05.29.20

‘Compassion and generosity bring Christ’s message to light, even in the darkest times’ Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, May 29, 2020

Masses to resume in diocese May 30-31 following guidelines FALL RIVER — Following Governor Charlie Baker’s announcement on May 18 allowing the resumption of services at houses of worship in Massachusetts, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., conferred with the Presbyteral Council of the Fall River Diocese to consider how best to proceed with the reopening of Catholic churches across Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands.

“The reopening for our parishes for public Masses is complex and requires careful planning and implementation,” said Bishop da Cunha. “What must be of paramount concern throughout this process of resuming public worship is the safety of our people, our priests, deacons and lay ministers.”

It was the consensus of Presbyteral Council members that some time would be needed to ensure that all parishes are prepared to meet all mandatory safety standards. In light 8 Turn to page 10

‘See All the People,’ the 79th annual Catholic Appeal kicks off; seeks to aid the diocese in its time of need

FALL RIVER—The 79th annual Catholic Appeal is kicking off during an extraordinary year for the Diocese of Fall River and the world. For nearly eight decades, the Appeal has delivered critical resources to uphold the vitally important agencies and ministries of the diocese. This year, the Appeal is launching in a time of stunning and unprecedented need brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s Catholic Appeal runs from June 1 through July 31. The Appeal’s start date was postponed by one month due to the need to address the pressing and immediate challenges presented by the Coronavirus.

Formerly called the “Catholic Charities Appeal,” the Appeal’s name has been updated to the “Catholic Appeal” to reflect the full scope of all the agencies, programs, and min-

istries it supports, providing food and shelter, educating children and adults, and meeting the physical, emotional, and Spiritual needs of tens of thousands of individuals and families in the Diocese of Fall River. The diocese spans from Mansfield, Easton and the Attleboros, through the Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford areas, and extends all the way to Cape Cod and the Islands.

In a message to the faithful of the Diocese of Fall River, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. stated, “As a diocese and a society, it feels as though we have been navigating through a terrible storm for the past few months. The Coronavirus has transformed our lives in unprecedented ways, including Spiritual sacrifices that have kept us from gathering with 8 Turn to page 11

Among the many ways Bishop Feehan High School is paying tribute to its Class of 2020, it recently unveiled a 60-foot x 12-foot banner which is draped off the side of the gymnasium. Complete with 276 portraits, the banner will hang for months to come.

May 29, 2020 †

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Catholic Relief Services launches ‘Lead the Way on Hunger’ campaign amidst pandemic

By Kenneth J. Souza Web Editor

kensouza@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the global aid agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, is inviting American Catholics and others of goodwill to join and support its “Lead the Way on Hunger” campaign — a multi-year effort to increase donations and advocacy on the issue.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, 135 million people around the world experienced acute hunger. Now, because of disruptions caused by the virus, the United Nations World Food Program is estimating the number of people suffering from acute hunger will almost double by the end of this year, totaling 265 million people.

“This is an unprecedented time that we’re all facing with COVID-19,” said Sean Callahan, president and CEO of CRS. “We’re also though facing shadow pandemics that we know of in our own country and certainly hunger in the U.S. has become a key issue when we’ve seen many of the food banks reaching a higher proportion than they’ve ever had to reach before (and) a lot of people that are being affected. Similarly, we would like to get the word out even more that this is also occurring globally.”

To this end, Callahan said CRS’ “Lead the Way on Hunger” campaign is aptly named.

“The Holy Father has called all of us and we have two choices,” Callahan said. “We can either turn inward or reach outward. As you know, the Church never closed.

It didn’t stop its humanitarian assistance in the United States, it didn’t stop its pastoral outreach to communities in the United States, and it didn’t stop that overseas. The Church has been on the front line and as the Holy Father has often stated, he sees the Church as a field hospital.”

Despite dealing with the Coro2

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navirus crisis here at home, Callahan hopes Catholics will not forget those overseas who are likewise struggling to survive during the pandemic.

“There’s an urgency right now and that’s what we’re called to do,” Callahan said. “The situation in the United States is worsening and the situation around the world is worsening. We know that one in every nine people goes to bed hungry in the world. That situation is now (escalating) and acute hunger is expected, according to the U.N., to double this year because of the Coronavirus.”

According to Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the USCCB is fully supportive of CRS’ “Lead the Way on Hunger” campaign.

“I am one of a dozen bishops who sit on the board of CRS as representatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and I am here today to reiterate our strong support for this campaign and its goals, addressing global hunger, advocacy and fund raising,” he said. “My brother bishops and I will be highlighting the ‘Lead the Way on Hunger’ campaign and its resources.” The bishops also shared in a global moment of prayer on May 24 at noon. That prayer around the globe was based on CRS’ “Lead the Way on Hunger” prayer. “It’s a very beautiful prayer.

These are further examples of the bishops’ commitment and the broader Church’s respect for CRS and for this campaign,” added the archbishop.

Archbishop Hebda said the campaign is a way to live out Pope Francis’ call for “missionary discipleship.”

“Jesus said, ‘Whatever you do for the least of My brothers and sisters, you do for Me,’” Archbishop Hebda said. “Jesus has called us all to work to alleviate suffering, to create a more just world for the world’s poorest, most marginalized and most vulnerable people. This campaign is one of the outward

expressions of our response to Christ’s example and His call.”

Claire McManus, director of Faith Formation and the director for CRS in the Fall River Diocese, had planned to introduce the “Lead the Way on Hunger” campaign at this year’s Catholic Youth Day and to the participants at the Catholic Leadership Institute, but both were cancelled due to COVID-19.

“However, we are strategizing ways to keep the youth engaged in social justice and will use the resources CRS provides,” McManus told The Anchor. “I usually share these resources with the Religious Education coordinators so that they can use them in their programs. I always try to relate global issues of justice to our own local needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened our eyes to the food insecurity in our own local region and our churches have been instrumental in keeping food pantries open and soup kitchens going.”

In recent years, McManus has been the point person in the diocese for CRS efforts like Operation Rice Bowl and the “Share the Journey” campaign in 2018 that was integrated into Catholic Youth Day when participants joined in a solidarity walk on Martha’s Vineyard with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. Although there isn’t an official CRS chapter here in the Fall River Diocese, McManus hopes to see one form in the future.

“If anyone is interested in taking part, they can contact me,” McManus said. “Much of the work that CRS does centers around advocacy — contacting our elected officials and asking them to support bills that address poverty relief. CRS has a training program to help people learn how they can engage their local officials. Many people are reluctant to speak up, but by being part of a chapter they would join their voices and have a 8 Turn to page eight

St. Anthony Parish in New Bedford is continuing to help neighbors in need

NEW BEDFORD — The St. Anthony’s Food Pantry in New Bedford has not stopped serving neighbors in need. When COVID-19 started and everything closed down the Food Pantry was brought outside, to abide by the rules.

The pantry serves 200-plus families every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. All are welcome. The pantry provides neighbors with plenty of protein such as whole chickens, chicken breasts, pork loins, breakfast patties, ground beef, and luncheon meats. Also available are eggs, cheese, milk, frozen and fresh vegetables and plenty of fresh fruit. There are also sandwiches for lunch with soup and juice.

Attendees keep six feet apart and wear masks (if they don’t have one the pantry staff provides

them). Those who are being fed are so very grateful that the food pantry has kept up during the pandemic.

All are welcome. There is no paperwork to fill out and no need to provide ID. The pantry is located at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 1359 Acushnet Avenue using the Nye Street entrance.

Generosity enables Mashpee parish to continue charitable efforts during pandemic

By Kenneth J. Souza Web Editor

kensouza@anchornews.org

MASHPEE — While people continue to adapt to the “new normal” in response to COVID-19, there are people throughout the diocese who find themselves in the same predicament they were in before the pandemic — struggling just to feed their families. And the Coronavirus has only exacerbated the problem.

Thankfully, dedicated members of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee have remained focused on providing for those in need through their Matthew 25 Fund, which was established two years ago to serve the poor in the local community.

According to pastor Father Edward J. Healey, when the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul chapter was advised by the national office in 2018 to become an autonomous charitable entity to legally separate themselves from the parish, it created a dilemma in how to handle fundraising moving forward.

“It did not seem prudent to put all these funds under the control of an organization now no longer legally affiliated with the parish, which ultimately had to take direction from its national and district officers,” Father Healey told The Anchor. “Christ the King had long-established ministries to serve the local poor — in particular the weekly food pantry and the financial help given to

those in need of housing, utilities, or transportation — and these had traditionally been funded and managed by the parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference.”

To ensure that the money raised for these charitable efforts would remain in the parish and go directly to the local community, Father Healey said they established the Matthew 25 Fund.

“O

deep sense of the Christian duty to be of service to the poor” in the Mashpee area.

“Matthew 25 provides a way for the parish to be a good steward of the money entrusted to it for charitable works in the local community,” Father Healey said. “Although these two organizations are legally autonomous from the parish, their members are well-prepared and disposed to organize and staff

could be raised to support these good works being done by the parish to serve those in need,” he said.

Within a month, Vining’s challenge prompted another $67,602 in donations to the Matthew 25 Fund. At press time, $1,805 in additional donations was reported in the latest bulletin. This outpouring of generosity has enabled the parish to continue operating its food pantry

ur volunteers continue to be amazing,” Reilly said.

“They are dauntless in trying to help those who need such a service. More than 194 volunteer hours were logged recently. This includes the unloading of the Greater Boston Food Bank delivery truck on Tuesday, the Wednesday crew — packers, greeters, loaders, traffic controllers and ‘runners’ — and administrative tasks done during the week.”

“The title is a reference to the chapter in the Gospel of Matthew in which we are reminded that as disciples of Jesus, we are to recognize and serve Him in those who are in need,” Father Healey said. “The Matthew 25 Fund receives all monies raised by or donated to the parish for the care of the poor and distributes them under the guidance of a board of advisors, reimbursing the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul and the Knights of Columbus for any costs incurred by them.”

Father Healey said the Matthew 25 Fund has partnered with the parish’s two charitable arms — the St. Vincent de Paul Conference and the Knights of Columbus — which both “share with the parish a

various parish ministries for the poor and remain hard at work in efforts such as the thrift shop, which helps raise money for charity, and at the weekly food pantry.”

When COVID-19 forced the shutdown of churches and important ancillary ministries, Father Healey said one parishioner’s generous donation inspired others to pitch in.

Michael Vining, a seasonal parishioner from Stoneham, contributed $10,000 to the Matthew 25 Fund to “keep feeding people who may be facing difficult times due to loss of income from their jobs which they could no longer work,” Father Healey said.

“He also challenged others to donate with the hopes that at least $100,000

every Wednesday during the pandemic.

According to Dick Reilly, coordinator of the Christ the King Parish Food Pantry, they have continued to receive food from the Greater Boston Food Bank every Tuesday that is picked up at the Falmouth Service Center.

“The Greater Boston Food Bank drop ships it there for us, saving a trip to Boston,” Reilly told The Anchor. “We have increased to our maximum weight limit of 5,500 pounds every week and are going through almost all of that delivery every Wednesday — especially the meats and dairy, because we try to give as much variety as possible to give our clients enough food for five days of meals

for each household member.”

During the month of April, the Christ the King Food Pantry provided about 22,981 pounds of food, worth more than $59,000. At a recent distribution, it was estimated that 95 families and more than 224 family members benefited from the food pantry.

Of course, given current social distancing requirements, adjustments had to be made to the weekly food pantry distribution.

“Our clients pick out the food items they want from a prepared list of choices: from soup, cereal, tomato products, pasta, rice, canned veggies, fruit, beans, and household items,” Reilly said. “We have changed completely to a drive-up system where we load two bags with canned and packaged foods, then add paper products, sundries, fresh vegetables, meats and dairy. There’s no choice for the clients, but we have to maintain as little contact as possible. It’s a big change, but it is really the only way to do it.”

Reilly praised the dedication of parish volunteers, who have continued to work despite the 8 Turn to page eight

May 29, 2020 †

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Mary, Mother of the Church — Spouse of the Holy Spirit and Mediatrix of all graces

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uring the month of May we honor our Blessed Lady as our loving Mother of the Church. By instituting the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church on the Monday after Pentecost, Pope Francis has shown us by means of the Liturgy the profound union that exists between Our Lady and the Holy Spirit. As we pray the nine-day Novena to the Holy Spirit in the final days before Pentecost, Mary accompanies the Church in prayer and watches over us with her maternal care just as she did at the beginning of the Church with the Apostles in the Upper Room. This is because the Holy Spirit is indissolubly united with Mary, His Spouse. In this article we will meditate on Mary as the Mother of the Church and Spouse of the Holy Spirit.

In the Upper Room, the Apostles who had been hiding in fear, received Confirmation and the full activation of the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to proclaim the Gospel boldly to all nations. Scripture states that the Apostles “were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus” (Acts 1:14). With Mary we can meditate on what Our Lady was experiencing in those days of expectant prayer and anticipation for the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. She, the Immaculate Conception, full of grace from the first moment of her existence, knew the fullness of the gift God was to send upon the Church. Mary’s role as Spouse of the Holy Spirit extends into the future beyond the Upper Room throughout the whole of Church history.

From Heaven, Mary continues to intercede and bring down graces to the mystical 4

Body of Christ through her omnipotent intercession with God. St. Maximilian Kolbe in his writings referred often to Mary’s apparition at Lourdes.

He reflected profoundly upon the name Our Lady identified herself to St. Bernadette when she said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

He noticed Mary took the name of her spouse, the Holy Spirit, Who is the uncreated Immaculate Conception.

He likened Our Lady’s special relationship with the Holy Spirit to when a man and a woman get married and the woman takes the name of the husband.

This action expresses how two people share one will and are indissolubly united. In his “Final Sketch,” St. Maximilian stated, “Among creatures made in God’s image, the union brought about by married love is the most intimate of all. In a much more precise, more interior, more essential manner, the Holy Spirit lives in the soul of the Immaculate, in the depths of her very being.”

St. Maximilian explains why we can call the Holy Spirit the “uncreated Immaculate Conception.” As the Father eternally begets the Son, God the Holy Spirit is spirated or conceived by the love of the Father and the Son. For this reason St. Maximillian identified the Holy Spirit as the uncreated Immaculate Conception. Mary instead is the created Immaculate Conception. The two appear as bearing the same name to express that Mary is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. In the Divine order the Holy Spirit does not operate without Mary. St. Maximilian wrote,

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“The Holy Spirit does not confer any grace, the Father does not give supernatural life to any souls by the Son and the Holy Spirit, unless these gifts are bestowed through the Mediatrix of all grace, the Immaculate, who cooperates in the giving, and distributes them as she wills.

She obtains from God all the treasure of grace, as belonging to her, and she distributes

them to whomever she wills, as she wills.” In other words, every grace we receive comes through Mary.

Wherever the Holy Spirit finds Mary, He comes to that soul. St. Louis de Montfort wrote, “Together with the Holy Spirit, Mary produced the greatest thing that ever was or ever will be: a God-man. She will consequently produce the marvels which will be seen in the latter times. The formation and the education of the great saints who will come at the end of the world are reserved to her, for only this singular and wondrous virgin can produce in union with the Holy Spirit singular and wondrous things.”

Also, St. Gregory of Nyssa, a fourth-century Church Father wrote, “What came about in bodily form in Mary, the fullness of the Godhead shining through Christ in the Blessed Virgin, takes place in a similar way in every soul that has been made pure. The Lord does not come in bodily form, for

we ‘no longer know Christ according to the flesh’, but He dwells in us Spiritually and the Father takes up His abode with Him, the Gospel tells us. In this way the child Jesus is born in each one of us” (On Virginity).

All of us who have received Baptism and Confirmation have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, piety, fortitude and fear of the Lord. Our Lady continues to mediate for us an increase of these gifts which are more than sufficient to make us saints, and great saints. Perhaps the reason why we do not fully experience the operation of the Holy Spirit is because we are not serious about our Sanctification and the work it requires to achieve the goal of Sanctity.

Most of all, we do not experience the power of the Holy Spirit because we do not have sufficient love or devotion to Mary, and we do not imitate her virtues. For example, we prefer to be on our cell phones all night rather than pray the Holy Rosary, or we diet to lose weight instead of fasting to make reparation for our sins. We prefer to read newspapers and social media instead of the life-giving Word of God and lives of the saints. We prefer to continually buy “stuff” instead of giving that money as alms or food to the poor. After a short reflection it becomes clear that Sanctity is not our goal. We live more for this life than for Heaven, ignorant or forgetful of imitating Our Blessed Mother, and therefore, we do not attract the Holy Spirit. We prefer to live by the flesh than by the Spirit

or deceive ourselves to think we can do both. If we consecrate and unite ourselves to Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and strive to put on Mary’s virtues so as to live by the Spirit, we too, will experience His gifts and power in our lives.

As we battle daily for our Salvation on Our Lady’s side, we will be victorious. As on the Miraculous Medal, she will crush the head of the serpent. With the scapular and the Rosary, we can be the legion of Mary “terrible as an army in battle array.” If we allow the Mother of the Church to take us under her mantle and into the refuge of her Immaculate Heart she will bring us to mystical union becoming other gifts for the Father, making our souls the brides of the one Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

We will become the abode of the most Holy Trinity where Jesus said He and the Father would come and abide.

Through the Holy Spirit we will live in union with the Immaculate, brides in the bride even as we become sons in the Son by Divine filiation so we can share in the communion of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

The Spirit and the Bride say Come, Come Lord Jesus!

In the next article we will meditate on Mary, Mother of the Church and in her Spiritual Maternity for Priests.

Anchor guest columnist Grace Small and her husband Bill are parishioners of St. Vincent’s Parish in Attleboro and have recently made their solemn profession as Third Order Franciscans of the Immaculate on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. They are also attending classes with TINE at the Pastoral Center in Braintree, toward a certificate in Catechetical Studies.

For better or worse, in sickness and health, from day one

“I

promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”

On the day of their wedding, most couples make those vows looking ahead to the future, praying that they will have far more happy times than sad, much more wellness than illness.

During the pandemic, however, as the world endures the worst global sickness in a century and millions are enduring truly difficult times, those words take on added meaning.

One of the things that has impressed and inspired me most during these last few months is how many young couples I’ve been preparing for Marriage have prophetically and courageously been willing to make them, now.

Even though their guest lists have had to be pared from hundreds to 10.

Even though they’ve needed to postpone receptions and honeymoons.

Even though they have had to jump various hurdles to get Marriage licenses and invent creative solutions with regard to gowns, tuxes, flowers and other wedding staples because their vendors have been deemed non-essential businesses and are closed.

Even though, in short, they’ve had to let go of many of the elements of what constituted their dream wedding.

One young couple told me that they prayed about what God was asking of them during this time of the pandemic and concluded that He was asking them to give witness to the Sacrament of Matrimony.

“We can’t do anything about the decisions that have been made with regard to the availability of the Sacraments of the Eucharist, Confession, and

the Anointing of the Sick during the crisis,” they told me. “But to the extent that the decision is within our control, we want to show our family members, our fellow Catholics and everyone else, how important the Sacrament of Marriage is.”

Two weeks ago in Atlanta I celebrated the Nuptial Mass of a couple surrounded by just their immediate family members, with everyone else, even their closest friends, needing to watch via the parish website.

The groom told me during our Marriage preparation sessions in New York, “Marriage means joining together with each other and with God, and loving each other through every twist, turn and curve ball that life throws our way.”

I couldn’t resist saying during the homily, “Life has certainly thrown you a curve ball these last couple of months, and the two of you, with four hands on the bat, are crushing that pitch for a lead-off home run.

And all those in attendance here, and the multitudes watching on live stream, are cheering you on as you begin to round the bases of married life.”

Their many friends and family members who were not able to be present in the Church nevertheless arranged a joyful drive-by in their cars after the ceremony to congratulate the new husband and wife.

Another couple is preparing to get married in San Jose in July, where the bride’s family is located. They told me last week that they had encountered a problem: California, presumably to prevent “destination weddings” and the possibility of transmission, was giving Marriage li-

censes only to those where either the bride or groom is resident in the state. Their response: “Father, if we can’t get one there, would it be OK with you if we had the wedding in Connecticut, or New York, or anywhere we can get a license?” I told them I would be honored to celebrate their wedding in any Catholic church on the planet.

Another couple, both of whom come from very large families and understandably disappointed that they were

likely going to have only a few of their respective siblings present during their ceremony, said, “What’s most important, Father, is that you, the two of us and our two witnesses are there, because then the Marriage can happen.”

They expressed the sincere hope, however, that their diocese would at least permit them by the time of their wedding to have a Nuptial Mass so that they could receive Holy Communion after having gone without for several months. I’m happy to say that their diocese has just lifted the ban on public Masses and the Church where they will be married is so big that all of the family members and friends they had originally hoped to invite will be able easily to fit into the church respecting their diocese’s newly-released policies regarding social distancing and percentage occupancy.

I have also had several couples I’m preparing for Marriages this year choose reluctantly to postpone

their wedding until 2021 because they cannot imagine a wedding without all of their family and friends being able to travel to be present, or without a joyful reception afterward. It’s a very difficult choice, regardless of the outcome, one that no couple ever imagined having to make when they got engaged and when they first started to come to see me. Sometimes their families have been putting pressure on them to move the dates as well.

I have noticed a few things, however, that have influenced the couples choosing to keep their dates.

The first is a very strong vocational awareness. They know that they’re called by God to Marriage and they want to respond promptly to that call.

As part of Marriage preparation, when couples tell me that they’re hoping God blesses them with children but that they’re intending to wait a few years before they start trying, I gently raise that one of the devil’s greatest temptations is to get us to think that “there’s always time.”

I ask them, “If you knew you were only going to be married for five years before the other died an heroic death, would it change the way you think about when you’d like to start having children?” It invariably does alter their thinking and gets most to move up the timeline.

I was very pleased when, faced with the decision about whether to postpone the Marriage, one of the couples brought that same point up. “Father, if, by God’s will, we’re only going to be able to be married for five years before one of us gives our life to save another’s,” the brideto-be said, “we would much rather spend that year as

husband and wife. We have the vocation to marry each other, not to be engaged to each other!”

The second characteristic is a deep appreciation for what happens in the Sacrament of Matrimony, that God unites two people who, even though they love each other, are not joined. At a time in which many couples cohabitate and others treat each other as if they were married, the couples choosing to keep their dates in general look at Marriage as God’s bringing into existence something profoundly new, a communion with God and each other they desire and don’t want to defer.

The third is that those keeping their wedding dates are living their engagements with conspicuous chastity. They desire each other and know that they cannot morally consummate that desire and become one flesh until God joins them in one flesh in the Sacrament of Marriage. They likewise are hoping to respond to their public declaration in the Marriage Rite to “receive children lovingly from God and raise them according to the law of Christ and the Church” and try to live out that aspect of their vocation sooner rather than later.

Their choice to get married in the midst of worldwide sickness and tough times is a powerful proclamation that what couples profess to each other in their vows, they really mean.

They are dramatically putting those words into practice from the first day of their spousal coexistence.

And they are giving the Church and the world a provocative and beautiful witness.

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

May 29, 2020 †

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Editorial Knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord

As we celebrate the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost this weekend, we conclude our meditations on the gifts of the Holy Spirit with three final ones: knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

The gift of knowledge requires some explanation, since it could be confused with merely having information in one’s mind. Jesus Himself said at the Last Supper, “Now this is eternal life, that they should know You, the only true God, and the One Whom You sent, Jesus Christ” (Jn 17:3). It is the Spiritual gift of knowledge that Jesus says brings one into eternal life; not just “knowing” Who God is. Satan is aware of God’s existence, but Satan does not have the Spiritual gift of knowledge to truly appreciate Who God is.

St. John Paul II on April 23, 1989 spoke about knowledge. “It is this gift which helps [those who have received it] to value things correctly in their essential dependence on the Creator. Thanks to it, as St. Thomas [Aquinas] writes, ‘man does not esteem creatures more than they are worth and does not place in them the end of his life, but in God’” (ct. “Summa Theol.”. II-II, q. 9, a. 4). Satan rejects dependence upon the Creator and, thus, shows that he does not possess this gift.

The Polish pontiff further explained that this gift helps us to ponder the deeper meaning of things. Someone with this gift “discovers the theological meaning of Creation, seeing things as true and real, although limited, manifestations of the truth, beauty, and infinite love which is God, and consequently he feels impelled to translate this discovery into praise, song, prayer, and thanksgiving.”

Besides giving us this positive appreciation of Creation, this gift also helps us to turn away from sin. “Enlightened by the gift of knowledge, man discovers at the same time the infinite distance which separates things from the Creator, their intrinsic limitation, the danger that they can present, when, through sin, he makes improper use of them. It is a discovery which leads him to realize with remorse his misery and impels him to turn with greater drive and confidence to [God] Who alone can fully satisfy the need of the infinite which assails him.”

An increase in piety would flow from having this knowledge. Pope Francis explained this gift in a talk on June 4, 2014. “The gift of piety stirs in us above all gratitude and praise. When the Holy Spirit allows us to perceive the presence of the Lord and all His love for us, it warms the heart and moves us quite naturally to prayer and celebration. Piety, therefore, is synonymous with the genuine religious spirit, with filial trust in God, with that capacity to pray to Him with the love and simplicity that belongs to those who are humble of heart.”

The Argentine pope said that piety is not a stereotype of “clos[ing] one’s eyes, pos[ing] like a picture and pretend[ing] to be a saint. This is not the gift of piety. The gift of piety means to be truly capable of rejoicing with those who rejoice, of weeping with those who weep, of being close to those who are lonely or OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 64, No. 12

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in anguish, of correcting those in error, of consoling the afflicted, of welcoming and helping those in need. The gift of piety is closely tied to gentleness. The gift of piety which the Holy Spirit gives us makes us gentle, makes us calm, patient, at peace with God, at the service of others with gentleness.” In other words, this Spiritual gift moves us in our prayer to see how we can carry out Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy for others.

The last of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is fear of the Lord. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; prudent are all who practice it” (Ps 111:10).

This is not fright, such as seen in the characters Shaggy and Scooby (on “Scooby Doo”), since they were neither wise nor prudent.

Pope Benedict XVI, in a June 8, 2005 talk, said, “It is not fear and terror that are suggested by [fear of the Lord], but serious and sincere respect which is the fruit of love, a genuine and active attachment to God the Liberator.” If God is our liberator (and He fought the battle for our liberation up to His death), then this serious respect for God is a loving one, trying to appreciate how much God loves us, in spite of what we have done to Him. Pope Benedict did explain that initially there is some fear involved — fear of punishment. He then showed how this fear is an initial push towards wisdom and towards loving God without fear (as we grow towards perfection and are no longer doing things which deserve punishment). He made reference to two Spiritual authors on this topic.

“The Christian writer Barsanuphius of Gaza (active in the first half of the sixth century) comments on [Ps. 111:10]: ‘What is the first stage of wisdom if not the avoidance of all that is hateful to God? And how can one avoid it, other than by first asking for advice before acting, or by saying nothing that should not be said, and in addition, by considering oneself foolish, stupid, contemptible and of no worth whatsoever?’” In other words, having fear of the Lord leads to changes in our actions.

The German pontiff then referred to a more positive assessment of this gift.

“However, John Cassian (who lived between the fourth and fifth centuries) preferred to explain that ‘there is a great difference between love, which lacks nothing and is the treasure of wisdom and knowledge, and imperfect love, called the first stage of wisdom. The latter, which in itself contains the idea of punishment, is excluded from the hearts of the perfect because they have reached the fullness of love.”

Pope Benedict then concluded on a positive note by using a more contemporary name for this gift (wonder and awe). “Thus, on the journey through life towards Christ, our initial servile fear is replaced by perfect awe which is love, a gift of the Holy Spirit.”

May our knowledge of God move us to grow in our piety (both in terms of our prayer lives and how we put into practice what we pray about), so that we can rejoice in awe over the love God has for us.

Daily Readings † May 30 - June 12

Sat. May 30, Acts 28:16-20,30-31; Ps 11:4-5,7; Jn 21:20-25. Sun. May 31, Pentecost Sunday: Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a,16-20b or Ez 37:1-4 or Jl 3:1-5; Ps 104:1-2a,24,35c,27-28,29bc-30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39. Day: Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1,24,29-31,34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7,12-13; Sequence Veni Sancte Spiritus; Jn 20:19-23.

Mon. June 1, Gn 3:9-15,20 or Acts 1:12-14; Ps 87:1-3,5-7; Jn 19:25-34. Tue. June 2, 2 Pt 3:12-15a,17-18; Ps 90:2-4,10,14,16; Mk 12:13-17. Wed. June 3, 2 Tm 1:1-3,612; Ps 123:1b-2; Mk 12:18-27. Thu. June 4, 2 Tm 2:8-15; Ps 25:4-5b,8-10 ,14; Mk 12:28-34. Fri. June 5, 2 Tm 3:10-17; Ps 119:157,160-161,165-166,168; Mk 12:35-37.

Sat. June 6, 2 Tm 4:1-8; Ps 71: 8-9,14-15b,16-17,22; Mk 12:38-44. Sun. June 7, Holy Trinity Sunday, Ex 34:4b-6,8-9; (Ps) Dn 3:52-55; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18.

Mon. June 8, 1 Kgs 17:1-6; Ps 121:1b-8; Mt 5:1-12. Tue. June 9, 1 Kgs 17:7-16; Ps 4:2-5,7b-8; Mt 5:13-16. Wed. June 10, 1 Kgs 18:20-39; Ps 16:1b-2a,4-5,8,11; Mt 5:17-19. Thu. June 11, Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3; Ps 98:1-6; Mt 5:20-26. Fri. June 12, 1 Kgs 19:9a,11-16; Ps 27:7-9c,13-14; Mt 5:27-32.

T

he young man was making the after-school help session so much longer and more difficult than it had to be. Today, everything was a major debate. Then, without warning, he switched topics to religion. He said, “Do you hear God talking to you?” Based on his prior behavior, I replied (icily), “Yes I do. And if your goal today is to make fun of me for that please know we are not marching down that road.” For the first time that afternoon there was respect in his demeanor and tone as he said, “I promise you, Dr. Flavin, that I would never do that.”

Many years later, I still marvel at the ability of the adolescent mind to instantly switch from disengagement to avid reflection.

Neuroscience calls it selective attention. As we mature to adults, we have taught ourselves to divert instead of deeply focus our attention.

We call that diverted (or partial attention) multi-tasking.

In a Coronavirus-filled world where our traditional ways of community worship have been interrupted, we are streaming Mass (or watching Mass on TV).

It is far too easy to get distracted amidst our personal living space.

That distraction registers to us as more of questioning of the presence of God. How to remedy this?

We each need to work to bring to consciousness what works for us to guide ourselves to deep reflection.

At a recent Zoom meeting, the Massachusetts Sisters of Providence and Associates discussed simple ideas for making part of our home that Sacred space where I go to be with God. It isn’t as if God now comes by due to my little changes. It is simply that my little changes focus my attention away from the everyday use of that space and back to my dialog with God. It really is not that different than what I do when I enter church.

At the door, I shelf my worldly concerns. Then, I move forward focused upon being with God. Preparing to enter the Sacred space is important. One can find

Carving out Sacred space

the Mass prayers online and print them. A little prayer time before Mass focuses me upon my listening for God. Turning off the phone ringer, putting the cell phone in the other room, turning off all emails (and things that would allow pop ups), opening the window shades/ curtains to be able to feel the presence of God’s Creation (or closing the window if the world outside is a distractor), and lighting that candle serve to demarcate that Sacred space. The simple acts of praying out loud as well as standing and sitting as I would at Mass also aids in my recognition of the TV or streamed Mass as community worship. All of these little changes focus our attention to Who is within that Sacred space, thus allowing us to more deeply sense our ever-present Lord.

Equally important is what I choose to do as I leave the Sacred space. Two things that can guide us in these uncertain times are Jesus’ example and the Greatest Commandment. Jesus distanced Himself from the world to go to a Sacred space to pray and to be with the Father. Upon returning, Jesus brought the Father’s love to the disciples and to all those He encountered on His Journey. With His example Jesus showed us how to live the Greatest Commandment. Jesus’ words: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest Commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself ” (Mt 26: 36-40).

After I have worshiped God and been open to deepening my personal relationship with God through participation in Mass (albeit remotely via TV or computer), then it is time for me to return to the world where I am called to move to the community aspect of me and

my neighbor. In the world today how can I bring God’s love to my neighbor? Maybe it is a phone call, maybe a remote meeting, maybe it is me putting on a mask and walking through my neighborhood. I can stay six to eight feet away (masked) and still have a twinkle in my eye as I converse for a moment with my neighbor. Each of us sharing that together we will get through this.

Back to my student — I explained each of us senses (“hears”) God’s gentle whisper in our own way. Had he thought he had heard God? He replied he was not sure God existed. I smiled and told him that all the saints had similar questions. Questions were important because they were starting points that led us to seek answers. My words to him that day were simpler, but akin to those of Michael Smith. Say to God “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord; I want to see You.” Then listen intently for God’s answer.

Anchor columnist Dr. Helen J. Flavin, Ph.D.., is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer.

May 29, 2020 †

7

CRS launches new ‘Lead the Way on Hunger’ campaign continued from page two

greater impact.”

“We’re asking people to join in and advocate,” Callahan said. “Currently the U.S. government — and rightfully so — is reaching out to U.S. communities and providing economic support for those communities, trying to help people respond to this crisis time.

We are asking that a small percentage of those funds

be designated for overseas and we’re calling for a $12 billion proposal bill to come out to assist the overseas assistance, so all of our brothers and sisters will be prepared and will not be overwhelmed by this crisis.

“We are also asking people to join our campaign to celebrate what the Catholic Church is doing, to recognize what

it’s doing, and to get the word out. We can help our brothers and sisters around the world, and we’ve had a track record of reducing poverty and hunger over the last 10 years or so. Unfortunately, that is spiking back up right now and we need to be on the forefront of addressing it through Church leadership, through U.S. leadership,

and through the action of the people in the pews.”

Those interested can support CRS’ “Lead the Way on Hunger” campaign in the following ways: — Advocate by writing, calling or visiting with members of Congress to increase funding for global nutrition and other programs to prevent and end hunger; pass the Global Child Thrive Act to help children reach their God-given potential; and address our changing climate and the needs of our one human family.

— Donate your time and resources to help support and increase CRS’ life-changing hunger solutions around the world; compel others to

take part in and support our work overseas; and organize and publicize a community fund-raiser.

— Inspire and motivate others to pray for our vulnerable brothers and sisters as a community; stand with and advocate for the world’s hungry; and learn about hunger and its solutions and educate community members on the issue.

More information about the campaign can be found online at https://www.crs.org/ get-involved/lead-way/ hunger.

Those interested in working to establish a CRS chapter here in the Fall River Diocese should contact Claire McManus at cmcmanus@dfrcs.org.

Cape parish continues charitable works continued from page three

American Heritage Girls Troop MA3712 celebrated its End of the Year Ceremony on May 18. Due to this year’s unique circumstances, the girls dressed in their uniforms to attend a virtual End-of-Year Ceremony. Each girl was recognized for badges, patches and service stars that she had earned with the troop or at home.

These are being mailed to each girl by their unit leaders. A special thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and the charter partner, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk. The troop looks forward to the start of a new program year in September.

Our three heroes

God Bless You and Keep You Safe Auntie Irene and Uncle Buddy 8

† May 29, 2020

COVID-19 restrictions.

“Our volunteers continue to be amazing,” he said. “They are dauntless in trying to help those who need such a service. More than 194 volunteer hours were logged recently. This includes the unloading of the Greater Boston Food Bank delivery truck on Tuesday, the Wednesday crew — packers, greeters, loaders, traffic controllers and ‘runners’ — and administrative tasks done during the week.”

Father Healey said he hopes they can reach the $100,000 goal that Vining has set, since reliable sources of funds for the food pantry in the past have been curtailed due to the Coronavirus.

“Proceeds from the annual CTK Classic Golf Tournament held at Willowbend Country Club each September and

a portion of the profits from the Christ the King Thrift Shop would support the food pantry,” Father Healey said. “But as during the pandemic the thrift shop has been closed and the possibility of a golf tournament is uncertain, it is hoped that the remaining $22,000plus to be raised from Michael Vining’s challenge will be realized so as to ensure that the parish can continue to help meet the needs of those who are struggling to get by under these present circumstances.”

Donations to the Christ the King Parish Matthew 25 Fund can be made online at https:// christthekingparishmashpee. aware3.net/give/, or mailed to: Christ the King Parish, 5 Jobs Fishing Road, P.O. Box 1800, Mashpee Mass.

02649.

Taunton hospital deacon ‘sees Jesus’ in COVID-19 patients; pastoral care team provides comfort, support to families and staff

By Dave Jolivet Print Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

TAUNTON — Last year at this time, Deacon Anthony Cipriano, director of Pastoral Care of the Sick at Morton Hospital in Taunton, and ministering at St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Attleboro, was assisting the Catholic Appeal, explaining in a promotional video how the generosity of faithful across the diocese touches many in need in the Diocese of Fall River (see screen capture on this page).

Today, Deacons Cipriano and Philip Bedard, also ministering to the Taunton Catholic Churches North, are on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 at Morton Hospital.

In early April that Taunton facility was designated as a care center for Coronavirus patients only, and an often difficult ministry became more so and more dangerous as well.

The Anchor reached out to Deacon Cipriano to ask him to share with readers

what ministering in such a fluid and ever-changing environment has been like.

He was very quick to point out that the healthcare workers and the priest chaplains are the real heroes. “All of the glory goes to God,” Deacon Cipriano told The Anchor. “I am a servant and nothing more.

“Father [Richard] Wilson, Father [Edward A.] Murphy and Father [John] Murray are my heroes.

“I was called to serve and be a chaplain. Every C-19 patient is embraced

by God; I just stand and pray in Jesus’ Name to every patient in that hospital.

“But, the true heroes anoint, pray and in Jesus’ name remove sin before those who are on the verge of death pass. The priests are my heroes.”

The deacon, who professed as a Secular Franciscan along with his wife in 1990, shared that St. Francis had a great fear and abhorrence of lepers.

One day Francis met a man with leprosy and despite his “horror and disgust” kissed the man and out of

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1

compassion offered him money. “But when Francis mounted his horse again and looked all around, he could not see the leper,” added Deacon Cipriano. “It dawned on him that it was Jesus Whom he had just kissed.

“I have always seen Jesus Christ in every patient.

It does not matter to me if they are religious or atheist.

We are all created by God.” Ministering in a secular hospital, the deacon encounters many patients who are not Catholic or of any Christian faith, yet he is always there to pray for them and with them if they choose.

When asked if he sees more of a reliance on God among the COVID-19 patients he encounters, surprisingly he said for the most part, no. “Men, most men, I find they are in denial,” he shared. “If I bless them, they think they are dying.

“Women are stronger and prone to pray more than men. Women welcome a blessing. Women are more Spiritual by nature while in the hospital.”

The pastoral care team also works with family members. “I only get to meet family members when the patient is dying or died,” Deacon Cipriano told The Anchor. He added that he always shares chapter 14 in John’s Gospel which begins, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Believe in God, believe in Me also” (Jn 14:1). The Gospel story shares Jesus’ comforting His Apostles despite telling them about

His imminent trials and sufferings. The great hope the Lord shares is that He will be with them again.

“It brings great comfort to family members that their loved ones are with Christ,” the deacon said.

“Sometimes I am present.

I wait for a question or a statement. I console the family to the best of my ability.”

It isn’t only the patients and families who receive words of hope and comfort from Deacons Cipriano and Bedard. They are also there for the heavily burdened health care staff.

“I think a high percentage of nurses have post-traumatic stress,” Deacon Cipriano told The Anchor. “It is difficult and painful to see so many people die in such a short period.

“I promised doctors, nurses, CNAs, and environmentalists that I would pray for them every day. I now wake up at 3 a.m. and read my morning prayers.

Then I go back to bed and get up at 4:25 a.m., and I am at the hospital at 6 a.m.

I write a new prayer every day and go from station to station to pray with the third shift and the first shift coming in.

“Last week I spoke about PTS and offered to listen to anyone who would like to talk about this emotional roller coaster life and death.

“I was approached by a nurse who was sobbing because a whole family died from the virus. The mother was her age; the daughter was the same age as her daughter, and the husband was fighting for his life, not knowing his wife and daughter passed.”

Despite the constant threat of death around them, Deacon Cipriano says the healthcare workers are extremely strong and resilient. “They all work closely together, including nurses from around the country,” he added. “Nurses are very knowledgeable when it comes to complex situations. I find them to be very confident in their skill set.

“By working together, they communicate exceptionally well. I marvel at the way they work together.

When a patient crashes, about eight to 10 nurses and doctors work in concert with one another.

One doctor calling out the commands, and everyone in that room knows exactly 8 Turn to page 11

May 29, 2020 †

9

Masses in diocese to resume May 30-31 with precautions continued from page one

of that, Bishop da Cunha announced that churches in the Fall River Diocese would open for Masses for the May 30-31 weekend, the feast of Pentecost in the Church’s calendar.

The bishop pointed out that the allowance of public worship in Massachusetts requires first and foremost that all necessary safety measures were in place.

In a letter to pastors sent May 22, the bishop established a lengthy set of guidelines for the safe resumption of Mass celebrations in churches this weekend.

“In order to open churches for the celebration of Masses, pastors should follow all Massachusetts guidelines for safety and social distancing and be mindful of our own Catholic traditions for reverent celebration of the Mass and Sacraments,” the bishop wrote. “These guidelines will remain in force until further notice or changes by the governor allow for or require revision. It is important to remember that these directives and guidelines are not intended to be permanent adjustments to normal practice but temporary responses to the epidemic.

Reopening will not mean an immediate return to our practices prior to suspension of public Masses. Everyone’s patience, understanding and cooperation will be needed and is appreciated.

“Due to particular circumstances at each parish, the procedures for safe and reverent celebrations are left to the prudential judgment of the pastor. Charity and understanding are asked of all the faithful as parishes begin to celebrate public Masses. One parish may not be able to offer the same opportunities as a neighboring parish due to size, 10

space limitations or other circumstances. In all cases, a pastor should communicate clearly and frequently with his parishioners about all procedures for communal celebrations.”

Beginning on the Vigil of Pentecost, Saturday evening, May 30, Masses will resume in the diocese. This includes the celebration of funeral and wedding Masses. Pastors are also allowed to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on Catholic participants in the RCIA program, and dates will be selected to confer Confirmation to eligible young people.

It’s important to note that although public Masses will resume, those who are considered the most “vulnerable and at-risk” in contracting the Coronavirus are encouraged to remain home and continue to participate via live-streamed services.

“There are obvious potential risks to anyone attending Mass these days given the pandemic,” the bishop wrote. “Those who are feeling sick or have any symptoms of illness must remain home. Pastors are encouraged to continue providing Masses online for those unable to attend. The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will remain in effect until further notice.”

Under the guidelines, churches will be limited to a maximum of 40 percent of normal capacity and the sixfoot social distancing rule will remain in force.

Pastors have been encouraged to tape off pews to allow for social distancing; to use a single entrance so that congregants can be counted while arriving (keeping in mind the needs for handicap accessibility); to empty all Holy Water fonts; to provide collection baskets at the entrance in

† May 29, 2020

— A hospitality volunteer may be appointed to ensure social distancing. lieu of an offertory; and to Except for members of the remove all hymnals, pew same household, faithful cards, Missalettes and other must always remain at least shared literature. six feet apart during the In order to be prepared, Mass. pastors have also been — Door monitors may asked to set up a means to also be needed to make sure pre-register those who plan the maximum number alto attend a service — eilowed is not exceeded. This ther online, via email or by maximum number includes telephone. This will ensure the priest, ministers, livesthat each Mass celebration tream videographers and doesn’t exceed the 40 peranyone else in the space cent cap. during Mass.

For the distribution of — The use of face Holy Communion, several masks/coverings is recomrecommendations have mended by the CDC and been made to ensure safety mandated by the governor protocols while maintaining of the Commonwealth, reverence for the Blessed unless unable because of a Sacrament. medical condition or under All priests, deacons and the age of two. Priests and extraordinary ministers of Liturgical ministers are not Holy Communion are urged required to wear masks to use hand sanitizer before during the celebration of and after distribution. They Mass, but they are required are also required to wear to wear them (or a shield) masks while distributing the during the distribution of Blessed Sacrament. Priests Holy Communion. are to be provided face — Masses should be shields from the diocese for of shorter duration. Time this purpose. spent in proximity increases Social distancing should the risk of transmission. be maintained during the For this reason, pastors and Communion procession — priest celebrants are asked single file lines are ento employ legitimate opcouraged, keeping six-feet tions as given in the Roman between each person. Holy Missal to keep Masses to a Communion can be distrib- shorter duration. uted either at the normal — Fully respectful of time during the Liturgy, or the very important role that after the final blessing as music plays in our Liturcongregants exit the church, gies, and also respectful of in order to minimize close the public health concerns, contact. the congregation should Recipients must remove be instructed not to sing, masks and gloves when either by announcement coming forward to receive or by signs. There can be a the Eucharist and the Host cantor and an instrumenmust be consumed immetalist, who would provide diately. No distribution of music during the Mass. the Precious Blood will be Choirs should not be used allowed, and during this during these days. period of health concern, in — Cantors need not order to avoid risk of conwear a mask while singing, tamination, Communion maintaining a safe distance should only be given in the from others. hand and not on the tongue.

— Altar servers are Among some of the strongly discouraged. other safety precautions that — There is to be no are being recommended: Sign of Peace at this time.

This can be replaced by a moment of quiet prayer or by wishing peace to each without physical contact.

— Outdoor Masses may be permitted if proper social distancing and state guidelines are followed.

— Multiple exits should be used at the end of Mass to expedite departure and minimize chances of people encountering one another.

In all cases, social distancing must be observed and the faithful are encouraged not to congregate before or after Masses.

— The celebrant must maintain social distance if greeting people after Mass.

In addition to managing all these safety protocols for Mass celebrations, pastors will further be required to organize staff and volunteers to clean the pews and other common-use areas, including restrooms, immediately after Mass. Most surfaces and objects will just need normal routine cleaning. But frequently-touched surfaces and objects (i.e. switches and doorknobs) will need to be cleaned and then disinfected to further reduce the risk of germs.

Bishop da Cunha has advised the five deans in the diocese to have regular conversations with pastors as to how things are going during this first phase of reopening and report back to him or the vicar general as needed.

“I pray that all of us in this diocesan family, clergy and laity will remain united in prayer as we move forward toward the reopening of our churches,” Bishop da Cunha said.

“Our Easter season culminates with Pentecost as we commemorate the occasion of God’s sending the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ disciples after His Resurrection. This year, it will offer us added joy as we resume public celebrations of Masses in our churches across the Fall River Diocese.”

Appeal kicks off in time of great need during pandemic continued from page one

our beloved parish and collaborative communities.

A storm like this, however, also shows how our acts of compassion and generosity bring Christ’s message to light, even in the darkest times. Your support of the Catholic Appeal assists people in all phases of life and upholds the numerous agencies, programs, and ministries meeting the needs of countless individuals and families in the Diocese of Fall River.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a glimpse of what life is like

for our sick, homebound, and homeless neighbors who lack regular access to the full Sacramental life of the Church. It has robbed households of the dignity of stable employment. We have had the opportunity to understand firsthand the importance of the weekly television Mass, food pantries and soup kitchens, emergency housing and homeless shelters, and the tireless work of our hospital chaplains. Your contribution will allow these and all the good works of the diocese to continue at

a time when we need them so desperately. Together, we can care for those who are most vulnerable in their hour of greatest need, and emerge from this storm — which I hope will end soon — stronger than ever.”

Services and ministries sustained by the Catholic Appeal include Catholic Social Services (CSS), which is currently working around-the-clock to provide essential services and programs, prioritizing the immediate needs of the homeless, sheltered, and those with food insecurity.

Pastoral care team provides comfort at Taunton hospital continued from page nine

what to do.”

But like everyone going through the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare workers are human. “A nurse last week was in a corner crying,” the deacon shared. “I asked her if she wanted to talk. She told me she was embarrassed to tell me what was going on. I promised her I would never judge her in any way.

“She told me her daughter was just rushed to a hospital and was going to be in a psych ward. Her daughter is 12 years old and is a cutter. She told me her husband had put a tremendous amount of pressure on her daughter to become a lawyer. When she spoke to her daughter on the phone, the first words out of her daughter’s mouth were she didn’t want to be a lawyer. I couldn’t imagine so much pressure on a 12-year-old.

“I told her she should go home and be with her daughter. She needed permission in her mind to go

home and not worry about the crisis at Morton.”

Every day we all see the images and hear the dialogues on television or on social media about the pandemic. Many have opinions, suggestions, political views and slants, and suggestions.

What we don’t see every day on these outlets are those who are affected most by this plague — the ground zeros, the rooms of COVID-19 patients and hallways of hospitals and nursing homes bustling with people trying to help their brothers and sisters heal, be less afraid, to provide comfort in their final hours, or be a Christ-like presence to family members who are heartbroken and despondent.

We see the numbers, much like in the 60s when national television would soberly broadcast daily the number of dead, injured or missing soldiers in Vietnam.

We see the numbers, but not the stories — the stories of

priests, deacons, chaplains, nurses and doctors. Stories of fatigue, fear, helplessness, hope, encouragement, healing, loss and faithfully doing what God has them there for, regardless of race or color or religion.

In Morton Hospital in Taunton and in hospitals and nursing homes and other such facilities, Christ is there walking the halls in the presence of others.

“Every blessing is the same,” Deacon Cipriano told The Anchor. “If the person is a Christian, I remind them of their Baptism, washed in the Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

“I tell them the Blood of Christ is flowing into their hearts and out of their hearts and into their veins and their arteries.

“The Blood of Christ is flowing through their brain and significant organs to give them the healing they desire.”

Words of hope in turbulent times.

During this crisis, CSS is focusing its efforts on providing shelters to individuals and families, offering sustenance through its food pantry and soup kitchen, and ensuring families in need have access to basic needs including diapers, food, cleaning supplies, and activities.

The Catholic Appeal also funds the work of our hospital chaplains, the weekly television Mass, support for our retired priests and seminarians, campus ministry at area colleges, the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation, and the Diocesan Office of Pro-Life.

As an added incentive this year, parishes and collaboratives will receive .50 on every dollar raised when they surpass a five percent increase over what they raised during last year’s Appeal. Not only will this provide additional funds for those most in need, it is also an opportunity to assist our parishes at this critical time.

Additional information on this year’s Catholic Appeal is available

on its website: www. catholicfoundationsema. org/catholic-appeal-2020/, including a video message from Bishop da Cunha and a summary of how the $4.1 million raised through the 2019 Catholic Appeal had been distributed across the various ministries and programs it supports.

Please check back in the days ahead as new content will be added, including a series of video testimonials and inspiring stories about those who have been helped by Appeal-funded services.

Contributions to the Catholic Appeal may be made either through a one-time donation or through monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual pledges. Donations may be mailed to the Catholic Appeal Office, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720, made online at www. givefrdiocese.org/2020, or dropped off at any parish in the diocese. Please contact the Catholic Appeal Office at 508-6751311 with any questions.

May 29, 2020 †

11

I

F ocus on C hurch Y outh Happy Birthday!

did not want to write about the pandemic. I did not want to write about the sacrifices we have had to make in the last three months.

I did not want to write about the light at the end of the tunnel. And then, as I was figuring out what to write about, they announce that we are reopening the churches — on Pentecost weekend! How could I not write about the pandemic and churches reopening on Pentecost?

Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church. It is the day that Jesus sent out His Spirit onto His Apostles and they went and shared the Good News with all the world. The Spirit descended on the Apostles in tongues of fire and in turn the Apostles went out and “set the world on fire.” The Apostles had been lost since Jesus ascended into Heaven. They were stuck in this “now what?” situation. His last words to them were “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age”. (Mt 28:18-20).

What did that mean? How were they going to go to all nations, and how was He going to be with them always? Christ gave the Apostles a reason to leave 12

the upper room. He gave them a mission. This is similar to where we find ourselves today. We need to leave the upper rooms and share the Good News.

There has been so much sadness, confusion and anger. It is our mission to go make disciples. They had their reason to go

back out. We have ours.

Father Mike Schmitz in his Ascension Thursday homily said that it’s more than just going back. It has to be different. If we go back to church and nothing has changed, if we have not changed, if our worship has not changed, then we are failing to live what we believe. He reminds us that the Ascension happened for a reason. Jesus could have just stayed in His resurrected form and wandered around for the rest of eternity here on Earth. He did not do this, though. Father Mike said that it is a reminder to us that resurrection is not the goal, restoration is the goal. If it was just to resurrect, why ascend?

This is a time for us to restore what has been lost, what has been broken, and what has just become stagnant. I cannot wait

† May 29, 2020

to receive Christ in the Eucharist again. I think I might cry because I have missed Him so much.

However, I need to keep that passion for the Eucharist going. This time away from the Sacraments should change us into realizing just how awesome the Sacraments really are. Restore what has become dull.

Put back what has been lost. This is our mission!

It is time to really, truly celebrate the birthday of our Church.

We are getting the best birthday present we could ever receive this year. We are getting a chance to once again be united with Christ in a physical way, and to pray with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s not let this opportunity pass us by. Let us, on this feast of Pentecost, restore not only our faith, but the faith of the rest of the world.

Like those Apostles, let us go out to the world and make disciples of all nations! Let us set our world on fire!

Anchor columnist Amanda Tarantelli has been a campus minister at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth since 2005.

She is married, a diehard sports fan, and resides in Riverside, R.I. She can be reached at atarantelli@bishopstang. org.

Heroes wanted

FALL RIVER — We ask our readers to inform The Anchor staff if you know of someone or some group that deserves to be recognized, as a way of thanking them, and also to provide an example of what can be done in the most dire of situations.

It’s not a nomination process. We would just like to compile some brief examples of good people doing good things.

You can reach Ken Souza, Dave Jolivet or Father Richard Wilson at the following email addresses: kensouza@anchornews.org; davejolivet@anchornews.org; FatherWilson@anchornews.org.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, May 31 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Santo Christo Church in Fall River

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass

on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, June 7 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Immaculate Conception Church in New Bedford

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, May 31 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, V.F., Pastor of St. Anthony Parish in East Falmouth, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in North Falmouth, and St. Patrick Parish in Falmouth.

Sunday, June 7 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael Racine, Pastor of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Lawrence Martyr parishes in New Bedford.

In Your Prayers

Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks: May 30 Rev. Jordan Harpin, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1929 Rev. Edmond J. Potvin, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1937 Rev. James M. Quinn, Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1950 Rev. Robert T. Canuel, Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1993 May 31 Rev. Vincent A. Wolski, OFM Conv., Pastor, Holy Cross, Fall River, 1964 June 1 Rev. James A. Ward, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Provincetown, 1911 Permanent Deacon Gregory J. Beckel, 2018 June 3 Most Rev. James J. Gerrard, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Fall River 1959-1976, Retired Pastor St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1991 Rev. Luis A. Cardoso, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 2011 June 4 Rev. Louis J. Terrien, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1920 Rev. Jose P. d’Amaral, Parochial Vicar, Santo Christo, Fall River 1949 Rev. George Daigle, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro 1979 June 5 Very Rev. Thomas J. McLean, V.F. Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1954 Rev. Msgr. Louis Prevost, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Edmund R. Levesque, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 2011 June 6 Rev. Cornelius J. Keliher, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1993 June 8 Rev. John S. Czerwonka, Assistant, St. Stanislaus, Fall River, 1961 June 9 Rev. Timothy J. Calnen, Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1945 Rev. Joseph S. Larue, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1966 June 10 Rev. William H. Curley, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1915 Rev. George A. Meade, Chaplain, St. Mary’s Home, New Bedford, 1949 June 11 Rev. Msgr. Augusto L. Furtado, Retired Pastor, St. John of God, Somerset, 1973 Rev. Richard J. Wolf, S.J., Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, 1986

Pax Christi USA initiates new effort: the ‘Pledge to Protect Others’ On May 17, Pax Christi USA initiated a new effort, the “Pledge to Protect Others,” as a thoughtful, compassionate response for this next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pledge works as both an “examination of conscience,” helping people to pause and think about how they will act in the context of our states and cities starting to “reopen” and what that means for themselves and the larger community; and secondly, it functions as an “act of solidarity” with others, articulating how we will demonstrate consideration for how our actions affect others, how we are taking personal responsibility to protect friends and strangers, and how we are prioritizing the common good, including making personal sacrifices.

Together for the good of all In early March as the Coronavirus outbreak escalated into a global pandemic, people came together to face the threat posed to all of us. Faced with the prospect of many of us becoming sick, of watching friends and loved ones, neighbors and co-workers contract the virus, suffer and possibly die, we undertook sacrifices to protect ourselves and others, especially the most vulnerable among us.

We listened as medical professionals, scientists and healthcare providers forewarned how the pan-

demic could spread and overwhelm our hospitals, and we rallied together in an effort to stem that tide.

We listened to those elected leaders who followed the guidelines scientists and the healthcare community provided and we chose to minimize the risk as much as we could.

Those of us who could stay home have. We are wearing masks and keeping a safe distance from each other. We are washing our hands, shutting down our nonessential businesses, working to provide essential services at great risk, and making many personal sacrifices.

We did this together for the good of all.

Despite the anxiety and lack of clear direction about what the next steps are and how to move forward in a way that is responsible and safe, we embrace the ethical responsibility that we have to continue to value and protect one another, especially those who are most vulnerable.

The pledge is a commitment each of us can make to demonstrate our concern for one another and our own capacity to act responsibly and compassionately. As more people take this pledge, our individual action contributes to a rising wave of people joining together in solidarity to prioritize the health, safety and well-being of all.

The Pledge Until a vaccine has been developed and

testing is accessible and available to all, and because of my desire to protect family and friends and my wish not to cause harm to another’s family or friends, I pledge: — To follow the advice of healthcare workers and scientists about what I can do to help limit the suffering due to this virus; — To protect others by observing stay-athome orders and, whether specific orders are in place or not, continuing to limit my interactions and practice social distancing; — To listen to the voices and expertise of those most vulnerable, those whose suffering is exacerbated because of the racism and social inequities that existed before this pandemic, and to value the dignity of all and stand in solidarity with those most at risk; — To care for and advocate with those working in conditions that jeopardize their safety and those whose livelihoods are threatened because of the economic distress of this time; — To support those leaders who honor their responsibility for our communities by seeking ways to bring us together instead of tearing us apart.

This pandemic has shown us just how intertwined our lives are, how intricately our own fate is bound to the fate of friends and strangers alike all around the world.

May 29, 2020 †

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NEW BEDFORD — Father Albert Dagnoli, SS.CC., a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary — U.S. Province, passed away on May 14 in New Bedford, after a brief period of hospitalization.

Father Dagnoli, who celebrated his 88th birthday on May 11, was born in Bellows Falls, Vt. to Adam and Madeline Dagnoli. In addition to his SS.CC. Brothers at Damien Residence in Fairhaven, where he resided, he is survived by his brother John Dagnoli and his sister Catherine Godsoe, both of New Hampshire.

After his graduation from Bellows Falls, Vermont

Father Albert Dagnoli, SS.CC.

High School in 1950, Father Dagnoli attended St. Jerome’s College in Kitchener, Ontario and St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minn.

He entered the Novitiate of the Congregation in Fairhaven, and made his profession of vows on Aug. 22,1962.

On May 30, 1968 he was ordained to the priesthood in Jaffrey Center, N.H. His first assignment was to St. Francis Parish in Acushnet.

In 1970 Father Dagnoli received permission from the Congregation to enter the United States Navy. For 16 years he served as a Navy Chaplain and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his service to crew

members on board the U.S.S. Enterprise. In 1986, having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander, he requested retirement from the Navy at which time his commander wrote: “Commander Dagnoli has done an absolutely superb job of ministering to the Spiritual needs and enhancing the morale of more than 6,000 of the destroyer squadron eight family, making a magnificent contribution to

Sister Marie Jeanne Beauregard, O.P.

FALL RIVER — Sister Marie Jeanne Beauregard, O.P., of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died Monday, May 18 in Fall River. She was 91 years of age.

The daughter of the late Romeo and Marie Jeanne (Rivard) Beauregard, she was born Feb. 20, 1929 in St. Liboire, Quebec, Canada.

Sister Marie Jeanne entered the Novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in Fall River on Jan. 6, 1949, made her First Profession Aug. 30, 1950, and Final Profession Aug. 30, 1953.

Sister Marie Jeanne’s first ministry was farm maintenance at St. Rose Convent in Acushnet, as well as caretaker of St. Joseph’s Grotto on the grounds of the convent (1952-59).

She then moved to Plattsburgh, N.Y., where she was sacristan at St. Peter’s Church, as well as a driver for the Sisters and in charge 14

of maintenance at St. Dominic’s Convent.

Sister Marie Jeanne returned to Massachusetts in 1969, where she provided support services for the Sisters at St. Catherine’s Convent on Park Street in Fall River. She also supervised the cleaning of Dominican Academy and worked in the academy cafeteria until the school closed.

She also did sewing and professional alterations, was infirmary assistant, sacristan and an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion from 1995 until the convent closed in 2002.

While living on Park Street Sister Marie Jeanne was involved in many fund-raisers: bingo, the annual yard sale, the “Festival of Joy” and, for 13 years, the craft shows at Durfee High School.

In 2002 she was one of seven Dominican Sisters to move to the Landmark Independent and Assisted Living facility in Fall

† May 29, 2020

River where she continued to provide transportation for the Sisters, did sewing and alterations for school cafeteria workers and many other customers, was sacristan and an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at the chapel there, and visited the Sisters who moved from Landmark to nursing facilities, seeing to all their needs.

In her spare time Sister Marie Jeanne enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, word search and Sudoku.

Sister is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Antonio and her sisters Jeannine Lemay, Therese Tremblay, Noella and Marie-Paule Beauregard.

She is survived by siblings Germain, Paul, Eglantine, Andre, and Helene.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Boule Funeral Home and burial was in Notre Dame Cemetery.

fleet readiness, retention and most of all, peace of mind. I am saddened at the prospect of losing a splendid chaplain, naval officer, good friend and wise counselor.”

Granted an honorable discharge, he return to Fairhaven to begin his beloved preaching ministry in parishes around the country, a ministry which he continued to enjoy until his retirement

to Damien Residence in 2016.

A private Funeral Mass was celebrated at Damien Chapel in Fairhaven followed by burial in the Sacred Hearts Community Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Sacred Hearts Community at Damien Residence, 73 Adams Street, P.O. Box 111, Fairhaven, Mass., 02719.

Arrangements were handled

by Fairhaven Funeral Home.

Sister Louise Place, O.P. MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. — Sister Louise Place, O.P. (Sister Mary Lawrence) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope died April 23 at the Wartburg, Mount Vernon, N.Y. She was 90 years of age.

The daughter of the late William and Mary Louise Rousselle Place, she was born May 14, 1929 in Fall River.

Sister Louise entered the Novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River on Feb. 1, 1947, made her First Profession Aug. 30, 1948, and Final Profession Aug. 30, 1952.

Sister Louise earned a bachelor’s in education from the College of the Sacred Hearts, Fall River.

Sister Louise was a dedicated teacher much loved by her students. She taught in several different schools in Massachusetts between 19482007. These schools included the Dominican Academy in Fall River; St. Patrick’s School in Fall River and St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet was where she spent more than 40 years. Sister taught and witnessed the growth of several generations during her time there. At St. Francis she taught a variety of grades and then later served as a substitute teacher and volunteer.

Sister organized the school’s first walk-a-thon in 1973, and

was actively involved in this successful fund-raiser until her retirement in 2007.

Besides her responsibilities as a parochial school teacher, Sister Louise also taught Religious Education classes for St. Anne’s Parish in Mooers Forks N.Y. and for St. Augustine’s Parish in Peru, N.Y. In January 2008, Sister moved to the Dominican Sisters Center of Hope in Newburgh, N.Y. She moved to the Wartburg in Mount Vernon, N.Y. in 2009.

Sister Louise will be remembered for the twinkle in her eye, her great sense of humor, her love for pranks, her baseball card collection, and most especially her deep faith and generous spirit.

Sister Louise was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Thomas and William and her sister Dorothy Perkins. She is survived by her nephew Bradford Perkins and her niece Dianne Jacques.

Sister Louise has been cremated and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, at a later date when conditions permit. Internment of Sister’s cremains will follow that Liturgy in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River.

“B

rothers and sisters, we know that all Creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”

Pentecost is a celebration of the birth of our Church, and the symbol of our renewed selves. These words of St. Paul to the Romans are weighted with importance as we try to escape from the grip of this pandemic.

Creation is groaning, and we will become a new people at the other end of this struggle.

Much has changed in our world in the months since we first heard about a medical crisis happening somewhere on the other side of the earth. We have since learned that an event that happened thousands of miles away from us can upend our way of life here.

COVID-19 has no respect for race, religion, political affiliation or national boundaries. This is a harsh way to teach us that we are all interconnected and must act together for our own

Laudato Sí revisited survival.

COVID-19 woke us up to the reality that we are vulnerable to changes on our planet. Environmentalists have been saying this all along, and five years ago Pope Francis added his voice to the warning. He sounded the alarm that we are in danger of damaging God’s Creation if we don’t have a conversion of heart about climate change. Laudato Sí was a gift to the world, but a mandate to the Church. Care for God’s Creation was raised to the highest level of Church doctrine as one of the seven themes of Catholic social teaching. Climate change is an enigmatic concept, requiring trust in science and an ability to connect the cause and effect of its impact. Carbon footprints and melting ice caps became fodder to fuel political fires, leaving scientific evidence behind in the ashes, and adding to confusion on how to respond.

Pope Francis reminds us that we live in an ecosystem in which the en-

vironment, society and economics are all interrelated. “If everything is related, then the health of society’s institutions has consequences for the environment and the quality of human life.” We have never been more aware of the domino effect of a single

action. One touch brought about multiple illnesses, which sent us into social isolation, which brought down a roaring economy.

We have learned through these past few months that if we work together we can combat the invisible forces of the COVID-19 pandemic. Imagine if we apply this lesson to climate change.

Climate change is a reality, even if reasonable people disagree about its cause. The global impact of climate change is not evenly shared, but the responsibility to act belongs to all of us.

Pope Benedict once said that every violation of solidarity harms the environment; perhaps this can be turned into a positive. Every act of solidarity can save the environment. Rather than allowing the impact of climate change to overwhelm us, let’s pool our single acts together to make a difference in the world. This begins with awareness of the plight of people living in environments devastated by extreme weather. This can move us to reflect on how we impact the environment. Small changes locally can be the pebble in the pond that ripples across the continents. We then can join our voices as advocates for change.

Performing small acts of a symbolic nature is part of our Catholic culture. We believe that just two or more gathered in prayer will lead to great results. The little way of small acts of kindness will move the world to love.

We can also perform small acts of ecological kindness.

Shutting off the tap to save water in a region where it flows abundantly may seem

pointless, but it is an act of solidarity with the 750 million who have no access to clean water. This small action will be more potent when combined with advocacy for policies that hold countries accountable for practices that have drained water supplies. Every time we buy locally sourced food we reduce the 2,000-mile supply chain from farm to table that consumes so much fuel. Our decision to avoid using single-use plastic may not make a big difference to the oceans that are teeming with more plastic than fish, but if whole communities change, then reusing, recycling and composting will become a way of life.

Pope Francis said that Creation is a holy and precious gift from God, but it is also the way that God speaks to us. If we are to be faithful to God then we must be faithful to God’s world.

Climate change is wreaking havoc on God’s world and God is telling us to act. The groaning of God’s Creation will not fall on deaf ears.

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

Green side of the grass “You can’t be in a hurry, your pace is like a snail.

The highlight of your morning is when you check your mail.

But at least you’re on the green side of the grass.” ello out there, ladies and gentlemen of the brewery! If your knees are beginning to creak, and you are beginning to feel your age, and this lock down has taken the joy out of life, perhaps you might want to listen to this song, “Green Side of the Grass,” by Libby Allen.

It seeks to bring a light side

H

to growing old and aging.

It is a consolation to myself at least, since I recently turned 76 — though publicly I only admit to 56.

Of course I am the baby of the seniors here in Kalaupapa.

The patients are in their 80s and still going strong.

For example, Meli is in her mid-80s. Yet she delivers and picks up the mail at the airport every morning, then works in the grocery store afterwards.

She also finds the energy to be sacristan for St. Francis Church. In between, she gives me pastoral advice.

The “patriarch” is, of course, John. Last month he celebrated 96 years but one might look at him and consider him to be 76 at

the most. He is, without exaggeration, a favorite with the ladies and loves to take visitors around the peninsula in his trusty truck.

“You wake up with the chickens, you’re in bed by eight.

“You want your senior discount, you worry about your weight.”

At age 81 my father died unexpectedly upon suffering a heart attack.

He had been blessed with good health mostly all of

his life and had done his usual chores around the farm house the previous day. He had told me on my visit the previous summer that he did not fear death and so he lived that way until the final curtain. He would have loved and sung that song.

“You’re not six feet under, the day is not your last.

At least you’re on the green side of the grass.”

Anchor columnist Father Pat Killilea SS.CC., is pastor of St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

May 29, 2020 †

15

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Igor’s top 10

A

s I sit here and find the right words to fill this edition’s column, it’s May 23. For most, just one date out of 366 this year. For me, it marks one year that I last hugged my beloved Igor and she gave me her last tail wag.

I posted on Facebook today, “You found a place in my heart that no one or thing had ever been or will go.

And you’re still there, and it’s evidently a part of the heart that doesn’t heal, because it hurts as much today as one year ago.”

But, I don’t want to dwell on the pain of not having her here anymore. I’d rather celebrate her 16 years with us, and to limit the awesome times spent with her to 10 only scratches the surface, but I’ll apply my flea powder and give it a try.

The presentation When we first met Iggy, she was only two months old.

We drove to a nearby farm that had pups for sale. Dogs of all shapes and sizes were gathered and Igor was the smallest and the most shy. I saw her looking at me from a far corner and asked to see her. When the owner put her in my arms, Igor laid her head on my shoulder and I was hooked. We became best friends that very moment.

The operation When the time came for Iggy to be spayed, I took her to the vet and had to leave her overnight. The next morning I picked her up and she wouldn’t even look at me.

She went to Denise, Emilie and Lauren. She was that way 16

all day. Then at 3 a.m. she had to go out and she came to me. I carried her outside and from then on I was back in her good graces for the next 16 years.

Profile in courage I know that Igor would have done anything for me, at any cost to her. One weekend when she was one year old we went to Nantucket to visit some relatives, and we took Igor with us.

Of course we went to the beach and this was Iggy’s first encounter with the ocean, and she was afraid of it. Perhaps it was the motion of the waves. I’m not sure. But she refused to take a dip. I did. And as I was in the water, Igor paced nervously on the shore until she couldn’t take it any longer. I sensed she had to know I was alright. She plunged in and her swimming instincts kicked in and she swam to me. And she was hooked. She loved it.

I was so proud of her that day for overcoming her fears to ensure my safety.

Something very fishy I can’t think of a food that I liked that Igor didn’t.

One of my favorites is grilled swordfish. Igor’s too. One sunny summer afternoon I grilled up a few slabs. There was one left and I left it on the kitchen table for one minute to wrap it up. When I came back, it was gone. I looked at Igor — she looked at me as if to say, “What’s up, dad?” all the while licking the

† May 29, 2020

remnants off her snout. How can you get angry at that?

The devil dog When Emilie was at Notre Dame School, she, Denise and I would pray the Rosary together once a week. We would kneel at my bed and pray. But Igor wanted in too.

She would jump on the bed and then proceed to lick us,

nibble at the Rosary beads, or do anything she could to distract us. We never made it through a Rosary without laughing. It reminded me of the times when I would say the Rosary with my parents and I always tried to make dad laugh. Mom, not so

Igor out to save me on Nantucket.

much.

A love/hate relationship Igor loved having a bath, and Igor hated having a bath. In the summers we had a wading pool to bathe her and that was a relatively simply procedure. But when it got cool and cold we would bring her upstairs to the tub.

Denise would run the water and Igor would hear it and her countenance became one of concern. She would anxiously wait at the bottom of the stairs.

I would then say, “You want a bath?” and she would swing her rear end toward me so I could carry her up. She wouldn’t go on her own. I placed her in the tub and Denise would scrub.

Igor was always tentative during her baths, but when they were done and she shook off the wetness she was always proud as a peacock.

Are you going to finish that?

Igor was a pizza crust fanatic. When we ordered delivery she would first bark up a storm at the delivery person, then sit and watch all of us eat the delectable pies.

Her eyes would widen when we got down to the crust. For 16 years I never got to eat a pizza crust.

I can do that From her very first Christmas with us, Igor loved to see the presents under the tree. She knew there were some for her, and she instinctively knew how to unwrap the chew toys or treats. In fact she treated the wrapping

paper better than the chew toys. Within 15 minutes, all of the chew toys were destroyed and the house was covered with white stuffing.

She always tore off the heads first — just a little disturbing.

I love this stuff Igor loved to play with toys, balls, balloons, even her food, but to go out during and after a significant snowstorm brought her extreme joy. She would plow into snow that was deeper than her height and just burrow through it. When she emerged she was coated with the white stuff. And catching snowballs was her forte. Then when we went in to warm up she would go to her spot at the sliding door to the deck and look annoyed that the snow was blocking her vision of the neighborhood.

One-of-a-kind birthday cake On Iggy’s last birthday we knew it would be her final one with us. So ignoring all the rules we went to McDonald’s. I made a cheeseburger (one of her favorites, as usual) and stuck French fries in it for the candles. We put it in front of her and she gave us a kind of “are you serious?” look. The modified cake was gone as quickly as she would remove the head from a chew toy.

There are a plethora of other tales from the tail, but these warm my heart and will live with me forever.

We all miss you, you strange, wonderful loving beast. davejolivet@anchornews.org