05.05.06

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VOL. SO, NO. 18 • Friday, May 5, 2006

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FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Bishop urges vo1ters to speak out on lTIarriage alTIendlTIent April 25, 2006

DR. KARINA Ferrari Barahona from Guaimaca, Honduras, shown on the grounds of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation in Dighton, is visiting the Fall River diocese reviewing advances in modern medicine at Saint Anne's Hospital. (Anchor photo)

Guaimaca Mission physician learning methodologies at Saint Anne's Hospital >

Dr. Karina Ferrari Barahona hopes to upgrade pediatrics at the parish clinic ofthe Fall River diocese's Mission in Honduras.

By DEACON JAMES N.

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - Treating an average 40 patients a day suffering a variety of illnesses common to a rural native population in one ofthe poorest regions of the world is not what most young physicians have in mind for their practice.

Then again, Dr. Karina Ferrari Barahona is not like most young doctors of medicine, and she has personal reasons for staying where she is.

"I am a native Guaimacan. I grew up there and know how difficult, how poor life there is, and how tremendous are people's needs. I realized how important it is for me not to go someplace else but to say there and as much as possible meet those people's health needs," she told The Anchor this week.

Dr. Barahona will spend the next six months reviewing advances in several areas of modem medicine - including pediatrics - at Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River, while in residence at the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation's Provincial House on Elm Street in Dighton.

Because her father was a successful agricultural farmer and her mother a teacher, Karina was able

to attend the local elementary school in Guaimaca and high school in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras. She studied medicine for eight years at the Universidad Autonoma de Honduras, a public university, and received her medical degree in 2002.

She then worked for six months for an organization called HURTS of Honduras, until joining the parish medical mission three years ago.

Sitting in a sunny parlor in the Provincial House on Thursday was indeed a different world from the hectic pace of a mission physician. The often shy, always smiling, 33-year-old, Spanish-speaking physician says she now will fmd time to better her English language skills.

Often during the interview she called on the expertise of Dominican Sister Marina Carrascal, who speaks Spanish and English, to help her get her message across.

Sister Carrascal teaches at Bishop McVinney Institute in Providence, R.I., and is vacationing in Dighton.

The physician's usual daily routine finds her spending long hours in the medical clinic at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Guaimaca, where, from early morning until evening, people arrive, and sign the waiting list. Many have walked long distances, some carrying their sick children to town to seek healing and receive preTum to page 19 - Physician

Dear Friends in Christ, Along with the other Roman Catholic Bishops in the Commonwealth, I join with VoteOnMarriage.org, Catholic Citizenship and a broad spectrum of other religious and secular groups that favor the people's right to debate and vote on the definition of marriage.

In the coming weeks, the Massachusetts State Legislature must take up a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman. The amendment, H. 4617, responds to the 2003 Supreme Judicial Court ruling that created a right to same-sex marriage in our state constitution.

Last fall over 123,000 signatures from citizens supporting the amendment were accepted by the Secretary of State, the most ever certified in any ballot campaign in Massachusetts.

Those who helped circulate the petitions and added their names to this historic effort deserve our deepest gratitude. This achievement was tremendous. The

work, however, is far from over.

Now is the critical time to contact your legislators directly to urge them to ptit the new marriage amendment on the November ballot in 2008. Two legislative votes tnust take place, the first this year, and the second in 2007 or early 2008, to bring the amendment to the people.

The debate on H. 4617 could begin as early as May 10th when ajoint session of the! House and Senate is scheduled. Fifty out of the combined group of 200 state senators and repr~sentatives must vote to move the amendment forward.

Our elected officials at the State House in Boston must hear from Catholics and other concerned citizens as s90n as possible. I encourage you to contact your state senator' and state representative through personal visits, phone calls apd E-mails.

Directions are available at VoteOnMarriage.org. The message is simple and to the point: "Let the people vote!"

There are important reasons for backing the amendment. It reaffirms the teaching of Jesus

and the consensus in our nation that recognizes marriage as the union between one man and one woman. It reinforces the sociological data concluding that every child does best when cared for by both a father and a mother married to each other. It protects religiousinstitutions from being compelled to recognize samesex marriages. It prevents a fundamental institution from being reshaped by judges.

There are those, of course, who disagree with these concerns. The opportunity to debate, however, should not be kept from the people. Our position is that the people should be allowed to weigh the arguments and to decide. This is all that our legislators are being asked to do.

Please make your voices heard today by urging your legislators to let the people vote on marriage!

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

~4td~ +George W. Coleman Bishop of Fall River

With high hopes Catholic Charities opens 2006 Appeal FALL RIVER - If the usual preliminary indi- fribnds and neighbors whom we do not know or cators of success in the annual Catholic Charities see, but who are looking to one or more of the agenAppeal are to be believed, there is reason to be cies funded by Catholic Charities to lessen their optimistic as the diocese begins its 65th year con- suffering. Last year the Appeal-funded agencies ducting the springtime campaign. ministered to more than 100,000 individuals from "We are hopeful that what we across the diocese, which covers all of have seen in these preliminary southeastern Massachusetts, Cape stages will bear fruit as the ApCod and the Islands." peal begins May 7, Appeal SunBecause the Catholic Charities day," said Michael J. Donly, Appeal maintains a "life-line" of director of Development for the services for the thousands who diocese. tum to the diocese during their time Donly said preliminary indiof need, "How could you consider cators such as the spirit expressed undertaking such a huge endeavor at area parish chairperson meetwithout the confidence that you had ings across the diocese in March, such wonderful support from those the number of pastors requesting you are so dependent upon: diocesan speakers from the various agencies to parishioners?" Donly asked. speak to their parishioners regarding the Last year's Appeal reached a new work of CCA's-funded agencies, and the great "benchmark" by realizing a total of turnout at three regional Appeal "kickoffs," cer- $4,072,724.06. This was the first time the Appeal tainly bodes well for the spirit of those most re- had ever eclipsed the $4 million level. That 70 persponsible for the success of this all important di- cent of the parishes exceeded their previous year's ocesan venture. total was crucial and again showed the significance "The strength of the Appeal is that it is 'parish of; the "parish base" as the driving force behind based,'" said Donly. "All 95 parishes see it as the the Appeal's success. work not only of their Church, but also their parDiocesan-wide, more than 40,000 parishioners ish, to do whatever they can to lessen the suffering . donated to the 2005 Appeal. "This is certainly a of the most vulnerable among us." sign they were ¡confident their donations were beHe noted that "Frequently those in need are Tum to page 19 - Appeal

Friday. May 5, 2006

NEWS FROM THE VATICAN Vatican official suggests Catholics boycott 'The Da Vinci Code' film

By CINDY WOODEN

"One must consider the extreme cultural poverty of a good ROME - Catholics should portion of the Christian faithful consider boycotting the film who often do not know how to "The Da Vinci Code" as one way give the reasons for their hope," to let the world know the story he said. "There is no other way offends and defames the to explain the strange success of Church, said Archbishop Angelo an obstinately anti-Christian Amato, secretary of the Congre- novel like 'The Da Vinci Code,' gation for the Doctrine of the which is full of slander, offenses Faith. and historical and theological If the kind of "slander, of- errors about Jesus, the Gospels fenses and errors" contained in and the Church."

Dan Brown's best-selling book Archbishop Amato said that and the film based on it had been while the Church often is treated written about "the Quran or the superficially or even unfairly by Shoah (the Holocaust), they the media it must find ways to rightly would have provoKed a communicate in the modern worldwide uprising," the arch- world. bishop told Catholic communiThe Church has an obligation cations directors. "to interpret the word of God The archbishop spoke April with fidelity and to communi28 at a Rome conference for cate it to the faithful with authorChurch communications person- ity," he said. nel sponsored by the Opus DeiArchbishop Amato said the run University of the Holy Church must have its own meCross. dia and well-trained journalists Archbishop in order to Amato said he present its He said that in addition teaching accuwas in the United States in to being surrounded by rately and 1988 during cultures hostile to the fully.

Christian pro- Church and to any deToo often, tests over the he said, the fense of objective moral secular media film "The Last truths the Church had to demonstrate a Temptation of Christ," based face the fact that many of "refined techon a novel by its own members lack a nique of falsiN i k 0 s basic understanding of fication and Kazantzakis. their faith. reduction" of a The film porVatican trayed Jesus bedocument's ing tempted by imagining a contents, by highlighting only a sexual relationship with Mary few, polemical passages.

Magdalene, but rejecting the The archbishop said Church temptation. communications efforts surChristians not only attacked rounding such documents must the "historically false" episodes "be authoritative, immediate, in the film, but also organized correct, convincing and positive, "a well-deserved economic boy- otherwise documents written cott" of theaters showing the with great care and widely movie, he said. shared by pastors and by the Speaking about "The Da faithful can be completely overVinci Code," Archbishop Amato run by well-prepared press agensaid, "Christians should be more cies." sensitive to rejecting lies and Archbishop Amato said the gratuitous defam"ation."

Catholic press cannot settle for In responding to questions at a news agenda set by the secuthe end of his talk, Archbishop lar press, but he insisted they not Amato declined to issue a clear ignore issues raised by the secucall for all Catholics to boycott lar media that could confuse the film.

Catholics or give a wrong imHowever, during his speech, pression about Church teaching. he did tell the communications The archbishop said that directors, "I hope you all boy- when Catholic newspapers adcott that film." dress controversial topics they Archbishop Amato's speech must make clear the official at the conference focused on teaching of the Church. communicating the Catholic "For example, if they host Church's teaching in the mod- opinions contrary to priestly em media-dominated world. celibacy in the Latin Church, in He said that in addition to be- the same issue they must give ing surrounded by cultures hos- the convincing reasons that extile to the Church and to any de- ist for this tradition," he said. fense of objective moral truths "Do not leave difficulties withthe Church had to face the fact out a response, otherwise it will that many of its own members seem the magisterial indication lack a basic understanding of is an opinion one can share or their faith. not."

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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POPE BENEDICT XVI waves during a recent weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (eNS photofTony Gentile, Reuters)

Vatican officials say condom-AIDS study still in consultation stage

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - Vatican officials said a study on condoms and AIDS protection was still in the consultation stage and that Pope Benedict XVI had yet to decide whether a document would be issued on the topic.

The sources said there were strong arguments for allowing married couples in which one spouse is infected with HIV, which causes AIDS, to use condoms as a diseasepreventing measure, when it overrides any contraceptive intent.

On the other hand, the sources said, the Vatican is hesitant to make any move that would be seen as an endorsement of condoms as a method of disease prevention, because condoms do not offer 100 percent protection from AIDS and could encourage sexual promiscuity.

The officials spoke on condition ofanonymity to Catholic News Service April 26, after several days of speculative reports on what the Vatican planned to say on the subject.

Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, the head of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, prompted the reports when he said in a newspaper interview April 23 that the pope had asked a commission of scientific and theological experts to prepare a document on condom use and AIDS prevention. He said the document would be made public soon.

Speaking to Vatican Radio April 25, the cardinal clarified his remarks, saying his council had undertaken a study that would find its way through usual Vatican channels to the pope, who would decide how to use it.

The Vatican sources said Cardinal Lozano's office had been asked to study one aspect ofthe wider question of condoms and AIDS, which has been under quiet examination at the Vatican for at least 10 years.

"No document has been prepared yet. Cardinal (Lozano)

Barragan was asked to respond to a particular question concerning use ofcondoms to prevent transmission of the disease between a husband and wife," one source said. "(Cardinal Lozano) gave his input. Now we have to hear what the competent Vatican agencies have to say," he said.

"From this consultation of officials ofVatican departments that are directly involved in the question, the Holy Father will draw material for his own decision," the source said.

The pope will probably have one ofthe Vatican agencies issue a document of some type, the source said.

There are two possibilities: a broad document on condoms and disease prevention, or a more Limited pastoral note that focuses on the situation ofmanied couples in which one partner is infected. Both have potential problems, in the eyes ofthe Vatican.

"A broad document risks becoming a source of polemics. The briefer response risks being incomprehensible without a lot of explanation," the source said.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has been examining the doctrinal issues related to condom use for many years. It has done so quietly, the sources said, because the subject is sensitive and because, in the Vatican's view, the media often fail to report the nuances involved in the discussion.

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One source said there was considerable agreement among theological experts that, from a moral point of view, the use of condoms to avoid contracting or transmitting a deadly disease is not the same as contraception and wouLd therefore not fall under the Church's teaching against contraceptive methods in marriage.

There are two different intentions involved, and that makes all the difference, a doctrinal expert said. He said it was not a question of a "lesser evil" that can be tolerated, but of a completely different use of an essentially neutral device.

'There's not much to say on a doctrinal level. The problem is that, on the other hand, the Church cannot really declare, 'Go ahead and use condoms,' when condoms don't offer real protection," the source said.

"If the Church does that, it would be an accomplice to a lie that is killing people," he said. It would also tend to overshadow the Church's own emphasis on what it considers the only true protection against AIDS: chastity and marital fidelity.

Another Vatican official said that was the central dilemma, not the birth control question.

"You cannot discount the suffering of all these people (with HIV/ AIDS). But condoms are not failsafe. They're a form of Russian roulette," he said.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

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Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use E-mail address Member: Catholic Press Association. New England Press Association. Cmholic News Service

PUBLISHER路 Most Reverend George W. Coleman eXeCUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchomews.org EDITOR David B. Jollvet davejollvet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jlmdunbar@anchornews.org REPORTER Michael Gordon mlkegordon@anchomews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org

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Friday, May 5, 2006

THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

Following 20 years as patriarch, cardinal says Lebanese inspire him

By DOREEN ASI RAAD CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

.BEIRUT, Lebanon - Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, often cited for his humility, told approximately 700 people who gathered to mark his 20th anniversary as patriarch of the.

Maronite Catholic Church that the Lebanese people were his source of inspiration.

The people give him the courage to persevere, the patriarch said recently, because they carry on regardless of their political and religiousaffiliations.

"It is the chiefs that receive medals, but it is the unknown soldiers

that win the battle;' he said.

Recalling Lebanon's tribulations since he was appointed patriarch in 1986, Cardinal Sfeir said: 'TIming these 20 years, we experienced exile and poverty. We were lost between hopes and disillusionment.

The nightmare is over, but the Lebanese still suffer from division of opinions and an unclear vision."

The host ofdignitaries attending the ceremony at Bkerke, the patriarchal seat and headquarters of the Maronite Catholic Church, represented a full spectrum ofLebanon's . reJjgious and political persuasions.

Many of them publicly praised the

Sources say underground Chinese' bishop released but closely watched HONG KONG (CNS) - An Jia finds registering with governunderground bishop in northern ment departments that manage reChina was recently released from ligious affairs and civic organizamore than five months of detention tions acceptable, but he refuses to but is being closely watched, said. be involv.ed with the P;ltriotic association and with the work of any local Catholic sources.

The sources told UCA News, an government organization.

When the government formed Asian church n~ws ageI1cy based in Thailand, that Bishop Julius Jia the Chinese Catholic Patriotic AsZhiguo of Zhengding was returned sociation in the 19505, it officially to his church in Wuqiu village, in spumed ties with the Vatican, while an underground Church continued Hebei province April 19.

The sources said Bishop Jia's to exist and often faced persecution.. latest detention, since November 8, In recent years, Catholics familiar was his longest in recent years, with the situation in China have said since each previous detention usu- most of the government-approved bishops h~lVe reconciled with the ally lasted only a few days.

A local Catholic who met the 70- Vatican, and in some areas ofChina year-old prelate after his release told there is intermingling of the two UCA News that two officials are groups at the parish level.

UCANews reported that stationed at the church and Bishop Jia is under 24-hour surveillance. concelebrating Mass with governThe bishop, who has suffered from ment-approved clergy seems to be a shoulder problem, now appears another contentious issue for to be thinner, the Catholic also said. Bishop Jia The same sources cited The same source added that the Zhengding diocesan priests as saybishop has some freedom within ing Bishop Jia bas always said govthe church compound, where he ernment-approved bishops wtto celebrates Mass every morning have a papal mandate m:e "qualiand meets laypeople, but the two fied" for reconciliation, so officials follow him whenever he conceIebrating with them is no goes outside to. visit Catholic problem, as long as the Mass is conducted in a way that does not confamilies.

Another Catholic layman who tradict Church teaching and discimet the bishop outside the com- pline.. Bishop Jia also reportedly pound recently told ucA News, insists that reconciliation within the "Government officials were watch- Catholic Ch.urch of China must reing us, so Bishop Jia did not tell us spect such conditions.

On the morning ofNovember 8, why he had been detained or what Chinese government security offihappened while in detention."

UCA News reported that some cials ordered Bishop Jia to pack his priests of the Zhengding diocese clothes, then they drove him to believe Bishop Jia was detained Shijiazhuang city. Security personmainly for refusing to accept the nel told the public the bishop was "independent, autonomous and being taken away for a "study sesself-managed church" <p1d "self- "sion." Though the bishop apparelected and self-ordained bishops." ently had been held in a guesthouse They reportedly claim he does not in the city, his relatives and Cathorecognize the leadership of the gov- lic laypeople were not allowed to ernment-recognized Chinese visit him during his five-month deCatholic Patriotic Association and tention.

In recent years. Bishop Jia has refuses to join it because it is not an organization of the Catholic been detained a few times a year, but on each occasion generally for Church.

The priests reportedly also main- just a few days, especially before tain that local government officials and during major Church festivals have pressured Bishop Jia and his such as Holy Week, the feast of the priests to register, and that Bishop Assumption and Christmas.

prelate for his exceptional integrity and for his unwavering ability to influence the conscience of the nation.

Among Cardinal Sfeir's political achievements cited by dignitaries during the ceremony: the 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended the civil war and gave Muslims a greater role in the country's political system; his outspoken opposition to the Syrian occupation of

Lebanon; his continu6us efforts to restore the balance of power in Lebanon; and his success in fostering reconciliation arilong the divided Lebanese. poe prominent Muslim, Sheik Mohammad Dati Balta, described Cardinal Sfeir as "the ~ecurity valve for the survival ofunity, coexistence and a sovereign, free and independent Lebanon." The Muslim Cleric .also predicted that future generations would remember what the prelate had achieved.

Cardinal Sfeir also was recognized for helping to 'organize the

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1995 Synod of Bishops for Lebanon; Pope John Paul II's visit to Lebanon in 1997; the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon; and the recent Maronite synod, which will present its final documents in June. He also was cited for his pastoral visits to the Maronite community in the United States, South America and Europe.

Acclaimed as one "who never gets tired," Cardinal Sfeir turns 86 May 15. At the age of 40, ht< was appointed bishop, one ofthe youngest in the history of the Maronite Catholic Church.

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Friday, May 5, 2006

THE

CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES

U.8. priests' morale reported high despite hurt, anger at abuse crisis

By JERRY FILTEAU .

cally conservative were more likely to consider ~heir morale WASHINGTON - The mo- good than those who described rale of U.S. priests is high despite themselves as theologically libthe hurt and anger they feel over eral. the crisis of clergy sex!1al abuse He said two-thirds of the of minors, a prominent priest- priests surveyed found celibacy psychotherapist said at a seminar personally satisfying and only at The Catholic University of 17.7 percent said they would America. marry if they could, but more Father Stephen J. Rossetti, than half, 52.9 percent, said they president of St. Luke Institute in supported mandatory celibacy Silver Spring, Md., and author of for priests. the recent book "The Joy of One bad piece of news is. the Priesthood," led the recent semi- large number of priests, 42 pernar at the university's Life Cycle cent, who said they felt overInstitute. whelmed by the amount of work He reported on a路"S1ilrv-e",~路- th~y have to do, he said. "If I nearly 1,300 pries.ts in 16 dio- were in a position of leadership ceses that he conducted between in the Church, I'd take notice of September 2003 and April 2005 that," he said.

He said issues of priestly unity to assess the effects of the abuse crisis on priestly morale. and fraternity are another source St. Luke Institute treats priests of concern: Only 58 percent said and religious with behavioral relationships among priests are problems and' addictions, includ- good, and 47 percent thought ing alcoholism and sexual issues. there was a lack of unity in the One of the main findings of priesthood.

Only 27 percent of the priests his survey, Father Rossetti said, is that 80 percent of priests say said they thought priests who their own morale is good, but' face allegations of abuse are beonly 38 percent think the morale ing treated fairly, and only 42 of their fellow priests. is good. percent thought they themselves He said the large discrepancy would be treated fairly if an alleseems to stem from the fact that gation was raised against them, a large majority of priests' are he said. committed to their priesthood He said the strong commitand happy with it, but "when ment to the Church and their minpriests look at other priests, istry may also explain why so they're seeing the hurt and anger few priests have voluntarily left and think morale is bad." the priesthood because of the criHe said it also shows that it's sis. "If this was EnrQn, people a mistake to think of morale as a would have been bailing out," he one-dimensional reality that is ei- said. ther simply good or simply bad.

Father Rossetti said that in apHe described it, rather, as a "mul- plying the sociological technique tidimensional thing" involving "a of multiple regression analysis to multilayered, complex set of the responses he found high coremotions." relations of morale with several Although large majorities in factors. . all age groups said their morale There was a correlation bewas good, the highest propor- tween satisfaction with one's saltions came among priests re- ary and benefits, followed by a cently ordained and priests or- sense of a personal relationship dained more than 40 years, he with God, he said. .

Close friendships with other said. He said the percentage of those who expressed low morale priests, the quality of spiritual life was somewhat larger among and a perception of priestly unity those ordained 20 to 39 years. were among other factors that He said that priests who de- showed a strong correlation with s~ribed themselves as theologipriestly morale, he said. .

CATHOLIC.NEWS SERVICE

Vermont's Bishop Angell suffers mild stroke but is recovering well

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Bishop Angell, 75, was ad.mitBURLINGTON, Vt. ted to the Fletcher Allen Unit of Bishop Kenneth A. Angell, retired the Medical Center Hospital of head of the Diocese of Vermont April 23 "following a Burlington, is recovering well mild cerebral vascular event," the from a mild stroke, Bishop statement said.

Salvatore R. MataRo of He was transferred April 26 to Burlington said in an April 26 the Fanny Allen Cal1)pus of statement.

Fletcher Allen Health Care "for a "Medical evaluation of his period of physical rehabilitation," condition ... brings to us a bright it added. and hopeful prognosis of a full Bishop Angell retired last Norecovery for Bishop Angell," said vember. He had headed the dioBishop Matano. cese since 1992.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS walk --'- some hand in hand - toward Georgetown University at the close of the International Prayer for Peace in Washington April 27. Representatives of various faith communities; brought together by the lay Catholic Community of Sant'E gidio, gathered for two days of discussion on religion and culture. Appearing in front, from second left, are Imam Yahya Hendi of Georgetown, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios of America, EI Hadj Kone Idriss Koudouss of the National Islamic Council in the Ivory Coast, Israeli Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Imam Sayed Hassan AI-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America, German Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Jurgen Johannesdotter and Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim. (CNS photo/Nancy Wi~chec)

.Diaconate directors gather in Denver for national convention

By JOHN GLEASON CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE DENVER Archbishop Charles 1. Chaput told directors of diaconate programs gathered in Denver that deac.ons were originally chosen because the Twelve Apostles needed helpers.

"These assistants wer~ not asked to do something fundamentally different from what the apostles were doing," the Denver archbishop said in a keynote speech during the April 19-22 convention ofthe National Association of Diaconate Directors.

"They were called to do the works of practical service that belonged integrally to the apostolic ministry, the duties the Apostles could not always fulfill," he said.

Deacons serve the Church through ministry of the liturgy, of the word (Scripture) and of charity. Deacons can officiate at baptisms, weddings, wakes and funerals, and they can assist the priest at Mass by preaching and distributing Communion.

The archbishop described deacons as men from the Church in the heart of today's world, as well as men of today's world in the heart of the Church.

"In today's unbelieving, and even anti~Christian world, this vocation puts you at the heart of the new evangelization so deeply desired by Pope John Paul II," he said.

In comments opening the third day of the convention, Archbishop Chaput said he was grateful to be

with the deacons so he could thank Church," the bishop said, "a ser- . them in person for their service "to vice in love." the local and the universal Bushman said he wants "the Church." . deacons to see their ministry as Deacons embody service and leading to a culminating union with Christian love, he said, and the Eucharist. That Eucharist bethanked them for that faithful wit- ing the source and summit of the ness.

Church's life."

On the subject of personal comThe convention ~w more than 250 deacons and their wives from munion with Christ, Bushman said across the nation for fellowship, that since the Second Vatican workshops, prayer and even a little Council the Church expresses its sightseeing around downtown identity in terms of communion, Denver, the nearby foothill~ and rooted.in the Trinity. ''This communion came to earth Estes Park.

In addition to Archbishop in the person of Jesus and was exCh~put, featured speakers included tended to us," he said. "So the abDoug Bushman, an associate pro- solute foundation of all ministries fessor of pastoral theology who in the C.hurch is personal communteaches at Ave Maria U~versity in ion with Jesus, and in particular Naples, Fla., and Bishop'Frederick this revolves around the experience F. Campbell of Columbus, Ohio, of his personal love." who is the chairman of the U.S. A workshop presented by the bishops' Committee on the Denver-based, nonprofit, Catholic Diaconate. organization ENDOW, which "I've had a long history in the stands for Educating on the Nature deacon ministry, going back to be- and Dignity of Women, was defore I was even ordained a priest," signed solely for the wives of the Bishop Campbell told the Denver deacons at the convention and was Catholic Register, Denver's organized around the theme of the archdiocesan newspaper. The com- feminine genius. mittee "works closely with any Mary Sue Kenny of St. Thomas diocese which wants to establish a More Parish in the Denver suburb diaconate program. It keeps me of Centennial presented a talk on quite busy."

Pope John Paul IT's apostolic letter In his address, Bishop "Mulieris Dignitatem" ("On the Campbell talked about the identity Dignity and Vocation of Women"). of the diaconate.

"For years, our society has been "What I hope th.e deacons came trying to make women like men away with is the knowledge that and men like women; now we have they are called to be a sacramental to get back to how we were origimanifestation of the service of the nally created."

FridaY, May 5, 20Q6

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the anch~ news briefs u.s. Cardinals visit White House, Hill on immigration reform WASHINGTON - Several U.S. cardinals had a busy morning in Washington recently urging humane and compassionate immigration legislation as the Senate prepared to debate immigration reform. The U.S. bishops want a "comprehensive reform" that deals compassionately with the millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington said in brief remarks at a photo opportunity between meetings on Capitol Hill. The U.S. bishops have expressed support for many aspects of a compromise bill expected to reach the Senate floor in early May, but they are also concerned about harsh enforcement provisions in the legislation, including expedited removal of illegal aliens along the border and denial of protections to asylum seekers. Cardinal McCarrick and Cardinals Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles and William H. Keeler of Baltimore started the day with a breakfast meeting on immigration reform with White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove and other White House aides.

Catholic leaders stress 'moral urgency' of plight of uninsured WASHINGTON - At an event in Detroit for last year's Cover the Uninsured Week, Mercy Sister Mary Ellen Howard spoke about what it's like at the St. Frances Cabrini Clinic of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, which she directs. "The telephone at Cabrini Clinic never stops ringing," she said. "And it's story after story of despair." A year later, the situation hasn't gotten much better for the uninsured in Detroit - or any other U.S. city, for that matter. The "magnitude and moral urgency" of the problems facing nearly 46 million uninsured Americans call Catholics to respond "with compassion and a commitment to justice," two Catholic leaders said in a letter for the 2006 Cover the Uninsured Week May 1-7. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, N.Y., chairman of the u.S. bishops' Committee on Domestic Policy, and Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, asked for support for the initiative, now in its fourth year, in a joint letter.

Pope expresses grief after Iraqi bombing kills four soldiers VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI expressed his grief after an April 27 roadside bombing in southern Iraq that killed four soldiers: three Italians and one Romanian. In a telegram, the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, said the pope wished to relay his "ftrm reproach" for the fresh violence. The Vatican released a copy of the telegram sent to the head of Italy's military archdiocese, Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco. The four coalition soldiers died after their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in the city of Nasiriyah, where Italian troops are based. A fourth Italian was reported to be seriously injured in the same attack. The telegram lamented the death of soldiers who were "generously carrying out (a) mission of peace." The latest violence only further hindered "the path to harmony and the recovery of that tormented nation," the written message said.

Bolivian president wants Church to help transform nation LA PAZ, Bolivia - Bolivia's first indigenous president said the Church plays a critical role in supporting the revolutionary changes he seeks for South America's poorest country. "The participation of the Church is important in the transformations we're fighting for. Be they Catholics or evangelicals, it's important that they apply Christianity," said President Evo Morales. "I am a Christian. I understand Christ as a man who struggled against injustice, who gave his life for humanity. Christ struggled for justice and life. Whatever the church, its mission should be applying Christianity, which means working for justice and equality and community," Morales told Catholic News Service during a mid-April interview in the presidential palace. Morales, an Aymara indigenous leader who took office in January after winning a December election, has quickly shaken up Bolivian politics. Morales has vowed to end corruption and inefficiency. He is working to preserve the right of farmers to cultivate coca, and to nationalize Bolivia's reserves of gas and oil, both measures that worry many in the Bush administration.

Pope clears way for canonization of founder of Indiana order VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI cleared the way for the canonization of Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin, the 19th-century foundress of a religious order and numerous schools in Indiana. During an April 28 private meeting with head of the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, the pope signed a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of the French-born nun. Born in France's northern province of Brittany October 2, 1798, Mother Theodore traveled to the United States as a missionary in 1840 at the request of the Frenchborn bishop of Vincennes, Ind. Mother Theodore, who had been superior of the Sisters of Providence at Ruille-sur-Loire in France, founded the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She and her companions also started Indiana's first boarding school for young girls. Before Mother Theodore died May 14, 1856, she set up 10 other Catholic 3chools throughout Indiana.

ACTING PRESIDENT of the John Paul II High School's Board 'Of' Directors, Atty. Mark Boudreau, left, views plans for the school with Bishop George W. Coleman, center, and Frank Ward, the major financial contributor to the: school. (John Kearns Jr.. photo)

Bishop, superintendent tour JPII High School building, review renovations HYANNIS - Bishop George W. Coleman and Diocesan Superintendent of Schools Dr. George A. Milot toured the future Pope John Paul II High School in Hyannis on April 24 with members of the school's board of directors to review the progress of renovations in preparation for its 2007 opening.

The building, which last served as the Grade Five School for the town of Barnstable, is undergoing a transformation. The walls are being painted, the floors refinished, a chapel is under coqstruction, and plans are done for an enlarged and modernized science lab and the creation of a library with banks of computer stations.

Outside, repairs are underway on the school's facade and changes are in the works to improve the: school's traffic flow. ~ishopColeman commended the board for all that路 has been done and at the conclusion of the touf expressed his gratitude for their ongoing efforts.

"I am very pleased to be with you today to see all pf the progress being made to the future Pope John Paul II High School," said the bishop. "CertaiAly much has already been accomplished in retiovations and improvements to the building. I waht you to know that I am very grateful to all of Turn to page 18 - School

(Left to right) Marie Kirkman, Louis Rego, Richard De Almeida

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Friday, May 5, 2006

THE LANDINGAn appeal for love Jesus told us in St. Matthew's Gospel that when he comes at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, he will separate us into two groups. On his right, he will place those are saved. On his left he will wave those who are condemned.

To those on his right he will say: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."

He told us that stunned crowd of eternal victors will then ask when they did any of these good deeds personally for him, and he promised he would respond ''Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me" (Mt 25:34-40).

The Catholic Charities Appeal which begins this weekend is an opportunity to take care of Christ in disguise in all of these ways and more. The Appeal funds food pantries and provides aid to those without access to even liquid sustenance. It embraces the immigrants coming as straR'gcliStCo4r new lah'd, helps with their material needs and offers English-as-a-second-Ianguage and citizenship programs for them. It funds AIDS ministry, hospital chaplaincies and several nursing homes in the diocese where the sick and infirm are cared for, body and soul. It finances prison chaplaincies and evangelization, and helps with half-way houses to assist prisoners to leave crime behind and reintegrate into society.

The good of the Appeal does not stop there, though, because Christ's list of corporal and spiritual works of mercy was not meant to be exhaustive. The Appeal underwrites the Sunday television Mass that allows tens of thousands of the homebound to continue to participate in Mass. It funds the Pro-Life initiatives of the diocese. It bankrolls care for pregnant women as well as adoption services and foster care. It fuels the chaplaincies at area colleges.

It enables the diocese to run summer camps for handicapped children. It finances youth and young adult ministry. It subsidizes individual and family counseling. It pays for support programs for the widowed, divorced and separated. It sponsors abuse prevention programs. It sustains the training of permanent deacons, the importance of whose ministry in the Church and in our diocese continues to grow.

As Catholics, we all have the duty to care for Christ in the least ofour brothers and sisters, and the Lord tells us that we will be judged on whether we've loved him or stiffed him in the person of our neighbor.

There are many ways to carry out that duty to be modem Good Samaritans. While we can always give generously ~nd directly to a particular apostolate or charity, there's something particularly important about giving to the diocesan Catholic Charities Appeal.

Pope Benedict described it in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est. "Love of neighbor, grounded in the love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member of the faithful, but it is also a responsibility for the entire ecclesial community at every level: from the local community to the particular Church and to the Church universal in its entirety. As a community, the Church must practice love."

The "particular Church" of the Diocese of Fall River, as a community, needs to practice love. This is one of the most important signs of our ecclesial character, when we work together as disciples and as one give of ourselves for those for whom others so often fail to sacrifice or care. In the early Church, Christians were so distinguished by their love for those in need that even pagan leaders, while they were threatening to put Christians to death for the faith, were deeply fascinated by Christians' love for those who did not or could not love them in return.

Tangible deeds of self-sacrificial love are one of the most important components of the Church's re-evangelization efforts. In an age when many are questioning the goodness of the Church after the clergy scandals, there is an even greater need to show the real self-giving face of the Church as a whole. This true image of the Church is of a Mystical Body working together to love Christ in others: when the multitudes of Catholic faithful through their sacrifices and prayers cooperate with those on the front lines of pastoral care to be the Good Samaritan to hundreds of thousands in the South Coast region.

This is the way all of us in this particular Church of Fall River can proclaim by our body language the Gospel Christ entrusted to us. It is also the way by which, God-willing, our whole diocese may reconvene in the Church triumphant at Christ's glorious right side.

the living word

SEMINARIANS DANIEL BEEMAN, LEFT, AND LEO GAJARDO CHAT AFTER LEAVING CANON LAW CLASS IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE SEMESTER AT THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICAN IN WASHINGTON APRIL

26.

(CNS PHOTOIPAUL HARING)

"THE HARVEST IS ABUNDANT BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW; SO ASKS THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT LABORERS FOR HIS HARVEST" (LUKE

10:2).

Seen, but not by all When I was young, and I used to think about the resurrection, I used to wonder why Jesus did not appear to everyone after he rose from the dead. It used to bother me especially that Our Lord did not appear to Caiaphas the high priest, to King Herod, or to Pontius Pilate, to prove to them that he was who rOO -... he said he was. I used to

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transmitted to the world and the consequent nature of our faith. By ordaining his risen Son to appear only to some, and thereby requiring the faith of all others to depend on the decision to believe the eye-witnesses who testified to

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' once and for all, had been ~ , , 1 ' . manifested to the whole : By~~~t';.,er~" ~Thd.d~f ~ ';"~o world, to set the record . " :,I,IfjI'" straight.

-., A. Pignato But as we know from both history and sacred the risen Christ; God chose to Scripture, the risen Christ have our faith be a function and appeared only to some, as part of exercise of our will. After hearing God's plan of salvation. As we read in the Acts of the Apostles, about the resurrection from those "God raised up Jesus on the third who actually saw the risen Christ, day and granted that he be seen, we have to choose whether or not not by all, but only by such to accept their testimony and to witnesses as had been chosen believe in Christ and what he before hand by God - by us who taught. Our faith is an act of our ate and drank with him after he will, aided and prompted, no doubt, by God's loving invitation rose from the dead. He commisand grace ("Catechism of the sioned us to preach to the people Catholic Church," 153-154). and to bear witness that he is the one set apart by God as judge of By making our faith an the living and the dead" (Acts 10: exercise of our will, God chose to respect our freedom, so that our 40-42). faith in him would be a free So, why did Our Lord appear only to some, and not to the response to his revelation and a whole world? If the world could function of our desire, a function of our love. God offered the world have been converted immediately the testimony of the witnesses by an encounter with the risen who saw and knew the risen Christ, why wasn't the resurrecChrist (see Acts 13: 30-31), and tion revealed to everyone in a spectacular display of divine he asks us all to rely on those witnesses in our decision to glory?

The answer to this quandary believe. Just as we choose to believe in other things we have lies in God's decision and plan as not seen, by accepting the to how his revelation would be 0

0

testimony of those who have seen them, so do we choose to believe in Christ and his revelation, by relying on those who were "chosen before hand by God" to bear witness that Christ is the Lord.

All of this is important to remember, especially when we attempt and struggle to share our faith with others and to convince them to believe.

We know that God is offering his invitation to eternal life to everyone, and that he is prompting every person to believe in him, but we also know that God awaits our free response to this invitation. He does not force anyone to believe in him, because he wants us to love 'him, and love must be free ("Catechism, " 160).

To those who do believe, God offers a communion of life and love that starts now, here on earth, and continues forever in heaven. The risen Christ said to the doubting St. Thomas, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" (In 20: 29). God is more impressed by our faith, than he is by the faith of his eye-witnesses. We who believe in Christ without seeing him are blessed indeed, because we are choosing freely, by an act of our will, to accept Christ as the Lord of our lives. This act of faith is an act of love. It is an act of putting into the deep, where we will find a love beyond all our imaginings.

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Friday, May 5, 2006

the

ancholY

Fetal farming and the new slavery' "Slippery slope" arguments in abortions to try to treat Parkinson's bioethics are fairly popular, patients, with minimal public reminding us how initial ethical outcry or reaction, so that today violations have a way of leading to abortion clinics have few qualms further violations and misdeeds, and ultimately, to undesirable places. Once you "give away the principle" and start sliding, it becomes difficult to Bi()~thics return to the point from which you started. What is

By Fathe~ Tad genuinely striking is how Pacholczyk,' !. far down the biotechnology slopes we have already . come. In the 196Os, contraception, about providing freshly obtained or sex without babies, became "research material" to scientists at widely accepted. By'1978,the flip large universities or biotech side, babies without sex, arrived on . companies. In 1998, the next step the scene with in-vitro fertilization. was to sacrifice some of the Human embryos were created in previously frozen human embryos the laboratory and implanted into to procure their embryonic stem women. Soon this snowballed into cells. Right on the heels of this the storage of "spare" embryos in development came an even more the deep freeze, to the point of troubling proposal: making human nearly a half-million hiJmans embryos by cloning, matching them to sick patients, then destroy"trapped" just in the United States and still more being produced and ing those embryos to get their stem frozen each hour, like an assembly cells. Because those embryos would be clones, or identical twins line, at fertility clinics around the of the patient, the stem cells could country. The destruction of be implanted into the patient with . innocent human life in the womb also became commonplace after minimal danger of rejection, since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. In ' identical twins can exchange the late 1980s researchers began organs between each other without using tissues derived from immune problems. Thus, in the

.Making Sense

. Out of

short space of a few years, we have arrived at the point of creating human life merely to destroy it, harvesting it as little more than raw material, a commodity, for exploitation. The confluence of these various ethical violations points to the next twist down the slippery and well-greased slopes of modem biotechnology.

Although perhaps ominous sounding today, the prospect of fetal farming looms large, and may likewise becom.e routine in our future if we continue to acquiesce to the coarsening of our moral sensitivities around these important bioethical questions.

Fetal farming is a method to obtain whole organs or other complex tissues. Currently, researchers speak about stem cells as the ideal, flexible cells that will let us make tissues, organs and body parts in the future. The difficulty is that we really don't have a clue how to make whole organs out of stem cells. Whole organs, like a kidney or a heart, are exceedingly complex structures with many different interacting cell types. There are numerous

With the help of a devii dog As many of us know, God spelled backwards is dog., That, and the fact that my relationship with cats is not purrfect, leads me to believe that God's favorite non-human creature is the dog.

However, my non-human creature seems to be putting

a circular mode. The all-toochewed toy is now long and jagged. Emilie calls it Igor's rosary beads.

There isn't a decade when Igor isn't tempting us to play donut with her, dropping it on the floor and waiting for one of us to pick it up again, or simply trying to claw her way under the bed spread.

The fact that Emilie and I giggle at her antics doesn't help matters for Igor or my wife.

God to the test.

One of my favorite things to We call her (Igor, not my do is the Sunday night rosary wife) a devil dog. with my ~ife and ll-year-old.

My wife and I were hoping After a long day of watching the . that reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet during the nine-day Red Sox lose to Tampa Bay, or anyone else, nothing picks up Divine Mercy Novena would the end of the weekend'like the, help drive the demons from Igor, family rosary. but no such luck. Igor continues Now it doesn't take much to her Sunday night assaults, and she's getting better at it.' distract Emilie and me, despite This week, she successfully our good intentions, and our and easily distracted the 11pooch Igor sensed this right from the start. It should also be pointed year-old and her dad, but Denise out that my wife gives the rosary remained as staunch as ever. her full undivided attention Not one to pass up a chalexcept when she's shooting lenge, Igor approached my wife Emilie and me the evil eye. in mid-prayer, placed her paws Igor knows when it's rosary on Denise's shoul~ers and , lapped up her face. time, and she bounds up the stairs and jumps on my bed in The devil dog won. Denise eager anticipation. lost her composure and began to After sniffing each of our laugh. Emilie and I were beside rosary cases during the Sign of ourselves. the Cross, Igor settles inbeI don't quite think this is tween the three of us with a what Our Blesse!i Mother had in plastic donut that is no longer in mind when she created the

rosary, but I don't think she minds either.

If anything, it's creating some good prayer-time memories for Emilie - with the help of a devil dog.

71 unknown steps along the pathway been greilSed. This is why we must of making, say, a kidneY from a safeguard human life from its stem cell. Years, or eVen decades, earliest beginnings, if we wish to avoid its destruction at any later . . of research must first be carried out before whole organs ready for stage. human transplant will become As Dr. Charles Krautharnmer, a widely available. But aconvenient syndicated columnist and member 'shortcut may be possible. Instead of the President's Council on of destroying a cloned, five-dayBioethics has put it: "We will, old human embryo to get his or her slowly and by.increments, have stem cells, why not siIpply implant gone from stem cells to embryo that embryo, allow hitp or her to farms to factories with fetuses grow into a fetus, and schedule an hanging (metaphorically) on meat abortion a little while before the hooks waiting to be cut open and baby's due date? Then mother used by the already born." Or, as nature will.already haye done all Richard Doerflinger has percepthe hard work of making two tively noted, this is all about a new kidneys, ready to be harvested slavery, with biotech companies as from the aborted child, thereby the plantation owners. saving a good deal of time and Unless we take legal steps to trouble in terms of scientific assure that the rich, the powerful, research. These kinds of "fetal and the self-interested are not farming" experiments have already , allowed to ron roughshod over been done in mice and in cattle, embryonic and fetal humans, we and they provide usa~le tissues and will never be worthy of the claim organs. Scientists at a biotechnolthat ours is a civilized society. ogy company called Advanced.. r Ooty,.if.Wtllafe bold enough to Cell Technologies in Worcester, challenge and alert our fellow , Americans to the dangers of have published papers where, in one instance, stem ceQs were biotechnology without ethics can obtained by implanting the cloned we avoid transitioning from the mouse embryo and gestating it slippery slopes to outright downhill until the human equivalent of th~ skiing. Before ending up in an 5th or 6th month. Then the fetal irreparable heap at the bottom of mouse was destroyed to procure its the hill, we would do well to stem cells, which were used to respond decisively to those threats treat the ailing hearts of other mice. that arise whenever science So today we sanction the becomes detached from a strong pn;xluction of a five-clay-old . and robust moral vision. human life to destroy it. TomorFoJher Pachok'lSk earned his row it's a three-month-old, then an iJoctoroJe in neurosciencefrom . eight-month-old fetus. How far is Yale and did post-doctoraJ work oJ it, really, from a five-day-old Harvard. He is a priest ofthe cloned embryo to fetal farmingDiocese ofFall River, and serves manufacturing fetal humans to . as the Director ofEducaJi.on oJ harvest their body parts? Not very The NaJi.onal Catholic BioethU:s far, when one'reco~s how well Center in PhikuJelphia. See the slippery slopes have already www.ncbcenter.org

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Friday, May 5, 2006

Where have. the shepherds gone?

Names are important. They can be used to identify a specific .quality about a person and with time, the name can even become synonymous with that person. Such is the case with the word shepherd: From the time of the patriarchs to that of the Exodus, the Hebrew people were primarily shepherds. People use sheep for . food, clothing and religious sacrifice.

Think of the shepherds referred to in the Christmas story. We often have a romantic image of the shepherd lounging in a meadow watch~ ing his flock grazing; but the job and responsibility were . demanding. The threat of wild animals, the lack of water, the presence of thieves and. marauders, all of these a daily struggle for these simple men. They camped in the desert and didn't get to take too many baths. Shepherds were considered on the low end of society; poor country workers and as such had very little esteem or social rank.

were

community have failed in 'their While other humans rejected mission to lead the Chosen them as not fitting into society, People, so'God himself will the sheep welcomed thent, "look after and tend my sheep" because they trusted them. The (Ezekiel 34:11). good shepherd knows his Today, we find Jesus sheep by name. They follow referring to himself as the him when he calls their name.

Good Shepherd. He gives The people of Jesus' time himself this name for us in knew that shepherds would risk their lives for their sheep, just as Jesus says in the Gospel today. And ' there are numerous stories in the Scriptures that show how heroic a shepherd can ,-..,'-c "'~0*,,~)~'\'. be. A good shepherd Daniel W. lacroix-" was highly valued as he cared for thousands of sheep in his order to help us understand flock, and they were hard to his role to the world. Jesus fiq,d. The loving care of a gives us three qualities of a shepherd was seen as a good shepherd. First, he is reflection of God's love for his willing to risk his life to people. Psalm 23 starts out protect them. Second, he "The Lord is my shepherd." knows each one by its name In Ezekiel we often see and third he cares for all, even references that the leaders of those who go astray. the community were referred We have all been disilluto as shepherds. Ezekiel sioned by those leaders we indicates that the leaders of the

have admired and respected, only to find them letting us down. But Jesus is everything he claims to be. Each Sunday we hear the words that show us his willingness to sacrifice his life for us, at the consecration, we hear, this is my Body (and Blood) given up for you.

Jesus wants an intimate relationship with us. We often wear masks that hide who we truly are, but Jesus sees beyond the masks into our souls and knows us intimately. We may be able to deceive others and at times, even ourselves, but we cannot deceive the Lord.

And if we drift away from his fold, Jesus searches us out through others' and our own hearts and calls us back to him.

Shepherds aren't the only ones who lay down their lives for those in their care. Parents lay down their lives for their children. They make sacrifices

in raising and loving their children. Like our individual families, our faith family is in need of parenting, of spiritual fathers, who care for their. flock.

Today, we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, so we can also recognize that pastors lay down their lives for their parish, too. They give up a family life and dedicate themselves to the service of others in their parish. We need good pastors throughout the Church.

The shortage of priests is now becoming a real problem within our diocese. We need to continually pray, encourage and call out men to shepherd our present and future parish families. This prayer can be done at our parishes or in our homes, but let us ask the Good Shepherd'to shepherd us with priestly ministry and vocations. .

Father Lacroix is the pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet.

The right to prophesy Many people were shocked when Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said in an interView published in the Christian Science Monitor that:' "The religious community has to decide whether they want to be tax exempt or involved in politics."

Some interpreted this as a threat. Many pastors and bishops are already afraid of speaking clearly on public issues, unsure of their rights, and afraid they might risk their tax exempt status.

Instead of retreating in the face of such threats, priests and ministers need to join together and fight for their constitutional right to complete freedom of religion. The Constitution clearly states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

The right to prophesy is an essential part of our freedom of religion. Those who threaten to eliminate tax exemption for religious institutions whose

leaders speak out on political in the internal affairs of the issues want to silence to prochurches. Congress has no right phetic voice of people of faith. to tell the churches which They cannot be allowed to religious practices will,be succeed. allowed and which will be The prophet speaks God's prohibited. Such interference word to the people. Sometimes would in essence be establishing the prophet predicts a future what qualifies as religion. The event, rriost'of the time the Congress has no authority to prophet calls the people to prohibit prophesy any more than repentance, but on occasion the prophet addresses himself directly to the political leaders of his day. He may anoint a particular leader as Samuel did with Saul and David. He

By Dale O'Leary may condemn a particular leader's behavior as John the Baptist did with King Herod. it has the right to require a Prophets are an integral part church to get a food service of the Church, not an option that license because it distributes state can censure as it sees fit. In communion. Church leaders his letter to the Corinthians St. have a constitutional right to Paul lists the various ministries speak prophetically, and somewhich God has established in times prophets address political the Church "first apostles, ' issl,les. second prophets, third teachers" To threaten to tax churches if (I Cor. 12: 28). their leaders speak prophetically would, in effect, be prohibiting Congress may not establish a state religion or entangle itself the free exercise of religion.

Some might argue 'that church leaders can speak all they want St. Anne's Prayer about "religious" things, they can't speak about "political" just "Good St. Anne, Mother of Mary, and matters, but one only has to read Grandmother of Jesus, Intercede for me and my through the Bible to notice how often the prophets spoke directly petitions. Amen." to the political leaders of their time and interfered in what are' considered political matters. .In honor of Sister Lucia dos Santos, Now it is true that prophets Seer of Fatima, who died路 are rarely popular with political leaders, but our constitutional February 13,2005, age 97. rights are there to protect those Lucia pray for us. with unpopular opinions, not to

Truth and Compassion

protect the feelings of political leaders.

It is also true that many people are not interested in God's opinion on political issues, but prophets are not engaged in popularity contests.

True prophets do not conduct polls to see what message will sell best. They say what God inspires them to say, nothing more or less.

Some argue that prophetic statements could create a backlash and might be counterproductive. That may be, but that cannot deter the true prophet.

If a church leader believes that he is led by the Holy Spirit to speak propheti~ cally about a political issue, he must speak regardless of the consequences. He should not be threatened by the government.

ProphetS have a solemn duty to speak. The Lord told the prophet Ezekiel that he had been appointed as a watchman for Israel and that he was to warn the people to tum away from their sins and live. If Ezekiel didn't speak the words of warning to them, God vowed to hold him accountable for the people's sins (Ezekiel 3:17-21).

That is real threat.

Today more than ever we need prophetS. There was a time when the political controversies involved differences of opinion concerning the best means for achieving just ends. People of good will could legitimately differ on which approach would I?est solve a social problem.

That is no longer the case. We .

are faced with issues involving life and death, truth and lies. The prophets of our day are calling us to defend marriage and the family, to fight for our basic freedoms and the right to educate our children in the truth. We cannot allow the prophets among us to be threatened or silenced.

We need their message now more than ever.

Dale O'Leary is an internationally recognized lecturer and author of "The Gender Agenda: Redefining Equality." She regularly lectures in Massachusetts in support of the Church's teachings on the gift of human sexuality.

Daily Readings May 6 . May 7

May 8 May 9 May 10

May 11

May 12

Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; In 6:60-69 Acts 4:8-12; Ps 118:1,8-9,2123,26,29; 1 In 3:1-2; In 3:1-2 Acts 11:1-18; Pss 42:2-3;43:3-4; In 10:1'-10 Acts 11 :19-26; Ps 87:1-7;Jn 10:2230 Acts'12:2413:5a; Ps 67:23,5-6,8; In 12:44- , 50 Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3,2122,25,27; In 13:16-20 Acts 13:26:33; Ps2:6-11;Jn 14:1-6

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Friday, May 5,2006

Growing priests Monday 1 May 2006 - PortO-Call, Woods Hole - May Day In another age, this fIrst day of May was the official start of summer, a day to drive the herds into high pasture and perambulate the fIelds and woodlands. Greenleafed branches and flowers were brought home to decorate doorways and wells in celebration of the rebirth of vegetation after the death of winter. The month of May is also, in our tradition, dedicated to Mary, "Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May." Ijust can't wait until June 21 to begin the summer season so I decide to revert to the old calendar and start my summer today. And why not?

What better place to celebrate May Day than in the fIrst Mary Garden in the United States? It's right here in our diocese - across the street from St. Joseph Church, Woods Hole. Modeled after those

in European monastic enclosures, the garden was the gift of Frances Crane Lillie to the parish in 1932. It's fIlled with plants traditionally associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary (there are over 1,000 from which

to select).

The centerpiece of the garden is a rough granite Angelus bell tower. One bell is dedicated to devoted Catholic layman Louis Pasteur. The larger bell is dedicated to the famous 19thcentury Austrian scientist Gregor Mendel, the "Father of Genetics."

Mendel was also another kind of "father." He was a priest of the Augustinian Order. Whoever says

Christianity and science don't mix knows very little about either religion or science.

When Mary Magdalene fIrst encountered the risen Lord, she thought he was the gardener (John 20: 15). Many a parish priest has also been mistaken for the gardener. A priest needs to be grounded in the earth. "Humus" comes from the same root word as "humility." It is difficult . to be haughty when you're groveling in the mud on your hands and knees.

I am one of those priests who likes to "play in the dirt." I suppose I got the gene from my great grandfather, Innocencio Correia. He owned a farm near Fort Rodman, New Bedford. He passed on his skills to his son, Antonio, who in turn passed them on to me, his grandson.

Everything I learned about growing things I learned from my grandfather. Many is the day young Timmy would be out in his

Time to talk with Mrs. Crow It is a long-awaited spring morning after a damp New England winter. I have cautiously turned off the heat in the house and opened the windows just a crack. As I sit on the couch with my seven-year-old daughter practicing her math flash cards, it seems as if we can see and hear nature waking up through the open window. Crocuses dot the lawn. A crow fills the air with loud cries. I imagine the crow is a mommy, noisily building her nest.

Suddenly a raspy shriek comes from right under our window. My daughter and I jump out of our seats, flash cards flying to the ground. I try to suppress a giggle, but as my daughter looks at me with wide eyes, I burst into laughter.

From the throat of her fiveyear-old brother, who is playing just outside the open window, we hear another series of childsized caws. Having no idea that anyone can hear him, my son has taken up a conversation with Mrs. Crow! We peak out the window and watch him alternate between digging in the dirt and talking with Mrs. Crow. The whole morning is the fresh reminder of what I love about being a mom; just being with the kids.

The morning's experience is an answer to prayer, because other signs of spring have been coming to my attention, too; but these other signs have brought me anxiety rather than joy. Flyers for kids' summer camps have recently begun appearing in my mailbox.

Many of us moms have

discussed the possibilities of sending a couple kids to one camp or another. We have stopped short of signing up, however, because of some combination of scheduling conflicts and finances. It's a combination I think worth talking about in light of coming to grips with the fact that, for

most families, certainly for ours, "you can't have it all," even though "having it all" is exactly what pop culture screams we are all absolutely entitled to and must have.

Up until this morning I had been really wrestling with the choice. Feeling the pressure to conform to society's expectations with unusual strength this past winter, I had begun to believe that if we didn't provide our kids with organized science, sports, art, and/or music camps in the summer that they would fall behind, be left out, and lose out on all the learning they'd absolutely need to succeed in tomorrow's world. I had begun to think it wasn't enough to work hard at keeping expenses down so that we could keep one parent at home. What would the kids have to put on their resumes when applying for fifth-grade honor society? )}ut, this morning's events quieted my anxiety and the

noise of pop culture. In the few and precious summers of childhood, I think it best to give my kids time to talk with Mrs. Crow; time to ~xplore the backyard with their sibling and neighbors, time to develop interests without pressure, time to connect with the God of the universe by smelling the roses and gazing at the summer stars, time off from the activity merrygo-round. Why? Because, to me, giving the family time to regenerate and reconnect with one another in the ~. summer seems to be in " ' keeping with the gift God gives us of a weekly sabbath, just on a larger time scale.

Okay, okay. I'm not completely immune to societal pressure. For those who ask, I may cave just a little bit and call our family time together "Free-range Summer Camp." (I wonder if the honor society would call for an explanation of camp events?) Honestly, I'm happy with our choice, even though it's a choice not to attempt to have it all. I just really believe in the value of family time, and that family time can't happen if we're always cooped up and scheduled up. And now, because her voice has so influenced our summer "un-plans," I think I will go outside and join my son in talking with Mrs. Crow.

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

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

Comments are welcome at homegrownfaith@yahoo.com.

9 grandfather's garden, lending a helping hand - or so he thought.

My grandfather taught me to respect the earth. It was a lesson that has served me well.

I had my own garden from elementary school days. "Working out in the yard" was an opportunity to unwind, think, pray, and connect to the earth. It still is. Just give me a pile of aged cow manure and I'm happier than ... well, you get the picture.

As a priest, I fInd the connection to the earth to be even more vital. In this, I am not alone.

Father Martin Buote comes to mind. He's into orchids. As pastor of St. Anne Parish, New Bedford, he converted an unused sun porch into a greenhouse.

He has been known to drive all the way to Florida ~d back just to collect an orchid specimen for his collection.

Then there was Msgr. I%iz Mendonca. He loved roses. I would often run into him at the New England Flower Show, checking out the newest introductions.

Msgr. Pat O'Neil preferred landscaping. By his own hand, Pat planted much of the landscape at St. Julie Church, Dartmouth. According to his then-assistant, Msgr. Steve Avila, Pat found peace and solace in the garden.

Father Paul McCarrick took special interest in directing the grounds-work at St. Patrick Cemetery in Fall River. His passion blooms there still.

Then there's St. Jacques

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Church, Taunton. A church, of course, needs altar wine. St. Jacques grew its own grapes. A section of the rectory cellar included a wine press to process the grapes. At St. Jacques, they made their own altar wine.

There is a direct link between the cycles of nature and the Church calendar marked with our feasts and seasons. Those whose hearts and minds are attuned to the rhythms of the earth are also in touch with God. ''To plant a garden is to work hand in hand with God." Ecology is much more than recycling aluminum cans. It is a spirituality based on the sacramentality of creation. When" our spiritual roots are no longer planted fIrmly in the earth, our faith becomes too cerebral. It disconnects from the real world in which we live.

I once came upon a frail old priest working in his garden horsummer's day. "Father," I asked with soticitude, "Are you sure you are not overexerting yourself?" He answered, "Tim, I would much rather be planting daisies than pushing them up!" Come to think of it - so would I! Anchor readers can learn more in the book Mary's Flowers: Gardens, Legends, and Meditations by Vincenzina Krymow.

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Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Assonet.

Comments are welcome at StBernardAssonet@aoLcom.

Previous columns are at www.StBernardAssonet.org.

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Friday, May 5, 2006

Energetic Jean Arsenault provides spark in promoting Pro-Life causes

By MIKE

GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

DISTRICT DEPUTY Norm Corriveau of the Massachusetts Knights of Columbus presents the "Family of the Quarter Award" to the Bowditch Family of Norton for its outstanding service and dedication to Church and youth activities in Norton.

Mark and his wife Mary are pictured with their four children.

Norton family receives Knights of Columbus award NORTON - The Massachu- .Parish here. They are parents of setts State Council of Knights has four children, Nathan, Erik, chosen the Bowditch Family as its Heather and Jacob, all of whom "Family of the Quarter" of this are altar servers at the parish. fraternal year for the Fall River Mark serves on the parish Diocese. District Deputy Norm council and teaches a confirmaCorriveau presented this Knights tion class. He also coaches youth of Columbus Award to the sports, serves on several commitBowditch Family at its annual St. tees and volunteers as a security Patrick's Day Dinner. member at Steubenville East Mary and Mark Bowditch are Youth Conferences every July at both extraordinary ministers of the National Shrine of Our Lady holy Communion at St. Mary's of La Salette.

Help Us Build a New Church to Honor Blessed Father Damlen DeVeuster, Hero of Molokai - Hero of Humanity Aloha from the Hawaiian Island of Molokai!

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In the 19th century a BeI!!lan sacred Heart priest. Falher Damlen DeVeuster. selflessly served the Hansen's disease (leprosY) patients who had been exiled to Kalaupapa. are路 mote peninsula of Molokal. Hawaii. For 16 years. Father Damlen lived with the patients. banda!!lnll their wounds. building houses and coffins, buryln!!the dead. and brlnllinllthe faith to the unchurched. Ultimately. Father Damlen became one with the patients. succumblnQ to Hansen's disease at age 49 and passin!! away durin!;! Holy Week 1889. Blessed Mother Teresa considered Father Damlen her role model In her work with the sick and abandoned patients of calcutta. In 1995. Pope John Paul II declared Falher Damlen, Blessed Damlen.

We, the Molokal catholic Community. are entrusted wllh telllnll the Blessed Damlen story and I~acy of love. On Sundays. at 51. SOphia Church In Kaunakakai. the main town of Molokal. our parishioners and visitors stand outside the doors and sit on foldlnll chairs In the church carport. TIme. wealher, and termite Infestation have taken a toll on 51. SOphia Church. a modest wooden structure built In 1946. Our dream Is slmple-to build a new church to replace 51. SOphia In the name of Blessed Damlen-Hero of Molokal. Hero of Humanity.

Join the Molokal catholic Community In celebrating Blessed Damlen Day on May 10.

Help us honor Blessed Damlen by making a gift In his memory or In the memory of a loved one to the Blessed Damien Church of MolokaJ Buildln!! Fund.

Any Qlft that you make to the Blessed Damlen Building Fund will be humbly appredated.

We look forward to the day when Blessed Damlen will be added to the canon of salnts. We dedicate thIS bulldlnQ effort to him. and we commit to continuing the mission that he be!lan here over 150 years d!lO. Please Join us. send your tax deductible donation to:

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Blessed Damlen Bulldln!l Fund Molokal catholic COmmunity. POBox 1948. Kaunakakai. HawaII 9674B Thank vouJorYOUfgeneroslty.

II, for more Informat(on :~. our webslte:www.blesseddamlenchurch.org :l '\ ,

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prayer, 'thy will be done' and that's what keeps me going in good times and bad," said NORTH DARTMOUTH - Nestled in a busy Arsenault. office inside the Family Life Ministry building, When asked what she enjoys about her job, Jean C. Arsenault works to promote the Pro- Arsenault stated it was seeing young people on Life cause. Much of her work goes on behind the Walk For Life embrace the Pro-Life cause. the scenes, unheralded and that's just the way "They blossom like a flower," she said. "I've she likes it. . also enjoyed Arsenault the opportunity serves as the asto help women sistant director through Project of the Pro-Life Rachel. It's Apostolate and powerful to has been workhelp convey ing in some cathat God has alpacity with the ways loved office since someone and is 2000. She coorwilling to fordinates the pilgive them even grimage to though they've Washington, . done something D.C. for the angravely nual Walk for wrong."

Life, insuring Desrosiers that buses and had only praise rooms are refor the work served, events Arsenault does are scheduled and makes posand monies colsible in the diolected. cese.

"Her She also skills are great helps to coordiand I can't say nate the Project enough about Rachel enher drive and deavor, the andedication. She nual Pro-Life takes on this essay contest, huge year-long develops educaendeavor and tional programs does a terrific and arranges for job. Her work guest speakers inspires me and to come to the others." diocese, among Although other things. she's not had When The much time for Anchor came other endeavJEAN ARSENAULT in the middle of a typically busy calling, ors, Arsenault day at the diocesan Pro-Life office. (Anchor/Gordon also helps to Arsenault was putting the fin- photo) make bracelets, ishing touches which benefit on table place cards for the Pro-Life awards ban- the apostolate. Made out of pearl or Swarovski quet. "There is always something for me to do crystal and sterling silver, the bracelets are a and I wouldn't have it any other way," said decade of the rosary and have a "little feet Arsenault. "Today I'm an artist, tomorrow I'll charm," which replicates the feet of a 10-month be a travel agent," she quipped. old baby.

Director of the apostolate, Marian Desrosiers "They are labor intensive, but when you wear wouldn't have it any other way either as she them, you're reminded of the unborn," said has found a dedicated and hard working person Arsenault. "It doesn't take long to say 10 Hail in Arsenault.

Mary's and think of the impact those prayers "She has a tremendous enthusiasm for the can have. Prayer is so important at this stage of sanctity of life and the teachings of the Church my life. It makes a difference and I feel off if I and she brings that to her work here. She's won- don't begin my day with prayer." Arsenault was derful and does so much for the diocese," said hoping to make more of the bracelets to sell or Desrosiers. "We're not just co-workers here, train others to do so, but has not be able to find we're friends. She's like family." the time in her busy schedule.

Arsenault is a parishioner at nearby St. Julie When she's not working to' promote Pro-Life, Billiart Church and that's where she first heard Arsenault enjoys needlepoint, cooking and readabout the apostolate. She was a stay-at-home ing, getting through three or four books a week mom for her daughter Kate, now a junior at sometimes. She might need to relax after makBishop Stang, and looking to do something ing sure that accommodations for hundreds of with her time. At the suggestion of her late hus- adults and students are taken care of, but then band, Arsenault volunteered at the parish and again, she wouldn't have it any other way. eventually heard Desrosiers was looking for "I love my job and enjoy helping anyway I help. can," she declared.

"Everyone at the Family Life Center has been The Anchor encourages readers to nomigreat," said the Plymouth native. "I feel God nate others for the Person ofthe Week - who sent me here to help out." and why? Submit nominations at our E-mail Arsenault said that her mother was a very address: theanchor@anchornews.org, or write joyful person and that's the definition of a Chris- to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA tian woman. "She taught me there's one perfect 02722.

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World Day of Prayer for Vo~ations May?, 2006 Ii

"Lord Jesus, awaken in our community a missionary

eagerness~"

- Pope John Paul II

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VOCATIONS TO,oTHE PRIESTHOOD, PERMANENT DIACON4TE, RELIGIOUS LIFE & CONSEC~TED LIFE o

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Sunday; May 7 at 3:00 p~m. at St. Maris Cathedral, FallIRiver J?ish.9P Geo)trg~ WColeman, Presiderl Sponsored by the Diocesan Counc~l of C,aJtJholi~ Women and tbe DJiox:esan Vocations ,Of£ioe; l

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Diocesa Vocations Office - Father Edward E. Correic;l, director 47 Underwood Street, Fall River, MA 02720 1 " Tel: 5Q8-672~67f3

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Friday, May 5, 2006

·.. For what we could become In the small, rural town where I attended high school in California, the activities of the school were very important to the students. For a locale with a population of only 2,000, there were very few activities outside of those offered through the school.

Achieving recognition in school sports or attaining one of the coveted positions as a cheerleader were goals sought after by many of the students at that time.

Girls who wanted to "try our' for cheerleader performed a cheerleading routine for the entire school, after which all of the students voted. The "contestants" were at least given the results first, where all of the girls filed into the school library to hear the names of the winners. In this room there was only jubilation or despair; there was no middle ground.

Cheerleading began in the sophomore year. At the end of my

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freshman year, I "tried out" and won one of three positions as a junior varsity cheerleader. This was a completely new experience for me. I had transferred to the public high school from a small Catholic elementary school. There had only been eight girls in my class and we were all friends.

There was no "in" crowd, or

notion of popularity.

At the end of my sophomore year, when I tried out and won again, my best friend from Catholic school did not win. She had not won the year before either.

At the end of my junior year, I began to consider not running a third time, to give my friend a better chance at winning for her senior year. I realized that this would not guarantee her a position, but it was a feeling that I had. The Holy Spirit was beginning to sneak more and more into my life, knocking softly at my door. The nuns who ran the CCD program had recruited me to teach a fourthgrade religion class. I had begun to read the New Testament and I found myself spending more time in prayer.

Still, this decision to give up cheerleading left my ego "kicking and screaming."

"Wait a minute. I am enjoying this. I like wearing those little red outfits and jumping up and down and cheering in front of the crowd."

Holy Spirit: "You'll survive."

"And what about the school?

Don't they need me out there? I'm experienced. Lord, and what about the "waist-length" long blonde hair? Doesn't that count for something? Surely, the student body needs me to represent them."

Holy Spirit: "They'll survive."

That was the end of the discussion. I did not try out for my senior year. My girlfriend from Catholic school tried out and won.

She was eternally grateful. God had given her what she needed that year, and he had done the same for me. Gradually, I began to see how my senior year would change my life.

I continued reading the Bible. I began spending time at the library of the church rectory, reading books I would never have had time to read. I learned to play gujtar and helped lead the music for folk Masses. And I began writing my frrst journal of spiritual reflections and poetry, trading in my "pom-poms" for my pen.

There is a poster that I acquired during my high school years. It is one of those posters glued to a wooden fruit tray with decoupage varnish that were popular in the

70s.

The poster is a picture of moonlight glistening on the waters of the ocean shore. And the words on the poster are these: 'The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."

They are the words of Charles Du Bois, although I believe Jesus could have written these words.

Yes, I believe the Holy Spirit could have been the one to inspire such a message.

The poster has been hanging in our garage here on Cape Cod, as I have not been able to part with it.

But today I brought it into the house, to dust it off and possibly display it once again, because words like these should be shared with others and reflected upon, and are not easily forgotten.

Greta MacKoul is the author and illustrator of"The Ocean Flowers, A Parable ofLove"and numerous artkles. Greta and her husband George, with their children are members ofChrist the King Parish in Mashpee.

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SUPREME KNIGHT Carl A. Anderson of the Knights of Columbus lights a votive candle on a candelabrum during the close of the recent International Prayer for Peace at Georgetown University in Washington. (CNS photo/Nancy " Wiechec) _.'.

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Knights leader urges letting Christian love guide U.S. immigration policy

By CATHOLIC

NEWS SERVICE

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. - Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson of the Knights of Columbus in a newspaper commentary urged Americans to let "the light of Christian love" guide efforts to amend the U.S. immigration policy.

In a column that appeared in last week's edition of the National Catholic Register, a weekly newspaper based in North Haven, Anderson observed that the Knights of Columbus was founded by immigrants and their sons, who "struggled long and hard to demonstrate to those who feared and hated us that we were just as fervent about being patriotic Ameli- . cans as they were."

The column appeared as the U.S. Senate prepared to resume consideration of immigration legislation, and advocacy groups around the country planned more 'efforts to rally immigrants, focusing on May 1 as a day for rallies, marches, prayer vigils and other activities.

"If any group within American ~society ought to be able to weigh the issue with charity and understanding, it is the Catholic community," Anderson said. "Although nearly every American can trace his lineage to immigrants who came here from somewhere else, Catholics bore the brunt of some especially virulent nativist resistance to their arrival, which began early in the 19th century and continued well into the 20th."

He also observed that "Catholic Americans bring a unique perspective to our country's relationship with Latin America, since it is populated largely by fellow Catholics, our brothers and sisters in Christ."

At the Synod of Bishops for America nearly a decade ago, the bishops of this hemisphere invited people to adopt a new way of thinking about one another, he noted.

As the synod document said,

"We believe that we are one community; and, although America comprises many nations, cultures and languages, there is so much that links us together and so many ways in which each of us affects the lives of our neighbors."

Anderson said people should remember that "immigrants do not give up their innate human dignity at the moment when they cross a border seeking a better life."

"Those of us who now live in great comfort in the United States sometimes too easily forget the abject poverty and desperate circumstances that drove our ancestors to come to America," he said. "Who among us, facing desperate, grinding poverty in a foreign land today, would not try to find their way to America?"

It is "entirely appropriate" for Congress to take steps to more effectively control border traffic and deal with drug traffickers and other criminals, Anderson said. The country cannot admit unlimited numbers of immigrants and their homelands bear responsibility for the conditions driving mass migration, he said, but "that does not mean that we can turn our backs on them."

Anderson said Catholics would be well-advised to consider Pope John Paul II's words: "In Jesus, God came seeking human hospitality.

This is why he makes the willingness to welcome others in love a characteristic virtue of believers."

Jesus "chose to be born into a family that found no lodging in Bethlehem and experienced exile in Egypt," Anderson continued, quoting the late pope. "Jesus, who 'had nowhere to lay his head,' asked those he met for hospitality. He even compared himself to a foreigner in need of shelter: 'I was a stranger and you welcomed me.' In sending his disciples out on mission, Jesus makes the hospitality they will enjoy an act that concerns him personally: 'He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.'''

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Friday, May 5,2006 Human Development of the U.S. working, Father Fallon laughed Conference of Catholic Bishops: and said, "Well, we have the keys Anibal Lucas, difector of the to an outreach center. It's wondernew Center, said claSses are un- ful." derway to teach the ethnic Father Fallon announced that Mayans English. "We currently Father Sebastian Ventura, a have 48 people in the English Mayan priest of Santa Cruz del classes held twice a week," he told Quiche, the home diocese for The Anchor. many in Organization Maya A Mayan from puatemala, K'iche', will visit New Bedford Lucas, who came to the United in late May for a pastoral visit.

Father Ventura will celebrate States in 1982, has been an advocate to Mayan immigrants since Mass on May 29, at 6 p.m. a( St. July 2005 under the ,first year of Killian Parish and at 1:30 a.m. funding from the Campaign for May 30 at Our Lady of Guadalupe , Human Development. He works Parish at St. James Church. Two under'an executive board. local liturgical inusic groups, eL 'Lucas said there are approxi- Nuevo Amanecer, and Conjuntos mately 3,000 Mayans from the Unidos en La Fe en Cristo Jesus, Western .Highland o~ Guatemala, look forward to providing music often referred to as "the rain for- for the Saturday evening mass.

Father Ventura, pastor of the est," residing in the Greater New aedford area. "They represent a parish of Chiche, Guatemala will, variety of religious practices, in- also bless Mayan soccer players, cludiQg Catholics, and we are here m~mbers of Liga Soccer Futbal Maya USA, beginning their new for all of them."

Father Fallon said on-file sta- season on May 30 at city athletic tistics in New Bedfotd city agen- fields in New Bedford's North cies point out tha(jmmigrants End. Having prepared for ordination from Central America amount to MAYAN TRADITION and Christianity are key topics at Organization Maya K'iche' meet- about five percent of the popula- to the priesthood in the postVatican era of the Church, he is ings. Here, visitor Father Sebastian Ventura, left of Chiche', Guatemala, joins with Organi- tion.

Father Fallon explained that also trained in the Mayan zation president Adrian Ventura; Father Mark Fallon CSC of Catholic Social Services, New the English courses right now "are cosmovision and is committed to Bedford; and Irma Perez of the Organization, following a recent Mass. at the level of immigrant survival. assisting indigenous Mayan While Mayans speak their own Catholics realize the grace found language - and thert are as many in both Christianity and the as 22 Mayan languages in use Mayan spiritual tradition. This there - Spanish is their second movement stresses the dignity and language, "becausei the govern- validity of indigenous spiritual ment in Guatemala set up pro- traditions and seeks an end to false

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR its Community Outreach Center Organization Maya K'iche' is grams in Spanish only. But the distinctions between Mayan culNEW BEDFORD - Organi- here last week. a not-for-profit membership- people are underserved there, be- ture and Christianity. zation Maya K'iche', translated as Representatives from several driven agency assisting the local cause mostly their understanding "the people of the woodlands" a Catholic parishes and agencies, Mayan immigrants who are con- . of Spanish is superfj.cial, and we community support agency repre- local support service providers tributing to the Greater New have explained that to hospitals The Anchor took senting thousands of Mayan im- and New Bedford Mayor Scott Bedford ~conomy. many photos at Cardiand agencies the Mayans are dealmigrants working in the fish-pack- Lang were on hand April 25 to nal Sean P. O'Malley's . Bui~din~ up~n close collabora- ing with daily." " ing, textile and manufacturing ar- dedicate the facility. at 1162 tIOn WIth ImmIgrant health care, April 18 Mass and reEnglish as a sec~pd language, eas in the Whaling City, opened Acushnet Avenue. ception at White's of advocates of the. Greater New computerliteracy, cultural textiles Westport. Those imBedford Commuruty .H~alth Cen- and weavings, community discusages are now available ter, Sou,thCoast ~ospitals: and sions, athletic organization includonline. If you would like oth~r sup-port; sen:I~e proVIders, ing a soccer 'Ieaguf' and other to see them, send The Maya K Iche enVlSlons ~h~ cen- gatherings have generated strong Anchor an E-mail at ter as a place for the trammg of attendance in the ,few weeks of anchorimages@yahoo.com. peer-e~ucated.outreach ,:,,?rkers; Organization Maya K'iche's presWe will send you an inviwho wtll explam the provlSlons of ence in New Bedford's North tation to view the photos health car~ and other issues to the End, The Anchor was advised. with the opportunity to newly am~ed.

The Community Foundation of purchase prints through Accordmg to Holy Cross Fa- Southeastern Massachusetts, unKodak. ther Marc Fallon, an ~dvoc.ate for der the auspices of jts NewBAD the M~yan ~ommu~Ity WIth t~e program, has provided funding, Catholic SOCIal ServIces Office m and United Interfaith Action has New Bedford for the past two supported the new Center's openyears, ,the smal~ t.e~m. outreach ing in the North End. Catholic Social Services of the model s responsIbIhty IS to con~ey "All ~nds of pertinent ~d Fall River diocese 'has provided Important mfo~at1On on the l~- advocacy and technical assistant sues they are facmg. Of course It for Operation Maya K' iche' since means practical public health care 2004 and currently serves as StOrt your doy with our hearty breakfast. information concerning prenatal landl~rd for the Center, located on care, HIV, substan~e abuse and the first floor of the Talbot ApartStroll to the beach in Kennebunkport other at-risk behaviors for young ments. , village or relax in our saltwater pool. people dealing with culture shock Asked how the Operation was Aunique, yet affordable experience while far from home."

I~ It also means helping them in regards to immigration, education, work, licenses, and banking and financing too because many of them send money back to support , 'PTH SHOE their families in the rural woodlands of Guatemala, said Father FOR ALLDAY Fallon, who had served in a outfranciscan <OUest 1bouse WALKING COMFORT reach program with the Mexican A tittle taste of Heaven on Earth NEW BEDFORD residents Irma P~rez, Dora Perez and community in Savannah, Ga. 26 Beach Avenue' Kennebunkport, Maine JOHN'S SHOE STORE Currently, the operation is in its Martina Xirum are among thousands of Mayans living the (207) 967-4865 295 Rhode Island Avenue www.franciscanguesthouse.com faith in that community where they are working and enrich- first year of a three-year grant Fall River, MA 02724 from the Catholic Campaign for ing with their culture. (Photos courtesy of Father Fallon) II

Outreach Center for Mayans dedicated in New Bedford'

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Yes, you can enjoy an AFFORDABLE vacation in Southern Maine...

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114

Friday, May 5, 2006

,A yarn that's all wet

..

In last week's article, without going into any great detail about The "Da Vinci .

Code's" plot, I cautioned the reader not to be fooled by Dan Brown's deception regarding a "mind-bending code hidden in the works "an explosive ancient truth" (book-jacket teasers). I emphasized that many in Brown:s book and soon-to-be movie audience just don't and won't realize his story is a carefully spun yam designed to sell an expensive book, reap huge profits, and pull the wool over our eyes.

Many don't and won't understand that deception lies within his text and not, as he portrays, within the Church that he so cleverly tries to undermin'e for his own fame and fortune.

The author's tale has been and will be taken as the truth even by many Catholics, especially those still chugging along with a childlike, immature faith nourished only by Sunday visits to Church and a meager prayer life.

Therein lies the danger - an unskeptical audience's buy.ing whatever is being sold, especially when the product is provocative.

And the "Code" is just that - a tantalizing teaSer. Remember what Jesus asked his disciples: "But who do you say that I am" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah, the Son ofthe living God" (Matt 16:1516). As you read the "Code," reflect on this question and your response. Will you be a rock on which Jesus stands, or will you be shifting sands and find yourself cringing when you hear Jesus' cry to Peter, "Get behind me Satan! You are an obstacle to me" (Matt 16:23)?

Will you be an obstacle or truly a follower of Jesus Christ placing your faith in him and for all that he stood?

I'm quick to admit that I enjoyed the "Code" because it

was an entertaining puzzler. It also challenged me to learn more about Church history and my Catholic faith. In this respect, Brown actually did me and perhaps all of us a favor.

With the "Code" spurring me on, I've learned more about early Church history before the Gospels, about 'heresies, and

w~ol

gospels. Unfortunately, this sound reason for rejecting these gospels will be lost to most readers of the "Code" and its movie-goers who will be exposed only to the attractive aspects of gnosticism. The repulsive aspects of gnosticism will be hidden from view. For example, in some Gnostic texts there is a marked devaluation of women, a castigation of the feminine, and a rejection of marriage.

Marriage, after all, involves a man and a woman joining their flesh - their evil flesh.

Knowing this gnostic attitude, could you have bought what gnostics were selling? f\1aybe? Then consider this nail in the gnostic coffin. T~e very last passage in the gospel of Thomas reads: "Simon Peter said to them, 'Let Mary'leave us, for women are not worthy of Life.' Jesus said, 'I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. ""Preposterous! Ladies, according to the gnostics, before you get to heaven you must be trans, formed into men.

Did early Church leaders suppress different,interpreta- , tions of Jesus' message as the "Code" claims? Suppress is the wrong verb. In the case of the gnostic gospels, they soundly , rejected interpretations claiming that Jesus had only a phantom body, not an evil, real body.

Jesus walked this earth.

That's one reason why we ' Catholics find him so appeal. ing. Like us, he knew pain, he suffered, and he died. He rose, and that's where our hope lies.

the humanity and divinity of ' Jesus. I've also gained a far better appreciation of the critical importance of women in Jesus' life and ministry and during Old Testament times when women frequently saved tQe day, and their men.

For example, the "Code" introduced me to gnosticism and the gnostic gospels, integral to the "Code's" plot.

As the "Code's" popularity continues to rise imd with the movie predicted to break records l we need to understand the gnostic pseudo-gospels, especially the gospel of Thomas - one of the "gospels" supporting the author's claims'.

Gnosticism is fascinating but' extremely unattractive. It has a huge and insurmountable downside that flies in the face of what I know to be true: gnosticism considers matter evil; the human body is evil and imprisons our.souls; the material world is base, dark, and ruled by a malici,ous, corrupt prince (demiurge or , devil) contrasted with a spiritual world of light ruled by a benevolent deity. Nonsense! It's David E. Pierce is a 2007 no wonder early followers of candidate for the permanent Jesus and the early Church diaconate. He and his wife rejected this and other gnostic Diane are members of Christ

Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorje

the King Parish in Mashpee where both are active in their parish's RCIA and RCIC programs. They have two sons, Michael and Jonathan.

. April 25, 2006

-.

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina "Dear children! Also today I call you to have more trust in me and my Son. He has conquered by His death and resurrection and, through me, calls you to be a part of His joy. You do not see God, little children, but if you p'ray you will feel His nearness. 1 am with you and intercede before God for each of you.

"Thank you for having responded to my call."

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eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS)-Thefollowing are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference' of Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies on video have a USCCB Office for Fum & Broadcasting classification and Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating.

"Casanova" (2005) Handsome but leisurely paced period piece about history's most famous lover (Heath Ledger), focusing on a fictitious "secret" episode in his life: his incognito love affair with an 18th-century Venetian beauty (Sienna Miller) who writes feminist tracts under a male nom de plume. On the plus side, Lasse Hallstrom's film is wellacted, farcical without overdoing the slapstick, remarkably restrained in sexual matters, and even has a reasonably moral ending, but there's a surfeit oftroublesome Inquisition-era jibes at the C~tholic Church (including a comically villainous bishop' played by Jeremy Irons), and an episode involving the seduction of a novice. Brief sexual episodes without nudity, innuendo, some crude expressions, pervasive anti- ' clerical view and a mild torture scene. Hallstrom provides the leiSQI'ely commentary on the handsome anamorphic widescreen DVD, which also includes a making-of featurette, and additional ones on the costume and production design, and an "extended" sequence from the film. The baroque soundtrack sounds especially good. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L - limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -.:.. restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. (Touchstone Home Entertainment)

- David Hurley, Robin Tyson, Paul Phoenix, Philip Lawson, Christopher Gabbitas and Stephen Connolly, all former boy choristers --:- who perform a varied concert of spiritual and secular works from William Byrd and Claudio Monteverdi to Duke Ellington, the Beatles and Billy Joel. The centerpiece is father ofEnglish church music Thomas Tallis' 40-part motet, "Spem in Alium." The 93minute programs provides an ideal showcase for their incredible versatility. Taped at London's Cadogan Hall. (Acorn Media)

''Match Point" (2005) Hypnotic London-based morality. tale oflQwer-class tennis instructor (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) who marries a young woman (Emily Mortimer) from an affluent family and commences an affair with his brother-in-Iaw's exfiancee (Scarlett Johansson).

Writer-director Woody Allen is at the top of his serious, as opposed to humorous, form in a superbly acted psychological drama that makes its cautionary point even though, like its protagonist, the film delineates a universe governed not by God, but by pure luck. Several discreetly filmed sexual encounters but no overt nudity, some innuendo, adultery theme, scattered profanity and crass words, a couple of violent episodes discreetly filmed, abortion discussion and nihilistic worldview. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-ill - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. (Universal)

"Shopgirl" (2005)

Languidly paced story of lonely and lovelorn Saks salesclerk (an appealing Claire Danes) who, after a tentative fling with a nerdy, awkward font artist (Jason "lncantato" (2004) Schwartzman), meets a wealthy Handsomely designed and older man (Steve Martin) and ftlmed but dramatically inert pe- commences a no-strings-attached riod piece about a shy, awkward affair that proves only fitfully sat35-year-old schoolteacher falling isfying for her. Director Anand in love for the first time with a Tucker's adaptation of Martin's beautiful young woman - an in- novella - though striving for oldcorrigible femme fatale who has fashioned Hollywood gloss and a recently been blinded. Set in bittersweet tone about people's 1920s Italy, Pupi Avati's film has search for connection - feels the added interest of the hero's patently unreal, and the characters father being tailor to the pope, and (although human in their imperindeed the film's climax takes fections) display less-than-complace within the hallowed walls .mendable behavior, though the ofVatican City. But the main story ending would seem to be morally is so ludicrou.s and tOrPidly paced sound. Smattering of crude lanthat, in spite of some touching guage, brief profanity, partial and moments, the intended romantic rear nudity, sexual situations and sweep is simply not there. Sub- banter, a permissive view of pretitles. Some mild sexual episodes marital sex and condom use. The and rear nudity. The USCCB Of- USCCB Office for Film & Broadfice for Film & Broadcasting clas- casting classification is L - limsification is A-ill - adults. Not ited adult 'audience, films whose rated by the Motion Picture Asso- problematic content many adults ciation pf America. (Wellspring) would find troubling. The Motion ''The King's Singers: From Picture Association of America Byrd to The Beatles" (2005) rating is R - restricted. Under 17 Delightful concert with the requires accompanying parent or amazing sIx-man English a adult guardian. (Buena Vista capella group, the King's Singers Home Entertainment)

Friday, May 5, 2006 ally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of Amer'ica rating is R - restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying par~nt or adult guardian. " "Stick It" (Touchstone) High-energy but formulaic teen sports movie about a 17-year-old former world-c1a~s gymnast (Missy Peregrym) who, after a run-in with the law, is sent by the court, as an alternative to juvenile detention, to a hard-cOre gymnastics academy, where a tough-love coach (Jeff Bridges) pelps her get a second chance at the sport from which she had walked away. Stylishly directed l!>y Jessica

Bendinger, the film's cliched plot is thinner than the sport's balance beam and capped with an implausible ending, but Peregrym radiates perky charm and its girlpower message of second chances, fellowship and self-validation offsets its contrarian strains of thumbing your nose at the rules.

Some crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 - parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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lCaa\VSUllltes NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the u.s.

Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Akeelah and the Bee" (Lionsgate) Irresistible story about a South Los Angeles ll-year-old loner (Keke Palmer) who reluctantly agrees to compete in a national spelling bee - under the tutelage of an emotionally fragile English professor (Laurence Fishburne) against the initial wishes of her hardworking mother (Angela Bassett), who worries the endeavor will interfere with the girl's flagging grades in other subjects. Writer-director Doug Atchison handles Akeelah's journey of self-discovery and growing empowerment deftly and builds suspense on the way to a satisfying if unabashedly formulaic conclusion, helped by his first-rate leads, and inspiring messages about conquering fears, winning by honest means,

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

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

the strength of community, and, above all, the beauty and potency of words. A few crass expressions and a single use of a four-letter word can't detract from an overall warm endorsement for all audiences. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I general patronage: The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

"RV" (Columbia) Intermittently funny road comedy about an overworked executive (Robin Williams) who, for job-related reasons, canc~ls a long-planned family holiday in Hawaii and instead loads his wife (Cheryl Hines) and kids (Joanna "JoJo" Levesque and Josh Hutcherson) into a malfunctioning motor home and drives from Los Angeles to Colorado, with much comic mayhem along the way. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and with a subdued Williams in top jester form, this knockoff of "National Lampoon's Vacation" is.full of silly slapstick and broad, if harmless, humor and imparts a warm message about family bonding.' Some mildly crude humor, including a gross-out scatological sight gag, sexual innuendo, and scattered crass language and light profanity. Th~ USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

"Silent Hill" (TriStar) Bleak and surreal supernatural thriller about a mother. (Radha Mitchell) whose desperate search for her missing daughter (Jodelle Ferland) leads her to a haunted ghost town - ravaged by tire 30 years earlier - where she faces demonic forces and the town~s evil past to get her child back.

Suffused with religious motifs, director Christophe Gans' journey through hell abounds with nightmarish visions worthy of Dante, but in exploring themes of faith, fanaticism and motherhood the film, which starts out eerily intriguing, eventually descends into confusion and the gore of its videogame roots, ending on a perplexing note that will leave you, like the haunted hamlet, in a fog.

Intensely disturbing and bloody horror images, including a graphic scene of a woman burnt alive, some violence, including a savage off-screen beating, fleeting partial nudity, and recurring rough and crude language and profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is 0 - mor-

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PRACTICE nlE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, I'

AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On December 19, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for the ~alvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades~; and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the' IS mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

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

Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be rece!ved at either the mor"ing or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

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Friday, May 5, 2006 ~\:.,~-.:::?:~

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THESE STUDENTS from Taunton Catholic Middle School were among many who participated in the school's recent Heifer Project where funds were raised to help end hunger and poverty around the globe. Clockwise from left are: Elizabeth Wieczorek, Veronica King, Jennifer Harrington, Jacqueline Maras, Leah Caratazzola and Vanessa Binda.

THESE FOURTH-GRADERS from St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro donned attire to depict a president of the United States for a recent school project. History teacher Linda Betro also organized a Show and Tell so her students could share what they learned with classmates and parents.

SEVENTH-GRADERS from Holy Trinity School in West Harwich prepare meals for the Noah Shelter in Hyannis. In addition to making sandwiches for those in need, students also raised money to buy the supplies themselves.

THE SIXTH-GRADE Basketball Team from St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro, will soon be competing in the New England Championship where they will take on other teams in the Catholic Athletic League. Front from left, Michael Skerry, Connor Harrington, Paul Salvaggion, Christian Tinory and Justin Gilbert. Back from left, Christopher Adams, Brenden Fowler, Matt Boland and Noah Bridgestock. .~'

BISHOP STANG High Schocl students set up cardboard houses for a recent overnight stay on its football field to raise awareness about the homeless. The "Cardboard Tent City" project is one of several Faith in Action service projects at the North Dartmouth school. More than 100 students and teachers participated and in doing so raised nearly $4,000 for the needy including Catholic school students affected by Hurricane Katrina.

171

Friday, May 5, 2006

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Papal message, speech by Cherie Blair, open plenary on young people VATICAN CITY (CNS)With a hard-hitting message from Pope Benedict XVI and some practical advice frOIl) mother-of-four .Cherie Blair, the Vatican opened a conference dedicated to the challenges facing young people today.

The April 28-May 2 plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was dedicated to the theme: "Vanishing Youth?

Solidarity With Children and Young People in an Age ofTurbulence." .

Blair, the wife of British Prime MinisterTony Blaff, waS a surprise guest at the opening session and spoke about her experience as a human rights lawyer, a Catholic and a mother.

One ofher main points was that parents today need to carve time from their busy schedules and invest it in conversations with their children.

The adult-child relationship must be based not on "dogmatic assertion" but on love and listening, she said. The Church's role, she said, is not just to prescribe a set ofrules but to encourage youths to listen to their own consciences and look at social reality with an informed eye.

In his message to participants, the pope said young people are by nature receptive, generous, idealistic and open to transcendence.

But he said many of them today grow up in a society "forgetful of God" and driven by a materialistic vision of life and happiness.

In family life, he said, the lack of creative love has.caused many marriages to fail and birthrates to fall significantly.

"It is children and young people who are often the first to experience路the consequences of this eclipse of love and hope. Often, instead of feeling loved and cherished, they appear to be merely tolerated," he said.

The pope also tOtlched on one of the themes taken up by the conference - the so-called "demographic winter" in many developed countries.

While statistics on population growth are open to interpretation, the pope said, there is general agreement that the planet is witnessing two significant and interconnected trends: an increase in life expectancy and a decrease in birthrates.

"As societies are growing older, many nations or groups of nations lack a sufficient number of yoUng people to renew their population," he said.

The session was chaired by Mary Ann Glendon, a Harvard law professorand presidentofthe academy, who pointed out that a panel. of young people had been invited to attend the conference and give their own feedback at the end Introducing the conference agenda, academy member Pierpaolo Donati said the economic and technological changes related to globalization have helped put children at risk in many ways: - the manipulation ofhurnan procreation; - a weakening of the transmission of cultural values; - the erosion of the family, which removes many of the pritruiry protections provided for children.

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Discerning what is possib.le

By CHARLIE MARTIN UPSIDEDOWN Whos to say What s impossible Well they forgot This world keeps spinning And with each new day I can feel a change in ev'erything And as the surface breaks reflections fade But in some ways they remain the same And as my mind begins to spread its wings There s no stopping curiosity.

I want to turn the whole thing upside down I'll find the things they say just can't be found l'll share this love I find with everyone We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature s songs I don't want this feeling to go away.

Whos to say I can't do everything .

Well I can try .

And as I roll along I begin to find Things aren't always just what they seem. .

I want to turn the whole thing upside down . l'llfind the things they say just can't be found l'll share this love I find with everyone We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature s songs This world keeps spinning, and there s no time to waste Well it all keeps spinning 'round and 'round and 'round.

Upside down Who s to say what s impossible and can't be found I don't want this feeling to go away.

Please don't go away Please don't go away

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE I'

Please don't go away Is this how its supp~sed to be It this how its suppo;ed to be?

Sung by .Tack Johnson Copyright c 2006 by ,Universal I was a bit surprised to see a song from the soundtrack about a monkey make Billboard's Top 100. I should not have been. Jack Johnson's musical popularity is growing rapidly. His latest release is "Upside Down" off his CD of songs from the current animation "Curious George." .

Johnson has made the change from the beaches ofthe professional surfer to the recording studio Of a rock/pop personality. His story conveys well the song's opening lyrics: "M'ho's to say what's impossibleT' .

Discerning what is possible and what is truly beyond one's reach is not easy to do. But as I listen to others, Ihave noticed that it,js more common to err on the side ofcaution than on overreaching one's apilities. Also, when it comes to life's highest achievers, what stands out is their willingness to test what their limits actually are rather than to accept pre-determined definitions. They find ways to get beyond both outh and inner voices that say, "You can't do that!"

For example, let's say you love animals. You know you would enjoy working as a veterinat.1an. Yet, you .

also realize it might be difficult to get into vet school. Furthennore, the required college preparation prior to vet school is rigorous in science, especially biology and chemistry. Can you do it? The truth is, you don't know, but those who eventually graduate from vet school move beyond doubt to find out what their abilities can make possible.

God placed within your soul a special divine purpose that only you can act upon. Your biggest clue to discovering God's purpose is to notice what you really, realIy love to do. Think about what you do naturally that brings you joy. Then, consider how you might develop this passion in a way of life that supports your own welI-being and serves others.

As the song says, 'There's no stopping curiosity." Thus, you need to be curious about your potential.

Often, developing innate abilities requires taking risks. Ofcourse, there are all sorts ofrisks. Consider the difference between the risk involved in driving around without-buckling your seat belt and the risk of taking a challenging math class that will help you get into your first choice of colIeges.

The fonner endangers your life and clearly is not wise. The latter affinns howyour life could expand and grow.

When I speak to others, especially teens, I encourage them to set their goals high. This can be done only if you accept t:he possibility of failure, but do not allow this fear to limit what could be attained.

Listen to your desires, be curious about how they could develop your life. Then formulate practical steps that you can folIow one at a time toward a goal.

God gave you many, many abilities.

Comments are always welcome ,at chmartin@swindiana.net.

II

Begin today Spring, at last. It's the Easter season. Warmer days, longer days, sunnier days. The grass is turning green, flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. All these are signs of new life, signs of a new beginning - a renewed hope, a promise of a new life. Jesus is risen. Jesus is truly risen.

It's very exciting to begin something new. Ambitions can hardly be contained. That's the impression I get sometimes from young people who have just celebrated their confmnation. They are so eager to get involved and begin their Christian adult life in the Church that they want to go out and do great things. Take it easy. .

It's the small and simple things that matter most. Mother Teresa said it best; ''None of us can do anything great on our own, but we can all do a small thing with great love."

Patience is indeed a virtue. Only God knows what you can do best for others. You only need to let

yourselves be his instrument. .Last month, we celebrated confirmation in our parish. For two years we have been sharing with our young parishioners that confmnation is only a beginning.

It's not an end, not a graduation.

It's a continuationof living a sacramental life. During their confirmation retreat closing Mass in March, Father John Codega shared a story of a young man who was asked, "What is a sacrament?"

The young man replied, "A sacrament is God taking tinte from his busy schedule just to be with me."

Wow. I believe the young people ofour parish took that very seriously. A third of them joined our youth ministry. After eight or nine years of formal faith foimation they were ready to do "real work" in the Church. There is no spring break for them. God's work

faithjourney. It's a new life for-you at the time? What irnpPrtance and in our Catholic Church. So, be influence did they have in your excited,. be ambitious, but be life? I have experienced first hand prudent. Start off in small ways, that young people who are but do them with the greatest of "involved" share more freely, care and the greatest of love. The without fear, their pef$onal world seems cruel at times and you feelings, social concerns and their _ _-._ faith. Being involved even want to go out there and make things good again. Yes, our world makes'participating at needs fixing, lots of it. But"start Mass easier because there with yourSelf first, and then be is a greater agpreciation there for those you love and care for and underStanding of for the most - your family and the eucharistic celebraI' .your friends. You will see that tion. They unaerstand these "baby steps" will have a community ~d that they good and positive outcome. To live are a part of it, living stones in communion with your confmnation is to go into the world and become a witness and one another. Ws like disciple of Christ. Begin today. school; the more you're involved, instructing the young. They are Accept the renewed hope. Live the like extra-eurricula activities, for living their sacramental life. I invite promise of a new life. You can't be example, the more Y6~ appreciate you to do the same. "Give and it that busy with other things. God is your school, your education and will be given to you" (Lk 6:38). never too busy for you.

I invite those who have been the effort it takes to a~omplish Happy Easter and God bless. confirmed to think back to the time youtgoa)s.

OWe Pacheco is Faith Many people view the sacraof your confirmation, and all the ment of confirmation'as the end; it Formation director at Santo talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. What did it all mean to you .' really is only the be~g of yow' Christo Parish, Fall River.

is not to be put on hold. Their first task at hand is stewardship - the giving of themselves and the . sharing of their gifts:Their youth .calendar will be filled with visitations to the sick, helping to feed the hungry, clothing the naked and

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you for your commitment to this school project and for all of your hard work in support of it."

The bishop also mentioned his thanks to Frank Wm:d, the major financial contributor to the school, who was also present.

Acting president of the school's board of directors Atty.

Mark Boudreau said that the Board was "very happy to have the bishop and the school superintendent tour the facility."

He explained, "It provided us with an opportunity to show how things are taking shape, what's already in place, and what's still planned." . At one point in the building tour, Bishop Coleman said that he remembers during his tenure as the diocesan director ofeducation, from 1977to 1985, he thought that there would be a sufficient number of students for tuition income to cover operational expenses of a Catholic high school, "but that the challenge was the great capital outlay needed to build a school from scratch."

He noted that the availability and acquisition of the former Grade Five School building al-

leviated that major obstacle to being able to offer a Catholic high sc~ool on the Cape.

The physical plant is only one part of any school, however, and work continues in other areas as well to prepare for a successful launch of the school next year.

Earlier this month a principal. was hired, to begin working in the summer with diocesan education officialS' to develop the school's curriculum, ancillary activities and programs, and a m~keting plan.

The school's board of directors all the while continues fundraising for the school to meet its. overall goal of $10 million for the cost of the building and the necessary renovations.

Bishop Coleman looks forward to the directors attaining their goal and to the transfer of the building to the diocese.

In September 2007 the Pope John Paul II High School will open with a freshmen class and will then expand one grade level each year, offering a full fouryear secondary Catholic education by 2010.

Pope asks Jesuits to focus on . teaching, research, dialogue VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Invoking the Jesuits' special vow to fulfill missions assigned by the . pope, Pope Benedict XVI asked the Society of Jesus to concentrate on teaching and research in theology and philosophy, dialogue with modern culture and the Christian education of future generations.

Pope Benedict met with hundreds of Jesuits and their collaborators last week in St. Peter's Basilica after a Mass honoring three of the first members of the order: commemorating the'45Oth anniversary of the death of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the order's founder, aJ\d 'the SOOth anniversary of the b!rths of two of his first

companions: St. Francis Xavier and Blessed Peter Faber.

Pope Benedict asked the Jesuits to continue to be faithful to that vow so that "the urgent, current needs" of the Church could be met.

Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, superior general of the order,. thanked the pope for his affection and trust in the Society of Jesus.

He told the pope that .it was right for the order to honor the three early Jesuits and "see them as enlightened and secure guides for our spiritual journey and our apostolic activity even though the times and circumstances in which we live and work have changed . radically."

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BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman, top photo, center, congratulates former diocesan Superintendent of Schools James McNamee, left, and Bishop Stang High School Teacher Susan D. Negri, who'were honored by the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate with the John Cardinal O'Connor Award for the Gospel of Life. The ceremony, held April 29 at White's of Westport, recognized .McNamee and Negri for their contributions to the Pro-Life Cause. At right, Richard Doerflinger, guest speaker and deputy director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life activities for the U~S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, encourages the diocese's fine efforts in upholding the dignity of all life. (Eric Rodrigues. photos)

Pope Benedict XVI raising standards for beatification VATICAN (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI has called for tighter limits on the number of candidates for beatification, in a message to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. In a long letter to Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Benedict said that a cause should not be opened unless there is "a proven reputation for holiness." The pope's letter was sent on April 24, as the Congregation opened its plenary meeting; the text was"released by the Vatican on April 27.

The Holy Father said that the Church should carefully refine the definition of martyrdom, in light of changing world conditions. He explained that persecutors today usually claim that they are not hostile to the faith, "but manufacture different reasons - for example, political or social ones."

Nevertheless, the pope continued, if the persecutor is not motivated by ,Odium fidei. there is no real martyrdom in accordance with the perennial theological and juridical doctrine of the Church."

A martyr must suffer for the faith, the pope added, and the cause for beatification must include evidence that. the candidate accepted that suffering willingly. These criteria would make it more difficult to affirm the martyrdom of a Church official .who died under uncertain circumstances - for example, a missionary killed in a terrorist attack - when there is no clear evidence that the killers were motivated by hatred for Christianity, or that the victim accepted his own death.

Pop~ Benedict asked the Congregation to main·tain rigorous standards in examining reports of o

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miracles. Both scientists and theologians should study the reports, he said, although "the decisive judgment falls to theology, which alone is capable of interpreting miracles in the light of the faith."

He added that "unbroken Church practice establishes the need for a physical miracle; ~ moral miracle is not enough."

The pope's instructions also called for more active involvement of diocesan bishops in the causes of saints. It was in order to expand the role of the dioceses, Pope Benedict said, that he has allowed for beatification ceremonies to be held in different places, with the local bishops presiding.

That practice, he added, serves to underline the "substantial difference ·between the celebration of . beatification and that of canonization," since only the Roman Pontiff can preside at a canonization.

The change in beatification procedures was formally announced by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in a new set of norms released last November, which also covered the conduct of diocesan investigations into candidates for beatification. Pope Benedict said that the need for those norms was established by the experience of more than 20 years since Pope John Paul II promulgated Divinus Peifectionis Magister, an apostolic constifution of 1983 establishing the norms for'beatification inquiries. "From her beginnings the Church has dedicated great attention to the procedures that elev.ate Servants of God to the glory of the altars," the pope wrote in his letter. The latest revision of the norms, he said, should "safeguard the seriousness of investigations."

..

Friday, May 5, 2006

Physician EUCHARISTIC ADORATION NEW BEDFORD - Perpetual eucharistic adoration is held at Our Lady's Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street. New adorers are welcome. _For more information call Laurie Larsen-Silva at 508-888-7751.

low in the church hall where guest speaker Linda Pacheco from the District Attomey's office will address the group. For information call Normand Valiquette at 508-6728174.

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW BEDFORD - Confessions are heard every Friday night from 5:45-6:30 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. They are preceded by eucharistic adoration at 4: 15 p.m.

Mass is celebrated at 5: 15 p.m. For information call 508-993-1691.

ATTLEBORO - The annual Pro~Life Living Rosary will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street. The Massachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus will sponsor it. Mass will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m.

Public adoration of the Eucharist in observance of the feast of Our Lady of Fatima will take place May 12 in the chapel of the Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street, beginning with rosary prayer at 9 a.m. and conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 3 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at noon. For information call 508-2384095.

The La Salette Retreat House, 947 Park Street, offers grief education programs with a professional facilitator. Sessions give individuals the opportunity to leam, explore feelings in a confidential setting and find ways to cope during painful times. For information call 508222-8530.

NORTH EASTON -

HEALING MASSES ATTLEBORO - A Hispanic healing service will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette.

La Salette FatherJohn Sullivan will . lead it and music will be provided

by St. Charles Music Ministry. For more information call 508-2225410.

ATTLEBORO -

FALL RIVER -Catholic Social Services seeks Portuguesespeaking volunteers to work with elders in a group setting once a week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a local parish. For more information call Juraci Capataz at 508-6744681.

SOCIAL EVENTS

FALL RIVER - A healing Mass will be celebrated at St. Anne's Church, 818 Middle Street, on May i 1 at 6:30 p.m. Rosary begins at 6 p.m. Benediction and healing prayers follow the Mass.

OSTERVILLE - A luncheon and fashion show, sponsored by the Our Lady of the Assumption Women's Guild, will be held June 1at 11 :30 a.m. at the Wianno Club.

Fashions will be provided by Appleseeds of Mashpee Commons. For information call 508428-3933.

LECTURElPRESENTATIONS

SUPPORT GROUPS

BREWSTER - The Lazarus Ministry Group of Our Lady of the Cape Parish will conduct the bereavement program, "Come Walk With Me," tonight, May 12, 19, 26 and June 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. For information call Happy Whitman at 508-385-3252.

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

FALL RIVER - The Fall River Area Men's First Friday Club meets tonight at 6 p.m. at Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street.

Mass will be celebrated by Father Freddie Babiczuk. A meal will fol-

NORTH DARTMOUTH -

Thank you -Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Jude.

Favor granted.

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Continued from page one

scription medicines. would be at a loss," she com- She offered gratitude to those, like students from Bristol Community At other times she herself trav- mented. els out to treat those in outlying "We're fortunate to have Fa- College, who, under the leadervillages, including the frail eld- ther Paul Canuel and Father Craig ship of Dominican Sister Faye erly, unable to make the trip to the Pregana serving the mission par- Medina, carried 18 suitcases of medicines on a recent visit to clinic. ishes too."

"I walk most of the time," Dr. According to Sister Carrascal, Guaimaca.

Dr. Barahona said she looks forBarahona said. "Yes, it rains a lot several area apothecaries as well and the travel can take us through as pharmaceutical agencies and ward during her stay to meeting much mud, but there isn't much hospitals regularly donate medi- those who have volunteered their assistance to supporting the other transportation and that's cines for the Guaimaca clinic.

"We gather the medicines here Guaimacan Mission in many ways what life is like in Guaimaca."

Asked what the most common in Dighton and we then ship them as well as those benefactors who illnesses and ailments are, Dr. out to the mission," she explained. have helped make it successful.

Barahona said, "Many and all kinds. First, there is little hygiene.

We have to teach the people to Continued from page one wash and bathe their children.

Many inoculations are given." ing directed solely to Catholic Donations to the Appealcan be While there is the normal need Charities endeavors, with 94 cents sent to the Catholic Charities Apfor prenatal care, nevertheless, she ofevery dollar going directly to the peal Office, P.O. Box 1470, Fall spends much time in pediatrics. agencies and apostolates funded by River, MA 02722; dropped offat She said the lack of meat and vegthe Appeal," Donly stated. any parish in the diocese; or made etables "cater to much malnutrition This annual Appeal is the only on the Appeal Website: - especially among children time during the year the diocese www.frdioc-catholiccharities.org. and it brings other problems."

For more information visit asks its parishioners and friends Those and others with serious to come together to fund the the Website or contact the Apillnesses like diabetes and cancer, charitable works of the diocese. peal Office at 508-675-1311. contribute to what amounts to a whopping 1,000 patients she sees monthly.

STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES "Many are Catholic, but not all.

2005 CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL We treat everybody who comes.

They pay 50 cents a visit, if they can afford it. For that they receive I. TOTAL RECEIVED 2005 APPEAL $4,072,724.06 treatment and get the needed medications. If they cannot afford II. DISBURSEMENTS, Made or Allocated the 50 cents, we treat them anyFiscal Year beginning July 1, 2005 way," Dr. Barahona said.

Diet is much to路blame for the (1) SOCIAL SERVICE & CHILD CARE widespread sicknesses. The coma.

Catholic Social Service $1,428,000.00 mon fare for most families is a b.

St. Vincent's Camp $ 40,000.00 baked tortilla or flat cake made of c.

Diocesan Apostolates to com flour and water. People eat Immigrants $ 252,525.00 beans and rice when they can afd.

Catholic Youth Organization $ 90,000.00 ford them, she said. Chicken is the e.

St. Vincent's Home $ 125,000.00 usual meat but that too is beyond many families' means. $1,935,525.00 One of the most common ailments comes from a lack of po(2) APOSTOLATES TO THE SICK table water, Dr. Barahona exa.

Pastoral Ministry to the Sick $ 685,000,00 plained. "Although there are attempts to purify the drinking wa$ 685,000.00 ter, it has not substantially been addressed," she indicated.

(3) EDUCATION "As a result there is widespread $ 300,000.00 a.

Diocesan Education Center stomach and digestive infec$ 70,000.00 b.

Scholarship Aid Program tions," she commented.

Another illness that rises in in$ 370,000.00 digenous poor populations is tuberculosis. "It is most common (4) PASTORAL ENDEAVORS because many live in small areas a. Dioqesan Family Life $ 154,200,00 together," she related through Sisb.

Charities Appeal Office $ 205,024.93 ter Carrascal. c.

Office of AIDS Ministry $ 194,000,00 Apart from that are common d, Liturgical $ 23,218.37 respiratory ailments brought on by e. Permanent Diaconate $ 80,400.00 constantly breathing the smoke of $ 87,780.00 f. Campus Ministry cooking stoves and trash burning g.

Communications $ 83,800.00 as well as dusty conditions when $ 85,222.00 h.

Youth Ministry, Scout the land dries out. $ 54,100.00 i. Office for Religious While she is the only physician j. Pro-t.ife Activities $ 61;200.00 at the clinic, she praised the work k.

Office for Pastoral Planning $ 90,000.00 of Dominican Sister Maria $ 4,000,00 I. Stewardship Ceballos, who is a nurse-practi$ 21,000.00 m.RCIA tioner and who founded the clinic; and nurse Pamela Newton, a na$1.143.945.30 tive of Colorado. Two others, Mirna Chavez and Marvin Ortega, TOTAL $4,134,470.30 assist at the clinic, which in essence is a converted cinderblock III. PROCEEDS OF 2 0 0 5 $ 4 , 0 7 2 , 7 2 4 . 0 6 classroom.

DISBURSEMENTS MADE OR ALLOCATED $4,134.470.30 "We would not be able to do the work we do without them," Deficit $ (61,746.24) she said. "And if it were not for the medicines we receive, we

Appeal

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Friday, May 5, 2006

Trust in God's mercy should be central to all Christians, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) Trust in God's divine mercy was central to the teaching of Pope John Paul IT and should be central to the faith and prayer of every Christian, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Marking Divine Mercy Sunday April 23, Pope Benedict also prayed that God's blessings of reconciliation and peace would be 'given to all people.

Reciting the "Regina Coeli" prayer at midday, he wished a happy Easter to Orthodox and Eastern-rite Catholics celebrating Jesus' resurrection according to the Julian calendar.

In his main talk, the pope fo-

cused on the Gospel accounts of the risen Lord appearing to his disciples and showing them the physical signs of his crucifixion.

"Those sacred wounds on his hands, feet and side are inexhaustible founts of faith, hope and love which everyone can draw from, especially the souls most thirsty for divine mercy," he said.

The pope prayed that Christians would mark every Sunday as the feast of the Lord's resurrection, experiencing "the beauty of an encounter with the risen Lord and drawing from the fount of his merciful love in order to be apostles of his peace."

JACK WELDON, executive director of St. Vincent's Home in Fall Riyer, far right, stands with some of the recent recipients of the Home's annual Kaleidoscope Awards.

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Enclose check or money order and mail to: The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722 This Message Sponsored by the Following Business Concerns In the Diocese of Fall River GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY FEITELBE;RG INSURANCE AGENCY "C.-

St. Vincent's Home recognizes' dedicated community supporters FALL RIVER - St. Vincent's Home recently hosted its third annual Kaleidoscope Awards Ceremony to honor two dedicated individual community supporters as well as a team of medical professionals.

Heather Bernard and Judy Walsh were individually recognized for extending themselves in very special ways as professional partners with the staff, youth and families of St. Vincent's Home.

The Cardiovascular Team at Children's Hospital in Boston received a commendation for their collective support during an extended illness ofone ofthe Home's youth. A fourth tribute award was presented to Claudia Motta, as one ofthe oldest living fonner residents of St. Vmcent's Home.

Heather Bernard, Fall River Department ofSocial ServicesFor many years, Bernard has worked to ensure that youth and families receive the very best in care and services and has supported St. Vincent's, knowing that we share a common vision.

Bernard's investment in her families, honesty, and her ability to use her creative thinking arejust a few examples of how she shares her time and talent with the agency.

Her nomination reflected personal and professional qualities of being respectful, insightful in her judgment and passionate about her work. Bernard was acknowledged for the many ways in which she goes above and beyond her responsibilities, such as driving families to appointments and visits and meeting with families outside of the nonnal 9-5 schedule.

Judy Walsh, Therapist, Family Services of Fall River Walsh has partnered with St. Vincent's through a Family Service affiliation for the past nine years and previously through other agency affIliations. Walsh's nomination reflected that her expertise, wisdom and insight ben-

efits not only the particular children and families she serves, but also the combined St. Vincent's and Family Services staff teams.

Walsh brings amazing ability to convey nonjudgmental care and acceptance of both clients and coworkers. Her presence is unique and special; she conveys a quiet spirituality in her way of being with others and is able to create a therapeutic moment out of the most simple of interactions.

The Cardiovascular Team, Children's Hospital, Boston This amazing team of more than 20 professionals, including nurses, doctors, trauma specialists, clergy and clinical social workers helped to support a critically ill youth throughout an extended illness and passing. The youth was given the highest quality of care, compassion and support. They all truly made a difference in the life of a child and for the St. Vmcent's staff who worked at the hospital for many months.

Their effective connection and collaboration with agency staff was critical in the life of this child.

Claudia Motta - As one of the oldest living fonner residents of St. Vincent's, Motta's life story

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resounds with the lessons and experiences of her time at the Home.

Motta and her four brothers lived at St. Vincent's for many years.

When she turned 16, she left to work and rent a small house near St. Vincent's. As soon as she was able to, Motta cared for her four young brothers to raise them as if she were their mother. Motta's discipline of hard work, strength of purpose and the need for determination has marked all her life.

Throughout her life, she has cared for many others and offered a home to those in need. Motta was honored for her generosity of spirit, resilience and dedication to others.

The Kaleidoscope Awards are an outgrowth of the agency's annual Mission Awards, which are given to recognize the compassionate ways in which employees and friends ofSt. Vincent's Home have made a difference in the lives of the children and families the agency serves. With an increasing number of nominees each year of community partners and volunteers, St. Vincent's Home decided to create a specific award, the Kaleidoscope Award, to recognize these individuals expressly.

RAFFLE CO-CHAIRMEN Noreen Mendes and Grace DeSanto display two of the quilted holiday table runners that will be raffled off at tomorrow's DCCW Convention at St. Anthony's Church in Taunton.