05.01.98

t eanc 0 VOL. 42, NO. 18 •

Friday, May 1, 1998

FALL RIVER, MASS.

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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$14 Per Year

Marathon winner says running is a celebration of life

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

PLYMOUTH-As Mary-Lynn Currier crossed the fi nish line in this year's running of the Boston Marathon, she looked at her watch and said to herself "This is unbelievable."

Currier said she hadn't looked at her watch the whole race, running at what she thought was a good pace, but when she finished, not only did she find that she was the top American woman finisher, but she had also run the best marathon time of her life.

The 34-year-old computer teacher and librarian from St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School in Hyannis ran a personal best time of 2:35: 18 for her fourth Boston Marathon and finished II th overall in the field of women runners. She led most of the race until she was passed at 16 miles, but retook the lead a mile later.

Currier said that running for her is a celebration of life. "I feel a connection with life, with God when 1

run," she declared. That connection has pushed the Connecticut native into the limelight.

She has been running since she was about 12 years old and in 1985 at age 20 began her career as a marathon runner, completing and winning many races including the Providence Blue CrosslBlue Shield Marathon, events in Vermont and Pennsylvania, and the Cape Cod Marathon (New England Championships), where she has been the top woman finisher for four years.

Currier trains vigorously for her races, is also completing her first year of teaching in a new district and has overcome great adversity to attain her running success.

One of her hurdles has been three bouts of paralysis she's experienced since catching Lyme disease three years ago. Currier said she couldn't walk for weeks at a time but the experience has taught her a new discipline. "It gives me a chan~e to rest and recover and come back to running

with fresh legs," she said. The chronic condition is treatable with antibiotics. The tough part was recognizing the symptoms, but according to Currier, she has accomplished this.

Helping her through those tough times has been her husband of five years, Peter Currier. "He's been the rock, the solid base to help me through it all," she said. She attends Mass every week and said "I try and follow Jesus in the things that I do.

My training involyes daily meditation and prayer," adding that "with hard work, internal motivation and faith you can accomplish anything."

Her students at St. Francis Xavier turned out in big numbers to cheer her in Boston, also working at the races' IO-mile water stop. "I wasn't alone out there, it made a difference," she said. "Some of my former students from Duxbury also turned out and it made a big difference throughout the whole race.... I had my most energy at Heartbreak Hill."

Currier added that she tries to be a

Priests learn about Project Rachel at training selllinar rector of the diocese's Pro-Life Of- aged in two or three minutes, "this is fice, who chaired the serninar, said it a kind of confession that is demandwas designed to assist priests who ing of the confessor and requires will serve as confessors "because the more attention both in time and senobject of Project Rachel is the rec- sitivity. The men and women·coming to confess about onciliation with God abortion do not need to and Church and unborn hear: 'Don't worry child and self, by the about it, nothing is women or man who is wrong.' They have in grief or turmoil over - Pope John Pauill's come to confession bethe effects of an aborencyclical letter 'The cause they know sometion." thing is wrong with The confessor, he Gospel of Life." them. We must absosaid, in the sacrament lutely affirm the sin and of penance "acts as

By JAMES N. DUNBAR at the same time bring healer and reconciler to them to reconciliation."

NEW BEDFORD-Pliests from restore the grace of Also speaking at the the Fall River Diocese this week communion with God seminar were a medical learned more about their sensitive and Church to the perdoctor, a psychologist, roles in comforting, healing and rec- son who comes to conthe diocese's adult eduDR. E. JOANNE onciling women who have had an fession." cation director and a " W e abortion and feel c.ut ANGELO priest from the archdiohope to be off from their God able to sensitize priests cese of Boston. and their Church.

Dr. Elizabeth Phalen of Norton a little more about what At a priests' traindescribed the acis going on in ing seminar Wednestual physiology the person who day at Holy Name of surgical and comes to him Church hall here, 56 chemical aborwith this parpriests heard profestions like using ticular sin," said sional speakers disRU-486, and parFather cuss Project Rachel. tial-birth aborFernandes.

The title comes from tions too. "It's a "There are more an Old Testament difficult thing to and more calls, prophecy in which talk about," she mostly from Rachel, Joseph's told the priests. women, who are mother and mother"It's not pretty. I just overcome LISA M. GULINO figure for Israel, cries have a feeling with remorse for her exiled nation that many times over what they and its lost children. people don't realAt issue is the fact that although have done. It is so important ize what happens the responsibility for the abortion de- forthem to go to confession, . DR. ELIZABETH in an abortion, cision is not entirely, nor perhaps not receive the grace of reconPHALEN that there are even primarily hers, the woman must ciliation and know this is a parts of a baby bear its burdensome consequences al- sin and is forgivable as Pope lying around and not just a mass of most enti rely alone for the rest of her John Paul says in his encyclical."

Father Fernandes made it clear tissues like you are told in the melife.

Turn to page 5 - Rachel Father Stephen A. Fernandes, di- that while some confessions are man-

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"You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost, and you will be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord."

role model for her stude'nts and that the school has been very helpful and understanding with both her bouts with Lyme disease and her running.

What else motivates someone to run a 26-mile race and endure a grueling training regimen of logging 70 to 130 miles per week?

Currier said that it has been her dream since she was in high school track to represent her country in the Olympics and that is one of the factors that pushes her forward. She said she remembers watching her idol, Joan B. Samuelson, running at the Olympics and was inspired by the New England native.

She may have the chance to realize.that dream of running in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games because since her recent finish in Boston she is now ranked number two runner in the country and the top three American runners are invited to compete in Sydney, Australia.

Mary-Lynn Currier hopes that her recent top finish will help her obtain a sponsor but will be taking it easy for a little while. When she spoke with The Anchor she joked that she was on school vacation, but that the phone hasn't stopped ringing with news people wanting interviews.

They can't usually catch her.

Who can?

r---------------.....---,

MARY-LYNN CURRIER, the top American woman finisher in the 1998 Boston Marathon, says she feels a connection with life and God when she runs. The computer teacher at St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School in Hyannis hopes to run at the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney, Australia.

Parish phase of 1998 Appeal begins Sunday FALL RIVER-This Sunday marks the beginning of the parish phase of the 1998 Catholic Charities Appeal throughout the Fall River Diocese.

Often referred to as Catholic Charities Sunday, this is the day when volunteer solicitors from many of the III parishes canvass households of fellow parishioners to receive contributions to the Appeal.

Some parishes, in response to busy family schedules and expansive parish boundaries, now use solicitation methods which enable direct re-

turns at Masses this weekend or a response by mail, and others use a combination of methods.

In any case, the goal is the same: to invite diocesan Catholics to help reach out, as Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap. stated, "to brothers and sisters who are in need and who seek the assistance of the Church."

Tum to page 2 - CCA

Bishop O'Malley laments bishop's murder

By JAMES N.

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER-Bishop Sean P. O'Malley has called for people's prayers for murdered Auxiliary Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedara, 75, of Guatemala and for the Guatemalan people who are undergoing human rights abuses. . In a statement given as The Anchor was going to press, Bishop O'Malley lamented the murder of his friend and the tragedies Guatemala is suffering. "I ask the people of the Diocese of Fall River to pray for ~ishop Gerardi and the Church in Guatemala and that the peace process Will hold there despite this terrible setback."

Turn to page 2 - Lament

Sisters of Mercy m~ark 125 years in- diocese

many years," Bishop O'Malley recounted. "He was a man who served the Church and the people of Gu~te­ mala with distinction and with great Continu~d from page one courage. He had been bishop of two The funeral was Wednesday morn- "for a group of- Guatemalan Indians world dioceses which are heavily ining at the Cathedral in Guatemala. in this country whose cases are being digenous. Some 70 percent of GuateThe president of the country has de- decided by the government. I hope the mala is indigenous, having the largNEW BEDFORD-Sisters of . in the right place at the right time and government allows them to remain. est population of any Indian country Mercy from the Regional Community that the hand of God is upon them. clared three days of mourning.

Bishop O'Malley said that Bishop Their families have suffered much in the world. They are descendants of of Providence, R.I., which includes The sisters renewed their vows beGerardi was very much involved in from political violence. If the bishop Mayans and preserve their language members of Massachusetts commu- fore the congregation. Among the the four decades of the peace process is not safe in Guatemala City then, and customs and tribal governments. nities in this region, celebrated the gifts presented at the Mass were a "For 40 years. there has been a terthere. "We hope his murder will not how can we see these young people 125th anniversary of the arrival of plaque from the original St. Joseph rible civil war raging inthat country. their predecessors to the Diocese of Hospital in New Bedford operated by being safe there?" unravel that peace process."

"I have known Bishop Gerardi for Bishop Gerardi was the first bishop Fall River at ceremonies April 19 in the nuns who arrived in that city in The bishop also expressed concern in Copan and Verpaz and from there St. Lawrence Church.

1873, as well as a citation from the . went to the Diocese of Quiche. There, Sister Sheila Harrington, a mem- City of Fall River for the ~iervices the he suffered a terrible persecution in ber of the Regional Leadership Team sisters performed during the influenza · which 12 of his priests were mur- of the Sisters of Mercy, greeted the epidemic of 1918. Other articles indered. The situation became so bad congregation at the Mass celebrated cluded chronicles of St. Lawrence and that the diocese was closed down and by Father John P. Driscoll. She offered Mount St. Mary convent:; which inall religious were removed. The a brief history of the sisters and em- cluded the daily events in the lives of NORTH ATTLEBORO-Funeral services were held' here April 27 for bishop was in exile in Costa Rica for phasized their current service. Her the sisters and a scroll listing the Mercy Sister Ricarda Wobby, 67, of OurLady of Mercy Conve!1t, 70 Holcott a couple of years, not allowed to re- theme was, "Celebrate the Journey" names of the more than 500 sisters Driv~ . turn to his diocese." and she invited all to celebrate the who have served in the diocese.

Sister Wobby died suddenly April 19 in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome as she Named auxiliary bishop and back 'journey of mercy."

Following Mass, pa~,tor Father was waiting to attend Mass. Her sister, Doris Peasley, 69, of Cranston, R.I.; in Guatemala city, Bishop Gerardi has .. Father Driscoll carried out this Brian Harrington and the I;ommunity who had been accompanying her on a visit to Europe, was with her at the played an important role in the life of .theme in his homily by telling the con- of St. Julie Billiart Churc:h in North time. the country, said Bishop O!Malley. gregation that the Sisters of Mercy are Dartmouth hosted a reception. .

Born in Barre, Vt., the daughter of the late Thomas and Eva (Corey) Wobby, "He has been working for three years Sister Wobby was a graduate of. St. Mary Academy-Bay ViewinEast Provi- on the human rights report titled, dence, R.I., and received a bachelor's degree from Catholic Teachers College. · 'Never Again' that he gave from the She did graduate study at St. Louis University. .

Cathedral hist Friday (April 24). But She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1949 and taught at schools in Fall the theme apparently was not to be.:River and in Newport, Cumberland, Warwick and Riverside in Rhode.Island. On ·Sun~ay night, April 26, after re- .

She was principal of the former St. Mary School in North Attleboro and turning from dinner with his family, financial director-.at -Bishop Feehan High School, AttleborQ; and St. Mary , he was bliJdgeoned to death in a ga~ Parish in North Attleboro, Most recently she was the spiritual.director at Sperry ; rage at the rectory 'of San Sebastian and McHoul Funeral Home, North Attleboro.

Parish."

Sister Wobby was a member of the board ofdirectors QfHockomockYMCA '.'Thi death had political overof North Attleboro, and was a eucharistic minister at Sturdy, Memorial Hospi- , tone's," Bishop O'Malley assehed. tal. . ' : . .

"Nothing was stolen. He was i<:lentiAs well as her sister Doris Peasley, she leaves another sister, Isabelle Shaw, fied by 'his ring. His face was badly of New Jersey; and nieces and nephews. . . disfigured because he had been bludHer funeral Mass was offered Monday at St. Mary Church, North Attle- geoned with cinder blocks and was boro, Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland, R.I. ,unrecognizable." .

Bishop O'Malley recalled being with Bishop Gerardi three years ago when he visited;,the seminaries in I Guatemala. "~met with him several NEW BEDFORD-Herbert.A. Wall, .93, of. New Bedford, husband of RECALl..,ING THE COMMITMENT-M~mbers:9f,the; Sistiines. We had meals together and had _ Evelyn F. (Matthew~) Wall and fath.er gf Father Bill!Y W. W:all~pastor of St. · an opportuhity to talk about·his work. ters of Mercy renE;lw their vows the p~esence of. the con-, Anthony Church in Mattapoisett, died Tuesday in St. Luke's Hospital after a Half of, tlW se~inarians are jndig- greg~tion at St. Lawrence Church, New.Bedford, as they brief illness. enous and. many of them had witBorn in New Bedford, the son of the iate Richard and the late Anne Mary celebrate the anniversary of the first sisters' arrival in this nessed the torture and deaths of their (O'Connell) Wall, he lived most of his life there.. parents and famj!ies.'The peace treaty diocese in 1873.

He was formerly employed for 25 years at the former Safe Deposit Nawas signed a year ago and is st.i11 a tional Bank arid later as accountant and office manager for Loughlin Chevrolet very fragile situation. The current Co., and Little Bay Market. president has tried to remove many He was a graduate of Bentley School. of Accounting and Finance. He was of the upper echelon military officers Acts 11:1-18; Pss 42:2-3;43:3-4; In 10:1-10 May 4 a' member of McMahon Council Knights of Columb,!s and the Cardinal who were involved in the many ollt.Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87: 1-7; In 10:22-30 May 5 Medeiros Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and was a former rageous. human rights abuses. But Acts 12:24-13:5; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; In 12:44-50 May 6 member of the Serra Club and Junior Achievement: He was a parishioner of many of them havejust become crimjActs 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3,21-22,25,27; In 13:16-20 . May 7 . St. James Church'and a member of its prayer ministry. nals and are conducting kidnappings Besides his wife and priest-son, he leaves another s6n, Neal F. Wall of Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11; In 14:1-6'.

May 8 and other acts of violence.to try to Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; In 14:7-14 New Bedford; and nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Harold May 9 .. destabilize' the government. Bishop.'

1. Wall, who was his twin; and Richard D. Wall, Allan C. Wall and Anne K. Acts 14:21b-27; Ps 145:8-13; Rv 21 :1-5a; May 10 Gerardi's death is, I think, an attempt .In '13:31-33a,34-35 , .

Choquette." to' destabilize th:e sltuation~" The funeral Mass was celebrat~d Friday in.St. James Church. Interment . .was in St. Mary Cemetery.· ' .": Turn to page lifor'related story . " I

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., May 1, 1998

Lament

OObiluarip6

Sister Ricarda Wobby, RSM

Herbert A. Wall

in

Daily Readings

CCA

Continued from page one .

Funds raised in the Catholic Charities Appeal provide the financial support for diocesan sponsored programs, services and institutions throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. Last year, approximately 200,000 people received some form of assistance through various diocesan agencies.

In a recorded audio message played last weekend at many parishes, Bishop O'Malley spoke to parishioners of the Appeal, of those in need in local communities, and of the mission of the Church which, to be carried out, requires that the faithful " respond in. love to the needs of. others."

The bishop spoke of the many people, "young and old, some sick in body, or in spirit, many broken and confused with nowhere to turn," who sought assistance from the diocese in the past year. He said that some came in search of guidance and emotional support, others for stability in their lives and in the lives of their children,

to these needy brothers and sisters as and others for essential human re- well."

He thanked'pastcontribtitors for sources Such as protection from harm, a place to sleep and something to eat their generous sharing, whether done "I was so grateful that we could through a one-time contribution or be there for these people," Bishop through the IO-month pledge system, O'Malley continued, because 58,000 and noted appreciation to the many diocesan parishioners responded to . ·in parishes who assist with the melast year's Catholic Charities Appeal." chanics of the Appeal.

In closing, Bishop O'Malley reAmong services and programs made possible by last year's Appeal, minded listeners that the mission of which raised a little over $2.5 million, the Church must be continued through were a wide range of social services, the lives of all the faithful. Through such as counseling, pregnancy sup- baptism, he said, all are commisport, adoption services, housing sup- sioned to share with others their faith port, infant care and foster care-sum- in Jesus Christ and to respond in love mer camp opportunities, help for to the needs of our brothers and sisthose with HIVand AIDS, food pan- ters around us. "Please pray," contries, 24 hour pastoral care at area cluded the bishop, "that our Catholic hospitals, family ministry, youth pro- Charities Appeal this year will be grams, assistance to the developmen- more than just a success, rather, an tally-disabled, scholarship aid and expression of committed faith. " outreach to immigrant communities.

Contributions to the 1998 Catholic Bishop O'Malley said that as the Charities Appeal may be sent to the number of persons who seek help Charities Appeal Office, 344 Highland from the Catholic community in- Avenue, P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, MA creases, "we must be willing and able 02722, tel. (508) 676-3200, or dropped to provide open doors and open hearts off at any parish in the diocese.

.I n Y ({fIr Prayers

Please prayfor the following priests during the coming week \ \.

NECROLOGY . \

\

\ \May 2 1963, Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.p,"Leonidas Lariviere, Pastgr,S\, Jean Baptiste, Fall R i v e r ' \ _ ,.' _ /""

--

May 5 .,,--:. " \ .. ~

., ,'..

1973, Rev. Leo M, Curry, Chapilii)1,.eatholic Memorial Home 1985, Rev. Albert Rowley;SS,Cc., in residence, St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet .---.----~ _.. , \ \ .

~..Ma y,'6 ,~ 1905, R'ev. Thomas P. Elliott, Founqer, St. Mary, Mansfield 1980, Rev. Asdrubal Castelo Branco, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, New Bedford " " 1994, Rev. Ernest E. Blais, Pastor, Nqtre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River

May 7 ' 1958, Rev. Raymond P. Levell, S.1., Professor, Spring Hill College, ' Mobile, Alabama . \ \

PRIESTS CURRENTLY SERVING May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7 May 8

:

Rev. LOliis Joseph Rev. Andre P. Jussaume Rev. Lucien Jusseaume Rev. Robert S. Kaszynski Rev. Terence F. Keenan Rev. James F. Kelley Rev. Bernard R. Kelly

Bell Atlantic fundraiser benefits St. Vincent's Home FALL RIVER-The 10 Bell Atlantic employees who participated in a walk-a-thon last fall to raise $1,300 for St. Vincent's, the area's largest residential treatment and special education facility for youngsters, made another visit recently. This time they brought another $1,300 from their company's matching contribution program.

The willingness of these Bell Atlantic employees to volunteer their time on behalf of the residents of St. Vincent's was recognized at a recent presen"tation at the Fall River Bell Atlantic office.

"We're very gratefuIfo rthe outstanding efforts of each of the women from Bell Atlantic who made this donation possible, said Jack Weldon, executive director at St. Vincent's. "More than donors, they really served as ambassadors.

Before the walk-a-thon last September, they told their friends and relatives about St. Vincent's to solicit sponsors. Then, through their company's matching gift program, they were instrumental in reminding a major corporation about the services we provide for children and families in need. All of us at St. Vincent's applaud their excellent work."

The fund raiser was one of sev-

eral by Bell Atlantic employees for St. Vincent's in recent years.

For the past two years, the em-

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"'In.e mirru:ufous sense ofa mot:fier andcIiifi[ e>;fsti.ng in this nwment orUg fOr. eadl. other"

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consecrated life and reawaken the responsibility of all, especially parents and those who educate in the faith, to promote vocations."

Parishioners will be asked at weekend Masses to join in prayer for an increase of men and women willing to give their lives in service to the church.

As part of the observance, the

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diocese's Vocation Office will host an evening of prayer and discussion for young men in high school or college who are interested in learning more about the priesthood.

The gathering will be held May 3,6:30-8:30 p.m., in Sacred Heart Parish rectory, 160 Seabury St., Fall River.

For more information, call Father Craig Pregana, vocation director, at 675-1311.

1. Harrington, council moderator, will address the gathering.

Archbishop Cronin will speak at 10 a.m. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley will also address the gathering, and present Our Lady of Good Counsel Awards. Mass will be celebrated at 11: 15 a.m.

A luncheon will be held and a musicale is planned.

For information and reservations call Ann Borges at 994-9319.

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Every Thursday. 9:30 A.M.

Catholic WOmen'S Conference is May 2 SOUTH DARTMOUTHArchbishop Daniel ACronin of Hartford, Conn., former bishop of Fall River, will be the keynote speaker at the 45th convention of . the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, May 2, at St. Mary Parish Center here.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and will be followed by a business meeting. Miss Theresa Lewis, council president, and Father Brian

of Fall River - Fri., May I, 1998

MASS AND DEVOTIONS

Vocations prayer day set for Sunday FALL RIVER-On Sunday, parishioners in the Fall River diocese will join with Catholics throughout the world in marking the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

In his message for this year's observance, Pope John Pau III asks that all Catholics raise a more intense prayer to God "to obtain new vocations to the priesthood and

?i~cese

THE ANCHOR -

:

1 1 1 1 I ..

Brother Larry Krueger, CF.A, X-Ray Technician

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THE ANCHOR -.:.. Diocese of Fall River . . .:::.:Pri.• May •

l;""i99'!f'1.",:,· '.

the living word

!

the- moorirl9..~· Faith and darkness The resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. St. Paul sums it up by stating that if Christ was not raised from the dead. our Gospel and our faith are null and void. The Church has always taught t~at the resurrection is the con~rmation . of all Christ's work and teaching. Given'the'testimony of Scripture and church teaching. it cannot be interpret~d as ,soinethiQg within the normal physical order, yet it is impossible not to acknowledge it as.a historical fact. Easter Sunday and the weekly Lord's Day remind us of this basic Christian truth. " Today, however. many scholars and theologians seem to be wa, vering in their faith in the resurrection and are presenting various interpretations of it in an effort to dispel its "mystery'\md make it relevant to .our present Christian social order. Sad to say, even some who hold teaching positions in "Catholic'" collegeS are this mind-set. F~r example,Anthony Saldarini. a profes~or of.th~; ,ology at Boston College, declares that "you cannot speak with absolute certainty about the resurrection, so there are differing viewpoints." , .' . ,i He also points out that since there was no body, there is no physical evidence to prove or disprove it. To move this to its ultimate, John Crossan of Chicago's DePaul University Writes that the reason . Jesus' tomb was empty was because his body was eaten by wild dogs. If these are the viewpoints of professors at Catholic colleges, one can imagine what is being taught at secular institutions. How can so-called Catholic establishments of higher learning ignore Church teaching and still expect to be called "Catholic"? , The question of the Res~rrect,ion w~s also consia~red,or more .accui-ately all, but ign<;)l:~d'by the PBS pro'gtam '''Fro,m Jews, to Christ," whi~h gave'this world-s~akingevent"butprleffoq~ag~and negati,:,e commentary by, Dr. J;>au~~ Fred~r~c~se.n,Qf Bo~,tpn University. who simply said she doubts the resurrection ,story, ..

What thousands o(PBS viewers saw was·a on6~sided"program notable for its absence of CatholicScripture·Scholars.· It is ~ndeed "tragic to see taxpayers' dollars supporting such all unbalanced presentation. 'In truth, what it- offered was a ~ustained:attack pn'the integrity of the Christian faith, The resurrection aridthe. virgiIi birth :'received treatment' devoid. of that:faith.! .What PBS'offer¢d :,d~ri~g the Christian Holy Week was more insulting than informative. , It is becoming more and more evident that inany who are prominent in theological circles are devoid of faith. Faith is ·of course a personal act and free response of an individual, but·it is not an isolated act. No one can believe alone, just as no one can live alone. So many today lack certitude. but faith is certain. To be sure. revealed truth can seem obscure to human' reason, but, as St. Thomas Aquinas taught. "The certainty that the divine light gives us is greater than that which the light of natural reason gives."

And Cardinal Newman put if well when he wrote "Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt." Would that such statements be accepted by those whose teachings go beyond mere dOlJbt. in fact leading people to hopelessness., In a world where so many people have lost values," where ethics .and morals are ignored and where suicide is encouraged as a solution to life's problems. faith is needed. To undermine that faith by so-called modem scholarship is unacceptable. and still more so is the support of such efforts by tax dollars. . Those who pres'ent' themselves' as teachers of Christian theology should impart the true traditions of faith, especially when they are members of Catholic college or university faculties; For too long have the voices of authentic teaching been'silent: How dark must our night become? .

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The Editor

the anchol9·

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER 'OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue . P.O. BOX 7 .

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EDITOR

GENERAL MANAGER

Rev. John F. Moore

Rosemary Dussault ~

NEWS EDITOR Jam~s

UA"R'f"'ESS-'ALL.RIVEA

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(eNS photo by I'dlricia zapor)

STUDENTS FROM THE NEWMAN CENTER AT TEMPLE uNIVERSITY PAU:;E FOR PRAYER OVER DINNER AT THE HOME OF SEVERAL CAPUCHIN FRANCISCAN VOLUNTEERS IN BELLE, W.V A., OVER SPRING BREAK. THEY SPENT THEIR VACAltoN TIME BUILDING HOMES AND HELPING THOSEIN NEED.

"For he shall rescue the poor man when'he cries out, and the afflicted man when he has no one'to help him.'·He shall have pity for the lowly he shall save." ·Psalms 72: 1.2~13 ,. and ..the . . poor;. the lives. of the poor . . ;

.Prayer,spiritual readirig aid laity :

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BY' FAtHER KEVIN

.. .

J. HARRINGTON

"One' Of the shortcomings of religious education is that most formal religious education.ends by age 16.

Adult education occurs sporadically in parishes. As we age. our priorities change. and the percentage of adults involved in religious education classes is disproportionately small in comparison to the number of children to be taught. .Most people over the age of 40 .spent more time studying the catechism than the Bible. Practically speaking. the Liturgy of the Word is the primary sourcre of education of the laity and the homily play~ a crucial role in educating Catholics.

But preaching is not the ideal way of educating. The congregation is of disparate age and. educational backgrounds. Admittedly. laity have become better educated.as our population has ,become less blue-collar manufacturing and more whiteccollar service industry oriented. Unfortunately. improvements in religious education have not kept pace with improved general ,education. . On.apari"sh level, the most popular adult education programs that I have facilitated have .centered on sacred Scripture or prayer. Lately I have also found it very effective to share videotapes and books that match a person's interes~ on an individual basis. This provides a busy person with maximum flexibility in . pursuing hisor her interest in a topic.

Some of our more motivated young people are also using the Internet to help meet their religious education needs. . I recognize that only a small percentage of the laity will engage in individual study.

However. the number of book-

&tore!? in Qur dioces y has skyrock- clever. arid reveale<:l them to babes." , eted and their religious sections have Prayer in itself is riot complicated or also grown. There was a.day when esoteric. It is open to all and the the religious section was squeezed ability to pray has little to do with between psychology and the occult. intellectual awareneS1i of what The number of titles available has people call "spirituality." also increased immensely. A friend I find that people who are seekof mine who works in a bookstore ing spiritual direction by reading says that the religious section is fre- the latest book on spirituality are quented by people buying books guilty of modern gnosticism. I will about recovery from addictions. In always send them back to the Bible one store. the religion section is no and commentaries. Reading and longer lodged between psychology praying must go hand in haJld and and the occult but nestled between there are no shortcuts. I may share philosophy and self-help. Now. the benefit of my reading and praythat's an improvement! il1g in my homilies but that is a poor The rule of St. Benedict states: substitute for self-study and reflec"Idleness is the enemy of the soul. tion .

The brethren. therefore. must be ocLi~eracy is a relatively recent cupied at stated hours in mariualla- phenomenon in terms of church hisbor. and again at other hours in sa- tory. rhe spoken word 'of the litcred reading." What is good for the urgy sufficed for many centuries. . soul of ,a monk is good for the ~oul To feel a sense of onene~;s with the . of every Christian. As the 12th cen- . community of illiterate saints I oftury monk, Guido II. wrote in the ten read the Scriptures. This helps "Ladder of Monks," "Reading: as.it me to commit the words to memory were. puts food whole into the and makes me feel mor,~ at home mouth. meditation chews it. and with them. Those early saints in our breaks it up, prayer extracts its fla- church history may not have been vor. contemplation is the sweetness able to read but many of them itself which gladdens and refreshes. memorized the Scriptures. I won. Reading works on the outside. medi- der if our people are any better off tation on the pith: 'prayer asks for in our information age world. what We long for. contemplation Jesus said that his apcstles must gives us delight in the sweetness be as innocent as doves and as clever which we have found." as serpents. We need a more eduNe~er before have so many cated laity or at least a laity more people' been able to benefit from knowledgeable about the' truths of . Spiritual reading. However. educa- our faith. We also need a 'laity that tion and leisure alone cannot guar- can independently acci:ss sound antee better religious educatiCln, nor spiritual reading that will nourish the is our spiritual life directly depen- soul. We all have become more dent'on it. Some'knowledge of sa- clever with education, bu.t have we cred Scripture is needed. lost our innocence?

The poor and the simple are those A friend of mine put it best: Jesus had· in mind when he thanked "Look at the titles of the books in the Father that he had "hidden these your home." There..he contends, is things from the learned and the where your treasure lies!

"

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., May I, ]998

5

Famous author credits her Catholic school teachers â&#x20AC;˘

Mary Higgins Clark says perseverance came from what she learned

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

LOS ANGELES -- Like most famous authors, Mary Higgins Clark didn't start out that way.

The first short story she submitted for publication received 40 rejections before it was accepted by a Catholic magazine.

But the persistence she needed not only with that story, but with others that followed, came in part from what she learned in Catholic schools, she said.

In a closing speech at the National Catholic Educational Association convention, Clark thanked Catholic school teachers for helping her and many others over the years.

"You should all be applauding

yourself daily for the work that you do," she told educators April,] 7 in Los Angeles.

Clark, a best-selling suspense novelist, has written 2] books including her most recent, "You Belong To Me," published April] 6 by Simon & Schuster.

She claims she has always been a storyteller and that she received a good deal of encouragement from the nuns at St. Francis Xavier School in the Bronx, N.Y. She told the NCEA delegates how her fifth-grade teacher praised her writing and brought her to the principal once with a story she had written using the assigned spelling words.

"The principal took me from class to class to tell the students how to make stories," she said.

And here she was, about 50 years later, still giving tips on storywriting. She told the teachers in the audience to advise their students who want to write to think about the books they like and emulate that

style.

Clark said she liked suspense books from when she was young starting with the Nancy Drew series.

As she continued reading, she' realized that she was always keeping up with the authors by picking up on the clues they were writing.

And because she knew what worked, she said, she thought she could try her hand at it too.

After her husband died in ]964, and she was left with five children, Clark started writing radio scripts and then books.

When asked how she juggled writing with motherhood, Clark said, "I was writing in my head all the time." Wherever she went, she brought her notebook. And as soon as her kids fell asleep, she would hit the typewriter.

"You can make time," she told Catholic News Service, acknowledging that she once wrote a short story at the dentist's office.

In the stories she's still writing, .

Educators seen as movers in y'oung Catholics' faith â&#x20AC;˘

With fewer young adults attending Mass, teacher evangelization become all-important.

BY.CAROL ZIMMERMAN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

LOS ANGELES - Young people, be they Generation Xers or baby boomers, are not exactly tlocking to their Catholic parishes.

And it's up to religiolls educators and parents to do something about it, said a workshop speaker at the annual convention of the National Catholic Educational Association.

Rachel

"In terms of the future of the church, the single most critical problem facing us today is the evangelization of young people:' said Robert Ludwig, director of university ministry at DePaul University in Chicago.

Ludwig spoke during the April' ] 4-17 convention that brought nearly 9,000 Catholic educators to Los Angeles. ' He said the best way to get young adults back into the church was by showing them a faith that is alive, by giving them what the Second Vatican Council called the church "to be."

As a commentary on how some

Continued from page one

dia. We fall short when we don't A worker with Project Rachel since counsel people beforehand on alI this. it began a dozen years ago in Boston, Many of them just don't know what , she works with women who have had is going to be done." abortions as well as those considerLisa Gulino of Fall River, direc- ing it. "The gist of my message is that tor of Adult Education for the dio- abortion is not a good thing for cese, profiled the type of the woman women. There are negative after-efwho approaches the abortion clinic. fects that may come immediately, but "I've done sidewalk counseling out- more commonly 10 to 15 years later. side clinics for about 10 years in my There is sorrow for the loss of their spare time during my education in own self; they are saying they have the New York, New Jersey and Ohio done something terrible. There is a areas. Our society has often dropped grief and mourning and shame and the ball on responsibility. It is not guilt that goes on. Project Rachel only the unborn child that is the vic- helps men and women come to grips tim in the abortion, although they with and get over those and receive are the most vulnerable because forgiveness. The best synopsis is what they don't have the voice to cry out. Pope John Paul said in his encyclical However, the woman is the victim about God being ready to give his fortoo because she sees abortion as the giveness and his peace in the sacraonly alternative, and goes in haste ment of reconciliation."

Angelo said those mothers sufferto the clinic.There is a sense of denial when making the choices. They ing an abortion "need to pray to their are getting stress from boyfriend child who is living in the Lord and and family. But they am not going ask the child's forgiveness. It is a to hear the alternatives in the clinic most consoling message."

The afternoon speaker was Father such as adoption and other sysDaniel Twomey of the Archdiocese tems."

Gulino added that "They call of Boston. His topic was, "Sacramenabortions a free and safe choice. Well, tal Reconciliation: The Road to they are not. There is both physical Health." He offered a practical model of how the reconciliation should take and emotional suffering."

Dr. E. Joanne Angelo, a psychia- place and exactly what priests must trist from Boston and a member of the do in terms of pastoral care in dealPontifical Academy for Life in Rome, ing with those who come to confesspoke about post-abortion syndrome. sion to confess an abortion.,

young people are not even aware of Vatican II documents, he recalled once asking a class of college students if anyone knew what the Vatican Council was. To his dismay, he said, the one student who raised his hand responded, "Isn't tQat the pope's summer residence?"

But the very spirit of Vatican II "retlects the kind of faith young people are looking for," Ludwig said.

They're not going to respond to a series ofrules or threats that they could go to hell, he added. What today's young people want is something vibrant, alive and personal, he said.

And even though these young adults are suspicious of the institutional church, they are still hungry for spirituality and community and are committed to service and being inclusive, he said.

They'll make the distinction, he continued, between being religious, which they often reject as too formal and institutional, and being spiritual, which they see as important because it's deeper and more personal and stems from one's own heart.

Such a distinction doesn't surprise Ludwig, who has three children of his own in the young adult category.

He sees their hunger for spirituality as stemming from the culture they grew up in. Today, more so than in previous generations, youth have been affected by divorce, media influences and a more mobile, unstable society, he said.

The void they've experienced in their own lives makes them look for an experience of God, which, as Ludwig points out, "is what our (church) tradition is about at its core."

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one of her recurring characters is someone she describes as "a nice Catholic girl," about whom she adds, "I always know how she'll react."

She insists she is not going to put sex in her books, which she likens to "being privy to someone's annual r;hysical when yoti don't really want to be there."

Instead, she says she'll keep

writing about "nice people whose lives have been invaded and who respond with courage."

She told the delegates that her characters "have a generosity of spirit that are a product of all of you."

"I will continue to celebrate you in the stories I write," she added.

"I'm glad I have walked along with you in my life."

YOUNG WOMEN visit the grave of Oskar Schindler on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. Rocks are placed on the tombstone asa symbol of respect and remembrance of the German Catholic businessman who saved more that 1,000 Jews during the Holocaust. (CNS/Hill photo)

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall Ri~~r -

Fri., May 1, 1998

Antarctica fulfills dreams fo~,Massach,usetts' 'Flying Fri~lr' •

Franciscan on a spiritual mission consecrates the frozen tundra to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

By REBECCA

DRAKE

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

GRANBY, Mass. - Franciscan Father James'McCurry, dubbed "the ,flying friar" by his family, had celebrated Mass on six continents yet never dreamed he'd have the chance to do that on the vast, frozen landscape of Antarctica.

Then earlier this year the Ludlow, Mass. native, was invited by a friend to join an expedition to the world's southernmost continent and add it to his list of continents - North Americll;, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.

His friend Hugh Markey, a Glen Cove, N.Y., resident and longtime co-worker for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, had asked Poppi Thomas, president emeritus of the New York Zoological Society, if Father McCurry could ac-

company them on their February expedition.

"After I was invited to go on the expedition, I decided I wanted to make it a more spiritual journey," Father McCurry told The Catholic Observer, diocesan newspaper of Springfield, Mass. ' The priest, who is at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary, in Granby, spoke to the paper for its April 10 , issue.

He noted that Antarctica is the only continent Pope John Paul II has not visited during his papacy, so while he was there he offered a Mass for the intentions of the pope.

"If the pope had ever gone to Antar~tica, the one thing'he would have done would be to consecrate this land to Our Lady," said Father McCurry, who is past president of the Mariological Society of America and former host of an Eternal Word Television Network Mariology series.

So before setting off on his trip he composed the "Prayer of Consecration of Antarctica to the Blessed Virgin Mary."

"I did it as a private act of piety, but in a spirit of solidarity with the

Write yo~r own pS,alm Say the word "psalm," and what comes to mind is a beautiful segment of the Old Testament, with familiar lines, such as "The Lord is my shep.' herd, I shall not want."

I don't think I ever wondered what the root meaning of that word was until I picked up a book called '''A Personal Psalm Journal" (TwentyThird Publications) written by Maryknoll Sister Joan Metzner. She tells us that the word "psalm" is taken from a Greek word meaning "a plucking of strings," and she takes that idea to heart -literally.

By Antoinette Bosco Sister Metzner, who spent four decades working as a Maryknoll'missionary, promises that "with a bit of a nudge we can release the psalmist within and set the strings of our heart stirring." ' That thought was so intriguing to me that I had to talk to her in person.

I discovered a lovely person, who entered the Maryknoll order at age 18, studied in Paris and worked for years in Japan. Now living in Hartford, Conn., this nun and poet has lately worked in a shelter for homeless women, in nursing homes and a prison.

Now she has a new accomplishment - her inspired book, in which she writes: "Each of us is a Bible waiting to be written. Our story is a scripture, a revelation of God's mercy and faithfulness."

Now that's original thinking and gave me definitely nourishing food for thoug~t. Fortunately, I had a lot of help from Sister Metzner, who, shares her 'own stories, in poetry, to show us how "to let God pll,lck the strings"'()four hearts. If we do that, we get to listen to the songs that are our own stories of joy or lamentation, of anger or forgiveness, of hope or despair.

This was the first time I ever visualized God plucking at 'the strings of my heart. I wondered what sounds he would hear if-! trusted him enough to play me. ' Without this book, I wouldn't have known how to get started.. But Sister Metzner has set out a gentle blueprint to guide us. She shares her own poetic psalms to help point us to how we can discover our own truths.

The book is designed to make it easy for us to put our heart songs down in writing. As one example she writes on the left page: "Are you aware of the cages in your life that keep you from flying free? What are the bars in your relationships?" Then follows her own psalm called "Cages."

At the top of the facing page, she writes: "Ask God for the key to the cages that keep your real self locked up. With all confidence, write your holy (or not so holy) thoughts and feelings about your cages." The rest of the page is blank and lined.

It took me only about a minute to grab a pen and fill in the blanks with the words I heard as I felt the Lord plucking at my heartstrings.

Sister Metzner says the rich lesson she has learned and put into her . book is that each person's story is a testament to how, in some mysterious way, God is leading u,s. I thanked her for her insight and for challenging . , ' us to believe we are psalmists.

The Bottom Line

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ANTARCTICA MASS "':"Franciscan Father James McCurry celebrates the Eucharist at Spigot Peak in Antarctica in February. Called the "flying friar" by family and friends, the priest from Massachusetts has celebrated Mass on all seven continents. (CNS/Markey photo) pope's consecration of th-e other through.the rough waters of Drake's continents of the world to Our Passage to the icy waters of the Lady," he said. He also sent a copy . Antarctic,peninsula. There were 65 of the consecration prayer to the passengers on the ship. , During one of the group's daily pope.

Father McCurry recited the explorations, Father McCurry disnewly composed prayer after cel- covered the place he thought was, ebrating an outdoor Mass Feb. 23 the perfect setting for the outdoor at Spigot Peak, an Antarctic penin- Mass and consecration of the consula. The wonder of this moment, tinent to Mary. He said they found though, came after a rigorous sea a huge flat rock that looked like an journey to the only continent in the ' altar waiting for Mass.

"Behind was a huge glacial bank world with no indigenous human of snow and ice with a blue water. population.

At Ushuaia, the travelers joined fall and red and green snow algae other passengers on the Explorer, growing on the ice," Father the ship that would carry them McCurry said. "It was a God-made

backdrop that no photo ,:ould do , justice to."

Toward the end of the Mass, Father McCurry began the prayer of consecration: "Oh Mary, mother of the continents, from north to south and east to west, you cover the earth with your mantle of matemlllove...."

His spiritual mission accomplished, Father McCurry and the other passengers began preparing for their trip home. Upon his return to St. Hyacinth College and Seminary, "the flying friar" expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist in Antarctica.

Staying motivated for fitness Dear Dr. Kenny: I want to start a fitness program this summer. I am 35, !ilightly overweight and definitely out of shape. We live near a park, and I would prefer to walk or jog. How do I get ,started? How do I stay motivated? I want this very much, and I don't want it to go the ~ay of so many good intentions. (New York) ' What good questions. You sound like a very practical person. Here are six tips to help you turn your good intentions intoa lifelong habit. , 1. Be speCific. Say when and where you will walk/ jog. Oive yourself one'or two days Off, but do your exeh;ise at lea~t five days a week. , 2. Keep a chart. Record your successes and failures. Whenever you wish to start or change a habit, you must keep records. This provides accountability.

Place your :'chart" in a place where others can see it. The kitchen calendar is one good possibility.

3. Reward yourself: Each exercise session should earn its token recognition. Daily rewards are an im,portant way to reinforce new habits.

Putting a shiny penny in a "health jar" on your dresser is one example of a daily minireward. Giving each of your children a nickel or dime to celebrate your success is another.

4. Penalize failure: Each day you fail to do your agreed,upon exercise, perform a small penance that same night. Token penalties help keep one-day failuresfrom becoming permanent.

No television that night or no dessert are possible penalties.· Another possibility would be to· have a "penalty jar" with slips listing various unpleasant 15minute household tasks, such as washing woodwork or cleaning the toilet. Skipping your exercise means· you are liable for penalty time that night. ' The important factor with rewards and penalties is to apply them immediately, each day or night.· The rewards add to our good feeling, and the small penal-

ties help keep us from repeating our failure the next day.

5. Walk/jog with a buddy. This is marathoner Frank Shorter's No. 1 hint for would-be runners, both ama-

Family Talk With Dr. James & Mary'Kenny teur and world-class. You are much more likely to keep an appointment with exercise if you know yc)ur friend is waiting for you at the park. .

Furthermore, friends can help keep track of your miles, and you can encourage one another. The actual time goes faster when you have someone to talk with.

6. Go for time. Walk/jog for at least 20 minutes.

Focus on time over distance.

Go fast enough to breathe heavily but not so fast that you cannot talk with your buddy. This will guarantee the aerobic effect, the "stretching" of your heart and lungs. ' The aerobic effect has many benefits. Hormones· are released which create calm and fight depression.

The food you eat automatically becomes mu:;cle rather than fat. Your pulse and blood pressure are: lowered.

And much more.

Good luck with your plan to walk/jog your way to fitness.

Reader questions on family living and ehild care to be answered in print are·invited. Add.·ess questions:"The' Kennys; St. Joseph's Collegll; 219 W. Harrison; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.

Mass offerings Q. We live in a small town with no resident pastor since last summer. I planned to leave $1,000 in my will for Masses.

With no priest, however, I'm considering changing that part, and helping in some other way, perhaps to do good for a priest in need.

Having Masses said for oneself or another is still correct, isn't it? What is a good amount to leave for Masses? And what does it mean when the priest announces that a Mass is being offered for a particular person?

I don't want to seem like I am trying to buy my way into heaven. But I could use some help on the way. Any insights you have will be appreciated.

(Iowa) A. Your questions are good ones. I'm not about to suggest how much money to leave for Masses, but a few thoughts might help you decide what to do.

For centuries, more than 1,000 years in fact, Catholics in some parts of the world have followed the custom of Mass offerings for the church's ministers and other needs of the Christian community.

This custom obviously continues here in the United States.

At the same time, however, the church has carried on an almost continuous struggle to avoid any appearance of commercialism about the Mass, and misunderstandings about the meaning of such offerings.

They do not "buy" a Mass.

One common problem has been language which is at least open to misunderstanding. The example you give is a good one.

We believe that the eucharistic sacrifice is a representation, a re-offering, of the one perfect sacrifice of our Lord.

Every Mass has the same reach. therefore. the same universal saving intention, as the first offering by Jesus . on C a l v a r y . · As our Eucharistic Prayers and other parts of the Mass make clear. each offering of this sacrifice of salvation effectively e:mbraces not only the whole

THE ANCHOR -

church. but the whole human family. living and dead.

This is the context in which the church makes it lawful for a priest to accept an offering to apply the Mass according to a definite intention (Canon 945).

As one canon law expert put it, Mass offerings can be understood as "gifts to the church or its ministers

Questions and Answers

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Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., May I. 1998

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If an announcement of a particular intention is desired, a theologically and liturgically proper one could be, "We are remembering John Doe especially at this Mass."

Or the name could be included in the general intercessions for the dead.

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Church liberals an!d conservatives A syndicated Catholic columnist recently pleaded with his readers to resist using the concepts of "liberal" and "conservative" to describe the church.

No problem. I thought, mostly because I think of the church in terms of "I hope we have a good sermon this Sunday," and "Thank heaven there's a Saturday vigil Mass so I can watch the Sonics play Sunday morning."

Clearly. I had missed something. I consulted the Roadkill Theological Roundtable (aka the post-liturgy doughnut junkies) for "input" (which I was later told was a "liberal" word).

"Fellow Roadkill colleagues," I said, "who can enlighten me about the dangers of using the concepts of liberal and conservative to describe the church."

Several sticky hands were raised. but my neighbor Bud was the first RTRI~r to pontificate.

"First," he said. "you have to agree on what you mean by liberal and conservative."

Heads nodded. He continued. "For example. you are a liberal if you call holy works 'ministry,' but you are a conservative if you call ministry 'holy works.'''

"I thought liberals liked to be called progressives now," interrupted Emil. "And I think conservatives prefer traditionalists or loyalists or something."

"All I know." Bud told him. "is that if you are a liberal you think Fulton Sheen is one of Martin Sheen's kids. And if you are a conservative you don't like drums at Mass."

"Well, I can certainly see where that would be a danger," I smirked.

Mark summarized, "In general. liberal means a fondness for new things and change in the church.

Conservative means sticking with the tried-and-true."

"Maybe," came back Emil. "but what if you like drums and trumpets at liturgy, but you keep a St. Christopher medal on your dash? You know, just in case."

"Then you're a wishy-washy Catholic," observed Bud. "And you wouldn't be very popular with liberals or conservatives."

"That's not fair," Mark insisted. "Maybe people like us could be called militant middle of the raaders.'· "What if you like Archbishop Sheen. you don't like cymbals and trumpets at liturgy. but you are open to the idea of married clergy?" I ventured. "'I;hen you're an Episcopalian," snorted Bud.

"Bud," challenged Mark. "if! didn't know better.

1'4 say you sound like a conservative wishy-washy."

Trust Services

"Oh yeah?" blustered Bud. "Then that makes you

The offbeat world of ,Uncle Dan

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Member FDiCIDIF u _ , "I thought that was a Unitarian," said Emil.

"Who are you . calling a Unitar- M~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ian?" snapped Mark.

I "I know several Unitarians," I said. "and they seem like nice folks to me."

"What does that have to do with liberal and conservative Catholics?" barked Bud. You know. I think that columnist had a good point.

G)

Sharing ... Our Response to the Needs of Others.

We encourage you to join fellow parishioners this year, and be a part of this Christ-like venture!

Your comments are welcome always.

Please send them to Uncle Dan, 25218 Meadow Way, Arlington, Wash. 98223.

Sunday, May 3 House to House phase begins

This message sponsored by the following business concerns in the Fall River diocese WALSH PHARMACY· FEITELBERG INSURANCE AGENCY· GLOBE MANUFACTURING COMPANY DURO FINISHING CORPORATION • GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River- Fri., May'l, 1998

PRAYER SERVICE-during H,oly Week focused on the symbolism of rocks-.in Scripture; that Jesus is our rock on whom we depend.

SEDER MEAL-Nicholas De Frias eats traditional food shared as students prayed and remembered: the Last Supper.

FOLLOWERS-Dressed like the women who foUowed Jesus along the .via Oolorosa and who later revisited the sites or stations, students repeated the historic journey throughout Lent. '

Lent revisited Our Lady of Mount Carmel ing to music as they viewed comSchool in New Bedford kept a photo puter generated images that illusjournal of the Lenten spiritual jour- trated Jesus" sacrifice. Each class was ney made by its students. Each week responsible for acting out one of the began with a prayer service and 14 stations - that took them throughended with Stations of the Cross. out the entire school - depicting Stude'nts listened to Scripture read- Jesus' way to the cross. They learned ings, learned about the symbolism , about medical and historical aspects of pretzels and rocks; prayed to- of the Crucifixion and watched ingether and meditated while listen- structional videos of the Last Sup-

per. During Holy Week, as a reminder ofthe Passion and Resurrection narratives, they prepart:d a frugal Seder meal and made note of the sensory reactions of thorns, nails, a vinegar-soaked sponge, cloves and a white linen burial cloth. All the while they collected money for Operation Rice Bowl. As they witnessed the importance of prayer, almsgiving and abstinence, th,~ir goal was alway~: to become better people, explained Rosemary daSilva, school principal. "It wa:; all part of the atmosphere we shared a:; a spiritual community," she said.

PAS~HON

PLAY _路S t udents drai'llatize Christ's carrying of the cross in order to understand what really took place.

ACOLYTES-Nathan Almeida and Christopher Gouveia are ready to lead the many liturgical processions when needed.

SOLEMN HYMNS-are sung by the choir as simple foods are eaten in memory of the Passover shared by Christ and his apostles the. night before he died.

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PRETZELS-Eating is believing that the popUlar snacks of w~ter, flour and salt were ancient Lenten fare whose name 'comes from a shape of crossed arms'that in.German became "bretzel."

Iteering pOintl Publicity Chairmen anl asked to submit news items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, ~'all River, 02722. Name of city or town should be included, as well as full dates of all activities. DEADLINE IS NOON ON MONDAYS. Events published must be of interest and open to our general readership. We do not normally carry notices of fundraising activiUes, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from our business office at (508) 675-7151.

ASSONET-The Rosary Crafters Group meets at 7 p.m. every first and third Monday in the SI. Bernard Church Hall to make rosaries for people around the globe. They will meet on May 4 and 18 this month and are always looking for new crafters. If you would like more information or to help, call Carol Spoor at 644-2645.

SI. Bernard Church's Legion of Mary is sponsoring a Day ofAdoration on May 3 immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. A rosary will follow Exposition at II :30 a.m. and Benediction will be at 4 p.m. All are welcome.

For more information call Jean Fairhurst at 672-3623.

of Self-Esteem" will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9 in the shrine theater. It will be led by Dr. Bary Fleet and registration is required. For information call 222-541 D. .

ATTLEBORO-The Bishop Feehan Theatre Company will present Guys and Dolls tonight at 7:30 p.m. and on May 3 at 2 p.m. For more information call.Bishop Feehan High School at 226-6223.

BUZZARDS BAY-St. Margaret Regional School is currently accepting registrations for fall classes for grades three to seven. Call 759-2213 for more information.

CENTERVILLE-On May 7 at 7 p.m. the rosary will be prayed as acommunity at Our Lady of Victory Church.

This outdoor service will be dedicated to honoring the name of Mary and is sponsored by the Mid-Cape Ultreya.

All are welcome. For more information call Cathy Collucci at 771-3781.

DUXBURY-The Miramar Retreat Center will host a day of celebration on May 3 in observance, of the 75th anniversary of the presence of the Society of the Divine Word in New England. Activities will begin with a Mass at II a.m. followed by a reception. For more information or reservations call (781) 585-2460.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

and the continuing education requirement for certified volunteers. For more information on these two programs call the Office of AIDS Ministry at 6745600 ext. 2295.

p.m. on May 7. It will be held in the church hall and Amelia M. Cabral, RN, will be the featured speaker.

FALL RIVER-The SI. Vincent de Paul Society of Sacred Heart Parish is sponsoring a monthly food drive beginning on May 9. Canned goods and nonperishables may be brought to the church that weekend to help the needy.

RAYNHAM-SI. Ann's Women's Guild will hold a living rosary at SI. Ann's Church followed by Benediction, starting at 7 p.m. on May 6. Refreshments will be served in the parish center and all are welcome.

MATTAPOISETT--on May 17, the Mattapoisett Police Brotherhood in conjunction with the Hearts & Hands organization, will be hosting its third annual bike/walk-a-thon. All proceeds will go to Hearts and Hands in providing continued support services to families with medically fragile children.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Salvation Army Thrift Store parking lot, 51 Country Road. For more information call Hearts and Hands at 758-1300 or the Mattapoisett Police Department at 758-4141.

Hearts & Hands will be offering a volunteer training program beginning on May 13 at their office on 4 Church Street Ext. It will train people in all aspects of helping children and families and will run on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. for eight weeks. For more information or to register call the Hearts & Hands office.

SAGAMORE-All area women are invited to a morning of recollection on May 8 from 10 a.m. to noon at SI. Theresa's Chapel, Rte. 6A. Confessions will be heard by a priest of Opus Dei.

MANSFIELD-The Mother's Group meets in the Rose'Garden build- . ing behind SI. Mary's Church every Tues. from 10-11 :30 a.m. All are welcome to socialize and meet other women from the area. In addition, a play room for children is available. For more information call Karen Arbuckle at 399-9739.

ATTLEBORO-The counseling center at La Sa/ette Shrine will offer Grief Education Programs for those dealing with the death of a loved one.

May dates include daytime sessions EAST FREETOWN--on the Penfrom 1-2 p.m.: May 7 "Family and Friends Grieve Too" and May 2 I "De- tecost weekend, May 29-31 st, a retreat for men themed "Refiner's Fire: God's NEW BEDFORD-An evening of pression." Evening sessions are from 6:30-8 p.m.: May II "Retuming to Nor- Call to Ordinary Men to be Cleansed, recollection and prayer for Catholic mal" and May 18 "Days of Remem- Healed and Strengthened by the Holy men will be held at 7 p.m. May 7 at brance." For more information call the Spirit," will be held at Cathedral Camp.

Saint James Church. Activities will For more information or registration include Mass, exposition of the Blessed Cou.nseling Center at 226-8220.

The annual Pro-Life Living Rosary call Bud Miller at the Diocesan Reli- Sacrament, spiritual reflection and refreshments. Catholic men arc welcome Rally, sponsored by the Massachusetts gious Education Center, 678-2828.

State Council of Knights of Columbus, to participate in these meetings held on FALL RIVER-Senior Pharmacy the first Thursday of each month. will be held at the shrine on May 9 at 2:30 p.m. Services will include a liv- Program reenrollment applications for ing rosary and the afternoon will close· the next benefit year, beginning July I, NORTH ATTLEBORO-A First with a 4:30 p.m. Mass. Bishop Sean P. are now being mailed to current enroll-' Friday celebration will be held on May I at the Sacred Heart Church. Themed O'Malley will be principal celebrant ees. Elders who do not receive their and homilist. Services will be held in applications by mid-May should con- "The Spirit in Our Midst - Days of the outdoor chapel, weather permitting. tact Senior Pharmacy Central Opera- Hope," the program will include intercessory prayer from 6:30 to 7 p.m., This family event will provide an op- tions at 1-800.-953-3305. portunity for prayer to honor life from Mass at 7 p.m., a program from 8-9 p.m.

FALL RIVER-The Office of and adoration through the night, endconception to natural death. All are welcome.

AIDS Ministry will offer a prayer ser- ing at 3 p.m. Saturday. It will feature A workshop entitled ''The Practice vice of healing and remembrance en- special guest Father Robert S. titled "Embracing the Mystery" at 2 Kaszynski and all are welcome. p.m. May 17 at St. Anne's Hospital Chapel. All those affected by AIDS, NORTH DARTMOUTH-A Dipersons living with AIDS (or suffering vorced and Separated Support Group will meet from 7-9 p.m. at the Family in body, mind and spirit), families, friends, persons in the healing profes- Life Center, 500 Slocum Road, on May sion and caregivers are welcome.

13. Deacon Jerry Reardon will speak Prayers, music, homily, rite of anoint- on the topic "Family Living: Good, BLOOMINGDALE, Ohio - VatiBad, Indifferent, I've Been There!" All ing and a reception will be included. can officials will be the featured speakA volunteer caregiver training pro- are welcome. ers at weeklong "Holy Family Fests" gram Day of Education will be held during the summer of 1998 at the 950- May 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in NORTH DIGHTON-The Parish acre Catholic Familyland in Ohio.

Clemence Hall, room 134, 243 Forest Nurses of St. Joseph's Church will Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, Street. This program meets the certifi- present a workshop entitled 'The Magic president of the Pontifical Council for cation requirement for new volunteers of Touch: Nurse as Healer" from 7-10 the Family; Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; and Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications were among those scheduled to speak at the four family fests in July Attleboro, MA 02703-0965 and August.

Sponsored by the Apostolate for Celebrating Motherhood May 8-9 Family Consecration, the weeks are May 15-17 Mid-Life. Directions Workshop "for families who want to get away for a vacation but not leave God behind," Healing: A Weekend Workshop May 29-31 said Jerry Coniker, who founded the with Father Paul Schaaf apostolate with his wife, Gwen.

The family fests feature Mass and June 12-14 Spring Stillness Weekend' other spiritual programs, volunteer Seeds to Sow July 6-10 work by parents and teens, spiritual Liturgy: When God Ties the Knot July 24-26 talks and ~orkshops, and an emphasis on vacation fun and games, including A Retreat with John Foley, SJ swimming, pony and horseback riding, For more information, please call or write Retreat Secretary indoor and outdoor games, picnics, bonfires, concerts and dramatic entertainment.· .

Ohio's Catholic Familyland to host Vatican speakers

..J-LaSalette Center for RIT Christian Living

508-222·8530

SANDWICH-The Corpus Christi Prayer Group will host a two-day Life in the Spirit Seminar the weekend of May 2-3 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Lakefield Farms Clubhouse on Great Hill Road. For information call Dotty Peluso at 428-9456.

SOUTH YARMOUTH-The Cape-Islands Chapter of Catholic

Fri., May I, 1998

9

Nurses will hold its annual Mass at 7 p.m. May 20 at SI. Pius X Parish. A banquet will follow the service. All Catholic health care professionals, both members and non-members, are welcome. For information on registration call Deb Searle at 420-1387.

TAUNTON-Members of the Taunton District Council of the SI. Vincent de Paul Society will celebrate Mass at 7 p.m. May 4 at St. Mary's Church for the canonization of Blessed Frederic Ozanam and in memory of deceased members. The regular monthly meeting will follow in the Dolan Center.

TAUNTON-A Taunton - Attleboro area diocesan men's ministry follow-up meeting will be held on May 5 at 7 p.m. at SI. Joseph's Church. Deacon Robert Hill will speak about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month and are open to all men. Fellowship will follow the service.

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® Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorge April 25, 1998 Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina

"Dear children, today I call you, through prayer, to open yourselves to God a,s a flower opens itself to the rays of the morning sun. Little children, do not be afraid. I am with you and I intercede before God for each of you so that your heart receives the gift of conversion. Only in this way, little children, will you comprehend the importance of grace in these times and God will become nearer to you.

Thank you for having responded to my call."

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PRAYER GROUP Marian Messengers P.O. Box 647, Framingham, MA 01701 Tel 1-508-879-9318

10

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River ~ Fri., M~y 1, 1998

Third 'Major League' sequel strikes out ,

By GERRI

PARE

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

.NEW YORK - The third time is not always the charm as proven by "Major League:· Back to the Minors" (Warner Bros.), a frail followup to 1989's "Major League" and '94's "Major League II." Writer-director John Warren creates an amiable enough character in Gus (Scott Bakula), an aging minor league baseball player ready to settle down and retire when Minnesota Twins owner Roger (Corbin Bernsen) persuades him to try his hand at managing his Triple-A team, the Buzz.

True to the formula for sports comedies, the Buzz turns out to be a bunch of eccentric misfits badly in need of someone to tum them around, from underdog to top dog. Gus is just that guy.

His problem players include one fellow who thinks he's still a ballet dancer, a catcher afraid to throw, identical twins at each other's throats, a pitcher who can't throw with any

force and a star player who won't fol- more about oddballs than baseballs.

Repeating his appearance in the low orders. Gus lures two<former teammates (Dennis Haysbert and previous.two outings, Bob Uecker gets Takaaki Ishibashi) to join the Buzz to wisecrack from the broadcast booth and starts whipping the guys into throughout the games, usuaIly baiting shape. . his co-announcer into stony silence.

As practicaIly the only female in So much so he attracts the scorn of the cocky major league manager the movie, Daggett is stuck with (Ted McGinley) of the Minnesota and confined to - the stereotypical Twins, who not only belittles Gus but girlfriend role. And McGinley as Gus' sets out to steal his girlfriend (Jensen egotistical rival is another bland formula characterization with nothing Daggett) as well.

The upshot is Gus chaIlenges him fresh about it. to a game between the two teams in But for those who love basebaIl true David-and-Goliath style. The re- and undemanding comedies, this is a sults are not unexpected. not entirely unpleasant way to kiIl 90 With its transparent story and pre- minutes. dictable course of play, the movie is Because of fleeting violence, brief as thoroughly forgettable as it is sexual innuendo, occasional profanity and an instance of rough language, packed with cliches.

Each character is so sketchily writ- the U.S. Catholic Conference classiten,no on~ emerges as anything more fication is A-III - adults. The Mothan his particular quirk. Nonetheless, , tion Picture Association of America the players are a generaIly genial rating is PG-13 - parents are bunch whose minor antics on and off strongly cautioned that some material the field tend to amuse rather than may be inappropriate for children annoy. In fact, it becomes a movie under 13.

Parochial school choir was road to showbiz

'MAJOR LEAGUE' - Scott Bakula stars as mana!;Jer Gus Cantrell and Eric Bruskotter is catcher Rube Baker in "Major League: Back to the Minors." The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture ,A.ssociation of America rating is PG-13 - parents are stron!~ly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (CNS photo from Morgan Creek Productions)

loved doing," Godin recaIled. He .dramas, including one at the prestilearned how to play the piano, trum- gious Shakespeare repertory festival pet and French horn while at St. in Stratford, Ontario.

Michael's.'

"I'm always anxious about showGodin said he still keeps a trum- ing off my range," Godin confessed, pet in the closet, and still composes adding that TV audiences in rece,nt songs on the piano. "It's one of the years know\him primarily from starBy MARK PATTISON things that keeps ,me sane," he ring and guest roles on sitcoms.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE added:" . Tim Deale, at least as Godin porWASHINGTON - Catholic acAfter finishing his grade school trays him, may berthe boss people . By STEPHEN STEELE tor Maurice Godin' went to his first yeats at Sf Miehael's, Godin, who 'love to hate because people have usuThe rock star, who has been voted C.ATHOLIC 'N~ws SERVICE Catholic school smitten with the pos- was raised in a bilingual French and' __ aIly encountered such a boss at some Ireland's most popular female vosibility of'singing. He came out of it English household, attended S1. Jane 'time in their, w'orking lives. ' NEW YORK - The Catholic calist for the past five ye:ars, has Frances de Chantal! Schootand.S1.

'Godin said he has run ~cross some . League:.for Religious and -Civil -also criti,cized .the,Church's probitten by the show business bug. . .

The Canadian-born Godin passed PhiIlippe'de Neri, a ,French-language like' that, including a trigger-happy Rights sharply criticized Irish rock life teaching. his audition to ~nter ,third grade at S1. . school. He k~pt active in.the perfor- supervisor when he was' working his star Sinead O'Connor's portrayal "The Butcher Boy" is based on Michael's Cathedral Choir School in mance arts by acting in community- way through college as a security of a chain-smoking, foul-mouthed a fictional story by nov,~list Pat Toronto. "That was kind of the start ,theater plays. . . guard. ,'. " Virgin Mary in the Warner BrothMcCabe: Set in rural, In~land in of something big," he said in a leleGodin and his wife, Paula, a uniHe has even encountered some the 1950s, it tells the story of an phone interview from HoIlywood. versity professor'and psychotlierapist, directors like that,"but you never . ers film "The Butcher Boy." O'Connor, who once ripped up Irish boy named Francie who suf"My older brother had gone to S1. have homes in Los Angeles and want to name them be.cause you may Michael's. I loved the singing in the Toronto, and .split their worship be- have to work for them again," he said. a picture of Pope John Paul II on fers great traurpa and deprivation church, and I was enchanted and it tween Catholic chllrches in both cit- " But it all helps Godin play Tim U.S television, drew the league's as he grows up, including sexual was the reason I was so eager to join ies. Godin indicated he may not get Deale with relish. ire for using an obscenity in the assault by a priest. .

S1. Michael's," said Godin, who plays to Toronto too much this year apart "What I like best about playing in film. .

In a review, Gerri Pare, film' less-than-ethical boss Tim Deale in from being on hand for the gradua- the show is the nature of satire by League spokesman Rick critic for the U.S. Catholic Conthe NBC comedy "Working.!' '. tion ceremony of a friend. going to the extreme with a character Hinshaw said after viewing the ference Office for Fil rri and Godin remembers the audition The ratings of "Working" grew like Tim Deale," he explained.

"Where the corporate world seems film that O'Connor's Mary "gni- Broadcasting, wrote that the process. He not only had to sing in steadily overthe course ofthe season' his boy-soprano voice, but he also and it has been renewed for next year to be headed and how a person can tuitously throws in the F-word" movie "is a grueling experience, had to identify triads and other har- by NBC. "It's better being on hiatus thrive in the corporate world like Tim while spe,aking to the film's main and some Catholics may understandably be offended by all the monies when they were played on than on unemployment," Godin said. Deale, it's always a lot of fun to play character during an apparition .. the piano.

But because of the short .hiatus it in a sa~irical sense," Godin said.

"It was to be expected, given foul languag~, especially in one "It was something that I wanted between seasons, Godin said he had "Laughter is often the best way to get her past record, that a portrayal scene' where Francie, who is to do, and it was something that I to tum down offers to act in two stage a message across." of the Blessed Mother by Sinead steeped in the cultural context of O'Connor would have to include constant rough language:, envisomething outrageously offen- sions the Blessed Mother using a NEW YORK (CNS) - The fol- Aniston) falls in love with a hosive," Hinshaw said. sexual expletive." lowing are capsule reviews of mov- mosexual teacher (Paul Rudd) Pare added, however, that "There is absolutely no context ies recently reviewed by the U.S. who only wants to be her Catholic Conference Office for Film friend, with unhappy results. in which it would be appropriate Mary's "apparitions in the film Directed by Nicholas Hytner and Broadcasting. to depict the Mother of Christ ut- can be seen in a positive light as from Wendy Wasserstein's tering such an obscenity. In this she is a loving and calming figscript, the movie places its "The Big Hit" (TriStar) instance, the utterance is totally , ure in the midst of all of Francie's Repulsive action comedy in which charmless characters in a reunnecessary, except perhaps for horrific imaginings." a hit man (Lou Diamond Phillips) petitive series of unconvincing The USCC' Classifie:d the its shock value," he said. turns on his partner (Mark Wahlberg) situations which never get beHinshaw said the decision by movie A-IV - adults, with reswhen a kidnapping they engineered yond moral muddlemen1. Be-' ervations. ' director Neil Jordan to cast nign attitude toward sex outgoes murderously awry. Director O'Connor indicates to him "that Che-Kirk Wong depicts vicious mur- side of marriage, numerous there's an anti-Catholic agenda at ders as dangerously glamorous deeds sexual situations, rough lanperformed by macho heroes. Exces- guage and profanity. The U.S. Catho- home in Italy. Based on Levi's 1962 play." memoir and directed by Francesco sive, jokey violence, implied promis- lic Conference classification is 0 "There's a 'whole history to her cuity and sexual references, briefnu- moraIly offensive. The Motion Pic- Rosi, the movie conveys his painful behavior and that has to be taken Can't rememberhow'a redity and nonstop rough language. The ture Association of America rating is transition from being treated like a beast into context when discussing it," of burden to feeling human once more, he said. "We're talking about a U.S. Catholie Conference classifica-' R - restricted. cent film was classified by the but the characters' deadened emotions tion is 0 - moraIly offensive. The USCC? Now you can look "The Truce" (Miramax) make the slowly paced movie iess than real hatred of Catholicism and she Motion Picture Association of up film· reviews on AmlHica Sobering fact-based drama foIlows involving. Brief violence, discreet hasn't shown signs of regretting America rating is R - restricted; Online. Once you're Gonthe grueling journey of Holocaust sur- sexual situations and occasional rough any of her past behavior." nected to AOL, just USE! the Six years ago, O'Connor vivor Primo Levi (John Thrturro) from language. The U.S. Catholic Confer"The Object of My Affection" keyword CNS to go to CathoAusChwitz in early 1945 over nine ar- ence classification is A-III - adults. ripped up a poster of the pope on (20th Century Fox) lic News'Serviee's online site, Failed romantic comedy in which duous months through war-ravaged The Motion Picture Association of "Saturday Night Live" after then look for movie reviE~ws. a pregnant social worker (Jennifer Eastern Europe before he reaches his America rating is R - restricted. shouting, "Fight the real enemy."

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Actor Maurice Godin roots his s.uccess in Catholic school environment.' ,

Catholic L~ague condenlns 'T~e. Butcher

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flic,k Vicks

'Movie ratinns online

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

11

Fri., May I, 1998

Cardinal criticizes "culture of divorce"

By Catholic News Service

BOSTON - The pervasiveness of the "culture of divorce" makes it even more important for the Catholic Church to stand firm on the lifelong commitment that is marriage, Cardinal Bernard F. Law of Boston said in a new pastoral letter.

"The disheartening fact is that many persons no longer believe that it is possible to construct a civilization of love, and so they fall into a practical despair that constantly urges them to seek compromises and accommodations instead of relying on the help of the Lord," the

cardinal wrote.

"Like the culture of death that threatens the good of human life, the widespread acceptance of the culture of divorce aggressively undermines love as a principle and power of communion, and threatens the right of married persons to

Citizen Powell recruits arlTIY to aid U.S. children in need

By MICHAEL WAMBLE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

LISLE, Ill. - Five years after his retirement as chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, private citizen Colin Powell is looking for more than a few good men and women to join a new battle.

Addressing more than 800 people at Benedictine University in Lisle, Powell said, "I want you all to become a part of my army."

The retired four-star general's "army" is called America's Promise - The AlIiance for Youth, a nonprofit organization that encourages mentoring and tutorial outreach by businesses and volunteers.

The enemies he is targeting are the neglect, hopelessness and apathy that prey on U.S. children in need.

In the audience at the west suburban Chicago institution was Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, who gave the invocation. ' The cardinal, who expressed his respect for the retired soldier, told the New Catholic Explorer, newspaper of the Joliet Diocese, that he agrees with Powell's work to couple corporate responsibility to commu-

nities with government assistance.

"Corporations are public persons and should contribute to help those in need, but the government still has a role to play that only it can play in keeping a well-ordered state," he said.

In his speech, Powell called on private citizens to act in their communities to help the economically and emotionally disadvantaged.

"We have a simple choice to make," he said. "We can either build more jails or build up our children."

He wore on his lapel a little red Radio Flyer wagon. Chosen as the symbol for America's Promise, the wagon is intended to remind people that children sometimes carry a heavy load and always can benefit from the help of caring adults.

"When I speak to young people alI over this country I tell them to make sure that they have a clear understanding of what's right and what's wrong.

"Having a moral c<;>mpass and a sense of shame is integral to any member of an institution in America," he added.

Powell, a career Army officer who said he's "always bullish on

this country," stressed the importance of returning to basic values. "If I could snap my fingers and magically do one thing," he said in answer to a question about supporting children, "I'd reinstate marriage as the single central institution to our American way of life."

"We don't have a broken society. And we may not have a single crusade like World War II in front of us, but what I'm trying to do is reach out to those not participating in society," said Powell.

pursue happiness with one another," he added.

The 47-page pastoral letter, issued March 25 and titled "Christian Marriage: A Covenant of Love and Life," restates Church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage, the unacceptable nature of artificial means of birth control, the importance. of sound marriage preparation, and the role of priests and the Catholic community at large in encouraging stable and lasting marriages.

Noting the Church's special concern "for those who find themselves in difficult situations," Cardinal Law said, "No person, then, should ever assume that he or she stands beyond the embrace of Christ's love." .

But those who remarry after a civil divorce will find themselves outside the Church's sacramental ministry, he said.

"Civil, remarriage publicly offends the dignity of a Christian marriage," the cardinal wrote. "Further-

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Fulltime Catholic talk radio network set for fall

By MARTHA

child receives the same benefits as other sponsored c1lildren.

Your sponsorship pledge helps provide a poor child at a Catholic mission site with nourishing food, ' medical care, the chance to go to school and hope for a brighter future. You can literally change a life!

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CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

SAN DIEGO - The first fulltime Catholic radio network in the United States will begin broadcasting in September, according to San Diego businessman John Lynch.

Lynch, Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, who is acting as adviser, and leaders at Ignatius Press and the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, entered an agreement recently that created the alltalk Catholic Radio Network.

Lynch 'said the group is hiring a "topnotch director of programming" and that the goal of the network "is to reach out and make a difference in a world lacking in moral leadership. We will offer compelling programs on pro-family issues."

The network, called CRN, will feature "talk radio on contemporary issues from the Catholic point of view," said Jesuit Father ,Joseph Ft?ssio, head of Ignatius Press. He added programming would not be only for Catholics, but that CRN "will work with other denominations on topics such as family life." .

CRN will be built around the $57 million purchase of AM stations in 10 cities. The stations will be located in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Dallas, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Denver and Kansas City, Kan. The population in the stations' 'metropolitan areas numbers nearly 70 million, according to Father Fessio. The Los Angeles station is expected to have the third most powerful AM signal in the city, he added.

Financing for the network will come through a nonprofit foundation and the for-profit stations.

The network will be available on the Internet and to people around the globe through satellite technology.

Lynch said the, group plans to extend the reach of CRN through purchase of additional stations and by affiliating with national networks such as ABC, CBS and NBC. Father Francis 1. Maniscalco, U.S. Catholic Conference secretary for communications, said the U.S. bishops themselves had adopted "a fairly aggressive strategy to路 develop cooperation in radio" with Catholic radio stations as part of the strategic communications plan they authorized last year.

more, it affronts the innocent party to whqm a person made a lifelong commitment, frequently places children in more difficult circumstances, and further weakens the society's fabric.

"A person publicly bound in marriage to one individual is not properly disposed to receive the sacraments while living with another," he added.

The cardinal cited some limited instances in which separation or a civil divorce might be necessary, but said that neither case would mean that the partners were free to remarry.

"A civil divorce merely for the sake of supposed personal fulfillment is immoral, for it claims to break the lifelong contract to which the parties freely consented," he said.

Cardinal Law also criticized artificial contraception and encouraged more widespread instruction of Catholic couples in natural family planning methods.

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River...:..... Fri.,

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Cardinal: Change 'of heart is the soul of .ecumenism

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National commander urges Clinton, to. oppose.the heinous practice. .

By

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The head of the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America' has asked President Clinton to oppose partial-birth abortion.

In an letter to Clinton, Jqseph DiPasquale, the CatholjcWar Veterans' national commander, urged him to sign a bill banning the procedure. . . , "Mr. President, we cannot believe that you would want the cruelty of partial-birth abortion or infanti9ide to be practic~d in the United States," DiPasquale said. ' "Apparently, Mr. President, because of your mother's moral strength you are here! We believe that partial-birth abortion allows the doctor to be one breath away from committing murder."

DiPasquale said the Catholic War Veterans unanimously agree that partial-birth abortion is "an .jnstrum~nt of destruction for both mother and child.'~ Meeting earlier in April, the group affirmed its support for a nationwide ban. Through mid-April, 22 states had signed statewide bans, although court action has blocked enforcement of the ban in 12 of those states.

Founded in 1935, the Catholic War Veterans, with headquarters in Alexandria, a Washington suburb" currently represent 25,000 members and .276: active, posts throughout the United States.

I Federal lawmakers who support a ban are working to get enough votes to override Clinton's second veto of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. Although there are sufficient votes in the House of Representatiyes to override i~, .three more votes are needed in the Senate to achieve a two-t~irds majority. ' .

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PORT WAYNE, Ind: - The Second Vatican Council recognized.that th~ :task of uniting divided Christians was linked to the need for interior conversion, said a Vatican, official at a CatholicLutheran dialogue in Fort Wayne.

"The council fathers saw this 'change of heart,' together with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, !is the soul of ecumenism," said Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy in a keynote address at Concordia Theologicai Seminary, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

The Australian-born cardinal said the unity sought must not come from human efforts alone, but from God.

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"The Catholic Church at first the third such' dialogue held in remained distant and distrustful of ,Fort Wayne in less than a year -"- this movement, until 'the Second he addressed about 700 people, Vatican Council," he said. But unincluding Cat~olic priests, der the leadership of. Pope John Lutheran pastors and lay repre- XXIII 'and the guidilnce of the sentatives of both denominations. Holy Spirit, those g,athered in His talk was titled "Commitment Rome "felt'cal)ed to re~,pond posito Ecumenism and Its Conse- tively t,o the challenge posed by a quences for the Church and for movement that they saw as 'a dithe Faith'rul." 'vine summons and gra,ce.'''

In the last century, he said, Cardinal Cassidy sai,j the counChristians all over the globe have cil and the current pope stressed come to lament their divisions and the importance of restoring unity aspire to greater unity. "The first as task for each member of the churches to make a c6mmitment church. But, he continued, "Not to work for Christian unity were every Christian community has those coming out of the Reforma- made this the goal of its ecumenition," he said. And many of them cal searching ... due to a large dejoined together in movements that gree to the frustration that has been developed into the World Coun- experienced over the past 10 years cil of Churches, which is celebrat- among ardent ecumeni~.ts." ing its 50th anniversary this year.

"There can be no unity if we

a

tions," Cardinal Cassidy said. "Those essential aCl:s of our faith that we wish to ·share,such a:; full participation in the Eucharist or the mutual recognition of rninisters, can never take place until we have overcome our doctrinal divisions on these and other essential articles of the Christian faith."

The cardinal said it is important to look forward with hope,and not become discouraged. He expressed confidence that the Holy Spirit, the focus of the second year of preparations. for the Great Jubilee, is present in the life and work of the church.

POPE JOHN PAUL II blesses two Asian women during the c)'pening "Let us open OllT minds ,Mass of the synod for Asia April 19. In his homily, the pope said the and our heart:; to the synod was to encourage a ''fresh missionary outreach" of the church in promptings of the Asia. (eNS/Reuters photo) Spirit," he said.

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Oh adorable and Divine Will, behold me here before the immensity ofYour Light, that You~ etemal goodness' may open to me the dqors and make me enter into It to form my life'all in You, Divine Will. Therefore, oh adorable Will, prostrate before .

Your Light, I, the least of all creatures, put myself~into the little group of the sons and daughters of Your Supreme FIAT. Prostrate in my nothingness~ I invoke Your Light and beg that it clothe me and eclipse all that does not pertain to You, Divine Will. It will ·be my Life, the center of my intelligence, the enrapturer of my heart and of my whole being. I do not' want the human will to have life inthis heart any longer. I will cast it away from me and thus form the new Eden of Peace, of happiness and of love. With It I shall be always happy. I shall have a' singular strength and a holiness that sanctifies all things and conducts them to God. Here prostrate, 1 invoke the help of the Most Holy Trinity that They permit me to live in the cloister of the Divine Will and thus return in me the first order of creation, just as the creature , was created. , Heavenly Mother, Sovereign and Queen of the Divine Fiat, take my hand and introduce me into the Light of the Divine Will. You will be my guide, my most tender Mother, and will teach me to live in and to maintain myself in the order and the bounds of the Divine Will. Heavenly Mother, I consecrate my whole being to Your Immaculate Heart. You will teach me the doctrine of the Divine Will and I will listen most attentively to Your lessons. You will cover me with Your mantle so that the infernal serpent dare not penetrate into this sacred Eden to entice me and make me fall into the maze of the human will.

Heart of my greatest Good, Jesus, You will give me Your flames that they may bum me, consume me, and feed me to form in me the Life of the Divine Will.

Saint Joseph, you will be my protector, the guardian of my heart, and will keep the keys of my will in your hands. You will keep my heart jealously and shall never give it to me again, that I may be sure of never leaving the Will of God. My guardian Angel, guard me; defend me; help me in everything so that my Eden may flourish and be the instrument that draws all men into the Kingdom of the Divine Will. Amen.

.

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Auxiliary Bishop Gerardi slain after coordinating a report on wartime atrocities.

By CATHOLIC

NEWS SERVICE

GUATEMALA CITY - The auxiliary bishop of Guatemala City, who coordinated a report on atrocities during Guatemala's civil war, was murdered two days after the release of the report.

Au~iliary Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera, 75, was attacked as he arrived back at St. Sebastian Parish after dining with his family April 26, said Father Erwin Garcia, an archdiocesan spokesman.

Father Garcia said when Bishop Gerardi entered the rectory between 10 or 10:30 p.m., an unidentified person forced his way in and hit the bishop twice over the head with a heavy object, killing him instantly.

His body was found around 11 p.m. by the parish vicar, Father Mario Orantes, whose suspicion was aroused when he saw that the

house lights were still on at that hour.

Father Garcia said there was only one killer, who "tried to make it look like robbery, but nothing had been stolen."

He said the morning of April 27 it was "too early to say" if the murder was related to the report, "Guatemala: Never Again," a four-volume, 1AOO-page document that named military officials and guerrilla commanders responsible for human rights violations during the country's civil war.

Father Garcia added that he "did not rule out political motivations."

"We don't know where the killing comes from, from which sector ... so far we have not come to any conclusions," he said.

He added that Archbishop Prospera Penados de Barrio and other archdiocesan officials were '''consternated and very upset" by the killing.

Bishop Gerardi was born in Guatemala Dec. 27, 1922. He was ordained a priest in 1946 and first

served in the Diocese of Viera Paz" from 1967-74. He was transferred to the Diocese of Santa Cruz del Quiche, where he served until 1984, when he was named auxiliary bishop of Guatemala City.

AUXILIARY BISHOP JUAN GERARDICONEDEBA

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., May 1, 1998

13

North Ireland prisoner release evokes emotions â&#x20AC;˘

Some ponder what happens when families meet killers of kin on the street.

By CHRISTINA COLCLOUGH CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BELFAST, Northern Ireland Gordon Gibson ca'nnot forget the day in 1972 that his brother, Jackie, was killed by an Irish Republican

Army bomb. '~I still hear the screams of my brother's children when I had to tell the family he would npt be c,oming home," said. Gibson. ''They had to gather him up with a shovel. I can't bear thinking about it."

Gibson, like some in Northern Ireland, is unhappy with a provision of the'recent Northern Ireland pea:ce agreement that would release prisoners whose affiliated paramilitary organizations sign the accord.

A WOMAN in Belfast calls for the release of paramilitary prisoners.from Northern Ireland's 28-year conflict. Under the current peace settlement, prisoners will be released if the group with which they are affiliated signs the peace agreement. '(CNS photo by Carlos Lopez)

''The chance of meeting any of those men responsible out on the street sends my blood pressure up," Gibson said. "I don't agree with the agreement because those jokers are going to get out."

But Martin Meehan, 52, chairman ofSaoirse, a group that has lobbiedfor the release of political prisoners, says prisoners have a key role t6 play within the community. ' "There are political prisoners in jail because of political instability and conflict here, but they should be released and be part of peace," said Meehan, \vho escaped from jail once while serving 22 years for two counts of kidnapping and membership in the IRA. However, Meehan said he recognizes that families bereaved by paramilitary activity need to be considered.

"There has to be a healing process; prisoners and .victims should come together to discuss how we came to this situation," he said.

Redemptorist Father Gerry Reynolds of Clonard Monastery, Belfast, supports this view. _ ''There is something more needed than just prisoner release. There is a n,eed for people to engage in their own history. What is needed is for victim and prisoner to meet and engage with one another," he said.

"You can understand bereaved

Mother Teresa letter 17! years late but timely

By Scon FARRIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - A letter from the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta to a Cheyenne man arrived 17 years late and just at the right time - on the very day he learned he had serious health problems.

Gilbert Ortiz, a retired barber, had written to Mother Teresa in 1981 to make a small donation and ask for prayers for others in need.

Mother Teresa wrote back almost immediately, but Ortiz never received the reply.

One day this March, the 70-yearold Ortiz had just returned home from the doctor's office, where he had been told he had failing kidneys and an inch-long aneurysm on -his aorta. As he and his wife, Emma, entered their home in silence, contemplating the impact of the news, "I was feeling bad," Ortiz said. "I was down, man, really down." Then Emma went to the mailbox and found an unexpected letter - two letters, in fact.

One, dated Nov. 28, 1981, was from Mother Teresa. The secondwas from Mother Teresa's successor as superior of the Missionaries of Charity, Sister Nirmala Joshi, who told Ortiz that Mother Teresa's response to his letter somehow had been found among some other papers delivered to the order's house in New York in February.

"Although the content of the letter may not be important or relevant to you now, nearly 17 years later," Sister Nirmala wrote Ortiz, "we thought that you might like to have the leller since it bears Mother's signature."

What made the letter so special is that Mother Teresa, who died Sept. 5 last year, seemed to anticipate that her letter would not arrive

until Ortiz needed it most.

"Pain, sorrow, s~ffering is but the kiss of Jesus:' Mother Teresa wrot~. "A sign that, you have come so close to him' that can kiss you.

May God give you all the courage to accept your cros~ with resignation and love in union with the passion of Jesus. God bless you."

Ortiz said the personal reply and blessing from Mother Teresa have given him an extraordinary inner peace.

While his health is failing, "now I don't care what happens to me," he said. "If Christ wants to take me, I'm ready to go. Now I know I've got somebody praying for me. Now

he

when I get to heaven, I have somebody I have to meet and it's Mother Teresa."

At Ortiz's church, St. Joseph's in Cheyenne, the pastor, Father Michael Carr, read Mother Teresa's letter to the congregation on Easter Sunday, April 12.

Father Carr, a Cheyenne native who received haircuts from Ortiz as a boy, said he felt Ortiz's story was the perfect Easter story, "an Easter story full of hope."

"It's not' for me to pronounce miracles," Father Carr said, "but this is more than a coincidence. What else could it be? The timing could not have been more precise."

GILBERT ORTIZ and his wife, Emma, of Cheyenne, Wyo., display letters from Mother Teresa and her successor Sister Nirmala. He wrote Mother Teresa 17 years ago. The nun responded quiCkly, but her letter was misplaced and Ortiz did nQt'receive it until last month. (eNS/Farris photo)

people's anger, but in a normal so- walked home said the release of all ciety these prisoners would not be paramilitary prisoners is wrong. The there," he, added. ''They are in prison woman, who preferred that her name because society is politically flawed. not be' used, said she believes that You cannot avoid the issue of pris- "each case should be investigated oners because they are not ordinary again because many who were imprisoners."

-prisoned were innocent: But those One woman whose brother was who are guilty should not be allowed shot dead by two gunmen as he out. They must pay for their crime."

Spain's Catholics in 'partial communion,' says prelate Noting that 90 percent of all Spaniards profess Catholicism, MADRID, Spain - Most Span- Archbishop Yanes said "many of ish Catholics do not practice their those who call themselves Cathofaith in an authentic way, but are in lic do not believe explicitly in all "a sort of partial communion with the truths, nor do they accept all the the' church," said the pre'sident of values that the Catholic Church professes. They live in a sort of partial the Spanish bishops' conference.

Speaking at the start of the bish- communion with the church."

He added that for many, reliops' plenary assembly meeting, Archbishop Elias Yanes Alvarez of gious faith has become "a question Zaragoza said many of the faithful - of personal tastes," resulting in a in Spain "place the accent on, the "subjective individualism" with individual relationship of each be- "great disintegrating power." liever with God, detracting from the importance ofthe dogmatic aspects, JEFFREY E. SULLIVAN of ecclesial communion and of the' FUNERAL HOME sacramental life." .

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THE ANCHOR -

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Diocese of Fall River ----: Fri., May 1, 1998

Catholic Schools

EIGHTH GRADERS at St. Joseph's School, New Bedford, arranged a memorial Mass last month for deceased class-' mate Kevin·NI. Pillsbury who lost a battle with cancer in June' of 1993. Following the Mass, students presented the Pillsbury family with an honorary diploma to honor their friend and classmate who would have graduated this year.. With the class are (front left to right) Ryan, Diane, Randall and Erin Pillsbury.

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Catholic Y o'uth

DRAMA C.LUB REUNION - The Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, alumni association is sponsoring a reunion for its former drama club members on May 2 and rnany former students have been busy with the project. Pictured'here'are alumni Vickie Duclos, class of '80, Brian Santos '95, and Terri Cabral '72. They will be gathering at 5':30 p.m'. in the school's library.

Spielberg suggests. Holoca1Jlst lessons in Catholic schools • Filmmaker praises Catholic teachers for their focus . on values, decency and humanity. ,

By DAVID FINNIGAN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

LOS ANGELES - Filmmaker Steven Spielberg is encouraging the nation's Catholic schoolteachers to work with him in'teaching their students about the Holocaust, using his massive archive of more than 42,000 video testimonies of survivors.

"The Roman Catholic school system is to be admired for itsdetermi- . nation not only to impart information but to teach val.ues and to speak for decency and humanity," Spielberg said in a videotaped greeting to educators at a recent general session at the National Catholic Educational Association convention in Los Angeles.

In 1994, Spielberg started the Los Angeles-based Survjvors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. Its staff and volunteers have videotaped and archived 42,276 testimonies - in 30 languages from 51 countries .- of Holocaust survivors, eyewitnesses, liberators and rescuers.

The rescuers, Spielberg said, include "priests' and nuns who opened up the doors of their orphanages and convents to save Jewish children ...

BISHOP FEEHAN High School, Attleboro, students recently presented Living Station~ of (and) Polish Catholics who put their lives at risk to save Jews.'"

The video testimonies plus Internet and CD-ROM packag~s wi.!l be the Cross. They were accompanied by profesSional musician John Polce. The students available to teachers within 18 month's: ' shown are Justin De Marco, asa R9 man guard;Dan'Owen,' portraying Jesus; Kevin Donnelly'.

"We want to further enhance'the best of the values 'that you sel~k to (far right) also a Roman guard. Theresa Grenier played the part of.Mary, Jesus' mother. impart, the noblest of Roman Catholic tradition," Spielberg said to the teachers. "And I really think that together we can learn from the past and transform the future."

Speaking to the audience in person was Rabbi Michael Berenbaum, president of Survivors of the Shoah Visual History and a former Georgetown University professor. .

He said that because Church teaching has abandoned the centurie:;-old idea that Jews killed Christ, "an entire tradition is not' being trarismitted and hence the antipathy that would result from it is also not being transmitted."

Regarding the recent papal document on the Holocaust, Rabbi Berenbaum said criticism of it "is unimportant unless it's measured by how extraordinary a distance we have traveled' this generation." , He described survivors' testimonies as the words of "of9inary men and women who lived through the most extraordinary events and h,~nce ceased to be ordinary." .

"This will provide visual documentation of the most evil event of our century, perhaps of all centuries," he added, "They [survivors] had heard two commandments in the darkness -'Remember' and 'Do not leI: the world forget.'"

Rabbi Berenbaum encouraged Catholic schoolteachers to grasp how the foundation's videos.and curricular programs can make history "c·:>me alive in the deepest of human terms, moment by moment."

PROUD MOMENT-Recently appointed head football coach for the Feehan Shamrocks, "Imagine for a moment how enriched our history as Americans would Steve McGonigle (left) stands with captains for next year and outgoing captains from the be if our students could speak to a real slave," said Rabbi Berenbaum, school's state championship team. From left to right they are John Traversi, Brett Svendsen, saying his foundation's visual histories and Catholic schoolteachers can David Nighelli, and outgoing captains Joe Gazzola, Mike Cataldo, and Jeff la Rocque. Play- help build "the model of the type of students we want to teach, and the type of adults we want to become," ers were honored at a banquet celebrating the Division III Championship.

THE ANCHOR -

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Refrain: Then what? , What you gonna'do When the new wears off And the old'shines through?

And it ain't really love And it ain't really lust?

And you ain't anybody Anyone's really gonna trust?

Then what? .

Where you gonna turn " When you can't turn back For the b~idges you'veburned?

And fate can't wait To kick you in:the butt?

Then what, ohi, then what? .

I ain't sayin' That I'ookin's crime.

I've done my share From time to time. ' It don't mean that you Got to take that leap When you're standin' On the 'brink.

Before you jump you' Gotta step back and thi~k: .

There's a price ,for every promise You don't ~eep.

recordil)g star Clay Walker. So, tQ the teens and pastor of the parishes in Charlotte, this 'column's for you! .

The song says, "The grassain 'f always greener on the other side."

Well, that depends.

The allure of the unknown can tempt,us to leave behirid wha't we already have in our lives, Sometimes this allure can be helpful to us. For example, if you·are stuck in a job t~at yOJJ don't like, the. possibility of a different.position that fits your personality and interests better might be the'inceno, tive y04 need to.m~ke a change.

At least it c<l;o"help' y~ou consid~r an alternative·and ~tart planning, for a ne:-v opportl,l.nity.. .. ..

Howeve'r, when 'it comes to relationships'we need to tie careful.

'Th~' guy in th~ j'~OiJ.g has "t~o pretty children and .a real nice wife!' His movi!1gto greener pastures would' db:lots of harm, Wtiih~ 'the' song ~iscusses a moral wi-olig r·e.\ated t6 marriage, we ca,n alS',o app.ly its message to teens' lives, 'l\vo'concerns come . d " " to m!n., . , .,', . . ', The first is friends. We may be tempted"to dUlnp. friends for a chance to be in a different, more . popular group, J'hink first!

There is n'othing. wrong with mee,ting new pe~ple and expanding one's circle of friend,S. However, when'you establish a friendship with someone, you extend , your hand of tr~st. .Suddenly ,oot having any interest.or time for former friends is both inc'onsiderate and hurtfui. Avoid this hium by remembering your'responsibilities to others 'When you form a friendship. . " . .

The other 'area is dating. Many times, I have stressed the importance of dating a variety of people while a teen. However, you also need to be care-full (full of authentic care) when establishing a dating relationship. Tell the person that you want to date that you do not seek an exclusive dating relationship. However,' when you are out with your date, be present to him or her, Do not use this time as a way to check out "greener" pastures. . , Perhaps the deeper message In this song could be summed up by some familiar words from Scripture: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

Give out kindness, respect and genuine caring, Then, even when the grass looks greener, you'll notice, but you'll also be mindful of your commitment to being a Christian, I

a

,,'

(Repeat refrain) Bridge: .

But do what you want, Do what,You wish.

It's your life But remember this.

There's bound to be Some consequences For sneakin' under Crossin' certain fences.

(Repeat refrain) Written by Randy Sharp/Jon Vezner Sung by Clay Walker Copyright (c) 199~ b y .

Wedgewood Avenue Music/Areles Muslc/Longl'" tude Music Co. 1997, Giant Records ' IF YOU follow this column, you know that I'm not much on country music. However, I do try to honor readers' requests.

of

;.

'~iew "Then Wh~t?,i .by country

:..

A priest in Iowa wrote, "The teens in my parishes enjoy listening to country music, and so does their pastor," He asked me to re-

. the GPA, are the first things colleges look at. If you've done badly in I've been filling' in· at our. math; you'll flounder in the math school's guidance department re- section.·1f you've only skimmed , cent~y, As a part of. that job, I've your readings in humanities courses been meeting with juniors:the pe.qple who will be seniors in a few., months and after that plan to go to COllege. , .

But,just way too many of the kids I've been meeting with hiwe spent their time with me staring at . their high schoo\. transcripts in dis, belief.

FOR yount • ABOUT yount "You mean I had a 1.9 atthe end' of my freshman year?" .

Or, "I on.Jy hav~ one more selike history or religion, the verbal mester to bring my grades up?"

Take Leslie, for example. Leslie sections of the SAT or ACT will is chatty, sociable and popular. She blow you away. met w.ith me on~day, wa'sn~t So why can't we grasp this be, pleased with her,~I:lITent grade p~int . fore it's,too late?

It'sa good le;sson In the n?tural average, clucked abo~t the waste-, fulexploitsofheryoungerdaysand' consequences of our act.rons.

Maybe your parents have tned to then trotted off full ofresolve.

Then she'go't her SAT Scores, motivate you academically with .

OK, it waS the first' time'she took ' , blackmail, for lack of a better word: the tex't, and· no, .Leslie Was never', They!ve .paid you for good grades, . going to be National, Merit Scholar they've punished you for bad ones. , material, but even'· she· was sur;-' ,In, the end,. those consequences ': ",pris~d; Let's ju~t.saY her c,ombintid . areartifici'al '~nd don' t ~eally affect math and verbal scor~s were·,wen. ·you.,much. It s not. until you, yourei: .. ' self have to, bear the p~i~ful conse- . below wHat the perfect score ther section alone wo'uld ,be: ' '. , qirences of mesponslbllIty that you Ouch. ' ., '.' '$~e y'OlJr ~ctions have consequences . , Not that there.'sl,Inrptirpose to' tOat a(f~ct you and the life you've' 'it now at the end other junior year, , beengiven, . '. but I sat and explain'ed to Le~'!ie the . Leslie,'s situation is sa,d for a following points, which seemr~ther "cou~~e of,re~sons: Her optIons are obvious to me. ' , . severely 'lImited nght now, and she When you take a class; the pur-'., has~'~?t, o~ catch-up work to do. " ," .!3u~,thls Isn t a~o,ut excellence for pose is to I.earn. ".

If you only h~I.f-Ie~rn the in~te"lt~'own sa~e.- It s more a~out e~­ rial, it renders you less. p(epan:,d to·' ce1lenc~ (lrterally) f~r God s sake. , succeed at the next level'of that sub. .LeslIe was born, lrke you, full of ject matter. Wh~n you blow off your I'>.?ssib,ility and potent,ial. She's no vocabulary, tests !v.ninth grade En- Em~telll, but she certalllly has more glish, you don't know as many. brallls than her gr,ade,s and her test words as you should, which makes scores show. She s Simply wasted more adv.an<;ed reading - in them ove~ the past three years. sophomore En'gli~h or American ,What If you gave someone ,a history -"more diffic;uJt, . birthday present and you fo~n~ It Bad grades aren't .bad because later, deliberately damaged?Slttlllg they're low numbers. They're bad on top of the garbage heap. How , because they indicate you haven't would you feel?, learned what you needed to succeed , 'God gave' you a real ~lrthday at the next leyel., presen,t. It's called. you,r lIfe, a,nct,.

Your appro.ach to those subjeCts everything that's part of It ~ braills , then affects your ability to take t,he i~c1~ded. H9W are you treatl.ng that standardized tests that, along WI th gl ft!

"~-~:1 Coming

MARTIN ' "

I got a good friend, Who's got a good life.' .

He's 'got two pretty children And a rear nice wife, '. ,.'.

Yet he neve~ seem,s quite, satisf!ed. .

I said I know wJ1aVs Or:'! your mind. : But-you beit~r th~nk abo~~it Before'you cross that line.

The grass ain't .«,\I.ways:gree~er , ....

On the other side. ,', '

15

By AMY WELBORN GATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

, '.

Then What?

Fri" May I, 1998

The high, price of wasted tiDle

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