05 19 17

Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, May 19, 2017

Our Lady of Fatima coverage on pages two and 15 The Anchor - May 19, 2017

1

Fatima centennial observed with candlelight, canonization celebrations

Lady of Grace on Nye Street, adjacent to the historic church.

FALL RIVER — FaithThe parish was also ful throughout the diocese recently blessed to host solemnly observed the the United Nations Inter100th anniversary of the national Pilgrim Statue of apparitions of Our Lady to Our Lady of Fatima on the three shepherd children in weekend of April 28-30, Fatima, Portugal in 1917 along with first-class relics with special Marian devoof the Church’s newest tions and events over the saints, St. Jacinta Marto past week. and St. Francisco Marto, The weeklong cententhe little shepherd children nial celebrations kicked of Fatima. off with “Say Yes to Mary: Similar centennial comFatima’s 100th Annivermemorations — many sary” at Bishop Connolly of them organized and High School in Fall River sponsored by the Living on May 6. Presented by the the Fatima Message aposLiving the Fatima Message tolate — were held at St. apostolate and co-sponBernard’s Parish in Assonet sored by Bishop Connolly on May 13; St. Vincent de High School, the morning Paul Parish in Attleboro on program focused on Mary’s May 13; and St. Anthony’s message at Fatima and her Parish in Taunton on May call for prayer and peace.

16.

Among the many parProbably the greatest ticipants and exhibitors celebration of all came were the Maronite Servants courtesy of Pope Francis, of Christ the Light, whose who officially declared Sister Natalie Sayde praised the two youngest seers — the event in her online blog.

Blessed Jacinta and Fran“The morning was absocisco Marto — saints of the lutely beautiful, and inFather José Eduardo Medeiros, far left, a visiting priest from Winnipeg, Canada, cel- Catholic Church in front cluded Adoration and Con- ebrated an outdoor Mass at Madeira Field in New Bedford on May 12 in commemoration of thousands of pilgrims at fession; the recitation of a of the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. The Liturgy was followed by a candle- the Shrine of Our Lady of Living Rosary in a number light procession to nearby Immaculate Conception Church. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) Fatima in Portugal on May of different languages; a 13.

Rosary-making workshop; children began not only ac- that Mary wants from all “For the honor of the Peace Procession and foland a one-woman play put cepting the daily Penances of us, and through them all lowing a tradition that beBlessed Trinity, the exon by Elizabeth Montigny that came to them in the her Immaculate Heart will altation of the Catholic gan at the original Fatima on the life of the Blessed form of ridicule and pertriumph. faith and the increase of shrine in Portugal, a statue Mother as depicted in the secution — often by their On the eve of the May of Our Lady of Fatima was the Christian life, by the Joyful Mysteries of the Ro- own families as a result of 13 centennial observance, carried in the procession for authority of our Lord Jesus sary,” Sister Natalie wrote. these apparitions — but diocesan faithful gathered Christ, and of the Holy veneration.

The keynote speaker also taking on additional in New Bedford at the Apostles Peter and Paul, On May 13, the 100th at “Say Yes to Mary” was sacrifices. After what they Madeira Field — the anand our own, after due anniversary of the first Father Thaddeus Lanchad seen in hell, they said nual site of the Feast of the Fatima apparition was celdeliberation and frequent ton, M.I.C., of the Divine that all they had to endure Blessed Sacrament — for ebrated with a special Mass prayer for Divine assisMercy Shrine in Stockhere on earth seemed light a special outdoor Mass tance, and having sought at St. Anthony of Padua bridge, who spoke on the in comparison to the sufcelebration and candlelight Parish in New Bedford. the counsel of many of our fundamental message of fering and torment of that procession honoring Our brother bishops, we declare The Liturgy included the Our Lady of Fatima as dark place.

Lady of Fatima. consecration of parishioners and define Blessed Franbeing a call to Penance and “This is fundamentally Hundreds of people — to the Blessed Mother, fol- cisco Marto and Jacinta conversion.

Our Lady’s call, to say ‘yes’ many of them parishioners lowed by a procession and Marto to be saints,” Pope “Mary echoes her Son, to God in our everyday from Immaculate ConFrancis exclaimed as the the praying of the Rosary.

Who began His preaching lives in what He chooses to ception and Our Lady of crowd roared with apOn the occasion Father ministry with the call to send us, rather than rebel Mount Carmel parishes in plause.

Octavio Cortez, pastor, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom against His will,” Father New Bedford — attended “We enroll them among also blessed and dedicated of Heaven is at hand’ (Mt Lancton said. the Liturgy and listened to a new grotto built for Our Turn to page 20

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

2

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

3:2),” Father Lancton said.

Father Lancton described how in one of the apparitions, Mary showed the three children a vision of hell, and how the children were absolutely horrified by the sight.

“Mary said, ‘Pray much and make sacrifices for sinners, for many souls go to hell because there is no one to make sacrifices for them’” (Our Lady, Aug. 19, 1917), Father Lancton quoted.

Following this vision, the

Father Lancton also gave some very tangible examples of what Penances Our Lady had in mind.

For example, if we’re stuck in a traffic jam, we need to accept it and offer it as a sacrifice to God, rather than curse and rage. Or if our spouse is doing something to annoy us, we need to respond with patience and love, rather than with our usual anger and sharp retorts.

These are the sacrifices

Father José Eduardo Medeiros, a visiting priest from Winnipeg, Canada, preach on the lasting legacy of the Fatima apparitions.

The congregation also sang praises to the Blessed Mother, including the beautiful “Ave Maria” hymn in Portuguese. The group then slowly processed, en masse, holding taper candles and Rosary beads, to the nearby Immaculate Conception Church. As done in the annual diocesan

Three to be ordained as transitional deacons at cathedral on May 27

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Three young men will take one step closer to becoming priests for the Fall River Diocese, when they are ordained as transitional deacons during a ceremony to be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 27 at 11 a.m.

Matthew Gerard Gill, Juan Carlos Muñoz, and Daniel Mark Nunes will make a commitment of celibacy and daily recitation

“The upcoming ordination day is very exciting,” Gill told The Anchor. “I feel very much at peace but also a great joy and excitement. I am looking forward to serving as a deacon for the next year and, God willing, as a priest for the rest of my life in the Fall River Diocese.

“Vocations are beautiful because they mature as God’s grace flows in. Having been in the seminary for five years I have seen the Lord’s grace at work in my formation for the priesthood and I am very ex-

is the son of Jorge Ivan Munoz Toro and Maria Victoria Montoya Rua, one of six children.

He attended primary and high school in Chigorodó, Antioquia. He attended nursing school at Facultad de Enfermería Universidad de Antioquia; and medical school at Facultdad de Medicina Universidad de Antioquia, both in Medellín, Antioquia.

Muñoz’s pre-theology was completed at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University

Matthew G. Gill

Juan Carlos Mu�oz

Daniel M. Nunes

of the Divine Office, while obtaining the ability to baptize, preach during Liturgies and witness Marriages.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha will perform the imposition of the hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit on the three men, who are scheduled to be ordained priests for the Fall River Diocese sometime in 2018.

Gill, 27, was born to William and Mary Gill in Providence, R.I. He has one brother, Timothy.

Gill attended St. John the Evangelist School and is a graduate of Bishop Feehan High School, both in Attleboro, and is studying for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

cited to start exercising the diaconate ministry for this upcoming year.”

Gill placed a great deal of credit on the faithful across the diocese during his formation process: “The people of the diocese have been such a blessing throughout my time in seminary. They have sent notes, offered up prayers and been supportive in so many ways and for that I am very grateful.”

Gill will be serving at St. Anne’s Parish in Raynham.

His first Masses serving as deacon, including preaching his first homily, will be at St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro at 4 p.m. on May 27 and May 28 at 8, 10, and 11:30 a.m.

Muñoz, 35, was born in Medellín, Antioquia. He

in South Orange, N.J., and theology at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

“At this time I am full of expectations concerning my ordination, it is a time to put into practice what we have learned at the seminary concerning the four pillars of the priesthood formation: human, intellectual, pastoral and Spiritual,” he told The Anchor. “To keep the balance among these pillars is essential. The thought of all the responsibilities and graces that come with the new ministry, and the thought of my family coming and all the preparations for the ordination must hold this balance.

During this time, I have to remind myself that, even Turn to page 20

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

3

New Catholic Foundation Task Force to examine diocesan fund-raising model

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Having previously established a Catholic Education Task Force, which recommended the appointment of a new diocesan Central Board for Catholic Education, and the Parish Life Task force, which continues to work toward creating a similar board to oversee pastoral planning, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., recently created a Catholic Foundation Task Force, which will be charged with examining how a Catholic Foundation model could benefit diocesan fund-raising efforts.

Jointly helmed by Father Mark R. Hession, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk, and Patrick Carney, CEO of Claremont Companies and

4

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

parishioner at St. Mary’s in South Dartmouth, the Catholic Foundation Task Force will study how the foundation model might serve the local Church and support the needs and goals of the pastors, parishes, schools, programs and ministries of the Fall River Diocese.

“Today in the United States, there are 196 Catholic dioceses and half of them have a Catholic Foundation to sponsor the good works of the diocese,” Carney said. “Half of those are fully participating and at work, while the other half are in the process of getting launched, so I think the timing is great that the bishop came up with this task force to look at what we could do in our diocese.”

The Foundation Task Force held its first orga-

nizational meeting May 9 at The Cove Restaurant in Fall River, with about 50 members in attendance.

While Father Hession was away on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, Carney served as sole master of ceremonies for this kickoff event.

residents in addition to our year-round residents who come to the Cape and Nantucket and the Vineyard and I’ve been a firm believer that with a little more outreach we can do so much more.”

The Task Force membership is comprised of those who were invited to join by Bishop da Cunha, Father Hession or Carney and will be organized into several subcommittees that may or may not be tasked with studying: — Mission and Case (Catholic identity, stewardship and development activities); — Governance (general powers, structure, committees, management and investment policies, proceBishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., addressed the mem- dures); and — Administration (dobers of the Catholic Foundation Task Force at their kickoff meeting at The Cove in Fall River May 9. Over the next nor services, organization, several months, the newly-formed committee will look at operation and budget).

Each of these subcomthe benefits of establishing a Catholic Foundation for the Fall River Diocese. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) Turn to page 19 With extensive experience in philanthropy and fund-raising for the last 68 years, Carney stressed: “We haven’t fully tapped the potential that exists in our area for gifts,” he said.

“We’re so blessed in that we have so many summer

Maronite parish ordains new permanent deacon

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — As a young lad growing up in Brockton, Brian M. Dunn, like many adolescents, was a bit fidgety in the pew during Sunday Mass. Dunn always attended Mass at St. Theresa’s Maronite Church with his family, and when pastor, Msgr. Louis Khail, noticed the antsy young boy, he brought him into the Sanctuary and told him, “This is where you’ll be sitting for Sunday Mass from now on.”

“That was a defining moment for me,” Dunn, who was ordained a deacon in and for St. Anthony’s Church in Fall River last Saturday, told The Anchor in a recent interview. “From my seat in the Sanctuary, I saw everything that went on during the beautiful Liturgies and I felt very at home. My parents were always very involved with our parish and I became so myself. I remember my mom telling me it was time to get up, ‘Monsignor needs you.’”

Dunn, who became a subdeacon in the Maronite rite in 2010, now joins Deacons Donald Massoud and André P. Nasser, M.D., in ministering at St. Anthony’s with pastor Chorbishop Joseph F. Kaddo.

Dunn traces his desire to serve the Maronite Church to his days sitting in the Sanctuary watching Msgr. Khail. “Even when I went to college, when I came back home, I would head to St. Theresa’s to help.” Later, a new pastor, Msgr. David George became instrumental in planting the seed of looking into the diaconate. “He helped me to realize I had a calling,” said Dunn.

Dunn moved to Somerset where he married Colleen. The couple and their four children eventually became parishioners of St. Anthony’s. There the Dunns became active parishioners and the couple talked about the diaconate. “Colleen has always been very supportive of me enrolling in the diaconate program,” said Dunn. “I couldn’t have a better,

more loving person to support me in this undertaking. Colleen had to hand-write a letter to Bishop Gregory Mansour, who in 2004 was named the third Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, N.Y., by St. Pope John Paul II. “She expressed the strong commitment of herself and the family in assisting me in my ministry as a deacon,” he said.

Dunn started his formation with Father Jack Morrison at Our Lady of Purgatory Maronite Church in New Bedford.

“I started by reading books on the Maronite history and how it ties in with the Catholic Church,” explained Dunn. “Then I had to write a series of essays explaining my position on Church teachings.”

In 2010, Dunn was ordained a subdeacon, giving him the ability to be a cantor and lector. His formation for becoming a full deacon continued with the current class of candidates with the Diocese of Fall River’s Permanent Diaconate Office, under the direction of Msgr. John J. Oliveira.

“I’ve been working with the nine other candidates, Msgr. Oliveira, Father Bob Oliveira, and Deacon Frank Lucca,” said Dunn. “Finally coming to my ordination as a deacon is like a weight lifted off my shoulders, and at the same time, I am looking forward to serving my fellow parishioners and the Maronite Church. Through the Sacraments and the Holy Spirit it gives me peace, love, courage and kindness that I can share with others. These are the gifts of the Catholic Church.”

As a deacon, Dunn can now incense during Liturgies; carry, process and proclaim the Word of God; and deliver homilies when called on by the pastor. Dunn will also assist Chorbishop Kaddo and his brother deacons in visiting the sick and bringing the Eucharist to those who cannot attend Mass.

“People have asked me what I will say as a preacher, and I respond, ‘I have plenty to say, but will I be able to say it?’ But with the Grace

Chorbishop Joseph F. Kaddo, pastor of St. Anthony of the Desert Parish in Fall River, lays hands on Brian M. Dunn during a Mass at which Dunn was ordained a permanent deacon for the parish. At right is Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Brooklyn, N.Y. Eparchy; and at left is seminarian Juan Carlos Muñoz, who will be ordained a transitional deacon for the Fall River Diocese on May 27.

of God I will be able to.”

Bishop Mansour, who ordained Dunn last Saturday, told The Anchor, “The role of deacon is so important in the Church. It’s important in the life of the par-

ish, which is part of the life of the Church. I’m so happy to choose a man from the very parishioners who make up the Church. Brian is a very faithful man, has always Turn to page 23

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

5

Anchor Editorial

Chosen by God

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., recently preached to distinguished young people gathered from all over the diocese at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption at the St. Pius X Youth Awards on May 9. He quoted from Jesus’ words in John 15:16, which had just been proclaimed, “It was not you who chose Me, but I Who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.”

The bishop explained that he had chosen that Gospel for the ceremony “because I am absolutely convinced it was not my choosing to be a bishop, no one chooses to be a bishop. I stand here today before you as your bishop, it’s because God Who chose me. I believe that there is a lot more peace in our lives when we let God do the choosing, the planning for us.”

The bishop then told the youth, “God chose you to be His sons and daughters. God called you to faith through Baptism, with the cooperation of your parents. The Lord kept calling you to the next things; you have said yes. I have a surprise for you — God has a lot more mission[s] for you to accomplish. I urge you today to keep your eyes, ears, minds, hearts, open to what God calls you to do to bear fruit.”

After thanking the recipients of the St. Pius X medal for their service to the Church, Bishop da Cunha said, “Remember, this is just the beginning. The Lord counts on you for a lot more,” putting an emphasis on the word “lot.”

Recalling that the previous Sunday was the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the bishop said, “I would encourage you to think and pray and reflect seriously — what is God calling you to do — to become a better person, to grow in holiness.”

The bishop closed his homily by paraphrasing St. Paul’s words (2 Tim 4:6-8), in which the Apostle said that he had finished “the race” and had “kept the faith.” The bishop urged the young people to reach out for the “crown of glory” that God will offer them “for fidelity, for doing what He wanted [you] to do.”

Last Saturday Pope Francis, in his homily canonizing SS. Jacinta and Francisco Marto in Fatima, said, “That evening [the evening of Mary’s first apparition on May 13, 1917], Jacinta could not restrain herself and told the secret to her mother: ‘Today I saw Our Lady.’ They had seen the Mother of Heaven. Many others sought to share that vision, but they did not see her. The Virgin Mother did not come here so that we could see her. We will have all eternity for that, provided, of course, that we go to Heaven.” In other words, Mary did what God chose for her to do in 1917 — appear to the three children and have them then carry out their chosen vocation to be God’s simple messengers to remind us of the path to Heaven.

God has chosen us for Heaven, but we often resist. Pope Francis continued, “Our Lady foretold, and warned us about, a way of life that is godOFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 61, No. 10

Member: Catholic Press Association Published bi-weekly 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, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

Send address changes to 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA, call or use email address

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720.

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass.

6

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

less and indeed profanes God in His creatures. Such a life — frequently proposed and imposed — risks leading to hell. Mary came to remind us that God’s light dwells within us and protects us. In Lucia’s account, the three chosen children found themselves surrounded by God’s light as it radiated from Our Lady. According to the belief and experience of many pilgrims, if not of all, Fatima is more than anything this mantle of light that protects us, here as in almost no other place on earth. We need but take refuge under the protection of the Virgin Mary and to ask her, as the Salve Regina teaches: ‘show unto us Jesus.’”

Bishop da Cunha and Pope Francis were trying to get their listeners to heed God’s calling for their lives. The Holy Father noted, “We can take as our examples St. Francisco and St. Jacinta, whom the Virgin Mary introduced into the immense ocean of God’s light and taught to adore Him. That was the source of their strength in overcoming opposition and suffering. God’s presence became constant in their lives, as is evident from their insistent prayers for sinners and their desire to remain ever near ‘the hidden Jesus’ in the tabernacle.”

Our time with Jesus in prayer helps us to become better aware of what He has chosen us to do (in our lifelong vocations and in the day-today events our lives).

“God created us to be a source of hope for others, a true and attainable hope, in accordance with each person’s state of life,” the pope reminded us. “In ‘asking’ and ‘demanding’ of each of us the fulfillment of the duties of our proper state (‘Letters of Sister Lucia,’ 28 February 1943), God effects a general mobilization against the indifference that chills the heart and worsens our myopia. We do not want to be a stillborn hope! Life can survive only because of the generosity of other lives. ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ ( Jn 12:24). The Lord, Who always goes before us, said this and did this. Whenever we experience the cross, He has already experienced it before us. We do not mount the cross to find Jesus. Instead it was He Who, in His self-abasement, descended even to the cross, in order to find us, to dispel the darkness of evil within us, and to bring us back to the light.”

Returning to the Vatican, the Holy Father continued this theme in his daily Mass on Tuesday, in which he said, “A peace without a cross is not the peace of Jesus. The world teaches us the way to anesthetized peace: it anesthetizes us from seeing another reality of life: the cross.

This is why Paul says that one must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven on the road with many tribulations. [T]ribulations are there, whether pain, illness or death. But the peace that Jesus gives is a gift: it is a gift of the Holy Spirit; and this peace lasts through tribulations and beyond.”

We do not choose our crosses; God has chosen us to take up our crosses and follow Him. It is the only way which leads to life.

Daily Readings May 20 — June 2

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. May 20, Acts 16:1-10; Ps 100:1-3,5; Jn 15:1821. Sun. May 21, Sixth Sunday of Easter, Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Ps 66:1-7,16,20; 1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21. Mon. May 22, Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1-6a,9b; Jn 15:26— 16:4a. Tues. May 23, Acts 16:22-34; Ps 138:1-3,7c-8; Jn 16:5-11. Wed. May 24, Acts 17:15,22—18:1; Ps 148:1-2,11-14; Jn 16:12-15. Ascension Vigil, Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3,6-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20. Thurs. May 25, The Ascension of the Lord, Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3,6-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20. Fri. May 26, Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-7; Jn 16:20-23.

Sat. May 27, Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3,8-10; Jn 16:23b-28. Sun. May 28, Seventh Sunday of Easter, Acts 1:12-14; Ps 27:1,4,7-8; 1 Pt 4:13-16; Jn 17:1-11a. Mon. May 29, Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-7; Jn 16:29-33. Tues. May 30, Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:1011,20-21; Jn 17:1-11a. Wed. May 31, Zep 3:14-18a or Rom 12:9-16; (Ps)Is 12:23,4bcd,5-6; Lk 1:39-56. Thurs. June 1, Acts 22:30;23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a,5,7-11; Jn 17:20-26. Fri. June 2, Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2,11-12,19-20b; Jn 21:15-19.

A maternal ambassador’s peace plan unveiled at the United Nations

O

n May 12, at the very time Pope Francis was arriving in Portugal to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions and the canonization of SS. Francisco and Jacinta Marto, something special was taking place at the United Nations: the Holy See and Portugal were jointly sponsoring a conference, which I had the joy to coordinate, on the Fatima centenary and the enduring relevance of its message of peace.

The guest of honor was Our Lady of Fatima, represented by one of the four original Pilgrim Virgin statues blessed by Pope Pius XII on the 30th anniversary of the apparitions in 1947. On Dec. 8, 1952, the statue came to the United Nations for the first time, brought by Msgr.

Harold Colgan, founder of the Blue Army (now the World Apostolate of Fatima) into the Meditation Room in the U.N. where he led the Rosary in prayer for peace in the world and particular on the Korean Peninsula. Since then this particular image has traveled the world dubbed the “United Nations” International Pilgrim Statue.

It was moving, before and after the conference, to see how ambassadors, U.N. staff and security, and so many others lined up devoutly to touch the statue, to pray, to have a photo taken in the midst of tears.

Ambassador Álvaro Mendonça e Moura of Portugal commented in his introductory remarks, “The image of Our Lady of Fatima here present [is not one] that simply waits for the devotion of a few. The whole purpose of this Pilgrim Virgin is to accompany our whole voyage in life.

It does not merely indicate the way; it walks alongside of us, transforming our physical walk into a Spiritual one.”

Archbishop Bernardito Auza, papal nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy

revolution of peace flows.”

See to the U.N., added that The third universal lessince the statue’s first visit to the U.N. in 1952, “prayers for son is about prayer, as we see in Mary’s summons of the peace have been made before the image by literally millions shepherd children to pray and sacrifice for the converof people” throughout the sion of others and specifiworld and he urged that we cally for Russia. “Prayer,” said implore Mary’s help to bring an end to the violence in war- Archbishop Auza, “is an instrument of peace,” not just torn areas today as well as to terrorism, persecution, trafficking in persons and the other forms Putting Into of violence “that have the Deep stained the world with blood and hatred.”

By Father The main purpose Roger J. Landry of the event, however, was not prayer or veneration but a study of what all people can learn from because “prayer transforms the one praying,” but because a “peace plan” Archbishop Auza said the “maternal Am- it also can “change the world bassador of Peace” announced outside,” as we see, for example, in the fruitfulness of to the young shepherds. the pastorinhos’ prayers for the Ambassador Mendonça e Moura underlined that Mary conversion of Russia and for appeared in Fatima dressed in the survival of the “bishop in white because white is the col- white” whom in the third vision of Fatima they saw would or of peace: “In Fatima there be shot. In these apparitions, is no question of just wars, Mary teaches that “in peace no delimitation of acceptable violence. The message is much work, before action, as indispensable as that is, prayer and more powerful: The idea that sacrifice must come first,” he peace as such is possible, and said. that it is incumbent upon us The fourth and final lesto make it happen.” son is about the need for Archbishop Auza said that the involvement of all in the Mary’s “peace plan” involves work of peacemaking. “It’s four “universal lessons.” astonishing,” said the Filipino The first is the need for conversion, “to turn around, to prelate, “that Mary would preferentially come, not to change one’s way of thinking heads of state or diplomats and living, to examine one’s or religious leaders directly thoughts, words, actions and but to three simple children inactions and see how, rather than building peace, fraternity without much education and entrust them with a message, and solidarity, they are dividsecrets and a special task for ing, or harming, or destroythe cause of peace and for the ing.” Without conversion, he said, “peace will always remain good of souls and the world.

The selection criteria shown an illusion.”

by Mary reveals that everyone The second is that “peace has a role, even those whom begins in the heart,” somethe world considers insignifithing seen in Mary’s call for consecration to her Immacu- cant, incapable or too young. late Heart. If the heart has no If the shepherd children could peace, commented the nuncio, be chosen, and they could respond as wholeheartedly as “it’s going to be very hard to they did, it’s a sign of what is be a peacemaker, builder and possible for everyone.” keeper. The person must be Halpine underlined that transformed. And it’s from point in her talk: “Not much that transformation that the

more than infants, in humble homespun clothes, without wit or wisdom or power, the little shepherds have instructed us in the ways of peace.

And they have achieved them.

Their approach is radically different from the approaches normally taken in the halls of the U.N., but few, if any, here, can boast the successes in building peace that these three children have had.”

Author Johnnette Benkovic focused on the crucial role of women in making, building and keeping peace. She pondered the striking words to women from the Second Vatican Council: “Women of the entire universe, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.” That mission comes from woman’s “feminine genius,” she said, from woman’s capacity to give birth to and nurture persons and peacemakers, a practical wisdom seen par excellence in the life of

Our Lady. “It could be said,” she emphasized, “that there will be no peace in the world unless [woman’s truly maternal] characteristics assume a greater influence in the dayto-day work of peace.”

At the end of his remarks, Archbishop Auza said that the centenary of Fatima is not principally about marking a series of events from the past, but on responding to its lessons in the present and future. “The message of peace that the shepherd children said the Lady from Heaven brought, and the practices of conversion, transformation of heart, prayer and commitment she indicated,” he said, “are as important today for peace in the world as they were a century ago.”

Let’s pray the peace plan brought by the maternal Ambassador of Peace to Fatima in 1917 echoes at the United Nations, and across the world, for many years to come.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 May 21, 11:00 a.m.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Celebrant is Father Timothy J. Goldrick, pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

May 28, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Edward J. Healey, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

7

Local family travels to India to help school

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

NEW BEDFORD — As kids planned ski trips tropical escapes during this past February school break a student at St. James-St. John School in New Bedford was planning a trip of a different sort with her family, and asked that her fellow students get involved.

Already heavily involved in the school and its mission of charity, Principal Cristina Raposo wasn’t surprised to hear that the Costa Family had extended its philanthropic reach across the world to a school in India: “I had known they were going on this trip because dad had talked to me because Emilia was going to miss a few days of school before February vacation started. It was not a vacation she was going on, but doing God’s work.”

A month before her visit to India, Emilia Costa, 14, and an eighth-grader at the school, shared with Raposo what her family had already accomplished through their fund raising, and “her concern was the [students in India] were not as fortunate as the students at St. James-St. John School, so she wanted to bring to them basic school supplies like pens, pencils and erasers — that sort of thing,” said

Raposo.

The school started a collection of basic school supplies where many families donated items, and the school combined its fundraising efforts by offering a

Older sister Victoria Costa, 18, an alum of St. James-St. John School in New Bedford, their father Jimmy, and a few other individuals made the trip. The idea of “adopting” a school

fund raising at St. John the Baptist,” said Jimmy, of the family’s previous parish. “He asked if we would consider getting involved in something, and it grew from there.”

home, the family would raise funds for the school, mainly using Facebook and wordof-mouth to spread the word about the afternoon dinner held in their backyard. The first year they featured the “Taste of Andhra and Goa,” and last year, the “Taste of India and the Lusophone World,” is a theme the family will repeat at this year’s third fund-raiser.

“The dollar goes a long way [in India],” said Jimmy.

“The first year [the money raised] built three classrooms. The next year we sent money for additional supplies, the second fund-raiser was to put on a permanent roof [to replace the temporary tin roof ], and it was at that point Father Joseph said, ‘You guys are getting very involved. Maybe you guys should consider going?’”

So they planned, packed Emilia Costa, an eighth-grader from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford, and her sister Victoria, an alum, spent their February vacation in India. Over the past few years, and in February flew to their family raised money through annual fund raising to help build three classrooms and India. It took the group this past summer they raised the funds needed to finish the project with a permanent almost two hours from roof. During the mission, they hand-delivered the money raised. In addition SJSJ students where they were staying in donated pencils and pens to the school, which Emilia brought to the children in India.

India to travel to the school.

While on the drive, the girls, dress-down day, where stuin India began a few years Father Pasala’s sister Jimmy and a couple of othdents could donate money ago when Victoria, a pianist volunteers at a school in the ers who accompanied them, to Emilia’s cause. at Our Lady of Assumption city of Nalgonda in the Inwere able to observe many “This is what the kind of Parish in New Bedford, met dian state of Telangana, and aspects of India. family the Costas are, and Father Joseph Pasala, who without much hesitation, “I saw a lot of unfinished it makes me proud to know later befriended her father, the Costa Family “adopted a projects,” said Victoria. them because they’re such Jimmy. school in India,” said Jimmy. “There were things that a positive influence in our “Father Joseph knew Through an annual fundwere supposed to get done, community,” said Raposo. how involved we were in raiser held at the Costa the foundation was set, and then it was just surrounded by rubble.”

“Or there would be a billboard,” added Emilia, “and it would show a really fancy building on it, and [the finished project] would look nothing like it.”

When passing through some of the rural areas, there were less rubble-strewn construction areas, and more open rice fields; in one village, there was a festival going on, and villagers were Turn to page nine

8

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

Local family visits India to help school continued from page eight

confused — but not angry — over why a car was traveling on their street when the streets had been closed. The Costa’s group was late getting to the school, but upon arrival the students showed no frustration over the delay, but instead became joyous with appreciative applause filling the air.

“There was a pathway,” said Victoria, “and the students were lined up along the side for us to walk through, clapping.”

“When we got to the front of it,” said Emilia, “they gave us a peace offering and blessing.”

The group took their seats, and received garland leis and shawls. Students performed and some prayers were read, which were translated for the group. A special touch by the Costa sisters during the welcoming ceremony was when, during one of the presentations, they changed their clothes and donned saris they had purchased shortly after their arrival in India.

“When they went to go change and they walked out, it was dead silence,” said Jimmy. “They did not expect these Americans to come out dressed as Indians.

That was one of the common things, that they were surprised at how educated we were in their culture to respect their traditions.”

The group spent a number of hours at the school and saw how younger grades sit on benches and each student has one note pad for all of his or her subjects.

The children of very rural villages make up the school’s 600 students, with grades ranging from nursery to 10th grade. School is six days a week, beginning at 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and students can stay much later to study. Due to the distance

some male students travel to the school, they are allowed to sleep overnight.

Despite improving from a level of just 48 percent in 1991 to 73 percent in recent years, India still has a relatively low literacy rate — especially compared to other major emerging markets in Asia.

“Ninety-five percent of the parents of the students have no education, at all,” said Jimmy. “This is a huge step.”

The group spent three days in Hyderabad, the capital of the state of Telangana; three days in Kolkata, the capital of the state of West Bengal; three days in Goa, a state in the coastal region known as Konkan; and then they returned to Hyderabad.

A highlight was the visit to Kolkata, or as it’s also known, Calcutta, to visit the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity to see St. Teresa of Calcutta’s final resting place.

“It was really hot and humid, compared to Hyderabad,” said Emilia. “It was a lot poorer.”

“It was the poorest place that we went to,” added Victoria. “It was the most shocking place because when we first arrived, we had gone in with the idea that it was going to be very poor but we weren’t expecting what we saw. It’s something that’s normal for the people living there, but for us to go in and see it, it was completely different.”

“We crossed the Ganges on this boat,” said Emilia.

“We went to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and then we went to the house for the disabled.”

“It’s an elderly home and a home for the mentally and physically disabled,” said Victoria, “that’s supported

by the Church.”

“That’s the one location that none of us took a picture at,” said Jimmy. “I think it was just too emotional to think that these are the people that, if these Sisters were not there, these people would not be alive.”

Another harsh juxtaposition between the “old” Kolkata and the “new” Kolkata, literally marked by a small wall, is the New Town Eco Park, located in Rajarhat, Kolkata. Inaugurated at the end of 2012 and situated on 480 acres and surrounded by 104 acres of water, the wealth of the area only steps away from some of the poorest in the nation had some of the Costas emotional.

“That part of the city was so shocking because it was so rich,” said Victoria. “It was so wealthy. You could

see the government was pouring all of the funds into new apartment complexes and new amenities.”

“We went to the Eco Park,” added Emilia, “and it had a bunch of different activities that you could do. You could tell the people there were really wealthy, just by the way they dressed.”

“You could definitely tell where the money was being spent,” said Jimmy.

What alarmed the family was the drastic difference between the poor and the wealthy just “literally down the street,” said Emilia.

“I think that’s where you saw the disparity,” said Jimmy. “We had never seen anything like that.”

The future plans for the school in India includes possible expansion that would allow for a formal cafeteria (the students currently eat outside on

the ground) and a science lab. Currently the Costas hope to raise the $8,500 that would make those two things possible.

Jimmy and Emilia plan on visiting India again next year.

Jimmy said he had no idea that the initial fundraiser would become an annual thing, but he added, “I now have 600 nieces and nephews in India,” and has no plans to stop raising money for them anytime soon.

The Costas are planning to hold their next fund-raiser on June 24; for more information, email Emilia at emilia.costa916@gmail.com.

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

9

O

Knowing when to face the truth and when to dream

n my radio, the Air Supply song, “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” was playing. The line: “I know just when to face the truth, and then I know just when to dream,” resonated with me. I thought that the ability to have such an accurate evaluation of self within the challenges of worldly events was an amazing gift. I also realized the importance of balance between the truth of limitations and the possibility of a world yet to be.

I smiled as memories of a former and sometimes mischievous student came to mind. One time, instead of detention, he went to basketball practice. As I escorted him from the gym back to my classroom, he said, “I am going to be

10

never a call or excuse to a center in the NBA.” I looked down at this young give up. Why? Because the next step in a game plan or boy about three-quarters vision for bringing a dream of my height. I thought, to fruition is a deeper “Lord, not just a player in analysis of what it is that is the NBA, but a center?” truly needed. In addition, There is probably a seeking out assistance smile in your heart as or even cleverness in the you imagine the young route chosen can bring one man’s wish. The first step of working on one’s dreams is a thorough analysis Wrestling with God of what is needed Holding on for to achieve the His blessing goal. In his case, athleticism, height

By Dr. Helen J. Flavin and quite frankly luck. Second to that objective examination is an to a goal that at first glance honest self-evaluation of seemed impossible. one’s assets and liabilities.

Dreams are important Being barely five feet for each of us at all stages tall precludes one from of our lives. One key part of blocking a seven-foot knowing when to dream is man’s slam dunk attempt! rejecting the learned notion However, as important that to be an adult one as facing the truth is, it is must just accept things as they are. God has instilled deep within each of us the yearning to find a special way or place where we each can help bring God’s love to the world. Recognizing things as wrong and then facing the truth allows one to freely choose to serve to be God’s hands to initiate lasting change.

One example of someone who lived this is Father Oscar Romero.

He had been a priest in El Salvador for a quarter of a century. He was transferred to a very poor, rural region.

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

This pastoral region let him view his boyhood hometown with new eyes.

In Romero’s words, “There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” God’s Commandment of love resonated within Romero.

He was made Archbishop of San Salvador.

Romero awoke one day sure that God wished him to travel a new road. He was to be a vocal advocate for social justice. Romero denounced the violence of the civil war and the deeply-rooted patterns of abuse that led to the conflict. He was tireless in his efforts for the poor. Father Romero became known as the “voice of the voiceless.”

Archbishop Romero viewed each of us as builders and prophets of a future not our own.

He said, “We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something and do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.” His words guide us to navigate past the “I don’t know what to do” or “there may be a price if I act” doubts. The focus is God’s plan to be

fully developed in God’s time. Knowing others will be there to assist, or if need be carry on the work, provides freedom. One can dream with the courage to envision a future with each of us more fully sharing God’s love with all of God’s children.

Romero’s life reminds us the story does not end with what people initially think.

Many clergy including Pope John Paul II were divided over Romero.

While Romero was saying Mass a gunman killed him.

Thirty-five years after he was killed, Romero was beatified by Pope Francis.

The truth is that society may or may not come to approve of one’s work to help bring about God’s vision of the world.

Even so, don’t miss the joy given to us by God in that freedom to dream and create. From Archbishop Romero’s last homily: “Beautiful is the moment we understand that we are no more than an instrument of God; we live only as long as God wants us to live; we can only do as much as God makes us able to do; we are only as intelligent as God would have us be.”

Anchor columnist Helen Flavin is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer and a member of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River. biochemwz@hotmail.com.

Friday 19 May 2017 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Celebrate Whatever Day ave you noticed, dear readers, that we seem to have “National Months,” “National Weeks,” and “National Days” for just about everything imaginable?

We have “Global Civility Awareness Month,” “Gardening for Wildlife Month,” “Mediterranean Diet Month,” “National Good Car-keeping Month,” and “National Vinegar Month.” We have “National Pet Week,” “Update Your References Week,” and “National Wildflower Week.”

Then there’s “Executive Coaching Day,” “National Bubba Day,” and “National Everyone Join Hands Together Day.” I wonder who makes up this stuff.

Wait. You say you are unaware of these celebratory occasions? Oh, dear.

You’ll unfortunately have to wait until they come around again next year.

You’ve missed them. They all kicked off during the first week of May. With the power invested in me, I hereby declare “National Hug Your Pastor Day” (date to be announced).

I’m from the old school. Back in the day, priests would promptly retreat to the Sacristy following Mass and silently bow to the crucifix before prayerfully divesting.

Many would return to the Sanctuary to offer private prayers of thanksgiving.

Nobody would think of breaking the silence or interrupting the priest’s private prayer. God help the acolyte who did so.

Then along came the 1970s. Priests began to stand at the church door

H

National Hug Your Pastor Day

before and after Mass overly-casual California to meet and greet pasoftware developers. rishioners. I don’t think Ugh. Let me be perthere was ever an official fectly clear. I am not memo. It just happened. a hugger. I was born a Since churches have more non-hugger. Hugging is than one door, all of the priests in the rectory were The Ship’s Log sometimes asReflections of a signed to a difParish Priest ferent door after

By Father Tim every Mass.

Goldrick Back in those early days of Liturgical reform, neither in my genes nor many parishioners, male part of my personality. and female, would deflect You know me, dear readtheir eyes and hurry past ers. I come from a long their gregarious priest line of Celts. Celtic men (some still do). do not hug each other More extroverted men unless they are involved in the congregation might in hand-to-hand combat shake the hand of their on the battlefield (see the pastor on the way out. film “Braveheart”). Even The handshake between mixed-gender Celtic men, as all students of dancing involves very etiquette know, developed little physical contact as a way to prove one was (See the stage production not carrying a concealed “Riverdance”). weapon. Father “Pete” I also descend directly Levesque was famous for from the Pilgrims (13 his bone-crushing handtimes over). Have you shakes. ever seen a painting of Even some women the first Thanksgiving might smile demurely and Day showing all the parextend a hand in greeting. ticipants in a warm group It was considered poor hug? I think not. etiquette for any male Nor do I have a perto extend his hand to a sonal proclivity for hugfemale until she had initi- ging. I tend to conduct ated the gesture. myself in a more formal Ah, but times have and reserved fashion — changed again. The although I do have a keen “church door hug” came sense of humor that keeps into fashion. Msgr. me seriously dedicated to Henry Munroe, I do bemy writing. lieve, holds a black belt in For these reasons, I narthex hugging. Nobody seldom hug. I wait for the leaving the church esother person to make the caped his cheerful emfirst move, then grin and brace. bear it. If I’m very hesiNow, professional tant to respond in kind, handshakes have given I “accidentally” drop my way to bro-hugs, onecell phone. Sometimes, armed sideways hugs, when someone has just back-slaps, and fullshared especially joyful frontal embraces — even or catastrophic personal in the business world. In news with me, I will ask fact, I suspect the practice permission before offerhas been promulgated by ing a hug.

Body language is everything. There is one woman in the parish who routinely extends her right arm in my general direction. Her gesture can be easily misconstrued. No, she doesn’t intend for me to shake her hand. She told me she would one day explain. She hasn’t yet. Instead of shaking hands, we clasp each other’s elbows.

Awkward.

Another parishioner and I have a “secret handshake.” It does not involve hand-shaking.

When we greet each other, we each cross our arms over our chest and bow profoundly. There’s a story, but it’s best left for another time. I’ll just say it involves Father Mike

Nagle and leave it at that.

I don’t hug little children either, but I do initiate non-verbal communication with many of them. Depending on the particular child, it may involve a little wave of the hand or a silly face.

My purpose is to communicate that I recognize their existence. The response is often a giggle.

If I find myself wondering whether or not a hug would be appropriate, it probably isn’t. I go with a handshake. Nobody has ever been offended by a handshake.

What is the date of “National Hug Your Pastor Day?” Just never you mind.

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

11

The new Central Board for Catholic Education in the Fall River Diocese met with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., for its first meeting on May 15 in Taunton. The establishment of the board, whose membership was announced earlier this month, was among key recommendations included in the final report of the Fall River Diocese Task Force on Catholic Education. (Photo by John E. Kearns Jr.)

12

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

Permanent diaconate candidates attend retreat, receive albs

NEW BEDFORD — Deacon Joseph McGinley led the deacon candidate retreat held last week at St. Mary’s Parish, New Bedford, for the nine men who are in formation for the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Fall River.

For the nine men in formation, this retreat day was an opportunity to participate in several sessions as they prepare for the institution of the Ministry of Reader. These men had time to reflect on, not only the Word of God and His call to them, but to also spend some time reflecting on the Word of God as contained in the book of Scriptures which these men will soon be called to proclaim in their parish Liturgies and other experiences of prayer.

Before Vatican II, there were four minor orders: lector, exorcist, acolyte and porter. There was also subdiaconate. These were

required before one could receive the Sacrament of Orders as a deacon or priest. Vatican II called for the revision of Sacraments and Liturgy. The revisions came about because almost no one performed the ministries of porter, exorcist, and indeed, even lector.

Blessed Pope Paul VI issued the defining document in the Motu Proprio, entitled Ministeria Quaedam.

This eliminated minor orders completely, eliminated tonsure and subdiaconate.

He established two “offices” of reader and acolyte, which will include the functions of the subdiaconate. The men, in this formation class, will be instituted as Readers by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford, on June 6.

Msgr. John J. Oliveira, diocesan director of the Permanent Diaconate Office, explained how the ministry

of reader is different than a lector at Mass. Their call is not only a call to proclaim the Word of God as ordinary ministers, but they will have the grace to instruct others in the faith to prepare for the Sacraments and to bring the message of Salvation to those who have not heard it.

Pope Paul VI stated in the Norms regarding the Holy order of Deacons (1972), “It is especially fitting that the ministries of reader and acolyte should be entrusted to those who, as candidates for Sacred orders, desire to devote themselves to God and to the Church in a special way — both by study and by gradual exercise of the ministry of the Word and of the altar, candidates for Sacred orders should through intimate contact understand and reflect upon the double aspect of the priestly office. In this way, candidates are to ap-

proach Holy Orders fully aware of their vocation, fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord, constant in prayer, and aware of the needs of the faithful.”

Using the Rite of Institution of Reader, Msgr.

Oliveira led the group through the significance and meaning of the words and the actions of this beautiful Roman Catholic rite.

Father Robert Oliveira, associate director of the Permanent Diaconate Office, and Deacon Frank Lucca, assistant director of Deacon and Candidate Formation, also participated in the full-day retreat.

After an opportunity to formally request of the bishop in writing, their intent to be instituted to the Ministry of Reader, the men enjoyed fellowship and

a luncheon prepared by the parish and the Permanent Diaconate Office.

The wives and family members joined their candidates for a Holy Hour and Benediction and then all joined the parish family of St. Mary’s for Liturgy.

During the Liturgy, Msgr. Oliveira blessed the albs, which the men will wear in their ministry as readers and then called forward each candidate and his wife or family member who then assisted the deacon candidate in robing for the first time.

The nine men who are to be instituted to the ministry of reader on June 6 are Richard Bisson Sr., Keith Caldwell, Gary Donahue, Kevin Gingras, David Harum, George Hults, Antonio Pimental, Paul Spearin, and Matthew Sweeney.

Nine men who are in formation for the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Fall River recently attended a retreat at St. Mary’s Church in New Bedford. The men received blessed albs from Msgr. John J. Oliveira, diocesan director of the Permanent Diaconate Office. The nine, Richard Bisson Sr., Keith Caldwell, Gary Donahue, Kevin Gingras, David Harum, George Hults, Antonio Pimental, Paul Spearin, and Matthew Sweeney, will be instituted to the ministry of reader on June 6.

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

13

T

oday, while preparing a homily, I read a story about a young man who was trying to get a job in a circus. He approached the circus manager who decided to give the young man a chance to be the assistant lion tamer and took him to the lion’s cage. Now it so happened that the head lion tamer was a beautiful young woman who was just about to rehearse her act. She stepped into the cage, removed her cape with a grand flourish, revealing a gorgeous costume — as well as a

14

Lion tamer Of Kalaupapa gorgeous figure, and gave probably would have said a command to the lion. the same thing myself.

Immediately the lion came Now I liken an adminisforward, rolled over twice, trator to a combination then sat on its hind quarters in front of her, waiting for a Moon Over treat. With that the manager turned to Molokai the young man and

By Father said, “Well, young Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. man, do you think you can learn to do that?” The young man replied, “I’m sure of a fierce but compliI can do that, but you’ll ant lion and a calm and have to get that lion out of courageous lion tamer. there first.”

He or she must posI can’t blame the young sess the character of a man for saying this. I commander-in-chief

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

and the smoothness of a diplomat. He or she must know when to crack the whip and when to speak with calm authority. Such a man is Kenneth Seamon, our new Kalaupapa administrator. Ken was born in Harbor Springs in Northern Michigan.

He came to the Hawaiian Islands in 1989 and worked at the Lyon Arboretum in Manoa Valley prior to coming to Kalaupapa in 2016. His lovely wife, Takemi, is the head nurse at Hale Mohalo, near Diamond Head on Oahu.

Ken is a tall, burly man with a semi-Franciscan tonsure. While he is a most affable and sociable man with a great sense of humor and a ready laugh, he could easily take on a lion with his bare hands, like the great Samson of Biblical fame who slew a lion with the jaw bone of an ass. Ken spends his official work hours in his office for the most

part but also spends time outdoors lending a hand, or both hands, when need arises. He fought the kitchen fire on Labor Day morning, taking on smoke and flame. He arrived on the scene when Meli’s vintage truck got stuck in the mud and sand outside St. Philomena Church on New Year’s Day, and more recently he was very visible on the airport landing strip after a Makani Kai plane made a hard landing. On that occasion he sported a cap to hide his halo. To cap all this (no pun intended), he frequently challenges all competition on the volleyball court.

We wish Ken well in this his newest chapter in life and we hope that he continues to enjoy cracking the whip and speaking with calm authority in our Kalaupapa community for many years to come. Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

Jacinta and Francisco officially declared saints

Fatima, Portugal (CNA/EWTN News) — Pope Francis on May 13, officially declared Francisco and Jacinta Marto saints of the Catholic Church in front of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at Fatima, Portugal — teaching us that even young children can become saints.

“For the honor of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after due deliberation and frequent prayer for Divine assistance, and having sought the counsel of many of our brother bishops, we declare and define Blessed Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto to be saints,” Pope Francis exclaimed as the crowd roared with applause.

“We enroll them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Francis presided over their canonization Mass during his two-day pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal May 12-13 to take part in celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima.

The brother and sister, Francisco and Jacinta, who tended to their families’ sheep with their cousin Lucia Santo in the fields of Fatima, witnessed the apparitions of Mary, now commonly known as Our Lady of Fatima.

In her message to the children, Mary brought with her requests for conversion, prayer (particularly the recitation of the Ro-

sary), sacrifices on behalf of sinners, and a three-part secret regarding the fate of the world.

The children followed Mary’s requests, praying often, giving their lunch to beggars and going without food themselves. They offered up their daily crosses and even refrained from drinking water on hot days.

With anti-Catholic sentiment very prevalent in the country, the mayor in the district of Fatima had grown suspicious of the growingly popular apparitions, and had unsuccessfully tried to get the children to renounce their story.

Wanting to stop the children from seeing the fourth apparition, Artur Santos, an apostate Catholic and high Mason who was the local mayor, devised a ruse to kidnap the children before the scheduled day of her appearance.

Despite bribes, threats of death by burning oil, and threatening to lock them in a cell with criminals, the children never recanted their story.

Convinced by Mary’s

requests and the vision of hell, both children lived lives of prayer and Penance after the apparitions, offering themselves for sinners as Mary had asked.

Francisco was known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his strict physical mortifications, while Jacinta was especially known for having a heart for the poor and the suffering.

Both children fell victim to the influenza epidemic of 1918 that swept through Europe. In October 1918, Mary again appeared to the sick siblings and promised to take them to Heaven soon. On April 3, 1919, Francisco declined hospital treatment for influenza and died the next day.

Jacinta was given hospital treatment in hopes of prolonging her life, but she knew that she would soon join Francisco in Heaven.

On Feb. 19, 1920, Jacinta asked the hospital chaplain who heard her Confession to bring her Holy Communion and administer the last rites, because she was going to die “the next night.” But the priest said that her condition was not

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, announces the following appointments: Rev. Antonio Lisboa da Silva, S.D.V., of the Society of Divine Vocations (Vocationist Fathers) Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Wareham

that serious and that he would return the next day.

The next day Jacinta was found dead — she had died in her sleep.

St. Pope John Paul II beatified Francisco and Jacinta May 13, 2000, on the 83rd anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima. Both under

12 years old, they were the youngest non-martyrs to be beatified in the history of the Church.

Sister Lucia, the third visionary, lived much longer, dying in 2005 at the age of 97. The Church is currently examining documents and collecting testimonies for her beatification cause.

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the nomination of the Very Reverend Johnathan A. Hurrell, ss.cc., Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts — United States Province, and has made the following appointment: Rev. Stephen Banjare, ss.cc., Parochial Vicar of Saint Joseph Parish in Fairhaven to Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Fairhaven Effective: July 1, 2017

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has announced the following appointments: Rev. Robert A. Oliveira, Co-Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program while remaining Pastor of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford Deacon Frank R. Lucca, Co-Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program Effective June 28, 2017

Rev. Cyril Offiong, S.D.V., of the Society of Divine Vocations (Vocationist Fathers) Parochial Vicar of Saint Patrick Parish in Wareham

Rev. David C. Deston Jr., Chaplain, Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, while remaining Administrator of Saint Anne’s Parish in Fall River

Effective June 28, 2017

Effective: July 1, 2017 The Anchor - May 19, 2017

15

For and About Our Church Youth

O

ccasionally, when I have a few moments, I’ll scroll through my Facebook feed. Once in a while I’ll come across something that sparks my interest and may even inspire me.

Last week I found a video that is spreading rapidly across the internet. It garnered more than 40 million views on Facebook within just one week. It’s called, “Eating Twinkies with God.” It’s a short film that can make you search within your very self.

The video follows a young boy on a Spiritual journey to find God. As the video begins, we find the little guy in the kitchen grabbing a package of Twinkies along with two juice boxes from the refrigerator.

He places all of it in his bag and starts to head out, when his mother asks, “Now where are you off to?”

He responds with some excitement, “I’m going to find God.” He sets off on a journey via subway and ends up in a park. As he enters the park he sees a bench with, what appears to be, a homeless woman who looks particularly sad. He sits down next to her, pulls out the Twinkies and as he begins to bite into it, he decides to share the other Twinkie with the woman who smiles and says thank you. As they sit there, we view them having a conversation that leads to laughter

Eating Twinkies with God and giggles. As he’s about to leave for home, recalling his mother’s request that he not be late for dinner, he gives the woman a hug.

She smiles broadly and they depart as best of buds.

When he arrives home he tells his

By Deacon mom that Frank Lucca he met God and he’s a woman with the “most beautiful smile.” The woman returns to an area where she most likely spends the night outside and shares with another woman that she ate Twinkies in the park with God and he’s “much younger than I expected.”

Having viewed the video, it makes you realize that God is indeed present when we love and take care of one another. The readings during this Easter season serve as a reminder that so much of our faith isn’t individual. It is looking out for one another, praying for one another, praying with one another. It is communal.

Meir Kay, one of the directors of this short film mentions on the YouTube video description: “Whether you believe or not, we all can agree that by helping each oth-

Be Not Afraid

Bishop Connolly Interact Club members gather with Rotary Club of Fall River advisors Jennifer Preston and Kimberly Smith around the Fall River school’s new environmentally-friendly water bottle filling station purchased through the service group’s fund-raising efforts. Since students, faculty and staff began using the unit in late February, more than 2,000 plastic bottles already have been prevented from reaching the environment.

16

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

er, each good act that we do makes this world a brighter place. Let us rise to the occasion and be kinder to each other, to help one another.

We are all on the same team.”

Simply search on Google for “Youtube I Ate a Twinkie with God” to find the film online.

Take an opportunity to watch this beautiful little film and then seriously consider what it is saying to you.

Then let’s act in a way that brings God to all those we meet and share particularly with those in need. One way to share the Twinkies, at this time of year, is surely through the Catholic Charities Appeal.

Catholic Charities proceeds, as stated on the website, “provides funding for the charitable services and programs sponsored by the Fall River Diocese throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. The Appeal, for example, supports Catholic Social Services network of regional offices that sponsor emergency

shelter and transitional housing, basic needs assistance, food pantries and vouchers, pregnancy and parenting support, foster care, refugee resettlement, advocacy programs for persons with disabilities and for immigrants, and crisis intervention.

“Other services and ministries financed by the Catholic Charities Appeal include hospital chaplaincy, campus ministry, Marriage preparation, programs for the bereaved, youth and young adult ministry, the Television Mass and more.”

This year the theme centers on the call to service expressed in Matthew 25: “Whatsoever You Did.”As stated on the Catholic Charities website, “Each of us, in our own manner, provides the answer.” So let’s share our Twinkies. Who knows who we may meet.

Anchor columnist Frank Lucca is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Fall River, a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea, and a campus minister at UMass Dartmouth. He is married to his wife of 38 years, Kristine, and the father of two daughters and their husbands, and three grandsons.

So blessed! Comments, ideas or suggestions? Please email him at DeaconFrankLucca@comcast.net.

Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth held its annual Visual Arts Night. Under the direction of art teacher Kathryn Burakowski, students showcased their favorite pieces. Complemented by student musicians and refreshments, the school’s Academic Resource Center was transformed into a gallery. First-place winners in each category were, from left: Katherine Ferreira (Best Painting, Best in Show), Nolan Da Rosa (Best Nature Photo); Lindsay Honeycutt (Best Sculpture); Allison Michaud (Best Drawing); Amber Rousseau (Best Motion Photo); Lauren Mauretti (Best Portrait); Reed Barker (Best Abstract); and Hanah Cincotta (Best Mixed Media).

For and About Our Church Youth

Students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford enjoyed library time with volunteer Mrs. Murphy.

The pre-k students from St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently collected infant accessories such as diapers, sleepers, wash cloths and blankets for New Hope as their fifth annual Lenten Service Project. According to pre-k teacher Kim Cavanaugh, “The goal of the project is almsgiving during Lent. We try to help the children understand that there are others that are in need and we try for items that they understand and can pick out with their parents. This has been a great year, we have beautiful infant items and a very generous amount of diapers.” Shown with the students and their baskets are Heather Sullivan, New Hope prevention educator and volunteer coordinator; and pre-k teachers Kim Cavanaugh and Tammy O’Malley.

The Confirmation class at Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich prayed over Easter Breads given to parishioners who lost a loved one since last Easter. They were delivered by teams of students on Good Friday.

Third-grade girls at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford celebrated a recent “Sports Day.” They looked stylish in their HFHN CYO Basketball uniforms.

American Heritage Girls Troop MA372 Tenderhearts (grades onethree) worked on scrap-booking for their Memory Maker Badges.

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

17

For and About Our Church Youth 2017 St. Pius X Award Winners PARISH PARISH CITY

FIRST NAME

M. NAME

LAST NAME

Christ the King Mashpee Mark Joseph Agostinelli St. Patrick Falmouth Nathan Alferes-Schoonmaker St. Mary New Bedford Matthew Aviza St. Vincent de Paul Attleboro Lauren Barbosa St. Mary Norton Andrew Barker Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Seekonk Gregory Robert Bent St. Mary South Dartmouth Megan J. Berard Our Lady of the Assumption Osterville Trevor Blaze St. Anthony East Falmouth Jack Lambert Bonoli St. Mary - Our Lady of the Isle Nantucket Lauren Alexis Bresette St. John the Baptist Westport Makensie L. Brown Holy Family E. Taunton Kyle David Cabral Our Lady of Fatima New Bedford Ben Carusi St. Mary Mansfield Joseph R. Cavanaugh Holy Trinity Fall River Nathaniel Thomas Chhim St. Francis Xavier Hyannis Vincent Collucci St. Anthony Taunton Micaela Condinho St. Dominic Swansea Sydney Elizabeth Correa St. Joan of Arc Orleans Trudy Cox St. Patrick Wareham Benjamin DeMoranville St. Lawrence Martyr New Bedford Jacob Ellis St. Michael Fall River Sydnie Alevis Faria St. Thomas More Somerset Brendon Fitzpatrick Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seekonk Wesley Gallishaw St. Francis Xavier Acushnet Brittany Anastasia Hammarquist Our Lady of Victory Centerville Breann Hill Sacred Heart North Attleboro Brandon Lacy Holy Cross South Easton Jacob Lane St. Anthony of Padua New Bedford John Patrick Martin St. Mary Taunton Shannon McGrady St. Julie Billiart North Dartmouth Caitlin Rose McHenry Good Shepherd Fall River Emma Morgan Mello St. Joseph Fall River Nicholas Mello Our Lady of Grace Westport Elijah Louis Moniz St. Mary Fairhaven Owen Murray Holy Redeemer Chatham Heather Ann Nicolai St. Bernadette Fall River Toni-Mario Ojadi Our Lady of Mt. Carmel New Bedford Adriel Jose Pacheco St. Nicholas of Myra North Dighton Arianna Emma Parchesco-LaPlante St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Attleboro Jacob Philip Pariseau St. Anthony of Padua Fall River Monica Pereira Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception New Bedford Alyssa Marie Pereira St. John the Evangelist Attleboro Hadley Rose Porreca St. Pius X South Yarmouth Meghan Powell St. Stanislaus Fall River Jason Christopher Rajani Annunciation of the Lord Taunton Demi C. Riendeau Our Lady of Guadalupe New Bedford Jocelyn Rivas St. John the Evangelist Pocasset Emily Saba St. Bernard Assonet Cassandra Saniuk Our Lady of the Assumption New Bedford Geanesy Gomes Sequeira St. Mark Attleboro Falls Erin Elizabeth Shaw Our Lady of the Cape Brewster Jason Silva St. John Neumann East Freetown Abigail Soares Corpus Christi East Sandwich Emily Lien Spinello St. George Westport Josie E. Teves Holy Name Fall River Dylan J. Vieira Holy Trinity West Harwich Emily D. Wall St. Mary North Attleboro Shane Michael Welter

18

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

New task force to examine fund-raising model continued from page four

mittees will seek out the expertise of various people and sources for advice and guidance and will study best-practice models of other Catholic Foundations, along with Catholic colleges, universities and other non-profit organizations locally and nationally.

The ultimate goal of the Foundation Task Force will be to prepare and share its final recommendations in the way of a newly-formed Catholic Foundation that will best serve the Church in the Diocese of Fall River.

Referencing Bishop da Cunha’s recent pastoral letter, “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope,” Marilyn Blanchette, facilitator of the Catholic Foundation Task Force, said it has provided the group with a clear road map that is “rich with vision and direction.”

“The bishop said that rebuilding in faith and hope begins by celebrating the gifts that we’ve been given in a spirit of gratitude and acknowledges the strengths that we can build upon,” Blanchette said. “This is your first order of business. Thinking about what it is that we celebrate the most about our Church, and what it is that we find are those key strengths that we can build upon as we go forward.”

Indeed, one of the key parts of the bishop’s plan to revive and rebuild the diocese is to reach out to and seek assistance from the laity in the process.

“I’m discovering each day that there are so many good people in our diocese who have been waiting for an opportunity,” Bishop da Cunha said. “There are so many talents here that can be used for the good of the Church. There is no way that I could do this work alone, or even just the priests. In my

pastoral letter I emphasized that no parish, no diocese, no institution will be sustainable and vital for the future if we don’t involve the laity with their gifts and talents in this mission.”

While the idea of asking for money or seeking donations can sometimes carry a negative connotation, the bishop explained how these financial resources are essential to carrying out the Church’s mission here in the diocese.

“We are running a mission, but this mission needs a good, strong business administration, with all our institutions in the diocese — our parishes, our schools, and our financial resources — coming together to make a difference, and to make the mission of forming and becoming disciples and leading people to holiness,” he said. “That’s where you all come in — with your talents, with your expertise, with your experience, and all your resources.

“In order to carry out this mission of making disciples and reaching holiness and saving souls and sanctifying us and our families and our world, we need an organized, professional, effective diocese. We need vibrant parishes, with quality Liturgies and services and ministries — otherwise people are not going to be attracted and come to be the disciples that we need them to be.”

Like most of the laity who answered the call to serve on the task force, Carney said he considers himself blessed and this is just one way for him to give back to his Church, his diocese and his community.

“I’m very blessed, I had the opportunity to go through 16 years of Catholic education — eight years at Holy Family School in New Bedford, four years at Bishop

Stang High School in North Dartmouth, and then four years at Boston College,” Carney said. “And I feel my life has been blessed because of Catholic education.

“I said yes because I have such faith in Bishop da Cunha’s leadership, I believe the needs of our diocese are great, and I think Bishop da Cunha has been so transparent in talking about what the problems are in our diocese and coming up with creative solutions. That’s why I’m here.”

In his keynote remarks, Michael F. Sinkus, senior consultant for Marts and Lundy, explained how charitable fund-raising efforts — especially on the diocesan level — have changed over the last 10 years and why the establishment of a Catholic Foundation would be beneficial.

“I think diocesan fundraising across America until about 10 years ago was pretty much at the force or the will of individual bishops,” he said. “It was almost all done on the basis of their skill set and their personalities.”

While individual donations have declined of late, overall charitable giving has increased. In fact, last year was America’s most generous year, with an estimated $373 billion given to charities.

“Giving in this country is a huge phenomenon,” Sinkus said. “And the largest recipient of philanthropy is religion. What’s interesting is more people are giving money to foundations — so everything is changing in this realm. We’re thinking over the next two to three years, philanthropy in this area is going to grow by 3.2 percent.”

With these changes in mind, the notion of simply doing a door-to-door campaign — which is how the

diocesan Catholic Charities Appeal began 76 years ago — or even a simple directmail solicitation letter are no longer as effective.

“If you want to raise money, ask people. You can’t be shy about it,” Carney said. “And it’s not enough to just get a letter in the mail or to hear a plea from the pulpit — which is all good, don’t get me wrong. But the one-on-one contact is the magic potion that really gets results.”

“Big donors want to promote change and they want to promote it sooner than later,” Sinkus agreed. “They’re interested in looking at problems now and (funding) solutions. This is changing all over the country right now because it has to — and the dioceses are saying ‘Hey, we’re in the front line of this and we deserve our fair share,’ and acting locally means our share comes first.”

According to Kevin R. Kiley, chancellor and CFO of the Fall River Diocese, success moving forward is going to require not only a commitment from the top — beginning with Bishop da Cunha and his brother priests — but also from the “engaged and talented laity” of the diocese.

“When I first took this job, I heard this was going to be a tiger by the tail, but I knew that God was going to put people in front of me to help,” Kiley said. “I’m blessed to have these people helping me

on a regular basis and we’re all blessed, as a diocese, to have you as well. At the end of the day, we have to be a team, and not the gang that couldn’t shoot straight. And I’m grateful that so much is headed in the right direction.”

Echoing Kiley’s sentiments, Bishop da Cunha said he is “encouraged and hopeful for the future of our diocese” after listening to the input from task force members.

“I’ve been preparing my garden and I’ve been waiting for the weather to get a little warmer so I can actually plant the seeds,” Bishop da Cunha said. “I think today we planted a lot of seeds here. But now we’ve got to nourish it — we’ve got to water it, we’ve got to make it grow.

“What an inspiration it has been to hear all of you today saying you want to be a part of this, you want to make a difference. With the priests and the laity and all of you, we will reach what the Lord asks us to do. We will get there with our generosity, with our gifts and talents, to make this diocese beautiful — to rebuild together in faith and hope.”

Future Catholic Foundation Task Force meetings will be held on Tuesday, June 20 at 11 a.m. at Alberto’s Ristorante in Hyannis; Tuesday, September 12 at 11 a.m. at the Mezza Luna in Buzzards Bay; and Tuesday, October 10 at 11 a.m. at The Cove in Fall River.

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

19

Three to be ordained as transitional deacons continued from page three

though they are important, they cannot take me away from my relationship with my Lord and God.” Muñoz expressed great appreciation for the many pillars of support he’s encountered on his journey toward the priesthood. “My gratitude toward God and my self-awareness of the ministry soon to be embraced, makes me to think with gratitude in all the elements He has disposed in this path for me to see His call clearly. These elements that I am talking about, are the people and institutions that God has put in my way along all my life; my family, friends, the laity of the Church, the teachers, professors, religious orders, and priests; among them my pastors, my advisors and Spiritual directors, who with their support and instruction have given me the treasure of their own experience in the priestly ministry and the essence of their lives of service. I also give thanks to God for those whom, through different circumstances, have been part of my formation; the seminarians and parishioners who have spent some time with me and have supported me with their prayers and company. I am grateful for all of them, as well as, for all the situations in my life that have helped me to become the person I am right now.

“The thought of this journey towards the priesthood of our Lord cuts my breath and fills my eyes with tears of gratitude and benevolence for the love of God. To be a deacon for the service of God’s ministry is a great step in the life of a person who feels gratitude and love for the One true God. To be a deacon of the Lord is an honor that no human is worthy but that through grace and love is possible. My journey does not finish here; it just only stared and with the grace of God it would be possible.”

Muñoz will serve at St. Mary’s, and Sacred Heart parishes in North Attleboro, and St. Mark’s Parish in Attleboro Falls. He will preach his first homily at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Name Church on May 28.

Nunes is a Fall River native, the son of Paul and Karen Nunes, and grew up in Swansea, along with one brother. He attended Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River and later went to Providence College while enrolled at Our Lady of Providence Seminary.

Nunes later attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. “I finished my studies at St. John’s in 2010 but I didn’t feel ready for ordination so I left and decided to work in the corporate world for a few years,” Nunes told The Anchor. “I worked as the

Fatima centennial celebrated in diocese continued from page two

the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Francis presided over their canonization Mass during his two-day pilgrimage to Fatima on 20

May 12-13 to take part in celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima.

With contributions from Sister Natalie Sayde, M.S.C.L., and Hannah Brockhaus, CNA/EWTN News.

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

D.R.E. of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet for a few years,” before he found work elsewhere.

“Though I was working for a company with a great salary and growth potential, I felt empty,” he continued.

“God’s call never went away and in fact it got louder. I contacted the Vocations Office and reapplied to the diocese. This last year I was assigned full-time to Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

“It almost doesn’t seem real. What I mean by that is Christ could have chosen anyone to serve Him, yet He has chosen me and my brother seminarians to be ordained; we broken and flawed men. It is truly humbling.

“My thoughts on how I got here, the old saying is, ‘God writes straight with crooked lines,’ sums up my life. I had a plan for my life and God had a different one. When I was working I had everything the world said was necessary for happiness: a stable job, money, respect, promotion prospects; yet I was not happy.

I was not serving God. For those of you who are thinking about a vocation or know someone who is, I encourage you to pursue that vocation. The diocese and the world needs more young men who are willing to be priests and deacons and more young women to embrace the religious life.”

Nunes will be serving at Holy Name Parish in Fall River for the year. He will preach his first Mass as a deacon at Christ the King Church in Mashpee May 28 at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Father Chris Peschel, associate diocesan director of Vocations and Seminarians announced three Holy

Hours for Vocations that are being held before the upcoming Transitional Diaconate Ordination.

May 24 at 7 p.m. — St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro;

I

May 25 at 6:30 p.m. — Christ the King Parish in Mashpee; May 26 at 6:30 p.m. — Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish in New Bedford (bilingual).

The new school could use a little old school

tion broke down during the ’d like to thank my conferring of more than parents and Denise’s parents for being old school. 1,500 degrees. Family and friends were told to remain It helped us to raise our seated and students were children to be old school in a new school world. None of instructed to return to their our parents attended college. seats during the commenceIn fact, some never complet- ment. Neither happened ed grammar school. Yet they on the part of many selfish individuals. were and are some of the most intelligent folks I’ve met.

My View We were From taught the Stands courtesy, respect, and

By Dave Jolivet manners.

That trilInstead of basking in the ogy of behavior traits goes a very long way, to the point of achievements of my pup, we had to crane our necks to get defining the type of people a brief glimpse of that special we become.

The antithesis of this type moment, and Denise didn’t even hear Em’s name called of behavior, new school val(which was mispronounced ues if you will, was painfully anyway), because students evident at Emilie’s recent took off to see family and university graduation. friends immediately after For nearly 19 years, Em receiving their sheepskin. They has hit the books at preprimary and primary school, stood, wandered, and celebrathigh school, and college. She ed anywhere they chose, most often in front of old school always worked very hard and did her very best. Things people. Em and her pals played by the rules and I was Denise and I couldn’t teach her, she gained through these proud of her for that as well.

The long-awaited event institutions. What we could was chaotic and disappointteach her, and did, were the ing because more and more old school values. people have that new school After all these years of hard work, we so looked for- approach. Maybe offering a degree in old school would be ward to watching her walk the answer. But would anyone across the stage and receive know how to teach it? her degree; a BFA, magna Congratulations Emilie cum laude.

Jovielet (sic). We’re so proud It would have been nice, of you for your new school had many in the audience education with an old school and student population approach. learned old school values. davejolivet@anchornews.org.

Decorum and organiza-

Maryknoll, New York — Father Charles A. Murray, M.M., of New Bedford, died at Mission St. Teresa’s Residence in Ossining, N.Y, on April 25.

He was 94 years old and a Maryknoll priest for 65 years.

After ordination on June 9, 1951, Father Murray was assigned to Peru. After completing language studies in Arequipa, Peru, he taught Latin at San Ambrosio High School and Seminary.

Father Murray then served as assistant pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Azangaro (1953-1958) and at San Juan Parish in Puno (1958-1959).

In 1958, Father Murray returned to the Azangaro parish where he served as pastor for the next 12 years.

In 1971, he was appointed director of Maryknoll’s Center House in Puno and served in local apostolates.

From 1973 to 1976, Father Murray served in Arequipa at the parish of Our Lady of the Pillar Church, which had a parochial grammar and high school staffed by American religious. From 1977 to 1984, he served in Ciudad de Dios, a large shantytown near the capital city of Lima. As a parish priest, Father Murray was active in the Marriage Encounter and Engaged Encounter movements.

Father Murray was recalled to the United States in 1984 to work in development at Maryknoll’s New York City House. His work included

Father Charles A. Murray, Maryknoll Missioner to Peru

public relations, membership recruitment and fund raising for the missions.

In 1991, Father Murray was assigned to serve in mission in Mexico. In 2008, he joined Maryknoll’s Senior Missioner Community and moved to the Maryknoll Residence in Los Altos, Calif.

Father Murray was

born on May 18, 1922, in New Bedford, where he attended the public grammar school of New Bedford and Roosevelt Junior High School. After graduating from New Bedford High School in 1940, he attended Kinyon’s Business School in New Bedford and Boston University’s Evening College

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

of Business Administration.

Father Murray entered Maryknoll in 1942 at Maryknoll Junior Seminary, Clarks Summit, Penn. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1950 from Maryknoll Seminary, Ossining, N.Y. Father Murray is survived by a niece, Donna Desirey, of South Dartmouth, and a nephew, Peter Murray, of

Little Compton, R.I. A Funeral Mass was celebrated May 2, at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Chapel, Ossining, N.Y., followed by Christian burial in the Maryknoll Society Cemetery.

Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, N.Y., 10545.

May 20 Rev. Antonio L. daSilva, Pastor, Our Lady of Health, Fall River, 1952 May 22 Rev. Daniel L. Freitas, Retired, Former Pastor, St. John of God, Somerset, 2012 May 23 Rev. William F. Donahue, Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1944 Rev. Alfred J. Guenette, A.A., 1995 May 24 Rev. James F. Clark, Founder, St. James, New Bedford, 1907 Rev. Patrick Heran, SS.CC., Former Rector, Sacred Hearts Seminary, Fairhaven, 1985 Rev. Msgr. John J. Regan, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Patrick, Falmouth, 2015 May 25 Rev. Michael P. Kirby, Former Assistant, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1925 Rev. James V. Mendes, Pastor, Our Lady of Angels, Fall River, 1961 May 26 Chorbishop Norman J. Ferris, Pastor, St. Anthony of the Desert Church (Maronite), Fall River, 2005 Rev. Thomas F. Murray, Assistant, St. Patrick, Falmouth and St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 2012 May 28 Rev. Lionel A. Bourque, Former Chaplain, Cardinal Cushing Hospital, Brockton, 1982 May 30 Rev. Jordan Harpin, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1929 Rev. Edmond J. Potvin, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1937 Rev. James M. Quinn, Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1950 Rev. Robert T. Canuel, Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1993 May 31 Rev. Vincent A. Wolski, OFM Conv., Pastor, Holy Cross, Fall River, 1964 June 1 Rev. James A. Ward, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Provincetown, 1911

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

21

Around the Diocese A Healing Mass will be celebrated on the Holy Day of the Ascension, May 25, at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 19 Kilmer Avenue in Taunton, beginning at 6 p.m. with recitation of the Rosary and including the Sacrament of Confession. Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with healing prayers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome. For more information, call 508-824-5577 or email standrewtaunton@comcast.net.

St. Lawrence Martyr Church, 565 County Street in New Bedford, will honor its pastor emeritus, Father John P. Driscoll at the 8 a.m. Mass on May 28. Light refreshments will be served after Mass. Father Driscoll, who expects to attend, will celebrate the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at the end of this month. He previously served the parish of St. Lawrence for more than 30 years, as a junior curate in the early 1950s and as its pastor from 1972 until his retirement from full-time ministry in 2001.

St. John Neumann Church in East Freetown invites all to its 33rd Annual Lakeside Family Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-29, on Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m., and Monday from noon to 5 p.m. There will be a huge barn sale all weekend, along with amusement rides, entertainment, car show on Sunday (rain date is Monday). Great selection of home baked goods, assorted food booths, games of skill and a grand raffle. For more information, visit www. sjnfreetown.org. Take Chace Road exit off Route 140.

On Saturday, June 3 at 1:30 p.m. join the Father Peyton Center for an inspired afternoon that will bring your family together in prayer in honor of three anniversaries this year. From an interactive skit, a shared meal, to powerful prayer experiences, you and your family will be enriched and uplifted. The event will be held at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street in North Easton and is free, family-friendly, handicap accessible and open to the public. For more information, call 508-238-4095.

On June 4, Pentecost Sunday, all are welcome at Holy Name Parish, 709 Hanover Street in Fall River for a special Holy Hour from 2 to 3 p.m. to pray before our Lord in the tabernacle for families, vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, married life and single life. May His Holy Spirit pour out His special graces and help guide us towards God’s path today and always. For more information, call 774-644-5878.

A Pentecost Sunday Taizé Prayer Service will be held on June 4 beginning at 7 p.m. at St. John Neumann Parish, 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown. The service will conclude with a patio reception immediately following and all are welcome.

La Salette Retreat Center in Attleboro is the location for a new biweekly support group for separated and divorced persons. It will begin on June 6 and will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every other Tuesday evening. For more information or for directions, please contact Dottie at 508-642-1928 or email dojale@icloud.com.

The 71st Annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby this past fall offered a prize for the largest fish caught from a kayak.

Margaret Mayhew Pénicaud caught a 23.58-pound striped bass and won a 15.5-foot motorized Bass Yak fishing kayak, which she has donated as a prize in a benefit raffle to help the children of Haiti.

Pénicaud has been assisting Haiti since 1997 and is founder of Little Children of Mary, a tax-exempt, charitable organization which is home to the Martha’s Vineyard Fish Farm Haiti Project. Chances are $25 each and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the children of Haiti. The drawing is set for July 29, and the raffle chances are available online at www.fishfarmhaiti.org or by mailing a check made out to “Fish Farm Haiti” and to P.O. Box 1803, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

22

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. Please use the side entrance.

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

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

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

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Many priests and deacons joined Maronite Bishop Gregory Mansour and Chorbishop Joseph F. Kaddo at the ordination to the permanent diaconate of Brian M. Dunn at St. Anthony of the Desert Parish in Fall River on May 13.

Maronite parish ordains permanent deacon continued from page five

been good to the Church, and it’s people like him who are part of the life and well-being of the parish. He has a servant’s heart.”

The bishop went on to say, “The role of deacon comes from the very mind of Christ. It was His desire

that His Church should have bishops, priests and deacons, each helping to serve the other and the parishioners.”

“Serving as a deacon in the Maronite Church goes all the way back to St. Paul,” said Dunn. “It’s that apostolic tradition

that truly attracts me.

These times are difficult, but they’ve always been difficult for the Church, since the beginning. It’s the difficulties that sustain us for the future. They, through the Holy Spirit, give us wisdom to carry on the tradition of Christ.”

A subscription to The Anchor would make a thoughtful gift for a loved one, a friend, or yourself. It’s a publication that provides a Spiritual uplift and keeps Catholics connected to our beloved Church — locally and beyond.

One-year subscription — $20 Name: Address: City:

State:

Zip:

if given as a gift, the card should read: From: Street:

City;State:

Enclose check or money order and mail to: The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720

The Anchor - May 19, 2017

23

Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

24

The Anchor - May 19, 2017