05.20.11

The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , May 20, 2011

The alpha, beta and gammas of the New Evangelization

Legislature closes lewd e-message loophole

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

EAST SANDWICH — According to Dick Kiernan, Field Ministries Director for Alpha New England, the Alpha for Catholics program is an integral part of the Church’s new evangelization outreach.

“The Alpha for Catholics course has been offered around the world,” Kiernan said. “Sixteen million people have gone through it and it’s been translated into more than 70 languages.”

Having grown steadily in New England over the past decade, Kiernan said an estimated 5,000 Catholics in the area have already experienced the 10-week course which concludes with a retreat weekend, and Alpha teams have recently formed at parishes within the Fall River Diocese including Our Lady of the Cape in Brewster and St. Mary’s in Mansfield.

In an effort to reach even more parishes on Cape Cod and beyond, two introductory sessions titled “Alpha and the New Catholic Evangelization” will be held at Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich on May 25 — one beginning at 11:45 a.m. tailored for priests, deacons and parish leaders (which includes a luncheon) and another at 7 p.m. for lay people.

“The luncheon is essentially for priests, deacons and staff who can’t make the session at night,” Kiernan said.

“The evening session is basically for lay people because most of them are working during the day, but both sessions have the same content and focus. These are open to all parishes in the area.”

Likening the Alpha experience to the once-popular Cursillo retreat movement, Kiernan said it tends to have similar components such as witness talks, video presentations and group discussions.

“But the Cursillo movement tends to be a little more intense, where you go away for a three-day weekend and it’s really for people who are already somewhat involved in the Church and it calls them further,” Kiernan said. “The Alpha course is aimed at people with no Church background at all, those who may be lapsed Catholics or even cradle Catholics. They may have beliefs, but for whatever reason they’ve fallen away or drifted from the Church.”

“It contains some good, solid teaching — but we don’t get into doctrine,” Turn to page 18

It takes a steady hand — Mariangeli “Angie” Vargas, supported by a friend, holds onto the railing and watches her step as she leaves the Catholic Social Services office in New Bedford. Vargas said she continues to suffer from a permanent disability when surgery for a burst gall bladder left her in a coma for five days, causing brain damage that inhibited her speech and walking.

Catholic Social Services helps put the ‘able’ back in disabled

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

NEW BEDFORD — He has pulled people off the streets when they were homeless, guided young children through the challenging world of academics, and reached to help the elderly when other service providers struggled to find a place for them. As coordinator for the Office for Persons with Disabilities, Matt Dansereau has literally had individuals dropped off on his doorstep, all while battling the misconceptions that some people may have towards those with disabilities, especially those suffering from the most common of disabilities — mental illness.

“A lot of people fear being hurt by someone with a disability. That’s not common at all,” said Dansereau, adding the media tends to spotlight the negative. “It’s like anything, you only hear the bad. I like to talk about welfare. You only hear the bad about welfare, about the person who was fooling around with the system, but you don’t hear about the 99.9 percent of people who are on welfare who actually need it.”

And Dansereau works hard for those who reach out to his office at the New Bedford branch of Catholic Social Ser-

vices. A self-described “problem solver to other programs,” Dansereau has clients who range from six months old to 97 years old.

“A lot of other programs are limited to who they can service by their funding” restrictions, explained Dansereau.

“A lot of times I will get clients who are already in other programs and with other state services, but because they can’t work on that particular issue with that client — and because of what Catholic Charities makes possible — I can. I end up dealing with those clients with some of their other issues.”

Dansereau recalls a particularly moving story of a woman who was receiving support from an elder service program.

“She was floating around in different houses, and she ended up being dropped off here at our doorstep,” said Dansereau, who happened to be on vacation at the time. “I immediately got a call because she had a very, very severe speech impediment. We took her and put her in a homeless shelter in Taunton, the Samaritan House.”

Dansereau and another co-worker scoured area housing and two weeks Turn to page 11

Holy Cross Family Ministries to host Family Rosary Retreat June 4 - Page 20

BOSTON — Sending lewd emails and text messages to minors became illegal in the Commonwealth as of April 11.

On February 5 last year the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled that existing law did not prohibit sending sexually-explicit electronic material to minors. That ruling overturned the conviction of a man who had been found guilty of sending sexually-explicit online messages to an undercover police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl.

It also left concerned legislators scrambling to close the loophole.

State lawmakers voted to amend the statute on March 4, 2010, and Gov. Deval Patrick signed the bill on April 13.

However, the law was challenged in court and federal district judge Rya Zobel granted a preliminary injunction, ruling that the new language was overbroad and violated the First Amendment.

Gov. Patrick scaled back the scope of the statute on April 11, 2011. The legislation he signed clarifies that an offender must intend to disseminate sexually explicit matter to a minor. The measure was attached to the supplemental fiscal year 2011 budget.

Enacted in 1982, Massachusetts General Law Chapter 272, Section 28 laid out the penalties for those who distribute “any matter harmful to minors, as defined in Section 31.” Matter is then defined in Section 31 as “any handwritten or printed material, visual representation, live performance or sound recording including but not limited to books, magazines, motion picture films, pamphlets, phonographic records, pictures, photographs, figures, statues, plays, dances.”

The statute did not specifically mention electronically-transmitted text or online conversations.

In what Philip D. Moran, president of the Pro-Life Legal Defense Fund, called at the time a “very strict” interpretation of the law, the SJC ruled that the absence of a definitive prohibition meant that Turn to page 18

2

May 20, 2011 News From the Vatican Vatican norms insist on ‘generous’ approval for use of Tridentine rite

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A new Vatican instruction calls on local bishops and pastors to respond generously to Catholics who seek celebration of the Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal, commonly known as the Tridentine rite.

The instruction, issued May 13, said pastors should approve such Masses for groups of faithful, even when such groups are small or are formed of people from different parishes or dioceses. These faithful cannot, however, contest the validity of the modern Mass or the authority of the pope.

“In deciding individual cases, the pastor or the rector, or the priest responsible for a church, is to be guided by his own prudence, motivated by pastoral zeal and a spirit of generous welcome,” it said.

The instruction said that, depending on pastoral needs, bishops should make sure seminarians are trained in celebrating the Tridentine rite, or “extraordinary form” of the Mass.

At the same time, the Vatican said the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei would be responsible for ensuring local Church officials were making the old rite available where warranted.

The instruction was issued by the Ecclesia Dei commission and approved by Pope Benedict XVI. It came nearly four years after the pope, in an apostolic letter titled “Summorum Pontificum,” relaxed restrictions on use of the Tridentine rite and said it should be made available in every parish where groups of the faithful desire it.

The new instruction said the pope’s letter of 2007 had three main aims: to offer the old rite to all the faithful as a “precious treasure” to be preserved, to guarantee the use of the old rite “for all who ask for it” and to promote reconcilia-

tion in the Church. be no polemical or critical in- ing, or relearning, the rubrics It said local bishops have tent on the part of those people of the old rite could be “dethe responsibility to make making the request.” manding.” sure liturgical matters in their The instruction also ad“For example, I wouldn’t dioceses are proceeding in dressed the question of who have a problem with the Latin. agreement with the pope’s ex- can celebrate the Tridentine But knowing all the rubrics pressed desires and in “peace rite. The papal letter had said that indicate the movements and serenity.” That includes that priests who use the 1962 and particular gestures is much taking measures to more complex,” he ensure respect for the he new instruction said the pope’s said. extraordinary form The instruction letter of 2007 had three main aims: of the Roman rite, it said the Ecclesia Dei to offer the old rite to all the faithful as said. commission would be The instruction, a “precious treasure” to be preserved, to in charge of monitorin a section listing guarantee the use of the old rite “for all ing compliance with “specific norms,” ad- who ask for it” and to promote reconcili- the provisions allowdressed several ising the use of the old ation in the Church. sues that have arisen rite, and would have as groups of faithful the power to decide have petitioned for the sched- Roman Missal must be “quali- on recourse by groups of faithuling of Masses in the old rite: fied” to do so, but did not spell ful against “any possible sin— The papal letter had stat- out requirements. gular administrative provision ed that a “group of the faithful” The new document said that of an ordinary which appears existing “in a stable manner” every Catholic priest in good to be contrary” to the papal could legitimately request cel- standing is generally quali- letter. The commission’s deciebration of the Tridentine rite. fied to celebrate Mass in the sions can, in turn, be appealed The norms said such a group extraordinary form. A basic to the Vatican’s highest tribucould be “quite small,” could knowledge of Latin is needed, nal, the Apostolic Signature. have formed after the publica- enough to pronounce the words The Ecclesia Dei commistion of “Summorum Pontifi- correctly and understand their sion is headed by U.S. Cardicum” and could be made up meaning, it said. nal William J. Levada, the preof Catholics from different Regarding the need to know fect of the Congregation for parishes or dioceses who want the rite, it said priests are pre- the Doctrine of the Faith, who to gather in a specific parish sumed to be qualified if they signed the instruction. church or chapel. present themselves spontaneOn other matters, the in— In the case of a priest who ously to celebrate the Triden- struction said: presents himself occasionally tine rite and have celebrated it — A group of faithful can in a parish church with some previously. celebrate the Easter triduum of the faithful and wishes to Father Lombardi said learn- services in the extraordinary celebrate in the extraordinary form, the local pastor should permit it.

— The norms said the Tridentine rite should be made available at sanctuaries and VATICAN CITY (CNS) — ality stems from the greatness of pilgrimage sites to groups The human body is a God-given this horizon which it opens: the of pilgrims who request it, if instrument for communicating integral beauty, the universe of there is a qualified priest. love, although it also can be used the other person and of the ‘we’ — The faithful who ask to inflict harm on others or for that is born of union, the promfor celebration of the Triden- one’s own selfish pleasure, Pope ise of communion hidden there, tine rite must not belong to Benedict XVI said. the new fruitfulness, the journey or support groups that contest That the body is designed for that love opens toward God, who the pope or the validity of the true love is what gives value to is the source of love,” the pope Mass and sacraments as cel- chastity as the virtue that takes said. ebrated in the ordinary form, seriously the power of the body “In this light,” he said, “the the norms said. to communicate something pro- virtue of chastity receives new Jesuit Father Federico Lom- found if given the respect and meaning. It is not a ‘no’ to pleabardi, Vatican spokesman, said time it needs, the pope told par- sures and to the joy of life, but a the language of that provision ticipants in a meeting sponsored great ‘yes’ to love as a profound made it clear that “there should by the Pontifical John Paul II communication between perInstitute for Studies on Marriage sons, which requires time and respect as a journey together toand Family.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE The pope met the group May ward fullness, and as a love that DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org Vol. 55, No. 20 13 during their celebration of the becomes capable of generating Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service 30th anniversary of the founding life and generously welcoming Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the of the institute by Blessed Pope the new life that is born,” the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, John Paul II. The late pope en- pope said.

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Pope Benedict said having a couraged the institute to study Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address and promote what has been de- body is a reminder that there rePUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman scribed as his “theology of the ally is no such thing as a “selfEXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org made man,” but that we are born body.”

EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org of our parents and, ultimately, of Pope Benedict told the group OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org that by “connecting the theology God the creator.

REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org “Only when one recognizes of the body with the theology of REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org love” they could help Catholics the original love that gave him reach a greater understanding life can he accept himself, reconSend Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org cile himself with nature and with about the purpose of their lives.

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“The true fascination of sexu- the world,” the pope said.

The Anchor

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form if there is a qualified priest. In making a church or oratory available, the local pastor should not exclude the possibility of celebrating the triduum services in both ordinary and extraordinary forms in the same church.

— New saints and some new prayers for special occasions can and should be inserted into the 1962 Missal. It said provisions on this question would be issued later.

— All priests have permission to celebrate the Tridentine rite alone, without a group of faithful.

— Masses for the ordination of priests should always use the ordinary rite, except when it involves the small number of religious institutes with a special dedication to the extraordinary rite.

The instruction said use of the Tridentine rite would also require exceptions from liturgical norms currently in use that are “incompatible with the rubrics of the liturgical books in effect in 1962.” It did not spell out those exceptions.

Asked if altar girls are allowed to serve at a celebration of the Tridentine rite, Father Lombardi said the question was not specifically addressed in the new instruction.

Sexuality is God-given gift for communicating true love, pope says

That God created human beings male and female is a clear sign that He wanted it to be possible for a man and a woman to love each other, unite and have children, he said.

And the fact that even after Adam and Eve sinned, God sent his son — born with a human body — shows that their fall “was not the last word on the body in the history of salvation.

God also offered man a path to the redemption of the body” through the family, the pope said.

References to Eve as “the mother of the living,” he said, “give a witness that the power of sin was not able to cancel the original language of the body, the blessing of life that God continues to offer when man and woman unite in one flesh.”

“The family: This is where the theology of the body and the theology of love intersect,” he said.

A man and a woman, who pledge themselves exclusively to each other for life, have children and educate them, experience firsthand “the goodness of the body” and the fruitfulness of love, the pope said.

May 20, 2011

The International Church

3

English bishops bring back meatless Fridays

revving up — Young people gather for a Mass and concert recently at an arena in Madrid, marking 100 days until the start of World Youth Day 2011. Organizers are promising a “fiesta,” adding a Spanish flavor to traditional opportunities for prayer, friendship, music and religious education. (CNS photo/courtesy of World Youth Day 2011)

Fiesta in Madrid: Preparations heating up for World Youth Day

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With fewer than 100 days to go, preparations for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid are heating up and organizers are promising a “fiesta,” adding a Spanish flavor to the traditional opportunities for prayer, friendship, music and religious education.

As of May 7, organizers reported 347,965 youths had registered for the August 1621 event, which Pope Benedict XVI will attend. The figure included 22,488 young people from the United States and 5,439 from Canada. The Italians — always a big contingent at World Youth Day — were leading the pack with 65,196 registrants, outpacing even the Spaniards by more than 10,000.

While registering has benefits — including priority seating at papal events — young people seem to know they won’t be turned away, and so an earlier estimate of 1.5 million participants seems to be right on track.

Father Eric Jacquinet, the official in charge of the youth section at the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the official sponsor of World Youth Day, said, “We can’t predict how many will register at the last minute.” At WYD Paris in 1997, he said, 300,000 young people pre-registered and there were 1.2 million people at the closing vigil and closing Mass with Pope John Paul II. The staff of WYD Madrid has rallied interest and is helping prepare all those young people with a major presence on the Internet, especially

through social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Photos of the preparation phase are posted on Flickr and videos produced by or about WYD 2011 are collected on a special YouTube channel.

Organizers announced May 10 that the Madrid event will be the first World Youth Day with its own radio station and with a web-TV site.

Erika Rivera Palma, a spokeswoman for WYD ’11, said the organization looked for 20,000 volunteers to help during the event. More than 30,000 people applied and the staff is still sifting through the applications to settle on 22,400 volunteers.

As of May 12, she said, the World Youth Day staff was 500 strong, and 80 percent of those workers were volunteers.

Some were already in Madrid, but many were working from home on the website and Facebook pages.

That WYD Madrid has a strong presence in cyberspace — a very interactive universe where comments are posted with ease — may have something to do with the amount of criticism that has surrounded the official hymn for the Madrid gathering.

The anthem, with words by Auxiliary Bishop Cesar Franco of Madrid, was released in November. But when WYD organizers started feeling the burn of the online commentators, they opened a worldwide contest, soliciting songs — not to replace the bishop’s hymn, but to play alongside it.

Some 270 songs were

submitted and just more than 130 were deemed eligible, said Rivera. The public was being asked to go to a website — www.madridmeencanta.org — and vote for their favorites

by May 31. A WYD panel was to take the top 25 vote-getters and choose five of them to feature in Madrid.

Hundreds of bands, choirs and soloists applied for an official performance slot at World Youth Day — for no pay. Organizers chose 255 of them.

The first three afternoons, evenings and nights — “evening” in Madrid would be considered “night” in many other parts of the world — have been set aside for cultural activities, including the music and museum visits.

The mornings will be dedicated to Religious Education sessions, which take place in hundreds of locations and in dozens of languages. The teachers of the sessions are 250 bishops, who almost always leave plenty of time to dialogue with the youths.

Father Jacquinet said the pontifical council chooses the 250 bishops, usually based on those who have told the council they will attend WYD and are available. The final choice, he said, is based on language and country of origin — “for example, we want to make sure the German speakers come not only from Germany, but also from Austria and Switzerland.”

The council, he said, also takes into account that some bishops “have a special charisma” in addition to their teaching charism.

LONDON (Zenit.org) — The bishops of England and Wales are re-establishing the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays as a penance to identify with Christ on the cross.

In the resolutions published from their spring plenary assembly, which concluded Thursday, the bishops announced the re-establishment of the practice, to go into effect September 16.

“Every Friday is set aside by the Church as a special day of penance, for it is the day of the death of our Lord,” a statement of resolutions from the assembly reminded. “The law of the Church requires Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays, or some other form of food, or to observe some other form of penance laid down by the bishops’ conference.”

“The bishops wish to reestablish the practice of Friday penance in the lives of the faithful as a clear and distinctive mark of their own Catholic identity,” the statement announced.

The prelates added that it is

“important that all the faithful be united in a common celebration of Friday penance.”

“Respectful of this, and in accordance with the mind of the whole Church, the bishops’ conference wishes to remind all Catholics in England and Wales of the obligation of Friday Penance. The bishops have decided to re-establish the practice that this should be fulfilled by abstaining from meat,” the resolution stated.

The prelates said those who do not eat meat normally should abstain from some other food on Fridays.

The date for the re-establishment of meatless Fridays, September 16, marks the anniversary of Benedict XVI’s visit to the United Kingdom last year.

“Many may wish to go beyond this simple act of common witness and mark each Friday with a time of prayer and further self-sacrifice,” the bishops’ statement concluded.

“In all these ways we unite our sacrifices to the sacrifice of Christ, who gave up His very life for our salvation.”

4

Kansas cuts Planned Parenthood funding

Wichita, Kan. (CNA) — The Kansas legislature has passed a multi-faceted Pro-Life bill that cuts Title X funds from Planned Parenthood and excludes automatic abortion coverage from private health care plans and the health insurance exchanges required by federal law to begin in 2014.

Kathy Ostrowski, legislative director of Kansans for Life, said this bill and others show that Kansas is “heading in the right direction.”

HB 2075 requires that over $300,000 in Title X federal money will go to local full-service health clinics instead of Planned Parenthood. It will also put $300,000 into a grant-matched fund for pregnancy maintenance and adoption counseling.

The provision is the second Planned Parenthood funding cut to pass a state legislature this year. In Indiana, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed into law a bill that cuts state funding for the organization, the largest DIOCESAN TRIBUNAL FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS Decree of Citation Since his present domicile is unknown, in accord with the provision of Canon 1509.1, we hereby cite James L. Saporita to appear in person before the Tribunal of the Diocese of Fall River (887 Highland Avenue in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts) on June 6, 2011 at 2:30 PM to give his testimony regarding the question: IS THE JOUBERT-SAPORITA MARRIAGE NULL ACCORDING TO CHURCH LAW? Anyone who has knowledge of the domicile of James L. Saporita is hereby required to inform him of this citation.

Given at the offices of the Diocesan Tribunal in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts on May 16, 2011.

(Rev.) Paul F. Robinson, O. Carm., J.C.D. Judicial Vicar (Mrs.) Denise D. Berube Ecclesiastical Notary

The Church in the U.S.

abortion provider in the country.

Under the Kansas law, private health insurance plans will only cover abortions done to save the life of the mother. Kansas insurers may still offer abortion coverage, but through individually purchased riders that cost about $2, the Associated Press says.

Seven other states limit abortion in private health insurance plans.

Kansans for Life said the restriction makes sense because pregnancy is not a disease and abortion is not health care. Many businesses have objected to paying for elective abortions in the health plans they purchase for their employees.

“It is anything but unreasonable to insist that morally opposed individuals and businesses be freed from underwriting abortions,” said Mary Kay Culp, the organization’s executive director. She noted that state statistics show 40 percent of abortions are performed on women who have already had an abortion.

Other Kansas legislation will require annual, unannounced inspections of abortion clinics and impose new health and safety standards for the three abortion clinics in the state, the Kansas City Star reports.

Ostrowski praised the legislative session for passing bills intended to correct “fraudulent” abortion reporting, to protect women from “dangerous” abortion clinics, and to restrict lateterm abortion.

“We have established a beachhead of protection for the developing unborn child based on accurate medical knowledge about the human capacity to feel pain and responded to the public’s ever-growing revulsion to direct and indirect funding of abortion businesses,” she said.

May 20, 2011

the speaker speaks — U.S. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio waves as John Garvey, president of The Catholic University of America, and Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington applaud during commencement exercises at the university May 14. The applause followed Boehner’s commencement address. (CNS photo/Jenna Isaacson, Catholic University of America)

Boehner encourages CUA students to strive for humility, patience, faith

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Drizzly weather and some controversy surrounding its commencement speaker marked The Catholic University of America’s 122nd annual commencement recently.

As is tradition, commencement exercises were held on the east steps of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Heavy rain fell during the opening procession but stopped for the rest of the ceremony, which included House Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio, receiving an honorary law doctorate and delivering the commencement address.

A few days prior to graduation, more than 80 Catholic scholars from across the country sent Boehner, also a Catholic, a letter organized by Catholic University professors that challenged him to uphold Catholic social justice teachings and criticized his record on government programs serving the poor, particularly programs affected in the 2012 budget cuts.

The letter, however, did not ask the university to rescind its invitation or Boehner to decline it.

In his speech, Boehner focused on the values of humility, patience and faith as qualities for which the graduates should strive.

He recounted his own Catholic education, including the example of his high school football coach, Gerry Faust, who taught his players that “life is a precious gift from God” and that “there’s nothing in life you can’t achieve if you’re willing to work hard enough and make the sacrifices necessary to succeed.”

The speaker described humility, patience and faith as the “raw material” of that hard work and sacrifice. Boehner also received spontaneous applause and cheers from students when he said the students were at an advantage because, “After all, we live in America, a land of hope, opportunity and freedom, where you can be whatever you want to be.”

But Boehner added that the more than 1,500 graduating students are especially prepared because of their Catholic higher education. “The focus of your development here has been getting

you to grapple more with who you want to be than what you want to be,” he said.

Boehner became emotional talking about the day in 2006 he was elected as House majority leader and his being unsure if he was up to the task. After attending Mass, Boehner received a call from Faust wishing him luck.

“Now, I’ve never gotten a phone call from the Blessed Mother, and I don’t expect I ever will. But I gotta tell you, that was pretty darned close,” he said.

After the Republicans won a majority in the House in the 2010 elections, Boehner was voted in as Speaker of the House January 5.

Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl delivered the invocation at the ceremony and conferred ecclesiastical degrees.

Boehner in his commencement address spoke about how he has enjoyed getting to know the cardinal since he came to Washington in 2006. He also joked that the cardinal’s large red cape was “a custom raincoat of an appropriate color” perfect for that morning’s rain.

Wall Street lawyer becomes death-row chaplain

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Dale Recinella played the financing game like a fiddle, even working through Christmas one year to secure the complex arrangements to finance a new stadium for football’s Miami Dolphins. Yet he turned his back on the twin rushes of high pay and high power to minister to some of the most downtrodden: poor people with HIV and AIDS, and eventually prisoners on death row.

Recinella chronicled his journey in a new book, “Now I Walk on Death Row.” “The book is not so much about the death penalty than it is about seeking the answer to the question: Did Jesus mean

what he said?” Recinella told Catholic News Service in a recent telephone interview from his job in northern Florida, where he works part time to support his wife and family. One similarity to his highflying corporate career: He’s got a window office. “And right outside are the garbage cans,” Recinella said with a laugh.

As a volunteer chaplain, he ministers on death row three days each week, all day Mondays at a death-row prison in the Sunshine State and part of the day Wednesdays and some Saturdays. He gives Religious Education instruction Wednesday nights at Union Correctional Institution near Raiford,

Fla. “Wednesday, everybody goes to church at night except the Catholics,” Recinella said. He teaches inmates about “living Gospel values authentically in our lives and in situations we encounter day in and day out. We have 110 inmates.

They change over every year. It is an extremely valuable program.

Those (in the program) who are released have a much better chance of making it.” Recinella, who has written the “Respect Life” column for the Florida Catholic string of diocesan newspapers for the past 11 years, is now an opponent of the death penalty but had long been unaware of the inconsistency in his position on life issues.

May 20, 2011

The Church in the U.S.

5

Catholic agencies pitch in to help those hit by Mississippi flooding

WASHINGTON (CNS) — As the Mississippi River was cresting at historic and near-historic highs as the waters of the swollen river worked their way south, Catholic Charities and other groups were pitching in with coordinated efforts to help meet the needs of those who have lost their homes and possessions in the floodwaters.

“We’ve only had one parish in the Diocese of Memphis that’s been directly affected,” Holy Angels Parish in Dyersburg, Tenn., said Suzanne Aviles, communications director for the diocese. In addition, “Our Lady of Sorrows in Memphis has had to close,” she said. “The building itself is on top of a hill, but it is surrounded by water.”

Only about 1,000 Memphis residents have had to be evacuated thus far. Other downtown parishes had thus far been spared, Aviles explained: “The bluff here is very high. The river would have to get past that to get to the downtown area.”

Talking with Catholic News Service in a telephone interview, Aviles said, “If it peaks at 48 feet as it’s supposed to tonight, that will affect some of the tributaries. We’re saying our prayers.”

Sister Mary Lou Stubbs, a Daughter of Charity who is director of Catholic Charities of Arkansas, told CNS by telephone, before the Mississippi crested along the state’s eastern border, that “we’re getting a lot of flooding in north and eastern Arkansas, along the delta, and in runoff areas.”

“A lot of rivers come together and they’re backed up, because they can’t get into the Mississippi.

I know they have several dams in place, which is going to cause flooding,” Sister Mary Lou said.

“We’re looking at significant longterm recovery.”

Catholic Charities is a member of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters. “We respond as a team in different phases of a disaster,” Sister Mary Lou said. “As a team, we’re doing our specialties but we’re all coming together in disaster areas for what we call one-stop shopping — food, clothes, counseling services. For a day we are in a disaster zone and as many people as can come to us come.”

Sister Mary Lou said members of 15-18 parishes have been trained in long-term recovery, including case management and fund distribution. “We get money from Catholic Charities USA and provide for long-term recovery,” she added. “We provide them with a grant of up to $10,000 out of that disaster fund and they therefore are able to work with people in their area. They can team up with other churches.”

When the money runs out, Sister Mary Lou told CNS, “they send

me a report and if they need more money they get it. Boy, do they know how to leverage that money! ... These Church people are just wonderful.”

As for damages to Catholic churches or properties, Sister Mary Lou said, “We’re going to have to wait until the water goes down.

And it’s still rising.”

needs are there?”

Meanwhile, in Birmingham, Ala., the site of another recent U.S. natural disaster, staff members of Catholic Charities USA were assessing the damage from a series of tornadoes and other violent storms in late April.

“The damage is some of the worst I’ve ever seen,” said disaster

cese of Birmingham coordinate resources, Burgo and her team were helping to identify underserved populations, fill gaps in service delivery and call on people and organizations outside of the area to bring in relief resources.

“It’s really not surprising how the community has pulled together when they see people in need,” she

nature’s fury — Members of the Vicksburg, Miss., Fire Department and county crews head out on a boat past a partially submerged building as they prepare to sandbag areas on the levee to slow down floodwaters from the swollen Mississippi River. Water from the Mississippi and its tributaries spilled across farm fields, cut off churches, washed over roads and forced people from their homes.

(CNS photo/Sean Gardner, Reuters)

Kyle Schott, interim executive director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo., has visited flooded sites after the Mississippi crested May 5.

“Now that the water’s finally receding around here, we’re just finally getting an idea how much damage there is,” Schott told CNS. “Down in Scott County, there’s a little town called Morehouse that has a population of probably just a few hundred people, and that’s probably wiped out. They said that 70 percent of the houses were ruined.”

Schott noted that Morehouse was “miles away” from the Mississippi, but was affected because it is close to tributaries that “feed into other things that feed into the Mississippi.”

“A lot of these areas are just basically full of poor people,” he said. “They were just flooded out.

We’ve been assisting people with deposits to get them rents and get them into a new place to live. I sent $7,500 over to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Poplar Bluff, the multi-agency resource center they have over there. They went through $5,000 the first day; this was just last week. I haven’t been back in touch with them to see how they’re doing. As it goes along, we’ll say, “OK, what other kinds of unmet

veteran Kim Burgo, vice president for disaster operations at Catholic Charities USA. “We are working really long hours on this one and doing what we can to prepare the diocese for the long haul.”

In addition to helping the Dio-

said. “The early responders on the ground are the real heroes in this story,” Burgo added, mentioning the Knights of Columbus, diocesan staff, St. Vincent de Paul Society members, Catholic youth groups and others providing relief efforts.

Bishop Robert J. Baker of Birmingham said Catholic churches and other diocesan buildings “were miraculously spared from major damage” by the tornadoes. “This enables us to use our resources to help the victims of the storms,” he added. “Our 10 centers of concern and all our churches are serving as centers of assistance to help in this massive disaster relief effort.”

Anne Masline, a student at the University of Alabama, reported in an article for the Catholic Week, Mobile archdiocesan newspaper, that the Tuscaloosa community also had pulled together quickly after the tornadoes.

“I always knew we had a very close community in Tuscaloosa, but I have never seen so many people band together in such a positive way,” she wrote. “Most churches in Tuscaloosa have been turned into donation drop-off points, including the UA Catholic campus parish, St. Francis. When I traveled to St. Francis to drop off my donations, I saw our entire parish hall full of clothing, paper goods, diapers and many other donations.”

Masline said assistance came from far and wide, including workers from Millbrook, N.Y., who drove 21 hours straight to bring their donations to Tuscaloosa.

“I have been continually amazed to see how people from across the country are going out of their way to help our city in need,” she wrote. “Natural disasters can be horrible, but they can also bring people together. Tuscaloosa may never be the same, but I hope this experience will change us for the better.”

6

The Anchor A big worldwide step in the right direction

In March 2010, when Pope Benedict penned a pastoral letter to the Church in Ireland in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis there, he candidly confessed, “No one imagines that this painful situation will be resolved swiftly.” He pointed to areas where progress has been made through an “analysis of mistakes made and lessons learned,” while stressing that “much more remains to be done.”

Just as an individual penitent after sorrowfully confessing his sins must begin and carry out the arduous work of forming and keeping rigorous resolutions, so the Church has been amending its ways based on its deep contrition for the abominations committed against its most vulnerable population by those who were supposed to be models of its highest standards.

The bishops of the United States acted back in 2002 when they formulated and began to implement the imperfect but tough Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and its accompanying essential norms. The Vatican has also changed its ways, transferring the responsibilities of ancient dicasteries to more effective ones, and clarifying and streamlining Church law and protocols, in order to expedite the process whereby dangerous clerics are removed not only from pastoral situations where they might harm the young, but also reduced from the clerical state so that they may no longer manipulate the collar to do evil. These and other developments can justly be summarized in the same way Pope Benedict described what was happening in Ireland: progress has been made but much more remains to be done.

One more big step in the right direction happened on Monday when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sent a “Circular Letter” of guiding principles to all the bishops of the world (see page 14). It contained instructions that every episcopal conference submit to Rome by the end of May 2012 a set of comprehensive, clear and coordinated principles and procedures that the bishops of that region will follow to protect minors from sexual abuse and respond justly and adequately when accusations of abuse are brought forward. Not only does this Vatican directive compel those conferences that still do not have such norms to develop them on short order, but it provides another advance in a coordinated global response by the Church to the evil of sexual abuse across linguistic, geographic and cultural boundaries.

In addition to summarizing all the applicable Church law with regard to the grave crime of the sexual abuse of minors and reviewing the procedures to investigate accusations and punish the accused, the Circular Letter also distills nearly a decade’s worth of reflection by the Vatican and various other ecclesiastical bodies — including much input from the United States — as to what comprehensive approach to the evil of the sexual abuse of minors must include.

The first of five general considerations it presents is that “the Church, in the person of the bishop or his delegate, should be prepared to listen to the victims and their families, and to be committed to their spiritual and psychological assistance.” It’s important that this is placed first, to stress what needs to be the Church’s primary emphasis: In far too many places, those who suffered sexual abuse by clerics and their families were not only not treated with compassion and respect, but in some cases were regarded as troublesome, potential legal adversaries.

The second consideration is that “programs of education and prevention” be developed to ensure “safe environments” for minors. These seek to “help parents as well as those engaged in pastoral work and schools to recognize the signs of abuse and to take appropriate measures.” It’s noteworthy that the Circular Letter does not mention programs specifically geared toward educating young children about abuse. While such programs have been implemented in most U.S. dioceses, they have also been criticized by some parents and educators for being too explicit too early about sexual abuse and for creating a sense of suspicion, rather than trust, for adult family members, clergy and teachers. The CDF has left the determination of these programs up to the prudent assessment of the various bishops conferences and, ultimately, to the bishops themselves.

The third general consideration involves the training of future priests and religious to ensure that they have a “healthy human and spiritual formation” and, insofar as possible, will never “harm the young.” Bishops and superiors have the responsibility, the letter says, to see that candidates not only can live chastely but also have “an appreciation of chastity and celibacy” as well as a capacity for “spiritual fatherhood.” These words indicate that one of the obvious lessons learned by the Church about the clerical sexual abuse scandals is that abuse generally occurred and was allowed to continue in those ecclesiastical contexts where there was lax discipline with regard to the Church’s teachings on human sexuality in general and to same-sex activity in particular. The new guidelines are also encouraged to address the situation of men seeking to transfer from one diocese or religious institute to another, to make sure that any concerns about the man’s capacity to live the priestly or religious life in its fullness are not forgotten when his address changes.

Fourth, the letter says that particular attention must be given to priests, in three ways. First, it says, priests need to receive training on the “damage done to victims of sexual abuse,” taught to “recognize the potential signs of abuse perpetrated by anyone in relation to minors” and made aware of their canonical and civil responsibilities with regard to protecting the young and responding whenever crimes are committed against them. The second form of attention, the document says, is that bishops are to relate to their priests as “father and brother.” This does not imply in the least that a bishop should be indulgent to his spiritual son and sibling — especially when the priest is culpable for abusing the bishop’s other and more vulnerable spiritual children and siblings! — but it does mean that he should not allow his relations with his priests to become dominated by diocesan or district attorneys. The third aspect of attention to priests the Circular Letter specifies is that the “accused cleric is presumed innocent until the contrary is proven.” One of the biggest challenges for bishops’ conferences is to translate this universal legal principle into actual protocols, because in those countries that have already approved norms, like the United States, accused priests are treated functionally by the local Church, by victims’ rights groups, and in the much of the secular media as if an accusation is tantamount to a conviction. As recent reports by the U.S. Bishops Conference have shown that the percentage of false accusations against priests is rising, this simple principle of justice must get more attention than it has until now.

The last general consideration concerns cooperation with civil authorities. Because the sexual abuse of minors is not just a canonical but also a civil crime, there should be attention to “what pertains to the obligation of notifying civil authorities.” The document stops short of mandating bishops report all accusations to civil authorities, because in a few countries where governments are evidently corrupt and view the Church as an enemy to be defeated by any means, reporting to such authorities would likely not foster the true cause of justice. Except in those rare circumstances mentioned, however, there is a clear suggestion that the Church actively involve the state in the investigation of whether crimes were committed and, if they were, to punish the malefactors appropriately.

All five of these general considerations are big steps in the right direction. They point to real progress that has been occurring in the Church worldwide in the last decade, as soon as the horror of the extent of the sexual abuse of minors in some segments of the Church began to be brought to light. There is still much work to be done in the formulation and enforcement of these policies, and in remedying unintended consequences, but these steps forward should make anyone who loves the young and loves the Church applaud.

May 20, 2011

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary

F

parables. In the Gospel of St. Mark, we or centuries there were only the read, “After John had been arrested, Jesus three sets of mysteries of the went into Galilee and proclaimed, ‘The Rosary, Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious.

In 2002, however, Pope John Paul II took Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the Gospel.’” Jesus brings to a daring step by introducing a new five completion God’s plan. His kingdom is mysteries to this traditional devotion to Mary. John Paul II called these new mys- not just the heavenly homeland that we hope one day to enter, but it is present teries the Luminous Mysteries, because here and now. By our Baptism, we are they shed light on the public life of our members of that kingdom.

Lord and some of the great miracles that Each day we are confronted with He performed. many things that challenge our fidelity These new mysteries, which are and loyalty to the kingdom of God. We normally prayed on Thursday, were announced in October 2002 in his Apostolic are faced with the option of thinking, speaking and living our lives according Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, which to worldly and secular ways or accordalso began the “Year of the Rosary.” In ing to the Gospel that Jesus taught and that letter, the pope explains, “To bring the Church continues to proclaim. Let out fully the Christological depth of the us pray here that we may always remain Rosary it would be suitable to make an loyal to our King, Jesus Christ! addition to the traditional pattern which The Transfiguration is the forth Lucould broaden it to include the mysteries minous Mystery of the Rosary. Our Lord of Christ’s public ministry between His Baptism and His Passion. In the course of takes Peter, James and John up a mountain to pray. As they were praying, Elijah those mysteries we contemplate imporand Moses appear and begin conversing tant aspects of the person of Christ as with Jesus. the definitive Jesus’ face is revelation of transfigured God.” Putting Into and his clothes The first become dazLuminous the Deep zling white.

Mystery is the A voice was Baptism of the

By Father heard, “This Lord in the is My beloved Jordan. Here Jay Mello Son, listen to we recall that Him!” In this event in which event, our Lord’s divinity is revealed.

Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized As we meditate upon this mystery,

by John. As Jesus came out of the water, we must ask ourselves, “Who is Jesus?” suddenly the sky opened and He saw Non-believers, who can’t deny the the Spirit of God descend upon Him like historical fact that Jesus really existed, a dove and the voice from the heavens often try to present Jesus as a prophet, a saying, “This is My beloved Son, upon Him, My favor rests.” It is with this event miracle worker, or even just a really nice guy. But Jesus isn’t just a nice guy, He is that Jesus begins His public ministry of God! Do we believe that? This decade of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. the Rosary can strengthen our belief and In this event, we see the mission of conviction that Jesus Christ really is the the Father being carried out and fulfilled Son of God!

by His beloved Son. By virtue of our The fifth Luminous Mystery is the Baptism, we are also children of God and Institution of the Eucharist. Remembercalled to live lives of holiness that give ing the events that took place on Holy testimony to our faith in Jesus Christ.

Thursday evening, the mystery of the Perhaps a reflection while praying this Eucharist truly illuminates the depths of mystery is to ask ourselves how faithGod’s love for us. Jesus reveals Himself ful we have been to that sacred calling. as a loving servant, who lays down His In other words, do we remind ourselves life to nourish us, to heal us and to unite regularly of what it means to be a bapus. In this first Eucharist, He establishes tized Catholic? the new covenant between God and the The Wedding Feast at Cana is the second Luminous Mystery. We remember world.

A prayer here can obviously be for here the wedding banquet where they had a greater love and devotion to our Lord run out of wine. Mary takes the situation in the Eucharist. We pray for a greater to her Son and asks Him to intervene.

Mary tells the head waiter, “Do whatever hunger for the Bread of Life! We pray that we may always receive Holy He tells you.” Jesus performs the first of His miracles at this wedding feast, turning Communion in the state of grace and never take the Eucharist for granted.

180 gallons of water into delicious wine.

In this first miraculous sign, Jesus begins We pray for all those who do not see the importance and value of attending to reveal Himself as Lord.

Sunday Mass. May our reverence for Following Mary’s maternal counsel, “Do whatever He tells you,” we have the our eucharistic Lord be an example to those who do not believe. opportunity here to reflect upon bringing Pope John Paul II explained, “The our needs and prayer intentions to the addition of these new mysteries, without Blessed Mother who continues to interprejudice to any essential aspect of the cede on our behalf. Also in this mystery prayer’s traditional format, is meant to we have a golden opportunity to pray for all married couples, especially those who give it fresh life and to enkindle renewed interest in the Rosary’s place within may be struggling in their vocation of Christian spirituality as a true doorway to marriage. the depths of the Heart of Christ, ocean The third Luminous Mystery is the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God and of joy and of light, of suffering and of glory.” the Call to Conversion. Throughout the Father Mello is a parochial vicar at Gospel we encounter Jesus teaching of God’s Kingdom and explaining it through St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

May 20, 2011

Q: Recently, one musician has told us during the class that Marian songs should not be sung during the offertory of a Mass. Is this true? Why so? — D.Z., Beijing A: I have often heard this particular “norm” bandied about but have yet to find an authoritative source for it.

The 2007 guidelines on liturgical music, “Sing to the Lord,” published by the U.S. bishops’ conference, give only general criteria regarding hymns. To wit: “A hymn is sung at each Office of the Liturgy of the Hours, which is the original place for strophic hymnody in the Liturgy. At Mass, in addition to the Gloria and a small number of strophic hymns in the Roman Missal and Graduale Romanum, congregational hymns of a particular nation or group that have been judged appropriate by the competent authorities mentioned in the GIRM, nos. 48, 74, and 87, may be admitted to the Sacred Liturgy. Church legislation today permits as an option the use of vernacular

M

ay is the month when most parishes endeavor to make some sense out of the theology of Baptism. This has been our task ever since the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation were separated from Baptism in the case of infants. Since this became popular in Medieval times, we have been paying for it by churning out generations of Catholics who may never reflect upon or experience the effects of their Baptisms.

During the Easter season we hear tales of conversions in the accounts of the Acts of the Apostles. Adults heard the Word of God proclaimed by the Apostles and were then moved to change their lives and follow in the path of Christ. During the period of persecution, this path to Baptism involved years of training in the moral life along with catechesis. After going through this rigorous training the newly-baptized often reported that they experienced God’s grace in a very meaningful way, which strengthened them as they lived the life in Christ that they had worked so hard to attain. Why did this process change?

Theology does not develop in a laboratory, but is nur-

7

The Anchor

Marian hymns at the offertory

hymns at the Entrance, Prepa- options at this moment. Apart from a hymn it is possible to ration of the Gifts, Commuuse the traditional Latin chant nion, and Recessional. Because these popular hymns are for the day; a polyphonic piece by the choir; purely instrumenfulfilling a properly liturgical role, it is especially important tal music (outside of Lent); that they be appropriate to the and even no music at all. liturgical action. In accord with an uninterrupted history of nearly five centuries, nothing prevents the use of some congregational hymns

By Father coming from other Edward McNamara Christian traditions, provided that their texts are in conformity with Catholic teaching The question here is and they are appropriate to the whether Marian hymns should Catholic Liturgy (no. 115).” be judged as “inappropriate” It is sometimes difficult to for the presentation of gifts. find specific “appropriate” I believe we can be guided hymns for the preparation of here by the extraordinary form gifts as this moment of the rite has received less attention of the Roman rite. In this rite the offertory chant is not an from modern composers than the entrance and Communion. optional text but is proper and specific to each particular Since this is a new requireday or season. A glance at the ment in the Liturgy, there are liturgical calendar shows that few older vernacular hymns the prescribed text for the offor the offertory. This is probfertory on Marian feasts usuably also due to the fact that ally refers to Mary. In many a hymn is only one of several

cases the offertory chant is taken from the first part of the Hail Mary, or a psalm verse applicable to Mary and occasionally is an original composition such as on the feasts of the Queenship of Mary and the Assumption.

Thus I think it is clear that Church tradition validates the use of Marian texts at least on her feast days. There are also some oblique references to Mary in the offertory chants on other occasions, such as the feasts of saints noted for Marian devotion. For example, on the memorial of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother (February 27), the chant is taken from Psalm 115:16-17: “O Lord, I am Your servant, the son of Thy handmaid. You have loosed my bonds and I will offer You a sacrifice of praise.”

With this in mind it would appear that there is no reason to ban Marian songs for the gifts, if there is a good reason for having one. They are

certainly justified on Marian feasts and probably also during the Marian months of May and October.

They could also be used on other occasions, but I believe that the criterion of their being “appropriate” is important.

They should not just be used as fillers because nothing else is available. The lyrics should also in some way relate to the feast or to the mystery being celebrated, especially those texts which bring out Mary’s relationship with Christ.

Insofar as possible, just as all hymns used in the Liturgy intended for community use, the text should preferably express an ecclesial profession of faith and not just a personal and individual devotion.

Father Edward McNamara is a Legionary of Christ and professor of Liturgy at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome. His column appears weekly at zenit.org. Send questions to liturgy@zenit. org. Put the word “Liturgy” in the subject field. Text should include initials, city and state.

the individual to accept the tured in the rich soil of world history. The practice of infant Gospel of Christ. Conversion to the Christian way of life Baptism came about to meet must precede the actual Rite the challenge that high infant of Baptism, which is folmortality presented to our lowed by the outpouring of doctrine of salvation. Rather the Holy Spirit and admission than face the risk of allowto the Eucharist. This is the ing innocent children to die without any chance for salvation in Christ, babies were baptized a week after birth. By the 14th century the rite of infant Baptism became the rule of

By Claire McManus the Church, and 700 years later we are faced with the path that is followed when difficult task of evangelizing the baptized, whose faith may a person enters the Catholic Church through the Rite of never have been cultivated Christian Initiation of Adults: since the waters were sprinRCIA. This is obviously not kled on their heads. the norm for most Catholics.

We need to pay closer It will be a challenge attention to our own teachto replicate the process of ing about the Sacraments of evangelization outlined in our Initiation before we map out theology of Initiation, but it a strategy to re-evangelize will require a new approach the baptized. These three to our parish sacramental Sacraments, Baptism, Conpreparation programs. We can firmation, and the Eucharist, develop a strategy that allows “lay the foundations of every adults a chance to come into Christian life” (CCC 1212). contact with mature ChrisPrior to the ritual of Baptism tian witnesses and hear their there are very crucial elestories of conversion, and the ments that must take place. challenges they face as ChrisFirst, the Word of God must tians in this world. Adults be proclaimed, speaking to who have been baptized as ineach person and inviting

fants often have the effects of the Sacrament lying dormant within. Hearing the stories of faith from their peers can ignite the fuse of faith that has been waiting for a charge to wake it up. We can provide this catalyst by approaching our sacramental preparation with renewed energy. We don’t need new programs, or better texts, but a call to the faithful to come forward as witnesses and to share, in a meaningful way, the reason for their trust in Jesus Christ.

The Sacraments are not only portals to the transcendent; they are literally the doors through which the unconverted walk into our Church. We have an opportunity to evangelize young adults who come to the Church to be married, young parents who bring their children to be baptized, parents who ask that their children be prepared for First Reconciliation and Eucharist, and youth seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation. We need to develop ways in which people who are on fire with the Spirit are asked to mentor parents and youth.

We should never miss

out on the opportunity to mark life’s passages with the sign of Christ. Since infant Baptism is the norm of the Church, then let it be a time that young parents reflect on the miracle of birth and hear from other couples how to raise a child in faith. Parents should be a primary focus of formation for the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation, and should be guided in how to make their homes a domestic Church.

The Sacrament of Confirmation can be an opportunity to mentor youth as they make the journey from home to the world. The more we offer them the witness of Christians who are close in age to them, the more likely they will be to follow the path toward Christ.

Every parish has within its community the people who can serve as witnesses to the faith. They are the people in the pews who are filled with the Spirit, enthusiastic about life, happy, non-judgmental, willing and able to share their faith, and fun to be with. They are present in every parish; they are the core that holds your parish together. Ask them, and they will serve.

Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

Liturgical Q&A

Serving as witnesses to the faith

The Great Commission

8

A

frustration for anyone who prays or proclaims Sacred Scripture is that there are so many different versions of the Bible.

There’s the New American, the Revised Standard, the Douay Rheims, the Jerusalem, and so many more, and those are just some of the Catholic translations. If you include Protestant translations, you could start a library just of Bibles.

Having so many translations is great for study and trying to understand what the Scriptures are really saying.

When I come upon a difficult passage, I usually look at the website www.biblos.com to get about a dozen translations including the original Greek and sometimes the official Latin.

The problem is that there is not one official translation for prayer, and so when I read my Bible, or pray my Breviary, or proclaim the readings at Mass, I am often using different translations of the same text. Why is that frustrating you ask? It’s frustrating because we grow up learning to read what we expect to read rather than

May 20, 2011

The Anchor

Seeing the Father Jesus reveals

what the letters actually say.

His presence and plan for Most of us comprehend creation. Jesus’ mission to faster than we actually read, the world is to call us back because our brain has learned and remind us of what is how to guess words, and fill actually written on the pages in popular phrases, without of Creation. He does this by actually taking the time to revealing to man the Father. read them. So when we pray Jesus is God’s Logos, His with different versions of the same Scripture passage we Homily of the Week need to be careful to Fifth Sunday read what’s actually of Easter written rather than what we expect to be

By Father written.

Ron P. Floyd Life is often the same; we see what we want to see. Each of us interprets reality based expression of Himself, and it on a series of pre-judgments; is only in relationship to the our understandings of right Father that we can underor wrong color the way we stand the purpose of creation see the world. Whether we and the reason for and dessee la vie en rose, ignoring tiny of mankind. the injustices and evils in the This is why Jesus is so world, or we see the world distressed when Philip dein shades of gray, missing mands, “Show us the Father the goodness of creation, the and that will be enough for way we read the world is not us.” Philip had been living always the way the world with Jesus and experiencing was written. life with Him, but he had St. John begins his Gospel been reading his encounter with the idea that Jesus is with Jesus’ according to his the Word of God, because own preconceived notions God sent His Son the Word of who and what Jesus was. to enlighten the world about To be fair to Philip, all the

Apostles probably did the same, and continued to do so until Jesus rose from the dead. Many of Jesus’ disciples continue to do the same today.

Jesus came to break us of our preconceived notions, so that perhaps for the first time in our life we could see the world not as we think it to be but as it really is. That’s why blindness is such a powerful theme in the Gospels, because we are so often blind and Jesus came so that we might see. Jesus wants to show us the Father, so that seeing the Father, or rather beginning to encounter the God who is love, we can understand how totally good creation is and why we have been created. By showing us God, Jesus also shows us what we are meant to be and sets us free from fear. Let not your hearts be troubled!

When we read God’s masterpiece of Creation, the way it is written rather than the way we expect it to be, we realize that it is a love story, not a hor-

ror film. Our hearts are filled with peace, knowing, as John puts it, that “God so loved the world.” This is the peace Jesus gives to His disciples, a peace that can only come from knowing our place in God’s plan for Salvation.

We should not forget, however, that it wasn’t just the crowds, or the Pharisees, or the Sadducees who missed what Jesus was actually saying and doing. His disciples and even the Apostles did as well. Like Mary Magdalene in the garden, and Peter in the boat, and the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus is often standing in front of us and we don’t recognize Him. The Word of God is waiting to show us the Father.

Will we open our hearts up enough to see what is actually written on the pages of Sacred Scripture, and of history, and of each day of our lives? Will we allow the Son to show us the Father in our everyday lives, or will we be like Philip and close our eyes to what Jesus is showing us?

Father Floyd is parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. May 21, Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14. Sun. May 22, Fifth Sunday of Easter, Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12. Mon. May 23, Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-5,15-16; Jn 14:21-26. Tues. May 24, Acts 14:19-28: Ps 145:10-13ab,21; Jn 14:27-31a. Wed. May 25, Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5; Jn 15:1-8. Thur. May 26, Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3,10; Jn 15:9-11. Fri. May 27, Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-10,12; Jn 15:12-17.

T

he death of Osama bin Laden did not end the war against jihadism, a war bin Laden had declared against the United States in a 1996 fatwa that mandated the killing of Americans wherever they could be targeted. But it did take one key leader of jihadist Islam off the global strategic chessboard.

The death of Osama bin Laden did not end the civil war within Islam over the proper interpretation of Islamic law and the right relationship of Muslims to those who are “other.”

But it did continue the dymythologization of bin Laden and his alleged invincibility, a myth that was no minor factor in his faction’s power within that intra-Islamic struggle, which long ago spilled out of the House of Islam to shake the rest of the world.

The death of Osama bin Laden did not cure the social and political pathologies of the Arab Islamic world. But it did remove one obstacle to those pathologies being addressed by the democrats within 2011’s

The death of Osama bin Laden

ment will be seized by public “Arab Spring.” authorities who care more for The death of Osama bin Laden did not resolve the intel- good governance than for good polling numbers. Perhaps. lectual dilemma of Islam in What the death of bin Laden its confrontation with modern science and modern methods of reading ancient texts. But it may have hastened, if only slightly, the day when Islam confronts the intellectual fossilization that has made its lands

By George Weigel cultural backwaters for centuries.

The death of Osama bin Laden will not did demonstrate unmistakably bring the European Union out is just how poorly many reliof its post-modern cultural gious leaders and religious infunk (for bin Laden’s wickedtellectuals think about the new ness was rarely grasped in Old kind of war in which we have Europe), and I doubt that it been engaged for more than will have a decisive effect on 2012 presidential politics in the a decade and a half (although most of us only recognized that United States. But it did create after 9/11). Which is to say, a moment in which to reconthe death of Osama bin Laden sider and recalibrate the full menu of methods the West uses demonstrated yet again how to confront the ongoing jihadist badly the just war tradition has been received by the men and threat, and that reconsideration women who are supposed to be might lead to wiser security its intellectual custodians. policy. Perhaps that mo-

The Catholic Difference

Thus from some religious quarters came laments, not over the ongoing damage that bin Laden’s evil network causes, but over the fact that he was killed and the method used to kill him. It seemed as if, at various divinity schools, bin Laden was a gangster writ large who ought to have been dealt with by law enforcement agencies and methods and, after apprehension, read his Miranda rights and given a trial by a jury of his peers.

This is nonsense, and dangerous nonsense at that. As I told one reporter, attempts to portray what happened to bin Laden in Pakistan as the equivalent of the Chicago police department breaking into a Milwaukee crack house and gunning down a crack-cocaine dealer are preposterous; they completely misconstrue the nature of the conflict between bin Laden and the United States

since the mid-1990s. To say it yet again: in dealing with the bin Ladens of this world, we are engaging in war, not police work; and the relevant moral standards are those derived from the just war tradition, not from the U.S. Criminal Code as interpreted by the Warren Court.

As usual, Rutgers University’s James Turner Johnson got it exactly right: bin Laden’s death was “an execution of justice, plain and simple, carried out under the authority of the one who can properly use bellum (war) in the service of good.” And why is it important to grasp this? Because if soft-minded and ill-informed religious leaders and intellectuals succeed in gutting the just war tradition and loosening our public culture’s grasp on it, the only alternative will be a raw pragmatism that justifies any end and any means.

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

May 20, 2011

Sunday 15 May 2011 — from the foot of Richmond Hill — World Day of Prayer for Vocations ou buy something.

It comes in a large box. You fail to notice the miniscule words printed on the label, “Some assembly required.” You open the box and discover it’s filled with a heap of disconnected parts. There’s an instruction manual. “Part A connects to part M through section Z using fastener 3K.” Forget it. I don’t know about you, dear readers, but I don’t read manuals. Maybe it’s a guy thing.

I’ve been thinking about our Church’s rich heritage of

Y

A

9

The Anchor

How to pray

various forms of prayer. Prayer seldom comes with an instruction manual. Maybe it should.

Most of us just try to figure it

The Ship’s Log Reflections of a Parish Priest

By Father Tim Goldrick out on our own.

Catholics realize the Sacraments involve ritual, Bible reading, and prayer. Most Catholics are aware that the Rosary is a kind of repetitive prayer offered while meditating on events

in the life of Christ. There is, however, a much larger trove of Catholic prayer. These prayer forms are being rediscovered.

Many of these ancient prayer styles have survived only in monasteries. Now they are being unpacked by priests and people in parishes. It’s very exciting, but how to put together the pieces? To complicate matters, some of the parts are interchangeable with other prayer forms.

The Liturgy of the Hours is one example. This is a Biblebased and nature-based prayer.

At first, it can seem complicat-

Neither by auto-pilot nor GPS

and Church teaching. I am fter living in one town chagrined to admit that before for a long time it is the renewal of my faith, I often possible to drive nearly anyattended Mass on auto-pilot. where on autopilot; the grocery In the same way that we often store, church, the kids’ orthodon’t pay attention to our surdontist, or your favorite coffee roundings when someone else shop. When you move, howevis driving the car, the well-iner, there is this tiny problem of tended arrangement of having not even knowing the name of missals and rote prayers at a local grocery store, church, Mass left open, for me at least, or doctor, much less how to the notion that I could sit in get to them. If there were ever the passenger seat of my own a perfect time to have a GPS (global positioning system) in the car, I would have thought it would be when moving, but unfortunately, that is exactly when our GPS broke.

By Heidi Bratton In order to learn the geography of our new town, I regressed to faith; that I didn’t really need written directions and printed to fully engage with or undermaps. Before leaving the stand God in order to reach the house, I’d Google the address ultimate destination of heaven. on the computer, print written I guess I assumed that church directions, and then compare pews were like bus seats and these with the myriad regional priests like bus drivers, so that maps that I had “wallpapered” all I had to do to arrive at the above our new fireplace. I “Pearly Gates” was throw my also found it helpful to sketch money in the basket and stay a simple map by hand before in my seat. How wrong I was! leaving the house.

Having auto-pilot faith may It was a time-consuming have happened to us uninprocess at an unusually hectic tentionally, but if we choose time of life. In the first month I to remain in that mode and got lost a lot, and was often exteach our children to mimic ceedingly frustrated. Once my our passivity, I believe that we 16-year-old got turned around are actually taking a greater in a sketchy side of town, but personal and parenting risk she managed to stay calm and than I took when sending my find her way back to a road daughter out driving without a she recognized because she, GPS in a questionable side of too, had grown accustomed to town. If we don’t know God learning where she was going and our Catholic faith personbefore leaving home. ally it may be very difficult for The experience reminded us or for our children to recme of when I was new to ognize those roads that lead to living my Catholic faith and our heavenly home and those invested a lot of time in learnthat do not, especially if in the ing my way around the Bible

Homegrown Faith

course of life we get turned around a bit.

Is a faith GPS the answer then? Do we just blindly follow the authoritative voice of the Church like some drivers follow a GPS? No. In order to really own our faith, we need to make the inconvenient and time-consuming investment of getting and understanding the directions (or the teachings of the Magisterium) and learning to read the map (or the Bible) that leads to a personal relationship with God. Only with this investment will the road names (or verses of the Bible), the compass points (or Church teachings), and the landmarks (or the Sacraments) become an internal GPS (a well-formed conscience) that will help us recognize the road to the narrow gate that leads to God’s side of eternal life (Mt 7:13).

Two great ways to take ownership of our faith would be the following: 1) Read and memorize Holy Scripture.

Bring a Bible to church and use it instead of a Missal. To make things easier during Mass, look up and bookmark the readings before leaving home. 2) Pay attention to and strive to understand the upcoming changes to the Roman Missal.

Allowing change to be a wake-up call can lead us to discover new and exciting aspects of our Catholic faith, as well as new and great coffee shops after moving to a new town!

Heidi is an author, photographer, and full-time mother of six. To contact her, email homegrownfaith@gmail.com

ed. It uses all 150 psalms from the Hebrew Scriptures, repeated in a cycle forever. It’s coordinated with the passing of a single day and the turning of the seasons. From the rising to the setting of the sun, the earth is constantly encircled with Biblebased prayer. It’s sometimes called “The Prayer of Christians” or “the Breviary.” By the way, you can now download the Prayer of Christians at www. ebreviary.com.

Another treasure in our ancient prayer tradition was first brought into focus by Ignatius of Loyola, the soldier-saint.

It involves imagination. You read a scene from the Bible and imagine yourself present while it’s taking place. What are the sights, smells, and sounds? How do you feel about what you see in your mind’s eye? What is God’s message to you?

One form of prayer is adoration. Basically, you simply bask in God’s love.

Then there’s Centering Prayer. This has been revived by American monks of the Trappist Order. You totally relax, you repeat your private sacred word or phrase as necessary, and you let your thoughts and mind-talk surface and float away until you are fully in the Silence of God. God will come to you in the silence.

I want to take a closer look at the prayer called Lectio Divina.

That’s Latin for “Spiritual Reading” (sort of). It’s Bible-based prayer popularized by our greatest biblical scholar, St. Jerome.

Lectio Divina is a four-step dance with God. Step one: Lectio. Read the passage as if for the first time.

Savor it. Read deeply with your whole being. If a word or phrase gets your attention, stop right there and keep it company for awhile.

Step two: Meditatio. What is this bible passage saying to you?

Ponder. Enter into conversation with the Word. Do not analyze or dissect it.

Step three: Oratio. Talk to God about it. Pray over the mes-

sage being given to you.

Step four: Contemplatio. Be quiet. Listen. Words are now undesirable. Become one with God. Just be together. Just be.

Let God love you.

Pick any biblical text you want or a select from a classic spiritual work. It can be long or short. Spend as much time with it as you wish. If the first passage doesn’t speak to you, choose another.

Let’s compare prayer to something we all know. We know that human relationships develop in stages. So does our relationship with God. We start by getting acquainted. It’s formal. We want the basic facts.

What’s your name? Where are you from? What do you do?

We cautiously reveal something about ourselves.

If it seems a good fit, we move into deeper conversation. We open up a bit more.

We reveal more of ourselves.

We absorb what the other is revealing. We offer acceptance and are accepted in return. We spend time together. We begin a friendship.

If that works well, we enter into deeper intimacy. We risk full self-disclosure. We selfsurrender. We share joys and sorrows. We allow ourselves to become vulnerable. Then we move beyond words.

God always approaches us first and meets us where we are. When we respond, it becomes “grace.” Grace is a relationship.

Once you’ve heard the Word of God; once you’ve pondered the Word of God; once you’ve prayed the Word of God; once you’ve basked in the presence of God; don’t just stand there, do something. Become the Word of God. Blessed Theresa of Kolkata said it well, “When I pray, God listens to me and I listen to God.” Now stash the prayer manual in the kitchen drawer.

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

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I

’ve often written about and lamented the fact that today’s young people have so very few decent role models in their lives, especially in the world of sports and entertainment — two areas that young people encounter most often in their busy lives.

Yet, despite the lack of exposure to individuals they can emulate, young people often rise above the trash they see every day and do things for the right reasons, and subsequently become role models themselves.

Kudos to them.

I recently learned of the story of such a remarkable athlete, Catholic, daughter, and sister.

Holly Ann Young was born on Cape Cod on Dec. 6, 1985, on the feast of St. Nicholas. Maybe that’s why she enjoyed giving of herself so very much. Holly Ann Young died of cancer at the age of 22 on Jan. 24, 2008.

But her story doesn’t end there. It couldn’t. The fires of givers are never extinguished.

The flames of their passion for life burn too intensely for that.

The day the Young Family of Dennis Port lost Holly was the beginning of a new chapter in the person of Holly Ann Young.

In her way-too-few 22 years, Holly touched so many people in so many ways. But the beautiful thing is, she still does. Holly’s mother, Carolyn, told me that Holly’s philosophy wasn’t “to determine the meaning of life, but to make life meaningful.”

Holly did that to the fullest.

The young girl, born on the feast of St. Nicholas, was blessed

by God with many talents. She was an athlete, a musician, a good student, and had a heart of gold. And in the true tradition of old St. Nick, she didn’t keep any of these gifts to herself — she packaged them up nicely and handed them out to anyone with whom she came in contact.

As a young girl growing up on Cape Cod, Holly fell in love with athletics. She trained with her sister Michelle at Cape Cod Gymnastics for a half dozen

The Anchor

May 20, 2011

The fires of givers are never extinguished

years, at which time her world of because she loved music. She athletics exploded in all direcshared her musical talents with tions, including playing tennis her parish, because she loved and soccer, participating in track God and others. and field events, and taking part Holly’s dream was to attend in local road races and triathlons. the University of New HampBut all of these activities shire, major in marketing and weren’t enough to satisfy Holly’s play her beloved volleyball. joie de vivre. There was more fun “Holly worked very hard, to have and more things to share. through much pain in her right Young Holly learned how to leg,” Carolyn told me, referring play the organ, eagerly absorbto Holly’s first year at UNH. “It ing all that Becket Senchur, the was a week after her 19th birthdirector of Music and Liturgy at day when she was diagnosed Our Lady of the Cape Parish in with Ewing’s Sarcoma,” a rare Brewster, had to offer.

“Holly began to play the organ at Mass,” said Carolyn. “Our pastor, Father Bernard Baris, found it amusing that she couldn’t even see over the top of the

By Dave Jolivet organ. Holly learned at a very young age what was truly important in life.”

As if it were possible, Holly bone cancer. blossomed even further during For three years Holly battled her four years at Dennis-Yaragainst this unrelenting oppomouth High School. It was there nent. “Holly exhibited courage where she developed a passion and optimism throughout this for volleyball. She played for tragedy,” Carolyn told me while the Dolphins as well as teams choking back the tears. “She’s in various volleyball clubs. She with me always, a reminder of received volleyball awards from the power of life. Her courage the Boston Globe and Boston still resonates with me.”

Herald and the Mass. InterschoLike any true-blue Massalastic Athletic Association. chusetts student athlete, Holly Oh, and in her spare time Ann Young loved the Boston she set state track records in Red Sox. And she even gave to the hurdles and relays, and them, becoming a spokesperwas the assistant supervisor of son for an annual Jimmy Fund lifeguards at Corporation Beach fund-raising event, all the while in Dennis. battling the disease herself.

Did all these activities take “Through all that Holly and away from Holly’s studies? we were going through, we NOT. Holly was a member of continued to get so much supthe National Honor Society, port and encouragement,” said a winner of the Principal’s Carolyn. “We would get cards, Leadership Award, and named calls and emails.” the Cape Cod Times Rising Star Carolyn told of one email in 2004. from a former D-Y classmate, Holly Ann Young loved life. who came back to high school She played sports because she on crutches after a serious loved sports. She was a lifefootball injury. “The young guard because she loved being man emailed us and told us a lifeguard. She was a model that Holly was the only person student because she loved in the school who came up to learning. She was an organist him when he returned after the

My View From the Stands

injury, and ‘she gave me a big hug and told me that I would play again.’” Holly Ann Young gave of herself in the little details, too.

Holly completed three semesters at UNH and continued to work out with the volleyball team. Perhaps the cruelest twist of fate was that she never got to play a minute for the Wildcats. Yet Holly Ann Young rose above all of that.

Holly Ann Young died in January of 2008 at age 22.

Holly Ann Young was too young to die. But we all know we should never question the Father’s love for us and why He does what He does. Holly knows that. Carolyn and her family know that.

Looking back, Carolyn remembers Holly as “a force that burned brightly. She was a regular child, teen-ager and young woman. She always attended Mass and she was humbled by the gifts with which God blessed her.” Quite a contrast to many of the happenings we witness on playing fields across the country — on all levels.

The UNH Wildcats retired Holly’s No. 4 jersey, and the school planted a tree in its Walk of Memory in Holly’s remembrance and held a “Celebration 4 the Life of Holly Young,” in the very gymnasium where she played through the pain in her freshman year.

Looking ahead, Carolyn sees Holly’s joy of life and her gift of giving still alive and well.

The University of New Hampshire holds a fund-raiser to fight cancer every year in Holly’s honor.

The Dennis Chamber of Commerce holds a yearly fund-raiser in her name to raise money for lifeguard scholarships.

And Dennis-Yarmouth High School awards a yearly volleyball scholarship in Holly’s name.

And, as if that weren’t

enough, the spirt of the little girl who “couldn’t see over the organ at Mass” is now alive in well in Haiti. Holly’s parish of Our Lady of the Cape has for years had a sister parish in the struggling island nation. After a recent call from Dessalines, Haiti, for musical instruments to start a band, Holly’s mom and her dad, Bernard, donated Holly’s keyboard and hymnals.

Carolyn told me that at this year’s D-Y fund-raiser, she’s going to provide the students with a yellow “Live Strong” bracelet that they may reflect on those fighting cancer and also on Holly and her love of life, how she lived it to the fullest, and how she used her gifts to the fullest.

I asked Carolyn to send me one for my 16-year-old daughter Emilie. Carolyn said she’d also send one for my wife Denise and me. I will be proud to wear it always — in Holly’s honor and as a inspiration to “live strong.”

I wished I could have met Holly, but after writing this column, I feel as though I know her anyway.

In the program booklet for the UNH’s celebration of Holly’s life are the lyrics to the song “Forever Young,” made famous by Rod Stewart. In it is one of my favorite verses in a rock song: “And do unto others as you’d have done to you. Be courageous and be brave, and in my heart you’ll always stay, forever young.”

Holly Ann will be forever Young.

To donate musical instruments for Haiti, contact Our Lady of the Cape Parish at 508385-3252. The Young Family encourages donations in memory of Holly be made to: Solid Tumor Research, Jimmy Fund Clinic, 44 Binney Street, Boston, Mass., 02115; or Holly Young Volleyball Scholarship Fund, c/o Guidance Department, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, 210 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, Mass., 02664.

The Anchor

May 20, 2011

Lending more than an ear — Angie Vargas sits with the coordinator for the Office for Persons with Disabilities, Matt Dansereau. Vargas reached out to Dansereau, who in turn helped her get established with benefits and a new team of doctors, including speech therapy that has Vargas speaking more clearly again.

“Matt was such an angel for me,” said Vargas.

CSS helps put the ‘able’ back in disabled continued from page one

later the woman was happily established in permanent housing, as well as set up with a Personal Care Attendant who catered to her specific needs. As Dansereau continued to work with the woman, it became apparent that she had no family to help her, and Dansereau stepped up and took her on as a surrogate.

“There’s a program in the state of Massachusetts for those MassHealth eligible clients, where they can have access to a personal care attendant,” explained Dansereau, adding the caveat is those people are responsible for the hiring and training. “A lot of clients can’t handle that, especially if they have severe disabilities.”

When Dansereau took on the woman as a surrogate, he effectively became her voice in the system. He quickly realized there was a need for this type of service in the area when word-of-mouth spread; Dansereau currently has 30 clients on his surrogate list. Six years later, his first surrogate client is thriving in her new home.

“She is so happy now. It’s not only she but also the other organizations that were dealing with her and that were having difficulty doing some of these things with her. There is a total 180-degree difference with her. She is just so happy to be where she is at; she is in a safe place, in a stable place,” said Dansereau.

Being the advocate for children with disabilities as their parents navigate their way through the school system to find support services, said Dansereau, can be an eye-opening experience as parents may not realize they are entitled to certain services for their children.

“The schools are funny,” said Dansereau. “They don’t want to spend money, that’s always been the case.

Depending on how good of an advocate you have, and how well they know the laws, the schools have a tendency to walk over people.”

Interestingly, it’s not a just a learning experience for the parents, but also for the children who will be attending classes and working side-by-side with the disabled child. As more schools accommodate children with disabilities, the bar regarding the level of tolerance goes up higher and higher.

“There is a generational gap,” said Dansereau. “This isn’t always the case, but you have older people generally treating people with disabilities more differently than a younger person would. A lot of younger people have grown up with people with disabilities in their school, and the uncomfortable nature is not as prevalent. The younger you reach out to people, the more accepting they are to explore these issues.”

While Dansereau often works with those born with congenital disabilities, like mental illness or physical limitations, another common issue he deals with are those individuals who were healthy, but either through an accident or disease became disabled. The emotional impact and the upheaval on their lives often create inner turmoil as the individuals don’t know where to turn, said Dansereau.

When Mariangeli “Angie” Vargas went into the hospital suffering from a burst gall bladder, she had no idea that she would suffer a seizure and fall into a coma shortly after her surgery. The lack of oxygen caused brain damage that became evident when she awoke five days later, unable to speak or walk.

“At that point, my life changed,” said Vargas. “What really hurt me the most was the condition kept progress-

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@anchornews.org

ing over time.”

Vargas lost her job, could no longer do volunteer work, was denied unemployment benefits and most difficult of all, had been in a custody battle when she fell ill and lost custody of her children. Vargas moved in with a friend, reaching out to food banks as she tried to apply for any monetary assistance.

When her friend lost her own job due to her having to take care of her, Vargas reached out to CSS and called Dansereau.

“The day I called Matt and Catholic Charities, I was going to be evicted,” said Vargas. “I could not talk and he was trying to understand what I was trying to say because I could only say, ‘Help. Help me.’”

After being approved for social security disability benefits, Vargas was also able to find a new set of doctors.

Dansereau also got approval for Vargas’ friend to become her paid personal care giver. When Vargas taped her story to be part of this year’s Catholic Charities Appeal video, she needed subtitles to discern what she saying. Now, thanks to intense speech therapy, Vargas barely hesitates over her words.

“My speech is not completely perfect, but it’s almost there,” said Vargas.

Vargas understands her story highlights a person who was falling through the cracks until she managed to find someone to catch her, and Vargas knows exactly who to thank for providing her safety net.

11 “Matt was such an angel for me. I am more than proud of being able to speak today. Through all this I learned a lot, I went through a lot,” said Vargas, adding that she plans to write a book about her ordeal to help people understand. “I want to give my story to others so they never give up. My main thing to people is ‘never say never.’ A doctor told me I would never walk again, and I am starting my first steps. I have respect for myself. Today I can say I’m the good result of the charity of Catholic Social Services. If it wasn’t for them, I would not be here today.”

Dansereau said it’s the network of resources that all the service providers offer, and their working together to provide the best services possible, that create the happy endings to stories like Vargas’ and others.

“Somebody once described CSS as a whole, described human services as a wall,” said Dansereau. “You have each individual human service program as a stone in that wall, and they described CSS as the mortar between the stones.”

And Dansereau knows that being part of that mortar means more happy endings.

“A lot of people think people with disabilities are fragile, when they are the complete opposite. People with disabilities have to be strong,” said Dansereau. “They might have some differences but they just want to fit into the world, have a nice place to live and be happy.”

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The Anchor

May 20, 2011

Cardinal takes yearlong turn as visiting scholar at Library of Congress

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Though he revels in the job he’s taken on this year, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick is quick to point out that he’s not altogether sold on his qualifications for the title “distinguished senior scholar” at the Library of Congress.

“I’m definitely senior, but I’m not a scholar and I’m not so sure about distinguished,” joked the retired archbishop of Washington. Nevertheless, for this year Cardinal McCarrick is officially a scholar, a visiting scholar, technically, in a post that provides him the support and resources of the largest library in the world to research a subject to his heart’s content.

Since his 2006 retirement, and despite the fact he’ll turn 81 in July, Cardinal McCarrick has hardly slowed down.

As a board member of Catholic Relief Services, he continues to travel the world and has regular speaking engagements and other activities, in the United States and beyond. In March he delivered a keynote address at a migration conference, in April he participated in the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast followed by a trip to Jordan, and in May he ordained two Franciscans in New York.

But as he said in an interview at his office in the library’s historic Thomas Jefferson building, this particular position offers him the chance to do something different than he’s done in his 53 years as a priest. And with a staff of researchers, translators and other experts available to help him.

During the yearlong post that started in January, Cardinal McCarrick is looking into how the Amman Message has evolved and what its effects have been on the teachings and practice of Islam. The subject fits one of his goals for retirement: to build bridges between Catholicism and Islam.

The Amman Message is a declaration recognizing the common principles of eight traditional schools of Islamic religious law. It was adopted by the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 2005 and over the next year by six other Islamic scholarly assemblies.

It grew out of efforts by King Abdullah of Jordan in the first years after 9/11 to promote a uniform approach within Islam on the questions of: defining who a Muslim is; excommuni-

cation from Islam; and the principles for delivering religious edicts known as fatwa.

The declaration “involved some of the greatest leaders of Islam,” Cardinal McCarrick noted. “And a great number of people signed onto it, including Americans. It did accomplish some things, but it may not have done everything intended.”

Cardinal McCarrick’s interest in Islam and involvement with relations between Christians and Muslims goes back many years. In the mid-1990s he served on the State Department’s Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad and was one of the first members of the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom when it was created in 1999. He also is chairman of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land and continues to be involved in a variety of Holy Land and Middle East peace organizations and dialogues.

Though he jokes about his qualifications as a scholar, the cardinal is no academic slouch.

In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y., he has a master’s and a doctorate in sociology from The Catholic University of America.

At the library, staff is available to assist him, digging through archives, navigating material on the Internet and translating documents from Arabic when necessary.

Cardinal McCarrick is impressed not only with staff members’ helpfulness and knowledge but also with the credentials of his fellow scholars at the Library of Congress.

They include academics from Cambridge, Stanford, Purdue, Harvard and Columbia universities, the University of London and the Rhode Island School of Design, among others. They are researching everything from Handel’s oratorios to the impact of stress and “Thomistic natural law in American Catholicism,” the topic of a fellow from Ludwig-Maximilians University in Germany.

The cardinal said he wasn’t sure where his research will lead, perhaps a book or another kind of publication. But he’s already got in mind what he’ll work on once his year as a distinguished scholar is finished: writing his memoirs. In all his spare time.

irreverent view of marriage — Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy and Wendi McLendonCovey star in a scene from the movie “Bridesmaids.” For a brief review of this film see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Universal)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

“Bridesmaids” (Universal) Ill-tempered comedy in which a failed bakery owner (Kristen Wiig) finds the downward spiral of her fortunes accelerating after her lifelong best friend (Maya Rudolph) becomes engaged and asks her to serve as maid of honor. What follows — amid her frantic rivalry with another of the attendants (Rose Byrne) — is a series of disastrous misadventures for the titular ensemble as a whole (which also includes Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper and Wendi McLendonCovey) as well as a potentially winning but prematurely physical romance pairing the heroine with a local policeman (Chris O’Dowd).

As written by Wiig and Annie Mumolo, director Paul Feig’s stumble toward the altar starts with a graphic, commitment-free bedroom scene and proceeds to lift the veil, to supposedly humorous effect, on other uninviting matters such as the symptoms of food poisoning.

Explicit nonmarital sexual activity, much sexual and scatological humor, a same-gender kiss, at least a half-dozen uses of profanity and pervasive rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America is R — restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“Jumping the Broom” (TriStar) Faith-tinged family comedy about the lead-up to a Martha’s Vineyard wedding between a postal worker’s (Loretta Devine) son (Laz Alonso) and the daughter

(Paula Patton) of a wealthy couple (Angela Bassett and Brian Stokes Mitchell). Director Salim Akil and screenwriters Elizabeth Hunter and Arlene Gibbs embrace all the familiar conventions of upscale vs. downscale. But they make poor use of a clergyman (played by reallife Bishop T.D. Jakes) who offers useful advice early on but is absent when the families have to deal with serious issues. Mature themes; fleeting, mild sexual banter; and a couple of references to masturbation. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults.

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

Priest” (Screen Gems) This malign futuristic horror exercise, set after an apocalyptic war in which a distorted version of the Catholic Church helped humanity to defeat a race of vampires, sees the consecrated warrior of the title (Paul Bettany) defying his dictatorial religious superiors (led

by Christopher Plummer) — who now hold Big Brother-style sway

over society — to go in quest of his niece (Lily Collins), abducted during a fresh outbreak of bloodsucker violence. Allying himself with the girl’s boyfriend (Cam Gigandet), he also gains the help of a disenchanted priestess (Maggie Q) as together they battle to thwart the ambitions of a new, seemingly invincible chieftain of the undead (Karl Urban). Director Scott Stewart’s adaptation of MinWoo Hyung’s series of graphic novels depicts sacramental practice in a borderline blasphemous way, appropriates cherished Christian symbols to its own, often violent ends, and presents the Church as a corrupt, evil force against which its hero is honor-bound to rebel.

Pervasive anti-Catholicism, sometimes approaching sacrilege; much morbid, occasionally bloody violence; at least one use of profanity and of the F-word; and a few crude and crass terms. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, May 22, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father William M. Sylvia, parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield

May 20, 2011

W

e have a joke with a Protestant relative.

One late evening, my husband and I called him and asked him to open his World Almanac. Under religions, we asked him to look at the list of founders. He found what you might expect: Lutheranism, Martin Luther; Anglicanism, Henry VIII; Methodism, John Wesley.

What does it say under Roman Catholic? Jesus Christ and St. Peter. “We rest our case,” we said. (Fortunately, he has a great sense of humor. We’ll let you know when he converts.)

We all know the old saying: give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Chesterton was far more eager to turn the world into lifelong fish-eaters than flipping fish in the direction of people’s open mouths.

Chesterton knew he was the man in a land of good and plenty surrounded by hungry people.

The Reformation asked — similar to Pontius Pilate’s asking, “Quid est veritas?” — what is spiritual food? Once that first break happened, any number

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The Anchor

Sanity in an insane world

pealed to him? “The Thing,” of successive breaks were Chesterton tells us in a hunnot only possible but indred little ways, is just this: evitable. Certainly, that is Catholicism is sanity in an what history tells us. The fruit of the Reformation was insane world.

If one is to be a Chrisanything but reformation; tian, and one wants to find a it was deformation, a break that gave birth to a thousand unified Faith in which there is an agreed upon language little cracks of disunity. and culture, the only logical Comparing the process to the eternal fountain of Scripture, the source of all eternal water from which we A Twitch may drink, Chesterton writes: “all other Upon a Thread pools and puddles are distinguished from

By Jennifer PIerce it by the fact that all those who drink from it will thirst again.” place to go is to the original Chesterton’s converRoman Catholic Church. sion was rather high profile As much as we may argue in a country that had long with this or that teaching, or since shook the Catholic resist the notion that human dust off themselves, or so beings can interpret Jesus they thought. To explain his mysterious conversion, G.K. Christ for us with any finality, intuitively we all know Chesterton published a colthat the point arrives when lection of his papers on the someone must say, this is matter called, “The Thing: right and this is wrong. This Why I Am Catholic.” is bad and this is good. Or, What is “The Thing”? as Chesterton put it, “Art, What is the one reason that like morality, consists in houses all the other little drawing the line somereasons why Catholicism in where.” Without a central a non-Catholic country, in teaching authority, without an anti-Catholic age, ap-

Rosary Prayer Campaign launched to support WYD EASTON — As planning is underway for World Youth Day 2011 in Spain, Family Rosary launched a Rosary prayer campaign to gather people around the world in Rosary prayer every Saturday between now and August 21. The campaign was previewed during the Beatification Ceremony for John Paul II, with the screening of a video trailer in St. Peter’s square to promote the Firm in the Faith with Mary Rosary Prayer Campaign. The video can be viewed at: www.FirmInFaith. org.

Visitors to the site can join the campaign by pledging to pray the Rosary every Saturday. Prayer reflections will be provided to subscribers so everyone, anywhere in the world, will be “virtually” joined together praying for the success of World Youth Day. Visitors to the site will receive updates and prayer support.

Family Rosary has a long history of praying the Rosary for the success of an event.

The founder, Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, sought Rosary prayer support

for all his worldwide Rosary Crusades dating back to the early 1940s. Recently, the ministry sought the same prayer support before its 2007 Rosary Bowl held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Family Rosary, a member ministry of Holy Cross Family Ministries, was founded by sainthood candidate Father Patrick Peyton in 1942 to encourage family prayer, particularly the Rosary. Its efforts reach out to families with faceto-face mission activities in 17 countries worldwide. Father Peyton’s ministry continues as the organization works to fulfill his vision most aptly described by his two famous slogans: “The family that prays together stays together” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace.”

one drawing hand, any hundreds, thousands, or even millions of hands could claim to make that call for us. Even if you reduce the Christian message to the one with which no one may argue — Love — one is still left with an almost infinite number of options for loving, for “you cannot make a success of anything, even loving, entirely without thinking.”

As Father John Neuhaus once observed, “When orthodoxy is optional, sooner or later it will be proscribed.” Chesterton noted something that is most apparent in today’s New Age movement: the things that are most detested in the Catholic Church are elements of humanity that appear anywhere and everywhere, particularly if they are suppressed. All that was treated with suspicion and then banned reincarnated itself sooner or later because they are the things most imprinted on the human heart. When communion with the dead was banned in the Church of England, it was not long before the Victorian obsession with séance and spiritualism emerged with no one regulating its practice, leaving

room for the occult and, more frequently, charlatans preying upon those hungry for contact across the divide of life and death. When the confessional booth with a frocked priest behind the screen went away, a bearded psychoanalyst and leather couch appeared to take their place. Communism is the Franciscan movement without the moderating balance of the Church.

A contemporary example presents itself in the mind’s eye. The Reformers sank their teeth into criticizing “Popish” theatricality; and now, in America, what could be more theatrical than the huge Protestant megachurches, replete with filtered light shows, big screens, microphones, and the mega-church rock-star preacher, who nominates himself for the task often with nothing more than ambition and a charismatic flare for the dramatic to recommend him?

“The Thing” is reason.

“The Thing” is the human heart and how the Church tempers all of its hungers and passions through the unifying real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Jennifer Pierce is a parishioner of Corpus Christi in East Sandwich, where she lives with her husband Jim and three children.

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The Catholic Response

May 20, 2011

Vatican orders bishops to draft guidelines to handle sex abuse cases

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Every bishops’ conference in the world must have guidelines for handling accusations of clerical sex abuse in place within a year, the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith said.

In a letter dated May 3 and released by the Vatican May 16, U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, congregation prefect, said that in every nation and region, bishops should have “clear and coordinated procedures” for protecting children, assisting victims of abuse, dealing with accused priests, training clergy and cooperating with civil authorities.

Describing sexual abuse of minors as “a crime prosecuted by civil law,” the doctrinal congregation said bishops should follow local laws that require reporting cases of sexual abuse to police.

Since the early 1990s about two dozen bishops’ conferences, starting mainly with English-speaking countries, have drawn up guidelines for dealing with accusations of sexual abuse of minors filed against clergy and other Church employees. Other conferences — for example, the Italian bishops’ conference — have said they did not draw up guidelines because bishops were obliged to follow canon law and special provisions enacted in 2001 by Blessed Pope John Paul II and in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the fact that conferences were given a precise deadline and only 12 months to draft their guidelines demonstrates how seriously the Vatican takes the matter.

“The aim is to give bishops they can,” the SNAP statement a common orientation within a strong common denomina- said, adding that “any ‘reform’ each episcopal conference, tor for drafting guidelines ap- that doesn’t diminish bishops’ helping to better harmonize the propriate to their own national power and discretion is virtu- resources of single bishops in situation, with its unique cul- ally meaningless.” safeguarding minors.” ture and legislation,” he told The doctrinal congregation Citing Pope Benedict’s meetreporters. said new guidelines should re- ings with representative victims The guidelines of several flect the fact that diocesan or of child sexual abuse during his countries, including the Unit- national review boards “cannot trips outside Italy, the doctrinal ed States, have been adopted substitute for the discernment” congregation’s circular letter as mandatory norms in those and decision-making authority encouraged bishops or their repcountries and approved resentatives to meet by the Vatican. he doctrinal congregation said with victims and their The guidelines the bishops must act as fathers families. doctrinal congregation Bishops’ conferand brothers to their priests, ensur- ences should considnow is seeking throughout the world do not ing their ability to live out celibacy, to er introducing child have to be binding, the understand how clerical sexual abuse protection programs letter said, although damages victims and “to recognize aimed at creating they must reflect the “safe environments” the potential signs of abuse perpetrat- for children and edubinding provisions of canon law and the spe- ed by anyone in relation to minors.” cating Church workcial provisions enacted ers and parents about in 2001 and last year. the signs of abuse and The special provisions is- of individual bishops. how to handle suspected cases, sued in the past 10 years exFather Lombardi said the the letter said. panded or extended several point of the letter was to make The letter reiterated the points of Church law: they clear that an individual bishop need for bishops and religious defined a minor as a person “cannot abdicate his responsi- communities to exercise speunder age 18 rather than 16; bility” for ensuring child safety cial care when accepting canset a statute of limitations of and handling abuse cases, even didates for the priesthood or 20 years, instead of 10 years, though he may avail himself of religious life and to provide after the victim’s 18th birth- the advice of outside experts. “a healthy human and spiriday for bringing a church case He said the fact that the tual formation” and a clear against an alleged perpetrator; guidelines do not have to be understanding of the value and established an abbreviated ad- binding does not lessen a meaning of chastity. ministrative procedure for re- bishops’ responsibility or the moving guilty clerics from the Church’s commitment to endpriesthood; and included child ing abuse. Rather, he said, it pornography in the list of seri- is a recognition that in many ous crimes which could bring countries all the bishops have DUBLIN (CNS) — The head expulsion from the priesthood. agreed to follow the same proof the Edmund Rice Christian Barbara Dorris, a spokes- cedures and, culturally, did not Brothers said the order’s future woman for the Survivors feel a need to have a Vatican is uncertain because of costly Network of those Abused by stamp on them in order for settlements in child abuse cases.

Priests, known as SNAP, said them to be binding.

Brother Philip Pinto told in a statement May 16 that “the “The responsibility for dealCatholic News Service that the Vatican abuse guidelines will ing with the delicts of sexual congregation, which has 1,200 change little,” particularly be- abuse of minors by clerics bemembers, “just doesn’t have cause they do not insist that the longs in the first place to the dithe money any longer.” national guidelines be binding. ocesan bishop,” the letter said.

He said that the order’s deci“Bishops ignore and con- But the adoption of national sion to seek bankruptcy protecceal child sex crimes because guidelines is meant to “lead to tion in New York April 28 was aimed at “trying to ensure that people who have been abused are the ones who get the money, not the lawyers,” he said during a break in a conference on religious life sponsored by the 50 years ago — Bishop James L. Connolly 10 years ago — Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, Conference of Religious of Irerestructured the deaneries in the Fall River OFM. Cap., announced that the Swansea parland.

Diocese. What was formerly known as the ishes of St. Michael’s and Our Lady of FatiForty percent of the costs reUpper Bristol Deanery was divided into the ma would be combined together to become lating to abuse settlements were Attleboro Deanery, consisting of 12 parishes, the new St. Francis of Assisi Parish. “going to the lawyers,” he said. and the Taunton Deanery, consisting of 13 parThe North American provishes.

One year ago — Siblings Olivia Marie Nino ince was especially vulnerBratton and Lucy Elizabeth Bratton each won able to disappearing, he said, 25 years ago — The Diocesan Council of first-place honors for their respective grade levexplaining that it would take Catholic Women held its annual meeting at els in the 2010 Family Rosary “Try Prayer! It “something drastic” to save it. the St. John of God parish center in Somer- Works!” contest sponsored by Holy Cross Fam“In most of the developed set. The 461 members in attendance listened ily Ministries based in Easton. The Bratton girls world, we are paying for the to a keynote address from National Council were also two of only three winners from the Fall sins of the past,” he said. “Our of Catholic Women president Toni Bischoff. River Diocese ever to win the competition. brothers are aging, our reputation is in tatters, and the future looks bleak, even hopeless.

So many of my brothers hide in their monasteries, afraid

This week in

T

Special emphasis was given in the letter to the obligation of bishops and religious superiors to exchange information about candidates who transfer from one diocese, seminary or religious order to another.

The doctrinal congregation said bishops must act as fathers and brothers to their priests, ensuring their ability to live out celibacy, to understand how clerical sexual abuse damages victims and “to recognize the potential signs of abuse perpetrated by anyone in relation to minors.”

The Vatican letter offered bishops’ conferences guidance in dealing both with those making accusations as well as with accused clerics.

People making accusations against a priest should be treated with respect, it said, and “spiritual and psychological assistance” should be offered to victims.

The Vatican said when an accusation is made, a priest must be presumed to be innocent until it is proven he is not.

However, it said, a bishop can limit an accused priest’s ministry until an investigation can be conducted.

Irish Christian Brothers’ future uncertain

Diocesan history

of drawing attention to themselves.”

The Indian-born brother who has been congregational leader since 2002 blamed a culture in which “religious in Ireland were abused by the system.”

Another conference speaker, Nuala O’Loan, former police ombudsman in Northern Ireland, told attendees that “it wasn’t just the religious congregations” who were responsible for abuse in institutions and schools operated by religious congregations. She suggested that the “congregations have been made the scapegoats for the failures of all.”

She criticized “successive Irish governments” who “allowed the children under their care to be deprived of their safety and security and permitted children to be held in institutions in which terrible things happened.”

The Christian Brothers Institute, the legal arm of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States amid mounting abuse claims. The majority of claims relate to the order’s schools in the Seattle area and Newfoundland in Canada.

May 20, 2011

15

The Anchor

Prayer is challenging way to open to the divine, pope says at audience

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — body, a grace to be invoked and a they cannot find the answer to all Even though it is in the nature of gift” from God, he said. of life’s mysteries and questions every human being to seek God, Despite the current climate of either within themselves or in creating the kind of inner state secularism in which God is over- empirical science, he said. necessary for prayer is difficult, looked or eliminated from one’s The pope said that throughPope Benedict XVI said. life, there are also “many signs out time, humanity has sought “Prayer is first and deeper meaning. “The foremost a matter of the rayer is a privileged moment for digital man, like the heart where we expericaveman, looks to reself-giving and putting oneself ligious experience for ence God’s call and our dependence on His help before “the invisible, the unexpected, a way to overcome his to transcend our limita- the ineffable,” and for that reason “the finiteness and to secure tions and sinfulness,” experience of prayer is a challenge for his precarious earthly the pope said May 11 adventure,” he said. at his weekly general everybody, a grace to be invoked and a “Who am I, what is gift” from God, he said. audience. the meaning and purPope Benedict’s catpose of our life, (what echesis was the latest is) good and sin, the in a new series of audience talks that tell us there is a reawakening source and purpose of pain, the of the religious sense, a rediscov- path to real happiness, death,” about prayer.

Prayer is an inner activity, “a ery of the importance of God” in and the final judgment after death way of being before God,” and people’s lives, the pope said. are all questions surrounding huThe prediction that humanity man existence, he said. Because not a series of formulas, words and gestures, he said. Because would gain freedom, dignity and people cannot answer these quesprayer is rooted so deeply in the autonomy by replacing religion tions alone, they must turn to God individual’s inner being, it is with pure reason “has failed” and who is able to fill such deep needs “not easily decipherable” and is the two World Wars from the past and desires, he added. century have severely tested the “difficult,” he said.

Pope Benedict asked everyPrayer is a privileged moment belief that reason bereft of God one “to pray more frequently, to for self-giving and putting one- would bring progress, he said. listen in the silence of our hearts “Man is religious by nature” to God’s voice and to grow in self before “the invisible, the unexpected, the ineffable,” and for and the yearning for God is in- union with God who has revealed that reason “the experience of scribed in the heart of every hu- Himself in Jesus Christ, with the prayer is a challenge for every- man, said the pope. People know one who is infinite love.”

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Layman elected to secretary position in Vatican department

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — A Uruguayan with four decades of experience at the Vatican has just made history. He’s the first non-cleric to be chosen by the pope as the “number two man” in a Vatican department.

Dr. Guzmán Carriquiry was appointed as secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

He replaces the commission’s vice president Archbishop Jose Octavio Ruiz Arenas, who just a day earlier was named secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

Carriquiry will now work closely under Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops and president of the commission for Latin America.

The commission itself is dedicated to strengthening ties between the Vatican and the Church in Latin America, assisting with doctrinal and pastoral needs. The cardinal will count on Carriquiry as chief counsel and collaborator.

Uruguayan by birth, Carriquiry is trained in law and social sciences. He organized

Catholic university students and directed the Uruguayan bishops’ communications before making the move across the Pacific.

The “Roman phase” of his life began in 1971, when he arrived along with his wife and their firstborn. He was called to work in the newly-formed Consilium de Laicis which evolved into the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

Forty years in the same department, four children and eight grandchildren later, he has been called up again for a big move.

But, he is no stranger to breaking “glass ceilings” in the Vatican. He became the first lay “capo ufficio” — head of office — of the department for laity under Pope Paul VI. In 1986, John Paul II tapped Carriquiry for another unprecedented step when he chose the Uruguayan as sub-secretary of the same department.

Other men without Roman collars have held important positions in the Vatican. Joaquin Navarro-Valls was John Paul II’s press office director. Also, the Pontifical Academy for Science has had numerous nonclerical heads, but never has this

high of a Vatican curial position been held by a layman.

Carriquiry brings a wealth of knowledge of Latin America to the post. Through his work, he is thoroughly familiar with the Church, lay movements and associations there. Church and state leaders throughout the region know him and his work well.

He has a vote of confidence from the department he is leaving. “We have absolutely no doubt that his broad experience and his passionate love for the Church will make him able to work with competence and authentic spirit of service for the pilgrim Church on the ‘Continent of Hope,’” said the Pontifical Council for the Laity shortly after his appointment.

As it happens, Carriquiry will be on his way to Latin America within the week. A May 17 meeting of Latin American bishops will take him home to Montevideo, Uruguay, where he will meet with Cardinal Ouellet and local bishops for the first time.

His first mission as secretary of the Vatican’s Commission for Latin America will thus be carried out in the city where his life began.

rosary runner — Jeff Grabosky, who is running across the United States praying the rosary, is seen recently breaking down his gear at the end of the day along a segment of the Great Allegheny Passage in southwest Pennsylvania. Grabosky, 28, carries a Rosary ring and prays for people he knows and people he never met. (CNS photo/Maryann G. Eidemiller, Catholic Accent)

Pope appeals for end of conflict in Libya, civil strife in Syria

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI renewed his appeal for a negotiated settlement in Libya and called for an end to bloodshed in Syria, where civil strife has left hundreds of people dead. Speaking at a noon blessing at the Vatican, the pope said he was following the conflict in Libya with “great concern,” and was especially worried about the suffering of civilians. “I renew a pressing appeal that the way of negotiation and dialogue may prevail over violence, with the support of international organizations that are working to find a solution to the crisis,” the pope said.

He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Catholic

Church in Libya to assist the population, noting in particular the work of nuns in the country’s hospitals.

The top Church official in Libya, Bishop Giovanni Martinelli of Tripoli, continued to call for a cease-fire so that civilians could “catch their breath.” The bishop has been a strong critic of the NATO bombing campaign against the forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, saying the bombs have caused civilian casualties. “Yesterday, at Marsa Brega, there were 16 deaths, and many others died in other parts of Tripoli. The bombs continue to mow down victims,” Bishop Martinelli told the Vatican missionary news agency Fides.

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Youth Pages

all grown up — Kindergarten students at St. Joseph School in Fairhaven recently finished a diocesan Social Studies project about community workers. Students dressed up as their favorite community worker and reported on how these workers help the community.

sacramental joy — St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield recently held its First Communion. Pictured are the proud students on their big day.

May 20, 2011

letter perfect — St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently held its annual Spelling Bee for students in grades six through eight. Sixth-grader Jeremiah Sullivan captured this year’s title after correctly spelling the word “hackneyed.” He competed against five other middle school students and was awarded a cinema packet. Representing the eighth grade were Megan Bischoff and Matthew Castro, while Benjamin Choiniere and Treuvor Holowinsky competed for seventh grade. Timothy Fortin also represented the sixth grade. Back Row: Benjamin Choiniere, Mrs. Carol Monahan, teacher, and Megan Bischoff. Middle row: Timothy Fortin and Jeremiah Sullivan. Front Row: Treuvor Holowinsky and Matthew Castro.

getting physic-cal — Six Coyle and Cassidy seniors, along with their Physics teacher Boris Blitshteyn, recently participated in the annual Physics Olympics held at Boston College High School. Ten teams from eight area high schools participated in this annual event. Coyle’s team earned first place in the Inertia Ball and Straw Bridge building portions. Kevin Seely earned a first place finish in the Inertia Ball category and Andrew Zayac placed first place in the straw building event. From left: James Anderson, Blitshteyn, Nick Houghton, Andrew Zayac, Kevin Seely, Zach Thomas, and Connor Sullivan.

Diocesan Catholic school students win big at New England Music Competition

refreshed and renewed — Bishop Feehan High School’s Campus Ministry students recently attended a retreat at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown to initiate new senior officers into their Board of Directors and to renew their promises as members. Here, student members of the Attleboro school’s Peer Ministry gathered for a photo during the retreat.

NEW BEDFORD — Six young people who attend diocesan Catholic schools recently won honors at the 40th Annual New England Music Festival sponsored by the Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts. The local winners competed in piano, voice, and duet competitions.

All six are students of the DeRossi Music School of New Bedford. Aldo DeRossi, founder of the local school, was also the driving force who created the New England music association that sponsors the annual competition. DeRossi passed away during the past year and the school is now operated by his son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Judy DeRossi, noted local musicians.

The annual event was conducted at the Marriott Hotel in Newton. The honorees included: Matthew Duggan of St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet, first place Mixed Duet up to age 13, and first

place, Advanced Pop Piano age 13 and 14; Eliza Dumas of Taunton Catholic Middle School, third place Pop/Jazz Voice 12 and 13, first place Mixed Duet up to 13, third place Advanced Piano 13, and third place Pop Piano Solo; Emelia Dumas of St. Mary’s Elementary of Taunton, first place Pop/Jazz Voice ages 10 and 11; Mike Kalisz of Bishop Stang High School, first place Mixed Duet ages 14 and over, first place tie for original composition Piano, and third place for Entertainer Award/featured Piano and Vocal; Ricky Kalisz of All Saints Catholic School of New Bedford, first Place Standard Pop age 13 Piano Solo, and third place Preselected Standard age 13 Piano Solo; and Victoria Kalisz of St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet, first place Mixed Duet 14 and Over, and first place Pop/Jazz Voice up to nine years of age.

Youth Pages

May 20, 2011

H

undreds of young people in our diocese have now been confirmed in their faith and are now ready to “go out into the world and proclaim the good news” (Mk 16:15).

I’d like to ask them: What will you need to begin this journey of faith that will lead to holiness and your becoming a saint? Yes, a saint. It’s not so far fetched as you might think.

Christ calls us to be living saints. This calling is strengthened at your Confirmation. So, what tools, gifts do you need to proceed on your journey to sainthood?

Let’s talk about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Wisdom — the ability to see God’s plan for our lives.

Understanding — the ability to see others through the eyes of Christ.

Right Judgment — the ability to make good choices for our lives.

Courage — the ability to stand up for your faith and witness to the Gospel in the world.

Knowledge — the ability to exercise our mind and will to learn God’s plan.

Reverence — the ability to treat everyone and everything God has made with love and respect.

Wonder and Awe — the

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Go, become a living saint

ability to glorify God in all his start this response: “Go in peace marvelous works. to love and serve the Lord.”

Why, you may ask, did I The gift of understanding begin each with the words, “the will help you confront any doubt ability to…”? It’s very simple, about your faith. It is also the and I’ve shared it with you in gift whereby self-evident princithe past: God gives us many ples are known, such as patience gifts and one of those is responand compassion. We develop the sibility. This is the gift that gives gift of understanding by trying you the “ability” to “respond” to see others through the eyes to the talents God has given you. Remember, God will never give you anything you can’t handle. Why would He? God doesn’t want to set you up to fail. On the

By Ozzie Pacheco contrary, God wants you to succeed at everything you do. Let’s see how you can use these gifts of the of Christ. This is not easy to do Spirit to live your faith and be because it demands compassion, well on the road to becoming a patience, and generosity from saint of God. us. Want to be Christ-like? Be The gift of wisdom always understanding! So, when your reminds me of King Solomon. little brother or sister gets on He desired the gift of wisdom your nerves, remember this gift! and God gave it to him. Read The gift of knowledge! “This more about King Solomon in is great,” you may be saying to 1 Kings, especially my favoryourself, “I finally have all the ite, 3:16-28. Having the gift of answers to the questions of the wisdom doesn’t mean that you universe.” Sorry, I don’t mean are going to be able to solve to burst your bubble, but that’s all problems. Rather, it means not what it means. The gift of that although we do not always knowledge urges us to exercise have a clear idea of the details our mind and will to learn God’s of God’s plan for us, we are plan for us and for the world. attentive to God and respond to This is why we are encouraged His will. Mass is a great place to to read Sacred Scripture, the

Be Not Afraid

holy Bible; one of the ways to learn more about God and His plan of salvation for us.

Right judgment is the gift that allows you to make choices and decisions in life that require serious attention, reflection, and prayer. These three qualities are essential to the gift of right judgment. In other words don’t just jump into something because it seems like the right thing to do or that you feel peer pressured into doing it. Use this gift as a guide to make the right choices in your life.

You’ve already made the first one — you chose to be confirmed in your faith!

Reverence is the gift that helps us find the sacred in all things. It’s that “wow!” response to the beauty of all of God’s creation. We began learning about God with these three questions: Who made the world? God made the world. Who is God? God is the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things. Why did God make me? God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven. With those three answers we began living holy and sacred lives. Keep at it!

Courage allows us the firm-

ness of mind that is required in doing well and fighting evil.

This is the gift that helped the Apostles leave the Upper Room. You see, the Apostles were afraid that people would make fun of them and laugh at them because Jesus, the person they were claiming to be their Messiah, had left them. Courage allowed them to overcome that fear, just as you can, when people are making fun of you for your beliefs or for who you are. Courage will help you fight the good fight of faith.

Wonder and awe doesn’t mean to fear the Lord as in the way you may fear a bully in school or anything else that may scare you. With this gift we recognize and rejoice in God’s glory. This gift should remind you that your goal is to live a good life so you will spend eternity with God. How awful a thought to think that I would not see God … forever. “Give glory to God, praise His name and announce His salvation day after day” (Ps 96).

Take these gifts and live them day after day. Make your Sacrament of Confirmation count — become a living saint. You are holy and you are blessed by God. Ozzie Pacheco is Faith Formation director at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.

said Tvrtkovic.

She said the students have not only gained understanding but friendships. “Just the fact that they know someone by name” from another faith, goes a long way.

Although Muslim students make up 25 percent of the student body, their presence alone doesn’t guarantee that students from different backgrounds understand each other, Tvrtkovic said. She told Catholic News Service, that this kind of understanding takes time and effort. It has worked in the small dialogue group because they first talked about common elements of their faith and shared faith figures such as Abraham and Joseph instead of differences. They have also put these shared faith traditions into action by volunteering at a local homeless shelter.

The idea of service work stemming from one’s religious traditions is the impetus behind a new White House initiative called the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, which encourages interfaith college groups to work on yearlong service projects together.

Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core, a

Chicago-based organization that works with college campuses on religious diversity issues, told CNS that the initiative brings together President Barack Obama’s emphasis on interfaith efforts with college students eager to do this kind of work.

As he sees it, shared service work includes a natural element of interfaith dialogue just from conversations that come up while working side by side with people of different faiths.

For example, he said, it breaks down the “all the ugly stuff we see about Muslims and Catholics on TV,” he said, adding that if all someone knew from either faith was what they saw in the news people would only “link Catholics with the sex scandal and Islam with terrorists” but as these faith groups work together they learn what “so many people consider to be the core of their faith.”

In the 12 years that he has been involved in this work, he said, it “almost never happens that someone wants to join another religion” as a result of meeting and understanding another faith.

Instead, “working together with people from different religions makes you continually go back to the parts of your faith you are most inspired about.”

Muslim, Catholic students learn about others’ faith — and their own

WASHINGTON (CNS) — When the news of Osama bin Laden’s death was announced, college students accounted for a majority of the cheering crowd that descended on the streets near the White House.

Jordan Denari, a sophomore at Georgetown University, was not among the revelers. She talked about it with her friends, including one of her roommates from Pakistan, and they didn’t feel right about celebrating someone’s death.

Denari gets the chance to talk about contemporary and religious issues on a pretty regular basis in the university’s Muslim LivingLearning Community where she lives.

She said the on-campus residence with 24 Christian and Muslim students provides plenty of opportunities for “unstructured dialogue,” which, as she put it, “often happens when I should be studying for my econ(omics) exam.”

The setting also set the stage for something she is coordinating on campus next year: interfaith dialogue groups. Denari was part of such a group last year when she and two other students — one Muslim and one Protestant — decided to get together once

a week to talk about their religious perspectives. These group discussions helped Denari, in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, not only learn about different faiths but clarify her Catholic faith, which she wasn’t so sure about when she started college.

Although her campus living situation is unique, what happens when these students are together — simply getting to know one another and breaking down stereotypes — is also occurring at other colleges as the number of campus interfaith groups grows.

Austin Schafer, who coordinates a biweekly discussion group of Catholics and Muslims at Ohio State University in Columbus, said a key focus for the group is simply to understand people from other faith traditions and get to know them as “real people.”

Schafer, campus ministry pastoral associate at the university’s St. Thomas More Newman Center, said the dialogue group of about six to 12 students and local community members often doesn’t resemble typical interfaith dialogue but instead is “more of a dialogue of life where we’re just trying to understand each other.”

He said key teaching moments occur when Catholic students in the group are asked to explain the Eucharist or the Trinity for example.

He also is convinced that the small group serves as a “witness to the larger community.” The university itself is a big community —with more than 56,000 students, it is one of the nation’s largest universities.

At a much smaller campus, Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., a commuter school outside of Chicago, members of a Catholic and Muslim dialogue group have been meeting for lunch every Tuesday just to understand each other better. But the group became more focused last fall after a Christian pastor in Florida threatened to burn copies of the Quran.

“The (proposed) Quran burning event really galvanized people,” said Rita George Tvrtkovic, assistant professor of theology who oversees the luncheon group of nine students.

After the angry threats, the dialogue group began an in-depth look at sacred readings in the Bible and Quran. “What better way to combat a book burning than to open the targeted book, and to do so in the company of the other,”

18

The Anchor

Legislature closes lewd e-message loophole continued from page one

such actions were legal. The justices recommended updating the law.

Moran, a former assistant district attorney for Essex County, told The Anchor that the ruling “came out of left field.” He noted that the legislative intent was to protect children from sexual exploitation.

The decision reversed the conviction of Matt H. Zubiel, who had been arrested in 2006 during a sting operation run by Plymouth County and Marshfield police. Deputy Sheriff Melissa Marino posed as a minor and then participated in online conversations with Zubiel. He asked her to send him a nude photo of herself, inquired about her sexual experience and told her he would teach her “everything.” He was arrested outside the apartment building Marino told him she lived at.

The prosecution argued that Zubiel’s words fell under the “visual representation” cited in the statute. The SJC found that the law was referring to pictures and not text. The court further explained that such communication could not fall under handwritten or printed material either.

In its ruling, the court said, “While proscribing the activity in this case would be consistent with a legislative intent to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, the definitions in Section 31 do not do so. If the Legislature wishes to include instant messaging or other electronically-transmitted text in the definition of ‘matter’ under Section 31, it is for the Legislature, not the court, to do so.”

In the footnotes, the court mentioned that in 2000 the Legislature considered amending the definition of matter to in-

clude “computer-generated writing, whether printed or electronically transmitted” but did not do so.

On Feb. 9, 2010, Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem, D-Newton, filed legislation to add text messages, emails and any other electronic communication to the statute. The bill passed through the Legislature and was signed into law by the governor on April 13.

The law went into effect on July 12 and was challenged in court the following day. A group of booksellers, publishers, internet content providers and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts claimed that the law banned constitutionally protected speech online and would reduce all internet communications “to the level of what is appropriate for children.”

“The law could make anyone who operates a website or communicates through a listserv criminally liable for nudity or sexually related material, if the material can be considered ‘harmful to minors’ under the law’s definition. In effect, it bans from the Internet anything that may be ‘harmful to minors’ including material adults have a First Amendment right to view,” a statement announcing the lawsuit said.

On October 27, a federal judge agreed and granted an injunction.

The concerns of the court were satisfied by the latest legislation, passed on April 11, 2011.

The law now specifies that the offender must give or intend to give the harmful matter “to a person he knows or believes to be a minor.”

“A person who disseminates an electronic communication or possesses an electronic commu-

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nication with the intent to disseminate it shall not be found to have violated this section unless he specifically intends to direct the communication to a person he knows or believes to be a minor,” the law states.

Kristian Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, told The Anchor that the institute supports the amendment.

“We have a horrific problem with sexual predators and other deviants on the internet and us-

May 20, 2011 ing the electronic media, so we do need laws like this,” he said.

He added that it is a shame that people have gotten away with this crime because the Supreme Judicial Court was narrow-minded in its interpretation of the law last year.

“It surprises me how broad and sweeping our court can be in other areas, particularly parents’ rights and human sexuality, redefining the very term marriage, but they cannot see in front of their face vile materials being transmitted to minors,” he said.

MFI also supports a bill,

H427, that would remove the exemption that public schools have from displaying obscene materials. That exemption is located in the same part of the state’s general law that was recently amended.

“Believe it or not, our public schools are exempt from showing pornographic materials as part of their educational materials, which is bizarre, but the Court has ruled that because the law says they’re exempt, we can’t stop them, so we’re trying to change that law right now,” Mineau said.

The alpha, beta and gammas of the New Evangelization continued from page one

said Pat Lamb, who has been involved with Alpha for Catholics for more than 10 years and will be one of the presenters May 25 along with her husband, Joel.

“It’s all based on the Gospel and who Jesus is.”

The Lambs were first introduced to Alpha while living in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

After moving to Cape Cod they decided to start up their own Alpha for Catholics program out of their home, but soon found they were running out of space.

“At one point we had about 60 people, so we asked Father Bernard Baris, pastor of Our Lady of the Cape Parish, if we could use his ‘house,’” Lamb said.

Lamb noted that while the Cape Cod-based Alpha session is targeted at Catholics, the Alpha program in general isn’t exclusively Catholic.

“Our experience has been very ecumenical,” she said.

“When we started down in Montgomery County in Philadelphia, we had a weekend away with sometimes as many as eight or nine other denominations, and we had it in a big conference center. We closed the weekend with Mass in the

center and we were surprised to see a lot of non-Catholics who stayed for the Mass.”

According to its website and promotional material, the Alpha program is defined as “a 10week Christian course which is primarily held in churches but also in any environment that can reach out to people with the basic Gospel message and essentials of Christian living. It includes a meal, video talk, and small group discussion. The course begins with a ‘no obligation’ introduction and includes a ‘day away’ or ‘weekend overnight’ in the middle of the course.”

Alpha was promoted at the most recent World Youth Days in Germany and Australia and originated at the Holy Trinity Brompton Anglican Church in London.

“The theme of Alpha is ‘ask any question,’ so our logo depicts a man holding a huge question mark,” Kiernan said. “In a Catholic context, we always find that Catholic questions will come up, even though the course is not overtly or explicitly Catholic. We have a weekend retreat component where the hosting

parish will offer worship services along with Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At the end of the course, the talk is ‘What About the Church?’ which discusses Baptism, the Eucharist, and many models of the Church from the Vatican II documents.”

Kiernan said variations of the Alpha course have also been successfully adopted for use in parish Faith Formation programs, colleges, and even prison ministries.

“It can really be brought into any environment,” he said.

“With Alpha for Youth we find kids won’t sit through a 40-minute video talk, so the talks are given live with some added video clips. We try to keep it engaging for them.”

Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., of the Archdiocese of Boston has praised the Alpha program for “building on initial interest in the Church” and as an ideal pre-catechumenate experience that “renews people’s desire to more deeply understand and live their Catholic faith.”

“It basically gives people the chance to comment on and ask questions about their faith,” Kiernan said. “That’s what Alpha does in a non-threatening way. The whole point is to draw them out and get them to ask questions.”

“We’ve seen Alpha as a very successful tool for evangelization,” Lamb added. “It’s an opportunity for people to either grow in their relationship with Christ or to, for the first time, realize they can have a personal relationship with Jesus.”

An Introduction to Alpha for Catholics will be held at Corpus Christi Parish, 324 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, East Sandwich on May 25 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (with luncheon) and again from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

For more information about Alpha for Catholics or to RSVP for the luncheon session, email DickKiernan@alphausa.org or call 603-641-5741.

May 20, 2011

The Anchor

Volunteers with Caritas Japan help ease gloom for earthquake survivors

KAMAISHI, Japan (CNS) — Church relief activities following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan have relied in large part on volunteers from across Japan and elsewhere recruited and coordinated by Caritas Japan.

The volunteers’ efforts so far have largely focused on cleanup, but some work has involved the delivery of aid to survivors in the disaster zone, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News.

Volunteers travel from a Caritas base camp at a parish in Kamaishi to nearby communities to clean houses for elderly residents overwhelmed by the task of clearing muck, broken glass and ruined furnishings from homes that were inundated by the tsunami but remain more or less inhabitable.

A crew that had cleared one home was asked by neighbors if something could be done for their garden. So the volunteers spent two days clearing salt water contaminated soil and getting the plot ready for planting.

Kyoya Chiba, a Catholic from the Mizonokuchi Parish in Kawasaki, a city between Tokyo and Yokohama, is one of the volunteers.

“At our church, we collected money for Caritas and many people wanted to come and help but couldn’t,” Chiba said. “We heard that human help was more needed than things. So, I’m here as a sort of parish representative and the support of my parish is an encouragement.”

Chiba explained that he felt his service can serve to strengthen victims “with my conviction that our lives come from God.” Another volunteer, Passionist Father Haruo Someno, took a week off from his duties at Ikeda Parish in Osaka to help in Kamaishi.

“I was born and baptized here, and lived here until I was five,” he said. “To be able to work on behalf of people among whom I was born is a sort of joy for me.

“Things are worse than I thought,” the priest added. “Ev-

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

eryone is working to improve the situation, but how can we shine the light of the Gospel on this? It will take time, and we must individually and as a community take that time.

God is at work here, but finding out how is going to be a challenge that must be met.”

Not all of the volunteers are Catholic. Tom Tracey, an American who lives in Kanagawa prefecture, works for a company whose owner encouraged employees and clients to volunteer through Caritas Japan.

“When I was younger, I did a lot of volunteer work, Boy Scouts and that sort of thing. Then I got too busy and got out of the habit.

This reminds me of an earlier time

in my life. My first reason to come was to do hard labor, but I got to meet people and interact with them,” he said.

After a hard day’s work, the volunteers gather to reflect on their experiences and reactions to what they saw during the day. Some talk about how life-changing the experience of seeing the damage and meeting survivors has been.

“Caritas is a safe environment where we can lower our barriers and just be human,” Tracey said.

“Everyone comes with the same desire, to help people.

“This won’t end tomorrow,” he added. “It’s years’ worth of work.

We’re all here to be helpful. I think I’ll be back.”

Around the Diocese 5/23

19 Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

Acushnet — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — St. Joseph Church holds eucharistic adoration in the Adoration Chapel located at the (south) side entrance at 208 South Main Street, Sunday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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 following the 11 a.m. Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and Mass. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

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 Sandwich — Eucharistic adoration takes place at the Corpus Christi Parish Adoration Chapel, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, 24-hour eucharistic adoration takes place on the First Friday of every month with Benediction at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

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, following the 8 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

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

Saint Anne’s Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center located at 537 Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth will host the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good ... Feel Better” on May 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the conference room. This is a free program that teaches patients hands-on cosmetic techniques to help cope with appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. To register call 508-674-5600, extension 2515.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic adoration on Mondays following the 8:00 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

5/25

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.

The Pro-Life Prayer Groups of Holy Trinity and Holy Redeemer parishes will host a holy hour on May 25 following the 9 a.m. Mass at Holy Trinity Parish, Route 28, West Harwich. Recitation of the Rosary and Pro-Life prayers will close with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

5/26

The Divorced and Separated Support Group sponsored by the Fall River Diocese will hold an open meeting on May 26 beginning at 7 p.m. in the parish center of St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. Parking is available to the left of the church and all are welcome. For more information, call 508-993-0589, 508-673-2997 or 508-6782828.

5/28

St. John Neumann Parish, 157 Middleboro Road, East Freetown, will host its annual Lakeside Family Festival May 27 from 6 to 11 p.m., May 28 and 29 from noon to 11 p.m., and May 30 from noon to 5 p.m. The festival will feature a huge barn sale, car show, games, live entertainment, midway rides, food, fun and more. For more information visit www. sjnfreetown.org.

FALL RIVER — Notre Dame Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has eucharistic adoration on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the chapel.

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 until 6 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel. There is a bilingual Holy Hour in English and Portuguese from 5-6 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has eucharistic adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

HYANNIS — A Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration will take place each First Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church, 347 South Street, beginning immediately after the 12:10 p.m. Mass and ending with adoration at 4 p.m.

Courage, a welcoming support group for Catholics wounded by same-sex attraction who gather to seek God’s wisdom, mercy and love, will next meet on May 28 at 7 p.m. For location information call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408.

5/28

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.

5/31

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

A Healing Mass in preparation for Pentecost will be held at St. Jude’s Parish, 249 Whittenton Street, Taunton on May 31 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Mass will follow at 7 p.m., with Benediction and healing prayers after Mass.

6/4

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.

6/4

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic adoration 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.

A Day with Mary will take place on June 4 from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at St. Killian’s Church, 306 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford. It will include a video instruction, a procession and crowning of the Blessed Mother along with Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There is a bookstore available during breaks. For more information call 508-984-1823.

Spend the day together as a family at the Family Rosary Retreat sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries to be held at Boston College High School, Dorchester on June 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The full day of activities will include workshops for all age groups, keynote speakers, eucharistic adoration, Mission Rosary and Vigil Mass. For more information or to register call 508-283-4095 or 800-299-7729 or visit www.familyrosary.org/ conference.

6/21

The fourth annual Summer Catholic Reflections Series sponsored

by St. Anthony’s Parish, East Falmouth; Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville; and hosting parish Christ The King in Mashpee will begin June 21 at 7 p.m. with Father Robin Ryan speaking on “Prayer in Times of Suffering.” Father Ryan is the vice-provincial of the Passionist Congregation in the eastern United States and has taught systematic theology at St. John’s Seminary in Boston and at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. For directions and more information visit www.christthekingparish.com.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and every Friday from noon to 5 p.m., with Benediction at 5 p.m.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has 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.

WAREHAM — Adoration with opportunities for private and formal prayer is offered on the First Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, High Street. The Prayer Schedule is as follows: 7:30 a.m. the Rosary; 8 a.m.

Mass; 8:30 a.m. exposition and Morning Prayer; 12 p.m. the Angelus; 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet; 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer; 7 p.m. Sacrament of Confession; 8 p.m.

Benediction.

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

WOODS HOLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Joseph’s Church, 33 Millfield Street, year-round on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No adoration on Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. For information call 508-274-5435.

20

The Anchor

May 20, 2011

Visit The Anchor online at www.anchornews.org

Family Rosary gives families the chance to pray together

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

NORTH EASTON — Servant of God Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton is remembered for many great things, and perhaps most notably for his declaration, “The family that prays together stays together.”

His great devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Rosary prompted him to found Family Rosary in 1942. A member of Holy Cross Family Ministries in North Easton, Family Rosary supports the spiritual wellbeing of the family through prayer, especially the Rosary by providing opportunities for family members to participate in retreats, conferences, seminars, parish missions and days of reflection.

On its website, Family Rosary declares its mission to “share the message of prayer with those who are unfamiliar with the Rosary and strengthen the prayer life of the faithful.”

With this in mind, Family

Rosary is offering a one-day retreat for families in the New England area on June 4 at Boston College High School in Dorchester from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The day will offer families time to spend together in prayer, workshops, eucharistic adoration, praying the Rosary, the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Mass, and many fun activities.

The programs will be offered in English and Spanish. While the day is centered on family, there will be opportunities for adults, teens and younger children to break off into groups with their peers for lessons and activities.

Some of the subject topics include areas that touch the lives of everyone in this day and age, including: bullying, social media, and the challenges of families finding the time to pray together.

The keynote speakers for the English track are Dr. Greg Popcak and his wife Lisa. Dr. Popcak is a nationally-recognized expert in Catholic pastoral counseling. He has authored several books on the subject and has hosted two series on EWTN. He and Lisa hosted the daily, nationally-syndicated radio broadcast “Heart, Mind and Strength.”

The teen track will feature Father Bob Reed of the

CatholicTV Network of the Archdiocese of Boston. He is the host of the game show “WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge,” and the reality series “House and Home.”

Father Bob prays the Rosary with the television audience three times a day, and he hosts the network’s signature talk show, “This is the Day.” Presenting the children’s track will be Joanne Riley, principal of St. Mary’s School in Mansfield. As a mother and educator, Riley will share with the youngsters her faith life with fun and faith-oriented activities.

The Spanish keynote speakers will be Manuel and Grace Frias.

“In addition to the specific tracks and workshops by age and language preference, we will have time when we will gather together as family and share our rich faith,” Father John Phalen, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries told The Anchor. This event, and all our mission activities, works to fulfill our founder’s vision.

“Families are so overburdened with activities and ‘busyness.’ It makes it difficult to stay close, never mind find time to pray. While this day may add yet another activity to the schedule, it is so important families ensure they make time to be together ... especially in prayer. We hope Father Peyton’s famous slogan will be lived out on June 4 and every day, ‘The family that prays together stays together.’”

The vigil Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Worcester.

Registration for the event is $10 per individual with a $50 maximum per family. The cost includes lunch.

For information or to register call 508-283-4095 or 800-299-7729, or visit www.

FamilyRosary.org/conference