many of the rituals, from baptisms to weddings, were very nicely dramatized," he said.

Father Desiderio said Barbara Hall, the Catholic woman who created "Joan of Arcadia," which ran on CBS for two seasons, was "the best receht example of someone who got it right." He also pointed

to James Cromwell's guest appearance on NBC's "ER" as a chronically ill bishop and Rita Moreno's nun-social worker character on the old HBO series "Oz" as two examples where Hollywood got it right.

But he said there are also significant failures, citing the recent NBC drama 'The Book of Daniel," in which the Episcopal Clergyman needs a favor goes to a Catholic priest, and the Catholic priest goes to the Mob and gets the favor which I found offensive," Father Desiderio said.

Nicolosi said ABC missed "the entire theological heart ofthe Moses story" in its recent miniseries 'The Ten Commandments" with its cursory treatment of the first Passover.

Even the film blockbuster 'The Chronicles ofNarnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which was "very good for what it was," Nicolosi said, "didn't pack the punch it could have" because the screenwriters "didn't get Asian," a lion character readers of Lewis' novel saw as a Christ figure.

As for the 'The Da Vinci Code," movie, it's going to come and go," Father Desiderio said. "I've got my opinions on ('Da Vinci' novelist) Dan Brown's agenda, but there are so many people who've written anti-Dan Brown books they don't need me commenting on it."

theanch~

Friday, April 28, 2006

One year after election, pope asks people for continued prayers

By CAROL GLATZ

"great pope, John Paul II:' The pope said seeing the large He said he was still moved by presence of pilgrims at his public VATICAN CITY - On the first the memory ofappearing at the cen- appearances gives him the feeling anniversary of his election, Pope tral window of St. Peter's Basilica that the faithful are there with him, Benedict XVI asked people for their right after his election to the cheers helping him. Their presence shows .continued prayers so that he might of nearly 100,000 people jammed "I am in great communion (with carry on his mission to do Christ's. into the square. you), and together we can carry forThe pope said the huge outpour- ward the Lord's mission," he said. work and be a "gentle and firm ing of support displayed in that and shepherd" in leading the Church.

In the first year of his pontificate, "How time flies," the pope ex- other gatherings "has stuck in my . Pope Benedict attracted more than claimed to the 50,000 faithful who mind and heart." four million people to his public He said the grace Of God and the events. packed St. Peter's Square for his April 19 general audience as he re- prayers and help of all people, near According to statistics released called that exactly one year earlier and far, have given him the strength by the Vatican, more than one milthe College of Cardinals elected to accomplish a mission that "alone lion people attended his 47 weekly him to succeed the much-loved and I could never carry out." general audiences, 1.8 million gathCATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Msgr. Ratzinger says papacy has not changed brothers' relationship ROME (CNS) - Msgr. Georg Ratzinger said having Pope Benedict XVI as a brother has not unraveled their strong fraternal ties or dimmed the deep affection the two feel for each other.

Soon after Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope April 19, 2005; Msgr. Ratzinger irnrnediately told his younger brother that he was afraid his new mission as leader of the universal Church would keep them apart and cool their friendship. . Instead, the changes to the brothers' relationship have not been so drastic, the 82-year-oldmusician and retired director of the famed Regensburg Boys Choir told the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica.

"We still call each other up regularly and frequently, and we see each other every time it's possible," said the monsignor, who lives in the German city of Regensburg.

Though getting together is not as easy as it was before his brother became pope, Msgr. Ratzinger said the

things they chat about and the affec- about faith," Msgr. Ratzinger told La tion they share have not changed.

Repubblica.

The two brothers also share an The two Bavarian brothers were born three years apart and shared intense love of culture and music. many similar experiences. Early in "From the time we were young, life, each felt a calling to serve the music and playing music together Church as a priest, and they spent was a dimension of the divine mesthe first part of their seminary stud- sage for us," Msgr. Ratziriger said. ies together in the city of Freising.

But, like most siblings, the two As young boys, they both were brothers have disagreed, even over forced into military service under the religious matters, he said.

Nazi regime, and both ended up in "It's happened that, in the beginprisoner-of-war camps. ning, I would not understand some ''When we were made prisoners ofhis bold" decisions right away, he by the Allies, our capture and im- .said. But, after some thought, he said prisonment were like a liberation for he always realized his younger us" because itbrought the ''un-Chris- brother had been right. tian" military service to an end, His brother is able to "look at faith Msgr. Ratzinger said. and the world from a different perThough Jo~eph Ratzinger spent spective" while the monsignor said six weeks in an Allied POW tamp his own views were perhaps more in Germany and Georg Ratzinger affected by everyday opinions. four months in a POW camp in Italy, . Msgr. Ratzinger said the qualities both in 1945, each befriended other he most admires in his brother are imprisoned Catholics, and get- his unpretentious nature, his humble togethers with theology students spirit, and the seriousness with which turned into ."passionate discussions he tackles every task.

111 ered for his Sunday Angelus addresses, almost 700,000 people took part in his liturgical celebrations, and. more than 380,odo people attended special audiences since he was elected pope.; In his April 19 aJdience, the pope called on people to keep living the joy of the Easter season and to proclaim the good i, news to all comers of the earth.

It is through personlu encounter with the risen Lord that life is renewed and becomes joyful, he said.

The pope said that with baptism old life dies on the cross and a new life is born.

The faithful must aim for higher, celestial things, not for earthly gains, the pope said.

This does not mean a person should ignore daily tasks or avoid reality, he said, it means people can "perk up" human activity with the "breath" of the divine.

At the end of the audience, the pope took a helicopter back to the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo.

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112

Friday, April 28, 2006

Adoration

Continued from page one

Adoration at St. Joseph's will is still time for parishes not yet begin following 8 a.m. Mass and on board to become part of this conclude with Benediction at 5 spiritual phase of protecting the p.m. "We must change peoples' family. "If pastors would like to hearts," added Father Mauritzen. . schedule some time for adoration "And we'll have lots of guardian and prayer, they can feel free to angels at work for us as well." contact either myself or Bea Mar"Marriage ang family are part tins," she said.

She also said plans are in the of the corps of our Catholic faith," said Father Jay T. Maddock, pas- works to assemble some of the tor of Holy Family Parish in East faithful to visit a number of parTaunton. "We're encorporating ticipating churches to pray with the these intentions into our usual parishioners. "Again, if someone First Friday adoration. We have a is interested in joining our caravan, very active Respect Life Commit- call Bea or me," added Wilcox. tee in the parish and they realize Catholic Citiz~nship is also callthat there are so many obstacles ing on those who can't attend any to the family today, but the fam- of the adoration times, to help from ily still remains the heart of how home. "There are shut-ins and eldthe faith is passed on. We're in- erly who can't come, and there are terested in anything we can do to those whose schedules won't alprotect the family. It's a mission low, but they can help by praying of our parish." for the protection of marriage and Wilcox reportec;l that parishes by fasting or performing some have been very receptive to the small sacrifice," said Wilcox. idea. "We're encouraged by these "Just recently we were re'prayer warriors, '" she said. She minded of what Christ, went also told The Anchor that local through," said Father Leonard.

Missionaries of Charity have con- "He was abused and didn't retalitacted the Sisters in India, and a ate. Rather, he submitted to the special intention for marriage in Father's will through prayer and Massachusetts will be placed at the his ultimate sacrifice. It's through tomb of Blessed Mother Teresa. our prayer and our sacrifices that Locally the Dominican Sisters we can become like Jesus." of the路 Presentation and the For more information about Franciscan Sisters of the Immacu- this program, or to become inlate.have also committed to this volved, contact Jane Wilcox at eucharistic adoration.

508-269-7097 or Bea Martins at Wilcox pointed out that there 508-415-2599.

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On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditatif}g on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

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

Confessions may be ma~e during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

Eucharistic adoration schedule" Thefollowing is a list ofparishes where people will be praying before the Blessed Sacramentfor the preservation ofmarriage as a union between one man and one woman. Listed are the dates and . hours.

Attleboro Deanery

.Sf. Joseph's Church, 208 South Main Street,

Attleboro. May 5, perpetual adoration.

Cape Cod &.Islands Deanery

Corpus Christi Church, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. May 5, starting after the 9 a.m. Mass, concluding before 9 a.m. Mass on May 6.

Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue, Osterville. May 19, starting at 1 p.m., concluding with prayer service at 4:30 p.m.

Sf. Joseph's Church, 33 Millfield Street, Woods Hole. May 5, after the 8 a.m. Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5 p.m.

Fall River Deanery

Holy Name Church, 709 HaDoyer Street,

Fall River. May 9, following the 7 a.m. Mass, concluding with Benediction at 7:30 p.m.

Sf. Dominic's Church, 1277 Grand Army Highway, Swansea. May 5, following the 8 a.m. Mass, concluding with Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

St. John ofGod Church, 996 Brayton Avenue, Somerset. May 5, following the 8 a.m. Mass, concluding at noon. .

Sf. Michael's Church, 189 Essex Street, Fall River. May 4, following the 8 a.m. Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5:30 p.lJ1.

St. Thomas More .Church; 386 Luther Avenue, Somerset. May 2, following the 9 a.m.

Mass, concluding with rosary and Benediction at 7 p.m.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 984

Seeds

Taunton Avenue, Seekonk. May 5, perpetual adoration.

New Bedford'Deanery

OurLady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church, 233 County Street, New Bedford. May

5, following the 9 a.m. Mass, concluding with prayer service at 9:45 p.m. .

Our Lady's Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, New Bedford. May 5, perpetual adoration.

Our La.dy of Mt. Carmel Church, 230 Bonney Street, New Bedford. May 5, following the 8 a.m. Mass, concluding at 10 p.m.

St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford. May 5, 2 to 5p.m.

St. Killian's Church, 306 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford. May 5, following the 8:15 a.m.

'Mass, concluding with Benediction at 7 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Church, 344 County Street, New Bedford. May 9, following the 8 a.m. Mass, concluding with Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

Sf. Lawrence Church, 565 County Street, New Bedford. May 5, following the 4 p.m.

Mass, concluding with Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

Taunton Deanery

Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Av-

enue, East Taunton. May 5, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass, concluding with Benediction at 8 p.m.

St. Mary's Church, 330 Pratt Avenue, Mansfield. May 5, beginning at noon, concluding with prayer service at 6 p.m.

Continued from page one

turned to Rome, where is currently completing graduate studies for a licentiate in biblical theology.

But there was more to come.

"Because we realized how important prayer is to vocations, we held a holy hour each month after that beginning in October," Father Correia explained.

They were held at St. Thomas More in Somerset, Holy Rosary in Taunton, Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Swansea, St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet, St. Mary's in Mansfield, Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville, and SS. Peter and Paul in Fall River.

Last January, the Vocations Office sent a letter to all pastors, asking them to submit names of high school seni~rs or college students they thought might have a potential vocation. "We received 38 names," Father Correia reported.

All were then invited to a day of information held that month to hear from a vocations team that include those building on their vocations and those ordained, to share thoughts.

Presenters included seminar- . ian Gregory Bettencourt who was on a pastoral year at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton, "who talked about what it was like to be a seminarian. Father' Thomas Costa explained what it was like to be a new priest. Fa-

ther Richard Gendreau spoke vocation and what signs are to about what it was like to be a be looked for in that process, priest for a number of years, and the essential need for conMany at the presentations had tinued prayer. questions and we all shared an"Another tack we took durswers," the director recalled. ing the program year was to At a follow-up meeting in send out newslette'rs to people路 March aimed at those at the col- in parishes to include in their lege level, Father Kevin A. bulletins. The mailings, inCook, a member of the'voca- cluded an article about Barbara tions team from the New Dunn, who actively works with Bedford Area, and seminarian various vocation teams. At the Jason Brilhante spoke to the col- same time seminarians were l~ge students about the gift of busy visiting various parish celibacy.

CCD programs and talking One of the final "sharings" about the priesthood," Father before the close of the campaign Correia reported. will come on April 30, at St. "We kept vocations in focus Julie Billiart Parish Center in throughout the diocese during North Dartmouth,' for a day of the year's til1}e period, and made information on the priesthood continuous follow-ups as we geared for high school freshmen, went along," he added.

More recently, a proposed sophomores and juniors.

"We have approximately 30 program in which Father names from across the diocese Michael Cyriak was to continue of those who are interested in ' Father Bissinger's mission to coming," Father Correia told carry the vocation message to The Anchor. "Letters are being parishes was cut short when he sent out inviting all of them to was called to become parochial attend." . administrator at the new St. The presenters will include Francis of Assisi Parish in seminarian Peter Fournier, cur- Swansea.

"We don't know right now rently in a pastoral year at St. Stanislaus Parish in Fall River, what the fruits of our efforts in who will explain all about the the one-year endeavor Operalife of a seminarian; and Father tion: Planting Seeds might be," Gregory Mathias, parochial ad- Father Correia said candidly. ministrator of St. Julie Billiart, "But we pray and hope our efwill speak about the priesthood. . forts to renew thoughts of a Father Cook will explain how priestly vocation in many minds one might go about discerning a will prove successful."

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Friday, April 28, 2006

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THE DIOCESAN Catholic Charities Appeal Fall River area kickoff drew a full house at White's of Westport last week. This is the first of several kick-off dinners to be held across the diocese in the coming weeks. (Photo by Eric Rodrigues)

F all River diocese among three still doing adoptions after Boston withdraws

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

BELLINGHAM - A day of prayer and reflection, "A Day with Mary," will be held Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. at St. Brendan Parish, 384 Hartford Avenue. It will include procession, th~ celebration of Mass, talks, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and enrollment in the brown scapular. Attendees are asked to bring"a bag lunch.

For more information call 508-9841823.

DENNISPORT - A holy hour will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel. It is sponsored by the Pro-Life prayer groups of Holy Trinity and Holy Redeemer parishes. Rosary will be followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

NEW BEDFORD - Perpetual eucharistic adoration is held at Our Lady's Chapel, 60b Pleasant Street. New adorers are welcome.

For more informatio~ call Laurie Larsen-Silva at 508-888-7751 .

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business. ' fur" Catholic Council, the public policy Massachusetts Gov; Mitt Rom? voice of the th!:ee Catholic bishops ney voiced intentions to seek legis- of Massachusetts, confirmed on lation - in essence an exemption Monday that all three agencies "are - that would allow the Catholic still doing adoptions." agencies to bypass having to grant Saunders noted that the three adoptions sought by gay partners. .agencies in question "are separate In the interim and in lieu of that, entities, each governed by its own the Romney administration is hold- board. Each has different circumHEALING MASSES ing off taking action against the stances."

BREWSTER - Apealing Mass three Catholic agencies still doing He said that in Springfield, it is will be celebrated by La Salette adoptions, reported Constantia Brightside, which is part of the Father Richard Lavoie May 3 at 7 Papanikolaou, general counsel for Providence Health Care System, p.m. at Our Lady'of t~e Cape Parthe Massachusetts Department of which handles adoptions. It is the ish, 468 Stony Brook Road. For Early Education and Care, which Sisters of Providence who handle more information call 508-3853252. ' is the regulatory agency for adop- that healthcare."

LECTUREIPRESENTATIONS tion agencies.

Brightside has gone on record ATTLEBORO - La Salette Last week, Papanikolaou was in a statement released last month Father Donald Paradis will lead a quoted as saying "We're going'to saying it "awaits clarification from study group on" T~e Da Vinci wait and see how the legislation the Commonwealth to determine" 'Code" at 7 p.m. May ~, 8 and 15 in plays out." At the same time she whether it will continue. the Shrine's reconciliation chapel. said the state has not received any Saunders said "It is my under- For more information CatI508-222complaints about the adoption prac- standing that Catholic Social Ser- 5410. tices particular to the three agencies. vices in Fall River has not handled 'BREWSTER - The Lazarus The directors of the agencies in any adoptions by gay or same-sex Ministry Group of Our Lady of the Fall River, Springfield and Wotces- couples because none had been pre- Cap'e Parish will conduct the beter were unavailable for comment sented to them." reavement programj'Come Walk on their adoption operations. EdIn Worcester, "Catholic Charities With Me," May 5, 12, 19, 26 and ward F. Saunders Jr., the executive of Worcester has been referring June 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the director of the Massachusetts same-sex adoptions for years. If Parish Center. For more informasuch a same-sex couple comes to tion call Happy Whitman at 508them they are sent to another 385-3252.

MISCELLANEOUS agency. And it has worked for many ATTLEBORO - The annual years for them," he said.

Saunders added that when the Pro-Life Living RoscvY and Mass gay adoptions became an issue last will be held May 6 atl~2 p.m. at the Please pray for the following fall, the state said it was going to National Shrine of Our Lady of La' priests during the coming w~eks look into what Worcester was do- Salette, 947 Park Street. The Masing. Now the'state say.s it will hold (May 2 off until the legislature looks into 1963, Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.P. leonidas Lariviere, Pastor, St. Jean Governor Romney's proposed leg• ' II Baptiste, Fall River . \\ \ .--/\ islation." abu~e \. \~----/ .. --._------......; He said, "the governor has filed MayS _// BURLINGTON, Wt. (CNS)his bill and it is before the legisla1973, Rev. Leo M. CyO)';R;etiredPastor, St . Dominic, Swansea , ture. However, the outlook is not The Burlington diocese reached a 1985, Rev. Albe~~wley:SS.CY\in residence, St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet . \ \ optimistic because of the voiced op- $965,000 sexual abuse settlement 2003,. Rev. Raymond A. Robida,\C~tholic Memorial Home, Fall position of many; including those with Michael Gay April 19 just River \ \ who have been in our comer in so before his case went to trial. \ \ many other vital matters."

Gay, 38, was seeJ,cing compenMay 6 \ \ At the same time, Saunders sation for alleged sexual abuse by 1905, Rev. Thomas P. Elliott, Found~r}.St. Mary, Mansfield 'noted, "they are currently into the Edward Paquette in 1977-78. At the 1980, Rev. Asdrubal Castelo Branco, Re,tired Pastor, Immaculate budget and other prominent issues, time Gay was an altai,' boy at Christ Conception, New Bedford \,.,\ and the adoption issue is not high the King Parish in B'urlington and 1994, Rev. Ernest E. Blais, Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall on their priorities right now from Paquette was stationed there as an River· what I have been hearing." associate pastor, " Gay rights advocates are pressIn a statement posted on the May 7 ing that the state's current antidis- diocesan Website, diocesan offi1958, Rev. Raymond P. Levell, S.J., Professor, Spring Hill Colcrimination laws be kept intact. cials expressed "d~ep sympathy lege, Mobile, Ala.. ,,' .

They have gone on record saying and regret" to Gay and others afthey expect to have a new gover- fected by'clergy sexual abuse of May 9 nor next year and they are confi- minors.'

1940, Rev. J.E. Theodule Giguere, I,'astor, St. Anne, New Bedford dent that unlike Romney, the next Paquette, now in his 70s and 1941, Rev. John P. Clarke, Pastor, St. Mary, Hebronville living in Massachusetts, was pergovernor will enf0r:ce those laws.

FALL RJVER - Working under something of a reprieve, the dioceses of Fall River, Worcester and Springfield continue to handle adoptions as Massachusetts mulls how to reconcile their adoption policies with state laws that prevent discrimination against gay adoptive parents.

The three agencies had been silent since controversy erupted in the fall when Catholic Charities ofBoston revealed it had made placement of 13 children with same-sex partners over a period of approximately 20 years in which it handled thousands of other adoptions.

The Boston Archdiocesan agency, which has been in the adoption service for a century, maintained it had to comply with state laws prohibiting discrimination against lesbians and gays, following a 2003 Vatican statement that cited placing children with samesex partner "as gravely immoral."

Catholic Charities of Boston announced in March that it would be taking itself out of the adoption

I n Your Prayers

sachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus will sponsor it: Mass ' will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m.

SOCIAL EVENTS

ATTLEBORO - The third annual benefit concert for the Honduran Mission in Guaimaca will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen's Church, 683 South Main Street. It will feature the St. Stephen's Music Ministry, recording artist Tom Kendzia ar.d guest performers. A free-will offering will be taken. For more information call 508-222-0641.

ATTLEBORO - Singer John Polce will bring his Bethany Nights program to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette tonight at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 508-222-5410.

MARSTONS MILLS - A concert to benefit the underprivileged will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the Marstons Mills East Elementary School auditorjum. It will feature Grace O'Connor and is sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Osterville. Refreshments will be served. For more information call Dottie Monroe at 508-428-3040.

NORTH EASTON - The fifth, annual Festival of Praise for young adults will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Chapel, 500 Washington Street. It will feature musicians and vocalists from numerous parishes. For more information call Holy Cross Family Ministries at 508-238-4095. SUPPORTGROUPS

NORTH DARTMOUTH - A Diocesan Divorced-Separated Support Group will meet May 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. atthe Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. For more information call Bob Menard' at 508-673-2997.

ORLEANS - A Diocesan Divorced-Support Group will meet Sunday at 7 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Parish Center, 68 Canal Street. Ann Dextraze will be guest speaker.

Widowed persons are also welcome. For more information call Father Richard Roy at 508-2550170.

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Vermont diocese settles lawsuit for $965,000

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manently removed from ministry in 1978. Some news reports said he was also expelled from the priesthood. Gibson said she believed steps were taken to laicize him after he ·was suspended, but she did not know the outcome.

Paquette was originally ordaineda priest for the Diocese of Fall River, Mass. He had been assigned to 8t. Kilian's Parish, New Bedford, in the early 1960s.

He transferred to the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., in.

1964 and worked in several parishes there before leaving in 1971 and joining the Burlington diocese. He has also been accused of molesting boys in Massachusetts and Indiana.

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114

Friday, April 28, 2006

Diocesan CYO hoop All-Stars shine brightly at tourney FALL RIVER - Basketball players at 47 after regulation, New Bedford from across the diocese recently partici- outscored Fall River 10-8 in the overtime. pated in annual CYO All-Star tournaments Fall River's Lauren Fiola led all scorers with 18. Ariel Gomes had 13 for New Bedford held in several deaneries.

In the Prep Division tournament, held at and her teammate Alyssa Roach added nine. the Kennedy CYO Center in New Bedford, The All-Tournament team was Amanda Brown, Taunton; Carolina the Taunton Prep All-Stars prevailed. They beat Fall DIOCrs, 0' 'ALL Quinn and Laura Fiola of River 69-43 in the first Fall River; and Michelle Franklin and Alyssa Roach game with Tyren Heggs, Jeff De~ousa and Nathan of New Bedford. Ariel Shea each scoring 10 Games was named MVP. points. Justin Sowersby Fall River'sMcCarrickSullivan CYO Center was scored 11 for Fall River.

In the second game, . the 'site of theJunior Boys Taunton bested New tournament where New Bedford 59-51. Heggs Bedford was crowned scored 18 points and champ. In the first game Shane Cardin added 14 in Taunton defeated Fall leading their team to the River 69-48. Taunton had a championship.

Josh balanced scoring attack with Oliveira of New Bedford was A CS' Nathan Wren and Mike high-scorer with 20 and Clayton TaLEr! Steininger each netting 12 points Thomas chipped in with 13. while Tom Kelliher added 10. Lucas The All-Tourn.ament team was Justin Sousa of Fall River led all scorers with 23 Sowersby, Fall River; Josh Oliveira and points.

Clayton Timas of New Bedford; and Shane In the second game New Bedford beat Cardin and Matt Shea ofTaunton. The Most Taunton 64-49 despite a strong perforValuable Player was Tyren Heggs. mance from Kyle Mulcahy of 20 points in In the Junior Girls All-Star tournament, the losing effort. New Bedford's Brendan held at the Taunton Catholic Middle Rossi had a game-high 21 points and teamSchool, New Bedford won in overtime to mate Cedric Houtman addedlO. James take the title. In the first game they beat Dominick and Peter Smith each had nine Taunton 35-15. Lauren Fiola led Fall River points in the loss. with seven points and teammates Kate GrifThe all-tournament team was James fin and Ja~mine Amaral each had six. Dominick, Taunton; Lucas Sousa, Fall Amanda BlOwn led Taunton with five.

River; and Cedric Houtman, Brendan Rossi . In the second game, New Bedford beat and Myles Sovik of New Bedford. Kyle Fall River 57-55 fOi the championship. Tied . Mulcahy of Taunton was named the MVP.

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THE STUDENTS at S1. John the Evangelist School's fourth-grade class in Attleboro display a flag they received from troops serving in Iraq. They sent numerous care packages to the troops and the flag was sent as a thank you.

It was flown over the base and studen~s received a plaque bearing a photo of the troops with the flag and a letter of thanks for their continued support.

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MATH TEACHER Robert Fougere of S1. Francis Xavier Preparatory School, Hyannis, displays the trophy won by his math team during a recent Math Counts Competition, placing fourth among 17 teams. Team members are Matthew Hartnett, David Mobed, Adam Blount, Max Metrokostas, James Kerr, Jacques Mathieu and Kara Felegian.

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MEMBERS OF the Youth Ministry at Sacred Heart Parish in North Attleboro, presented a dramatization of the Stations of the Cross for parishioners on Good Friday. This year's presentation was taped by. the local cable station and used for the premier of new religious programming for the greater Noijh Attleboro area. The event aired on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

MAX SARAZIN 路of the Knights of Columbus Council. No. 3384 of S1. Joan of Arc Parish, gives a $200 check to Chris Stewart and Connor Benoit, coleaders of the parish youth group. At left is pastor Father Richard M. Roy. The money will be used for Project Maine. Each spring, members volunteer to help build a house in Maine.

151

Friday, April 28, 2006

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Beauty is God's creation By

ZAMBIAN CHILDREN sit behind a wind-up radio in the capital, Lusaka. Thousands of children who cannot afford the country's public or private.schools have turned to informal classes where radio is the main learning tool available. (eNS photo/Shapi Shacinda, Reuters)

Priest says poverty, AIDS cause Zambian street children problem CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) - Government-run camps where young people are taught skills are not the solution to Zambia's growing number of unemployed youths living on the streets, said a Catholic official. Poverty is the core problem, said Father Joe Komakoma, general secretary of the Zambian bishops' conference. Zambia, with a population

of about 10 million, is one of the world's poorest nations.

According to official figures, the southern African country has about 75,000 street children, but analysts say almost double that number live on the streets and tum to begging or prostitution. Many are orphans whose parents have died of AIDS in a country with an adult HIVprevalence rate of 16.5 percent.

CHARLIE MARTIN -

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL My life is brilliant My life is brilliant My love is pure I saw an angel Of that I'm sure She smiled at me on the subway She was with another man But I won't lose no sleep on that 'Cause I got a plan Refrain: You're beautiful, you're beautiful You're beautiful, it's true I saw your face in a crowded place And I don't know what to do 'Cause I'll never be with you Yeah, she caught my eye as I walked on by She could see from my face that I was flying high And I don't think that I will see her again But we shared a moment that will last till the end (Repeat refrain.)

There must be an angel, with a smile on her face When she thought up that I should be with you (Repeat refrain.)

Sung by James Blwit Copyright 2005 by Atlantic/Wea Just a few years ago, James Blunt's life hardly resembled that of a pop/rock star. He was on patrol in Bosnia/Kosovo with his British Army unit.

Now his "Back to Bedlam" CD is receiving considerable attention from music critics. I do riot know what type of "bedlam" he witnessed in the 1990s Balkan wars, but his first big single focuses on something very different noticing the beautiful in life.

"You're Beautiful" de-

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

scribes a person's spontaneous attraction to a girl he meets by chance in the subway. When she smiles at him, he notices how beautiful she is. However, this "angel" is "with another man," and he quickly says, "I don't think that I will see her again."

Still, he relishes how "we shared a moment that will last till the end."

Encountering instantaneous, total attraction is common. At times, any of us

can become taken by another's charm, personal style or obvious good looks.

The experience can'temporarily overwhelm us, but it is rarely the path to a lasting relationship.

It is good that we recognize and look for the beauty God has created in the world.

Perhaps the most important place to begin this search, however, is within ourselves.

Some people are blessed路 with stunning physical attributes. However, no matter what physical qualities you possess, true beauty shines through the heart. Look to share your own genuine beauty through encourage-

ment, generosity and kindness to everyone you meet.

Next, recognize the beauty in others. To do this, you might need to look beyond the distraction of behaviors that are not so beautiful. Most of us are occasionally capable of some fairly ugly responses and actions. However, if you focus on another's true self, you will see the image and likeness of God. Each individual's soul possesses this "divine DNA." We can also experience beauty by staying connected to the earth. I live in rural America, so being aware of this beauty is a daily experience. However, the world's beauty is everywhere. You can live in any location and find beauty in our planet. See how many times a day you can observe something beautiful in the world around you.

As I mentioned above, I have to wonder if what Blunt witnessed in the Balkan wars affected his attitude toward life. War is an offense against the beauty God has placed within human beings and in the Earth.

Wars continue in our world.

However, as Catholics and followers of the Prince of Peace, we can work for healing on our planet. We can live in a way that promotes justice and peace for all God's people. By doing so, we affirm the beauty and the sacredness that God created.

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@swindiana.net or at 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.

Celebrating the new life of Easter The Church calendar begins with the first Sunday of Advent, and we focus on preparing our hearts and our lives to receive .Christ anew. The secular calendar begins January 1st and we set our New Year's resolutions, deciding how we might improve ourselves not only physically and mentally, but for people of faith, spiritually as well. For me, the spiritual ones are the most important because that's the part of us that's eternal. As I write this article, we h~ve just completed the Triduum, and as you read this article we are well into our Easter season.

I was privileged to celebrate the first two nights of the Triduum with about 40 of my students. We talked about what Christ's disciples must have felt

when Friday came to an end.

How they would have been preparing to return to Galilee without him, their dreams having died with him. And then came the morning ... and the news ... HE IS RISEN. And that news is still ours today. He is risen.

This is not a past tense thing, it's a present tense thing. We will never have to know the sorrow, the desolation, the incredible void that those first disciples felt. He is risen and nothing will ever be the same.

I know that it's not "New Years," but it is a time of . celebrating new life. Because of the resurrection, nothing' is the same for any of us. The resur-

rection is the cornerstone of our what I've done. Th~t is just not faith. Unfortunately, we don't spiritually healthy. It's in the always live the glorious truth of reflection that we learn and this new life. Sometimes we just grow. Without it, we lose get so distracted by the old life, . precious opportunities for gaining wisdom and grace. This is a recurring problem for me, as I know it is for many.

Most of my annual New Year's resolutions have to do with working at some sense 'of balance in my life.

So, as we celebrate the resurrection, perhaps we missthe new. I must admit we should also resurrect those that I find myself in this predica- New Year's resolutions. It's funny, but many of us might not ment even in the midst of this Easter season.. even remember what they were.

Things have been out of If that's the case, maybe we balance for me lately. I've been could make some Easter . so busy "doing" that I haven't resolutions that would improve the balance in our lives. New had time to simply reflect on

B

Life should definitely be celebrated, but first it has to be embraced.

Life in Christ should mirror the life of Christ: time for service, time for prayer, time for work, time with friends and relaxing in Bethany, time for celebrating, time for sacrificing, all of it bound up in the hope and the knowledge that we have been given everlasting life.

The Easter Season is a glorious 50 days. I pray that we don't waste even one. With grateful hearts let us truly celebrate our new lives.

Jean Revil is director of Campus Ministry at Bishop路 Stang High School, where she has taught for 27 years.

Comments welcome at: jrevil@bishopstang.com.

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116

Friday, April 28, 2006

Seeking laborers for the harvest The following is a reflection given by seminarian Peter Fournier at a Vocation Holy Hour at 55. Peter & Paul Parish in Fall River, on April 17.

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This past Sunday the Church celebrated an empty tomb, a tomb that once contained death and the body of Jesus. When the women went to the tomb, they found it empty and then heard the joyous proclamation ofthe resurrection ofJesus. Throughout the entire season of Lent, we were preparing ourselves for the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus in our own different ways.

Here at SS. Peter & Paul's the focus was asking God to "Change our Hearts." Therefore, we gatheron this Easter Monday, we gather and pray in front of the risen Lord in the Eucharist and pray upon our knees for more vocations to the priesthood. It is a time when we come together as acommunity and pray as Jesus asked of us, when he spoke to the people, 'The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

We ask the Lord to send laborers into the harvest, but when one looks at the numbers, it is discouraging to see how few are coming forward.

The numbers themselves beg the question as to why are there so few.

Is it that we are not praying enough?

Is it that the Lord is not calling as many men and women to become priests or religious? There are many

factors that lead to answering such questions, for example: the recent scandals of a few priests, our culture, and many others. Yet one that is not discussed often, but plays a large part, is our own hearts.

The prayer, for the Lord to change our hearts is powerful, and it is something that is most needed within our work here this evening. Within our minds and our hearts, I am willing to wager, we all have an idealistic image of how a priest should act or how they should preach and relate with others. It is an image in which we compare all priests with whom we have the opportunity to meet and work. I know that I am guilty ofthis, for when I pray for more vocations I often times pray for a vocation that fits my image ofwhat a priest should be. It is this image ofpriesthood that I hope to one day become, though I know it is idealistic and unattainable.

So this evening we pray that just as the tomb was found to be empty, we ask the Lord to empty our heart of these false images of the priesthood and change our hearts so that we no longer have an image, but an openness of whomever God calls forward.

Pray for the Lord to change our hearts so that we might foster the openness to accept all whom he calls.

Pray and support all those whom he will call and all those whom he has called. Encourage young men to consider whether the resurrected Lord is calling them to be a laborer. This

All are invited to a

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood MAY

7 • 3 P.M. AT

ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL

327

SECOND STREET FALL RIVER

www.FaliRiverVocations.org

Tour our Unique and Magnificent Apartments - Studios, 1 & 2 Bedrooms

SEVERAL DIOCESAN seminarians met with Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., during his recent visit to Fall River. From left: Jason Brilhante, Peter Fournier, David Deston, Cardinal O'Malley, William Sylvia, Daniel Nunes, and Riley Williams. (AnchorlGordon photos) can be done in three simple, yet dif- us. The hope that the resurrected ficult ways.

Lord gives us is the hope that we The first of which is faith. You need to share around us. Many men are witnessing to the importance of who enter the seminary today come your faith, by being here this in broken or weighed down either evening, by praying for vocations. It from society orfrom otherissues. We is important to have faith be part of need to share the hope that we have, every aspect of life, from the mo- as demonstrated through Jesus' diament of our awakening, to the mo- logue with St. Peter, telling him to mentoffalling asleep. We must show "feed my sheep." There is hope and the importance of faith no matter healing within the loving embrace of where we are in our life. For through Jesus our Lord. We have faith in that, our example of faith we have an ef- and that faith gives us hope. fect on others. Our faith will be a The third way is through love and catalyst in which others will ask charity. We need to foster an atmoabout their own relationship with the sphere of love and charity so that Fatherin heaven, and for some it will those who do feel called to the priestignite a spark, a glimpse into the hood might feel comfortable in expossibility of a calling. The Father ploring and discerning such a possiwill use our faith and our openness bility. From experience, I can state about our faith as a means to call how discouraging it is when all you people to the harvest. Faith is an hear is people complaining and gosimportant aspect of our vocation siping about the Church and differwork. Our prayers here this evening ent priests. It makes you stop and we know through faith will bearfruit, wonder, "Is this something I rebut we rnight not know how the ally want? When will they start prayers are answered. We know that speaking of me in such a manthrough faith they are. As our Holy ner?" This type of attitude does Fathersaid in his reflections on Good not lead to an openness and acFriday, "...Faith enables us to see ceptance of those who are called afar; it makes us glimpse the break by the Lord of the harvest, but of a new day...." Faith leads us to deters those who might be conthe second way, hope. sidering such a call.

We need to be a people of hope.

Love is the most important aspect, It is so easy to focus on what is wrong for it enables many men to come forwith the Church, ora particular priest ward in openness and in faith to the or the number of seminarians. It is altar of God and say yes to the Lord easy to lose hope. We cannot just of the harvest. Yet, without love, it focus on the negative, for it damages can be most damaging, and can lead not just ourselves but those around one who was thinking of a vocation

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to ultimately tum his back to even the possibility of the saying yes. We need to share the love that the Father in heaven shares with us. We need to love those that the Father has placed in our life to serve us and support them with prayers.

Ultimately, we need to be Christian. We need to be happy Christians. We as a Church just began celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

It is a joyous celebration, and we need to take that joy and bring it with us wherever we go. We all need to allow the joy of this season and the grace of the resurrected Lord to change our hearts. To encourage vocations is not just encouraging young men to say yes to the possibility of priesthood, but it is also encouraging and praying for those who have said yes. It is important to pray for priests who are serving the Church in many and varied ways. We need to help and strengthen the priesthood through our prayers and support. We need to pray and support our community and make it a community of faith, hope and love. We need to pray for young men and women. We need to make the resurrected Lord the center of our lives and pray. There is a lot of work to be done, as we are warned by Jesus. Therefore, we remember the words ofJesus, 'The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; pray to the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

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took many photos at Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley's April 18 Mass and reception at White's of Westport. Those images are now available online. If you would like to see them, send The Anchor an E-mail at anchorimages@yahoo,com.

We will send you an invitation to view the photos with the opportunity to purchase prints through Kodak.

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CARDINAL SEAN P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., shares a smile with the Missionaries of Charity from New Bedford following the April 18 Mass at 81. Mary's Cathedral.