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Southeastern Mass.ach~setts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

FALL RIVER, MASS.

VOL. 50;- NO. 19 • Friday, May 12, 2006

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'Choose Life' license plates effort takes a new tack in- Massachusetts By

DEACON JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

WAKEFIELD, Mass. "Where there's a will there is a way," might well be Merry Nordeens' personal motto.

The 43-year-old Wakefield resident, whose effort in recent years to get the Massachusetts Legislature's~upportfor issuing specialty motor vehicle license plates with a Respect.Life slogan found slim support, is at it again.

But this time the method has

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changed.

"It's exciting because earlier this month I found out that what used to be a legislative process requiring the filing of a bill - _ if you wanted to be a charity and the recipient of funds from specialty plates - has become an administrative process," Nordeen told The Anchor last week.

To be eligible she then faced-· a choice: to either submit 1,500 Turn to page J8 - Plate

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THE MAY DAY tradition was blooming at Seton Academy for Girls in Fall River recently when students from the preschool, kindergarten, and Grade One presented a May Flower to parishioners of St. Joseph's Palrish, Fall River. The custom of giving flowers on May Day dates back centuries and signifies affection for one's neighbors. With some of the students is St. Joseph's pastor, Father John J. Perry.

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The Anchor would love to see your May Day and first Com,munion photos. Send them to·The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fal/River, ,MA 02722, or E-mail them, in a .jpg format, to theanchor@anchornews.org.

Retiring St. Michael's pastor says he's always been a happy priest >

Father Luis A. Cardoso advises those discerning a priestly vocation to be ready for a life ofgiving.

Editor's note: This begins a series on diocesan pastors who will be retiring this year.

By

DEACON JAMES

N.

Although he studied for the priesthood and was ordained in the Azores, "I was ordained for the Fall River diocese. At that time, Msgr. Augusto L. Furtado had made arrangements with Msgr. Humberto L. Medeiros, later to become a cardinal, to bring priests from the Azores to

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER Unlike many of his seminarian col)eagues of yesteryear, Father Luis A. Cardoso will be a couple of years in retirement when he hopefully celebrates his 50th anniversary in 2008.

Now 75 and a priest for 48 years, Father Cardoso will formally retire this month and l~ave St. Michael's Parish, where he has been pastor for 10 years.

"I got a late start and was 15 whenJ entered the minor seminary in Terceira, the Azores, in 1950, while the others had been studying there since age 12," Father Cardoso The Anchor.

"I was ordained a priest on June 15, 1958 at the Cathedral of Angra in Terceira by Bishop D. Manuel Carvalho, so my 50th is still to come," he explained.

Catholic Scouting programs benefit from Ch~rities Appeal Editor's note: This begins a series on local diocesan agencies that benefit from the generous donations made by the diocesan faithful to the Catholic Charities Appeal.

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

FATHER LUIS

A. CARDOSO

the Fall River diocese. I came to this country in September 1958, three months afterordination, and became parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in New Bedford."

Nine years later he was assigned to Immaculate ConcepTum to page J8 - Priest

FALL RIVER- The Catholic Charities Appeal helps many agencies within the diocese including the Catholic Scouting Program for boys and girls. Although one of the lesser known benefactors of the annual drive, the Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs are making a positive impact on more than 600 young Catholics through the Religious Emblem program and its annual retreat.

'The Catholic Scouting Programs ~e important activities that touch the lives of young people in our diocese," said Michael 1. Donly, director of Development for the diocese. 'They provide spiritual direction and give Scouts ties to their parish and family."

The Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs shape and guide the lives of young people giving them positive virtues to follow and making them better citizens as they have done for decades in the diocese according to Father Stephen B. Salvador, diocesan chaplain for Scouting.

"Our diocese was one of the first to incorporate the Scouting program in this country and it continues to build

a healthy spirit within youth today," said Father Salvador. "It helps young people become better responsible citizens; it's an opportunity to build friendships; and gets families and parents involved."

The Appeal helps support the Religious Emblem program which runs from October through March. Scouts of various ages are eligible to participate and work towards earning one of several special medals awarded

by Bishop George W. Coleman at the annual Scout Mass.

Girl Scouts pursuing the awards are learning about the importance of themselves and their families to God. They are also learning to go OlJt into the world and share that faith with others. Older girls are encouraged to become stronger in their faith and use Mary as a role model.

Boy Scouts work on developing a Christian lifestyle thr9ugh the sacraments. Older scouts learn about ministries of the Church, vocations and committing themselves to serve and help others.

Pat Latinville, a parishioner of SS. Peter & Paul PaAsh, Fall River, enjoys working with Girl Scouts and helping them earn religious emblems. "I've been invblved with Scouting for 19 years and enjoy sharing my faith with them." A former Girl Scout, Latinville encouraged her daughter to join the group and said the benefits for both were tremendous.

"It teaches girls to have a better outlook on life, gives .

Turn to page 1J - Scouts

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Sense of urgency: Pope Pius XII supporters await prog~ess on cause

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - With the 50th anniversary of the death of Pope Pius XII coming up in two years, supporters of his sainthood cause are growing a little impatient.

They're also growing older. The generation of Church people who lived and worked with Pope Pius is quietly passing from the scene.

That may have accounted, in part, for the sense of urgency among those who gathered recently at Rome's Pontifical Lateran University to hear new evidence of Pope Pius' virtues and denounce the "continuous attacks" from those who fault him for not doing enough to help Jews during World War II. The feisty tone was set by Italian Cardinal Fiorenza Angelini, 89, a personal friend of the late pontiff. After listening to a Vatican envoy read a message from Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, in praise of Pope Pius, Cardinal Angelini asked the monsignor to take a message back to his superiors.

"Pius XII must be declared a saint! Admiration isn't enoughpeople need to get moving!" he said to applause from the packed auditorium.

"Too much time has already passed," he said. . The suspicion among many in the room was that Vatican officials long ago placed Pope Pius on the slow track because he is a controversial figure whose beatification could cause problems.

But on that score, the audience received some good news. Jesuit Father Peter Gumpel, who has assembled evidence in support of the cause, said the Vatican's saint-making machinery may be grinding toward a conclusion of this cause.

In late 2004, he said, experts handed in documentation totaling more than 3,000 pages in six volumes. Earlier this year, two preliminary meetings of historians and theologians were held to review the documentation.

Father Gumpel said that, de-

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spite some "errors and misguided suggestions" from one of the four historians and some scrupulous queries from some of the nine theologians, the overall assessment was very positive.

Father Gumpel is preparing written answers to their questions, and before the summer he expects a definitive meeting on the cause.

If the historians and theologians approve it, it goes to the full Congregation for Saints' Causes for similar approval, then to Pope Benedict for an ultimate decision. .Once Pope Pius' heroic virtues are declared, the Church must recognize two miracles attributed to his intercession, one before his beatification and another before' his canonization.

Criticism of Pope Pius has grown more shrill in recent years, . according to Father Gumpel, who blames "communists, Masons and other fringe groups that are hostile to the Church."

Like many Church people in Rome, Father Gumpel is convinced that Pope Pius worked quietly to help save many Jews during the war and that strong public statements by the pope would only have worsened the Nazi persecution.

The Rome conference heard from two people who agree - a rabbi and a nun.

U.S. Rabbi David G. Dalin whose book, "The Myth of Hitler's Pope: How Pope Pius XII Rescued Jews From the Nazis," takes aim at what he says is the smearing of Pope Pius - said he . has documented dozens of instances where the pope spoke against Nazism and helped save Jews from deportation.

Sister Margherita Marchione, a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini order in Morristown, N.J., unveiled the latest in a series of books she has written defending Pope Pius.

Titled "Crusade of Charity," it includes a sampling of the 10 million letters from families - Christian and Jewish - many of which express deep gratitude to the pope for his efforts.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FAll RJ'y.ER

.r.;,<> .1, Published weekly except tor two weeks in July and the W~R after Christmas by the Catholic PreSS of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508·675·7151 - FAX 508·675·7048, E:mail: theanchor@anchomews.Qrg, SUbscription Price~ mail, . $14.Q2"per y Send address changes to·P.O. Box 7, Fall River,'MA, c e E-mail add Member: Catholic Press Association, New England Press Association, Catholic News Service PUBLISHER· Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father RogerJ.l.andry ~ry@ancbOmews.o

EOlTORDavid B. Jolivet "davejOlivet~1fichornew$.Otg NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jlmdunbat@anchornEJ\l\1s.org REPORTER OFFICE MANAGER

Michael Gordon Mary Chase

mikegordQl1@ancllomews.org marychase@anchornEJ\l\1$.Org

Send Letters to the Editor'to: theanchor@anchOmews.org·iM POSTMASrERS send address changes to The Anchor, .eO. Box 7,Pall Rivet,MA. 02722.

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FORMER SWISS Guards are pictured near the Italian town' of Acquapendente while marching from Switzerland to Rome in celebration of the 500th anniv~rsary of t~e. founding of the corps. In the 10th century, the town of Acquapendente was. a popular. q,nqimpprtant stop for pilgrims traveling along the famous Via Francigena route on their way toSt. Peter's Basilica in Rome. (CNS photo/Carol Glatz)

Former Swiss Guards show humor, tenacity in 439.-milem,arc,h,.to Rome ",

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By CAROL GLATZ· CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE' ACQUAPENDENTE, Italy If it hadn't been for the c1ippetyclop of two mounted horses trotting over the asphalt, passers-by never would have heard the three divisions of former Swiss Guards heading their way.

Their soft-soled "Wanderschuhe" or walking shoes and quiet chitchat made the arrival of some 70 veteran Swiss soldiers barely perceptible even in the silent countryside.

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the establishment of the Swiss Guard, the men were marching from Bellinzana, Switzerland, to Rome, following more or less the same route their compatriots took half a millennium ago, along the ancient pilgrim's path of the Francigena Way. The jubilee march began April 7. Twenty days and 368 miles later, the men reached Acquapendentea historically important commercial town that once marked one of the borders of the Papal States south of the independent Tuscany region.

With 70 miles to go before they reached Rome May 4, the former guards looked upbeat and strong.

Their pace was brisk with no labored breathing, allowing one contingent of 22 men to strike up a song followed by some enthusiastic yodeling and laughter.

Unlike their Renaissance predecessors, these modern-day marchers traveled light. Instead of armor or uniforms, they wore lightweight matching sport shirts and canvas hiking pants. Instead

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d'l the y he.,m~ts, . , ¥. ~ore ;·.9f,.th~ ~a(~)&-19i.1~ 1U~ch.: . special baseball caps emblazoned The 25-year-old former SWISS with their jubilee emblem. Instead Guard told Catholic News Service of halberds and other weaponry, that each marcher had his own the 21 st-century marchers remedy for treating the foot sores. wielded walking sticks and the The three Swiss doctors traveling flags of Vatican City State and by car with the marchers were Switzerland. . . . ,0~ly c;o~~ulted for s~"'!Ou~ .aches Gu~lielmo Schlegel, a gua~d and pains,p.rimarily. knee probfrom 1953-54, followed. the marchers by carto docum~nt the . Staub, a Swiss Guard from 2001"to20'o3, now lives near trek with a videocamer,a.

The former guards marched Montreal, where he specializes in two by two, in three groups. Small making Swiss pastries for a bakneon pink arrows marked in,ter- ery. Letter, a guard from 1964 to sections along the route to help 1966, said the best part of the squadron leaders stick to the right march was talking with old colpath. . leagues and making new friends.

The Italian forestry corps led.

"We can show up in the tiniest marchers with two mounted town and they know we're com' horses. A small convoy of cars fol- ing," he said.

Schoolchildren often lined the lowed the marchers, supplying additional security and other sup- streets cheering and displaying port. In Acquapendente, another cards. Many towns hosted special 40 former guards joined the march luncheons, dinners and buffets featuring local wines and culinary for Rome.

As of April 27, only three men specialties.

The 16th-century German had dropped out. Everyone had spent at least a year in training to banking house run by the Fugger be in tiptop shape for the march, Family was the official bank of the which required walking up to 24 papacy at the time. It coined the miles a day, with one day off ev- precious gold papell ducats on the spot in Acquapendente to pay the ery five days or so.

"I used to be lazy," said 62- guards. Five hundred years later, year-old Bruno Letter, who spent a local sculptor created gold and the past year walking and swim- silver replica coins to give to the ming so he could complete the guards in an April 28 re-enactment of that first payday. march.

Daniel Schmidlin, 45, said he However, despite the rigors of training, "Everybody has blis- joined in 1982 because it had been ters," said Hanspeter Staub, as he his dream since he was 12.

Being a Swiss Guard also gave cautiously pried his feet out of his walking boots and tucked them him a chance "to leave home and into a pair of faded brown, open- . see Rome and the ancient ruins," toed bedroom slippers at the end he said.

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THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

China ordains two bishops without pope'~ approval, draws Vatican ire WUHU, China - Chinese Church leaders ordained two Catholic bishops without papal approval, prompting strong objectio~ from the Vatican..

Father Joseph Liu Xinhong, 41, was ordained bishop of Anhui May 3 at Wuhu's St. Joseph Church, the cathedral of the Wuhu diocese before the government-approved church administration in China changed diocesan boundaries.

On April 30, Father Joseph Ma Ymglin, 41, was ordained bishop of Kunming, without papal approval.

At the Vatican May 4, spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Pope Benedict XVI was ''profoundly displeased" to learn of the ordinations.

Navarro-Valls said ordaining new bishops without papal approval seriously harms the unity of the Church, which can lead to "severe canonical sanctions."

However, Navarro-Valls also noted that the Vatican had received information that ''bishops and priests were placed under strong press~ and threats" to participate in th~ ordinations, which lacking papal approval were "illegitimate and, in addition, contrary to theirconsciences." . The spokesman said the Vatican had an obligation to speak out 9n behalf of suffering Chinese Catholics, "especially those bishops and priestS who find themselves obliged against their consciences to ordain

chosen by the Vatican received government approval.

When the cornmunist government formed the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association in the 19508, the association officially spumedties with the Vatican, while an underground Church contintled to exist and often faced persecution. In recent years, Catholics familiar with the situation in China have said more than 90 percent of the governmentapproved or open-church bishops have reconciled With the N'atican, and in some areas of China there is intermingling ofthe two grouPs. Much . of this depends on the lpcal bishop, they said .

Nine papally approved bishops from the government-approved churph ordained Bishop Ma, UCA News reported. The five government-approved bishops named as ordaining Bishop Liu ~o have reconciled with the Vatican; other concelebrants included about 30 Chinese priests and sQme visiting priests from overseas. . Most Catholics in Arthui belong to the underground Church and refuse to join the open church. An "

or participate in episcopal ordinations which neither the candidates nor the consecrating bishops want to do without having received a pontifical mandate." , Navarro-Valls said the Vatican hoped that "such unacceptable acts ofviolent and inadmissible" pressure would not be placed on priests and bishops in the future, although the Vatican has heard that other ordinations without papal approval were being planned.

He said the ordinations created an obstacle to Vatican-Chinese dialogue., Last year, relations between the two showed signs of improvement when several new Chinese bishops

Middleman convicted in 2005 murder of U.S.-born nun in Brazil

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SAO PAULO, Brazil (CNS) ebrated the ruling. men were quotes of the beatitudes During the trial, da Cunha con- from the Gospel of Matthew.

It took less than one day for five men and two women to convict firmed that two local farmers Amair Feijoli da Cunha of hiring Regivaldo Pereira Galvao, known two gunmen to l1!urder U.S.~born as Taradao, and Vitalmiro Bastos de Sister Dorothy Stang on a deserted Moura, known as Bida - asked dirt road in Brazil's Amazon region. him to hire gunmen to kill the nun.

Da Cunha, known as Tato, was Da CuhhaJlaid the two men would sentenced to 27 years in prison for pay $50,000 reis (US$24,000) for the Feb. 12,2005, murder, but due Rayfran das Neves and Clodoaldo to a plea bargain arrangement with Batista to kill Sister Dorothy. prosecutors, the middleman will In December, das Neves and only spend 18 years in jail: Batista were sentenced to 27 years The late April verdict was cel- and 18 years, respectively. ebrated by more than 200 peasants Da Cunha testified that Galvao who had waited for hours'outsiOe and de Moura ordered the killing the courthouse in Belem. The peas- because SisterDorothy had accused ants had traveled thousands ofmiles them of illegal deforestation pracfrom the little town ofAnapu, where . tices in the region. Darcy Frigo, a Sister Dorothy, a member of the lawyer for the human rights orga- .

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, nization Terra de Direitos (Land of fought for the rights oflandless Bra- Rights), said the two had been fined zilians. ,as a result of Sister Dorothy's acInl!ide the courtroom, Sister cusations.

Dorothy's family \members 'and According to a police report, Sishuman rig~t activists also cel- ter Dorothy's last words to the gun-

underground lay leader in Anhui who asked not to be named told UCA News that his cornmunity as well as open-churchCatholics would not accept abishop without papal approval, and that such an ordination would harm Church efforts in evangelization and reconciliation.

The layman said public security officers had already tightened'control on underground' Catholics and "warned Catholics not to create trouble." For this reason, he said, he and several other lay leaders left home for a few days to avoid government control.

Another underground Church leader told UCA News May 2 that in defying the Vatican Bishop Liu would not gain the support of local Catholics. However, about 1,000 Catholics and guests from Anhui province packed the church for the ordination or else viewed the televised liturgy in a public square.

Bishop Liu told UCA News after his ordination that he has a heavy responsibilitY but, with the help of the Holy Spirit, he and supportive laypeople "can build a better future for the Church in Anhui."

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FROM LEFT, an unidentified man celebrates wjth Mary, David and Margaret Stang after hearing the April 26 verdict in the trial of Brazilian rancher Amair Feijoli da Cunha, the middleman involved in the murder of U.S.-born Sister Dorothy Stang. It took less than one day for five men and two women to convict da Cunha of hiring two gunmen to murder Sister Dorothy on a deserted dirt road in Brazil's Amazon region in 2005: (CNS photo/Paulo Santos, Reuters)

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Archbishop hits road with famous nun 路to speak against dea.th. penalty

MARINE GEN. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses the John Carroll Society'in Washington at the Catholic group's annual dinner. (CNS photo/Christopher Newkumet)

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says he depends on G'od daily WASHINGTON (CNS) - Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who was sworn in last September as cliairman ofthe Joint Chiefs ofStaff, told a Catholic group in Washington last week that there are times every day. when he thinks about his dependence on God. , "My belief that there is a God and that he has a plan for me is a major, calming influence in my life," Pace, a Catholic, told members of the John Carroll Society, a lay Catholic organization based in Washington.

Pace received the group's John Carroll Medal at an annual dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington.

"I stand before you as someone who is appreciative ... who truly does believe this award is in anticipation of future conduct," Pace said.

The medals are presented annually to Catholics in recognition of their public service and commitment to their faith.

Other 200{j medal recipients included Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien, head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, and Judge John Facciola, a magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court of the District ofColumbia and former John Carroll Society president.

"The remarkable thing about Gen. Pace is that he demonstrates his Catholic faith and how his faith influences his life, both personally and professionally," said Msgr. Peter Vaghi, pastor of the Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda, Md., and chaplain ofthe John Carroll Society. "He speaks about his faith from his heart."

Pace, the first Marine to serve as the nation's highest ranking mili, tary officer, said that when he talks about his faith "it touches at the Italian blood that runs in my heart."

He was born to Italian immigrants Nov. 5, 1945, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in 'Bogota, N.J., where he attended public school and catechism classes led by the School Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.

"Growing up, we (children)

didn't know we didn't have a lot of money," Pace said. "What I did know was that I was loved. My parents sacrificed for their four kids."

After high school, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., before joining the Marines. He was sent to Vietnam in 1968, serving in Hue City, the center of the Tet offensive, condti,cted by the North Vietnamese Army throughout South Vietnam.

Then-Lt. Pace was put in command,of a rifle platoon that had experienced heavy casualties and many injuries. He was the third commander of his platoon in as many weeks - the previous two had been killed.

"There were 158 men in my, company; 155 of them were wounded or killed," he added.

He said his own near-death experiences in Vietnam proved that . God had a plan for him.

The general, who has a master's degree in business a~nistration from George Washington University and attended Harvard University for senior executives in the National Security and International Security programs, has served the Marines in a variety of other capacities.

He was assigned to the combined joint staffin Seoul, South Korea, and served as the chief of the ground forces branch. He also served in Somalia, first as deputy commander of Marine forces and then as deputy commander of the joint task force that was sent to Mogadishu in 1993.

Eighteen soldiers were kille<J in that mission, which became the subject of the book and movie titled "Black Hawk Down."

He noted that he promised God he would stay in the Marine C9rpS until God gave him a sign to leave and he promised to serve ''until I w~ no longer promoted."

He frequently remembers that his mother used to tell him as a young boy that "God would never give me more than I can handle."

Remembering those words helps him in his current work, he said, knowing that with God's help "I can do whatever I'm 'supposed to do."

WASHINGTON (CNS) - Retired Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston is hardly growing inactive in his retirement. Instead, he's been going on the road to speak out against . capital punishment along with one of the more well-known'advocates of abolishing the death penalty: Sister Helen Prejean, the Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille who wrote the books "Dead Man Walking" and 'The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions."

"She's an expert at it," said Archbishop Fiorenza, who retired in February. "She giv.es a very powerful presentation, working with deathrow prisoners - and the whole penal system."

But the archbishop himself is hardly a slouch about the issue..

Asked ifhe had a text ofhis remarks for a presentation, he laughed and replied, "I've been doing 'this so often I don't need a text."

Given Sister Helen's breadth of knowledge on capital punishment, though, there's not much left for him to do but "give some personal reflections about it," Archbishop Fiorenza told Catholic News Service in a recent telephone interview from Houston.

The archbishop and the nun gave their most recent joint appearance during the National Catholic Educational Association's l03rd annual convention in Atlanta.

Archbishop Fiorenza said that in his talks "I say that there was a time when growing up, I never thought' of the death penalty... but in time, I've come to see in reflecting upon the reverence and the sacredness,of all human life, that this doesn't make any sense being for the death penalty. If God is the author of all life, and God has sovereignty over life, then God doesn't give up this sovereignty when someOne is convicted of a horrible crime."

Before he retired, the archbishop had served in Galveston-Houston since his February 1985 installation.

At the time ofhis episcopal appointment, in December 1984, it was a diocese. In 2004, it was elevated to an archdiocese and he became an archbishop. From 1998 to 2001, he was president of the U.S. bishops' conference.

Archbishop Fiorenza and Sister Prejean gave their first joint presentation on the death penalty at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory High School in Houston. They made subsequent appearances at luncheons and diocesan events and decided to continue the arrangement. ''We've been going to a lot of parishes," Archbishop Fiorenza said.

"I see the situation getting much better in Texas, which is a very difficult state to talk about .the death penalty," he added. Texas leads all states in the number of executions since the death penalty was restored

by the U.S. Supreme Court in the late 1970s.

"But more and more people are beginning to see that it is a Pro-Life issue. If you're going to be for life at the very beginning, you've got to be for life all across the board," Archbishop Fiorenza said. "More . Catholic people are beginning to see . this is truly a life issue." .

He compared Texas to Michigan, one of the first states to abolish capital punishment. In Texas, the archbishop said, "they're really stuck on this death penalty issue.

But it's necessary to (still) talk about this issue in Michigan, because there are a lot ofour Catholic people who are for the death penalty regardless of whether it's legal or not."

Archbishop Fiorenza recalled a

death penalty debate during one of his first general meetings of the bishops.

'There were some bishops who were not in favor.of doing 'away with the death penalty, and there was very strong discussion. But very soon that began to fade away," he said, "especially after Pope John Paul II was coming out with his very powerful and strong words about how the death penalty should be done away with and it is no longer' necessary to be (used) for people who commit horrible, horrible crimes."

One positive sign Archbishop Fiorenza sees in the ongoing debate is "our young people in Catholic colleges. They are very, very much against the death penalty. That's a sign of great hope."

SISTER HELEN Prejean, a Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille, signs copies of her books "Dead Man Walking" and ''The Death of Innocents" following a recent workshop presentation. (CNS photo/Michael Alexander, Georgia Bulletin)

Cardinal supports constitutional amendment to protect marriag~ WASHINGTON - A constitutional amendment is' the "only practical way" in the U.S. to preserve marriage as the union between one woman and one man, said Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia.

"The institution of marriage is suffering. We cannot sit idly by," the cardinal said last week.

The cardinal and several other U.S. religious leaders spoke during a teleconference to promote support for a constitutional, amendment that would define marriage as the union between one man and one woman.

The Senate is scheduled to discuss such an amendment.in June.

The U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops already has expressed its support for an amendment, h~ said.

Now it is the responsibility of each bishop to make this position known to the people in his diocese, the cardinal said.

"People haye power," he said.

The cardinal said that by draw-

ing attention to the importance of pre~erving the traditional definition of marriage, religious leaders hope that widespread. popular support will spur national and state legislators to speed along what is a multisfage approval process for a constitutional amendment.

The Constitution can be amended in two ways.

The way that has been used for all past amendments requires both houses of Congress to approve the amendment by a two-thirds majority in each house. The,amendment then must be approved by 'three-fourths of the states, either by a majority vote in each legislature or by a majority vote in a specially convened state convention.

The other way is for two-thirds of the state legislatures to approve a constitutional convention, which proposes amendments. The amendments then have to be approved by three-fourths of the states.

Friday, May 12, 2006

the anc~ news briefs CRS praises Darfur agreement, concerned about sustained peace WASHINGTON - Although a Catholic Relief Services statement commended the May 5 peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the largest rebel group in Darfur, the U.S. bishops' international relief agency said it was concerned with sustained peace and the continued shortage of resources.

CRS said that unless the two other rebel groups involved in the three-year conflict also agree to peace negotiations "there is no guarantee that this momentous agreement will bring peace to the people of Darfur," a region of western Sudan. Shortages of resources dedicated to helping the 3.5 million people who depend on humanitarian aid for survival and the constant threat of violence limi~ t~e ~ssistance that CRS aid workers can provide, the agency said 111 Its May 5 statement. CRS has been in the region since 2004.

Lost angel sculptures are returning to Baltimore's basilica BAL!IMOR~ - Two long-lost angels, forgotten for 60 years after bemg consigned to the undercroft ofthe National Shrine of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Balti~or~, will return to their place of honor in the sanctuary of the hlstonc cathedral when the building is rededicated in November. The celestial figures, twin sculptures made of solid basswood will flank the -altar - resuming their duties adoring the Blessed Sacrament. The angels are believed to have been crafted in the early 1800s and were removed from the basilica in the 1940s.

Originally, there were four angels; two remain missing. Jim ~dajian, a Balti~ore wood craftsman, has been carefully restormg the angels With the help of Baltimore guilder Ed Milburn.

Age, neglect and moisture in the undercroft contributed to the de!eriorati~n of the angels, according to Adajian, causing cracks, chipped pamt and gaps in pieces of the wood. One angel is missing both feet.

Pope says missionary societies help Catholics know God's love VATICAN CITY - The pontifical missionary societies help every Catholic in every part of the world let others know of God's love and his promise of salvation, Pope Benedict XVI sai? The Societ~ f?r the Propagation of the Faith, the Holy Childhood ASSOCiatIOn and the other societies always have focused on. co~nunicating.'路the love of God revegled in his plan of salvatIOn, the pope said. Pope Benedict met May 8 with 114 national directors of the pontifical missionary societies who were holding their general assembly. While the societies' financial support may be directed at different segments of the Church in ~ission t~rritories, .such as children'or seminarians, they all are mvolved III promotmg awareness of each Catholic's missionary obligation and in helping local churches grow and mature. "All of this h.as give~ rise among the Christian people to a reawakemng of faith and love, connected to a great missionary enthusiasm," the pope said.

Pope ordains 15 priests, warns against clerical careerism VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI said the priesthood should be understood as a commitment to service and not an opportunity for career-climbing. The pope made the comments shortly b~fore ~r?aining 15 priests during a lengthy liturgy in St. Peter s BaSIlica May 7. Twelve of the new priests came from Italy, with one each from Honduras, Israel and Poland.

The Mass highlight.ed the an~ual celebration of the World Day of Prayer for VocatIOns. In hiS sermon, the pope said the priest a~ "good shepherd" must be ready to sacrifice himself, know hIS flock and serve unity. He prefaced his remarks with a wamin~ about "careerism, the temptation to reach 'the top,' to acqUire fo~ oneself a position through the Church" and to help oneself mstead of helping others. "This is the image of someone who uses the priesthood to make himself important, to become a personality, the image of one who aims at self-acclaim an.d not the humble service of Jesus Christ," Pope Benedict saId. Religious vocations can come from any place WASHINGTON - A few years ago Teresa Min-Sook Kim was ~ young K?rean immigrant in Minnesota, a non-Catholic who spoke httle E~ghsh. Jay Toborowsky was a young Jewish man working as an aIde ~o the mayor of Woodbridge, N.J. Carol Derynioski had been teaching more than 25 years and had her own home in Boca Raton, Fla. What do a Korean immigrant in Minnesota, a Jewish political aide in New Jersey and a Catholic teacher in Florida have in common? Now they are called "Sister" or "Father" and each was recently featured in a local diocesan newspaper as an example of some of the ways the call to priesthood or religious life can be heard.

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Immigration ritllies draw large crowds acro~s the country

By PATRICIA ZAPOR CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - Calls for a work, school and shopping boycott - combined with broader calls to rallies, prayer services and other events drew crowds across the country May 1 as supporters of immigration reform staged their second day of major activities in less than a month.

In Philadelphia, Cardinal Justin Rigali celebnited a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, in which he emphasized the U.S. history of welcoming immigrants.

The nation has offered people fleeing conditions of poverty and persecution and other difficult situations "relief and opportunity, freedom and justice," Cardinal Rigali said in his homily. "Above all it has recognized and sustained their human dignity and given them the opportunity to enjoy the blessings of God to provide for their family and to transmit these blessings to us."

Businesses owned and staffed by immigrants were closed around Philadelphia, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, as thousands of people attended rallies in locations around the region.

The May I events followed April lO's rallies and marches, which also drew hundreds of t~ousands of people in cities and towns large and small.

The events are organized by local groups. They have the central focus of calling on Congress to adopt legislation that helps some of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country to legalize their status and clear up the complex, backlogged system for legal immigration. Legislation has been stalled in the Senate.

The House passed a bill in December that, among other things, would dramatically expand immigration enforcement and would criminalize the act of being in the country illegally. It currently is only a violation of civil law. Opposition to that bill has been a rallying cry for many people.

Calls to boycott work and school by some activists were opposed by some of the country's most prominent Catholic leaders, including Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, who has been among the most outspoken Church leaders advocating for comprehensive immigration reform. He encouraged people to stay at work and school May I and to join activities scheduled for later in the day.

Los Angeles was the scene of two major demonstrations. Police estimated that a morning march to City Hall drew 250,000 people.

A second march at 4 p.m. along Wilshire Boulevard drew an estimated 400,000 people.

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At a sunrise prayer service at Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles, Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala and others announced their commitment to continue praying and fasting for immigration reform untili'June 4, the feast of Pentecost.

Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George joined religious leaders at an interfaith prayer service during a rally at Grant Park.

He told a crowd which police estimated was 400,000 that they

were gathered in pursuit of respect for human dignity and united families.

In Colorado, the Archdiocese of Denver declared the month of Mayas a time for prayer for justice for immigrants. The bishops of Colorado - Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Bishops Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs and Arthur N. Tafoya of Pueblo - also had opposed walkouts from school or work. .

FIFTEEN-VEAR10LD Brian Gamboa, left, participates in an immigration rally in front of the New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas May 1. (CNS photo/Steve Marcus, Reuters) II

"The help received from the Propagation of the Faith is literally our 'lifeline,'" says one seminary rector in India.

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Although the seminarians grow most of their own food and their parents are able to offer some financial assistance, these students would not be able to!prepare to serve their people as priests without help offered through the Propagation of the Faith. "Daily the seminarians pray for the great

sacrifice;s made for them," says another rector in that countrY. "We continue to ask God to bless you and the important contribution you make toward the Church. in India." " II

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Friday, May 12, 2006

THE LANDING AIDS, condoms and Church teaching In recent weeks, there has been widespread speculation that the Church was about to revise her teaching on the immorality ofcondoms in order to prevent the transmission of IDV and AIDS. Articles and television news clips cited various cardinals, inside and outside the Vatican Curia, who mentioned that the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, at Pope Benedict's request, was preparing a study investigating the permissibility of condoms to halt the spread of the disease.

Many ofthe headlines condescendingly suggested that the Church's leaders were now recognizing what many secular pundits and large segments of the sexual education establishment had long ago concluded: that the Church's teachings with respect to abstinence and the immorality of birth control were failing, and that the only effective way to stop the spread of AIDS was through condoms and "safe sex" practices. .

But these articles and news stories completely missed the point both of the concrete moral issue to which the Vatican is trying to . respond and of the way by which the Church's teaching on sexual morality, rather than being weakened, is actually being reinforced The central contextual issue is a particularly heinous one, emanating mainly, but not exclusively, from certain African countries where the Gospel has been only partially assimilated: what to do when husbands infected with HIV or AIDS continue to insist on their marital "right" to intercourse with their wife or wives. In this situation, which is tantamount to marital rape, is it moral for the woman to ask her husband to use a condom to prevent her from contracting this deadly disease?

The answer, as the interviewed cardinals have stated, is yes.

That this has caused so much surprise - and led to headlines that the Church might be "changing her teaching" on condoms - shows how little most people really know the doctrine contained in Paul VI's 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae. The pope focused on the conditions for the morality of the conjugal act. Against prevalent ideas at the time, he emphasized that the conjugal act has an intrinsic two-fold meaning, unity and procreation. In order for spouses truly to "make love," he wrote, they needed to be open to God and to the life he might want to enflesh as a natural fruit of their one-flesh marital union.

The situation of marital rape is already a sinful act of violence of the husband against the wife. But when the husband has AIDS, it is also potentially homicidal. The woman's asking her husband to use a condom in those circumstances would not be a violation of the teaching of the Church. She would not be voluntarily trying to separate love from life and to evict God from the conjugal act - her husband, by his actions, has already done this - but to try to limit the evil effects of her husband's unloving deed.

More complicated is the situation - which the Pontifical Council is also expected to address - when the spouses, one of whom has mv or AIDS, wish to engage in consensual marital relations. Is it possible for them morally to use a condom to prevent the transmission of the disease while tolerating, but not desiring, the contracept~ve impact of such an action? A few Catholic moral theologians have been trying to make the case that it would be licit in those circumstances under the traditional principle of double-effect. But the argument is not convincing.

The main question that would need to be asked is a simple one that does not require a doctorate in moral theology to answer. Could an action in which a person risks the life of his or her spouse ever be truly loving? Could a couple in such circumstances "make love" when there would be a real danger that the uninfected spouse may contract a deadly disease? As sexual education instructors admit, condoms are only about 81 percent effective in preventing pregnancy; the rates for preventing the transmission ofthe AIDS virus, which is much smaller than sperm, are obviously lower. Even if an intact condom were capable of being 100 percent effective, however, there would always be the chance that the condom could break during intercourse. Could a couple that truly loved each other - in other words, that was truly willing the other's good - ever morally engage in the conjugal equivalent of Russian roulette? That's the question that the Pontifical Council is presently studying and preparing to answer. Stay tuned.

A mother's hand 1\venty-five years ago tomorrow, Pope John Paul IT was shot in St. Peter's Square by Mehmet Ali Agca. The sight of this vigorous leader collapsed in the arms ofhis priest secretary and his white cassock bathed in crimson is one most Catholics will never forget. The bullet, fired by a trained assassin at close range, pierced five vital organs, but failed to kill him. Pope John Paul IT would later say that "it was a mother's hand that guided the bullet's path." He was referring, of course, to Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima 89 years ago tomorrow. Through that same 'mother's intercession, let us pray for the protection of John Paul IT's successor and for all who boldly preach the truth of her Son.

the living word

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THESE GIRL SCOUTS WERE AMONG MANY TO EARN RELIGIOUS EMBLEM A WARDS PRESENTED

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(AN-

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Grace upon grace The mystery of the human act named Augustine, at the beginning of the fifth century. Pelagius of faith is something with which had taught that God waits for us . members of the Church have wrestled for centuries. It's a topic to use our free will to tum to him, and then he dispenses his that arises, for example, whenever we attempt to understand grace to us according to our why some people believe in merits. By our own free will, said Christ while others do not.

We know that God asks for our free response to his invitation to faith, and that it is by :'\th~'D~ep an act of the will that we 1V~:~t.::'>_;- :/.. : - _-~ _~,~'~_; make the assent of faith. ,~ F.'Wif~ As St. Thomas Aquinas A. Pignato " would explain, it is our will that commands our intellect to assent to the truth of what God has revealed, Pelagius, we are capable of earning or winning our salvation. and this constitutes the act of Such an explanation of the faith. It is an act of both the relationship between grace and intellect and the will, an act of free will did not sound right to both reason and love. the young bishop, who had Such an explanation of faith, however, is far too simple, not to previously experienced a very profound conversion in a rather mention inaccurate. To describe the act of faith as only a free will sudden and spontaneous manner.

If grace is earned by our own decision to believe in God is merits, reasoned Augustine, then simply incomplete, and runs the risk of giving ourselves too much it is no longer grace, which, by definition, is something that is credit. freely given, and not owed.

While it is true that God asks It is true, said Augustine, that for and expects us to exercise our God asks us to "work out [our] will in choosing to believe in own salvation with fear and him, it is no less true that the trembling" (Phil 2: 12) by the whole process begins with God. performance of good works, but it God is the one who initiates the is none other than God himself act of faith. He begins this . process by drawing us to himself, who gives us the grace of faith and prompting the soul to tum to and the ability to perform these good works. And after a life of him. faith and good works, God gives This basic truth, so central to the Christian life, was the subject us the added grace of eternal life, prompting St. John to write, "Of of a long and lively debate his fullness we have all received, between a monk named Pelagius even grace upon grace" (In 1: 16). and a young bishop in Africa

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Our Lord tried to emphasize this basic truth when he told his disci'pies, h one 'can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father" (In 6:65), and "without me you can do nothing" (In 15:5). St. Augustine understood this truth, and thus earned the title "Doctor ,of Grace," for his insistence that we give God the credit even for our free decision to believe in him.

The mystery is that, even though God initiates the act of faith by drawing us to himself and prompting us to believe in him, our decision to respond to him is always still a free one. God's invitation does not blot out or impair our free will. Yet even though our faith is a free act of the will, it is still always initiated by God, as a gift of grace, a gift for which we live our entire lives in gratitude.

Those of us who have dared to believe that God has called us to the sacred priesthood know the truth of this teaching. If we have been honest about our vocational discernment, we know that we are priests primarily because God chose us, and only then because of our decision to answer that call. As Jesus said, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you" (In 15: 16), and as St. John wrote, "We love him because he first loved us" (Un 4:19). By God's grace, we exercise our free will, and put out into the deep by accepting his invitation to follow him all the way to heaven.

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Friday, May 12, 2006

I'm always with'you mom My wife recently tried to share with a close acquaintance to ask for Our Blessed Mother's intervention for help with a difficult decision.

Immediately, she was told that we should only go to God

with our prayer requests.

Had that been said to me, I would have questioned how the mother of Our Savior has no special place in God's kingdom.

And my tone would have been more St. Peter-like than Christ-like. . My wife was truly disap~ . pointed with the response, â&#x20AC;˘ especially during May, the ' month of Our Blessed Lady, and Mother's Day. Well Denise, I've recently felt a constant tugging to relay a special message to you from a little saint named Davey.

"Hi mom! First of all let me tell you that I miss you very, very qlUch, but things are wicked good up here. Notice the New England dialect even up in heaven!

"Please don't be too disappointed with those who just don't get it.

There are many of us here praying for them. We know the power of intercessory . prayer.

"It's been 10 years since I felt the warmth and comfort of your womb. I know the prayers you said for me, and I know how you offered me to God for his purposes.

"I can still vividly remember those loving eight months I spent with you. How you would eat all the right things to make me strong, and how you would let dad blast his Tom Petty CDs to initiate my love for classic' ' . rock!

"Mom, I know the three days I spent with you and dad after I was born were very difficult for

Diocesan eighth-graders eager to tour St. Mary's Cathedral , FALL RIVER - Tuesday, May 16, will be a field trip day for all eighth-grade students in Catholic schools across the Fall River diocese.

The students - some 500 plus in number - will travel to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River to visit the historic mother church of the Fall River diocese and to attend, a 12:05 Mass to be celebrated there for them.

The trip to the cathedral comes near the end of a school year in which these students have been studying about the diocese.

Jean Willis, who is principal of St. Stanislaus School in Fall River, explained that the book, "Bearing Fruit by Streams of Water: A History of the Fall River Diocese," by diocesan archivist Father Barry W. Wall, has become the framework through which students in grade eight learned about the rich history of the diocese.

"It's become part of the eighth grade curriculum," said Willis.

"And the visit to the cathedral is designed to review and reinforce what the students have learned in class."

Father Wall will beatSt. Mary's Cathedral th'at day and will be the principal celebrant of the Mass for the students. .

His book was published for the centennial celebration of the diocese in 2004.

To prepare students for their' visit, a New 'Bedford Catholic schoolteacher has created a virtual tour ofSt. Mary's Cathedral for students to experience in their own schools before the May 16 trip.

Susan Massoud, an eighth-grade religion teacher at-that city's Holy

. Family-Holy Name Sch~ol, put together the 24-minute virtual tour using photos and information from Father Wall's book along with her own photos of the cathedral taken earlier this spring.

Via the dioces~n Education Center's Website, eighth-grade classes will watch the online tour video to gain a better understanding of the function and significance of St. Mary's Cathedral and a better appreciation ofthe beauty of the symbols found there.

'Then 'when they come to the cathedral, they can walk around with their t~achers either before or after the Mass to identify things that they recognize from the virtual tour,'" Massoud said.

She added that the virtual tour video will be aired two times in a chapel at the cathedral on the morning of the schools' visit for any students unable to view it be. forehand.

The virtual tour offers an overvie~ of the history of St. Mary's Cathedral and a look at its many components, such as its architecture and design, chapels, stained glass winqows, liturgical furnishings, and crypt, where five former bishops of the diocese are buried.

It also includes a segment on Bishop George W. Coleman who leads significant liturgical events in tlie diocese from the bishop's ohair or, in Latin, cathedra, located in the cathedral's sanctuary.

"I enjoyed creating the virtual tour to help the'students learn," Massoud said. "From both the virtual and the actual tour, I hope they. get the sense that this diocese is'their home and that St. Mary's Cathedral is the center of it."

since I was born. I think it may have been the Tom Petty music you, but trust me, one day you'll playing in my head ... no, it was just hearing your voi<;:e. understand it all.

"Mom, please know that I've "It was nice to be cradled in been very happy here for the last your arms, as short as that was, 10 years, and that I'm always and I'll never forget how you with you in some way. , signed yourself out of the "Remember October 2004 hospital just so you could follow when dad lost all composure? me to each of my three hospital destinations. ' Well, there are plenty of Red Sox fans up here too, although dad's "I was scared, but when you reaction put all of us to shame! visited me in Providence and "Remember closing on your whispered my name, I knew I . first house a few years ~ack ... would be OK. In fact I wiggled I' on my birthday? at that instant more than I had

"I love you mommy, and I just want to wish you a happy Mother's Day. ' "Pepere says hi, and he misses you as much as I do, but it's so very cool to be with him.

"I keep you and dad and Emilie and Ben and Lauren and Igor the devil dog in my prayers always. And don't be discouraged by those who don't understand the awesome beauty of Our Blessed Mother.

"Just keep praying for them, too, like we do. .

"Lov~, Davey."

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Friday, May 12, 2006

Christ is not his last name the time with respect to the How often have you heard different understandings of someone utter the phrase, "I'm Church unity by various no saint," or."nobody's perfect?" In fact, not only have we Christian groups. Many have heard these utterances, we've chosen to embrace Christian probably used them ourselves. pluralism as the only realistic To be sure, our experiences way of understanding the Church, and unity as of human weakness and personal shortcomings make something that transcends time and space. such sayings comfortable fallback positions: they are So too, personal consolations for the sense of sanctity: after all, it futility we feel when we strive really isn't possible, is to fend-off temptations to sin it? It can only be some sort of lofty, inaccesand, frequently, fail. However, if we reflect more closely on sible ideal. Right?

This disconnect the content of those disclaimers, it is not hard for us to see a between life in this world, and - the ideals of faith - is rooted number of dangers. Among them, fatalism and despair must in a disconnect between "Jesus" and "Christ." How is that? be at or near the top of the list.

Isn't "Christ" his last name?

Instead of embracing the No. His last name was some- _ perseverance to conform our thing like "bar Joseph," (son of lives to Goers law,'we can end up attempting to conform the Joseph). Our second reading for today's Mass comes from the law to ourselves. An even more notoriously difficult-tosubtle danger is the deferral of Christian perfection to some far interpret, First Letter of John. off ideal, which does not really Part of the difficulty in interexist except on some higher preting that letter, and today's plane of being. We see this all reading, is that, behind the

message, there is a controversy or a quarrel to which we are not fully privileged. We can deduce from the passage, however, that the identity of Jesus is at the root of the problem. Some

dissenters in the Christian community have.apparently disconnected "Christ" from "Jesus"... the humanity from the divinity. This helps explain why St. John keeps insisting on things like "keeping his commandments" as a true sign of "knowing" him, and "loving in deed" not just in "word."

Apparently some in St. John's community were reducing the acts of Jesus and his expressions of love as merely human,

acts and expressions. To them, what was really important about Jesus was his revelation of divine knowledge. According to this way of thinking, "knowledge" doesn't have ,much to do with this world: its all very "transcendental" ... oriented to existence on a higher. plane. In the words of the "Church Lady" of Saturday Night Live fame, "how convenient." If we can disconnect the divinity of Jesus from his humanity, then we need not recognize the transfiguring effects of his coming in the flesh. We give ourselves permission to defer the ideals of faith to some "other" life.

Today, St. John insists nei ...

We can be sure that God is with us ... Why? Because we are keeping his commandments, and doing what is pleasing in his sight. His commandment is this: we are to believe in the

name of his son, Jesus Christ, (this is a deliberate use of the two names together), and are to love one another as he commanded us."

There is much more that can be said about this, but we have enough upon which to reflect with respect to how we live our faith and think about it. It is clear that we must not give into that sense of futility about living our faith and expressing it in ou~ deeds. It is not just our souls that have been saved by the mystery of Jesus Christ, but our whole humanity has been transfigured and lifted up. We must not give into that seilse of disconnect wherein we regard this life has having a purely "natural" end, with the "supernatural". part coming as alastminute add-on. On the contrary, "tho~e who keep his commandments remain in him and he in them."

Father Mathias is parochial administrator at St. Julie Billiart Pari~h in North Dartmouth.

'It's time to opt out Suppose that children were sexual child abuse, and sexual contracting a serious disease. violence, so when educators Parents would be rightly coninsisted that sex education courses cerned. If someone came along were needed the parents suppOrted and offered a vaccine, schools their introduction into the curricumight require the children to lum because they assumed that . such courses were designed to undergo vaccination and the prevent these problems. When the parents would probably support vaccination. However, suppose problems increased, the parents that the incidence of the serious perhaps somewhat reluctantly disease did not decrease; in fact it supported increased sex increased and those pushing the education, including the vaccine insisted that the problem introduction of sex was that the vaccine was not being education classes into given early enough, children elementary school: After neected more shots, and needed to all the risks were very real receive them at a younger age. and the parents wanted to However, even when the vaccine do everything possible to was given earlier and more often, protect their children. the disease did not disappear. It When some parents increased again. Those pushing the objected because the sex shots blamed the students. They education classes encouraged "safe must be doing something to sex practices" and abortion prevent the vaccine from being violated their religious beliefs, effective. Or perllaps it was the those pushing sex education . parents. Or society. screamed "separation of Church Now at that point any rational and state" and aCcused the parents person would begin to question the not caring about protecting vaccine's effectiveness, because it children. certainly appeared that the vaccine But what about the more didn't work. obvious question: Do these Parents are rightly worried programs work? In those places about the problems of teen - when< comprehensive safe sex _ pregnancy, the pandemic of education for children kindergarten sexually transmitted diseases, through high school is imple-

St. Anne's Prayer "Good St. Anne, Mother of Mary, and , Grandmother of Jesus, Intercede for me and my" petitions. Amen."

In honor of Sister Lucia'dos Santos, seer of Fatima, who died February 13,2005, age 97. . Lucia pray for us. ..

mented does the incidence of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual abuse of children decrease or increase?

Should children be exposed to sexually explicit material which undermines their parents' values and religiOl,ls faith in the name of preventing negative outcomes if the programs do not actually

reduce the incidence of negative outcomes or worse increase -negative outcomes?

One would think that those pushing explicit "safe sex" sex education would be concerned that their programs fail to achieve their stated objectives. But they aren't, because the stated objectives prevention of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual abuse - are not their real objectives. The real objectives of those behind explicit K-12 sex ed is to free children from the . restrictive morality imposed upon them by their parents and their churches. I actually had a sex education teacher tell me this to my face when I challenged the sex education course they were trying to force my daughter to take.

Although this incident occurred a number of years ago, I have seen nothing to suggest that the attitudes of sex education teachers have changed.

Those pushing explicit safe sex

children from these courses and to education believe in the sexual . encourage their friends to do the revolution. They think that same. children should be free to engage But if parents say no to explicit in sexual activity with one another safe sex education how can they and with older persons without protect their children? The restrictions. Now, according to research shows that what really their way of thinking, if kids are matters is what happens in the going to have sex, they need home: the child's relationship withprotection against pregnancy and his or her father and mother, a sexually transmitted diseases. strong faith, limits on television, Since this protection carefully supervised activities, and doesn't always work and teen-agers are remarkably family meals. There are no irresponsible, their kindly guarantees; there are no short cuts.

Dale O'Leary is an internasex education teachers tionally recognized lecturer and want to be sure that the students know how to get author of"The Gender Agenda: Redefining Equality." She an abortion without their regularly lectures in Massachuparents knowledge or setts in suppon ofthe Church's consent. In addition, gay teachings on the gift ofhuman activists have used sex sexualiJy. education as a platform to push their political agenda and to feed students false information about same-sex attraction.

Daily Readings Those pushing explicit sex May 13 Acts 13:44-52; education know that they must con Ps 98: 1-4; In parents into believing that the 14:7-14 purpose ofexplicit safe sex May 14 Acts 9:26-31 ; Ps education is to prevent negative 22:26-27,28, outcomes. Parents might not be as 30,31-32; supportive if they knew that 1 In 3:18-24; In explicit safe sex education has 15:1-8 consistently failec;l to achieve this May 15 Acts 14:5-18; Ps objective. Parents might be 115:1-5:1-5,15offended if they understooel,that 16; In 14:21-26 sex education was designed to May 16 Acts 14:19-28; undermine the parental values and Ps 145:10-13abchildren's religious faith.

21; In 14:27-31 a Unfortunately most parents May 17 Acts 15:1-6; Ps have been conned. They sense 122:1-5; In 15:1something is wrong, but they are 8 . so afraid of negative outcomes that May 18 Acts 15:7-21; Ps they allow their children t9 take 96:1-3,10; In courses which actually increase 15:9-11 negative outcomes.

May 19 Acts 15:22-31; The only answer is for parents P.s 57:8-12; In who really care about preventing 15:12-'17 negative outcomes to pull their

Friday, May 12, 2 0 0 6 : : : •.. . t.he~

62.5 percent Catholic Friday 5 May 2006 Homeport - May Fellowship Day .

I'm comfortable enough with my Catholic faith not to be uncomfortable around those of other faiths. I was born ecumenical. Of four grandparents, two were Catholics so, that's 50 percent Catholic. One was a Catholic part of his life (let's call that 12.5 percent). The fourth was Protestant.

My family is 62.5 percent Catholic.

Gatherings of the Goldrick clan were mini-ecumenical councils. There was my Congregationalist grandmother who had become a strict'Methodist, my Methodist father and two uncles all three of whom had converted to Catholicism, my Methodist uncle who had become Episcopalian, my aunt who was the organist and choir

director at her Methodist church, my Methodist aunt who had become a devoted Catholic, and another aunt - but I never did know to which church she belonged. I needed a scorecard.

One New Year's Eve the' family gathered for a party at the home of my Episcopalian uncle. The party couldn't begin.

My grandmother and several of her Methodist lady-friends were sipping tea in the living room.

Strict Methodists don't approve of alcohol consumption. My ecumenical uncles lurked patiently by the mak~shift bar

in the kitchen, waiting for the Methodist church ladies to leave. Just to shake things up, I asked my uncle for a scotch. I don't even like scotch. The drink would be a prop. The glass came with the warning "Now, don't let your grandmother see you. In 50 years, none of us have ever dared touch alcohol in her presence.

She's a strict Methodist, you know." I laughed at my uncles and boldly walked into the living room carrying the drink.

The uncles stood aghast. The Methodist ladies didn't bat an eyelash. In fact, they were very cordial. My uncles were completely confused at this reaction. After I returned to the kitchen, we overheard my grandmother explain to her lady-friends that I was going to be a Catholic priest and, since I would be counseling sinners, I

Mothering matters Recently we had the su. preme pleasure of being a foster home for a litter of stray kittens and their mommy. Six fuzzy little bundles of gray, black, and brown stripes, the kittens were only four weeks old, 'lmdstilr.nursjfig·:·~tieIia friend asked if we could take care of them. She didn't have to twist my arm very hard.

Maybe only my pinky finger.

We cleared space in our mudroom for a good-sized cat bed, multiple water dishes, and two litter boxes.

We purchased a few kitten toys, but they attracted the kittens' attention only briefly. What these bundles of joy really liked to do was to chase their mother's tail day in and day out. Mommy cat took it well, but I noticed that she would occasionally creep away from her young 'uns and curl up by herself in a laundry basket full of beach towels up on a shelf.

Watching her do' this, I smiled to myself remembering the many bleary-eyed years I spent nursing babies, then handing them off to my husband, and crawling back into bed to get a little more sleep.

One morning, about a week into caring for the kittens, we came into the mudroom to find one of the kittens missing. We began frantically searching for this gray-and-white fuzzball amid the cat toys, coats, boots,. .and canned goods also housed in our mudroom. Before long we found her, not in danger, but snuggled up with her mother in the laundry basket. I smiled, again, at the similarity between this mommy cat, her

kittens, and my own mothering experiences.

When the kids were of preschool a 6 e, I would try to wake up before they did in order to "sneak in" some prayer time before the day began. Without fiir the kids 'would 'wake up . earlier, too', and find me. If I

waters of autonomy, mothers are the lighthouses. Mothering is an act of great courage and hope. Mothering is a personal investment in the future.

Should we ever doubt the importance or influence of mothering, we need look 0'6 further than to Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, whose simple ''fiat'' ushered in the possibility of redemption for the entire human race.

Tragically, from the litter of kittens we fostered all but one . died from distemper.

Amazingly, the striped fuzzball that survived was the one cleared a comer in the house that had sought and found her to do a project, it would mother in the laundry basket. become their new favorite After two months of veterihangout. I learned very quickly . nary care, we adopted this that a playroom full of new kitten. Incredibly, one of the toys simply couldn't hold a first things she did when we candle to mommy's lap. brought her home again, was As a society at large it is the to race to the mudroom and beauty of this mother-child jump up into her mother's bond that we celebrate on laundry basket. I swallowed a Mother's Day. As family units, lump in my throat as we we celebrate the specific watched her sniff around the women in our lives who have beach towels, curl up in a looked long and hard at their ball, and go to sleep. Although many choices and, by saying mommy cat was gone, her "yes" to motherhood, have let mothering had left a lasting love and life win out for us. In impression. Mothering matthe grand orchestra of family ters. Mothering makes a life, mothers are the conduclasting difference. Happy tors. In the construction of Mother's Day to all my hearth and home, mothers are mothering colleagues out the master builders. Against there, and thank you for that which would corrupt letting love and life win out. I innocence, mothers are solappreciate you. diers on the home front, Heidi is an author, photogguardians and shepherdesses rapher, and full-time mother. of childhood. To fledgling She and her husband raise teens, climbing out on the their five children and grow limbs of self-sufficiency, their faith in Falmouth. mothers are the safety nets. To Comments are welcome at young adults, vavigating the homegrownfaith@yahoo.com.

needed to know about these things in order to better minister to them. So I had made this great personal sacrifice of carrying a drink around in my hand. The ladies applauded in appreciation of my heroic . altruism. My uncles chased me out of the house and down the street. I left the scotch on the kitchen counter.

I have participated in ecumenical gatherings all my priesthood. Three decades ago, in Taunton, there was a monthly clergy gathering at a local restaurant. Since the rabbi regularly attended, it was technically an interfaith gathering and not an ecumenical group. It was enjoyable, but back in those days we were all just learning to trust each other.

Then there was my time in Marion. Since I was the only Catholic priest in town, I was naturally drawn to the other clergy for fellowship: Directly across the street was St. Gabriel Episcopal Church. I liked the people there. Sometillles they would invite me to give a lecture. Sometimes I would lead a prayer service Jor them if their pastor, Rev. Ernie Cockerel, was out of town.

Since I had no church hall, they let me use theirs for special occasions.

One block away lived my good friend the Reverend Bob Duebber and his faIriily. They would sometimes invite me over for supper. Bob and I gradually began to share our experiences in the pastoral ministry on a personaJ level.

We supported each other through thick and thih.

At one time, I was also part of an informal interfaith group that met monthly at Nanaquaket. R.I. We were Catholic, Protestant, and Jew. We were not so much interested in discussing theology, but rather ministry. We were able to encourage and guide one another other from our own particular traditions and experiences.

Now in the Village, whoever is available among the local clergy, meets every Thursday for breakfast. On theology, we agree to disagree, but in pastoral concerns we are on the same page. We talk about our week in the parish, what went well, what didn't, what we hope to accomplish in the future. Suggestions and advice are sincerely given and graciously received.

Different though we are, we have become brothers in the Lord. And sometimes we even work together.

Msgr. Steve Avila was here for the sacrament of Confirmation the other night. I like to host a clergy clamboil beforehand. Seated at the table were Catholic priests, Rev. David Miram (an Episcopal priest), Rev. Bill Comeau (a United Church of Christ minister), and Pastor Don Bliss (a Congregational pastor) - and we all had a great time.

Most people don't realize how much theological agreement has already been achieved on high-levels. Of course, there have also been significant setbacks.

Honor our own traditions, respect other faiths, and get about the Lord's work. Ecumenism will eventually percolate from the ground up. That's just how the Holy Spirit works.

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

Comments are welcome at StBernardAssone~aoLcom.

Previous columns are at www.StBernardAssonet.org.

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Friday, May 12, 2006

Nun chairperson of Saint Anne's· Hospital is proof God has a plan By

DEACON JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

She became treasurer of the province here in DIGHTON - Looking at Dominican Sister 1990, and in 1995 returned to India as vice proof the Presentation Vimala Vadakumpadan, one· . vinci~ superior of its vice province and served , would never guess her secret. there for eight years .' : "I'm a miracle .. , my life is a miracle," the She returned to Dighton in 2004. ! 51-year-old native of India stated candidly but When Sister Joanna Fernandes was assigned i humbly during a revealing interview last week, as one of several general counselors of the Doadding quickly, "because God has a plan forme." minican Sisters in Rome in 2005, Sister ' She made it clear she was not describing any Vadakumpadan succeeded her as chairperson of acumen as current chairperson of Fall River's Saint Anne's Hospital Board of Directors.

Saint Anne's Hospital's governing board of diIt was long journey from growing up in the rectors since 2005, but rather how she came to Catholic faith in Kerala, India, one of its souththat challenging ern Indian

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"On October 11 of that year I was in the house that had been here when an explosion destroyed it. There had been work going on outside' and reportedly a gas main was ruptured. The last thing I re-

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"Our family had been Catholic for many, many generations," Sister Vadakumpadan explained.

"Our proud tradition is that the faith was carried to India.

by St. Thomas the Apostle, who evangelized there.

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ter ane ~erese \ glOUS rom n la \, Pelletier. She ( come from was the trea'\ / Kerala," she surer and I was "! f!d . noted. assisting her in PRAYER MINGLED with administrative duties is the The eldest in t~e business of- complete lifestyle of Dominican Sister of the Presenta- a farming family flce. She was tion Vimala Vadakumpadan, seen here in the chapel of that included killed. !hey the Provincial House in Dighton. (Anchor photo) four ~rothers found me In the and a SIster, her ruins of the house. I had broken nearly every bone father died last year and her mother still lives in in my body except my head," she said with a India. .

She attended elementary schools and high smile.

She was taken first to Saint Anne's Hospital, school in India and at age 19 entered the Dobut was almost immediately transported to Rhode minican Sisters. She subsequently obtained a Island Hospital because her injuries were so se- bachelor of arts degree in management from rious.

Bhopal School of Social Sciences. She made her "They told me I was nearly dead. Nobody first profession of vows in 1978, She came to believed I was going to make it. They said it was the United States in 1982 and made her final proa miracle I survived. I believe that. It was six fession in 1985. months before I was released from the hospital As for her challenging responsibilities at the and continued with physical rehabilitation," she hospital, Sister Vadakumpadan declared: "It is recalled. not a one-person show. While there is much on At that time the Dominican Sisters were in my shoulders, it takes many dedicated, profesresidence on the third floor of Saint Anne's sional, and hard-working people-and the wonHospital's Clemens Hall, and Sister derfulresourcesofCaritasChristiHealthCareVadakumpadan lived there too. to make even this small but complex hospital with "It was good because I had only a small dis- all its technologies successful." tance to walk to get the physical therapy faciliWhat is shows, as it did for the hospital's ties," she noted. founders 100 years ago, "Is that God has a plan.

"It was a long and yes, painful road to recov- For me it is the knowledge that nothing is imery. But because of it I learned that whatever possible with God," she said. "Having the perhappens we must always remember confidently sonal experience of the explosion gives me the that it is God's will, his plan that is foremost and trust, the courage no matter what happens. It is that we all have to follow and trust in him," she his work. I leave it there. If he wants this hospistated. tal to continue serving the needs of the people "It is an ongoing realization for me that we after this, our Centennial Year, he will make it don't do anything alone or without God's help happen." and continued attention," Sister Vadakumpadan The Anchor encourages readers to nominate said. "That has also confidently carried me others for the Person of the Week - who and through the happy as well as the difficult times why? Submit nominations at our E-mail adin the daily administration of a hospital, when dress: theanchor@anchornews.org, or write to the ordinary thing would be to give in to worry." The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, FallRiver, MA 02722.

DEACON JOSEPH Campbell, left, and his twin brother, Deacon James Campbell, will be ordained for the Diocese of Erie, Pa., June' 23. The youngest in a family of 13, they first remember considering the priesthood as preschoolers. (CNS photo/Art Becker)

Twin ordinands, youngest of 13, credit parents for their vocations ERIE, Pa. (CNS) - Deacons James and Joseph Campbell twin brothers and the youngest in a family of 13 children - credit their family life for their priestly vocations.

"My parents gave us an imwavering witness of selfless, selfsacrificing love and fidelity," said Deacon Joseph. "They inspired us to be holy by the witness of their lives and through their instruction in the faith."

The 26-year-old twins will be ordained to the priesthood June 23 at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie along with their classmate, Deacon Marc Solomon.

John and Dolores Campbell, the twins' parents, don't consider the way they reared their 13 children to be anything out of the ordinary.

"We raised our children the way we were brought up," said ·John Campbell, who was born in Scotland. That included attending Mass each morning and saying the rosary together each evening.

"Once the children got involved in sports, sometimes they would have to finish their rosary on the way to practice," Dolores Campbell said in an interview with Faith magazine, a publication of the Erie diocese. "But we'd start it out together. I think that has really blessed our marriage and family life."

The entire family lived together under one roof for the first 11 years of the twins' lives. ''We had seven kids sleeping in one room at one time," Deacon James recalled. "Let's just say we didn't get much sleep during those years." But the close-knit clan wouldn't have had it any other way.

"When you're cooking for so many, what's an extra person?"

Dolores Campbell asked.

It was also the kind of home in which the children understood and embraced their responsibilities from a young age. For 25 years the Campbell family had a paper· route to cover the cost of the children's Catholic high school tuition, with the papers delivered before daily Mass.

"My older brothers and sisters often took me to confession and Mass with them, which played a huge part in my formation," said Deacon Joseph. "The quality time with them was priceless. They shared their lives with us and allowed us to share our experiences with them." .

Deacons James and Joseph remember becoming aware of their calling to the priesthood at an early age. While they dispute the exact year- one thinks they were four years old, one says they were five - it was while participating in the annual novena at St. Ann Parish in Erie that a Redemptorist priest asked the boys what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Without ever having discussed it before, the spontaneous &nd simultaneous answer from both twins was "a priest."

Even though an ocean has separated the Campbell twins for the last four years - with Deacon James completing his degree at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., and Deacon Joseph wrapping up his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome - their comments and reflections in separate interviews were quite similar.

Joining the Campbell twins on the "field" of priesthood this year is another man who is a twin, Deacon Daniel Hendrickson, 35, of San Francisco, who will be ordained a Jesuit priest and whose identical twin also is a Jesuit.

Friday, May 12, 2006

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ing." grow and improve," heiisaid.

Seventy-year-old Mary Powers She would like to see more get believes that we need to encourage involved with Girl Scouts and the more young peopie ~o join Girl emblem program because ''they ofScouts and Boy Scouts. She says that fer so many positive things like learn.

I young people can learp leadership ing to work together, service to othskills and many valuabl~ things from ers and the community and spiritual _ their involvementincluding agreater groWth. We have dedicated people respect for "God, hOIll;e and coun- working on it, but there is a need for .. .11· try " more," she added.

Powers has served as a troop Tun Kelly serves on the Catholic leader and is now involved with the Committee for Scouting and has leadership team ofTroop 494 at Im- been involved with Scouting for 10 maculate Conceptibn Parish, years. One aspect of Scouting he Taunton, as well as beibg a member enjoys is promoting vocations and ofthe Catholic Committee on Scout- encouraging young men 'to get in·ing. volved with their parish.

"Scouting helps yqung people "It's important to get young learn leadership skills lland be pro- people involved with the Church and ductive citizens, but rkn y people their Catholic faith," said Kelly. A have forgotten what Scouting can parishioner at St. Stanislaus Parish, MEMBERS OF Boy Scout Troop 64 from .East Freetown build the cerem.onial fire for the Fall River, Kelly said Scouts "learn offer young people. i Easter Vigil Mass at St. John Neumann Church in East Freetown.

Powers teaches ~~ Religious a lot through the program including Emblem Program in .the fall and the dangers ofalcohol and drugs and hopes to get more adul~ to help out. how to perform CPR." Continued from page one ''The program really ~nriches the FatherSalvadorbelieves,the skills them self-esteem, how to be good ciation of nature. They study it and the world a better place. lives ofour young people. They learn one learns in Scouting will be with citiZens and take care of the envi- the world around them. They also Girls ages five to six are known more about the sacramtnts and their them their whole life. 'Many of the ronment. I have very fond memo- learn about astronomy, survival skills as Daisy Girl Scouts. Those ages six faith and it's 'not hardi to do," said kids go off to college and they get ries of Scouting." and merit badges help' them become to eight are Brownies, those ages Powers. "It helps theJ;n develop a involved in scouting programs at Latinville said the Religious Em- more attune to sports; outdoor ac- eight to II are Junior Girl Scouts and better relationship withllJesus and it's . college. It helps in career planning, 'I blem programs have been success- tivities an<;l special skills.!' those ages 1l ~ 17 are Girl Scouts. a great honor for them when they religious vocations and careers. ful and most of the Scouts who earn The Boy Scouts of America was receive that emblem frqm the bishop Those that are involved in Scouting Pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Parthe first award continue to work for ish in Fall River, Father Salvador is officially incorporated in 1910 by at St. Mary's Cathedral." take those skills to college and those the others as they progress through grateful for the help from Catholic Chicago publisher William Dickson Scouts who strive to bam the medskills help them."

I Scouting. "It's a great program for Charities in funding the Scouting Boyce and a' group of community alsmeetonehourevery other week He added that "Scouting has been our Scouts. I now have girls coming program. "Donations help pay for leaders. While on a trip to England, for three to five months depending on very successful through the years, back to help others." but there is a great need now for the medals and offset the cost of the Boyce received help from a Scout which emblem they're ~king.

She expressed hope that the pro- annual Scouting retreat held each fall and brought his interest in the move"It's a labor of love for me," de- more leadership through parents. I gram will grow more and parents at Cathedral Camp." "It takes care ment back to America. The British clared Powers. "I feel it's important see it beginning to grow and I hope will volunteer in stronger numbers. of a lot and we're thankful to have Boy Scout movement was founded and I've learned a lot #Om being in- it continues. Scouting is a whole"It's a family-oriented program the help."

by British Lord Robert Baden- volved. It's been a bl~sing." some youth activity and we need where young people develop lifeFaithful Companion ofJesus Sis- that" According to Father Salvador, Powell in 1908. long friendships. There i& always a Scouting helps keep kids off the Boyce wanted the purpose ofBoy ter Roberta O'Connor works with . Training for adults or clergy need for more parents to get in- streets and out of trouble. In a world Scouts to promote the ability of Powers, serving as Di<;lCe8an Chap- wishing to get involved with Scoutvolved~" where kids are spending more time young men to do things for them- lain of Girl Scouts, a position she's ing or establish a troop at their loFather Rodney E. Thibault, pa- on the Intemet, the opportunity for selves and others, to train them in held for II years. ''It's .been very re- cal parish is available. For more rochial vicar at Corpus Christi Par- them to build friendships and com- Scoutcraft and teach them patrio- warding to be involved in Girl Scouts information caHFatherSalvadorat I ish in East Sandwich, earned an municate with peers is a valuable op- tism, courage, self-reliance and kin- and to see young women deepen 508-676-8463 or Mary Powers at Eagle Scout rank while a member portunity. dred virtues. their faith through Catholic Scout- 508-8244452. of Troop 15 at Notre Dame Parish, That is reflected in the ScoutOath "There are a lot of dangers in Fall River. He praised the Scouting places like myspace.com and chil- which reads: "On my honor I will Help Us Build a ~ew Church to Honor Blessed Father ". program saying it helps one live a dren are wasting their time online. do my best. To do my duty to God Damien DeVeuster, Hero of Molokai - Hero of Humanity good live and can lead young people Scouting gives them a better place and my country and to obey the to a better role in society.

Scout Law; To help other people at Aloha from the Hawaiian Island of Molokal! to be," he said. "Scouting can be a "Scouting led me to a vocation," great tool for young people and the all times; To keep myselfphysically In the 19th century a Belqlan sacred Heart priest. Father Damlen DeVeuster. selnessly served the Hansen's disease (leprosy) patients who had been exiled to Kalaupapa. a resaid FatherThibault. "It's helped me Church." strong, mentally awake, and morally mote peninsula of Molollal. HawaiI. For 16 years. Father Damlen lived with the patients, as a priest and it helps teens focus Donly agreed that itcan be a great straight." Other values the Scouts bandaging their wounds,. building houses and coffins, burylng the dead, and bringing the on what's important and why they tool and said, 'They've proved over uphold are found in its Law which faith to the unchurched. Ultimately, Father Damlen became one with the patients, suc· cumblng to Hansen's disease at age 49 and passing away during Holy Week 1889. Blessed should help others." many decades that they are having a asks them to be trustworthy, helpMother Teresa considered Father Damlen her role model In her work. with the sick and He spoke about the Boy Scout positive impact on our young people ful, loyal, courteous, brave and abandoned patients of calcutta. In 1995, Pope John Paul II declared Father Damlen. Blessed Damlen.

Oath and Law stating that the aims and we see that influence today in cheerful among other things.

We, the Molokal catholic Community. are entrusted with telling the Blessed Damlen presented there help build up the many adults. The Catholic Charities Today there are more than three story and legacy of love. On Sundays, at St. SOphia Church In Kaunakakai, the main town of Molokal, our parishioners and visitors stand outside the doors and sit on foldln!l chairs In community and the Church. "Scouts Appeal is very proud to be involved million Boy Scouts in America in the church carpon. TIme, weather. and termite Infestation have taken a toll on SI. SOphia are learning morals and values in helping Catholic Scouting." more than 125,000 packs and troops.

Church, a modest wooden structure built In 1946, Our dream Is slmple-to build a new within the context offaith and helpchurch to replace SI. SOphia In the name of Blessed Damlen·Hero of Molokal. Hero of Hu. The Girl Scouts were established Boys can join TIger Cubs at the age manity. ing to make society a better place. I by Juliette Gordon Law in 1912. of seven. From there they progress Join the Molokal catholic Community In celebrating Blessed Damlen Day on May 10, value the Scouting·program very Originally called American Girl to Cub Scouts Webelos upon reachHelp us honor Blessed D~len by making a !lIft In his memory or In the memory of a loved one to the Blessed Damlen Church of Molokal Bulldln!! Fund. much," he declared.

Guides, the youth movement brings ing the age of 10, and Boy Scouts Any !lIft that yOu makEi'to the Blessed Damlen Building Fund will be humbly appreCiated.

Father Salvador shares that love girls of different backgrounds to- until age 17.

We look forward to the dily when Blessed Damlen will be added to the canon of saints. We ofScouting and it's led him to serve gether through a host of enriching Father Michael Racine is chapdedicate this tiulldlng effon to him, and we commit to contlnulnq the mission that he be!lan here over 150 years ago. Please Join us. as the chaplain for Episcopal Region experiences such as field trips, com- lain ofthe Narragansett Council and send yOur tax dedUctibleidOnatlOn to: One in New England for a number munity service projects and environ- remembers fondly his days in ScoutBlessed Damlen Bulldln!l Fund of years. He also is an advisor to the mental stewardships. . ing. He first got involved at eightMolokal catholic CQrrl.)nunlty, POBox 1948, Kaunakakai, Hawaii 96748 National Conference Committee on According to their national years-old and eventually earned the ThankyOu·Jor your !lenerosity. . '. f . • . i' Scouting.

Website, Girl Scouts, helps young rank ofEagle Scout ''Now as a priest For more Information see our webslteMww,blesseddamlenchurch.org 'The Scouting program is youth women develop their full individual I see some of my Boy Scouts runministry," he said. "Through the potential, relate to and respect oth- ning the troops." awards and the retreats we're giv- ers, and develop values that can Father Racine said when he first ing ourScouts spiritual guidance and , guide their lives and improve soci- joined the Boy Scouts there were not faith formation. When you have a ety. as many activities for young people pack or a troop in a parish it gets There are more than 236,000 to get involved in. He hopes more parents and parishioners involved troops in the world today. Nearly will choose Scouting because ''the and we need more of that." four million girls representing 145 young people who get involved with Father Salvador said that the ben- countries worldwide are involved in the program love it. efits of being involved in Scouting Scouting. Their mission remains "We had a lot of good times. are endless. "One of the greatest unchanged, to build girls ofcourage, There were canoe trips, hiking and things is Scouts develop an appre- confidence and character who make camp outs. I hope it continues to ,

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Friday, May 12, 2006

Why ruin a good story with the truth?

In the second part of my series I focused on gnosticism underpinning of "The Da Vinci .

Code." Now I tum to Leonardo Da Vinci and the Priory of Scion, two other central elements of author Dan Brown's plot. .

For me, the name Leonardo is synonymous with the famous painter, sculptor, and inventor not Di Caprio of "Titanic" fame.

Born in 1452 in Vinci near Florence, Italy, Leonardo of the arts was also a man of science, mathematics, and engineering. Of his paintings - about 17 survive - the most famous is The Mona Lisa; however, his masterpiece is The Last Supper.

Brilliant, creative, and imaginative are some adjectives I use for Leonardo. I regret this supremely talented scientist/artist will be forever linked with the "Code" hoax that, for most people, likely will never be exposed and will have Leonardo forevermore as a member of the Priory of Scion. The Priory, according to Brown, was an ancient secret society, existing today, whose members included such notables as Leonardo, Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and many others all dedicated to preserving the "truth" that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus who made her the leader, not Peter, of his "sacred feminine" movement and who had his child.

Two of Leonardo's great works of art - The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper - now become just clues in a supposed grand conspiracy perpetrated by the Church. The Last Supper is portrayed as dinner with the Apostles with Jesus and Mary Magdalene as host and hostess - Mary's sitting to Jesus' right and showing her feminine form.

This is Leonardo's "secret code" with Mary's being the chalice (Holy Grail). This incredible tale is all based on speculations

an

middle on a tilted head and with a Mona Lisa-like smile, John the Baptist appears feminine. This was the early 15th-century Florentine style used by other painters during the period. For whatever reason, Leonardo apparently chose to use this style for Jesus' beloved disciple believed to be the Apostle St. John the Evangelist.

Considering this person to be Mary Magdalene or any other woman just doesn't make sense in the male-dominated Jewish culture of ancient Palestine..Of course, quite evident in the Gospels, Jesus gave women the - -......- - - -......_..Jl......I~II:;._ recognition they desperately deserved. Why "Code." Powerful proof that the wouldn't he? During Jesus' time Priory and its famous memberwomen were told to be submissive ship, including Leonardo, are and modest and were held fantasies just doesn't and won't responsible for bringing sin into get the attention it deserves. Why the world. Jesus challenged this ruin a good story with the truth? negative attitude and the Jewish Consider that the Priory member- social world stacked against ship list, so critical for plot women. development, is a forgery!

As far as I'm concerned, it's Frenchman Pierre Plantard, a not so important that Mary fraud and embezzler, invented Magdalene was not at the Last the Priory of Scion as depicted in Supper with the Apostles and seated at a place of high honor at the "Code," and he planted a Jesus' right hand. For me it's fake list of Priory Grand Masters (and other Priory documents) in much more important to know the French National Library and appreciate that she had a where they were "discovered." very special role, a special honor.

We believe she was there with The Priory's false history was Jesus' mother to witness his exposed in France and on the BBC in 1996. Plantard, who died suffering and death on the cross. in 2000, admitted under oath that The men had fled. She was the it was all a lie. Leonardo was not first to see the risen Jesus. She a member so it follows there was was the one to tell the Apostles she had seen Jesus. Dan Brown, no reason for him to pass on any your tale pales in comparison to secret through a "code." her being the first witness to the Secondly, is that figure sitting event changing the history of to the right of Jesus at the Last man- and woman-kind and Supper really Mary or perhaps giving us all hope for eternal life. some other woman? Is he/she David E. Pierce is a 2007 Jesus' beloved disciple? Without question this person has feminine candidate for the permanent diaconate. He and his wife features, but a woman? My first Diane are members ofChrist impression (and second) is: the King Parish, Mashpee probably so. That was before I where both are active in the looked at other Da Vinci paintRCIA and RCIC programs. ings, however, such as his St. They have two sons, Michael John the Baptist. Long and flowing, wavy hair, parted in the and Jonathan.

pieced together by the author from other fictional sources.

Nevertheless, when one tells a story in a convincing manner and says what people will love to believe, the result will be a receptive audience of one's own disciples.

First, did the Priory of Scion exist? Yes, briefly, but not the way the Priory is portrayed in the

eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

''Broadway's Lost Treasures Collection" (2003-2005) Highly recommendable boxed set comprising three PBS specials, "Broadway's Lost Treasures I, II, and III," all culled from past Tony Awards shows, the annual event which honors the theater's best. How can you go wrong with Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, Carol Channing and the like? Many of the clips show the performers in their prime during the actual year their respective shows were on Broadway (and you'll be amazed at how long those segments were allowed to run in the old TV days!); clips include Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin in "Evita," Joel Grey in "Cabaret" and Jerry Orbach in "42nd Street." Other clips capture the stars in later years, re-creating their great moments, such as Robert Preston in "The Music Man," Julie Andrews in "My Fair Lady" and Alfred Drake in "Kiss Me, Kate." The three discs each come with generous bonus material, in some cases numbers less "popular" than the main items, ~ut po 't(s~;entertaining, among them a lengthy excerpt of Katharine Hepburn's improbable musical outing in "Coco," Robert Goulet and David Wayne in a terrific number from "The Happy Time," and an aging Desi Amaz recalling his breakthrough role in Rodgers & Hart's "Too Many Girls." (Acorn Media)

"Classic Musicals from the Dream Factory" (1945-1955) Here's another outstanding boxed set gleaned from MGM's golden age of musicals, which besides "Summer Stock" (A-Igeneral patronage), includes the all-star plotless revue "Ziegfeld Follies" (1945) (A-II - adults and adolescents); Gene Kelly and Stanley Donan's '路'It's AI-

ways Fair Weather" (1955) (Aadults and adolescents); and two musical bios, "Three Little Words" (songwriters Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby) (1950) (A-I - general patronage), and "Till the Clouds Roll By" (Jerome Kern) (1946) (A-I general patronage), all presented in superb print quality, and each coming with fun and informative extra material. The five films are available singly as well, and each comes with a newly produced featurette, contemporary short subjects, and cartoons.

There's no audio commentary, but surviving stars such as Arlene Dahl and Gloria DeHaven; some of the creators; knowledgeable film experts like John Fricke, Hugh Fordin and Ray Faiola; and other pros like Broadway director Susan Stroman provide insightful remarks in the featurettes. "Fair Weather" includes three deleted numbers, "Clouds" has two, one of them with Judy Garland, and there are three audio-only songs from "Ziegfeld Follies." All are highly recommended family viewing, though "It's Always Fair Weather," with its somewhat downbeat story about a corroded friendship among Army buddies, may be less appropriate for kids.

n-

"Liam Lawton in Concert" (2005) Lovely concert filmed at St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny, Ireland, with the Irish singer and composer - an ordained priest - in a program of spiritual music, including such titles as "Benedictus," "Voice of an Angel," "Lament of the Virgin" and "Ave Maria - There is a Heart."

He is joined by guest artists Roisin O'Reilly and Elmear Quinn. Bonus features on the full-screen DVD include a behind-the-scenes featurette, an interview with the personable Father Lawton discussing how he combines his priestly and musical vocations, and three bonus selections. (Acorn Media)

A&E's 'Illuminating Angels & Demons' rife with erroneous innuendos Bv DAVID DICERTO CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

conspiracies and cover-ups involving the Catholic Church. Once NEW YORK - When P.T. again, Langdon deciphers hidden Barnum quipped, "There's a clues in famous artwork which he sucker born every minute," he no uses here to unravel the plot of a doubt had in mind just the sort of secret society known as the Illumigullible dupe who'd put even an nati to destroy the Vatican. iota of credence in programs such Based on British investigative as "Illuminating Angels & De- journalist Simon Cox's tie-in book, mons," a documentary that alleges "Illuminating Angels & Demons" to reveal the "truth" behind ''The is less a serious analysis than a reDa Vinci Code" author Dan hashing of hoary conspiracy theoBrown's earlier novel. The show. ries about the Church suppressing airs Thursday, May 18, 10 p.m.- dark secrets and cabals bent on midnight EDT on the A&E cable world domination. A cast of "exchannel, the day before ''The Da perts" - including Clive Prince and Lynn Picknett, co-authors of Vinci Code" hits theaters.

Like its more popular follow-up, ''The Templar Revelation" - are "Angels & Demons" has Harvard interviewed to give it a symbologist Robert Langdon as its pseudoscholarly veneer. Many of protagonist and is full of shadowy the commentators' credentials re-

main vague. While some elements of the novel are questioned, the program by and large legitimizes Brown's bogus assertions.

Without going into a lengthy syllabus of errors, perhaps a few examples will suffice. Narration states that the Emperor Constantine "founded" the Vatican, which, as in Brown's novels, is mistakenly used as a catchall phrase to mean, among other things, the Church, the Curia and the papacy. Ignoring the statement's historic and ecclesial inaccuracy, much of the actual Vatican - the geographical site which includes St. Peter's Basilica and the papal residence in Rome - was marshlands at the time of Constantine.

Equally uninformed is Picknett's claim that it is an "article of (Catholic) faith" that Peter's primacy among the Apostles is derived from his being the first person to see the resurrected Jesus. He wasn't and it isn't.

Picknett also contends that the Church is keeping the lid on "hidden" Gospels locked away in the Vatican archives that would "seriously undermine the Church" if people found out. Doesn't she know that those purportedly "secret" texts are available on amazon.com?

Picking up on themes from Brown's novel, the program paints the Church as historically antagonistic to knowledge, science and learning, overlooking, of course, that the

first universities in Europe were founded by the Church. Its erroneous speculations about Bernini's sculptures are similarly dismal.

Consisting mostly of stock footage, the low-budget production never really decides who the good or bad guys are - the Church or the Illuminati - dropping discussion of Brown's tome midway through for a paranoid game of conspiracy connect-the-dots involving the Free Masons, Knights Templar, the Vatican Bank and the U.S. government.

Needless to say, the program is anything but illuminating.

DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. 'Conference ofCatholie Bishops.

Frida~.;May 12, 2006

13

.Local channels at risk with new federal cable-franchise bill

By MARK PATIISON cise time when digital communiCATHOLIC ~EWS ~ERVICE cations services are playing an WASHINGTON - Don't look ever-growing role in our daily now, but the television landscape lives." is threatening to gete~en morehoIf that's the case, it's only a matmogenized. ter of time before it's goodbye, There is a movement afoot in school channel, goodbye, city- .

Congress to po away ~ith the abil- council channel, and goodbye, ity of local governments to enter public-access channel.

Local over-the-air channels into francqise agreements with cable companies. SOIlle state leg- started stiffing their public decades islatures are - at the behest of the ago on local programming; cable cable~TV lobby ~ trying to pull access channels offered at least a the same thing. .• glimmer of hope that local needs The federal bill would not only would be respected. But if the cable prevent municipalities from enter- and telephone companies want to ing into future agreements with the turn cable systems into national protelephone giants that want to get gramming services, and if satellite. into the cable-TV business, it TV is just more of the same, what would allow cable c;ompanies to will we miss out on? tear up the agreemertts already in The cable system in Montgomplace. ery County, Md., a Washington subThese are the agreements that urb, has a traffic-camera channel. mandate investments in the com- Is it as compelling as, say, "Despermunity, like headquarters build- ate Housewives"? Not usually, but , ings, studios, training programs for I remember being glued to that citizens, and set-asides for a spe- channel three years ago when a cific number of chanhels reserved huge President's DC}y weekend for the local government's use. snowstorm shut down virtually evIn the congressional legislation, erything around Washington for two . local oversight would be replaced days, including Catholic News Serby a "national franchise" that will vice. It let me know when I could permit large cable an~ phone com- safely drive again. panies to operate without regard for It's easy to snicker at the decidlocal concerns, according to Jeff edly low-tech presentation of acChester executive director of the cess channels: stationary cameras, Center for Digital Democracy. Un~ muffled voices of governmental der the bill, Chester s.aid in a post- leaders, treacly background music ing in the online edition of The Na- while a photo of Brand X Grade tion magazine, "phobe companies School is on the screen C}1ong with could engage in a form ofeconomic the school's lunch menu for that redlining, serving only the most af- week. fluent parts of town; Vie current 10Still, it's local programming. cal franchise system prevents such What else can franchise fees discrimination. Communities do? In the District of Columbia, would not be able to'enact any con- they were able to help renovate a sumer safeguards, such as privacy 19th-century brick mansion not far protection." . from the cable franchise's operaChester added, "While the pro- tions center and transform it into posed legislation aoes require the headquarters building for phone and cable companies to pay D.C.'s community television prQannual fees to cities and also to viders and volunteers. When it fiprovide public, eddcational and nally opened after several false governmental (PEG) access chan- starts, it was outfitted with the most nels'for local use it freezes in time sophisticated state-of-the-art .PEG capacity -'se~ng aside only equipment _ as state-of-the-art as a handful of public channels while rapidly evolving technology will placing off-limits the enormous allow, anyway. Andthe property, potential of broadb(Uld cable sys- which had long been an eyesore tems to serve the pUblic interest. with broken windows and overUnder the proposed national fran- grown grass and weeds, now looks chise plan, cable companies would amazingly nondescript. be able to opt out of their current It shouldn't have to be said, but agreements, leaving local officials local dollars should stay in local and residents powerless at the pre- communities.

LOGAN LERMAN, I~ft, and Brie larson star in a scene from the movie "Hoot." For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/New Line) .. .. . . elations of an adult nature. The h~ll abounds WIth mghtman~h VIUSCCB Office for Film & Broad- SIO~ worthy of D~te, but I~ .explonng themes of faIth, fanatiCI~m casting classification is A-ill adults. The Motion'PictureAssocia- and mother~oo? ~e ~lm, which starts out een~y mtngU1~g, eventution of America rating is PG-13 parents strongly cautioned. Some ally des~n~ mto confuSion and ~e material may be inappropriate for gore of Its vldeogame roots, ending children under 13. on a p~rplexing. note that willl~ave ''Hoot'' (New Line) you, like the h~unte? hamlet, m a IC~i ~tf()viife Amiable family-friendly drama fog. In~nsely di.sturb~g and bl~y about an eighth-grader (Logan horror unages, mcludmg ~ graphic ICalIV~UIII(e~ Lerman) who moves with his par- s~neofa~o~burntalive,some NEW YORK (CNS) - The fol- ents to small-town Rorida, where VIOlence, I~cluding.a sava~e offlowing are capsule reviews ofmov- he is caught up in the crusade of an s~reen beating,. fleeting partial nuies recently reviewed by the Office enigmatic boy (Cody Linley) and dity, and recumng rough ~d crude for Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. his stepsister (Bne Larson) to save . language and pro.famty. The Conference of Catholic Bishops. a colony of burrowing owls whose USC;CB O~ce f~r FI~ & Broad"An American Haunting" habitat is threatened by a real-es- casting cl~sIfication IS ~ -. mor(After Dark) tate developer hoping to bulldoze ally 0i!e~lve. The ~otion.Pic~ Spookily atmospheric, well- the endangered birds' nesting zone AssocIa~on of Amenca rating ~s R acted thriller based on the "true to make way for a pancake fran- - restncte~. Under 17 requIres story" of the "Bell Witch"case, the chise. Directed by Wil Shriner and accOI!1panYlllg parent or adult only documented case in the U.S. based on Carl Hiaasen's award- guardian. of a spirit causing the death of' a winning children's book, the film's ''The Promise" (Warner person, as· the Bells, an 1818 Ten- warm message about friendship, reInde~ndent).., nessee couple (Donald Sutherland spect for nature and taking a stand Fantasy romance set m China s and Sissy Spacek) battle ghostly for' what's right is handicapped mythic p~.t about a beautiful p~nhorrors in their home and the pos- somewhat by a weak script and a cess (Cecili~ Cheung)whose childsession of their daughter (Rachel slow-starting plot, and the saucer- hood pact With a goddess to forsake Hurd-Ward), after a woman thought eyed critters get very little screen true love for worldly comfort reaps to be a witch curses the family. time. Some schoolyard bullying and fateful.conseq~encesforheran~the Write~directorCourtneySoIDmon a few mildly crass expressions. The three nvals vymg for her ~ections: builds up an atmosphere of heady USCCB Office for Film & Broad- a renown~d general (Hlfoyukl suspense that never lets.up, and al- casting classification is A-I - gen- S~ada), his loyal, supernaturally though there's lots of generalized eral patronage. The Motion Picture s~~ slave (Jang ~ong-Gun) and.a demonic violence, there's little Association ofAmerica rating is PG villamous duke (Nlchol~ Tse). 01bloodshed. Some intensely violent - parental guidance suggested. rector Chen Kaige's epic tale of episodes including a hair-raising Some material may not be suitable desire and destiny explores u~verPRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS sal themes of honor, s e l f - s a c r i f i c e . ' wolf attack, an attempted suicide, for children.

America rating is PG - paren- and free will, but sacrifices characAS RE9UESTED BY OUR LADY OF .FATIMA questioning of God' s existence and omnipotence, and subtle sexual rev- tal guidance suggested. Some ma- ~r ~evelopment and narrativ~ clarOn December 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia terial may not be suitable for chil- Ity m favor of sumptu~us ViSUalS (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my Movies Online . dren. and effects-heavy martial arts sename that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces "Silent Hill" (TriStar) quences. ~uch stylized action vionecessary for the 'salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first . Can't remember how a re.. Bleak and surreal supernatural lence, images ofbattlefield carnage, Saturday of five consecutive months shaU: cent film was classified by the thriller about a mother (Radha a massacre scene, a flaIDing body 1. Go to confes~ion; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the U.S. Conference of Catholic Mitchell) whose desperate search and a sexual encounter, as well as .

Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while Bishops? Want to know for her missing daughter (Jodelle suggested bathing nudity.

The meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with ~he intention of whether to let the kids go see Ferland) leads her to a haunted USCCB Office for Film & Broad-' .• making reparation to me." it? You can look film reviews ghost town - ravaged by fue 30 casting classification is A-III ·In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be up on the Catholic News Ser- . years earlier - where she faces adults. The Motion Picture Associapreceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses vice Website. demonic forces and the town's evil tion of America rating is PG-13 co"!mitted against the Im'!'aculate Heart of Mary."

Visit catholicnews.com and Co.nfesslons m~y be made dUring ~ days before or ~fter the past to get her child back. Suffused parents strongly cautioned. Some click on "Movies," under the with religious motifs, director material may be inappropriate for f~rst Saturday, ~nd Holy Cc:»mmunlon may b~ received at "News Item" menu. eIther the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

Christophe Gans' journey through children under.13 .

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14

Friday, May 12, 2006

Injuries don't stop accident victim from getting first Communion

By GARY MORTON

were to be his witnesses. "We are witnesses to God's work in our MARYDEL, Md. - Christina live's," Father LaBarge said.

He called on Christina "to tell Trice processed into Immaculate . Conception Church in Marydel people how much a difference prayer April 30, her hands piously folded has made in your life. Prayer is powand a look of detennination on her erfuL" Father LaBarge noted that many people in Marydel and beyond face.

Like the other girls among the had prayed for her recovery.

The Saturday after the accident, 路16 children receiving their first Communion, seven-year-old Chris- Christina was supposed' to attend a tina wore a white dress, veil and first Communion retreat. "She shoes. But she also sported white asked, 'Am I going to be able to satin wheel covers on her wheel-' receive first holy Communion?''' . chair, which had extensions sup- Barbara Trice said. "At that point I didn't have an answer for her." , porting her outstretched legs.

But, she added, "You can't hold Her presence was a testament to the prayers of loved ones, the care this child down. She's got a very of her doctors and nurses, and her strong will."

Christina returned home from own willpower.

Eleven days earlier, Christina the hospital April 28. The doctors, was critically injured in a car acci- nurses and staff"worked really hard dent in nearby Dover, Del. She was to make sure that when we left there knocked unconscious and suffered Friday, she was good to go," said a concussion, fractured pelvis, lac- Barbara Trice, who was not seri,erated kidney and spleen, and punc- ously injured in the accident.

Christina's first Communion tured lungs, according to her QUINTUPLETS, FROM left, Elijah, Nicholas, Carter, Taylor and Miranda Janse~ of Omaha, mother, Barbara Trice, who was Classmates helped the girl's spirits, Neb., are pictured May 1 with their pastor, Father Donald Shane, of S1. Robert Bellarmine driving the family car when the ac- making her cards and signing a cident occurred. Christina's right quilt, which was later signed by her Church. They were among the hundreds of second-graders to receive first Communion this ear was almost severed, and she was doctors and nurses. After Mass, spring in the Archdiocese of Omaha. Born in 1998, the Jansens were Nebraska's first quinChristina said she was glad to re- 路tuplets. (CNS photo/Lisa M. Schulte, The Catholic Voice) bleeding profusely.

The immediate concern was not ceive the ~fts. ''They cared about whether Christina would make her me," she said of her classmates.

Receiving first Communion was first Communion, but whether she "good," said Christina. She spoke would survive. ''We're lucky to be here - very, little; her mother said the day's exvery lucky," Barbara Trice told The citement and 12:30 p.m. Mass start Dialog, newspaper of the Diocese' left her daughter fatigued.

By LISA SCHULTE Jansen had been through this be- Carter to his mom as she put on Christina must stay off her feet of Wilmington,. Del., which inCATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE fore with their older daughter, Nicholas'tie. cludes a portion of Maryland. "I for six to eight weeks so her pelvis Nicole, almost 14 years ago. It's He had on Elijah's shoes and OMAHA, Neb. --'The big day' thank God for her being here," she can heal, her mother said. Barbara just much busier this time around, the two switched so that Carter Trice marvels at how Christina sur- was finally here. said at the church. had on the wide-width ones.

The Jansen quintuplets - the they said.

Father Chris LaBarge, pastor, vived the accident. Christina had "What about my hair?" asked "I probably got things done first quintuplets born in Nebraska cited Christina's recovery in his jumped into the front seat of the car Taylor, after her mom placed the muc'h quicker.

I didn't have to were going to receive the Euhomily. "One of the things we are that day rather than the back, she wreath and veil on her head with spend so much time preparing or charist for the first time at St. recalled.

Had Christina been in the witnessing today is the power of prayer," he said. "A week ago, we rear passenger-side seat where she Robert BeIIarmine Church in plan as far ahead," said Karla bobby pins. "I haven't brushed my Jansen, who began looking for hair yet!" . didn't think Christina would be normally sits, Barbara Trice said, Omaha and they were ready.

Miranda sat quietly on the clothing sales in February.

For several months, sevenshe would have been killed; that here." couch looking at the sparkly year-olds Carter, Elijah, part of her car bore the brunt of the Turning to Christina, he asked, applique her mother had Miranda, Nicholas and Tay"A week ago, you didn't think you impact.

"I think the angels were holding lor had been practicing for "I was a little teary-eyed in sewn onto her dress. would be here, did you?" She shook Older sister Nicole this very day: rhey had aton to her," Barbara Trice said. her head no. church, " Karla Jansen said the next emerged from the bathroom tended Religious Education "Somebody had to be looking after In the Gospel reading, the risen . classes at S t. Robert路 day. "It's like you're just watching just in time to take some Jesus told his disciples that they us."

Bellarmine and learned the your babies take one more step. I group shots of her siblings importance of the sacra- started thinking back to when they before it was time to head ment, talked about it during were babies and therr baptism. I'm to the church a few blocks dinner and even practiced relieved that it's finally over. I feel I away.

During the April 30 with their father, Jeff, using can finally breathe again. At least Mass, all the Jansens re.round tortilla chips.

"The first time we did it I , we've got a long ways until the next ceived the Eucharist together from Father Donald was kind of confused about big event - their confirmation."

Shane, pastor, as a family what to do," Taylor said. friend, Father David "You put your strong The children got dressed in the LaPlante, watched from the sanchand on the bottom and then you tuary. Father LaPlante, chaplain at pick it up and put it in your family's living room.

"These are kinda hard to put Alegent Health Bergan Mercy mouth," added Miranda, describing the way her dad taught her to on," said Taylor as she struggled Medical Center in Omaha, baptized the quintuplets in 1998 and to pull up her white tights. receive the Eucharist.

Nicholas sat on the floor, tak- visits the family every week.

Karla Jansen, the children's "I was a little teary-eyed in mother, had found matching out- ing off his white athletic socks and fits for the boys, and made the' putting on black ones. Carter tied church," Karla Jansen said the girls' dresses and veils. the laces of his black patent-' next day. "It's .like you're just . "Sometimes I think, gosh, it leather shoes. watching your babies take one After getting ready herself, more step. I started thinking back would be nice if it were just one, but it's like when they were ba- Karla Jansen came to help button to when they were babies and bies, you just do what you have , shirts, tie ties and zip dresses. their baptism."

CHRISTINA TRICE, seven, receives her first Communion to do," she told The Catholic Soon her husband came in the "I'm relieved that it's finally from Father Chris LaBarge during the celebration at Immacu- Voice, Omaha's archdiocesan room to assist Elijah, who had over. I feel I can finally breathe late Conception Church in Marydel, Md. Eleven days earlier, newspaper. been in the basement playing on again," she said: "At least we've Christina was critically injured in a car accident in nearby got a long ways until the next big That Sunday afternoon was a the computer.

"My shoes hurt," complained event - their confirmation." bit chaotic, but Jeff and Karla Dover, Del. (CNS photo/Don Blake, The Dialog) CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Quintuplets receive first Communion at Omaha parish

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Friday, May 12, 2006

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151

the~

The numbers game: Stats picture Pope John Paul II's pontificate

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

a result, Catholics as a percent- nation. The Catholic population age of the world population de- , there increased by 13 million in VATICAN CITY - Under creased from about 18 percent in the first 10 years of Pope John Pope John Paul II's 26-year pa- 1978 to about 17.2 percent at-the Paul's papacy, but overthe1ast 16 pacy, the Catholic Church grew by end of 2004. years declined by more than The continent-by-continent 650,000. The overall European 45 percent, struggled to replace priests and religious, and experi- numbers are more significant than growth rate under Pope John Paul enced a significant "graying" of the global totals, confirming the was 4.6 percent, the lowest by far its hierarchy, according to statis- Church's demographic shift to the of any continent.

The number of Catholics in tics released recently by the developing world.

The Church in Mrica grew by Asia increased nearly 80 percent Vatican.

In a sense, the statistics com- 172 percent under Pope John Paul, over the same period. The fact that plete a by-the-numbers portrait of increasing from about 12 percent Catholics still represent only 2.9 Pope John Paul's pontificate. .to 17 percent of the African popu- percent of the total Asian populaThey cover the period from 1978, lation. By the end of 2004, Afri- tion explains why many Vatican the year of his' election, through cans represented about 14 percent officials see the continent as the the end of 2004, three months ofCatholics worldwide, compared great frontier of evangelization. to seven percent in 1978.

Oceania's tiny Catholic popubefore he died.

The number of Catholics in lation managed to increase more The worldwide Catholic population increased by 342 million North and South America, where than 50 percent under Pope John during that time, from 757 million about half the Church's members Paul, slightly more than the genlive, increased about 50 percent, eral population increase. to just under 1.1 billion.

When it came to priests, the That sounds huge, but it was virtually the same as the general Vatican statistics highlighted the actually slightly less than the rate population growth.

Europe showed signs of stag- "good news, bad news" picture of general population increase. As

that typified Pope John Paul's papacy. The good news was that the number of seminarians increased 77 percent from 1978 to 2004, with the greatest jumps in Africa, 304 percent, and As~a, 153 percent.

The bad news was that the number of priests worldwide has decreased about 3.5 percent since 1978 - and with the Catholic I' population up 45 percent, that means the average pastoral workload is much heavier. The Vatican called the global figures "rather disappointing."

If Church officials are looking for a silver lining in th9se numbers, they may find it in the fact that over the last 16 years the number of diocesan priests has increased by 11,634, reversing a: trend. The number of religious-order priests continues to decline,llhowever.

Europ~ showed lithe greatest drop, 10Slllg 20 percent. North America dropped liB percent,

South America gained 29 percent, Africa was up 84 percent and Asia up 74 percent. In the United States, the total number of diocesan and religious priests dropped 20 percent in the period 19782004.

The statistics confirmed two other widely known trends under Pope John Paul: the sharp decline in the number of women religious - down about 23 percent, from 991,000 to 767,000 - and the sharp increase in permanent deacons, up about 480 percent, from 5',500 to 32,000.

Not so widely known has been the aging of the episcopate.

By the end of 2004 the total number of bishops rose to nearly 4,800, about 29 percent more than in 1978. Africa led the way, with an increase of 46 percent. However, the average age of bishops increased from 62 to 67.4 years.

In Europe, 64 percent of today's bishops are over 65.'

Montie Plumbing & Heating Co. Over 35 Years . of Satisfied Services Reg. Master Plumber 7023 JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR. 432 JEFFERSON STREET FALL RIVER 508-675-7496

I

DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION DIOCESE ,OF FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS

POPE BENEDICT XVI views the Divine Love Sanctuary from an aircraft as he arrives at the shrine on the outskirts of Rome recently. During a prayer service at the shrine, the pope prayed that Mary would help free the world from immorality, war and terrorism. (eNS photo/' L'Osservafore Romano)

Pope visits Marian sanctuary, prays for end to war, terrorism

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ROME - Pope Benedict XVI made a May Day pilgrimage to Rome's largest Marian sanctuary and prayed that Mary would help free the world from immorality, war and terrorism.

The pope said he hoped his visit to the Divine Love Sanctuary on the southern edge of the city would help Catholics in the Diocese of Rome rediscover Marian devotion. r- jJe Benedict was repeating a gesture carried out by Pope John Paul TI, who visited the

same sanctuary on the first day of May in 1979, early in his pontificate.

After praying the rosary with several hundred of the faithful before a statue of Mary, the pope 'gave a talk recalling how, in 1944, Romans had solemnly requested Mary's help in saving the city from war. In exchange, he said, people promised to correct and improve their moral conduct. ''Today, too, there is a need for conversion to God, to the God who is love, so that the world will be liberated from wars and from

terrorism," he said. He cited the three Italian soldiers killed in a bomb attack in Iraq the previous week.

The pope said Mary remains for all Christians a sign of God's love, tenderness and mercy. She is the figure to whom people often turn at the happy and sad moments of their lives, he said.

He urged prayers for Mary's intercession on behalf of the Church's leaders and pastors, for the poor and suffering, for children and the elderly and for the intention of vocations.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, located in the southeastern corner of the state, seeks applicants for the exciting new position of Director of Faith Formation for a Diocese which serves ninety-three parishes and 350,000 Catholics. Reporting directly to the Bishop, the Director will be a visionary religious education leader, a faithfilled practicing ':Catholic in good standing with the Church, hold a Master's Degree in theology, religious education or related fields and have a minimum of five years direct parish experience. The candidate should possess experience in catechesis with school-aged children, adult education, youth ministry, and will be expected to train local parish OREs. Leadership skill" a consultative work ethic, inspiring and e~足 fective, personable, strong communication and organizational skills, are required qualities. Doctrinal soundness and adherence to the Church's teachings are essential. This is a 12-month position with competitive salary and benefits.

Review of applications will begin on May 25, 2006 and conti'nue until position is filled. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for late June. Interested and qualified candidates are asked to sl!Jbmit a letter of interest addressing requirements/skills listed above, complete resume, and names, addresses, and telephone numbers/e-mail addresses of five professional references, including their pastor to: Fall River Faith Formatior:'l Search, Catholic School Management, Inc., P.O. Box 4071, Madison, CT 06443-4071 or e-mail to www.office@catholicschoolmgmt.com.

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CYO Basketball crowns champions FALL RIVER - The Fall River Diocesan CYO Basketball Program recently completed another successful season with the diocesan playoffs producing three championship teams. Local champions from the Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton areas took part in a playoff format that eventually produced diocesan champions in each division of CYO basketball.

In theJuniorGirls Division, Holy Name of Fall River, coached by Ken Fiola, defeated Holy Name of New Bedford in two straight games.

The members of the championship team are: Lauren Benevides, Courtney Camara, Caroline Quinn, Meaghan CantweIl, Lauren Fiola, Chelsey DaSilva, Jenna Fleming, Morgan Coombes, Kate McDonald, Giulia Khoury and Jordan Prescott.

In the Junior Boys Division, Holy

Name of East Taunton won two straight games against St. Joseph of Fairhaven to capture the crown.

Members of the team are: D.J. Gomes, Kyle Mulcahy, Pat Buzzell, James Dominick, Cory Johnson, Matt Silva, Mitchell Sylvester, Cawaan Henderson, John Lynch, Jesse McCartney and John McCartney. Their coach is Paul Buzzell.

In the Prep Boys Division, Our Lady of the Assumption of New Bedford defeated St. Joseph of Taunton in two straight games to win the division. Members of the team are: Taysharn Ramos, Aaron Azevedo, Josh Oliveira, Jesse Vicente, Lee Butler, Marcel Candoso, Tyrone Solano, Adam Baptista and Clayton Tunas. Steve Burgo, Chuck Lally and Butch Silva were coaches for the team.

MEMBERS OF the Youth Group of Holy Name Church in Fall River wave their paddles during a recent kayaking trip on the Westport River. Below they pause for a photo on a trip to Martha's Vineyard.

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SELECTED AS COUGARS of the Month at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, for the month of April were, from left: Patricia Arruda, sophomore; Jacob Miguel, junior; Jasiel Correira, freshman; and Melanie Caron, senior. Vice Principal for Student Affairs Bob Jarvis is in the rear, and Principal Paul Cartier is at right.

THESE STUDENTS from Bishop Connolly High School were chosen to have their artwork displayed in the annual Fall River Arts Association Art Show. From left: Ashley Rodrigues, Tom Oliveira, Adam Vieira, Gabe Richardson, Michelle Zhang, Cynthia Cheng, and in right photo, Manny Melo.

THE KIDS in Christ Youth Group from St. Julie Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth, recently re-enacted the Stations of the Cross as part of their parish service. They are led by Barbara Bandarra, Youth Group advisor.

Friday, May 12, 2006

,Vatican officials, experts examine challenges modem children face VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A four-day Vatican conference examined a long list of challenges, from child labor to gender selec. tion of fetuses, that modem children face.

After hearing continent-bycontinent reports, organizers said they were especially worried that older generations are no longer viewing children as the hope of the future - as evidenced by the declining birthrate in developed and developing countries.

The vulnerability of children should make this topic a priority for Catholic social teaching, said Mary Ann Glendon, president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Glendon spoke May 2 at a Vatican press meeting at the end of the conference, which for the first time included young partici-¡ pants from several continents, Detailed papers pr~sented at the meeting analyzed such themes as the impact ofglobalization and child labor law on young people. in Asia or the efforts by China and India to stem the widespread practice of aborting female fetuses.

"Many of the world's children live under dark shadows of oppression and exploitation. Many do not live to see the light of day 'or are abandoned to die in the first days of life," Glendon said. 'This is particularly true for girls, as the male-female imbalance is now pronounced in populous parts of the world."

In China, one of the academy's experts said,'there are now 25 percent more males born than females. The government, realizing

that this is creating a potentially huge problem for the future, has begun to take steps to discourage gender selection.

French' professor GerardFrancois Dumont, rector of the University of Paris-Sorbonne, told the conference that, while the world is familiar with the onechild policy of China, one-child, families now dominate Europewithout government coercion.

Dumont also said single-parent households were increasing in Latin America.

Speakers illustrated that threats to children can come in many forms: - Kevin Ryan, a professor at Boston University, said the traditional U.S. family configuration has changed drastically in recent decades: Families are smaller, move more frequently and are much more likely to be single-parentfamilies. The number ofworking mothers has skyrocketed.

'The space previously filled by the family is being filled by schools, the media and the street," Ryan said. He said the time spent on media and electronic entertainmen~ now averages close to 40 hours a week among the, young.

Those media, he said, tend to promote a highly sexualized cultiJre, with a message ofsexual freedom that drowns out young people's awareness of responsibilities.

- Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, head of the Pontifical Council for the Family, spoke of a "syndrome ~f endless adolescence" that encourages young people to avoid responsibility and permanent commitments.

Facing and gett~ng over loss

By CHARLIE

MARTIN -

CAT!i0LlC NEWS SERVICE

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Offthe new CD and all over popl hurt, grief or anger. You will perCAB rock stations is the single "Cab." It ceive that this current episode of New York snow this time ofyear addresses the painful situation of pain eventually will subside and that There s nothing more loss in life, especially the loss of a you can even shorten its duration beautiful to me romantic relationship. by accepting its intensity.

Except for you The song's character is strugHowever, none of this means Making my way on the town gling with this loss. However, he is that you need to suffer through the And I'm seeingfamiliar beginning to understand that mov- worst of your emotions alone. places, faces ing beyond a significant hurt is a When I work with others who are In my pile ofcoffee grounds process. He senses that there is a experiencing the type of loss the Refrain: "new rhythm I pursue" that is "my song describes, I ask them to comThe days are better, getting over you." He realizes that pile' a personal "call list" that inThe nights are still so lonely cludes at least four names and Sometimes I think I'm phone numbers. I ask them to pick The only cab on the road individuals with whom they feel Sometimes I think I'm safe and who in the past have demThe only cab on the road onstrated their support. Talking with Watching my breath rise in the sun someone you trust about what you Pulling myselfin two made one are feeling helps you understand Helplessly feel for my phone that you don't have to be alone with And drive away your suffering.

This new rhythni I pursue This is an important truth: Even Is just my getting over you when you feel very alone, you are Telling myselfthat I need to not. God's caring presence fills our (Repeat refrain.) lives. Consequen'tly, you also I'm still looking for a play should include God in your "call No one said that it was fair.

"I need to" be in thi's "rhythm." As list." Tell God every feeling that To be alone he lives out this rhythm, he sees that you experience, including any feelThe days are better, "the days are better': but "the nights ings of anger you might have toThe nights'are still so loni!ly are still so lonely." In fact, some- ward him. God's love is rooted in Sometimes I think I'm times the gnawing loneliness makes compassion and surely is much The only cab on the road him feel like "I'm the only cab on bigger than any anger directed to(Repeat refrain.) the road."

I' ward him.

Sung by Train .

Loneliness, hurt"and anger often As you go through life's hurts Copyright (c) 2006 by Sony From "Meet VIrginia" through come to the surface when a loss is and losses, there will be times you "Calling All Angels," Train has in the process of healing. Most of feel like "the only cab on the road." been one of my personal favorites. us strive to avoid such feelings. Reach out to those who truly care Recently out is this San Francisco- However, to heal from the pain of about you and especially to God. A based group's fourth studio album, loss, we must allow a space within , new and different future for your life is already arriving. Believe in "For Me, It's You." In my opinion, ourselves for our feelings.

In a certain sen~e, such feelings yourself and in God's plan for heallead singer Pat Monahan's vocals are like waves ofenergy. They have ing YQur life. are better than ever.

Your comments are always This disc features more piano a natural cycle, rising and falling. and much less acoustic guitar, ofpeaks ang falls. Once you under- welcome. Please write to me at: which disappoints me, but if you are . stand how your feelings function, chmartin@swindiana.net or at fan of their rock ballads, you are you won't be so panicked when you 7125W 200S, Rockport; IN experience the height of a wave of 47635. likely to enjoy their latest effort.

The champion within Denis Waitley, a successful coach, tells the story of an inspiring and special person whom he knows. When he was two years old, this person, an adopted boy of two college professors, suddenly and without explanation stopped growing, and his health started to fail. A team ofdoctors gave him six months to live after they diagnosed him as suffering from a rare disease that slowed down digestion of nutrients in food. .

Intravenous feedings of vitamins and supplements allowed him to regain his strength, but his growth was permanently stunted.

Confined to hospitals for long periods of time, until the age of nine, he quietly plotted how to get back at the kids who taunted him and called him "peanut."

He recalled many years later that subconsciously ''the whole experience made me want to succeed at something athletic."

Sometimes his sister, Susan, went

,ice skating at the local rink, and he would go along and watch. There he stood, a frail, undergrown kid, with a feeding tube inserted through his nose and down into his stomach. When he wasn't using it, one end of the tube was taped behind his ear.

One day, as he watched his sister whirl around the ice, he turned . to his parents and said, "You know, I think I'd like to try ice skating."

Talk about two adults, looking at their lifethreatened child, with glances that were beyond belief.

Well, he tried it and he loved it, and he went at it with a passion. ' Here was something fun at which he could excel.

During his medical checkup the following year, the doctors were startled to discover that he had actually started growing again. It was too late for him to reach

normal size, but neither he nor his family cared. He was recovering' and succeeding. He believed in his .dream, although he had little else to hang on to.

None of the kids taunt and tease

audience. Although he has retired from professional ~kating, he remaitis a coach, mentor, arid commentator revefed by everyone in winter sports.

At five-feet-three-inches and lIS pounds of pure muscle and electrifying energy, former Olympic gold medal figUre skating charnpiorl, Scott Hamilton,. stands as tall and as proud as any winner. Scott's size didn't limit his faith and reach. Don't let doubts and critics liniit yours.

This doesn't mean that him today. Instead, they all cheer you'll ace every test, or get and rush to get his autograph. He promoted up the corporate ladder has just completed another , in record time wqen you go to dazzling performance on the world work, or easily break school records in sports. IScott Hamilton professional ice skating to~, with a long string of triple jumps, certainly didn't hit every triple-axle complicated maneuvers, and jump he ever attempted, especially athletic moves, capped off with a during the initialJeaming phase. racing front flip that brought him Success in devel9ping any skill to a sudden stop inche~ from the requires a basic tpJst in your ability

that should never be allowed to waver.

In a previous reflection, I said that God meant something when he created you. He gave you unique personal and spiritual gifts, talents and abilities, the combination of which only you possess. No one in the world, in the past, the present, and the future, has your specific combination of gifts, talents, and abilities. Do you believe this? It's true. What potential that rests within you. Ask God to reveal to you what he meant when he created you. Ask him to reveal to you your purpose.

You may one day find yourself doing something that you (and maybe others) never imagined you'd do or accomplish. And remember: like Scott Hamilton, you too can stand tall, no matter how small.

Bud Miller is the director of Religious Education at St. Patrick's Parish, Wareham.

Priest·

Yet sometimes parishioners have told him that he is too soft.

"When they say that, I tell them that as I look at Jesus in the Scriptures, he too was soft with people, especially sinners," Father Cardoso said.

What will retirement as priest and pastor bring? .

"I have a house that was my late sister's here in Fall River, and which I have maintained. I will live there, and tend to my garden."

Although he suffers from severe arthritis and the gout, and has great problems in trying to kneel, "I have a friend and

Continued from page one

. tion Parish in New Bedford, and.. after a year was assigned in 1968 to Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River. In 1976 he was named administrator at Our Lady of.

Health Parish in Fall River.

He returned to Espirito Santo in 1979, this time as pastor, for 17 years.

"So it was not easy to leave after having spent a total 25 years with parishioners at Espirito Santo," Father Cardoso said. "But that is the life of the p~est ... to go where he is sent, following the will of God." It was at Espirito Santo that he marked his silver jubilee of ordination in June 1983. A concelebrant at the jubilee Mass was' his brother, Father Antonio Cardoso, who had served on the Island of Faial, the Azores, until his death in 2001.

"I was one of nine children, , six boys and three girls, and we were born. on Flores Island, one of nine islands of the Azores," Father Cardoso related. He attended local schools. "But when we became adults we moved all over the world, like many from the Azores did. Three of my family went to California and two to Canada. A sister came here to Fall River, and she is now deceased. Right now there are only two of us left, myself and my brother Joao Cardoso in Canada." .

And just as people change to meet their needs, the Church too

neighbor, and he will help me with the fruit trees and planting and growing vegetables I enjoy so much. That's probably where you will find me."

But he' said he would also "like to come back and help out at Sunday Masses here at St. Michael's. I started a charismatic prayer group here and I would like to continue to have some participation in that as well."

One final comment: "Because this is where I end my active priesthood, I would very much like to be buried from here someday."

has changed in how it brings its seen again ... until they are older teachings and liturgy into the and return."

Father Cardoso also cited a modem world he said.

"Just a few months after com- trend for people to be drawn to ing to the United States, 'Pope evangelical communities or Pius XII died and was succeeded churches which extend a warm

by Pope John XXVIII, now a and welcoming invitation - ofblessed. So during my early ten along ethnic lines - that trayears as a priest Vatican Coun- ditionally has not extended by cil II took place and it brought many Catholic parishes, even significant changes that affected those with ethnic congregations.

"It is seen by some as a pleaslaity and priests as well," Father Cardoso remembered. '.'We ant experience,'.' he said. "One moved from Latin into celebrat- of the evangelicals even went ing the Mass in English and in house to house visiting members of our parish." While welcomPortuguese too."

While those changes are now ing is important, the practice of firmly in place, the universal the faith involves much more, .

Continued from page one Church is facing "a certain lazi- and in today's world many are ness among Catholics about , not willing to give up time to go coming to church and attending to church to worship God or registrations and a $100,000 where I could ·have access to even learn about the faith, he bond; or a total 3,000 registra- great number of people across weekly Mass," the pastor said. tions and no bond. the state who might be inter"People tell me they still have added.

At St. Michael's Parish "What it means is that in orested in these specialty plates." a'strong faith, and many go to Mass but not as many as before. School, adjacent to the church, d~r to be eligible for funds and She said. "But I have 1,200 Currently we have about 1,100 young parishioners are taught get this specialty li.cense plate, people who signed up saying families listed in our parish. It the tenets of Catholicism that all we need is 3,000 registra- they were interested if the plates become available." represents some 4,000 people. hopefully "will give a founda- tions,". she said energetically.

WhIle. that seems ~asy In the meantime the Knights When I tell someone, 'I didn't tion to religious beliefs ana see you at Mass this weekend' prayer and carry them into their. enough wI~h all the Pro-Llfe~s of Columbus in Massachusetts oftentimes they say it is laziness. adult years" Father Cardoso as- on record 10 the Bay State; It has also seen fit to include the ' might mean those seeking the. information on the Pro-Life And yes, there are not .as many serted.

"We have 160 students in our plates will need the virtues of plates in its mailings, said seeking the sacraments, although I will say that many are school; which opened in the persever~nce, patience ,and Nordeen, who' is a member of St. Joseph Parish in Wakefield. . faithfully going to the sacrament . 1920s in a former city school, trust. but ,we built our own school in In essence, for those want10g "When we talk of this license of reconciliation ... but those numbers are also down. But we 1957. It was staffed by Holy the plat~ it m~ans downloading. plate we speak of it as a Prostill see them coming to Com- Union Sisters and ev'en now we the registratIOn form at her Adoption plate ,too," she said. have one th~m Sister Marie Website http//www.machoose- Of course it's Pro-Life, because munion every Sunday."

He said that after receiving Baldi SUSC, as'principal. We !ife.orglc! reserve.htm.-:- wh~ch Pro-Adoption can be ,no other the sacrament of confirmation also have reached out to our IS free. Fill out the registration. than Pro-Life ... but the point many young Catholics "aren't young adults in several pro- for~ with your personal'infor- is to raise funds for girls to put grams and activities to try to ma~lOn and th~ RMV bra.nch to their babies up for adoption help keep their faith vibrant." which you Wish your· hcense a true alternative to an abor• A point of pride for Father plate to be sent. Make out a tion."

SERVICE...By caringjamily and seroicc1amily professionals Cardoso is that St. Michael's has check for $40 payable to the Nordeen explained how the a seminarian Jason Brilhante "Registry of Motor Vehicles." specialty plates raise money.

TRUST.. .In the pooplc)'ou know .

"The first year, the $40 you studying for the priesthood. ' Mail the. form and c~eck to "When I was in the seminary Choose.

Life, Inc., 25 Fairmount pay the Registry is that much 01CE... CtJSknn·4esignrd. personalized. tributes there were many young men ' Av~nue, Wakefield, MA ~1880. more than what you pay for a studying, and it was the same It may take .som~ time to regular plate. Of that $40, $12 .AFFORDABILITY. ..DignijW services.at affordable t~t here in the United States" he collect 3,000 re-glstratlOns, and pays for the cost of manufacsaid. "Now, there a~e just; few. that is how many we. need to turing of' the plates, and $28 We must hope and pray more make a start and get thiS under- goes to our charity. So if we ......,.&........ .AIlIl'mI'«CXIlD&8I.-.xu.. young men choose to hear the way," Nordeen explained.. "Af- have 3,000 registrations that """"""'Io'illIDg·Mtlli\4Il.anD call ... and answer it." ter we collect 3,000 reglstra- amounts to $84,000 that goes to 1 ,~'",:1Hro: ',~\:!1\' ,~l D! y;:;(,:, 1\:1" &";ll\U. iX ;:W. [\Tt~~ R\1I.'K.,)fill, V.\U.Rl\Ul. ~t\Ul7:Dt;)S C7').,gl His advice to those discern- tions we will deliver the forms tile charity. After those 3,000 ing a religious vocation and ~nd.check~ to the regis~ry and registrations the plates are paid those en route to the priesthood? It Will beg~n manufactunng th.e for and the full $40 will go to "Be. ready to sacrifice, to p.lates, whl~~ could take up to charity. If my math is correct, give up your time willingly to be SIX months. " . . . then $120,000 will go into our 'a true priest. The priesthood She added, Dunng thiS walt charity ... Pregnancy Resource Please pray for the following should never be considered a job '!'e must ~ol? your check. The reg- Centers and Maternity Homes." or prQfession. Some people . ~stry, whIle ..t has been wonderful priests during the coming weeks think the life of a priest is doing ~n cooperat1Og and very supportThe Anchor took whatever he wants: Rather it is Ive, wIll not accept any checks or many photos at Cardia calling to be like Christ, the registratio~ forms until we"can 1941, Rev. William McDo d, SS., St. Patrick, F.almouth nal Sean P. O'Malley'S priest, who served, who was come up With 3,000 to start. . .

1960, Rev. Msgr. J. Joseph Ilivan, P.y~tor, Sacred Heart 101obedient.

Priests must be obediBut once underway, the April 18 Mass and re. 1981 Rev. Arthur dos ReisjRt!ired~tor;"Santo Christo, Fall ent to their bishops. I can tell tial costs from the specialty ception at White's of R~ver~:::.._\ ( : you that I am so glad and happy plates will giv~ way. to funds Westport. Those imto be a priest. It is something Nordeen says Will go 1Oto Preg, ~ May\17 I've always wanted to do. I all? nancy ~esource Centers and ages are now available 1951, Most Rev. James E. Cassidy, D.O., Third Bishop of Fall truly a happy priest."

Matermty Homes.

River, 1934-51 \\\ online. If you would like As a pastor of a Portuguese Choos~ Life, Inc., ~s a .501 2003, Rev. Albert Evans, SS.Cc. \ \ to see them, send The organization, parish where there are a lot of nonprofit . \ Anchor an E-mail at feast celebrations, "the pastor Nordeen made clear. "It to~k May 19 \ 1940, Rev. Ambrose Lamarre, O.P. \ oftentimes has to tell people that me more tha~ a year to obtam anchorimages@yahoo.com.

1941, Rev. Thomas Trainor, Pastor, S~. ouis, Fall River changes have to be made. I that non-profit status from the We will send you an in1988, Rev. Arthur C. Levesque, Pastor,COur Lady ofFatima, New sometimes get ups'et, and they federal government." vitation to view the phoBedford want their way and it hard to tell Because she only started on them to change. But we try to the new drive last weekend, she tos with the opportunity May 20' accommodate the people. Some- rep?rted. she ~~s not seen any to purchase prints 1952, Rev. Antonio L. daSilva, Pastor, Our Lady of Health, Fall times .priests can become too registratIOns. I ve been attendthrough Kodak.

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Friday, May 12, 2~06

Appeal begins. parish phase EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ATTLEBORO - Volunteers are needed for the St. Joseph Church perpetual eucharistic adoration located at 208 South Main Street. For more information call 508-226-1115.

LAWRENCE - A Day with Mary will be held May 27 at St. Patrick's Parish, 118 South Broadway beginning at 9 a.m.

It will include procession, crowning, rosary, the celebration of Mass and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Attendees are asked to bring a bag lunch. For moreinformation call 978-683-9416.

WEST HARWICH - Volunteers are needed for perpetual eucharistic adoration at Our Lady of Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish.

For more information call 508430-4716.

LECTURE! PRESENTATIONS

to 2 p.m. at a local parish. For more information call Juraci Capataz at 508-674-4681.

MASHPEE "- The Third Order Carmelites will meet May 21 for 11 :30 a.m. Mass at Christ the King Parish. Studies in the parish center will follow.

For more information call Dottie Cawley at 508-477-2798.

SOCIAL EVENTS MANSFIELD - The Concert Choir of St. Mary's Parish, under the direction of Elaine M. Saulnier, will present its an':lual spring concert May 20 at 7:30 p.m. It is themed "Songs We Love to Remember," and will feature selections from Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael.

For more information call 508339-2981. .

OSTERVILLE - A luncheon and fashion show, sponsored by the Our Lady of the Assumption Women's Guild, will be held June 1 at 11 :30 a.m. at the Wianno Club. Fashions will be provided by Appleseeds of Mashpee Commons. For more information call 508-428-3933.

ATTLEBORO - ''Trust and Hope of Mary," the first in a series called "Mary: Mirror of Jesus," will begin May '18 at 7:30 p.m., in .thelRecol'lciliation :':',.. : ~UPPORTGROtJpS' .

Chapel af the National "Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. Anna NEW BEDFORD - CourRae Kelly will lead it. For more age, a group for people dealinformation call 508-222-541 O. ing with same-sex attractions while trying to live chaste lives BREWSTER The will meet May 27 from 7-8 p.m.

Lazarus Ministry Group of Our at Our Lady of Guadalupe ParLady of the路 Cape Parish will ish at St. James Church. The conduct the bereavement pro- group is faithful to Church gram, "Come Walk With Me," teachings on human sexuality tonight, May 12, '19, 26 and and meetings combine prayer June 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the sharing. For more information Parish Center. For more infor- call Father Richard Wilson at mation call Happy Whitman at 508-992-9408.

508-385-3252.

MISCELLANEOUS ATTLEBORO - A Mass and procession in honor of the Holy Spirit will be held June 11 at 10 a.m. at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street. Traditional free sopas will be served in the church hall following Mass. Procession will begin from 41 Chestnut Street.

FALL RIVER - The Catholic television program "Good News For Life," sponsored by the Communications Department of the diocese, will present Part 34 of the "Christian's Ask" series "Does it Still Make Sense to Speak of Family in this Day and Age? ," May 17 at 9:30 p.m. on the Portuguese Channel.

FALL RIVER - Catholic Social Services seeks PortLiguese-speaking volunteers to work with elders in a group setting once a week from 11 a.m.

FALL RIVER - This past Monday morning was not your typical "start of the work week" for the staff of the Catholic Charities Office in Fall River. It was the first day parishes were to call in with their opening totals for the 65th Annual Catholic Charities Appeal, which began on Sunday, May 7. So, to no one's surprise, the phones were ringing off the hook with the pastors of the 95 diocesan parishes calling in their first day totals, to begin what everyone hopes is a very successful endeavor once again.

In 2005, the Appeal surpassed the $4 million dollar level for the first time in its history. More than 70 percent of the parishes exceeded their previous year's total, obviously something that bodes well for the success of any venture. Mike Donly, director of Development for the Diocese of Fall River, observed that the success of the Appeal is totally dependent on the process in the parishes.

"The strength ofthe Appeal is that it is parish-based. Parishioners take the task of raising funds to minister to their friends and neighbors in need all across the diocese as a personal and parish challenge. They honestly feel that it is not only the work of the larger Church here in the diocese, but theirs as individual parishio,-,ners.as.welL!~ .,. " . . i路 ...

This was expressed very well at the area kickoffs that were held in recent weeks to signal the beginning of the Appeal. Deacon Richard Murphy, the chaplain at the Barnstable House of Correction, told the audiences about his work with hundreds of male and female inmates since his appointment as chaplain in 1991. He revealed to them that the more than 85 retreats they had run at the House of Correction during the past 15 years has had a tremendous impact on the inmates that

drop, the 65th annual Catholic Charities Appeal began in each of the 95 parishes in the diocese.

What also began was the hopeful anticipation that parishioners will once again "answer the call" by caring, sharing, and offering hope to the thousands of our friends and neighbors in need across the diocese.

This Appeal is the only time during the year the diocese asks its parishioners and friends to come together to fund the charitable works of the diocese.

took part. He stated that the average percentage of inmates returning to prison after committing another criminal act was approximately 80 percent.

However, the rate tor those inmates who had experienced 路the REC retreat program (Residents Encounter Christ) is approximately 15 percent. He told the

Donations to the Appeal can be sent to the Catholic Charities Appeal Office, P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, Mass. 02722; dropped off at any parish in the Diocese ofFall River; or made on the Appeal Website: www.frdioccatholiccharities.org For information visit the Website or contact the Appeal Office at 508-675-1311

audience "The work I do, that of my fellow deacons and the other workers in the agencies funded by the Catholic Charities Appeal, is accomplished because of you the donors. You are actually responsible forl!each and every success story, and you should never underestimate your impact on the lives of those we minister to."

With that message as a back-

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NBC Channel 10 to re-air Cardinal O'Malley Mass DVDNHS will be made available FALL RIVER - NBC Channel 10 (WJAR-TV, Providence) will rebroadcast the April 18th Mass of Thanksgiving for Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., on Sunday, May 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hundreds from throllghout the Fall River diocese packed St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River for the Mass that day, which was celebrated by their former bishop who three weeks earlier had been formally installed as a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI In Rome.

NBC Channel 10 streamed, or aired live, the Mass on its Website.

On Sunday, May 21, the station will air it again, but on its regular broadcast channel.

The station has also announced that it has available for purchase video copies of the Mass of Thanksgiving in either VHS or DVD format. The cost, including shipping, is $30 for either format. Interested persons can obtain one by visiting the station's . Website www.turntolO.com and clicking the video sales tab at the bottom of the left-side menu. Once linked to the video sales page, follow instructions for accessing the video sales waiver and completing the order request form.

Persons can also call NBC 10 at 401-455-9100. .1.-

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Friday, May 12, 2006

.Area deacons gather for third annual convocation Thirteen men to be installed as acolytes at May 18 ceremony TAUNTON - In his opening remarks at the third annual Convocation of Deacons, Msgr. John' J. Oliveira, director of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Office, remarked, "This is a wonderful opportunity for the diaconate community to come together to . both learn and pray."

Held at St. Anthony's Church in Taunton, the event drew more than 80 permanent deacons, those on the verge of being installed acolytes on May 18, and their wives.

"Everyone seemed to have enjoyed it," Deacon Jose Medina, assistant director of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Office told The Anchor.

Keynote speaker for the Convocation was Deacon William T. Djtewig, Ph.D., executive director of the Secretariat for the Diaconate and the Secretariat for Evangelization of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Deacon Ditewig spoke about the history of th~. diaconate and referen~ed the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States.

"Many of those in attendance found Deacon Ditewig's talk very constructi ve," said peacon Medina. "His presentation opened the door for us to look at our own

program here in t4e Diocese of Fall River."

Bishop' George W. Coleman, on the third anniversary of his appointment as Bishop of Fall River, presided over evening Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. In addressing the gathering, Bishop Coleman expressed his deep gratitude for all the diaconate community does for the Fall River diocese.

The convocation concluded with a buffet dinner.

On May 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, New Bedford, Bishop Coleman will preside at the installation of 13 members of the current diocesan diaconate class as acolytes. As acolytes, the路 men are designated to assist the priest at the altar during Mass.

The ministry of acolyte is the last step the men encoUliter before being ordained as permanent deacons sometime next year.

The process for these men, and their wives if they are married, covers five years from the time of their admission to candidacy, to becoming lectors, acolytes and finally ordination as a deacon.

This is the first diaconate class with Msgr. Oliveira as director.

"These are all good, energetic, dedicated men working arduously, along with their jobs and their families, to pursue vocations as deacons," he said.

ROBERT GOLDBLATI, left, of Catholic Social Services, accepts a donation check from Kim Tally, a sales representative from J.N. Phillips Auto Glass, for the Solanus Casey Food Pantry in New Bedford. The company also donated 339 non-perishable food items. The Food Pantry, sponsored by diocesan Catholic Social Services, serves residents on the South Coast of Massachusetts. It is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and feeds more than 900 clients per week. Some of the donations come from the Boston Food Bank, Stop & Shop, and the parishes of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church, St. John's, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Our Lady of the Assumption in New Bedford, St. Mary's in South Dartmouth, and St. John Neumann in East Freetown.

THE LADIES GUILD of Our Lady Of Fatima Parish, New Bedford, recently sponsored a French Meat Pie Supper after the 4 p.m. Mass. It was well attended by the parishioners.

From left, Guild members: Janice Viera, Lucy Pinto, Claudette LeBlanc, and Irene Sylvia.

Fall River Catholic school set to celebrate 100 years FALL RIYER - Plans are in full swing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Stanislaus School, 36 Rockland Street.

The St. Stanislaus School Anniversary.Committee recently announced the festivities will begin with a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Stanislaus Church on May 21.

St. Stanislaus School, founded in 1906, educates stud.ents from prescho<?1 through eighth grade.

Supported by a vibrant and loving parish community, the school hands on the tradition of its rich Catholic faith through its many educational programs.

Following the 10 a.m. Mass, a celebration brunch will be held in the Parish Hall.

The Anniversary Committee is also interested in displaying any school memorabilia, such as diplomas, school awards, photos,

and the like. Any fMmer students willing to lend such items to accent the festivities should contact the committee.

To loan memorabilia items or for more information, call 401624-9680.

For information about admission into St. Stanislaus School, contact the school's administrative office at 508-6746771.

MANY CATHOLICS in Goa India believe an uncommon class of local crab, seen April 18 with a cross mark on its ;hell, i~ a descendant from a crab that St. Francis Xavier blessed in 1546. Some Jesuit records say that in February 1546, while voyaging in what today is eastern Indonesia, the Basque missionary was caught in a stC?rm: In an attem~t to calm the storm, he took his crucifix and dipped it into the sea, but It slipped from hiS grasp and fell into the water. The next morning, as he paced on the seashore of Seram Island, he saw that a crab approaching him was holding his cross. He knelt down, retrieved the cross and blessed the crab. (CNS photo/UCAN)