04.07.23

Bishop da Cunha’s 2023 Easter Message

“Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

As every dark night is followed by a new day and as calm follows the storm, so there is hope for those who trust in God, even in the midst of suffering and trials. Easter is a reminder to us that evil and death don’t have the last word, that our faith in the God of Life who raised Jesus from the dead, will also raise us from death. He will raise us not only on the last day, but will also bring us to life from our pains, sufferings and miseries of this life.

Hope is needed for life, a life lived in peace and in the light. If we don’t have hope, if we don’t believe, and if we don’t trust that God can turn the darkness of our life in this world into light, then we are bound to live in darkness and despair. Hope scatters the darkness that envelops us, because hope gives meaning to what we cannot logically understand.

Easter also reminds us that the Resurrection of Jesus is not just an event of the past, but is meant to have a real impact on our lives, in our world, in the present and in the future.

As people who have faith and hope, we find in these theological virtues the courage to face the challenges of life with confidence, knowing that God is with us and that He is giving us His grace to help us work through these challenges of life. It teaches us that no matter how difficult our struggles may be, we can always find hope in Jesus’ victory over death.

As we celebrate another Easter, we are reminded of our responsibility to live as disciples of Jesus, reflecting in our own lives the love for each of us that Jesus showed by giving His life on the Cross, so that we, too, may come to believe and hope in the Son of God and in the eternal life He promised to us all.

When we renew our baptismal promises this Easter, let us recommit ourselves to a new life grounded in faith and hope and renewed in the Risen Lord. This witness to hope is particularly relevant in today’s world where so much uncertainty, fear, and division are still all around us. The support we can provide for each other as we gather to celebrate Easter this year, can give us the strength to face our challenges and to find hope in difficult times.

I often think of the symbolism and connection between Easter and spring. Easter falls in early spring when nature is coming back to life after a long winter. The trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, and the air is filled with the sound of birds. This season of renewal is a powerful reminder that even after the darkest of winters, life will return. And so, we can joyfully sing Alleluia!!!

Happy Easter! Feliz Pascoa! ¡Felices Pascuas! Buona Pasqua! Joyeuses Pâques!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. Bishop of Fall River

But the angel spoke; and he said to the women, ‘There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

‘He is not here, for He has risen, as He said he would.’

— Mt 28:5-6

Lumen Christi Gala will help restore cathedral crypt

By Richard Grace Special to The Anchor

FALL RIVER — The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption has seen 167 Easters on Spring Street in Fall River; but not all parts of the Cathedral complex are that old. Like many of the great cathedrals of Europe, St. Mary’s has come together over time. Think, for example, of Chartres Cathedral in France, with its two very distinct steeples, one from the 12th century and the other from the 16th.

When St. Mary’s opened for services in 1856 it was not a cathedral, because it was not the mother church of a diocese and therefore not the location of a bishop’s chair (cathedra). Built in the middle of the19th century (18521856), the church itself was followed by the addition of the Lady Chapel in 1869 and the Bishop’s Chapel

in 1935. Seen from the air now, the complex has the shape of a T. The rectory and the archway leading to it from the Lady Chapel were constructed in 1928. Thus, the completion of the entire complex took about 80 years, in the course of which St. Mary’s became the Cathedral of the new diocese in 1904.

Likely the least familiar part of the Cathedral to the public eye is the crypt constructed below the Bishop’s Chapel for the burial of the bishops of Fall River. The chapel and crypt were built in 1935 under the patronage of Bishop James Cassidy, who defied the financial crisis of the Great Depression by undertaking these major additions to the Cathedral. The chapel was dedicated to Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, who were canonized in 1935, exactly 400 years after their executions by the govern-

ment of King Henry VIII of England.

There had been burials at the Cathedral prior to that time, but their locations were not generally well known to the people of the diocese. The first two bishops (William Stang, 1904-1907, and Daniel Feehan, 1907-1934) were originally buried in the churchyard along Second Street. The Bishop’s Chapel was dedicated on June 9, 1935, and one month later the remains of Bishops Stang and Feehan were transferred from the churchyard to the Crypt below the new chapel. The next two bishops would in their turns join the first two in the Crypt. Bishop James Cassidy died in 1951. Bishop James Connolly retired in 1970 and passed away in 1986. Bishop James Gerrard, auxiliary bishop from 1959 to 1976, died in 1991 and was interred alongside his fellow bishops in the Crypt.

Sharing the Crypt with them are two priests named Murphy: Father Edward Murphy, a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, who was pastor of the parish for more than four decades and the priest who had St. Mary’s constructed; and his nephew, Father James Murphy, who was assistant pastor under his uncle at St. Mary’s for several years and died in 1869. Father Edward Murphy died in Ireland in July 1887; his body was returned across the ocean for burial at St. Mary’s in August. The two Fathers Murphy were originally buried under the floor of

the Lady Chapel’s northwest corner; their remains were transferred to the Crypt in April 1951.

The Crypt is a simple box of a room, with burial vaults in the west wall, and burial sites in the floor. The windows are all representations of resurrection: that of Jesus is depicted above the stairway to the Crypt, and the raising of Lazarus and the raising of Jairus’s daughter are represented along the north wall above the exterior ground level. The staircase entry to the Crypt sits between the Bishop’s Chapel and the choir area of the main church.

For most people who have ever worshiped at St. Mary’s the Crypt has been an unknown place in the Cathedral complex, not because it is deliberately hidden, but because visi-

tors need a guide to lead them there and because there is no visible entry from the main church. At this time, the crypt is not accessible to visitors because of a major problem with the ceiling and roof over the stairway, which admits significant quantities of water during storms. Correction of this structural problem is on the schedule of repairs to which funds from the Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala, taking place on June 7 at White’s of Westport, can be directed.

For more information on this gala, including sponsorship information and tickets, please visit www. catholicfoundationsema. org/cathedralgala/, email info@ catholicfoundationsema. org, or call 508-675-1311.

Granite stones on the wall of the Cathedral Crypt show Bishops Daniel F. Feehan, left, and James L. Connolly. The floor tomb holds the Diocese of Fall River’s first bishop, Bishop William Stang. (Photo from Cathedral Facebook page)

The interior walkway down to Bishops’ Crypt showing water damage with scaffolding erected for repairs. (Photo by Shawna Erickson)

New Bedford parish to host presentation on miracles and their meanings

By Edwin Aldarondo Special to The Anchor

NEW

BEDFORD

— In the midst of all the darkness and anxiety we see and experience, it’s a true blessing for the Catholic Church in our nation to witness the Holy Spirit at work as the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops has launched a threeyear National Eucharistic Revival to renew the Church by kindling a living relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ Truly Present in the Holy Eucharist.

According to the most recent United States Census, there are 331 million people living in the United States. Seventy million of the 331 million are registered as Catholics. That’s 21 percent of the total population.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in February 2019 found that most self-described Catholics in the United States do

not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. In fact, nearly sevenin-ten Catholics (70 percent) say they personally believe that during the Holy Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion “are symbols of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.” Just one-third of U.S. Catholics (30 percent) believe in Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist.

Transubstantiation — the idea that during Mass, the bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ — is central to the Catholic faith. Indeed, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, according to the “Catechism,” is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC, 1324).

Most recently the Fall River Diocese held its 2023 Women and Men’s Conference at Stonehill College in North Easton in which the theme was the Holy Eucharist. Many missions with focus on the

Eucharist have taken place during Lent throughout the various parishes in our diocese.

Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in New Bedford, Father Mariano Varela, IVE said, “We struggle to help keep the faith in our parishioners and it’s my belief that this National Eucharistic Revival is the response to our prayers. As the Fall River Diocese responds to the call of the New Evangelization, it is with great joy and enthusiasm that we at St. Anthony embrace the exciting journey before us.”

The Church needs healing, and the world needs the Church. In the midst of roaring waves, Jesus is present, reminding us that He is more powerful than the storm. He desires to heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world.

How do we accomplish this? We unite once again around the source and summit of our faith in the celebration of the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Revival is the joyful, expectant, grassroots response of the entire Catholic Church in the U.S. to this divine invitation.

Members of St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford, have organized an event with Catholic speaker Tim Francis, entitled, “Signs from God — Miracles and their Meaning,” for the week of May 22, 23 and 24.

One of the ways that God brings people to faith and restores their faith is through miracles. For this reason, Francis, the founder of “You Shall Believe,” has conducted more than 500 “Science Tests Faith” parish missions to re-ignite the faith of Catholics, bring non-Catholics to faith, and give practicing Catholics the tools needed to help loved ones return to the Church.

A well-known lay evangelist, Francis has a profound story of conversion. He went “from altar boy to party boy and from non-denominational megachurch back to the Roman Catholic Church,” he says. The impact of these miraculous events changed Francis’ life and now he tries to share stories of

miracles with others.

Mary Cardoza, a parishioner and Eucharistic Adoration Coordinator at St. Francis Xavier Church in Acushnet, commented: “Whether you are a skeptic or believer in the True Presence in the Holy Eucharist, Tim Francis will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. He proves this through the research of an atheist and a scientist. I have already heard his story and it inspired me to share it with others. When I heard, he was coming to St. Anthony of Padua Church I was elated. I plan to invite all my family and friends to this event in hopes that they will be forever changed by the truth.

Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no charge to attend this event, but there will be a free will donation to help alleviate the cost and expenses. Seating capacity 1,700 and it is recommended you call the rectory for instructions on parking.

There will also be reserve parking for any priest. Call the rectory to let them know. Please feel free to share information with others.

Event Schedule

Monday May 22 — 6:30 to 9 p.m.;

Tuesday May 23 — 6:30 to 9 p.m.;

Wednesday May 24 — 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Same presentation each night. Choose one.

Please listen to Tim Francis preview at: https://www.sciencetestefaith.com/newbedford

For information call St. Anthony of Padua rectory at 508-993-1691 or visit us at: www. saintanthonynewbedford.com

Tim Francis

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month; Sexual Assault Awareness month

By Carolyn Shipp Diocesan Director of Safe Envi -

and Victim Assistance

The month of April marks a special time of celebration in the Church while we journey through the Easter season. As we rightly focus on the joy of Christ’s resurrection, we also honor this month as both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As a Church, we can never tire in our efforts to repair the harms done in the past, or in our commitment to protect our children, youth and all who cross the thresholds of our parishes and schools. The Office of Safe Environment leads our efforts in creating and implementing this culture of protection. In fiscal year 2022, the Diocese of Fall

River processed 5,765 background checks and provided safe environment training to 2,743 adults. In addition, the Office of Safe Environment oversees implementation of the Diocesan Policy for Protecting the Faithful and partners with local agencies to enhance training on mandatory reporting and child protection. These policies and efforts are essential now more than ever, because, among other things:

• Every 10 seconds a child abuse report is made in the United States (childhelp.org).

• In 2021 Massachusetts Department of Children and Families received 74,355 reports of child abuse (DHHS Children’s Bureau Child Maltreatment Report 2021).

• 90 percent of child sexual abuse is perpetrated

by someone known to the child — often someone in a position of trust (cdc.gov).

• 1 in 6 children will experience online sexual abuse before the age of 18 (Crimes Against Children Research Center 2022).

With these sobering statistics in mind, how else do we work to protect children and young people in the Diocese of Fall River? Children and youth enrolled in Faith Formation programs in our parishes or attend one of our Catholic Schools are offered age-appropriate safe environment education

through a curriculum called Circle of Grace. Circle of Grace teaches children and youth important safety skills including recognizing appropriate physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries; identifying trusted adults; and taking action, if boundary violations do occur.

As we honor April as both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, all are invited to join Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., as he leads us in a Prayer Service for Healing, on April 25, at 10 am at Holy Name

Church in Fall River. While no single statement or event can make up for the painful abuse of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, as believers we know that in Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, we find hope beyond measure as we move towards a brighter future.

If you have any questions, contact Carolyn Shipp, Director of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance: cshipp@dioc-fr.org. For more information and resources visit: https:// www.fallriverdiocese.org/ office-of-safe-environment/

ronment

Wewere celebrating the Easter Vigil Mass at the nursing home. Sister Claire nudged me to get the hand bells ready. As I rang the bells through the Gloria, my mind peacefully returned to an Easter Sunday morning many years ago. I was a young teen-ager. I was intellectually, but not emotionally ready to follow the Lord’s Passion. I had the eyes and heart of a child. Good Friday, by the time the priest removed Our Lord from the tabernacle, I was ready to scream. That Easter Sunday, my teenage self stared at the closed tabernacle door and the lit sanctuary candle. I told God, “I am glad You are back.”

In preparing for that Easter Vigil Mass, I had frozen when Sister Claire had directed me to throw open the tabernacle. Suddenly, I was again that teen-ager facing those raw emotions. Sister Claire had gently reminded me that the symbolism was supposed to hurt. Easter morning is about discovering then exploring the world of Jesus’ triumphant return.

Over a number of years, Sister Claire had helped me make the framed puzzles that adorned my classroom

Called to walk in newness of life

walls at Connolly. The side wall of my classroom was devoted to the Paschal Mystery. The puzzles were placed in the space above the blackboard. When you faced the wall, left to right were the Crucifix, clock, and then puzzles. First was the Resurrection. Next was Jesus in the Garden. Completing the sequence was the Last Supper.

The images guided our Lenten and Holy Week reflections. In addition, they provided a context for discussions including: betrayal and rebuilding of trust within relationships; looking at another with one’s heart; what unconditional love looks and feels like; and seeing ourselves as God sees us. Without the foundational understanding that God created us and loves us just as we are, one can never fully appreciate God the Father’s unconditional love made manifest through Jesus’ sacrifice. Finally, the images served as a starting point to discuss what Jesus meant with His call for each of us to take up our cross and follow Him (Mt 16:24).

There were also some

surprising discussions. One senior argued that my presentation had “the wrong order” of events. I explained my thought process. Any troubled student always glanced at the clock. In that glimpse, he or she saw both aspects of the Paschal Mys-

Jesus. I explained that was the artist’s depiction of Jesus within the palm of God the Father’s hand. It was a blend of “In Your hands is My destiny; rescue Me ... ” (Ps 31:16) and God’s angels guarding Jesus and bearing Him up (Ps 91:11-12). The student asked, “Why today?” I realized finally they had never seen the hand before that day.

and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Jesus’ sacrifice as well as the memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection were for all of God’s creation.

tery, namely, the cross and the resurrection. By His cross, Jesus conquered sin and death. By His resurrection, Jesus invited each of us to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4). For each of the crosses we bear for Christ, no matter the pain and suffering, the story does not end with enduring the cross. The story ends with exploring the new world God gifted us. The student said, “Yeah but ... ” So, I replied he could examine the images right to left for the timeline sequence.

One year, interrupting a student presentation in Forensics class, another student screamed, “I can see the hand of God.” She pointed to the puzzle depicting Jesus kneeling in the Garden at Gethsemane. Within seconds, students had the puzzle off the wall and laid across desks. The students saw a very pale, white hand surrounding

I replied that the miracle wasn’t any change in the cardboard, but the change in us. This seemed to be the way God made the world. One day we simply had eyes to see and appreciate something new. We could wonder why we never saw it before, or we could move forward exploring what this new aspect meant. I’d always found more joy in the latter journey.

Some upperclassmen wondered about my choice of picture for the Last Supper. In the picture, the disciples line either side of the U-shaped table. Standing along the room’s edges are the women who cooked and prepared the Passover meal for Jesus. Jesus is at the center seat, breaking the bread. I replied that this image brought out the essence of both the Last Supper

The students knew about the priesthood and its Sacramental presentation of Our Lord. But many had not considered the more universal call to all men and women. A nun once described this as “being called to embody the living presence of God.” This begins with God’s pouring His love into our hearts. The fruits of the Spirit, namely self-control, gentleness, generosity, faithfulness, patience, kindness, peace, love, and joy then allow us to be conduits of God’s love to others.

As the years passed, Sister Claire had to guide Easter Vigil preparations from a pew. One year, this little girl’s eyes widened as I brought out the bells. We moved her to sit between Sister Claire and me. I smiled at Sister Claire, as I gave the child the bells to ring the Gloria. I whispered to her, “Ring the bells. The tomb is empty. Christ is risen. Mankind has been freed to forever dwell bathed in God’s love.”

Anchor columnist Dr. Helen J. Flavin, Ph.D., is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer.

Divine Mercy anD the eucharistic revival

Catholics can easily recall when Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist: during the first Mass, which began during the Last Supper with the words of consecration and finished the following afternoon when Jesus gave His Body and poured out His Blood for us on Calvary.

Far fewer Catholics, however, know when Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, which may be one of the reasons some today take it for granted. He did it on the evening He rose from the dead, which shows just how crucial Jesus considered it in His salvific mission and manifested what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is meant to bring about.

Just as in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, whenever we return to the Father’s house through this Sacrament, the Father rejoices because his “son who was dead has come to life again” (Lk 15:24). Jesus wanted explicitly to link our resurrection through this Sacrament to His resurrection from the dead. Every reconciliation is meant to be a resurrection.

So He walked through the closed doors of the room where the ten apostles were huddled together. He first words were, “Peace be with you.” He had become incarnate to establish the definitive peace treaty between God and the human race through the forgiveness of our sins and He was about to commission the apostles to continue this very mission.

“Just as the Father sent Me,” he said, “so I send you!” Jesus was sent by God the Father as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world, and Jesus was sending the apostles out to forgive sinners of their sins one-by-one. Since “no one can forgive sins but God alone” (Mk 2:7), however, Jesus had to give them God’s power to fulfill this mission. So He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Then he gave them instructions and power that point to the structure of the Sacrament of Confession as we know it: “Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven; those whose sins you retain are retained.” Jesus didn’t give them the ability to read minds or hearts; therefore, the only way that they would know which sins to absolve or hold would be if individual sinners told them their sins.

Just as three days before Jesus had made them His instruments to give us His Body and Blood, so He was making them His ambassadors through whom He would forgive our sins.

These two sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist are intrinsically related. Just as a loving mother cleans and feeds a child, so God through these sacraments wipes us clean of our sins and fills us with supernatural nourishment.

We see that connection in the way Jesus celebrated the Last Supper, washing the apostles’ feet before He gave them his Body and Blood.

As Pope Benedict emphasized in his Holy Thursday homily 15 years ago and in the second volume of his acclaimed “Jesus of Nazareth,” Jesus was washing not merely their soles but their souls, symbolically cleansing them of their sins for the reception of the Eucharist as well as their future exercise of the priesthood and celebration of the Eucharist.

“Jesus’ gesture,” Pope Benedict wrote, “was a ‘sacrament’ (a visible sign) of the entire mystery of Christ — His life and death — in which He draws close to us…[and] truly ‘cleanses’ us, renewing us from within.”

In commenting on the meaning of Jesus’ words to Peter that He had to wash his feet otherwise He would have no part in him — but not his head and hands because he had been “already bathed” — Pope Benedict stated, “The complete bath … can only mean Baptism, by which man is immersed into Christ once and for all.” In Christian life, the sacramental gift of Baptism “constantly requires completion: ‘washing of feet.’ … We’ve been bathed in Baptism but we need to be cleansed from the contact we have with the various ‘filth’ we encoun-

ter in the world, so that we may be ready to enter into divine worship.”

That’s what Jesus does in the Sacrament of His Mercy, where Jesus is “continually on His knees at our feet and … carries out the service of … purification, making us capable of God,” said the recently-deceased pontiff. The basin in which He washes us is “His love, ready to face death. Only love has that purifying power that washes the grime from us and elevates us to God’s heights.” This is the means by which Jesus, “having loved His own who were in the world, loved them to the extreme” (Jn 13:1).

The Eucharist Jesus instituted immediately afterward is a continuation of that extreme mercy. Jesus made the connection explicit in commanding the apostles to receive and drink the chalice of His Blood, poured out for the remission of sins, and to do it in his memory. On Calvary the following day, He culminated His priestly sacrifice, begging the Father to forgive those for whose sins He was dying “for they know not what they do.” And then He made the apostles capable of washing others’ feet in this same sacramental way the first time He encountered them after the Resurrection.

As we enter more deeply into the Eucharistic Revival, it’s important to grow in our awareness of the connection between the Eucharist and Reconciliation, between devotion to Jesus’ sacramental self-giving and his sacramental mercy. Both devotions were explicitly requested by the Lord.

It wasn’t enough in the 12th and 13th centuries, for example, that the truth about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist be grasped intellectually. Jesus desired that this reality pass from our heads to our hearts to our knees, and through St. Juliana of Liège, the miracle of Orvieto and Bolsena, St. Thomas Aquinas and other instruments, asked for the feast of Corpus Christi, to bring about true Eucharistic piety and appreciation for Christ in what He would later call the “sacrament of love.”

He did a similar thing with His Mercy through His apparitions to St. Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, asking her to remind us of what He emphasized in the Gospel: that we’re sinners who need His mercy, and therefore need to trust in it, ask for it, and receive it, and share it with others.

Through her He called us to live five new devotions by which we could more deeply assimilate all of these realities.

He asked that a feast of His Divine Mercy be established on the Second Sunday of Easter, prepared for by a Novena beginning Good Friday. He showed her an image of Divine Mercy, with water and blood flowing from His pierced side — as signs of the connection between Baptism and the Eucharist to His Mercy — and asked her to spread its veneration. He called on all of us to unite ourselves in prayer to Him on the cross at 3 p.m. each day. And He taught us to pray the beautiful Chaplet of Divine Mercy, which explicitly links our prayers for God’s mercy to Jesus in the Eucharist, as we offer to the Eternal Father His dearly beloved Son’s Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in atonement for our sins and those of the world.

His request for the establishment of the Feast of Divine Mercy was fulfilled and decreed by St. John Paul II during the canonization Mass of St. Faustina in 2000 and celebrated the first time the following year. On this day, Jesus promised that “all the divine floodgates through which graces flow” will be open and then specified two: “The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.”

As we start the Novena on Good Friday and pray through Divine Mercy Sunday, it is a great time for us — especially during the Eucharistic Revival — to recognize the intrinsic connection between the two sacramental floodgates of Confession and the Holy Eucharist and grow in gratitude and love for Jesus in both.

Pope Francis returns to the Vatican after three days in the hospital

VATICAN CITY

(CNA) — Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on the morning of April 1 after a three-night stay in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Before departing by car, the pope greeted the crowd gathered outside of the hospital. In an emotional moment, he stopped to embrace and pray with a sobbing mother whose five-year-old daughter died in the hospital the night before.

When asked by a journalist how he was feeling, the pope quipped: “Still alive!”

A Vatican statement on April 1 said that the pope spoke to the hospital ad-

ministrators as well as the team of doctors and medical staff who treated him before leaving the hospital around 10:30 a.m.

Pope Francis’ first stop before returning to Vatican City was to pray in the Roman Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he entrusted the sick children he met at the hospital as well as all who are sick and suffering from illnesses to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The 86-year-old pope was admitted to the hospital on March 29 with difficulty breathing. He was later diagnosed with bronchitis. His condition improved after receiving

antibiotic infusion therapy, according to the Vatican.

While being treated in the hospital’s papal medical suite, the pope read the newspaper, did some work, and even shared a pizza dinner together with some of the medical staff.

On his last full day at Gemelli, Pope Francis visited the pediatric oncology ward, where he gave out Rosaries and chocolate Easter eggs to the children. The pope also baptized a baby named Miguel Angel, who was only a few weeks old.

Gemelli is the same hospital where Pope Francis was hospitalized for 10 days in July 2021 when he

underwent surgery on his colon for diverticulitis, or inflammation of the intestinal wall.

It is the same hospital

suite where John Paul II was treated throughout his pontificate, including after being shot in an assassination attempt in 1981.

Pope Francis greeted the crowd outside of the hospital after he was discharged on April 1. (Vatican Media)

On March 23, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., celebrated the Annual Pro-Life Mass at St. Julie’s Church in Dartmouth. The presentation of the John Cardinal O’Connor Awards and the announcement of the Pro-Life Student Essay Contest winners took place at the conclusion of the Mass. Both were sponsored by Family and Respect Life Ministries of the Diocesan Secretariat for the New Evangelization. Top, Jane and George Wilcox, both parishioners of St. Bernard Parish, Assonet, were presented the John Cardinal O’Connor Annual Pro-Life Award, given to recipients who express, by their actions, a deep understanding of the sacredness and dignity of all human life from conception through natural death. Bottom, winners of the Pro-Life Essay Contest: High School Division, Olivia Souza, first place; Caroline Sullivan, second place; both from Bishop Stang High School, Dartmouth; Junior High Division, Liam Iveson, first place; Benjamin Greene, second place; both from St. Michael School, Fall River. The essays will appear on the Anchor web site. anchornews.org. (Photos by John E Kearns Jr.)

St. Nicholas of Myra Church in North Dighton is ‘The CHOSEN’ series during Lent and beyond for all those wishing to share in the experience together. It is a time of reflection and fellowship. At left is a photo from the first showing. The Series will continue with Episodes 3 and 4 beginning in May. Free admission at St. Nicholas of Myra Parish Center, 499 Spring Street, No. Dighton. Contacts: Nancy Brown 774 218-1456 and Lloyd Simpson 508 243-7519. The Romeiros reached St. Nicholas of Myra on March 31. As they do each year they began their walk praying the Rosary in Portuguese. They started their pilgrimage last week from St. Bernard’s Church in Assonet. The Romeiros are: Derek Arruda, Jeffrey Clementine, Terry Galligan, Bruno Pimental, David Marques, William Belmore, Ronaldo Santos, Flavio Moniz, Tony Rego, Luis Silva, Michael Sousa, and Eric Rodrigues.

BOSTON — Robert D. Wilson (Bob) of Quincy died on March 27 at Boston Medical Center. Over the last 28 years Bob had a few health battles; however, he always managed to overcome them.

Bob was a devoted husband, a committed father, and a dynamic “Papa.”

Bob, a successful salesman, loved making the deal with his customers, and they respected him. He has always worked in the food industry. First as a food broker, then as a manufacturer’s representative. Bob sold household chemicals, laundry detergent, bleach then cereal. He even appeared on WBZ radio to talk about cereal. Bob was involved in his community. He started with Montclair School on the PTO, then became the Citywide parent’s representative on the Quincy

Robert D. Wilson, father of Father Richard D. Wilson

school committee. He was also on The Quincy Design Selection Committee.

Bob was devoted to his family and faith. Within his faith community, he was involved with the CYO of St. Ann. He loved waking early, and his first event of the day was to attend Mass. St. Agatha Church had a 7 a.m. Mass that was perfect timing for him. He became very involved there, organizing lectors and servers for that Mass. Later he volunteered to serve at the last chapter of the journey of faith, funerals, which he considered an honor and gave him great satisfaction. He was a

greeter at the 5 p.m. Mass after COVID. He came to know The Daughters of Mary of Nazareth and their outreach work. He would visit them often and offer them much support.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary (Vaughn).

His children also survive him, Father Richard D. Wilson of Fall River; Paul V. (Jasmine) of Merrimac, Mass.; and Suzanne Weaver of Concord, N.H.; and his brother, Richard J. Wilson. His daughter, Katherine Danehy (Brian), died in 2021. He was grandfather to Nikki and Rosie Danehy, Jake and Tommy Weaver, and Zechariah Wilson.

Survivors include his sisters-in-laws, Irene Green of South Carolina and Frances Cunningham of Whitman, and his nephew, Edward Parks,

East Taunton parish to host ASL Mass April 29

EAST TAUNTON —

On Saturday, April 29, the 4 p.m. Mass at Holy Family Church, East Taunton will be celebrated in ASL (American Sign Language), with interpretation.

Mass will be celebrated

by Father Shawn Carey, Director of the Boston Deaf Apostolate.

A gathering with hospitality will follow Mass in the Holy Family Parish Center (438 Middleboro Ave, East Taunton) for

all those in the deaf community to spend time in fellowship and learn more about the needs of the deaf community in the Diocese of Fall River.

No prior registration is required.

and many other close relatives. He was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Marguerite, his sister, Ann Marie Parks, his nephew, David Parks, and niece Sarah Cunningham, and his childhood friend, Ronald Newcomb.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to St. Agatha Church Milton, Daughters of Mary Of Nazareth, Quincy, Mass.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated April 4 at St. Agatha’s Church, Milton.

Afewweeks ago, I was blessed to be the director of the diocesan YES! retreat weekend. YES! is a weekend retreat for high school-age students and it is centered around the sacraments and includes a team of teens and adults. This retreat reminds us of the various ways we have said “yes” to God and the ways He continues to call us to say “yes” to Him.

As we enter Holy Week, we are reminded of the ultimate “yes” that Jesus made for us when He willingly took up our sins and our shame, and sacrificed Himself for our eternal life. Through Holy Week we are

Good Friday

reminded of the many yeses and nos that were uttered to God in just that one week. There are so clear and memorable ways during this week that people said “no” to Christ. We know that Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. We know that his betrayal led to Christ’s being arrested and killed. We know that even though Jesus gave Peter a head’s up, he still denied Him three times. We know that instead of standing up for what he knew was right, Pilate washed his hands of the situation and handed Him over to be crucified. I

think the no that we often forget about are the other Apostles who abandoned Jesus in His worst moment. We read in Scripture that the only Apostle at the cross when Jesus died was John. The others were hiding in

turn Him in to the authorities. Sometimes it is just not being where we should be.

fear that they would be connected to Jesus and would meet the same fate. Sometimes when we say no to Jesus, it is not just in those big Peter and Judas moments. Often it is in small ways. It is when we are called to be there for someone else but we choose to do something for ourselves instead. It involves those moments we are called to stand up for someone but we are afraid of what other people will say, so we do nothing. It is those moments we are called to listen to our parents but going against what they ask us to do is more appealing. It is that morning alarm clock that tells us to get up and go to church but we choose sleep or sports instead. Saying no to Christ does not always look like Judas collecting money to

Thankfully we also see the many people who said “yes” to Jesus during this Holy Week. We see the woman of Jerusalem who runs out to Him while He is carrying His cross, not worried about her own safety. We see Simon, a stranger to Jesus, help carry His heavy cross all the way to His place of death. We see Mary run to her son, push through the crowds, to hold Him as He struggles to carry His cross. We see Veronica ignore her own safety, and wipe the blood off His face. We read about Peter, after the crucifixion, going on to evangelize and bring Christ’s love and story to others. Even after a no, Christ continued to challenge Peter to say yes.

Today, just like the followers of Christ 2,000 years ago, Christ is calling us to say yes to Him. He is calling us to continue to say yes even after we have said no.

Diocese to host Day of Reflection for women 17-plus

DIGHTON — Sister Paulina Hurtado, O.P., Episcopal Representative to Religious and Associate Director of Vocations, has planned a “Day of Reflection for Young Women” on Saturday, April 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Dominican Sisters Convent in Dighton. The cost to attend is $10 and RSVPs are due by Saturday, April 22.

To make reservations or ask questions contact Sr.Paulina@dioc-fr.org or call: 909-496-2022 or 508675-1311 ext. 6533

This Holy Week is a reminder to us of the graces that pour out when we respond to God with a yes.

May you have a blessed and beautiful Easter season!

Anchor columnist Amanda Tarantelli has been a campus minister at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth since 2005. She is married, a diehard sports fan, and resides in Cranston, R.I. She can be reached at atarantelli@ bishopstang.org.

Fall River diocesan seminarian Lucas da Costa (at left), currently in the second theology class at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, was installed as a Lector during a Sunday, March 26 Mass at the seminary, celebrated by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. (right). For da Costa and five classmates also installed as Lectors that day, the ceremony marked an important step toward ordination.

Diocesan schools launch Discover Catholic Schools Campaign

FALL RIVER — It is no secret that the “great resignation” has had a large impact on organizations’ abilities to hire good people. According to a Chalkbeat analysis from eight states — the most comprehensive accounting of recent teacher turnover to date — more teachers than usual have exited public school classrooms after the 2021-22 school year, which confirms longstanding fears that pandemic-era stresses have prompted an outflow of educators.

Challenges with recruiting teachers and other staff members are also found in Catholic schools. With many principals and veteran teachers reaching retirement age, the need is greater than ever to develop a pipeline of committed Catholic school teachers, principals, and other support staff to fill the gaps left by retirement. As a result, the Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Fall River has launched a Rediscover Catholic Schools campaign intentionally focusing on the recruitment of educators and support staff in all 19 Catholic schools across the diocese.

This comprehensive campaign covers all aspects of communications, from digital advertising on social media, to radio coverage on Cat Country 98.1 and Big 101.3. All 60 parishes in the Diocese of Fall River have received a notice to include in the weekly bulletins for the next three months with the intent of identifying potential candidates from church parishioners. Weekly E-blasts will be sent to a broad audience across the diocese as well as CSO personnel attending job fairs at local colleges. No option will be left untapped as many Catholic schools face openings previously never experienced.

More specifically, Catholic schools are having a difficult time recruiting math and science teachers for middle school grades. While most Catholic schools cannot match the salaries offered by public schools, there are benefits to working in a Catholic school. Primarily, the ability to practice one’s faith and help develop the faith of the next generation is unique to a Catholic school environment. Moreover, Catholic schools are known for more rigorous academics and stricter adherence to policies; thus, diminishing the behavioral issues found in public schools.

“When I moved from public school to Bishop Feehan, I was immediately struck by the profound sense of purpose,” said Sean Kane, principal of Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro. “A sense of purpose comes from a core mission that is real.

A Catholic school is a true community of values and also expectations, so there’s definitely a sense that we are all being pushed, and also supported, to be the best we can be, in every sense. That felt different, and exciting. Any school can talk about mission and identity, but a truly empowering and shared mission can be hard to achieve. I have found that working with like-minded people has been incredibly rewarding. Teachers can teach without distraction. Students want to learn. We feel like anything is possible if we put our minds to it. And all of us are incredibly engaged. That shows up everywhere in our teams, clubs, arts, Masses, service work — everywhere. It’s a pleasure to come to work every day.”

Dan Roy, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Fall River said, “From a recruitment stand point, our Catholic schools

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel

~ Easter Sunday ~ Sunday, April 9 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Espirito Santo Church in Fall River ***

Sunday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Anthony Church in Taunton ***

Sunday, April 23 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Santo Christo Church in Fall River ***

Sunday, April 30 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence

have many wonderful opportunities for people to give of their time and talent. The beauty of working at our Catholic schools is that there is such a diverse background of professionals who bring different skills, experiences, and knowledge to our school communities. Some have retired from the public school sector and still have a desire to give to their community. Others are professionals who have changed careers and decided that teaching is

their new vocation. What we continually hear is that there is a sense of community and faith-based purpose in educating students spiritually, academically, and emotionally that were not apparent in previous work experiences. This is what Catholic schools are so well-known for and what we continually strive to improve.”

All job listings are available at www. catholicschoolsalliance. org/job-opportunities.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6

Sunday, April 9, Easter Sunday Special one hour time: Noon to 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Paul E. Canuel, a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese.

Celebrant is Father Kevin A. Cook, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk; and diocesan Director of Vocations

Celebrant is Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop of the Fall River Diocese.

Celebrant is Father Maurice O. Gauvin, Pastor of Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River.

Daily Readings † April 8 - May 5

Sat. April 8, Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil: (1) Gn 1:1—2:2 or 1:1,26-31a; Ps 104:1-2,5-6,10,12-14,24,35 or Ps 33:4-7,12-13,20-22; (2) Gn 22:1-18 or 22:12,9a,10-13,15-18; Ps 16:5,8-11; (3) Ex 14:15—15:1; (Ps) Ex 15:1-6,17-18; (4) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2,4-6,11-12,13b; (5) Is 55:1-11; (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4-6; (6) Bar 3:9-15,32—4:4; Ps19:8-11; (7) Ez 36:16-17a,18-28; Ps 42:3,5; 43:3-4 or (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6 or Ps 51:12-15,18-19; (8) Rom 6:3-11; Ps 118:1-2,16-17,2223; (9) Mt 28:1-10. Sun. April 9 Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: Acts 10:34a,37-43; Ps 118:1-2,16-17,22-23; Col

or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Sequence Victimae Paschali Laudes; Jn

or

or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, Lk 24:13-35 Easter Triduum

In Your Prayers

April 8

Rev. Alvin Matthews, OFM, Retired, Our Lady’s Chapel, New Bedford, 1988

April 9

Rev. Cornelius McSwiney, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1919

Rev. Edward F. Dowling, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1965

April 10

Rev. John P. Doyle, Pastor, St. William, Fall River, 1944

April 11

Rev. John F. Downey, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1914

Rev. John Mackey Fee, SS.CC., 2012

April 12

Rev. John Tobin, Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1909

Rev. Msgr. Alfred J. Gendreau, S.T.D., Retired Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall River, 1996

Rev. Edward P. Doyle, O.P., St. Raymond, Providence, R.I., 1997

Rev. Bertrand R. Chabot, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, New Bedford, 2002

April 13

Permanent Deacon Joseph Stanley Jr., 2006

April 14

Rev. Louis N. Dequoy, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1935

Rev. Cosmas Chaloner, SS.CC., St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet, 1977

Rev. John Godelaer, SS.CC., 1990

April 15

Rev. Christopher G. Hughes, D.D., Retired Rector, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, 1908

Permanent Deacon Oscar Drinkwater, 2011

Permanent Deacon George H. Zarella, 2021

April 16

Rev. Arthur E. Langlois, On Sick Leave, Denver, Colo., 1928

Rev. Norman F. Lord, C.S.Sp., Hemet, Calif., 1995

Rev. John W. Pegnam, USN, Retired Chaplain, 1996

April 18

Rev. Hugh B. Harrold, Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1935

Rt. Rev. John F. McKeon, P.R., Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1956

Rev. Joao Vieira Resendes, Retired Pastor, Espirito Santo, Fall River, 1984

Rev. Wilfred C. Boulanger, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 1985

Rev. George E. Amaral, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, Taunton, 1992

Permanent Deacon Vincent Patrick Walsh, 2014

April 19

Rev. William Wiley, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1855

Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Duart, Pastor, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown, 1975

Rev. Daniel E. Carey, Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Retired Pastor, St. Dominic, Swansea, 1990

Rev. Msgr. Antonino Tavares, Retired Pastor, Santo Christo, Fall River, 2008

April 20

Rev. Edward F. Coyle, S.S., St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Md., 1954

Rev. James E. O’Reilly, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk, 1970

Rev. James P. Dalzell, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1999

April 21

Rev. John O’Beirne, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton

Rev. Thomas M. Feeley, C.S.C., Author, Former National Director of Family Rosary of Holy Cross Family Ministries, Easton, 2004

Rev. Gerard Shanley, SS.CC., 2017

April 22

Rev. James L. Smith, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1910

Rev. Thomas F. Fitzgerald, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1954

Rev. Richard J. Segreve, C.S.C., Retired, Holy Cross Residence, Stonehill College, Easton, 2017

April 23

Rev. John J. Murphy, Retired Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 2007

April 24

Permanent Deacon Robert G. Lorenzo, 2021

April 25

Rev. John J. Wade, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1940

Rev. Raymond J. Lynch, Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, 1955

Rev. Charles A. Murray, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 2017

April 26

Rev. Ubalde Deneault, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1982

Rev. James F. Greene, Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford, 2002

Rev. James Murphy, 1869

April 27

Rev. Francis J. Bradley, D.D., Retired Rector, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, 1925

Rev. Romeo D. Archambault, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1949

Rev. Edward F. O’Keefe, S.J., Retired, St. Francis Xavier, Boston, 1973

April 28

Rev. Stanislaus J. Goyette, Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 1959

Rev. Wilfrid J. Vigeant, S.J., 2011

April 29

Rev. James Leo Maguire, Pastor, Diocese of Monterey, Calif., 1987

Rev. Adolph Szelagowksi, OFM Conv., Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford, 1989

Rev. Peter P. Mullen, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 1999

Rev. John M. Breen, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 2005

April 30

Rev. John A. Hurley, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1900

Rev. David F. Sheedy, Pastor, St. John Evangelist, Attleboro, 1930

Rev. John Moda, Pastor, St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ford City, Pa., 1993

May 1

Rev. Francis J. Quinn, Founder, Immaculate Conception, North Easton; Founder, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1882

Rev. Joseph F. D’Amico, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1996

Rev. Walter A. Sullivan, Pastor, St. Mary, South Dartmouth, 1997

May 2

Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.P. Leonidas Lariviere, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1963

May 5

Rev. Leo M. Curry, Retired Pastor, St. Dominic, Swansea, 1973

Rev. Albert Rowley, SS.CC., In residence, St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet, 1985

Rev. Raymond A. Robida, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, 2003,

Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks:

EAST FREETOWN —

Men of the Diocese of Fall River are invited to a new and exciting event planned for this spring. Food, fellowship, and formation will all be part of a “Men’s Meat and Greet,” to take place Saturday, May 6, at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown, from 5 to 8 p.m. It will include a barbeque, supersized yard games, and a talk by husband, father, author, and entrepreneur Tyler Rowley.

The event is being held jointly by the Men of St. Joseph apostolate of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet, and the Fall River diocesan Secretariat for the New Evangelization.

Planners say this “Men’s Meat and Greet” is not only for men who are already plugged into their parish and practicing their faith but also for men who do not yet know the Lord or who are not currently living a life of faith.

“Revitalization and renewal in the Church will

‘Men’s Meat and Greet’ on tap for May

come by way of renewal in the family,” said Deacon Chris Paul, director of Adult and Child Discipleship in the Secretariat.

“Catholic men need to see and to intentionally live their role as spiritual leaders. We hope that this event can be a step in that direction. Many men who have fallen away might not be comfortable just jumping back in; going to Confession, attending Sunday Mass or beginning to pray. But what guy doesn’t love a BBQ — with plenty of bacon — and some fun events? It is a non-threatening environment and the perfect atmosphere for evangelization where the witness of the men of the diocese can really impact the men who aren’t in the pews on Sunday. When you add Tyler Rowley into the equation, we hope that this will be a fun, powerful and really memorable night for the men of our diocese, wherever they may be in their faith.”

Rowley, a Providence

native who resides in Rhode Island, serves as president of Servants of Christ, which works to support life, family and the Catholic faith through media and activism. He is author of the 2021 book, “Because of Our Fathers: Twenty-Three Catholics Tell How Their Fathers Led Them to Christ,”

and is currently at work on a second book of stories highlighting the dignity of every human life.

On the grill at the “Men’s Meat and Greet” will be pulled pork, burgers, hot dogs — and 50 pounds of bacon — while a variety of games such as giant corn hole and slingshot and a trac-

tor pull will be in play on the grounds. The cost is $15 and registration is required. Interested men may sign up using the QR code on the posters found in the bulletin or the back of parish churches. Questions should be directed to Deacon Chris at 508-658-9089 or by email, cpaul@dioc-fr.org

Easter 1978; It has a nice ring to it

Irecall an Easter Sunday 45 years ago this year. While myriad folks were receiving Easter Bunnies encased in gold foil wrappers, Denise’s gold was of the 24 karat variety — topped by a sparkling diamond. That was the day that we became engaged — Easter Sunday 1978. A new life. What Easter offers.

It wasn’t one of those surprise proposals. In fact Denise was the one who selected the ring — a ring that unpretentious, pretty and charming. Just like she was and is.

But even with the planned Easter announcement of our engagement, things did not run smoothly. It seems to be a running theme in our last 45 years together — not always a smooth ride, but a ride shared together nonetheless.

A few days before Easter, Denise’s mémère passed away. We didn’t know if it would be appropriate to move ahead with our joyful news.

We consulted Denise’s mom, Colette, whose mother it was who

passed. She said by all means to move ahead. It would be a ray of sunshine in a cloudy time.

I gave Denise the ring, and even though we both know it was coming, it was still a thrill to put the band of gold on her finger. After having met two years earlier, we knew we were meant to share this journey together.

After sharing it with Denise’s family, we drove to her pépère’s house — the now widowed pépère. He was frail and we didn’t want to enter his apartment on the second floor, but he was in the window, and we waved to him and Denise held up the delicate ring to show him. His adorable face lit up and gave a thumbs up. It warmed my heart as much as Denise’s.

Next we went over to my house to share the news with my mom

and dad. They were thrilled. In fact my mom gave Denise a big hug — more than she did with me. She never once hugged me that I can remember, but I do chalk that up to the way many French-Canadians keep their emotions in check.

The victory tour was over and I just sat back and thought about what had transpired that wonderful Easter morning. I was engaged to my brown-eyed girl.

We have been together ever since. That year, 1978, was a whirlwind of events. I graduated from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth) a few months later, and we had a late October date set for the wedding. My head was spinning.

If that wasn’t enough, The Boston Red Sox were have their own whirlwind season.

As August turned to September, it was becoming a real possibility that the Sox could end up in the World Series. Smack dab in the middle of our wedding date. My thoughts became a nightmare scenario of them playing a World Series game as our reception was in full swing.

Arrrgghhhh!

Well, Bucky Dent of the New York Yankees took care of that with one swing of the bat. A lazy fly ball into the Green Monster net. That season Dent batted an anemic .243 with five home runs. Five! The Yankees win knocked us out of contention in a one-game playoff.

But Bucky Dent, he with the vulgar middle name given to him by people all over New England, was a marriage saver on its very first day.

This October will mark 45 years of marriage. And it all started on Easter Sunday, 1978, the day Denise and I became engaged.

It kind of has a nice ring to it, eh?