05.01.09

The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , May 1, 2009

Stonehill College to host Family Rosary Fest ‘The family that prays together, stays together’ ~ Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

NORTH EASTON — If all goes according to plan, 590 teens will form a living Mission Rosary on the field of W. B. Mason Stadium on the campus of Stonehill College, as part of Holy Cross Family Ministries’ Family Rosary Fest on June 6.

Ten teens will form one bead of each of the five decades of the rosary. The Mission Rosary was the creation of the late Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, who introduced it on his weekly television show. Each decade represents one of the five continents, with a different color for each — red, green, white, blue, and yellow.

“Our plan is to have the teens dressed in graduation gowns in each of the five colors to make up the living Mission Rosary,” said Congregation of Holy Cross Father John Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries. “If all goes well, 590 teens will make up the beads of the rosary.

“In the Mission Rosary, each bead represents a specific country on that continent, and the first half of the Hail Mary will be recited in that language, and the

response will be in English,” he told The Anchor in a recent interview. “The rosary will be recited in 59 different languages.”

Father Phalen said Archbishop Sheen wanted people to pray not just for themselves but for the world. And he teamed with another giant in the mission of worldwide evangelization through the rosary, Father Patrick Peyton, the famed “Rosary Priest.”

“Bishop Sheen asked Father Peyton to produce the Mission Rosaries from the headquarters of Family Rosary in Albany, N.Y., and Father Peyton was happy to oblige.”

The unique praying of the rosary at Stonehill is only part of the planned events for the day, which will run from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Family Rosary Fest is free and open to the public as Holy Cross Family Ministries continues to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder Servant of God Father Peyton, whose sainthood cause is ongoing.

The day will include praise, worship, music, inspiring talks in Brazilian, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Spanish and English according to Father Phalen.

Bishop of Fall River George W. Coleman will deliver the keynote address at the event’s conclusion, speaking on “Returning to the Rosary.”

Other diocesan speakers include Father George E. Harrison, pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River who will speak on “Eucharistic Devotion and the Rosary,” and Silveria Furtado from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in New Bedford, whose topic will be “Witnessing to the Power of the Rosary.” Furtado is the leader of her parish’s prayer group, a member of the parish council and an extraordinary minister of holy Communion.

Father Phalen will deliver an address on “The Family and the Rosary.” Bishop of Gonaive, Haiti, Yves-Marie Pean, also a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross will speak on “The Rosary as Prayer for Peace.” Gerrie Stadelmann, a survivor of a terrorist attack in Mumbai in India last November will speak on “The Rosary in Time of Crisis.” Stadelmann holed up in her hotel room at the time of the attack, all the while praying the rosary that she Turn to page 18

Four diocesan priests celebrate 50th anniversary of ordination

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

HEARING AN ECHO — Candidates on a recent ECHO retreat weekend listen to a witness talk. (Photo courtesy of Mary Fuller)

Retreats inspire participants throughout the diocese

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — Although participation in various retreat programs throughout the Fall River Diocese has waned of late, those actively involved in programs like Emmaus, ECHO and YES! remain confident their efforts are not in vain.

Frank Medeiros, director of the Emmaus retreats based at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown, said they’ve been consistently running four retreats a year since the pro-

gram’s inception in 1974, with participation ranging from at least a dozen to 30 candidates per session.

“Emmaus is similar in format to a Cursillo for young adults,” Medeiros said. “Men and women ages 35 and up came to us and said they wished there was something for their 20-year-old sons and daughters. Because the Cursillo program — at least in the Fall River Diocese — has pretty much fallen by the wayside, people looking for a Cursillo experience can participate Turn to page 18

ing in my garden,” the 78-year-old their anniversaries, Father Roger J. FALL RIVER — Two groups former pastor of Holy Redeemer Levesque and Msgr. John J. Smith totaling 10 young men approached Parish in Chatham where he still were among seven ordained later in 1959, on April 25, also by Bishop the altar in St. Mary’s Cathedral on helps out, said.

“After studies at Boston College Connolly in the cathedral. different dates a half century ago “So on January 6 of this year this year to be ordained priests for and St. John’s Seminary in BrighI celebrated the Fall River Mass in my Diocese. last parish … in The four Holy Redeemclergymen er Church, and remaining of spent the rest of those groups the day quietly, took time last prayerfully but week to talk without fanto The Anchor fare,” said Faand reflect on ther Buckley. how the years “After the death have taken of my mother I them many haven’t marked miles apart as the ordination they celebrate date with much the 50th anniFather Roger J. Levesque Msgr. John J. Smith goings-on,” he versary of their added. priesthood.

However, later in January, as a “My 15 years since retirement ton, I was among three ordained in February 2001 have been very on Jan. 6, 1959 by Bishop James former Maryknoll seminarian in good,” reported Father James F. L. Connolly in the cathedral in Fall Glen Ellen, Ill., and Maryknoll, Buckley, currently a resident of River, and I was alongside Father N.Y., he joined with some of his Francis Kirby,” noted Father Buck- former classmates on a trip to CenYarmouth on Cape Cod. tral America where they visited El “No, I don’t play golf … but I ley, a native of Somerville.

The two others celebrating Turn to page 12 enjoy kayaking, skiing, and work-

2

News From the Vatican

May 1, 2009

Pope creates five saints, says they hold lessons for economic crisis

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI canonized five new saints and said their dedication to the Eucharist, the poor and the world of work made them models for today’s Christians in an era of economic crisis.

By orienting their lives to Christ, the five men and women showed that “it is possible to lay the foundations for construction of a society open to justice and solidarity, overcoming that economic and cultural imbalance that continues to exist in a great part of our planet,” the pope said.

The pope celebrated the canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square April 26, joined by tens of thousands of pilgrims who held up photos or drawings of the saints.

Four of the new saints were Italian and one was Portuguese.

Dressed in bright gold vestments, the 82-year-old pontiff listened as biographies of the five were read aloud, and then pronounced the canonization formula, drawing applause from the crowd. Afterward, relics of the new saints were brought to the altar.

In his homily, the pope said the saints’ life stories hold valuable lessons for modern Christians.

Each of the newly canonized had a special devotion to the Eucharist, and each transformed that spiritual power into social action, he said.

The five new saints are: — St. Arcangelo Tadini, a parish priest from the northern Italian area of Brescia, who preached strongly in defense of workers’ rights during the industrialization period of the late 1800s. He organized an association to help factory workers, established a spinning mill to give young girls of the area gainful employment, and eventually founded a religious order of Sisters who worked alongside women in the factories.

Pope Benedict said his Gospel-inspired social activity was “prophetic” and is particularly relevant in the current economic crisis. He said the saint taught people that a deep personal relationship with Christ is the key to bringing Christian values into the workplace; — St. Bernardo Tolomei, who, inspired by his love for prayer and for manual labor, founded a unique Benedictine monastic movement in Italy in the 14th century. Born in Siena, he was forced by an onset of blindness to give up a public career, and he decided to found a small hermitic community. He later founded the monastery of Santa Maria di

Monte Oliveto Maggiore, and died in 1348 of the plague while helping victims of the disease; his burial place, in a common pit, has never been found.

The pope called him “an authentic martyr of charity” and said his service to others was an inspiration to all; — St. Nuno de Santa Maria Alvares Pereira, a Portuguese army hero in the late 1300s, who, after the death of his wife, abandoned his military career and gave up his wealth to enter a Carmelite monastery. In particular he helped the poor, distributing food to the needy. He was totally dedicated to Marian prayer, and fasted in Mary’s honor three days of the week.

The pope said he was happy to canonize a person whose faith grew while in the military, a context generally viewed as unfavorable to holiness. It demonstrates that the values and principles of the Gospel can be realized in any situation, especially when they are employed for the common good, he said; — St. Geltrude Comensoli, born in the mid-19th century in the Brescia area, who established a religious institute dedicated to the adoration of the Eucharist. In approving the institute in 1880, Pope Leo XIII asked her to include as part of its mission the education of young female factory workers.

Pope Benedict said this connection of contemplative charity with “lived charity” was particularly important “in a society that is lost and often wounded like our own.” He said the saint’s life shows that adoration takes precedence over acts of charity, because “from love for Christ died and resurrected, and truly present in the Eucharist, comes that evangelical charity that pushes us to consider all men as brothers”; — St. Caterina Volpicelli, who founded a community of Sisters centered on Eucharistic adoration and service to the poor, especially young orphans, in the slums of Naples in the mid-1800s.

The pope said she correctly saw that in order to bring the Gospel to bear on society it was necessary to “liberate God from the prisons in which man has confined him.”

Banners depicting the newly canonized were hung on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, and fluttered in the breeze during the two-hour liturgy. At the end of the Mass, the pope greeted pilgrims in several languages and said he hoped the new saints would inspire people to witness the Gospel courageously in their daily lives.

UNIVERSAL APPEAL — Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Greed lies at the root of all evil and is the source of the current global economic crisis, the pope said in his audience talk. (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters)

For pope, St. Francis offers lesson on conversion for modern times

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — At first glance, the scholarly Pope Benedict XVI — sometimes dubbed “the pope of reason” — might seem an unlikely devotee of St. Francis of Assisi, the mystic friar of simple faith.

Yet the German pope has found in St. Francis something that goes beyond the saint’s popular image as the patron of peace, the environment and animals. For him, St. Francis offers a model of radical conversion to Christ.

An earlier pontiff, Pope Innocent III, approved the founding of St. Francis’ religious order 800 years ago, and in mid-April Franciscans from all over the world converged on the Italian hill town of Assisi to celebrate the anniversary.

Assisi has gained a reputation as a place for spiritual seekers of every stripe, and its interreligious gatherings in recent years have drawn criticism from some conservative quarters of the Church.

Pope Benedict, however, has lauded the “spirit of Assisi” and its emphasis on dialogue and interfaith bridge-building.

At the same time, he has encouraged Franciscans to highlight the fact that St. Francis’ spiritual path began with a lifechanging encounter with Christ.

Today’s pilgrims need to understand that connection, he said.

It’s instructive to see how Pope Benedict views the life of St. Francis. During the same visit, the pope described the young Francis as a “king of partying” who grew disillusioned with the

clothes, music and relatively easy life afforded him by his economic status in the 13th century.

In his first 25 years, the pope said, Francis was mainly out for fun and entertainment in life. He was vain and placed a lot of emphasis on image.

The pope’s portrait of the young Francis was not a flattering one. The pope compared Francis’ conversion to that of St. Paul. Although Francis’ journey was more gradual, he said, it was just as intense as St. Paul being knocked off his horse and blinded by the light of Christ.

His conversion is sometimes pinpointed to the moment when, praying before a crucifix, he heard God’s voice telling him to “repair my house.” He then wandered the hills trying to rebuild churches, but this was far from an idyllic lifestyle: Francis was mocked as a madman, pelted with stones, locked up at times by his angry father and often went hungry and cold.

It was in 1208 that Francis clearly understood his vocation, while listening to the Gospel account of Christ’s instructions to his disciples: to renounce all material things and to roam the land, calling people to penance and peace. He experienced these words of Scripture as a personal calling.

By now, ridicule among the local people was turning to respect, and Francis began to attract followers. He wrote the first “rule,” a collection of Gospel principles on which his order would be founded; the exact form of that text is unknown today, but it was approved orally by Pope Innocent III in 1209 — despite re-

ported resistance by the Roman Curia to such a radical mode of religious life.

This year’s commemoration in Assisi marks the approval of the first rule of St. Francis, and it will no doubt be followed by others in a kind of “rolling anniversary” of Franciscan milestones, including Francis’ death in 1226. He was canonized only two years after he died, and has become the patron saint of Italy, of the Italian lay movement Catholic Action and many other groups, as well as of animals and the environment.

For Pope Benedict, St. Francis is relevant today not only because of his eco-friendly image.

The key to his vocation was the figure of Christ, the pope said, and if seen strictly through the lens of social activism the saint suffers a “type of mutilation.”

That St. Francis suffered the stigmata — the wounds of Christ — was an eloquent sign of this, he said.

“He fell in love with Christ.

The wounds of the crucified one wounded his heart before leaving their marks on his body on Mount La Verna. He could truly say with Paul: ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me,’” the pope said.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the figure of St. Francis appear in Pope Benedict’s upcoming social encyclical, which is expected to treat the questions of charity and the Christian response to economic injustice.

As the pope has said, St. Francis’s radical rejection of material comfort was part of his “quest for Christ in the faces of the poor.”

May 1, 2009

The International Church

3

Irish parishes report increase in Mass attendance since recession

By Michael Kelly Catholic News Service

GETTING READY — A nun stands near a poster depicting Pope Benedict XVI in Nazareth, Israel, recently. The pope is scheduled to visit the city during his May trip to the Holy Land. (CNS photo/ Amir Cohen, Reuters)

As papal visit nears, issues in Israel, Palestinian lands remain unclear

By Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service

JERUSALEM — Less than three weeks before Pope Benedict XVI’s pilgrimage to Israel and the Palestinian territories, many issues remained unresolved.

It is unclear how much preparations for the trip will cost or who will foot what part of the bill, whether more than 200 Gaza Christians who have been promised permits to attend the pope’s Masses will receive them, or even how many Christians live in the Holy Land, said Wadie Abunasser, head of the communications committee for the May 11-15 visit to Israel and the West Bank.

The papal visit is part of a larger trip that includes a stop in Jordan May 8-11.

In a press briefing April 21 in Jerusalem, Abunasser said the cost for the May 11-15 visit is being shared by the Israeli government and local Christians.

Before the recent formation of the new government, Israel had earmarked more than $10 million for infrastructure and other preparations; the local Church also is raising funds for the visit, he said.

“The total (cost) is not clear,” Abunasser said, noting that the local Church is a tiny one. “We estimate it could reach a few million dollars. And there are fundraising efforts but we don’t have an exact figure. Every day we have to add more — there are always budgetary surprises.”

He said the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land had invested $100,000 for preparation of the site for the pope’s May 12 Mass

in Jerusalem’s Josafat Valley.

As to the number of Christians in Israel and the Palestinian territories, he said statistics were not reliable because there is a lot of internal movement within the community. People leave the country but remain registered in their parishes, he added.

However, roughly speaking, he said, there are approximately 180,000 Christians in the area, with up to 70 percent of them belonging to various Catholic rites: Melkite, Armenian, Latin, Syrian, Chaldean and Coptic.

Abunasser said the local Church has asked Israeli authorities to issue travel permits for up to 250 Gaza Christians, which would allow them to take part in one the pope’s three public Masses: May 12 in Jerusalem, May 13 in Bethlehem, West Bank, or May 14 in Nazareth, Israel.

Abunasser reiterated that the prospect of the pope visiting the Gaza Strip had been studied very carefully, but it was determined that for security and logistical reasons a visit would not be possible at this time. However, he said, the pope will meet specifically with a group of Christians from Gaza at the Palestinian Authority’s presidential palace in Bethlehem.

“We are dedicating a special place for Gazans to meet the Holy Father,” Abunasser said.

He said the travel permits that Israel normally issues to West Bank Christians for the Easter holiday were extended until the end of the pope’s visit, and he expects about 11,000 West Bank Christians to have permits for the visit.

“It is not a secret that sometimes we have obstacles with the Israelis for travel or to get permits, but there are some signals, and I do believe there will be better cooperation,” he said. “We can’t guarantee that everything will be as we want it, but I do hope that our faithful will have more freedom of movement.”

Abunasser also presented the visit’s official poster, which includes writing in English, Arabic and Hebrew. The official logo shows Jesus appointing Peter as his successor. There are also photographs of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

Although the papal visit is intended to “encourage and reaffirm” the strong ties between the local Church and the Vatican and to promote interreligious relations, Abunasser said he hoped it also will promote a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The situation is complicated in our part of the world. There is a new government in Israel, and it is not clear what the future of the region is — with Iran and the situation in Iraq not settled, and there are upcoming elections in Lebanon. We are living in boiling water,” Abunasser said. “But we are people of faith and we believe in prayer.

“Maybe the Holy Father will succeed where others have failed.

We don’t have any illusions that the day after the pope leaves there will be a signed peace agreement. But maybe people will be more willing to try other ways,” he said.

DUBLIN, Ireland — Many Irish parishes have reported an increase in Mass attendance in recent months, with some parishes reporting increases of up to 30 percent.

Bishop Joseph Duffy of Clogher, Northern Ireland, said it is not just the older people who are attending Mass in greater numbers.

“There are a lot of people with young families who have been absent from the Church who are now returning,” Bishop Duffy said.

“It’s been happening for a little while now — people are seeing the need for deeper values, for moral values that lead on to a search for spiritual values; people are certainly searching for something deeper,” he said.

After a period of unprecedented economic growth, Ireland’s economy has been in dire straits in recent months. In a work force of two million, approximately 1,000 people lose their jobs every day.

“People are experiencing deep crisis for the first time in

their lives,” Bishop Duffy said.

“The pace of this economic collapse has been so swift, I think it is causing people to stop and search; this naturally finds a home in coming back to Church.”

Several priests around Northern Ireland and Ireland echoed the bishop’s comments.

In County Donegal, in Ireland, Father William Peoples said there were “much bigger crowds than recent years. On Easter Sunday, we had a 30 percent increase, but it’s been noticeable over the last few months.

“The recession certainly has something to do with it,” he said. “I suppose we have walked down the road of the Celtic Tiger for many years; we get fed up of a materialistic world and desire more.”

In Tuam, in the west of Ireland, Father Sean Cunningham said: “I have noticed an increase in numbers of the last few months and I think the recession has a big part in that. I sense a move to more openness to faith and religion, and that people are searching for something deeper than material things.”

The Church in the U.S.

4

Hispanics, Asians make their mark in ordination class of 2009

B y Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — Asianborn men make up 11 percent of the ordination class of 2009 even though the number of Asian Catholics in the United States hovers around three percent of the total Catholic population, an annual survey of incoming priests has found.

At the same time, men of Hispanic descent make up 12 percent of the country’s ordination class this spring although the percentage of U.S. Hispanic Catholics is estimated at about 34 percent, reported the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University in a study for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Approximately three percent of the new priests are African or African-American; it is the same percentage of African-American Catholics in the U.S. Church. Caucasians still dominate the class, accounting for 72 percent of the new priests, even though Caucasians make up only 58 percent of U.S. Catholics.

The survey also reported that 465 men are preparing for ordination this year, a significant increase from the 401 men in the class of 2008.

Nearly 70 percent of the ordinands across the country responded to the survey. The respondents included 239 men being ordained for the diocesan priesthood and 71 for religious orders. Fifteen others did not specify their affiliation.

The study found the average age of ordinands is 36.

About 31 percent of them are

between 25 and 29 years old.

Forty-four percent are in their 30s, the survey reported. Four are in their 60s.

The youngest ordinand responding to the survey was 25 and the oldest was 66.

The study revealed that, at least this year, the number of new priests born outside the United States declined from earlier years. It was reported that 24 percent of ordinands are foreign-born, down from the 31 percent to 32 percent rate of the last two years.

The largest number of foreign-born seminarians came from Vietnam, Mexico, Poland and the Philippines.

About 10 percent of the new priests were not raised Catholic, having joined the Church at age 21 on average, the study reported.

Those who became Catholic are almost evenly divided between mainline Protestant religions, such as Episcopal, Lutheran, Anglican and United Church of Christ, and evangelical or conservative Protestant traditions, such as Church of Christ, Baptist or nondenominational Christian. Five ordinands who joined the Church were raised without a faith tradition.

The survey revealed that more than six in 10 men completed college before entering the seminary. Nearly one in five of the respondents had earned a graduate degree.

Just more than half of the ordinands attended Catholic elementary school. That rate is higher than the 42 percent of U.S. adult Catholics who report attending a Catholic el-

ementary school. The survey also reported that 43 percent of the ordinands attended a Catholic high school and 42 percent attended a Catholic college or university.

About two-thirds of the ordinands said they worked full time before entering the seminary. Careers cited most often included education (16 percent), sales or marketing (10 percent), accounting, finance or insurance (10 percent), computers (eight percent), skilled labor or farming (seven percent) and management (seven percent).

The class of 2009 includes Justin Minh Nguyen of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, a skilled tailor and a refugee from Vietnam.

Other ordinands include a former Wall Street actuarym, a certified public accountant, a police officer, a probation officer, a veterinarian, a doctor, a locomotive engineer and a former executive director of entertainment for the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

“These new priests reflect a tremendous dedication to the church and show great promise,” said Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, of Boston, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

“Those who formed them in the faith both in their families and schools can be proud of their efforts,” he said in an April 20 statement. “The Lord planted the seeds of their vocations, and the surrounding community helped them grow.”

May 1, 2009

Glendon declines to accept Notre Dame’s prestigious Laetare Medal

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Citing concerns about plans to honor President Barack Obama despite his views on “fundamental principles of justice” that are contrary to Catholic teaching, former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon has turned down the prestigious Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame.

In an April 27 letter to Holy Cross Father John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, Glendon said she will not participate in May 17 commencement exercises during which the award was to have been presented.

The letter, posted on the blog of the magazine First Things, does not mention specific justice principles, but Glendon was critical of Notre Dame’s decision to give Obama an honorary degree.

Obama supports legal abortion and his administration recently proposed new regulations that would allow the use of federal funds for embryonic stem-cell research.

Both are in direct conflict with fundamental Church teaching.

The Laetare Medal is presented annually to an American Catholic layperson for outstanding service to the Catholic Church and society.

A spokeswoman for the Indiana university confirmed April 27 that Glendon, who served as ambassador from 2007 until earlier this year, was the first person to accept and then later decline the award.

Father Jenkins offered a twosentence response on the university’s Website.

“We are, of course, disappointed, that Professor Glendon has made this decision,” his statement said. “It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make the announcement as soon as possible.”

Glendon, professor of law at Harvard Law School, wrote that the Notre Dame’s decision to honor the president disregards a 2004 request from the U.S. bishops to Catholic institutions and organizations asking them “not to honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.”

The former ambassador said she felt the bishops’ request is “reasonable” and does not seek to “control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite speakers

The Anchor

and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes.” As a result, she wrote, “I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.”

Glendon said she was also concerned that the university had issued “talking points” that implied that her acceptance speech for the award would “somehow balance the event.”

She quoted two statements from the university: — “President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.”

— “We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.”

Glendon wrote that a commencement is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families.

“It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision — in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops — to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice,” the letter said.

In light of reports that other Catholic institutions also are choosing to disregard the bishops’ request, Glendon expressed concern that Notre Dame’s example “could have an unfortunate ripple effect.”

Glendon concluded her letter by saying that she would release it to the media without making any other comment “at this time.”

The Laetare Medal has been awarded by the university since 1883 and is the university’s oldest and most prestigious award for lay Catholics. Past recipients include President John F. Kennedy; Sen. Daniel P. Moynihan; death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille; and Dorothy Day, cofounder of the Catholic Worker Movement. Last year’s recipient was actor and political activist Martin Sheen.

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May 1, 2009

The Church in the U.S.

5

Bill to codify same-sex marriage called attack on religious freedom

By Roberta Tuttle Catholic News Service

HARTFORD, Conn. — For the second time in as many months, Connecticut’s Catholic bishops used weekend Masses to urge parishioners to fight proposed legislation that they said attacks religious freedom.

Pulpit announcements read in churches statewide called on Catholics to help defeat a Senate bill that seeks to codify the Connecticut Supreme Court’s ruling last October legalizing same-sex marriage but that “fails to protect the First Amendment rights of individuals, religious organizations and related societies.”

“Last month, Catholics across Connecticut joined with fellow citizens in sending a strong message to the state Legislature: Religious liberty must never be violated,” the bishops said in the pulpit announcement.

The bishops were referring to a March 11 rally that drew 5,000 people for a rally outside Connecticut’s state Capitol in Hartford to protest a bill — pulled from the Legislature the previous day — that would have given laypeople financial control of their parishes.

“Your swift and decisive action brought down Senate Bill 1098, which was a direct attack on the Catholic Church. We thank you for your courage in speaking out,” they said.

“We need you to speak out again. Now we are facing another attack on our religious liberty. It is very serious and must be stopped now,” they added.

Churchgoers in the Hartford Archdiocese and the Bridgeport Diocese also received letters from their bishops and information about how to contact their lawmakers.

In his letter, Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford said the measure “does not guarantee the First Amendment rights of clergy, religious and laity to practice their faith and operate their programs and services in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs.”

Because it does not provide full conscience protection, the archbishop wrote,

“individuals and religious groups, particularly those that provide social and educational services, would be subject to civil harassment in the form of lawsuits.”

“The state of Connecticut could try to coerce religious groups by giving grants, contracts and licenses only to organizations that recognize and support same-sex marriage,” he said.

Developments outside Connecticut are heightening the bishops’ concern, the archbishop wrote.

He pointed to Catholic Charities in the Boston Archdiocese deciding to abandon its adoption services after the legalizing of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts rather than be forced to place children with same-sex couples. In Canada, a Knights of Columbus group that refused to rent its hall for a same-sex wedding reception was slapped with a fine, he wrote.

The proposed bill in Connecticut would repeal a provision in the current law that “protects our children from government indoctrination in sexual lifestyles ... that are contrary to our beliefs,” the archbishop wrote.

The bishops asked Catholics to urge their lawmakers to vote “no” on the Senate bill and they listed lawmakers by district, providing phone numbers, political party affiliations and email addresses.

The bishops’ campaign coincides with media ads being sponsored by the Family Institute of Connecticut, the Knights of Columbus and the National Organization for Marriage. Full-page advertisements in most daily newspapers feature an image of a formal invitation, which reads: “You’re Cordially Invited to Witness Your Rights Being Taken Away.”

The ads urge readers to contact lawmakers to ask them to vote against the proposed bill, because it “will deny citizens their religious rights.”

The ads also claim that under the measure schools will have to teach about gay marriage, even if they do not want to, “church groups who won’t comply will be punished by the government” and “businesses will have to close their doors.”

HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND — Archbishop Robert J. Carlson greets children with a high-five outside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis. Pope Benedict XVI has appointed the bishop of Saginaw, Mich., as the next archbishop of St. Louis. Archbishop Carlson spent the day his appointment was announced meeting and greeting people in St. Louis. (CNS photo/Jerry Naunheim Jr., St. Louis Review)

Bishop Wenski to celebrate Mass of reparation for N.D. controversy

By Catholic News Service ORLANDO, Fla. — Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando will celebrate a Mass of reparations May 3 at the Cathedral of St. James in downtown Orlando “for all of our transgressions against the Gospel of life.”

The announcement of the Mass on the diocesan Website, www.orlandodiocese. org, linked it to the decision by the University of Notre Dame in Indiana to invite President Barack Obama to speak at its May 17 commencement and to give him an honorary degree.

“As Catholics we are aware of the many shortcomings and transgressions committed against the dignity and sacredness of human life in our world,” the announcement said.

“That is why it is inconceivable,” it said, that Notre Dame, “a Catholic institution of higher learning, should receive and honor anyone who promotes policies that are contradictory to who we are as a people of faith.”

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

“As our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, stated in his visit to the U.S. last year in reference to Catholic university presidents, ‘to justify positions that contradict the faith and teaching of the Church would obstruct or even betray the university’s identity and mission,’” said the diocesan announcement.

2009 Schedule

6

The Anchor Our vocational co-responsibility

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday because each year at Mass the Gospel is about Jesus’ self-identification as the Good Shepherd, is the annual occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It is an opportunity for the whole Church to reflect on how Christ gave his life for us and constantly summons us to imitate him in giving our lives for others. It’s a chance to recall that the Good Shepherd knows and calls each of us by name and that each of us must respond to that gift by knowing him in return, heeding his voice and following him.

Since Pope Paul VI established this day of prayer for vocations in 1964 during the Second Vatican Council, the popes have issued a message each year to guide and deepen the Church’s understanding on the vocational reality of Christian existence as well as to lead the Church in prayer to the “Lord of the Harvest” to send out priestly, religious, and consecrated laborers to work his always-ripe fields.

In anticipation of this year’s celebration on Sunday, Pope Benedict wrote on the theme of “Faith in the Divine Initiative: The Human Response” and asked all of us in the Church to reflect on it.

He begins his message with a profound thanksgiving to God for the “special gift” of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, both those he has called throughout the centuries as well as those he continues to call today.

The pope implies by his title and throughout the letter that the “vocations crisis” plaguing some dioceses and countries is not so much a “calling” crisis — because the Harvest Master has never ceased to call people to follow Christ “more closely” as “his privileged ministers and witnesses” — but more a problem of “hearing” or “response.” The shortage of priests and religious in some parts of the world flows not because God has abandoned calling men and women to collaborate intimately with him in the mission of salvation, but because so many have stopped listening to him in prayer, or have never been trained how to interpret the vocational signs he gives, or have never really cultivated the habit of generous, loving response to God so as to be ready to “place their entire existence freely at his service” if in fact he calls.

This is the reason why, in order to cultivate the soil to bear fruit if in fact God plants the seed of a priestly or consecrated vocation, the pope says the first step is to “appeal to the divine initiative with unceasing prayer.” Not only does the Lord of the Harvest respond to such petitions made with trusting faith in his providence, but such prayer also brings those whom the Lord may be calling to serve him in this way into prayerful dialogue so that they may hear his summons when he makes his plans for them clear.

Prayer is not the only thing that is needed, however. Pope Benedict says that three other steps are required for those who are called to be able to answer responsibility and with conviction.

The first is “careful listening and prudent discernment.” Young people in particular need to be trained in the art of listening to God and discerning his voice, not merely in prayer but also in the subtle signs God gives through personal talents, the events of life, and the intervention of others. God is speaking, but to those who have never learned how to listen and discern, he is often speaking a foreign language. The Church — by which the pope specifies families, parishes, movements, apostolic associations, religious communities and “all sectors of diocesan life” — has the duty to help people decipher and understand this often faint and mysterious idiom.

The second step is a “serious study” of the reality that is proper to the priestly and religious vocations. The integral formation of every Catholic should involve exposure to and adequate understanding of the various states of life in the Church. The practice of “vocations awareness days” in Catholic schools and CCD programs is obviously a good one, and helps to open up young people’s minds to the various manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the Church. At the same time, however, they are no substitute for what the Holy Father calls “serious study,” which implies a sincere and mature effort on the part of each of us, as well as a recommended “plan of study” provided by pastors, parents, and teachers. Every young Catholic should be encouraged and helped to give serious consideration to each of the vocations in the Church, not merely to discern whether God might be calling him or her to one of them in particular, but also to be aware of all of them in order to assist those whom the Lord is calling. It’s obviously hard to be God’s instrument to promote and assist vocations to the Order of Virgins, for example, if one has little or no idea of what a consecrated virgin is.

The third stage that the pope describes is “a generous and willing adherence to the divine plan.” When people seek the will of God in their daily life and strive to follow Christ faithfully on the path of love and holiness, when they are aware of the various range of possibilities to which God might be calling them, it is much easier to hear what God is asking and to give a free and wholehearted “yes” to his invitation. All those in the Church — but particularly families, catechists and parishes — must help young people to make the often difficult transition from saying “my will be done” to “thy will be done,” and from asking, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” to “What does God want me to do when I grow up?”

The Holy Father says that one great means to help us learn how to adhere generously and willingly to the divine plan is a deeper understanding of and participation in the mystery of the Eucharist. Jesus in the Eucharist, the pope says, gives us the “eminent model of a ‘vocational dialogue’ between the free initiative of the Father and the faithful response of Christ.”

He shows us in the Eucharist how to seek the Father’s will, to enter into a similarly “fruitful dialogue,” and to respond with loving trust and total surrender. “The awareness of being saved by the love of Christ, which every Mass nourishes in the faithful,” the pope teaches, “cannot but arouse within them a trusting self-abandonment to Christ who gave his life for us. To believe in the Lord and to accept his gift, therefore, leads us to entrust ourselves to him with thankful hearts, adhering to his plan of salvation.” In other words, the “amen!” we say to Christ in holy Communion trains us to say “yes” to Christ freely and unreservedly when he asks us to follow him down a particular vocational path. The communion brought about by the faithful reception of the sacrament of the Eucharist, the pope concludes, “thus becomes ‘co-responsibility,’ responsibility in and with Christ, through the action of his Holy Spirit; it becomes communion with the One who makes it possible for us to bear much fruit.”

As we come together on Good Shepherd Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist and pray to the Harvest Master to call more laborers to his fields, we ask the Holy Spirit to give all of us a deep sense of the specific vocation each of us has to be “co-responsible” with God in his divine plan and to make us docile instruments as well to guide others to discern how God is calling them to sacred co-responsibilities.

May 1, 2009

Doctor Magnificus

Ten days ago the Church marked the 900th tence of God, beautiful contemplative expositions anniversary of the birth into eternal life of the on God’s attributes, the most thorough theological man Pope Benedict calls “one of the most lumi- work on why God chose to become man, books nous figures in the tradition of the Church and in and treatises on the Trinity, creation, truth, freethe very history of western European thought.” will, the origin of evil, and so many other subjects.

He is one of the most famous monks of all time, For all his work, this “father of scholasticism” was the greatest theologian the Church produced in declared a doctor of the Church by Pope Clement the eight centuries between St. Augustine and St. XI in 1720.

Thomas Aquinas, and, in the twilight of his life, a The third stage of his life took place in Engcourageous reformer and defender of the Church land when he was selected to succeed his old as Archbishop of Canterbury. Future generations mentor Lanfranc as Archbishop of Canterbury. have called him the “Magnificent Doctor.” His- He begged and pleased to get out of the appointtory knows him as St. Anselm. ment. “It’s known to many,” he wrote later to Pope His life is really divided into three stages, Urban II, “what violence was done to me and how lived in three different countries, each of which reluctant and opposed I was when I was made contains lessons for us in the Church today.

Bishop in England; how I laid out the reasons of He was born in 1033 and grew up in Aosta, health, age, weakness and ignorance [of politics Italy, near what are now the French and Swiss and ecclesiastical affairs] which show how much borders, in the heart of the Alps. The mountains I’m unfit for this office; how I reject and absolutethat surrounded him formed him always to look ly detest secular responsibilities; and how I am upward; the clouds that would obscure the peaks simply not fit to manage them without putting the inspired him to search beyond what he could see. salvation of my own soul in danger.” His remonOne night he dreamed that he had climbed to the strations didn’t work. top of one of the mountains and found himself For the last 16 years of his life, he needed to before the divine majesty. It’s no surprise that leave the fruitful and relative tranquility of the much later, when he would write a famous book monastery — where despite the problems that exon prayerful study, he would dub it the “upward ist in any community, he presided over a group journey of the of men dedicated mind into God.” to God who had When he was taken a vow of 15, he told his obedience — to parents that he reform and dedesired to enter fend the Church into a monastery in a situation that to deepen his inwas chaotic and

By Father terior pilgrimage vicious, both inRoger J. Landry into the divine side and outside communion. His the Church. The father, a highly virtues he had choleric man, vehemently refused to give his cultivated in the monastery, however, helped him consent. That rejection damaged his son greatly. not only preserve the sanctity of his soul but also After undergoing what seemed to be a nervous courageously bring about much needed reforms breakdown, Anselm decided — whether out of of ecclesiastical discipline, clerical morality and depression, sadness, or anger, it’s hard to say — in the relationship between Church and state. to give up his studies and live a worldly and irHe arrived at a time in which King William responsible life.

Rufus of England was trying to dominate the As we approach on Sunday the World Day of Church and most of the bishops cowardly and unPrayer for Vocations, it’s important to recall how faithfully let him, choosing to obey Caesar rather many young people still today suffer due to the than God. With patient and fierce determination, opposition of their parents to their seeking to do Anselm fought to free the Church from the regal the will of God. stranglehold and acquire greater juridical control After his mother died and his father grew in- in the appointment of bishops. These were long creasingly unbearable, Anselm repented of the protracted battles, full of political intrigue and way he had been living, rediscovered his hunger even exiles, during which he seemed to be fightfor God, and decided at the age of 23 to leave home ing almost alone. With the eventual help of the to study under the famous abbot-teacher Lanfranc pope, the power of his honest and sympathetic at Le Bec Abbey in Normandy. It was there that he personality, and some fortunate turns of events, he would spend the next 30 years and finally answer eventually brought about a reform that no one had the call he had heard within years before. thought possible. Eventually King Henry, WilIn this second stage of his life, Anselm quick- liam’s son, and originally a fierce opponent, grew ly progressed from a superb pupil, to a friend and to regard him with such confidence that he made disciple of Lanfranc, to a brother monk at the age him regent during the king’s foreign trips. of 27, to prior at 30 and finally to abbot. As effecWithin the Church, he battled against clerical tive as he was in these positions as an exemplary scandals, passed regulations against simony and Benedictine monk, his most lasting contributions enforcing priestly celibacy, and when the latter were as a scholar and teacher. was ignored by disobedient priests, got the crown In contrast with the rigid pedagogy of his day, to tax all married clergy to persuade them to the he did everything he could to expand the minds same result by the love of mammon rather than of his monks and students. He cultivated what of God. He was also the first leader in England to would become the scholastic method whereby oppose the slave trade, passing a resolution to proevery possible objection to a truth of theology or hibit the selling of human beings like animals. philosophy would be seriously considered and He remains a great model or “magnificent docanswered. In himself and in others, he tried to in- tor” for bishops today, particularly in our country, tegrate and maximize the full and complementary who need to lead the reform of the Church from power of faith and reason, of prayer and study. He within and oppose an increasingly militant secucoined the phrase “faith seeking understanding” larism that seeks to dominate the Church from which has been used to describe the discipline of without. Anselm was able to be courageous, theology ever since. first, because of his love of God. “I prefer to be Today some Biblical scholars and theologians in disagreement with men,” he said to his brother at Catholic colleges and universities proudly bishops, “rather than, agreeing with them, being “prescind from faith” in their study of revelation in disagreement with God.” The second reason or the teaching of the Church, thinking that such for his boldness was because he wasn’t afraid to dispassionate “objectivity” is consistent with the die: “I have no fear of shedding my blood; I do search for truth. Anselm would argue that such not fear any bodily wounds or the loss of material a perspective, rather than helping them find the goods.” A man who’s not afraid to die is not easily truth, actually blinds them from understanding the intimidated. real meaning of their study, which can be grasped Pope Benedict says it’s easy for all these reaonly through faith. “I do not try to understand in sons to understand why Anselm’s life is “still very order to believe,” Anselm famously stated, “but relevant” and “strongly fascinating.” For that reaI believe in order to understand. For … unless I son, he says, it’s important for the whole Church first believe, I shall not understand.” together to “meditate again on his life.”

Anselm put his faith and reason to work in Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony of writing a famous “ontological” proof for the exis- Padua Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

Luther’s ‘Reformation breakthrough’

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he immediate origins of heaven by his monkery,” he Protestant Christianity would later write, “I should lay in Martin Luther’s relicertainly have got there.” Yet gious experience. We’ll never he was haunted from the start know precisely what happened by doubts about whether he, a to him in the years between sinner, could ever stand aphis becoming an Augustinian proved before the all-holy God. monk in 1505 and his dramatic He spent many sleepless nights attack on indulgences in 1517. in prayer, constantly confessed But we know from his contemporary lecture notes and The Fullness from his later writings that he underwent of the Truth years of harrowing

By Father emotional and intelThomas M. Kocik lectual tension, which finally resulted in a “conversion” experience probably in the year 1513. his sins, fasted sometimes three The nature of this experience days without a crumb, scourged shaped the main features of his body, and still could gain no Protestant belief and the direcsense of being forgiven. tion taken by the Reformation.

The cause of Luther’s turIt’s important, therefore — difmoil has been, and will ever ficult as it is — to sketch the be, a matter of conjecture.

German friar’s inner struggles Perhaps his notion of God as and their outcome. a stern Judge had something Luther was one of the most to do with the character of his pious and diligent monks at father, a hardworking copper Erfurt. “If ever a monk got to miner, devoted to his family

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7

The Anchor

May 1, 2009

Corinth

o understand a little sex. Quite logically, if you of what St. Paul went think sensuality is divine, then through in his most difficult you worship it by having sex. work of evangelization, sit down Perhaps it’s not too much of a and read the two letters to the stretch to see a link with our Corinthians. The Galatians were modern culture here. a distant second in their ability Also very Greek, they loved to exasperate him. to pursue wisdom (gnosis) for The Corinth St. Paul knew its own sake. This was a strictly had been destroyed by the intellectual pursuit: they saw Romans in their conquest of Greece, then Living the re-established as a colony by Julius Caesar Pauline Year in 46 B.C., and made the capital of the Roman

By Father Andrew Province of Greece by Johnson, OCSO Augustus. It was built on the southern extremity of an isthmus with two huge harbors, one at each wisdom as an ethereal, diside of the isthmus, which were vine, idealistic, extracorporeal crowded with shipping and were principle. Paul begged to differ. the scenes of constant bustle For him, wisdom was a person, and activity. Corinth was filled Jesus Christ and him crucified. with Greeks, Romans, Syrians, How did the Corinthians Egyptians and Jews, many of put their ideas into practice? It the last having lately come from seems that they had arrived at Rome on account of their expul- the doctrine not that there was sion by the Emperor Claudius. no resurrection of the body, but An enormously wealthy port that it had already happened, city, it was here that he first met mystically and spiritually. One Priscilla and Aquila, two of his now had an invisible risen body most important co-workers. that could not be defiled: “All To put it gently, the Church things are lawful to me,” is their in Corinth had her problems; cry (1 Cor 6:12). A disconnect two, really, and they were very with reality, we would say, but Greek. They were captivated they were utterly convinced. by sensuality and by the purely This had the strange effect of intellectual pursuit of wisdom. feeding their tendency towards As a concrete symbol of the sensualism: You could do what first, the Corinthians had in their you wanted with your earthly midst the Temple of Aphrobody, because nothing could dite with its thousand temple defile your already risen body. prostitutes for the worship of It also had the effect of creating

but strict and fiery-tempered.

Luther had vowed to become a monk in a moment of panic during a thunderstorm, seeing in the monastic state the most effective means to holiness; the fact that he immediately regretted it but went through with it (against his father’s will) might have contributed to his later tension. What is quite certain is that the “nominalist” theology in which Luther had been educated strongly emphasized what were called “good works,” a term which included pious practices (such as doing penance, fasting, going on a pilgrimage, gaining an indulgence) as well as acts of charity; and in all this, salvation seemed the work of man merely crowned or completed by God. Luther was high-strung, with keen sensibilities and a sensitive conscience, not the kind to persuade himself easily that he was doing the best he could and that factions (“I belong to Paul! I belong to Apollos!”) because they were claiming to be better than others on account of the superior wisdom of their sect leaders.

Even their assemblies for the Eucharist and shared meals were degenerating into romps because of this sensuality and the divisions arising from it.

To this culture Paul applies the wisdom of the cross and demands that they accept Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). For Corinth, the cross is an anchor to reality and antidote to the high-flown wisdom and gnosis that is undermining Paul’s gospel. Divine wisdom for Paul happened in history, on earth, on a hill in Jerusalem called Calvary. It is not an intellectual construct. On the contrary, human intellect is schooled and formed by the preaching of the cross of Christ. The cross is the school of the Lord’s service, to steal a phrase from St. Benedict. Note that, though the problems in Corinth were very different from those among the Galatians, Paul applies the same medicine, that of the cross.

The basic problem in Corinth?

They were very smart and very rich. Paul says to them, quite simply, that will lead to disaster unless they learn the foolishness and the poverty of the cross.

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

the rest should be left to God, as his spiritual advisers urged.

Nor did his journey to Rome in the autumn of 1510 bring him relief. Already on the verge of despair, he was appalled and disillusioned at the iniquity he witnessed in the Eternal City among the general population and all ranks of the clergy.

The following year, Luther was called from the cloister to a professorship at the University of Wittenberg, where he immersed himself in the study of Scripture. In what might be called the standard Protestant account, Luther’s reading and the influence of his friends began to suggest a remedy for his spiritual anguish. As he recounted many years later, something happened while reading St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans: “I saw the inner connection between the two phrases, ‘The justice of God is revealed in the Gospel’ and ‘The just shall live by faith.’ I began to understand that this ‘justice of God’ is the righteousness by which the just man lives through the free gift of God, that is to say ‘by faith’ … Thereupon I felt as if I had been born again and had entered Paradise through wide-open gates. Immediately the whole of Scripture took on a new meaning for me.” Now all Luther’s previous ideas were reversed: salvation is a grace, a gift of God, not the work of man. What we couldn’t do, God, in his Son, has done for us. A person is saved not by good works but by faith in the utterly gratuitous love of God in Christ; this faith is itself God’s gift to undeserving sinners.

At this point it must be said that Catholicism had never taught otherwise. In fact, Church councils had condemned the false idea of

salvation that vexed Luther for so long and that he came to oppose. But circumstances had blinded Luther to those parts of Scripture and Tradition favorable to his new insight. He had been schooled in quite other than the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, who at the height of the Middle Ages had systematized the traditional teaching on the respective roles of God and man in the work of salvation.

Between 1520, when Luther wrote the tracts that are still the best expression of his ideas, and 1530, when the chief tenets of the Lutheran Church were summarized in the Augsburg Confession of Faith, the main lines of Protestant belief were worked out by Luther and his colleagues in Wittenberg, with some contributions from independent leaders of revolt against Rome. In particular, Luther and those first Reformers offered relatively new answers to questions that go far back in Christian history. To the question how is a person to be saved, they answered: not by works but by faith. To the question where does religious authority lie, they answered: not in the visible institution known as the Roman Church but in the Word of God contained in Scripture. Salvation by grace alone received through faith alone, and the supreme authority of the Bible: these two principles are the starting point of the Reformation and the bedrock of Protestantism. As we’ll see, the individualistic and erroneous conclusions the Reformers drew from these principles brought about not only their separation from the Catholic Church but also internal divisions within Protestantism.

Father Kocik is a parochial vicar at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River.

Our Lady’s Monthly Message From Medjugorje April 25, 2009

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina

“Dear children! Today I call you all to pray for peace and to witness it in your families so that peace may become the highest treasure on this peaceless earth. I am your Queen of Peace and your mother. I desire to lead you on the way of peace, which comes only from God. Therefore, pray, pray, pray.

“Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community One Marian Way Medway, MA 02053 • Tel. 508-533-5377 Paid advertisement

8

The Anchor

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n this Sunday’s passage from John’s Gospel, we’re presented the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the one who lays down his life for his sheep. As we reflect during the Easter Season on the death and resurrection of Jesus, on the depth of love that he showed, and on his faithfulness to the command of his Father, the title is richly deserved. No one will ever do more for us than the one who says of himself, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Should our response then be that of sheep? A passive outlook that says, “Jesus will take care of me. There is nothing more I need do. As long as I stay out of trouble; that is, avoid sin, salvation is mine.

Jesus has done all the hard work.” Jesus usually has a bit more of a challenge waiting for us, than such an outlook would

May 1, 2009

Of shepherds, sheep and children

allow. The passage today in our meaning because it is an extensecond reading from the letter sion of Christ’s life. If you will, of John adds some perspecwe become collaborators with tive. “Beloved, we are God’s Jesus as we continue his work children now.” to make the world what God Children are meant to grow intended it to be. If we can in and develop and learn to be some sense be called sheep, we active members in their family are sheep with a mission, that and community. By virtue of of taking the love of the Good our baptism, we are remade into the image of the risen Christ, and Homily of the Week enter into relationship Fourth Sunday with God, a relationship of Easter we are meant to grow and develop. We beBy Deacon come participants in the Rick Gundlach saving life of the risen Christ that embraces all believers on earth, and it’s Shepherd out into the world. meant to be a large and growIf we are still looking ing family. We are also intendto avoid the mission, Jesus ed to continue Jesus’ mission reminds us in the Gospel, “I on earth. We are called to be have other sheep that do not active participants, not pasbelong to this fold. These also sive sheep. Through baptism, I must lead, and they will hear our life takes on a whole new my voice.” Also in the first dimension and a much deeper reading from Acts, we are told

“There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” How will they hear his voice if we are not active in bringing them Jesus’ message? How can they come to know and recognize Jesus, and hear his voice, if we do not speak it? If our only goal is to hide in the pasture, then how will a world which does not know Jesus, or even want to know him, come to see and hear? Appropriate behavior for God’s children lies in continuing God’s program of redemption.

When our life reaches its conclusion, and we stand before God in judgment, the question will not just be to what extent did we keep all God’s rules; that is, to what extent did we stay in the

pasture, and out of trouble.

Rather the question will be to what extent did we grow as children? Did we deepen our relationship with God, or not?

Did we seek to bring others into relationship with God, or not? Did we take the love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, into the world, or not? If we have, we will be taken into the company of the Lord for all eternity, not as pay-back for the good we have done, but simply because we have shown that we have grown up as children in the family of God. We will have shown that we have been active members of the family.

We will have shown that we have embraced the message of Easter. We will have shown that we belong.

Deacon Rick Gundlach is assigned to St. Mark’s Parish in Attleboro Falls. He and his wife, Pat, live in North Attleboro.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. May 2, Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69. Sun. May 3, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Acts 4:8-12; Ps 118:1,8-9,21,23,26,28,29; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18. Mon. May 4, Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-4; Jn 10:1-10. Tues. May 5, Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1-7; Jn 10:22-30. Wed. May 6, Act 12:2413:5a; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; Jn 12:44-50. Thu. May 7, Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3,21-22,25,27; Jn 13:16-20. Fri. May 8, Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11; Jn 14:1-6.

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his past Lent, in the course of an interview with Attitude, a gay magazine, Tony Blair said that Pope Benedict XVI’s “entrenched attitude” toward homosexual behavior was less tolerant than that of many ordinary Catholics. “There are many good and great things the Catholic Church does,” the former British prime minister and recent Catholic convert opined, “and there are many fantastic things this pope stands for, but I think what is interesting is that if you went into any Catholic church, particularly a well-attended one, on any Sunday here

Mr. Blair’s cafeteria

and did a poll of the congregathat the holy Catholic Church tion, you’d be surprised at how believes, teaches, and proclaims liberal-minded people were.” to be revealed by God.” Well, that’s certainly a relief.

Among the things the holy I was beginning to worry that Catholic Church believes, teachBlair’s conversion would set in motion a train of events that would result in gays being burned at the stake throughout Her Britannic Majesty’s lands.

By George Weigel In December 2007, Tony Blair said the following, as he was received into the full communion es, and proclaims to be revealed of the Catholic Church:

by God is the truth about the “I believe and profess all human person, which includes the truth about the sexual nature of the human person, which includes the truth that homosexual acts are Leadership Opportunities intrinsically disordered. So what is going on here? There would seem to be only two possibilities.

Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro The first is that Mr. Blair understood what he said during ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL for ACADEMICS the ceremony of his reception into full communion, but did ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL not believe the words he spoke.

In other words, he made a false St. Pius X School, South Yarmouth oath. This seems unlikely, given Blair’s public record as a Approved Graduate Degree Required Mr. man of honor who stands by

Diocese of Fall River

Applications to close May 8, 2009 Submit a letter of intent, resume, transcripts and three current letters of reference to: GEORGE A. MILOT, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools 423 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720 Other positions listed on our Website: www.dfrcec.com

The Catholic Difference

his convictions, right or wrong, popular or unpopular.

The second is that Mr. Blair was woefully ill-catechized prior to his reception into the full communion of the Church. That seems more likely, and fits neatly with a related fact, namely, that Mr. Blair’s wife, Cherie, has been known to harbor dubious views about the Church’s teaching on human sexuality. Thus the new archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, might wish to have a look into the state of catechesis in England’s premier Catholic see — not so much as a punitive matter (although someone was clearly derelict in his duty here), but as a means of seizing an opportunity to remind English Catholics that the Church’s defense of the dignity of the human person (which Mr. Blair applauds) is very much involved in the Church’s teaching on sex (which Mr. Blair deplores, or at least dislikes).

In his interview, Blair compared the situation of religious communities holding classic moral beliefs to that of a political party on the ropes: “You can either ... hold onto your core vote ... [saying] ‘Let’s not break out because if we break out we might lose what we’ve got, and at least we’ve got what we’ve got so let’s keep it,’ or ... you

say, ‘Let’s accept that the world is changing, and let us work out how we can lead that change and actually reach out.’”

Plan B, we may be sure, did not occur to Edmund Campion as he was tied to the rack during the English Reformation.

There is something terribly sad about all this. By all accounts, Tony Blair is a man with longstanding, serious religious and spiritual interests; he is also a man of obvious intelligence.

Yet, judging by his Attitude interview, he is ill-informed about the nature of the Church and ignorant of the “yes” behind the Church’s “no” to the morality of homosexual acts — which is a “yes” to the good of sexual love within marriage. And judging by a lecture Blair gave at Westminster Cathedral shortly after his conversion, he knows little of the Church’s social doctrine, preferring instead a mishmash of leftist pieties.

Tony Blair is being cheated by the Church he embraced.

And the whole Church is being cheated as well, for a well-catechized Blair could be a powerful witness to Catholic truth in a moment when that truth, a deeply humanistic truth, is under fierce assault.

Archbishop Nichols?

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

Hole in the heart

isted. Her observation, though, Monday 27 April 2009 — Port-O-Call: Boston — Confed- set me to musing. What will future funerary archeologists erate Memorial Day (Missisdiscover about death and life in sippi and Alabama) ccording to a recent newspaper account, the Old North Church in Boston has a Reflections of a secret. As tourists shuffle Parish Priest down the church aisle, there are people buried

By Father Tim underneath their feet. In Goldrick the basement of the Old North Church is a crypt. the year 2009?

In the crypt, first used in 1782, They will certainly notice are 37 vaults. In the vaults, more our headstones. Unlike the than a thousand people have simple slate markers under the been interred. Therein lay the Old North Church, ours tend to bones of some who left their be more descriptive of the life mark on history. Crypt No. 14 is reserved for a “stranger.” “It’s commemorated. Photographs of the deceased can be imbedded in amazing to see how much we modern headstones. This gives can learn about life by studying passers-by a glimpse of a perdeath,” said Jane Rousseau, a sonality. You can tell a lot about funerary archeologist. I didn’t a person from a photograph. realize such a profession ex-

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May 1, 2009

The Ship’s Log

Then there’s the technology now available for etching headstones. People today leave behind on their headstones images of what was most important to them in this life. Along with pictures of mountains, sunrises, and seashores, I have seen headstones etched with houses, horses, boats, and motorcycles.

I wonder what future archeologists will conclude about our lives from our gravestone artwork.

Archeologists can assess a long-gone civilization by the way that civilization buried its dead. As a general principle, the more care taken with rites of burial, the more advanced the culture. Rites of burial vary not only from one culture to another, but also change as the times themselves change, for better or

St. Paul’s Catholic spirit

Christ, who “wants all men t. Paul’s conversion on and women to be saved and the road to Damascus come to the knowledge of the was marked by a calling to truth,” (1 Tim 2:4), and thus he spread the Gospel among the identified with everyone withGentiles. If before he “had out exception. “Who is weak, persecuted the Church of God and I am not weak? Who is zealously” (Phil 3:6), insistmade to fall, and I am not ing on exact fulfillment of indignant?” (2 Cor 11:29). As all the ritual and dietary laws Abraham Lincoln once said, of the Torah that previously “If you would win a man to had defined his identity as an your cause, first convince him observant Jew, afterwards he that you are his sincere friend.” would identify with Christ, By his love for souls, St. “who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

This love of Christ would urge him on (2 Cor 5:14): “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16).

The wall that separated Jews and Gentiles had

By Dwight Duncan fallen. Ethnic differences no longer mattered so much.

Paul made the faith lovable.

In this Year of St. Paul, Yes, then, as now, there were we can learn from St. Paul’s important issues, issues of attitude: “Though I am free faith and issues of morals. But and belong to no man, I make St. Paul, while hating the sin myself a slave to everyone, (one thinks, for example, of to win as many as possible. his condemnation of adultery To the Jews I became like a and other disordered sexual Jew, to win the Jews. To those relations), always, like St. Auunder the law I became like gustine, insisted on loving the one under the law (though I sinner. It is, of course, easier to myself am not under the law), either hate both or love both, so as to win those under the sacrificing either friend or law. To those not having the principle in the process. law I became like one not havOne thing that is clear is ing the law (though I am not that ethnic Catholicism is not free from God’s law but am enough. We cannot be Cathounder Christ’s law), so as to lic the way some English are win those not having the law.

Anglican or some Greeks are To the weak I became weak, to Orthodox — as a matter of win the weak. I have become ethnic and cultural identity that all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save separates us from fellow Christians. Indeed, such an identity some” (1 Cor 9:19-22). can be a superficially Christian St. Paul identified with

Judge For Yourself

form of the ethnic particularism that St. Paul managed to transcend through God’s grace.

Nor is ethnic or tribal Catholicism truly Catholic, for the very word Catholic means universal. It’s true that in Boston there has been a history of ethnic parishes within the Catholic Church, but we cannot let ethnic identity limit the love of Christ for all. The Boston Irish, given the history of discrimination that they faced in earlier days, should be the first to welcome other immigrant groups and not discriminate on the basis of religion or ethnicity. The same could be said of other ethnic groups.

I think we can take a lesson from the example of Pope Benedict. A year ago he visited the United States, and his message was invariably upbeat and hope-filled. While there is much to lament in the culture, he concentrated on accentuating the positive and winning friends. Without compromising the faith and moral teaching of the Church, he presented a loving face, the loving face of the father of the Prodigal Son wanting to embrace his all-toosinful son. May we be able to say with faith and confidence in God: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21).

Dwight Duncan is a professor at Southern New England School of Law in North Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

worse. In times of pestilence, disaster, or war, burials are done hastily. Life relates directly to death and vice versa.

Every daily newspaper these days carries a story about life and death, but you have to read between the lines. It’s a story about changes in our burial customs. You will find the story buried on the obituary page.

Some time ago, I don’t remember when, I began reading the obituaries before the comics.

This, I’m told, is a sign of aging.

Something seems to be happening with our burial practices.

More and more obituaries tell us that burial will take place at some unspecified future date or at the family’s convenience or has in fact already taken place.

The next stage is to hold no funeral rites whatsoever. This, too, is happening with greater frequency. Omitting any form of funeral ritual, regardless of spiritual tradition, leaves an irreparable hole in the heart. The ritual expression of grief at the death of a loved one is deeply human and needs to take place in the context of a loving community. Signing an on-line guest book or “lighting” a virtual candle just doesn’t do it.

There’s something going on with the custom of the wake as well. It started a couple of decades ago when multiple “viewings” were compacted into a single session of three hours or so. Now wakes are frequently omitted. The reason most often stated is “at the wishes of the family” or “following the instructions of the deceased.”

Sometimes more than half of the death notices in a newspaper announce “no wake.”

Longer wakes were occasions

Eastern Television

not only to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased, but also to provide a network of emotional, spiritual, and social support for family, friends, and neighbors. We needed to remember and we needed to be with each other. We still do.

These are human needs. The longer wake provided a context for addressing these needs.

There are valid reasons for curtailing the hours of a wake, but forgoing the custom completely leaves a hole in the hearts of the survivors.

Nobody ever dies conveniently. Death is always an “inconvenience.” The high cost of a funeral today is more than an inconvenience. I’ve seen estimates that the average cost of a funeral is out of this world — between $12,000 and $15,000. Alternatives to high-cost funerals are available, but it’s necessary to plan carefully in advance. I’ve never heard of a member of the clergy, of any denomination, who would refuse to bury the dead because of a lack of church fee. Does a casket need to be fine furniture? As for flowers, a single rose can speak more eloquently than a forest of flower arrangements.

Maybe the “culture of death” in which we live is, at root, a culture denying death, or, at the very least, a culture ignoring death. Spending a fortune will not ease the grief or make death go away.

In the far-distant future, some funerary archeologist will investigate our 21st-century burial practices. We may wonder about the conclusions, but I already have a hunch.

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

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The Anchor

May 1, 2009

Church and family provide Fall River woman all she needs

By Michael Pare Anchor Correspondent

FALL RIVER — Maria Eduarda Araujo was born in December of 1946 in Ponta Garca, St. Michael, Azores.

She and her husband Nuno were married there in the fall of 1967. Just a year later, like so many others from their homeland, they immigrated to the United States, settling in Fall River.

And one of the first things they did upon arriving in southeastern Massachusetts was to join Santo Christo Parish. It was what most immigrants did when they got here. Father Gastao Oliveira, pastor at Santo Christo, is glad they did.

Father Oliveira cited Araujo’s unyielding and tireless devotion to Santo Christo — and to the Church. It is a devotion that manifests itself in so many different ways.

“She is a great woman,” said Father Oliveira. “She has a real sense of the parish as a community.”

At Santo Christo, Araujo is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, serving at Mass, as well as bringing

the Eucharist to several pa- blessed with two daughters mas and Easter seasons, as rishioners who are sick at and have four grandchil- well as for all of the parish feasts. home. She is a member of dren.

To Araujo, these countless the parish’s liturgical choir.

In past years they have She also serves in numer- been active members of hours of volunteering for ous capacities on the parish Santo Christo’s Portuguese her parish aren’t anything special. After all, it is feasts committee. all work for the Church One of her duties, and nothing could be on the feasts commitmore meaningful than tee, is to purchase and that. inventory supplies “I feel good when for parish events. It’s I am working for the an important job and Church,” said Araujo. one, in these trying “Everything I do for economic times, that the Church … I feel needs to be taken serigood about.” ously. Father Oliveira Nothing makes said Araujo is just the Araujo feel better than person for the job. when she is bringing “Her purchasing the holy Eucharist to and organizational Santo Christo shutskills are so precise ins. She has about five that, over the years, “regulars” right now. In she has been able to bringing the Eucharist save our parish thouto each of them, there sands of dollars,” said is that wonderful exFather Oliveira. “She change that sees both also serves at all of our ANCHOR PERSON OF THE WEEK — Maria sides take something fund-raising events, Eduarda Araujo. special away. from parish dinners to For the parishioner, cake sales to malassada sales, organizing and Retreat Team, as well as the there is that amazing reality overseeing a large group of parish’s United Interfaith of being united with Jesus assistants.”

Action Committee. Maria Christ through the EuchaMaria and Nuno, who now also offers her time and tal- rist. They may be home and live in Swansea, have been ents each year in decorating unable to attend Mass, but married 40 years. They were Santo Christo for the Christ- they remain one with God through the Eucharist. And for Araujo, there is the opportunity to touch another’s life so deeply. Araujo returns from those visits with

a strengthened faith. “I always like to go on Easter Sunday and bring Jesus to people who are sick,” she says. “There is one woman.

She tells me I should bring Jesus to her more often. I feel that.”

Father Oliveira sees a beauty in the way in which Araujo lives her faith — in her dedication to the Church. He appreciates her ability to keep things in perspective. She has a respect for the priests, he said, but also an understanding of the big picture.

“She works for God and for people,” he said. “She understands Church and the Bible.”

Ask Araujo what she does in her spare time or, perhaps, what she does for fun, and those common themes emerge.

“Every Sunday I make dinner for my family,” she said.

And there it is … the closeness of the Portuguese family. The tradition of the children and grandchildren gathering each week over a wonderful meal.

Asked what brings her the most joy of all, she replied “My most fun is working for the Church.”

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

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

May 1, 2009

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The Anchor

We’re not the real twitterers

often wonder what my dog Igor is thinking. Mostly when she watches me watching the Home Towne Teams.

But there are those quiet times too, when she’s gazing out the sliding glass doors leading to the deck. I watch her eyes and try to read what’s on her canine mind — to no avail.

There are times also on my morning walk, when I stroll past the dairy farm, that I wonder what the cows are thinking.

These perpetual chewing machines just stare at me for the couple of tenths of a mile that I’m in range of their big cow eyes. Again, I try to read their countenance — to no avail.

Yet these four-legged beings are nothing compared to another group of God’s beasts that I will never figure out.

Now that spring has sprung in south-

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet eastern Massachusetts, it’s that wonderful time of year when I can sleep with the windows open — and not get nasty glances from family members who don’t share my penchant for the chilly night air. But along with the pleasant early morning temps comes the symphony of winged creatures — each vying to become the latest American Idol.

It all starts around 4 a.m. With no constant drone of an air conditioner, or the sounds of cars racing to work at rush hour, the acoustics are just perfect for the daily concerto.

First there are the strains of the melodic oriole. Last year we named this bird Kevin Millar, because the former Sox cowboy was then a Baltimore Oriole. He has since flown north to Toronto, changed feathers, and is now a Blue Jay. This year Denise renamed our oriole Melody — much more bird like.

I think it’s Melody who awakens the rest of the bird world in the neighborhood, because shortly thereafter comes an orchestra of chirps, tweets, coos, caws, and sounds I can’t put into words.

As I lay awake listening to their performance, I wonder “What are they talking about? And to whom?” Surely

they are not simply making sounds for sound’s sake.

As I head out for my walk just before sunrise, most of humankind is still in sleep mode. All is quiet — except for the birds. They are everywhere, and they are in full voice.

I have pondered what they were thinking and saying. Then it finally hit me this morning. They’re twittering, IMing, AIMing, emailing, and texting. This is the true super information highway.

Mankind’s World Wide Web can’t hold a candle (or LCD laser) to this network of communication.

For the entire 45 minutes, the chatter doesn’t cease. It’s like walking past a school yard filled with rambunctious students — plenty of noise with seemingly no purpose, only not in an annoying way.

Are the orioles taunting the blue jays over last night’s baseball game? Are the crows cawing about the NFL draft picks made this weekend by the Baltimore Ravens? Are the chicken hawks complaining about the Atlanta Hawks on the verge of elimination in the NBA playoffs?

And what about the rest of the feathered chatterboxes without a sports affiliation? What are they communicating?

I feel like such an outsider. I want to be included in their twittering.

The only creatures I think I have figured out are the woodpeckers. Their rhythmic tapping is their method of extracting tasty insects from tree bark.

Although there are times I could swear they’re wearing little iPods and keeping the beat with drummer Keith Moon on a download of “Who’s Next.”

Later in the day, the birds are drowned out by revving engines, car horns, screeching tires, lawn mowers, and TVs. We’re too busy twittering, emailing, texting and IMing to notice the soothing symphony of sound wafting from the tree tops.

While I dislike getting up early in an attempt to tone my un-toned being, I truly enjoy strolling amongst birds of every size, color and sound.

Twittering is all the rage today, but grab a cup of coffee and head outside early one morning and listen to the masters of the twitter. For them it’s not a fad, it’s simply the rhythm of life.

TWO CENTURIES OF LIFE — Our Lady’s Haven in Fairhaven recently held a double birthday party for two residents celebrating 100th birthdays. Family members and staff joined to host a party for residents Mary Botelho, left, and Imelda Potvin.

Fathers Kevin A. Cook and Karl C. Bissinger of the Fall River Diocesan Vocation Office

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The Anchor

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

“Fighting” (Rogue) Intermittently violent, but otherwise engaging boxing drama about a failed street salesman (Channing Tatum) who turns to underground fighting to survive, and bonds with his manager (Terrence Howard) while romancing a waitress (Zulay Henao). Scenes of punishing brutality and approval

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

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

of premarital sexual relations mar director and co-writer Dito Montiel’s mostly moving portrait of a friendship between two down-ontheir-luck New Yorkers. Graphic beatings, a premarital sexual encounter, and some crude and crass language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“The Soloist” (DreamWorks/ Universal) Engrossing drama in which a Los Angeles journalist (Robert Downey, Jr.) profiles and befriends a musically gifted homeless man (Jamie Foxx), and discovers, through the challenging relationship, an underworld of his city’s dispossessed. Director Joe Wright’s adaptation of Steve Lopez’s book features impressive performances by both leads that lend eloquence to its implicit plea for treating the marginalized with dignity. Drug use, a few rough and crude words, a couple of uses of profanity and occasional sexual references. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father John A. Gomes, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in South Dartmouth

May 1, 2009

Four celebrate 50 years in priesthood continued from page one

Salvador and the shrine to Archbishop Oscar Romero who was assassinated in March 1980, as well as the shrine to the four North American women martyrs.

“The women martyrs of Dec. 2, 1980 included Maryknoll Sisters Ita Ford and Maura Clarke as well as Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan.

It was inspirational to visit these shrines along with my priest-friends who knew them,” Father Buckley said.

Following an initial, two-year assignment as a parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Father Buckley was a parochial vicar at Sacred Heart in Fall River, Immaculate Conception in North Easton, St. Joan of Arc in Orleans and St. Augustine’s on Vineyard Haven until being named pastor of St. Margaret’s in Buzzards Bay in 1981.

He became pastor of Holy Redeemer in 1988 and served there until his retirement. His other diocesan duties included moderator of the Girls CYO in the Fall River area.

Father Kirby, 73, who retired because of health reasons in August 1997 after serving as pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro since 1994, is now living in Apollo Beach, Fla. “I’m feeling so-so, but it is really beautiful here and yes, it’s nice and warm,” he said in a telephone interview.

“I live here for half of the year and return home … which is North Attleboro … for the rest of the year and spend time with family,” he said. “I have three sisters and a brother, 16 nieces and nephews and 32 grandnieces and nephews, and I look forward to being with them.”

As for formally observing his January 6, ordination date, “It will have to wait until I get back there and be with my family,” he said.

After growing up in North Attleboro’s Sacred Heart Parish, he studied at Cardinal O’Connell and St. John’s seminaries in the Boston area before being ordained.

He was a parochial vicar at St. Roch’s and the cathedral in Fall River, Our Lady of the Isle on Nantucket, Holy Ghost in Attleboro; and was pastor at Holy Family in Taunton, Our Lady of Fatima in New Bedford, prior to his pastorate at St. Theresa’s.

He also served as moderator of the Catholic Nurses Guild in the Taunton area, was chaplain to the Girl Scouts in the Taunton-Attleboro area, and was a member of the Pre-Cana Board in Taunton.

Father Levesque, 75, who retired in July 2004, after being pastor of St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish in New Bedford since 1994, celebrated his 50th anniversary of his April 25, 1959 ordination during a recent visit to his sister and her fam-

ily in Texas.

But his friends and parishioner acquaintances at St. Anne’s Parish in Fall River, where he is in residence and assists pastor Father Marc Bergeron, had an opportunity to acknowledge his priestly service at Mass on Holy Thursday.

“I wear the biretta only once annually … on Holy Thursday … and tip it in acknowledgement, special recognition of those who serve us, and this year it was Father Levesque’s honor,” explained Father Bergeron.

Father Levesque was also the guest at a luncheon reception held in St. Anne’s Rectory.

A Fall River native, Father Levesque graduated from the former Msgr. Prevost High School, and Assumption College in Worcester.

He earned degrees in philosophy and theology from the University of Montreal prior to ordination.

He was a parochial vicar at St. Anne’s in New Bedford, Notre Dame de Lourdes in Fall River, St. Theresa’s in South Attleboro and St. Joseph’s in New Bedford. He was pastor at St. Elizabeth’s in Edgartown, St. Joseph’s in Attleboro, St. Michael’s in Swansea, and St. Joseph’s in New Bedford prior to retirement.

He also served as Diocesan Chaplain to Scouting and as chaplain to the Knights of Columbus in South Attleboro.

Msgr. John J. Smith, who turns 77 on June 12, has been retired since 2006 and is living at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence for retired priests.

“I’m accustomed to living with other priests and I enjoy their companionship, and while retirement offers time to do many enjoyable things it seems we’re still needed as priests,” he said on a visit to The Anchor.

He faithfully helps out administering sacraments and celebrating Mass at St. John Neumann Parish

in East Freetown, as well as other parishes in New Bedford and Fall River; and has given retreats to Sisters living at the Landmark in Fall River; and ministered at the Bristol County House of Correction in North Dartmouth.

“Retirement also affords the opportunity to reflect on how good life has been as a priest, and to realize how it all came about because of the goodness and the strong faith we inherited from our families while we were growing up,” the former director of vocations for the diocese mused.

He said he will celebrate his anniversary of ordination with Mass and being with friends and kin.

A native of New Bedford, where he grew up in St. Lawrence Parish, he graduated from Holy Family High School there, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Providence College in 1954. His seminary years were spent at St. Philip Neri School in Boston and St. Mary’s in Baltimore, and at Boston College.

Following his April 25, 1959 ordination he received a master’s degree in education from Bridgewater State College. He’s done stints teaching biblical and scriptural studies on the collegiate level as well as to candidates in the Permanent Diaconate Program He served as a parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s in Wareham and St. James in New Bedford before being named pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro in 1975. He was pastor at St. Pius X in South Yarmouth from 1989 to 2006.

In 1987 he was named a papal prelate of honor by Pope John Paul II, with the title of monsignor.

His other diocesan appointments include, area director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in the New Bedford area, chaplain at UMass-Dartmouth, as episcopal vicar for Attleboro and Cape Cod, as a member of the Priests’ Council.

SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY — Newly-ordained priests, Fathers James F. Buckley, center, and Robert F. Kirby, right, are pictured with Bishop James L. Connolly on Jan. 6, 1959. (Anchor file photo)

The Anchor

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The Anchor

May 1, 2009

news briefs

Cutting US poverty rate in half by 2020 seen as vital for country ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Father Larry Snyder admits it’s a daunting challenge: starting work on cutting the U.S. poverty rate in half by 2020 at a time when thousands of Americans are drowning in debt and organizations that serve the poor are straining to meet their clients’ needs. Not only is Catholic Charities USA, which Father Snyder heads, committed to the goal, but he and the organization are convinced that it’s vital for the country. On April 20 Catholic Charities hosted the first of 10 summits to be held at sites across the nation in 2009 and 2010 to give social service providers, health care providers, educational leaders and others an opportunity to discuss the needs of the poor in their communities. Catholic Charities plans to use the information to craft anti-poverty legislation that it will propose to Congress next year. “Our plan is simple,” Father Snyder told more than 100 people gathered at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. “Earlier in our history,” he said, “Msgr. John O’Grady joined with the Roosevelt administration in crafting the New Deal and the largest anti-poverty program in our nation’s history: Social Security. It is time for the New Deal of our time.”

Bishop: Notre Dame invitation to Obama has led to ‘terrible breach’ WASHINGTON (CNS) — Saying that the president of the University of Notre Dame has offered “a flawed justification” for the decision to invite President Barack Obama to speak and receive an honorary degree at commencement, the local bishop urged action to “heal the terrible breach which has taken place between Notre Dame and the church.” Bishop John M. D’Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., said in a statement that his office has received “over 3,300 messages of shock, dismay and outrage” about the university’s plans to honor Obama, “and they are still coming in.” The bishop — in whose diocese Notre Dame is located — said Holy Cross Father John I. Jenkins, university president, had erred in saying that the U.S. bishops’ document on “Catholics in Political Life” did not apply in this case.

The 2004 document states: “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” Critics of Obama said his support of legal abortion and embryonic stem-cell research make him an inappropriate choice to be commencement speaker at a Catholic university. Father Jenkins has said the invitation to Obama “should not be taken as condoning or endorsing his positions on specific issues regarding the protection of human life, including abortion and embryonic stem-cell research.”

Buying organic shows solidarity, helps environment, says CRS official LIMA, Peru (CNS) — Paying attention to where your morning coffee comes from not only makes good consumer sense, but may also help stave off climate changes that increasingly affect poor farmers.

Organic farming that prevents erosion and conserves water gives farmers extra income and helps preserve forests that absorb harmful greenhouse gases, said Jefferson Shriver, an official in the Nicaraguan office of Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency. By choosing organic and fairtrade items, consumers can “practice solidarity with the products they buy” and help protect the environment, Shriver told Catholic News Service. “Most people buy (organic products) for health reasons, but the benefits are even greater” in the countries where the products are grown, because organic farming methods promote better land and water use, he said. Worldwide, “more forests have been destroyed in the past 50 years than the previous 500,” Shriver told CNS by phone. Much of the deforestation is due to the clearing of land for agriculture.

Education foundation gives nun, priest lifetime achievement awards UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CNS) — Capping a daylong symposium, the Catholic Education Foundation of Rochester, N.Y., honored Sister Margherita Marchione and Marianist Father Philip Eichner with lifetime achievement awards. In a short acceptance speech during a dinner held at Kellenberg Memorial High School, in Uniondale, Sister Margherita told 300 invited guests that she felt it was a privilege to work with students and influence lives “and change spiritual attitudes.” “This is for all the people who teach integrity, intellectual competence and love of God and neighbor,” said the nun, a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini. She is the author of more than 100 articles and 60 books, including several books on the life of Pope Pius. Her autobiography is titled “The Fighting Nun: My Story.” Father Eichner was honored for his work in the Marianist community, as president of Chaminade High School in Mineola and for his leadership at Kellenberg Memorial High School. “For the thousands of young men and women who have been in one of his religion, English or Latin classes, Father Philip is not known primarily for his skill as an administrator,” the award announcement said. “For them, he is the man whose enthusiasm for knowledge swept them up like a tidal wave.”

M

Motivating teens to be modest

other-daughter duos can ing process, a step in the direction easily warp into mother- of a lifelong intimate friendship of daughter duals in the swimwear marriage. aisle.

Time-wise they experience a It begins when mom refuses sense of total immersion in the to buy her daughter that flimsy present. The future is far away. So excuse for a bathing suit. Daughmissing a social event — like a ter’s emotions whip up to a frenzy dance — can feel like the end of at the thought of not fitting in the world. and the evident incomprehenCombine all of these elements sion of her mom. Mom can’t withhold her natural outrage at the thought of her daughter being seen in public dressed, or rather “undressed,” like that. Daughter bursts out

By Joan Kingsland vehemently, “Then I don’t want any bathing suit at all. There’s no way I’m and you get the above-mentioned going anywhere near a beach in that old lady tent.” She might even bikini battle. The savvy part throw in an, “I hate you,” for good comes in here. Moms need to foresee and avoid emotionallymeasure before she storms off. charged confrontations of this Mothers might very well be kind. How? By addressing your convinced of the importance of daughter’s needs in a timely way. wearing modest clothes, but it’s Speak in level tones to avoid quite another thing to bring their setting off your daughter’s teen-age daughters on board. No emotional fireworks. Give clear easy matter given that peer presreasons for your standards to sure usually points in the same convince her that you’re not just direction as the current fashion. being a fuddy-duddy. Address the But this is one battle worth peer pressure she faces and her fighting for the daughter’s sake. sense of being time-locked into So moms need to be patient, conthe present by acknowledging that sistent and above all savvy when you’re trying to help her lay down it comes to instilling the value of the foundations for establishing modesty in their daughters. healthy friendships with men that One wise mom took her two could some day lead to a happy, adolescent daughters to the mall solid marriage. for smoothies. She sat them on a How does this pan out in bench and then had them observe reality? The day before “the” which women got treated well by men as they passed through the shopping trip, bring some hot main entrance. To the girls’ surchocolate and her favorite cookies prise, ladies dressed in revealing, to her bedroom. Let her lay back tight clothes did not get the doors on her bed and sip away while held for them nearly as much as you tell her about your dreams women who wore modest clothes. for her and explain why you’re No lecture necessary. The girls demanding: because you want witnessed for themselves what the best for her. You want her true modest clothes will get you. happiness. Explain why wearing To help teens be modest we modest clothes is good for her. need to be mindful of the multiIt will uphold her dignity. It will faceted maturation process they’re ensure she’s treated respectfully going through. by boys. It will help her gain real Physically their body parts friendships, something she yearns are growing out of synch so they for so badly. Then tell her what feel awkward and highly selfyou’re willing to buy her so there conscious, even without braces are no surprises the next day, even and acne.

Psychologically they’re learning to deal with the feminine hormones coursing through their bodies, which swing them all over the place emotionally.

Intellectually, their minds are now capable of abstract thinking, so they’re no longer prepared to simply obey commands from their parents. If they’re not motivated, it’s either open or stealthy rebellion.

Socially, they’re expanding their horizons beyond the family circle and experiencing a pressing need to form close friendships with people of their own age.

It’s a natural part of the matur-

Faithfully Feminine Fashion

if she’ll likely throw in a protest for good measure anyway.

A book like “For Young Women Only,” by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Rice, could come in handy. It’s written for teen-age girls and provides the very interesting results of a survey done on young men their age. Books like this help because girls want to know what boys think, not what their mothers think.

For instance, it says what guys really look for in a girl, though they might try to use her for mere pleasure instead.

Along the same lines dads can be crucial for guiding their daughters to dress modestly. In fact, fathers and daughters tend to develop a closer relationship at this moment. Moms, on the other hand, need to be careful not to give into jealously when their daughters seem to cool towards them. They should be grateful their husbands step up to plate over such an important matter.

Intimate, peaceful moments between parents and daughter provide occasions for clearly and lovingly transmitting the importance of modesty. It helps her to interpret correctly why you put your foot down in that area. So when you do have to tell her no, she can believe you’re acting out of love for her — although she may not admit it to your face.

Adolescents have a marvelous sense of justice and a keen capacity to discern parental sincerity … again, even though they will likely not admit it. My mom often repeated to me: “You’ll thank me when you’re older.” How right she was.

This is the sixth and last of my articles on the theme of fashion and modesty. I’m looking forward to beginning another series soon.

Joan Kingsland, a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi, teaches theology at Mater Ecclesiae College in Greenville, R.I. This is the final installment in a six-part series.

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By Father Karl C. Bissinger

FALL RIVER — The first time I ever said Mass was on the day of my ordination to the priesthood, a few minutes after Bishop George W. Coleman anointed my hands with sacred chrism and I was vested in stole and

World Day of Prayer for Vocations ~ May 3

The scandal of a vocation

chasuble by Father Richard Chretien.

Father Tom Costa and I were ordained together during the same rite at the cathedral. We then concelebrated Mass for the first time with the bishop and all the priests present that day. Almost the entire presbyterate of Fall River and

several visiting priests from outside the diocese were there. I remember it as a joyful and beautiful ceremony.

The next day, I celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in Fall River at St. Joseph Parish, where I grew up. This means I was the main celebrant of Mass for the first time.

Concelebrating with me were several priests who were part of my vocation story in a significant way: my pasFather Karl C. Bissinger tor, Father John Perry; my spiritual director, Father John Murphy, SJ; Father Michael Carvill; Father Chretien, and several others. Like my ordination, this Mass was also an emotional experience.

Over the next couple of weeks, I concelebrated Masses at Notre Dame in Fall River, Our Lady of Guadalupe at St.

May 1, 2009

James in New Bedford, places where I had been assigned for the summer during my years in seminary, and several more times at St. Joseph in Fall River.

Even when I started my assignment at St. Julie Billiart in North Dartmouth, I continued to concelebrate with Father Greg Mathias at daily Mass. For a while I never said Mass solo.

Finally, it happened. One Sunday, I celebrated Mass for the first time by myself. I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was excited. It was like going out on the road with my driver’s license for the first time. I no longer needed a licensed driver next to me to validate my “permit.” On the other hand, I realized it was all on me. I remember asking myself for the first time, “Are this bread and this wine really the Body and Blood of Christ?” I had to believe they were, but after all, who was I to do this? And the same thing occurred the first time I heard confessions: “Can I really absolve a person’s sins?” Although I never questioned any priest’s power to do this before, it was a different story when I was the priest.

Continued on page 15

May 1, 2009 Continued from page 14 I soon got used to my new identity not only as a priest but as a sacramental minister. All the same, even now I am still struck by the ability to celebrate the sacraments. Looking back, however, I realize that through this temptation to doubt, I was experiencing what one might call “scandal.” By this, I do not mean that I thought I had committed an atrocity, a transgression, or a disgrace. I know I didn’t shock or offend anyone by my actions. I was scandalized at myself, at my own unworthiness, at the fact that God had chosen me and had allowed me through the Church’s authority to be a sign and instrument of God’s grace for others. I remember thinking “Who am I? I’m just a kid from Fall River.”

Many young people who feel called to consecrated life in the Church or to holy orders go through a similar experience as I did. They might go through this thought process even before they mention the possibility of a vocation to anyone else. They explore this feeling of “scandal” in prayer. The bad thing is when they let it stop them from following up on what might be a true vocation. It is unfortunate when they dismiss a call without ever talking to a priest or vocation director.

The thing is we are scandalized that God would choose human beings like you and me, with all our faults and imperfections to represent him in the priesthood or to imitate our Lord closely in religious life. A believer should never, however, underestimate the transformative power of God’s presence in anyone’s life. In the Year of St. Paul, we celebrate the fact that a persecutor of the early Church became Christianity’s greatest missionary after an encounter with the risen Christ.

Speaking of Christ, Jesus represents the original scandal.

The theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar calls the mystery of God becoming man “the scandal of the Incarnation.” When God calls a man to the priesthood, he continues the thread of logic which began when the Word was made flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

The Son of God condescended to share our lot. God wills that his divine presence now remain with us through the ordinary men and women he calls to serve him in the Church. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you think God might be calling you.

Don’t be too “scandalized” to answer the call.

Father Bissinger is vocation director of the Diocese of Fall River and secretary to Bishop George W. Coleman.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations ~ May 3

15

Vocationist Fathers • Florham Park, NJ 07932 973-966-6262 • www.vocationist.org

Youth Pages

16

May 1, 2009

Feehan guest speaks about her days with Mother Theresa

ATTLEBORO — Bishop Feehan High School recently welcomed missionary, author and television hostess, Susan Conroy, to share life lessons learned during her 11-year experience in working with Mother Theresa.

A native of Portland, Maine, Conroy was the seventh of 10 children and a graduate of Dartmouth College when she decided to travel to India in 1986 where Mother Theresa welcomed anyone with “hands to serve and a heart to love.”

While in Calcutta, Conroy worked in orphanages and homes for the dying. “When I first came to India in 1986 at the age of 20, all I had was myself to give,” Conroy said. “Nothing I ever witnessed in my upbringing had prepared me for the poverty of Calcutta. I remember having to walk in the gutters because there were so many people actually sleeping and living in the streets.” Conroy’s sense of humor

was also tested in India. “I’m not like St. Francis of Assisi; I don’t like bugs and in India, there are lots of cockroaches and lizards,” she joked. “Of course, when the other volunteers I worked with pointed out that the lizards ate the cockroaches; I grew to appreciate the lizards.”

The opportunity to learn spiritual lessons from Blessed Mother Teresa was a definite highlight of Conroy’s time in India.

“In working with Mother Teresa, I saw how her extreme humility, willingness and love transformed the lives of others. From Mother Teresa I learned, ‘Joy is half the gift you bring.’”

These experiences are the basis for her book, “Mother Theresa: Lessons in Love and Secrets of Sanctity.” Conroy has also recently signed a contract with Eternal World Television Network to host a mini-series on the lives of saints.

LEARNED FROM THE BEST — Guest speaker and author, Susan Conroy, used a slide presentation at Feehan to speak about life lessons learned first-hand from Mother Theresa.

HOLY SHROUD — Veronica (Sierra Aguiar) displays her cloth with Jesus’ face on it during a Lenten service performed by the middle school students at St. Michael School in Fall River.

HOLY DUSTERS — Young parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro, under the direction of Mary and Ron Dupuis cleaned the church on Good Friday morning in preparation for the Easter season. Approximately 45 assisted with this labor of love.

A DAY AT THE BEACH — Students from St. Margaret’s Regional School in Buzzards Bay recently gathered for the first annual PTO Beach Party Book Swap under the direction of co-presidents Christine O’Brien, Kathy Mulkern, and Tracy Sullivan. Thanks to the PTO, it was a fun night with each child swapping three of their books for three new books to read. The summer beach theme added fun for all who attended.

SWEET TREATS — The children in grades six through eight at St. Pius X, South Yarmouth, Religious Education program donated candy, toys and baskets to provide 48 Easter baskets for families at the Harwich Food Pantry.

May 1, 2009

T

Youth Pages Service with a smile

17

here are many programs that encourage or require some level of community service. This is true of public schools and Catholic schools, scouting organizations, National Honor Societies, confirmation programs, and countless other groups.

During April vacation, approximately 40 high school students from Bishop Stang High School, accompanied by 10 adults, participated in a three-day service retreat called “Joseph’s Apprentices.” On the first day of work, one of our students reported that he had been asked if he was in trouble. It’s sad that upon seeing teen-agers at work on a service project, the first thought on someone’s mind was that they’re being punished.

The student simply smiled and said, “No, we’re the good kids.

Tomorrow’s group has the bad ones.”

It has been my experience tify a yard, we noticed the that teen-agers really want to trial court buses heading home make a positive difference. from their service hours. That All they need is someone to sight, accompanied by the point the way. Too often our comment of the student the society sees service as an efnight before, really made me fective punishment; but what think about the difference bedoes that do to our vision of tween mandatory community the value of service?

Service begins to be associated with negative behaviors. This is definitely not what Jesus had in mind when he gave us the example

By Jean Revil of washing the feet of the disciples. Service is to be an act of love and the mark of a Christian. Service allows us to put service and voluntary Chrishands and feet on our prayer. tian service. One is seen as a If our love is sincere, we need punishment, a hoop to jump to help each other, especially through to get to a goal, a in these trying economic number of hours to be counttimes. ed. The other is seen as an During a rainy Wednesday, opportunity to live our faith, a as we were working to beauchance to help, and a project

that makes a difference. In one we focus on the work to be done; in the other we focus on being Christ to another and seeing Christ in the other.

Perhaps everyone involved in the service component of their respective programs needs to examine the motives and the goals. If we want to teach service, we’ll probably need to serve right next to our kids. If we want to help those doing the service to feel like they are making a difference, we may need to create the project or find the projects instead of sending students out to find “service hours.” If it’s not going to be seen as a negative, then we need to create the positive environment.

I encourage every teen-ager to get creative in serving God.

Look around you … the need is everywhere. Start a food drive in your neighborhood and then volunteer to stack the shelves at a local food pantry.

Run a car wash and donate the money to a local homeless shelter. Get your friends together and do random acts of kindness. Serve at a soup kitchen, help a neighbor, visit a nursing home … just do something. When you get together with friends to get the job done it’s so much more fun. Let’s serve one another and love one another, not because we have to, but because we want to. It’s time to show what a difference Christians can make when we give service with a smile.

Jean Revil teaches spiritual theology and thanatology at Bishop Stang High School.

Comments welcome at: jrevil@bishopStang.com.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Food and Drug Administration’s decision not to appeal a court decision that the morning-after pill marketed as Plan B should be available over the counter to minors “flies in the face of common sense,” said the U.S. bishops’ Pro-Life spokeswoman.

“Wider access to Plan B could endanger the lives of newly conceived children, and will put minors at risk for unnecessary side effects, undermine parental rights and contribute to higher” rates of sexually transmitted diseases, said Deirdre McQuade, assistant director for policy and communications at the bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, in a statement.

The FDA announced April 22 that the Obama administration would not appeal a March 23 decision by U.S. District Judge Edward Korman making Plan B available to 17-year-olds without a prescription. A prescription had previously been required for anyone under 18.

Korman, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, said the FDA had “repeatedly and unreasonably” delayed a decision on whether Plan B should be available over the counter and had been swayed by politics in ultimately deciding to make the drug available without a prescription only to those 18 or over.

McQuade noted that Plan B, known generically as Levonorg-

estrel, “is 40 times more potent than comparable progestin-only birth control pills (Ovrette) for which a prescription is required.”

“Pregnancy is not a disease and fertility is not a pathological condition, so Plan B has no authentic therapeutic purpose, and can actually cause harm to women and their newly conceived children,” she added.

By receiving the drug without the supervision of a doctor, many teens will not be aware of the risks associated with Plan B

properly understood as an early abortion.”

McQuade also said studies in Europe and the U.S. have shown that “increased access to emergency contraception has failed to reduce rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion,” de-

spite proponents’ predictions to the contrary.

Instead, the increased access “has led to greater sexual risktaking among adolescent populations, in turn leading to high rates of sexually transmitted disease,” she said.

Be Not Afraid

FDA decision on Plan B for minors called contrary to common sense and its possible abortifacient effect, McQuade said.

“Although Plan B can prevent fertilization, the manufacturer admits it may also prevent an embryo from implanting in the womb, which is essential to his or her continued survival,” she said.

“Since it takes several days for the growing embryo to reach the uterine lining and implant in the mother’s womb, the child in his or her second week of life could die as a direct result of Plan B,” she said. “This is

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools or parish Religious Education programs have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@ anchornews.org

18

The Anchor

May 1, 2009

Rosary Fest to bring families, world cultures together

Retreats inspire many across diocese

wouldn’t be found by the intruders.

“We’re hoping for 2,500 to 3,000 people to attend this family-oriented event,” said Father Phalen. “We know it will be a memorable event that will have lasting effects on those who attend. We encourage families to come and then to continue praying together long after the fest.

Often after an event like this people ask ‘What’s next?’ and the answer should be very clear.

Pray together at home, know each other’s prayer intentions and obtain trust in their families that only prayer can bring.”

Father Phalen said that Holy Cross Family Ministries hosted a family conference a few years ago, and “we wanted to do something again for families.”

Father Harrison is no stranger to the rosary, saying, “The rosary is a school of theology and meditation. In essence, it’s ‘the Gospel on a string.’ Meditating on the 20 mysteries of the rosary takes one through the entire Gospel.”

Father Harrison was chairman of the Diocese of Fall River’s centennial rosary celebration which capped off the diocese’s 100th anniversary in 2004.

“Anytime I’m asked to promote the rosary, I’m very happy to respond,” he added. “I have a great devotion to the power of the rosary and try to stress to

in Emmaus.”

Despite the diminished Cursillo movement in the diocese, programs like Emmaus and the Cape Codbased ECHO retreat program have helped fill the void.

ECHO organizer Mary Fuller proudly noted her program will begin its 40th year in the Fall River Diocese next fall and they still fill six weekend retreats a year. While participation in individual retreats has dipped from 40 to an average of 15 to 20 per session, Fuller said the retreats continue to steadily draw young Catholics.

“Most retreats are wonderful experiences but candidates return to their normal lives … they are ‘onetime experiences,’” Fuller said. “On ECHO, teens have the opportunity to serve on future teams, to become involved in the youth board which runs many of the ECHO activities, to help in the palanca room working for each weekend and also planning the weekly reunions.”

Even those looking for a less time-consuming, one-time retreat experience have the option of participating in the annual YES! retreat, sponsored by the Diocesan Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

Now entering its 16th year, YES! was created as a means to reinforce young people’s faith and relationship with Christ after participating in mandatory, parish-sponsored confirmation retreats, according to founder Frank Lucca.

“It was specifically designed not to have a follow-up,” Lucca said.

“It doesn’t have a reunion focus like ECHO and Emmaus. The only time you can go back on a YES! retreat is to come back on the team. In that way, it’s very different.”

While many parishes hold their own individual one-day or weekend retreats for those receiving the sacraments of first Communion and confirmation, it falls on these diocesan-sponsored programs to provide follow-up support for young adults and those looking to renew or strengthen their relationship with Christ.

Lucca said candidates must have already received or be within one month of receiving their confirmation to participate in a YES! retreat.

“YES! is an extremely powerful retreat,” Lucca said. “It’s hard to call it life changing, because these people are all so young. When I talk about it to possible candidates, they really should have some experience with a retreat.”

While not limited to young adults who attend YES! and ECHO retreats, the Emmaus experience is similar in that it helps foster a tightknit community of participants — many of whom remain close even after the retreat concludes.

“One of the strengths of Emmaus is it brings people to a closer relationship with Christ through community,” Medeiros said. “I think Emmaus is a little bit more

continued from page one

families to pray the rosary.

“All of our modern day popes have always encouraged the rosary to be part of our daily spiritual life.

“Our Lady has always been very faithful to me as a priest and a pastor, and I base my actions on the two pillars of faith, the

Eucharist and the rosary.”

Father Phalen indicated that more and more ethnic groups come to the Father Peyton Center in Easton and it was clear that “we should reach out to the people in this area from the diverse ethnic backgrounds.” The Mission Rosary was the perfect

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way to do so.

“With the Mission Rosary, we hope to widen the consciousness of people to others in the world,” Father Phalen added.

The first half of the fest will include all of the speakers, with the exception of Bishop Coleman. The talks will be brief and interspersed with worship music of various cultures.

The second half will begin with a procession of the 590 “beads” of the rosary along with the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus who will accompany Bishop Coleman who will process with the Blessed Sacrament. The rosary will be prayed within the context of eucharistic adoration. Bishop Coleman will conclude the event with his address.

Father Phalen indicated the sacrament of reconciliation will be available from noon to 1 p.m. on the field.

“With a living rosary prayed in several languages, the Rosary Fest will be the perfect family environment to unite Catholics and other people of faith and share an experience of prayer and the universality of our Church,” said Father Phalen.

“Praying the rosary together is a chance to witness the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives,” added Father Harrison. “Since Mary is the spouse of the Holy Spirit, whenever Mary is honored, grace is released. When Mary is present, the Holy Spirit is there.”

Beth Mahoney, facilitator of the Family Rosary Fest and mission director of Holy Cross Family Ministries said, “The faithful of our Church have long maintained a special intimacy with our Blessed Mother Mary. This rosary celebration in Mary’s honor will enhance the prayer lives of families, strengthen family unity and rely on Mary as an intercessor for peace in families and peace in our world.”

A similar event sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries, called “Family Rosary Celebration,” will take place next May in Peoria, Ill., at a 10,000-seat arena.

Father Phalen also indicated another event may take place in this area between May and September of 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston. “The Peoria event is a definite, but the Boston plans are not at this time,” said Father Phalen. “If it does happen, it’s going to be called ‘Fenway Faithful,’ a slightly different twist on that phrase.” Fenway Park would accommodate 35,000 people.

For more information on the Family Rosary Fest visit hcfm. org or call 508-238-4095 or 800-299-7729.

continued from page one

about finding Christ in each other.

In fact, the cross we give each participant doesn’t have a corpus on it, instead it has a cut-out silhouette, so when you wear the cross the Christ that people see is the person wearing it.”

“It was definitely life-transforming for me,” said Alfredo Perez from Attleboro, who attended Emmaus 160. “My wife Lisa went on one of the Emmaus retreats and she talked me into going. I didn’t want to go, but when I got there I didn’t want to leave. I definitely learned how not to take life for granted.”

“It was a very moving experience,” agreed Erin Hickey of Notre Dame Parish, Fall River, who attended Emmaus 161. “I had never been on a retreat before, so this was very moving and emotional. I recently lost my mother, so I wanted to get a little closer to God and I figured this was a good way to do that. Even if you go to church on a regular basis, the retreat gives you a deeper look than what you get on Sunday.”

Fuller said that many of the candidates on ECHO retreats encounter Christ for the first time during the weekend. While they may have learned about Jesus in Religious Education classes, it took the ECHO experience to get them to fully appreciate the importance of Christ in their lives.

“Teens discover that being a Catholic doesn’t just mean attending Mass on Sunday, it means bringing Christ and his love to others,” Fuller said. “Teens see what a Christian community of faith is all about. These are teens living their faith — they are a community of faith and sharing the Gospel message to love one another.”

“It was incredible, by far one of the greatest retreat experiences I’ve ever had,” said Brittany Jenny of Christ the King Parish, Mashpee, who recently attended an ECHO retreat. “I’ve been on a bunch of different retreats before, but this was definitely the most influential.

It places a big emphasis on getting to know Christ as a friend.”

Although they’ve returned to holding just one YES! retreat annually in March after a period of offering it twice a year, Lucca said the program has remained “pretty stable” overall.

“Sometimes we struggle just to fill one weekend,” Lucca said. “But I think it’s a sign of the times and the financial situation we’re in. I know we tend to get YES! people from the same parishes every year, but I would hope the parishes would really look at the young people who have that spark and desire to participate and encourage them to attend.”

For information visit: Emmaus: publicity@emmausretreat.com YES!: fallriverfaithformation. org/yes1.htm ECHO: echoofcapecod.org

May 1, 2009

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

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place First Fridays at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

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

FALL RIVER — St. Mary’s Cathedral will host a First Friday Mass today at 12:05 p.m., followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and ending with Benediction at 1 p.m.

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

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

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

TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m.

Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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

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

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous: ACUSHNET — A fund-raiser for St. Mary’s Church in Fairhaven with the Baha Brothers will be held at the Century House, 107 South Main Street, May 29. The event will include dinner followed by entertainment and dancing. For tickets or information, call 508-992-7300.

ACUSHNET — A Day with Mary will take place tomorrow from 7:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 125 Main St. It will include a video, instruction, devotion, a procession and crowning of Mary, Mass, an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying of the rosary, and enrollment in the brown scapular and investiture in the Miraculous Medal. For more information call Mary Creedon at 508-984-1823.

BOSTON — A Walk for Hunger will take place beginning at Boston Common on Sunday at 9 a.m. To register or make a donation, visit projectbread.org.

BUZZARDS BAY — The Secular Franciscans meet at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5 Armory Road the second Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. All are welcome.

FAIRHAVEN — A crowning ceremony in honor of the Blessed Mother will take place Sunday at 1:15 p.m. on the grounds of the Sacred Hearts Fathers, Adams Street.

Following the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, a light lunch will be served prior to the ceremony.

FAIRHAVEN — Deacon Bruce Bonneau will lead a reflection on “The Great Themes of St. Paul,” at St. Mary’s Parish rectory conference rooms on Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 7-9 p.m. For information call 508-678-2828.

FALL RIVER — The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet tonight at Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street. Guest speaker will be Lisa DeMello from Saint Anne’s Hospital. Father Freddie Babiczuk will celebrate Mass at St. Patrick’s Church at 6 p.m. and a dinner and talk will follow. For information call 508-672-8174.

FALL RIVER — The Fall River Symphony Orchestra will perform at St. Anne’s Church, 818 Middle Street, Sunday from 3-4 p.m. Tickets are available at all St. Anne’s Credit Unions, or at the door.

NEW BEDFORD — A Holy Hour is held every Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Kilian’s Church, 306 Ashley Boulevard. On May 7 the guest speaker will be Samantha Varnerin from Bishop Feehan High School.

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

Support Groups

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

NORTH DARTMOUTH — A meeting of the Divorced-Separated Support Group will take place May 13 at 7 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. This will be an open meeting where attendees are free to discuss difficulties regarding a separation or divorce. For more information call 508-999-6420.

Pro-Life

ATTLEBORO — Concerned faithful are needed to pray the rosary outside Four Women, Inc., an abortion clinic at 150 Emory Street, Thursdays from 3-4 p.m., or 4-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. For information call 508-238-5743.

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Transportation for parochial school students in jeopardy

BOSTON — An amendment to repeal a section of Massachusetts General Law providing private and parochial school students with the same transportation given those in public schools has been filed, and the Massachusetts Catholic Council is urging Catholics to contact their state representatives and ask them to oppose the measure.

According to the MCC, the public policy arm and voice of the four Massachusetts Catholic bishops, Rep. Marty Walz of Boston has filed an amendment

(No. 914) to the Fiscal Year 1010 House budget to repeal the transportation provision.

House amendments were debated April 27 through May 1.

The MCC suggests Catholics can learn who their state representative is by going online www.wheredoivotema.com or calling the main State House number at 617-722-2000 as soon as possible.

The MCC also suggests that Catholics contact that office at 617-367-6060 and inform them of what their representatives de-

cided.

Currently, Section 1 of Chapter 76 of the Massachusetts General Law provides students in private schools the same rights and privileges to transportation to and from schools as provided by law for students of public schools.

This statute guarantees that students “shall not be denied such transportation because their attendance is in a school which is conducted under religious auspices or includes religion instruction in its curriculum.”

VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org) — Benedict XVI is expressed his support for a Bolivian cardinal whose house was attacked with explosives last week.

In a note sent by the pope’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, to Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, archbishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and president of the Bolivian bishops’ conference, the Holy Father expressed his “vigorous condemnation” of the April 15 bombing.

The cardinal was not home at the time.

The note said the pontiff was united in prayer with the bishops of Bolivia’s episcopal conference, who are gathered in their ordinary assembly, as well as with “the priests, religious communities and the faithful of that dear nation, to express my vigorous condemnation of what has happened.”

“Any act of violence, committed with the sole intention of

damaging, harming or intimidating others, is always reproachable and unworthy of the human person and profoundly contrary to the Christian values of love, communion and mutual respect,” the papal message stated. The apostolic nuncio in Bolivia, Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, read it to the Bolivian prelates.

Cardinal Bertone expressed in the pope’s name “my closeness and support,” and urged authorities to “make every necessary effort to clear up this deplorable event.”

The message implores God for “a seeking of paths of reconciliation and sincere harmony, to consolidate fraternity and solidarity, which are the solid bases

for reaching just progress and building stable peace in the nation.”

The vice president of the Bolivian episcopal conference, Archbishop Edmundo Abastoflor of La Paz, said the attack is a result of the tense political climate reigning in Bolivia.

The Church and President Evo Morales have been at odds on various issues. Cardinal Terrazas Sandoval just denounced Thursday at the opening of the bishops’ assembly the “open corruption, the boundless increase in the commercialization of drugs, and events that point to organized terrorism” that are afflicting the country under the current administration.

Pontiff denounces attack on Bolivian cardinal; says violence is unworthy of human person

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks

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 May 6 Rev. Thomas P. Elliott, Founder, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1905 Rev. Asdrubal Castelo Branco, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, New Bedford, 1980 Rev. Ernest E. Blais, Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1994 May 7 Rev. Raymond P. Levell, S.J., Professor, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala., 1958 May 9 Rev. J.E. Theodule Giguere, Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1940 Rev. John P. Clarke, Pastor, St. Mary, Hebronville, 1941

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Catholic Charities Appeal’s needs met in part by innovative support Special

to

The Anchor

FALL RIVER — “I’ve been collecting cans and bottles and redeeming them for money to contribute to the Catholic Charities Appeal for years. I’ve even gotten my adult son and daughter doing it. Last year I collected and redeemed enough bottles and cans that I was able to donate well over $200, not counting my own personal donation,” said a volunteer.

One of the workers and volunteers that attended the Cape Cod and Islands kick-off for the 2009 Catholic Charities Appeal last week, he demonstrated the spirit and good will of those who have been supporting this effort for literally decades in the Diocese of Fall River.

Another attendee, after viewing the Appeal video and listening to guest speaker Father David Frederici, chaplain at Cape Cod Hospital and whose ministry to the sick and dying at the hospital is funded totally by the yearly Catholic Charities Appeal, was moved to announce as he left that he was going to “increase his donation by five percent again this year.”

“These comments by longtime supporters and parish volunteers are echoes of similar comments made this year, and that have been made for decades by diocesan parishioners who can truly look beyond themselves and their parish community and feel compelled to respond to the needs of others,” according to Mike Donly, director of Development for the diocese.

“These people get it.” he continued. “And they are not necessarily affluent, well to-do people with disposable income who decide to make a charitable gesture by donating to the Appeal so they can feel good about themselves. They know things are tough out there and they know they will get worse

before they get better, and are willing to dig deeper to help someone who is in worse shape than they are. Just exactly what you would expect Christians to do; share what they have with those who have less.”

The area kickoffs, held in three locations across the diocese, were attended by more than 600 parish volunteers and supporters who know full well the mission they have before them; to encourage more than 35,000 that gave to the Appeal last year to give generously again, as well as to invite those who did not give to consider what they can do to assist the diocese as it attempts to minister to literally tens of thousands of men, women, and children who turn to the agencies funded by the annual Catholic Charities Appeal for assistance.

“With the level of state and federal cutbacks, the rate of unemployment, and the discouraging economic forecast, our Appeal for assistance comes at a time when our agencies are being inundated with requests for assistance. People who have never asked anyone for help before, be it for food, clothing, shelter, counseling, whatever, are coming forward to seek aid, as are those whose situations were dire even before this downturn in the economy,” said Donly.

“Our fervent hope,” he added, “is for all those who have not given in the past or may have stopped giving, to consider the need we face, and the reality that they really can make a difference in someone’s life. To quote Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, ‘If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.’”

As the diocese embarks on its 68th annual Catholic Charities Appeal, the only time during the year that it asks it parishioners for assistance meeting the most basic needs of thousands of individuals and families, it

does so, says Bishop George W. Coleman “with hope and confidence that the strong tradition of charity in the Diocese of Fall River will continue.”

Bishop Coleman’s Catholic

May 1, 2009 Charities Appeal audio-message and the Appeal video may be heard and viewed on the Catholic Charities Appeal Website: www. frdioc-catholiccharities.org.

Donations to the Appeal

can be sent to the Catholic Charities Appeal Office, P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, Mass.

02722; dropped off at any parish in the diocese; or made on the Appeal Website.