Diocese of Fall River
The Anchor
F riday , June 12, 2009
A DAY WITH JESUS AND MARY — With human beads in the background, Bishops George W. Coleman, center left, and Yves-Marie Pean, CSC, of Gonaive, Haiti, center right, pray the rosary during Holy Cross Family Ministries’ Rosary Fest at Stonehill College in Easton last weekend. The event, attended by approximately 1,000 faithful included several keynote addresses, song, recitation of the rosary in several languages, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Story on page 11. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)
Catholic Charities hits $3 million mark — Page 19
Borromeo Missionaries to leave Fall River Diocese
By Deacon James N. Dunbar
ATTLEBORO — The Priestly Fraternity of the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo will end its service in the Fall River Diocese at the end of June. Members of the St. Charles Fraternity Father Michael Carvill, pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Attleboro since Aug. 1, 2000, and Father Accursio Ciaccio, who has
served as parochial vicar told The Anchor last week that they will be leaving to take up new assignments in Denver, Colo. “We’re sorry we have to leave, but we have been given new assignments in line with our calling as members of a missionary institute,” Father Carvill said in a telephone interview. Turn to page 18
Two new pastors named; five others are transferred
By Deacon James N. Dunbar
FALL RIVER — Father Marek Chmurski, administrator at Immaculate Conception Parish in North Easton, and Father John M. Murray, parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth, have been named pastors by Bishop George W. Coleman. It is the first pastorate for both priests, who, in brief interviews with The Anchor, told how excited they are to take up the new challenges and serve the people, the diocese and the Church. Father Marek Chmurski, 45, a native of Domaniewice, Poland, and a priest of the Fall River Diocese since 1995, will become pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford, effective June 30. The son of Jan and Cecylia (Drozka) Chmurski in Poland, after attending grammar and high school there, he entered the seminary at Lodz in 1987. He began studies at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich., in 1991. He was ordained a priest on June 10, 1995 by then-Bishop Sean P.
O’Malley, OFM Cap., in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. His first priestly assignment was as a parochial vicar at Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich. In August 1996 he was transferred to Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, and in June 2001 was assigned to St. Anthony’s in Taunton. In October 2002 he was assigned to Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich, and in October 2008 became administrator at Immaculate Con-
ception Parish in North Easton “It’s certainly an exciting time for me to take up the role of pastor,” Father Chmurski said. “I have been an administrator for eight months during which I’ve had the experience of leading a parish and caring for the people, and yet not be able to do all a pastor is able to,” he explained. “So I look forward to finding out what my new parish and its people Turn to page 18
Father Marek Chmurski
Father John M. Murray
News From the Vatican
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June 12, 2009
Cardinal Stafford retires from post at Apostolic Penitentiary
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In almost six years dealing with the most sensitive and serious matters of individual conscience, U.S. Cardinal J. Francis Stafford said he has had the “enormous grace” of coming to a deep understanding of how central forgiveness is to the message of the Gospel and the mission and life of the Church. Everything the Church celebrates and everything it offers the world in terms of education and social service “is dependent on our being freed from the burden of guilty,” the cardinal said June 2, just a few hours after the Vatican announced his retirement as head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the office that deals with the most sensitive matters of conscience as well as with the practice of indulgences. “I have re-learned and found a more profound understanding of the mystery of Christ’s redemption and of the anxiety that is part of the human legacy,” he said. Cardinal Stafford said his work promoting the sacrament of penance, helping people obtain indulgences and acting on behalf of the pope to assist people seeking forgiveness has taught him that the only thing Christians need to be anxious about is doing God’s will and reconciling themselves with one another. Hearing confessions and meeting people burdened with sin is not always easy, he said, explaining that even St. John Vianney, who heard confessions 18 hours a day for years, asked God on several occasions to free him from that ministry. But, Cardinal Stafford said, “assisting the Holy Father in his Petrine ministry of binding and loosening — acting in the name of Peter — is an immense privilege and an immense responsibility.” The message of the Gospel, celebrated in the sacrament of penance, is that “God’s gift of forgiveness is so great that all we have to do is accept it,” he said. The cardinal, who will turn 77 in July, has led the office since
The Anchor
2003. He began his service at the Vatican in 1996 when Pope John Paul II asked him to leave his post as archbishop of Denver to become president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Announcing the cardinal’s retirement June 2, the Vatican said he would be succeeded by 73-yearold Italian Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli, who has been the Vatican nuncio to France for the past 10 years. Because cardinals continue to serve as members of Vatican congregations and pontifical councils until their 80th birthdays, Cardinal Stafford said he intends to continue living at the Vatican. He is a member of the congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith, Saints’ Causes, Bishops and for the Evangelization of Peoples, as well as of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. The “penitentiary” in the name Apostolic Penitentiary refers to the penitential issues it handles. One of three tribunals of the Holy See, it is divided into two offices: One governs indulgences, and the other is a court that handles cases of conscience and absolves individuals from sins reserved to the Holy See. The office also commissions priests to serve as confessors in the major basilicas of Rome and runs an annual specialized course for priests on the sacrament of penance and conscience. Hosting a conference in January to mark the 830th anniversary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Cardinal Stafford told reporters, “Today we talk a lot about God’s forgiveness, which is a motive for joy and happiness. But I am a bit worried about the lack of awareness of the connection between this joy and the forgiveness of sins. “We all know the burden of sin in our personal lives, which is why the sacrament of penance really is the sacrament of reconciliation given by Christ to his Church. It is a sacrament full of the mercy, charity and love of God,” he said. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 53, No. 23
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Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year. Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address
PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org
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YOUTHFUL AUDIENCE — Pope Benedict XVI walks near a group of children on stage during an audience with some 7,000 children from the Holy Childhood Association at the Vatican recently. The pope said that as a boy he never had dreamed of becoming pope. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano)
Pope grants congregation power to more easily laicize some priests
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has granted the Congregation for Clergy new powers to dismiss from the priesthood and release from the obligation of celibacy priests who are living with women, who have abandoned their ministry for more than five years or who have engaged in seriously scandalous behavior. The new powers do not apply to cases involving the sexual abuse of minors by a priest; those cases continue to be subject to special rules and procedures overseen by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The new faculties were announced by Cardinal Claudio Hummes, prefect of the clergy congregation, in an April 18 letter to the world’s bishops. Catholic News Service obtained a copy of the letter in early June. Cardinal Hummes told CNS June 3 that the new, quicker administrative procedure for dismissing priests was prompted by “many situations where canon law did not seem adequate for meeting new problems.” As an example, the cardinal said the 1983 Code of Canon Law made no provision for a bishop to initiate a process to laicize a priest who had abandoned his ministry. Usually when a priest leaves the ministry of his own accord, he informs his bishop and sooner or later will request a formal dispensation from the obligation of celibacy, the cardinal said. But others “leave, they marry
(in a civil ceremony), they have children. In these cases, the bishops did not have a way to proceed because it was up to the person who left,” he said. “But if the one who left is not interested (in regularizing his situation), the good of the Church and the good of the priest who left is that he be dispensed so that he would be in a correct situation, especially if he has children,” the cardinal said. Cardinal Hummes said a priest’s “children have the right to have a father who is in a correct situation in the eyes of God and with his own conscience. So helping these people is one of the reasons there are new procedures. In these cases, the initiative begins with the bishop.” The cardinal said he did not have statistics on how many priests have abandoned their ministry without seeking laicization, but it was a problem bishops have raised with the congregation. Cardinal Hummes’ letter to the world’s bishops said that while the Church teaches that properly performed sacraments are valid whether or not the priest officiating is living in a situation of holiness, the discipline of the Latin-rite Catholic Church is to insist that priests strive for moral perfection and to imitate Christ, who was chaste. “The Church, being the spouse of Jesus Christ, wishes to be loved in the total and exclusive manner with which Jesus Christ loved her as her head and spouse. Priestly celibacy is,
therefore, the gift of oneself in and with Christ to his Church, and expresses the service of the priest to the Church in and with the Lord,” the cardinal wrote. “The vast majority of priests live out their priestly identity daily with serenity and exercise faithfully their proper ministry,” he wrote, but when situations of scandal arise a bishop must be able to act quickly and firmly. The cardinal’s letter dealt separately with the situation of priests who simply abandoned their ministry for “a period of more than five consecutive years.” It also addressed the more serious cases of those priests who have attempted or contracted a civil marriage, are having a consensual sexual relationship with a woman or have violated another Church or moral law in a way that caused serious scandal. At every stage of the process, the cardinal told CNS: “The right of a priest to defend himself is sacred, including in these cases. The right to defend oneself is internationally recognized and always preserved.” Prior to Pope Benedict’s approval of the new norms Jan. 30, bishops seeking to dismiss a priest for abandoning the ministry or attempting marriage had to initiate a formal juridical trial against the person. In the interview, Cardinal Hummes said that although the procedures have been streamlined, “each case will be reviewed individually, including with the aim of ensuring that the rights of the person interested were protected.”
June 12, 2009
The International Church
Some Church members tense as federal forces set to leave Orissa
BHUBANESHWAR, India (CNS) — Some Church leaders have expressed alarm over the federal government’s plan to withdraw its forces from India’s Orissa state. “The situation is still very tense and the withdrawal of federal forces will cause panic among people,” Father Ajay Singh, who tracks casualties from Hindu-led violence for the Archdiocese of CuttackBhubaneshwar, told the Asian church news agency UCA News. However, some priests maintain that local police can handle the situation now that Orissa has a secular government. The Indian government announced June 1 that it would withdraw its paramilitary forces from the Kandhamal district of Orissa within a month. Government forces were sent to the district two weeks after Hindu extremists launched a sustained wave of violence against Christians in the eastern state in August. The attacks claimed about 90 lives and left more than 50,000 people, mostly Christians, homeless. Father Singh said hundreds of people remain in relief camps and are reluctant to return to their villages, fearing further attacks. “People are still suffering and haven’t forgotten the violence and killing of their relatives,” he said. The priest reported that armed Hindus
attacked five Christian houses near Raikia May 31, a day before the announcement. He said the attacks occurred after a group of Hindu politicians visited the area. “These attacks show there is no normalcy in Kandhamal,” Father Singh said. “In such a situation, pulling out the federal forces is not a good move.” Elections for the state legislative assembly in April and May led to a majority for the regional Biju Janata Dal party. The party earlier ruled the state in partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Just before the elections, Biju Janata Dal disassociated itself from the Bharatiya Janata Party, widely seen as the political arm of Hindu radical groups, and vowed to uphold secularism in the state. Father Joseph Kalathil, vicar general in the Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar Archdiocese, said he believes the state government will protect the safety of the Christian minority community. Still, he acknowledged, Christians in the state remain skeptical and fear attacks from their opponents. Father Mritunjay Diggal, secretary to Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of CuttackBhubaneshwar, said the state government has assured Church leaders it will provide security for Christians. Federal forces “have to go one day,” he said, explaining that under the secular government, the local police “can slowly take the responsibility to protect people.”
3 Diocese of Fall River
OFFICIAL
His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the request to retire of: Rev. William P. Blottman, from Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River. Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore, from Pastor, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, North Falmouth. Effective, June 30, 2009 His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has announced the following appointments: Rev. John M. Murray, from Parochial Vicar of St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth, to Pastor, Holy Ghost Parish and St. Joseph Parish, Attleboro. Rev. John A. Raposo, from Holy Ghost Parish, Attleboro, to Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River. Effective, June 24, 2009 Rev. Marek Chmurski, from Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton, to Pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, New Bedford. Rev. James W. Fahey, from Pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, South Attleboro, to Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton. Rev. Jon-Paul Gallant, to Pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, South Attleboro. Rev. Arnold R. Medeiros, from Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Wareham, to Pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, North Falmouth. Rev. John M. Sullivan, from Pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, New Bedford, to Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Wareham. Effective, June 30, 2009
The Church in the U.S.
4
June 12, 2009
As Sotomayor makes rounds, her legal history up for analysis
WASHINGTON (CNS) — As Judge Sonia Sotomayor was making the rounds of Senate offices for courtesy calls prior to confirmation hearings this summer, a popular exercise among commentators has been trying to define the judicial leanings of President Barack Obama’s first nominee to the Supreme Court. Those whose principal concern is abortion have sought clues to her judicial temperament — and any potential she might have for groundbreaking decisions — in the few cases in which she ruled on some aspect of abortion-related laws. In a 2002 case challenging the Mexico City policy, which bars foreign aid recipients from offering or referring for abortions, she upheld the Bush administration’s right to follow the policy. Neither that case nor others related to abortion clinic protests and decided on procedural grounds dealt directly with legal rights and abortion. Others are parsing what she has written on religious liberty, employee-employer rights or racial discrimination As a current judge of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and a former U.S. District Court judge, Sotomayor’s rulings and dissents were being carefully analyzed by both those predisposed to support her nomination and those looking
for reasons to reject her as a potential Supreme Court justice. One thread of reviews looks at the handful of her opinions that have found their way to the Supreme Court and how they fared: Five of her 232 opinions in 11 years on the appeals court have been reviewed by the Supreme Court; three were overturned. A sixth is currently pending in the Supreme Court. The first few days after Sotomayor’s nomination was announced May 26 brought a flurry of quickly released statements based largely on impressions of her rulings, background or on the fact that she was nominated by Obama. Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life, a public-interest law and policy organization, said in a statement that “for all the president’s talk of finding ‘common ground,’ this appointment completely contradicts that hollow promise.” Yoest said Sotomayor’s “judicial philosophy undermines common ground” and called her “a radical pick that divides America.” Other commentators just as quickly leapt to support Sotomayor, also with little explanation for their conclusions. For instance, Michael Keegan, president of People for the American Way, said in a statement that Obama “used this opportunity to do exactly what he promised in last year’s election — to select a person
who has demonstrated an abiding commitment to core constitutional values of justice, opportunity and equality under the law.” Meanwhile, the White House has kept up a steady stream of press releases with praise for Sotomayor from fellow judges, law professors, her one-time supervisors in the New York district attorney’s office and her former law clerks. While initially the subject of a flurry of discussion, the fact that Sotomayor would become the sixth Catholic on the nine-member court has found little traction in ongoing discussions, outside of a handful of debates on the Internet. Sotomayor was raised a Catholic, attending Catholic elementary and high schools. The White House, describing her current involvement in the Church, said she “attends church for family celebrations and other important events.” Until Justice Samuel Alito joined the court in January 2006, becoming the fifth Catholic, there had previously only been a majority of Protestant justices. The first Catholic on the court was Chief Justice Roger Taney from 1836 to 1864. After the first Jewish justice, Lewis Brandeis, joined the court in 1916, there had regularly been one Catholic justice at a time, along with one or two Jewish justices and a majority of Protestants.
Session II ~ June 17 - July 29, 2009 Wednesdays 6:00-9:00 pm (2 credits ~ elective) Theology of the Body, Prof. Angela Franks The Basic Truths of the Catholic Church, Rev. Paul E. Ritt Introduction to the Theology of the Holy Spirit,
Prof. Anthony Keaty
TROUBLED TIMES — A large “Buy American” sign, in support of Detroit’s auto industry, is seen in the back of an auto scrap yard in Detroit. Parish priests across the Archdiocese of Detroit will be sharing a variety of messages of faith and hope with their parishioners June 13 and 14 in light of the recent auto crisis. (CNS photo/ Rebecca Cook, Reuters)
Detroit archbishop praying for those hurt by GM bankruptcy By Catholic News Service
DETROIT — Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit said he was praying for those affected by the General Motors Corp. bankruptcy. “The news concerning General Motors adds to the disruption and uncertainty already faced by many of our fellow citizens,” Archbishop Vigneron said in a June 1 statement. “All of those impacted by these latest developments are in my prayers.” GM, until recently the world’s largest automaker, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection June 1. Under the terms of the filing, the U.S. government, which has made billions of dollars in loan guarantees to GM since last year, will own 60 percent of the company. The Canadian government, which has been assisting GM facilities in that country, will own 12 percent, and the UAW will own about 17 percent of the company, while bondholders will own most of the remainder. But the bankruptcy filing also came with news that GM would close another 16 of its 49 remaining manufacturing and assembly plants. GM announced earlier this spring that it would discontinue selling the Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer brands. Hummer is being sold to a Chinese industrial firm, and most of GM’s European brands have been shed, sold or shielded from bankruptcy. “I invite the Catholic faithful
to join with me as we implore the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, for her comfort in these times of economic distress,” Archbishop Vigneron said in his statement. “And we humbly ask for her intercession with Jesus, her son, to strengthen all of those bearing the burdens of the challenges before us.” The GM bankruptcy came the same day after Chrysler, the United States’ third largest automaker, came out of bankruptcy. The Italian automaker Fiat will take most of Chrysler’s assets. Michigan had the nation’s highest unemployment rate even before the Detroit automakers started reeling last year from the effects of record-high gas prices and weakening auto sales. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, whose book “Unsafe at Any Speed” exposed the flaws in the Chevrolet Corvair in the 1960s and was spied upon by GM in retaliation, criticized the bankruptcy plan. “So why are we further inconveniencing motorists, rupturing their relationship over the years with dealers that are closer to home and making them travel more and more?” Nader said. “The answer is, the fewer dealers, the more likely the price of cars goes up. So there are all kinds of reasons why this should go back to Congress for thorough House and Senate hearings, if Congress wanted to adhere to its constitutional duties,” he said.
June 12, 2009
The Church in the U.S.
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Christian leaders pledge support for Obama’s Middle East peace effort By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON — Saying there is “no greater work than the psalmist’s call to ‘seek peace and pursue it,’” nearly five dozen Christian leaders have pledged their support to President Barack Obama in his effort to end the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and open a new era of U.S.-Muslim relations. In a June 4 letter sent to the White House after Obama’s speech in Cairo, Egypt, the leaders said they were pleased to hear about the president’s clear commitment “to sustained, hands-on diplomacy” to secure safety and peace for Palestinians and Israelis and offered to rally Christians nationwide to support the effort. Representing Catholic, Episcopal, Protestant, Orthodox, African-American and evangelical churches, the Christian leaders said the political stalemate between Palestinians and Israelis requires a “strong, helping hand” to negotiate an agreement between long-warring people in the region. Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on International Justice and Peace, was among the signatories. He said the president’s position paralleled that of the bishops. “We are very pleased that the president has now chosen to take the personal initiative to address
this issue and in his speech made it very clear that this will be a priority for him in this administration,” Bishop Hubbard told Catholic News Service. “(The letter) is a very positive response to the address he deliv-
liners on both sides of the conflict continue to turn to violence to enforce their beliefs, the letter said. “Now is indeed the time for immediate and bold American leadership,” the letter said. The leaders urged Obama to “bolster Palestin-
REALITY TV — Palestinians in a house in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip watch a televised broadcast of U.S. President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo, Egypt, June 4. Obama sought a “new beginning” between the United States and Muslims around the world, but offered no new initiative to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (CNS photo/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters)
ered and shows support across a broad face of religious leaders our determination that what has begun now must proceed with all diligence,” he said. Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla.; Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla.;
New York bishops urge state Senate to reject same-sex marriage bill
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) — New York state’s Catholic bishops called the state Legislature’s effort to legalize same-sex marriage “ill-advised” and said it “would radically change the timeless institution of marriage.” “As pastors of citizens from every corner of our great state, we stand unified in our strong opposition to such a drastic measure,” the bishops said in a statement released by the New York State Catholic Conference in Albany, the bishops’ public policy arm. The state Assembly passed the measure allowing same-sex marriage in May. As of June 4, with just two weeks left in the legislative session, the state Senate had not acted on the bill. Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith was quoted in the news media as saying he wanted to be sure he had the 32 votes needed for its passage before bringing it to the floor. Gov. David Paterson said he would sign it into law if the measure reaches his desk. That would make New York the seventh state to legalize gay marriage. On June 3 New Hampshire be-
Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington; and Auxiliary Bishop Gambino Zavala of Los Angeles, bishop president of Pax Christi USA, also signed the letter. The religious leaders urged
came the sixth state. Gov. John Lynch signed the measure into law right after lawmakers passed it. The law will take effect Jan. 1. The New York bishops said they were praying their state’s senators would “stand firm in opposition to this ill-advised legislation,” and called on Catholics and all New Yorkers to contact their senators and ask them to oppose it. The bishops said their opposition to same-sex marriage is “based not only on Catholic teaching regarding human sexuality and the sacrament of marriage” but also “on reason, sound public policy, and plain common sense.” Their stand is in no way “a condemnation of homosexual people,” they said. “Throughout history, different cultures have had different customs regarding marriage. But the one constant has been the conviction that marriage is the union of a man and a woman in an enduring bond, ordered for the procreation and stable rearing of children,” they said. “Regrettably, the state Assembly has voted to redefine what nature and our common heritage long ago defined for us,” they added.
Obama “to present proposals that go beyond the mere principle of two states and lay out a just and equitable solution that provides dignity, security and sovereignty for both peoples.” The window of opportunity for peace is “rapidly closing” as hard-
ian capacity to halt violence and continue to demonstrate firm dedication to a viable Palestinian state by exhibiting no tolerance for Israeli settlement activity.” The leaders also asked Obama to seek immediate relief for the people of Gaza by ending restric-
tions on humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials enforced since Israeli military action in December. Israel has claimed the military intervention was in response to continued rocket attacks from Gaza on civilian targets in its territory. “Our prayers and mutual commitment are with you in this difficult and most important task,” the letter concluded. In addition to the bishops, other Catholics signing the letter were Redemptorist Father Thomas Picton, president, Conference of Major Superiors of Men; Sister J. Lora Dambroski of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, president, Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Marie Dennis, director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; and Ken Hackett, president, Catholic Relief Services. Among other Christian leaders signing the letter were Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop and primate, Episcopal Church; the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, president bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Rev. Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and president, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Rev. William Shaw, president, National Baptist Convention; Archbishop Demetrios, primate, Greek Orthodox Church in America; and Rev. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary, National Council of Churches.
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6
The Anchor The ecclesial co-responsibility of the laity
In the days leading up to the celebration of Pentecost, the traditional birthday of the Church, Pope Benedict gave his yearly address to the annual synod for the Diocese of Rome. The theme of this year’s synod was “Church Membership and Pastoral Co-responsibility,” and the Pope spoke May 26 on how all the members of the Church are “co-responsible” for the Church’s mission, not merely within the Diocese of Rome, but throughout the whole Roman Catholic Church. Before he launched into the discussion of the topic at hand, the Holy Father wanted first to establish the premises for his conclusions by describing — based on the documents of the Second Vatican Council, which beautifully synthesized the traditional teaching of the Church — what the Church is. This was necessary, the pope said, because after the Council many misinterpreted its central ecclesiological concepts and, claiming to refer to a presumed “Spirit of the Council,” invented a new conception “in direct contrast with the word and spirit of the Council.” Vatican II used above all three expressions to refer to the Church: “mystery [or sacrament] of communion,” “the People of God,” and the “Body of Christ.” The three terms must be understood, the pope stressed, as complementary: The Church is “a communion of people who, through the action of the Holy Spirit, form the People of God, which is at the same time the Body of Christ.” What happened after the Council, Pope Benedict said, is that the expression “People of God” was interpreted in discontinuity from the tradition and in isolation from the communion with Christ and others. “The notion of ‘People of God’ … was interpreted by some, in accordance with a purely sociological vision, with an almost exclusively horizontal bias that excluded the vertical reference to God.” These misinterpretations, the pope continued, have led to two problems that have frustrated the renewal of the Church. First, despite the “reawakening of spiritual and pastoral energies” brought about by the Council, there has not been the “desired growth and development.” Wild grapes were produced rather than good fruit. “In certain ecclesial communities,” Benedict added, “the period of fervor and initiative has given way to a time of weakening commitment, a situation of weariness, at times almost a stalemate, and even resistance and contradiction between the conciliar doctrine and various concepts formulated in the name of the Council but in fact opposed to its spirit and guidelines.” Second, the ecclesiological misunderstandings have led in many places to flawed pastoral procedures. “On the one hand,” he specified, “there is still a tendency to identify the Church unilaterally with the hierarchy, forgetting the common responsibility, the common mission of the People of God, which, in Christ we all share. On the other, the tendency still persists to identify the People of God unilaterally, as I have already said, in accordance with a merely sociological or political concept, forgetting the newness and specificity of that people, which becomes a people solely through communion with Christ.” These issues have been at the root of why the Council, instead of being a supernova in the history of the Church, has produced many shadows in addition to light — “ruptures” instead of a “deep renewal.” Pope Benedict says that the time is now to return to the true teaching of the Council on the Church so that the Church may experience the authentic reinvigoration that the Council intended. That reinvigoration will occur when all the baptized, grounded on the true understanding of the Church, take up the pastoral co-responsibility in the Church’s mission described so forcefully in the Gospels, in St. Paul’s letters and in the Council documents. While noting that since the Council, many have “become aware that the mandate to evangelize does not only concern a few but rather all of the baptized,” he added, “there is still a long way to go. Too many of the baptized do not feel part of the ecclesial community and live on its margins, only coming to parishes in certain circumstances to receive religious services. Compared to the number of inhabitants in each parish, the lay people who are ready to work in the various apostolic fields, although they profess to be Catholic, are still few and far between.” Many, he said, are resigned to “preserving what exists,” particularly in their parishes, rather than entrusting themselves to the Spirit to help the Church grow. He specifies five things that need to be done for the Church to achieve the intended renewal, which are equally applicable to the Diocese of Fall River as to the Diocese of Rome. First, there must be adequate formation of all people in the Church: “We must renew our efforts for a formation that is more attentive and focused on the vision of the Church… both on the part of priests as well as of religious and lay people to understand ever better what this Church is, this People of God in the Body of Christ.” There are already plenty of means to form consecrated men and women, although better advantage may need to be taken of these opportunities. For the formation of lay people, new initiatives and means will be needed in many places. Second, mind-sets must be changed and pastoral structures adapted in accordance with this coresponsibility: “It is necessary to improve pastoral structures in such a way that the co-responsibility of all the members of the People of God in their entirety is gradually promoted, with respect for vocations and for the respective roles of the consecrated and of lay people. This demands a change in mind-set, particularly concerning lay people. They must no longer be viewed as ‘collaborators’ of the clergy but truly recognized as ‘co-responsible’ for the Church’s being and action.” Pope Benedict calls priests to prioritize nurturing the “spiritual and apostolic growth of those who are already committed to working hard in the parishes … [to] act as leaven for the others.” Priests can sometimes prioritize their care for those on the margins so much that those in the center end up not being equipped to be co-responsible in the Church’s mission. Third, to bear fruit, parishes must be focused on encountering Christ in prayer and the sacraments: “To prevent them from losing their identity and vigor,” parishioners “must be taught to listen prayerfully to the word of God through the practice of lectio divina.” One reason many communities lack the knowledge that they are Church is because they fail to recognize through prayer that “Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, convokes them and makes them his People.” Moreover, “if it is the Word that gathers the community, it is the Eucharist that makes it one body.… The Church, therefore, is not the result of an aggregation of individuals but of unity among those who are nourished by the one Word of God and the one bread of life.” Fourth, there must be renewed effort to maintain the bonds of communion and peace within parishes, dioceses and the Church universal: “We must learn ever anew to preserve and defend this unity from the rivalry, disputes, and jealousies that can be kindled in and among ecclesial communities.” This is accomplished, not by seeking a lowest common-denominator conflict-less consensus, but through all members’ rooting themselves in the communion with Christ within the Church universal. Finally, the Church must become a community of Good Samaritans sharing Christ’s love. “Living charity is the primary form of missionary outreach.” It was the experience of the Church’s charity in the early Church that made Christianity so attractive to so many, because it showed the face of Christ the Good Samaritan as “man’s true friend.” It remains the truest face of the Church today. The renewal of the Church according to the vision of the Council, the new birth the Church awaits in these days after Pentecost, flows through these five priorities. “The future of Christianity,” Pope Benedict concludes, “depends on the commitment and witness of each one of us” to each of them.
June 12, 2009
Sons of encouragement
Throughout this year of St. Paul, as I’ve had began to preach boldly in the name of the Lord, the chance to go through the details and the writ- even against the Hellenistic Jews who were trying ings of the great Apostle anew in greater depth, I to kill him. Fearing for Paul’s life, the Church in have often returned to one figure without whose Jerusalem decided to rush him down to Caesarea intervention this year — not to mention all St. and send him home to Tarsus. It’s possible that Paul’s apostolic fruit— might never have come Paul was rashly looking for a quick martyrdom in about. expiation for all the lives he had taken previously, I’ve also begun to see that this man’s virtues but the Church, especially Barnabas, didn’t want and actions are among those the Church most the one chosen by the Lord to preach the Gospel needs today in order to give rise to new St. Pauls to the Gentiles to have his mission as a Christian and continue the missionary thrust to which St. evangelist cut short prematurely. It’s probable that Paul dedicated his life. Barnabas accompanied Paul down to the sea to St. Paul’s great apostolic catalyst is St. Barna- send Paul home and he likely encouraged him to bas, whose feast the Church celebrated yester- get ready for what would come later. day. Later came rather soon. After the Church in We first encounter Barnabas in the fourth Jerusalem had heard of how many converts were chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. St. Luke tells entering the Church in Antioch, they sent Barnaus that his real name was Joseph and that he was a bas to encourage and guide them into a deeper member of the tribe of Levi, born in Cyprus, who grasp of the Gospel. St. Luke tells us that his had moved to Jerusalem. He sold a field he owned preaching and exhortation only served to make and laid the proceeds at the Apostles’ feet. It was more converts. They all regarded him as a “good a sign of his total commitment to Christ and total man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Barnabas trust in the Apostles Christ had chosen to lead the did not have the time to guide them all and needed early Church. It’s no surprise that the Apostles other expert help. Rather than assuming the ardugave him the nickname “Barnabas,” an Aramaic ous task of training others to be teachers or going term that means “son of encouragement,” since back to Jerusalem to find help, he traveled to Tarsuch a gesture, sus to find Paul common among and bring him the first disciples, back to Antioch. would have cerBarnabas knew tainly inspired the Paul was ready. other members of This was the the burgeoning beginning of the Church. rest of St. Paul’s By Father The nickname life and the start Roger J. Landry was an excellent of his being an ofsummary of his ficial teacher for entire personalthe Church. For a ity, for his encouragement did not stop there. To whole year, Barnabas and Paul taught hordes of encourage means to inspire with courage or con- people and helped them to live the Gospel so effidence and that is what he did twice in the life of fectively that it was in Antioch at that time that the Paul of Tarsus. disciples of Jesus began to be called Christians, or The first time was soon after Paul’s conver- little Christs. sion. Paul had narrowly escaped being killed in For Paul and Barnabas, it was the beginning of Damascus and needed to be lowered by the Chris- years of very fruitful collaboration, during which tians over the city walls in a basket. He came up they were almost inseparable. Exactly who was to Jerusalem to meet and join the disciples, but the dominant personality, it’s hard to say. They the disciples didn’t want to have anything to do taught together. They learned from each other with him. They were all terrified of him because how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and make of the way he used to terrorize their community, the message of the Gospel intelligible to listeners presiding over the stoning of St. Stephen, ripping of different ages and experiences. They even made the believers out of their homes and bringing their mark as fund-raisers together, teaming up to them before the religious courts, and even getting take up a successful collection for the Church in an order to go to Damascus and bring back the Judea that was suffering through a famine. Christians in chains. They thought that his celeAfter they returned from Jerusalem, they were brated conversion was probably a ruse just so that in a prayer meeting in Antioch when all heard the Paul could infiltrate the Christians, get to know Holy Spirit say, “Set apart for me Barnabas and them and where they live, and finish the job of Saul for the work to which I have called them.” wiping them out that he had previously worked After prayer and fasting, hands were laid on them so hard to achieve. St. Luke says simply that the and they were sent out by the Holy Spirit and Jerusalem Christians “did not believe that he was began what is traditionally called Paul’s first misa disciple” (Acts 9:26). sionary journey, but it was a joint venture. They That’s when the son of encouragement first sailed to Cyprus where they converted the prosprung into action. It’s not hard to imagine how consul and many others, battled against a magiabandoned Paul must have felt after the Jerusalem cian and preached boldly. They went across the Church’s rejection: the vast majority of his own Mediterranean to Pamphilia, where they courapeople likely looked on him as a traitor, some of his geously trod through malaria-infested swamps, former teammates in the extirpation of Christians hiked intimidating mountains to get to Galatia, were now coming after him, and the Christians, and survived being attacked by mobs with Paul’s whom he had hoped to fill with joy at the news of being basically stoned to death. Against great his conversion, wanted no part of him. odds, they planted the seeds of the Gospel in a Seeing the situation of Paul the Pariah, Barna- way that would last. bas acted, for Paul and for the Church. He wasn’t They returned triumphant to Antioch and going to let what the Lord had done on the road then headed to Jerusalem to relate the signs and to Damascus go to waste. So he went to find wonders God had done through them among the Paul and then, St. Luke tells us, “took him by the Gentiles. They also successfully secured from the hand and brought him to the Apostles, declaring leaders of the Jerusalem Church that Gentile conto them how on the road he had seen the Lord, verts would not have to become Jews to become who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had Christians, which is what many of the Jewish preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” Christians wanted. Barnabas told Paul’s conversion story to Without St. Barnabas, there would likely have the other members of the Church of Jerusalem been no St. Paul. The former’s feast day is a great — which shows that obviously he had heard it occasion for all of us in the Church, through his step-by-step from Paul before. He also passed on intercession, to become “sons of encouragement” how Paul after his conversion was doing more toward others, inspiring them with courage to recto spread the faith than many of those who were ognize the Lord’s gifts and use them to continue timidly hovering in Jerusalem. the mission for which the Holy Spirit chose Paul Because of Barnabas’ action and encourage- and Barnabas in the first century and has chosen ment, the Church of Jerusalem welcomed him. us 20 centuries later. St. Luke tells us that from that moment, Paul Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony’s went in and out among them in Jerusalem and Parish in New Bedford.
Putting Into the Deep
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The Anchor
June 12, 2009
Colossae
hat to say about Colos- had first been evangelized not by sae? The letter adPaul, but by a certain Epaphras. dressed to its inhabitants is very brief (four short chapters), and most of Living the the issues are handled in Pauline Year more depth in Ephesians. But it’s interesting in that it seems to be By Father Andrew the only church comJohnson, OCSO munity not founded or refounded by him (other than Rome) to which Paul adThis man has come to Paul, who dresses a letter. The Colossians is now in chains in Rome, to
ask for his help against “false teachers” who want to force Sabbaths, fasts, odd diets, new moons, and the worship of angels as a way of altering the Gospel of Christ. Paul easily makes his diagnosis: they are all merely human traditions which militate against the divine message of the Gospel. As to the town and its people, Colossae was rather small, the
What should we do with the frozen embryos?
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hen I give talks on remains an open question. A recent stem-cell research or in Vatican document called “Dignitas vitro fertilization, people invariPersonae” expressed serious moral ably ask, “What should be done reservations about the approach, with all the frozen embryos?” It without, however, explicitly conis usually asked with a sense of demning it as immoral. But we can urgency, even desperation, as they easily see reasons why the promoreflect on the fate of the hundreds tion of embryo adoption would of thousands of human embryos be imprudent. If embryo adoption cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at were to become standard practice fertility clinics. The simple answer in the current, largely unregulated is that ethically there is very little climate of the fertility industry, we can do with the frozen embryos this could actually stimulate the except to keep them frozen for production of yet more embryos; the foreseeable future. No other IVF clinic operators would be able morally acceptable options seem to placate themselves by saying, to exist. The question of what to do with the frozen embryos, I sometimes remind my audiences, is not in fact the most pressing question we face. A By Father Tad much more urgent issue is Pacholczyk how to stop the relentless manufacturing and freezing of new embryos which is occurring each day, with “We really don’t need to worry clockwork-like regularity, in every about producing extra embryos, major city in the United States. because there will always be The infertility industry has somebody willing to adopt any become an embryo mass-producthat are left over.” It could offer the tion line with virtually no legal clinics an excuse to continue and oversight or national regulation. even expand their current immoral Catering to strong parental desires, practices. it is a multi-billion-dollar business Some have suggested that aptly described as the “wild west a morally acceptable solution of infertility.” To start to bring this to the frozen embryo problem into check, strong laws and regula- might come through applying tions like those found in Germany the principle that “extraordinary” and Italy are urgently needed. In means do not have to be underthose countries, no more than three taken to prolong human life. They embryos may be produced for argue that to sustain an embryo’s each infertility treatment, and all life in a cryogenic state is to use three must be implanted into their extraordinary means and this is not mother. Extra embryos may not required. be produced or frozen; as a result, In fact, however, the decision there are essentially no frozen emto continue cryopreserving an embryos stored in German and Italian bryo in liquid nitrogen is probably fertility clinics. not an instance of using extraordiFor those embryos that do end nary means, since the burden and up abandoned in liquid nitrogen, costs involved in taking care of the question often arises: would embryonic children in this way are it be morally permissible to give actually minimal. When we have them up for “embryo adoption,” children, we have a duty to clothe, whereby other couples could imfeed, care for, and educate them, plant, gestate and raise them as if all of which costs plenty of money. they were their own children? When our children are frozen, There is ongoing debate among we don’t need to clothe, feed, or reputable Catholic theologians educate them; our care for them about this matter, and technically it can only be expressed by paying
Making Sense Out of Bioethics
the bill each month to replenish the liquid nitrogen in their storage tanks. This way of caring for our children is obviously unusual, but it does not seem morally extraordinary in terms of achieving the desired end of safeguarding their physical integrity. In my opinion, parents have an obligation to care for their children in this way until some other option becomes available in the future (maybe a sophisticated “embryo incubator” or “artificial womb” of some kind), or until there is a reasonable certainty that they have died on their own from decay or “freezer burn,” which may occur whenever frozen embryos are stored for extended periods. Perhaps after a few hundred years, all the stored embryos would have died on their own, and they could finally be thawed and given a decent burial. This approach would not involve us in the direct moral agency of ending their lives by withdrawing their life-sustaining liquid nitrogen. Frozen embryos, clearly, can never be donated to science. Such a decision would amount to handing over not cadavers, but living human beings, for dismemberment at the hands of stem-cell researchers. This would always be a radical failure in the parents’ duty to protect and care for their offspring. These considerations indicate the difficulty of answering the question about the disposition of frozen human embryos. We are reminded how sinful choices have consequences, and how the original decision to violate the moral law by doing IVF invariably has grievous repercussions, including the kinds of quandaries considered here, for which no moral resolution is apparent. Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org
average town of every age. It was located just 11 miles from a large city, Laodicea, which was made famous in Scripture as one of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation. Colossae had been bigger and more important, but fell upon hard times because of a new road system that bypassed it, and several bad earthquakes. It seems to have become a backwater, and maybe the townspeople just hadn’t enough to do. Perhaps in their boredom with life, the faith had begun to lose its luster; maybe it just seemed not interesting enough. Some wanted novelty, as in every age: something new, at all costs. So they opened their ears and hearts to the flashy and the fascinating, to the “latest thing” that had appeared. Paul lets them know that’s not the way to deal with spiritual tedium. He tells them in no uncertain terms they have to go deeper into the divine Christ, not outward into merely human fables. I can’t help but seeing them as the first adherents of the New Age mentality. In spite of these temptations, they seem for the most part still to be faithful, because Paul’s tone is pretty positive and gentle (compare Galatians). But he sees an important failing: to some, Jesus and his cross and resurrection are just not enough. They would say, the Gospel is for the big things (life and death issues) but for everyday life, you need practical help from somewhere else. Does anyone else see the modern craze for astrology here? So how does Paul respond? He has no first-hand experience of Colossae. It’s really a shot in the dark since he knows none of the people there. And he’s in prison, most likely in Rome. He needs a strong argument. So, interestingly, he doesn’t refute them outright. He takes a distinctly Pauline approach: 1. He prays. (1:9-14) St. Paul is like Jesus himself, always keeping in touch with the Father. “We never cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy.” Wisdom, right living, strength, patience, joy. 2. He sings a glorious hymn to the divine Christ (1:12-20): “We give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light…. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things to himself, making peace by the blood of his cross, whether those on earth or those in heaven.” Then he passes judgment on these merely human traditions that have worked their way into Colossae. Paul’s argument here is in the form of a question: “If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world, why do you still submit to them?”(2:20). And, “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above” (3:1). How can human traditions such as astrology replace the divine truth of Christ and his Gospel? They cannot. It’s absurd, and he tells them so. 3. He reflects on his ministry in the Church: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings … and in my flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ” (1:24). He is saying, “I’m not just another teacher. My ministry of the Gospel makes me a sharer in the very sufferings of Christ which are redemptive for you.” 4. He sets up his conclusion. How does one live in Christ? Live in the light. Not just moral light but the mystical light of Christ: “He has made us worthy to share the lot of the saints in light” (1:12). Paul’s experience of a blast of light at his conversion is behind this image. He never stopped living in the light, nor does he want us to. The most vivid, powerful and constant image of holiness and God himself is light. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son” (1:13). 5. Finally, he writes of Christian life in the world, drawing some practical lessons from the foregoing teaching. His conclusion is to exhort us to put on divine wisdom, to put off the old man and put on the new. “Think of things above.” In Christ there is to be neither Gentile nor Jew, barbarian or Scythian, bond or free. Then he gets practical, writing on the duties of wives and husbands, children and servants, with heartfelt exhortation. He recommends constant prayer and thanksgiving, and tells them to walk with wisdom and generosity, letting their speech be always in faith, that they may know how to answer every questioner (4:15-17). After the final greeting he ends with: “The salutation of Paul with my own hand. Be mindful of my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.” Prayer, liturgy, wisdom, light, strength, peace, unity. Not a bad little piece of literature for a little, out-of-the-way town he had never seen. Father Johnson is diocesan director of the Pauline Year and parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis.
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oday we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, the “source and summit of the Christian life.” The Blessed Eucharist is the sacrament. Baptism allows us to receive the Eucharist, and all the other sacraments are enriched by it. Because it is Jesus Himself, the Eucharist is at the heart of the Catholic faith. Pope John Paul II wrote, “The Church draws her life from the Eucharist. This truth recapitulates the heart of the mystery of the Church. In a variety of ways, She joyfully experiences the constant fulfillment of the promise: ‘And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), but in the holy Eucharist, through the changing of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of the Lord, she rejoices in this presence with unique intensity.”
The Anchor
June 12, 2009
Who is the holy Eucharist?
To believe in the real pres(Genesis 1). Jesus cured the ence is simply to take Jesus at royal official’s son in Caperhis word. Jesus told his follownaum by merely affirming ers that his flesh is real food, that he was healed (John and his blood is real drink. He 4:46-53). Jesus took every told them that, in order to have opportunity to convince his eternal life, they needed to eat Apostles of his power: He his body and drink his blood. had cured every kind of disOn the night he was betrayed, ease and infirmity, raised peowe find out exactly how we are to eat Jesus’ flesh and blood. Jesus Homily of the Week fulfills his promise to Corpus Christi give his literal flesh and Sunday blood as food and drink at the Last Supper. At By Father the all-powerful words George E. Harrison of Christ, “This is my body … This is my blood,” the bread and wine are completely changed ple from the dead, changed into Christ’s actual Body and water into wine, calmed the Blood. storm, walked on water, and Do you believe this? If multiplied a few loaves to Jesus declares ordinary bread satisfy a huge crowd. He had and wine to be his flesh and done everything to prepare blood, then, by the all-powthe Apostles to accept the erful word of God, they are. truth of his declarations, no God created light by merely matter how impossible they saying, “Let there be light” sounded.
Jesus equates His body and blood given in the Eucharist with his body and blood sacrificed on the cross. “This is my body, which will be given for you” (Luke 22:19); “this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). Jesus identified the body and blood he gives at the Last Supper as the very same body and blood that he will sacrifice on Calvary. Just as he literally sacrificed his body and blood on Good Friday for us so that we might have life, he literally offers us his Body and Blood to us at Mass so we might have life: “whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51). The most fundamental question to ask about the Eucharist is: “Who is the holy Eucharist?” And the correct answer is: Jesus Christ. This
explains why the Catholic Church has defended the reality of the real presence so strenuously down through the centuries. What else could She do? She believes that our Lord’s promise, “I will be with you all days, even to the end of time,” is being literally fulfilled at Mass and in every tabernacle and monstrance of the Catholic world. Jesus is on earth in the Blessed Sacrament. Why? In order that we might come to him now no less than his contemporaries did in first-century Palestine. If we approach him in loving faith, there is no limit to the astonishing things he can do. When we approach the Eucharist, we are approaching the same Jesus who told the raging storm: “Be still,” and commanded the dead man: “Lazarus, come forth!” Father Harrison is pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River.
Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. June 13, 2 Cor 5:14-21; Ps 103:1-4,8-9,11-12; Mt 5:33-37. Sun. June 14, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Ex 24:3-8; Ps 116:12-13,1518; Heb 9:11-15; Mk 14:12-16,22-26. Mon. June 15, 2 Cor 6:1-10; Ps 98:1-4; Mt 15:38-42. Tues. June 16, 2 Cor 8:1-9; Ps 146:2,5-9a; Mt 5:43-48. Wed. June 17, 2 Cor 9:6-11; Ps 112:1-4,9; Mt 6:1-6,16-18. Thu. June 18, 2 Cor 11:1-11; Ps 111:1-4,7-8; Mt 6:7-15. Fri. June 19, The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hos 11:1,3-4,8c-9; (Ps) Is 12:2-6; Eph 3:812,14-19; Jn 19:31-37.
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n another summer of baseball’s steroid-driven discontent — A-Rod scandals, Manny’s suspension, Clemens’s denials, etc. — it’s worth remembering a different era in the pastime, the virtues of which were embodied by the other DiMaggio: Dom, the Little Professor, kid brother of Joltin’ Joe, the Yankee Clipper. Dominic Paul DiMaggio died on May 8 at age 92. He’s not in Cooperstown, but the man who patrolled left field in Fenway
Let us now praise the Little Professor
while Dom DiMaggio was in Joe and the Splendid Splinter, center — Ted Williams, whom Williams, he lost years off his Leon Kass once aptly called career in service to America “our Achilles” — was so convinced that his teammate belonged with the immortals that he had booklets entitled “Why Dom DiMaggio Belongs in the Hall of By George Weigel Fame” available at the Ted Williams Museum in Florida. Dom DiMaggio made The during World War II. Thus his Show in 1940. Like Joltin’ entire major league life spanned but 10 full seasons. He was a career .298 hitter with a lifetime .383 on-base percentage who, as Sports Illustrated pointed out in a memorial essay, was a serious bat: “No one — not Joe, not Ted Williams — had more hits than Dom’s 1,679 from 1940 through 1952” (the missing service years being 1943-45). Yet it was his fielding that truly set Dom DiMaggio apart. In those 10 American League seasons, he had 147 assists from the outfield — meaning that 147 times, someone was dumb enough to test his rifle-like arm. Most outfielders would be happy with one season in which they had double-digits in assists. Dom DiMaggio had nine such campaigns, and in 1942 and 1947 he threw out an amazing 19 runners. His reputation was such that it changed the course
The Catholic Difference
of baseball history. It was 1946 and the Sawx might have broken the Curse of the Bambino, had they not been forced to take Dom out of the seventh game of the World Series when he turned an ankle after driving in the tying runs in the top of the eighth. Every serious baseball fan knows what happened next: the Cardinal’s Enos Slaughter raced from first to home on Harry “the Hat” Walker’s single to center, winning the game and the Series for St. Louis. But as Slaughter said afterwards, “If they hadn’t taken DiMaggio out of the game, I wouldn’t have tried it.” Williams insisted that the Little Professor — so-called for his studious appearance and glasses — was the best center fielder he’d ever seen. Yet he didn’t look like a ballplayer (even in that less-muscle-bound era, Dom was on the small side, at 5’9” and 168 pounds), and he didn’t have the DiMaggio glitz. Dom had the longest hitting streak in the American League between 1949 and 1987, at 34 consecutive games; but Joe had had his epic 56-game run in the summer of ‘41. Dom played amidst the crazies of Red Sox Nation in one of America’s two most beloved ballparks; but Joe played on
center stage in the House That Ruth Built. Dom married Emily, and had three children and several grandchildren; Joe married Marilyn Monroe. In a culture become increasingly celebrityinfatuated, Dom DiMaggio was far more steak than sizzle. That may have something to do with his lamented absence from the Hall of Fame. Yet he embodied the best of baseball in one of baseball’s greatest epochs. As for fame, perhaps Dom DiMaggio never read or saw “A Man for All Seasons,” but in pondering his death and his life (and the contrast with his brother Joe, to whom fame often meant misery), I remembered Sir Thomas More’s counsel to ambitious Richard Rich, desperate to join the world of high affairs at court. More thought Rich would make a fine teacher, “perhaps even a great one.” “And if I was, who would know it?” Rich complained. To which More answered, “You, your pupils, God. Not a bad public, that.” Substitute “fans” for “pupils” and you’ve got Dom DiMaggio. Several hundred like him might save baseball in the early 21st century. George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.
Jesus is sleeping?
who enter a sanctuary. The Sunday 7 June 2009 — at worship area is a sacred place home on Three Mile River — in which the Mystical Body June is Effective Communicagathers. In this place, time and tions Month was visiting another church. I noticed a sign on the wall, Silence! Jesu repose Reflections of a ici. I have never been Parish Priest very good in French. I translated it roughly as By Father Tim “Hush! Jesus is sleepGoldrick ing here.” I wondered why the Lord had dozed off in this particular space are transcended as the church. Did the liturgy lack assembly joins with the saints vibrancy? Was the music unand angels in their unceasing inspiring? Were the homilies heavenly worship. Jesus is enboring? throned before us as our Lord Seriously, there is a certain and God. Remember the words reverence required of those
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The Anchor
June 12, 2009
The Ship’s Log
He is still here
As it turned out, my imagipeculiar thing hapnation had been correct. It pened this past spring. had been the roar of a lion, an After dropping two of my chilobviously hungry, but hopedren off for a monthly zoology fully still caged lion, that had class at the Southwick Zoo in unsettled our stroll through Mendon, I strolled to a nearby the countryside. The experinature preserve with my todence was a good reminder that dler. Moss-covered rock walls things aren’t always as they outlined sleepy, green meadappear to be, or as the sayows, and robins dug for worms ing goes, that there is often in clusters of daffodils. An more to a situation than meets expansive, white farmhouse the eye, or in this case, than accompanied by a red barn sat meets the ears. God’s presence on a hillside in the distance. Chattering squirrels, twittering songbirds, and water babbling over rocks in a swollen stream were the only competition for the whispering wind. The landscape was so By Heidi Bratton serene, so quintessentially New England, that I felt as if I had among us on earth is one of stepped into an 18th-century those situations. painting. In Luke 24:13-35 we are Then, just when I was feeltold that Jesus, after his death ing most relaxed; a thunderand on the day of his resurrecous boom ending in a snarl tion, joined two of his followshattered our tranquil stroll. ers on the road to Emmaus, but So forceful and foreign was that they did not immediately the noise that I instinctively recognize him. It was not until snatched up my toddler and he broke bread with them, that darted for the cover of the “their eyes were opened and nearest tree. My imaginathey recognized him.” As those tion ran wild as I frantically believers strolled through the scanned the peaceful councountryside with Jesus, things tryside for what could have were not as they appeared to possibly made such a shocking be. Jesus was not dead as they noise. Not until the blast reversupposed, his body had not berated around us for a second been stolen from the grave as time, however, did my intellect they feared, nor was all hope catch up with my imagination. of Israel’s redemption lost. In I had been so immersed in the fact it was just the opposite. splendor of a New England Jesus was right there walking spring, that I had completely beside them, and Israel had on forgotten that my toddler and that very day been redeemed. I were wandering around less As we leave the Easter seathan a half-mile from the zoo, son behind and enter Ordinary which houses wild animals Time in the liturgical calendar, from every continent on the it is good for us to remember planet.
Home Grown Faith
“Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus” once embroidered in gold on the wine-red felt altar covering? The assembly is not only a manifestation of the Mystical Body, but it is also the People of God. We gather not as isolated individuals but as a community of faith. Jesus is also among us as our Brother. As the Mystical Body, we stand together in rapture before the Divine Presence, our hearts filled with gratitude and praise. However, as the People of God, we need to connect to each other. Like the cross itself, worship includes both a verti-
that even if the church building is not bedecked in Advent blues or Lenten purples, even if it doesn’t physically appear to be so, Jesus is still here with us. You know, especially with all that is going on outside the church building these days — the continued unrest in the Middle East, tension in our own families, a troubling economy, etc. — it important to hold on to the truth that God is still here with us. As physical creatures, we tend to go with the maxim that “seeing is believing,” but wasn’t Jesus still Jesus even before the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus recognized him? Wasn’t there a lion only a half-mile from where my toddler and I were strolling even before we heard him roar? Are not the natural forces of gravity, magnetism, and love real, powerful, and influential even though completely invisible? All of these are good analogies to God’s supernatural presence in our world. He is here with us, real, powerful, and influential, even if unable to be detected by the naked eye. This summer I hope you will keep watch, use your spiritual intellect, and not be deceived by appearances, because it won’t be just your imagination that God is trying to show you his love. It will be as true as my hearing a lion’s roar while strolling through the New England countryside. Heidi is an author, photographer, and full-time mother. She and her husband raise their six children in Falmouth. homegrownfaith@gmail.com.
cal and a horizontal dimension. Therein lays a logistical problem. How can you form a loving community without ever speaking to one another? Am I welcome here? Does anyone in this place really care about my family or me? Most church buildings don’t provide the space for spontaneous human communication. Here at St. Nicholas Church, built in 1934, we don’t have a “gathering room” or narthex as newly built churches do. I wait in the small front entry to meet and greet folks arriving for Mass. It’s surprising what you can learn just by standing at the church door. The practice helps me keep my thumb on the pulse of the parish. How is grandmother doing in the nursing home? How is the new baby? When is the lovely couple planning to wed? Once Mass begins, though, I am caught up in leading solemn worship. When I offer the Eucharist Prayer, I tend not to keep constant eye contact with those in the pews. I’m praying to God, not playing to an audience. A parishioner recently approached me. She said she arrives early for Mass so that she can spend time in private prayer. She complained that some loudmouth laughing and chatting at the front door often interrupted her prayer. That would be me. She finally decided to attend the earliest morning Mass instead because people are still half-asleep and incapable of carrying on a coherent conversation. There is a deeper issue. People today have generally lost a sense of what it means to stand on holy ground. Many behave as though they were in a stadium instead of in the House of God. Priests see this especially before and after weddings, first Communions and confirmations. It’s enough, dear readers, to give a poor priest apoplexy. The noise level can be off the decibel meter. There are people in the worship space
sipping coffee or bottled water. Cell phones go off constantly. Others are fighting to stake out seats for late-arriving relatives. Nobody wants to push down and make room. Still others refuse to sit down. What causes this behavior? We are not living in the “good old days” when people were taught from childhood that talking loudly in church was generally unacceptable. Weddings, first Communions, and confirmations tend to attract those who were once described as “inactive,” “lapsed,” “unchurched,” or “fallen-away.” There were periodic attempts to reach these people and invite them to “Come Home for Christmas” or for some other occasion. Remember the diocesan outreach program “We Care/We Share”? I remember it well because I designed it. We have today a different kettle of fish. The younger generations are not Catholics who have a clear (although neglected) identity with the Church. They were raised with no Catholic identity at all, as also their parents and even sometimes their grandparents. They may describe themselves as Catholic in a hospital emergency room, but that’s about the extent of it. Many do not attend Mass except for social occasions. You cannot preach God’s Word to those who are walking in another direction. You must first connect to these people of residual faith, especially parents and young adults, and then engage them in conversation. They need permission to speak about their lives and about their relationship with God. We need to keep our eyes and ears open to where people are at today, not where we might like them to be. In our modern world, Jesus certainly isn’t sleeping; nor should we be. “You snooze; you lose,” as they say. Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.
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The Anchor
June 12, 2009
Father Thomas P. Looney, CSC, elected provincial superior
EASTON — Stonehill President Father Mark T. Cregan, CSC ’78 has announced that Father Thomas P. Looney, CSC ’82, the vice president for Mission at the college, has been elected provincial superior of the Con-
gregation of Holy Cross, Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers. The priests and brothers of the Eastern Province elected Father Looney at their annual chapter meeting, which was held at
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King’s College, Pa. in early June. Father Looney will begin his duties immediately and will be based in Bridgeport, Conn. where the Congregation has its headquarters. He succeeds a fellow Stonehill alumnus, Father Arthur Colgan, CSC ’68 who has served as Provincial since 2000. “The Congregation’s gain is the college’s loss, but we are very proud to see an alumnus receive the endorsement of his fellow religious for this senior position within the Congregation. In his short time at the college, Father Looney has worked diligently and effectively in strengthening Stonehill’s identity as a Catholic college. We will miss him very much, but know that he will serve the Congregation as an outstanding provincial,” said Father Cregan. “I am pleased that in my ministry to the Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross that I will have the privilege of serving as a member of the Board of Trustees at Stonehill, my alma mater,” said Father Looney. Father Looney has served as Stonehill’s vice president for Mission for the last two years. In that role he oversaw Campus Ministry, the Center for Non-Profit Management and the college’s Community and Volunteer Service activities. In addition, he has worked to strengthen Stonehill’s Catholic Identity and Mission. Prior to coming to Stonehill, Father Looney was an associate professor of Theology, department chair, and associate vice president and dean of faculty at King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pa. In his new role as provincial superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Father Looney is an Ex Officio Corporate Member of Holy Cross Family Ministries, where he had served for six years previously. “It isn’t a coincidence that Father Looney was elected provincial on the 17th anniversary of Servant of God Father Peyton’s death,” said Father John Phalen, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries. “Immediately upon his election he asked the congregation to join him in praying the
Memorare, Father Peyton’s favorite prayer, and he indicated that he would be dedicating his administration to Our Lady of Sorrows. We look forward to Father Looney joining us in our efforts to continue to spread devotion to Our Lady and the rosary.” Founded in 1942 by sainthood candidate Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, Holy Cross Family Ministries continues Father Peyton’s mission in 17 countries through its ministries: Family Theater Productions in Hollywood, Calif.; Family Rosary and Family Rosary International; and the Father Peyton Family Institute in Easton, and Lima, Peru.
NEWLY-ELECTED — Father Thomas P. Looney, CSC, spoke at last weekend’s Rosary Fest at Stonehill College in Easton. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)
The essence of the ministry is captured in its well-known slogan, “the family that prays together stays together.” Father Peyton’s vision that families pray together daily is promoted through face-to-face mission events, mass media and the distribution of rosaries around the world, www.HCFM.org. The college will begin a search shortly to find a successor for Father Looney as vice president for Mission. In his letter to the Stonehill community, Father Cregan highlighted Father Looney’s achievements during his time at the college. “He has expanded programming; engaged faculty, students and volunteers in creative ways; and began new and exciting college-sponsored post-graduate service opportunities like Expansion India where five members of the Class of 2009 are now serving in Agartala, Tripura State, India,” noted Father Cregan. “(Father Looney) has also led the college’s efforts to reach out to the local Churches of Fall River and Boston and offer the college’s expertise in support of the Church’s mission in the areas of education, management and spiritual development,” Father Cregan continued. Father Looney holds a B.A. from Stonehill College, an M.Div. from the University of Saint Michael’s College (University of Toronto), and a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. Since the Congregation of Holy Cross arrived in America in 1841, it has established nine colleges and universities, the most famous of which is the University of Notre Dame (1842). Stonehill (1948) was the seventh college founded by the Congregation, which has 1,700 Catholic priests and brothers serving in 14 countries.
The Anchor
June 12, 2009
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One thousand faithful celebrate Jesus and Mary at Rosary Fest By Dave Jolivet, Editor
EASTON — In the first talk of the day, Congregation of Holy Cross Father John Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries set the tone for last Saturday’s Family Rosary Fest. “The rosary is a family matter because the family matters,” he told approximately 1,000 faithful gathered at W.B. Mason Stadium on the campus of Stonehill College. The event was part of Holy Cross Family Ministries year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, whose sainthood cause is ongoing. Continuing the mission of the famed “Rosary Priest,” Father Phalen told the gathering to “have a time and a place for praying the rosary daily and benefit from its healing presence.” The Fest included six keynote addresses all with a rosary theme, including presentations by Bishop George W. Coleman, and Bishop of Gonaive, Haiti Yves-Marie Pean, CSC. Songs of praise and worship in several languages buoyed the attendees between talks. “Families are not chosen,” continued Father Phalen, “but are given to us by God. The family rosary is just what’s needed to place God at the center of the family unit.” Father Phalen also reported that children from a family where the father leads the rosary have a 95 percent chance of continuing on the Catho-
lic faith. Gerrie Stadelmann of Brockton spoke of the ordeal she and her husband, Bill, experienced when vacationing in Mumbai, India last November. On November 26, terrorists looking to kill American and British tourists attacked the Taj Mahal Hotel, where the couple was staying. The Stadelmanns locked themselves in their room during a 15-hour ordeal, in pitch-black conditions, where they heard terrorists grow closer and closer, firing machine guns and tossing hand grenades into rooms as they went. That wasn’t all. The hotel was set on fire and smoke and flames were everywhere. “When Father Phalen asked me to give this address, at first I wasn’t sure I could do it, or wanted to,” Gerrie told the audience. “But then I thought that the Blessed Mother wanted me to tell the story of how powerful her rosary is.” Stadelmann prayed the rosary on her fingers throughout the ordeal. “My beads were packed in a bag across the room and I didn’t dare cross the path of the door to go get them. I spent most of the 15 hours praying the rosary. There weren’t many minutes when I wasn’t praying. “The odds were against us, but it wasn’t the terrorists that were most frightening, it was the fire. The terrorists had to find you first, but fire finds you without looking for you.” Stadelmann felt comforted that the Blessed Mother would get her
and Bill through the attack. She told of friends they had made on the trip from other countries who panicked and ran to try and escape, but they were gunned down and killed by the terrorists. “Eventually we heard a knock on the door, and Bill had to have the faith that it wasn’t the terrorists, but someone to help us,” said Stadelmann. “He opened the door and it was a commando force there to rescue us. There was a picture of me on CNN making the Sign of the Cross as they were carrying bodies out of the hotel. Bill told me that since the terrorists were still on the scene, making a Sign of the Cross out in the open wasn’t the best thing I could be doing, but I knew the Blessed Mother was getting us through. The rosary helped us survive.” Father George E. Harrison, pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River, who was chairman of the Diocese of Fall River’s centennial rosary celebration which capped off the diocese’s 100th anniversary in 2004, spoke about eucharistic devotion and the rosary. “I’ve spent my 41 years of priestly life devoted to spreading our Lady’s rosary and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.” The two are linked very closely he said. “Jesus got his flesh and blood from Mary. He had a Father and now he had a mother. Mary is the mother of the Eucharist.” Father Harrison told the faithful Turn to page 17
MARIAN MESSAGES — Gerrie Stadelmann from Brockton, left, and Silveria Furtado of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford, center, were two of the keynote speakers at the Family Rosary Fest. At right, a young girl dressed in ethnic garb, recites the rosary in one of several languages used that day.
EXTOLLING JESUS AND MARY — Father George E. Harrison delivers an address on “Eucharistic Devotion and the Rosary,” at last weekend’s Family Rosary Fest held on the campus of Stonehill College in Easton. (Photos by Dave Jolivet)
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The Anchor
June 12, 2009
NOT A CLUE — Will Ferrell stars in a scene from the movie “Land of the Lost.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Universal)
Rev. J. Bryan Hehir
CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “The Hangover” (Warner Bros.) A 100-minute assault of crude behavior, violence, racial stereotypes and male nudity strung along a thin plot of three groomsmen (Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha) searching for their pal the bridegroom (Bradley Cooper) after a drunken and drugged Las Vegas debauch the night before the wedding. Producer-director Doug Phillips and screenwriters Jon Lucas and Doug Moore work on the assumptions that any loutish behavior is hilarious, and if it’s funny when a grown man gets hit in the face by a car door, it’s even funnier when it later happens to an infant. Intermittent violence; pervasive crass, crude and profane language; upper female and explicit male nudity; drug use; and crude sexual gags, one involving an infant. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or
adult guardian. “Land of the Lost” (Universal) The innocent, mildly cheesy Saturday morning TV show from the 1970s has morphed into an overblown, special-effects-laden, but plot-thin star vehicle for comedian Will Ferrell, a washedup scientist who claims that his invention, the “tachyon amplifier,” is a time machine. With a beautiful academic (Anna Friel) and a sleazy sideshow operator (Danny McBride) at his side, he opens a “space time vortex” and lands in a prehistoric world filled with menacing creatures, reptilian aliens and furry CroMagnon natives. What ensues is a “Wizard of Oz” adventure as the trio seeks a way home. Unfortunately, what is being marketed as this summer’s “family” film is far from one. Cartoonish violence and peril; rough language; sexual banter, innuendo and encounters; partial nudity; and drug use. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappro-
priate for children under 13. “My Life in Ruins” (Fox Searchlight) Cotton-ball-soft romantic comedy about a travel guide in Greece (Nia Vardalos) who learns to absorb the spirit of the Greek islands in order to enjoy life and find romance with -who else? -- a handsome Greek (Alexis Georgoulis). Director Donald Petrie and screenwriter Mike Reiss duplicate the slow, ambling formula of Vardalos’ monster hit, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” to the letter, replacing her passel of eccentric but lovable relatives with a busload of eccentric but lovable tourists. So devoid of objectionable elements, it’s acceptable for older adolescents who probably will be dragged to the theater by Vardalos-adoring grandmothers. A couple of implied premarital encounters, mild sexual banter and innuendo. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, June 14 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, a retired resident of the Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River.
The Anchor
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The Anchor
June 12, 2009
news briefs
Members of Congress urge Obama to maintain conscience protection WASHINGTON (CNS) — Two members of Congress have called on President Barack Obama to make good on something he said in his recent speech to University of Notre Dame graduates, namely that he wished to “honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion.” At a press conference in Washington and in a letter sent to the president, Reps. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and Chris Smith, R-N.J., urged Obama to forgo rescinding the Bush administration’s conscience-protection regulation. They also asked Obama to “commit to defending conscience protections in future rulemaking.” Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed to rescind the conscience clause that gives federal protection to the conscience rights of health care providers. The rule, which took effect two days before Obama took office, codifies three longtime federal statutes prohibiting discrimination against health professionals who decline to participate in abortions or other medical procedures because of their religious or moral objections. The congressmen’s letter stressed that Obama should use all the tools at his disposal “to keep conscience protections in place and reduce the number of abortions in the United States.” Poll shows Americans, Catholics in particular, give pope high marks NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) — Americans overall and American Catholics in particular hold Pope Benedict XVI in high regard, according to a Marist College poll conducted in partnership with the Knights of Columbus. Sixty percent of Americans reported they have either a favorable or very favorable impression of the pontiff while 76 percent of Catholics hold the same view, the telephone poll of 2,078 people found. At the same time, 20 percent of Americans and 11 percent of Catholics told interviewers they have an unfavorable or very unfavorable view of Pope Benedict. The results of the poll were released May 19. It was conducted March 2431 by the Marist College Institute of Public Opinion, which is in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Results for Americans overall have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. For Catholics, the margin of error is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. By a margin of more than four to one — 73 percent to 17 percent — Catholics said the pope was good for the Catholic Church. Another 10 percent were unsure. A majority of Americans — 57 percent to 21 percent — held the same opinion while 22 percent were unsure. Congressional, Church, human rights leaders push Cuba policy changes WASHINGTON (CNS) — A month after President Barack Obama announced the relaxation of family travel and finance restrictions for Cuban Americans to visit and financially support their relatives in Cuba, supporters of further changes renewed their efforts to lift travel bans for all U.S. citizens. At a mid-May press conference at the Capitol, members of Congress, representatives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Human Rights Watch also urged an end to the ban on U.S. travel to Cuba and encouraged the administration to take other steps to open “person to person” dialogues. “The more we change, the more Cuba will change,” said Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass. He is one of 154 bipartisan cosponsors of the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, introduced in February. Twenty-six senators are co-sponsors of the Senate version of the bill. Oblate Father Andrew Small, incoming director of the USCCB’s collection for the Church in Latin America and a foreign policy adviser, said the U.S. bishops are fully behind efforts for more access to Cuba, and the sooner the better. “We need not just incremental change but robust, bold change,” he said. Caritas worker says displaced Pakistanis face ‘horrible conditions’ BANGALORE, India (CNS) — A Catholic Church relief worker who recently returned from Pakistan’s troubled Swat Valley said the 1.5 million civilians displaced by a government crackdown on militants are facing “horrible conditions.” “They are without proper shelter and cannot stand the extreme heat,” Eric Dayal, national coordinator for disaster management of Caritas Pakistan, told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview from his office in Lahore, Pakistan. “Most of the refugees are coming down from mountain areas where the climate is always very cool,” he said. “Now, they are struggling in temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius,” about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Dayal said that in most of the relief camps in remote areas like Mardan and Swabi the displaced civilians lack proper sanitation and water supplies. He said the displaced people suffer from health problems, including diarrhea. Dayal said while displaced Pakistanis with more money have managed to reach cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi, where the conditions in camps are much better, the poor are left in camps in remote areas like Mardan after fleeing about 125 miles from the mountains.
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Calvin (continued) and the radical reformers
ecall that Calvin got much For fear of undercutting of his Calvinism from St. Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the Augustine, although his theory cross, Luther and all subsequent of predestination differed from Protestants denied the sacrificial Augustine’s on some points. To nature of the Mass and even Calvin God’s eternal decrees went so far as to call the Mass were absolute, that is, not in any idolatrous and abominable. way regardful of man’s good or Still, unlike Zwingli and Calvin, evil choices. God stands to us in Luther at least retained belief in a the relation of a playwright to real objective presence of Christ his play: the characters say and in the Eucharist. Calvin argued do whatever he makes them say that since Christ’s glorified body and do. Our first parents, like is in heaven, it couldn’t be on ourselves, couldn’t have avoided earth; thus what is received in the sinning, because God decreed Adam’s fall as the means to an end, namely, God’s selection The Fullness of some for everlasting of the Truth life while leaving the others to their decreed By Father doom. Following this Thomas M. Kocik line of thought, Calvin reasoned that Christ died not for sinners — that is, for every last one of us — Lord’s Supper is but a symbol. but only for the elect. To Catholics and Lutherans alike, The Catholic Church accepts this was heresy. And so, neither as a revealed truth the predestina- Calvinist nor Catholic worship tion of the elect to heaven, but was tolerated in Lutheran states, also affirms free will, thus stakwhile Calvinists, for their part, ing out a position distinct from punished anyone found holding Calvinism. Adam needn’t have either the Catholic or Lutheran sinned, neither was his fall from understanding of the Real Presgrace preordained. Christ died for ence. the whole human race; therefore Calvin went further than Luthe damned could never blame ther or Zwingli in banishing the God for their ruin, since God per- trappings of the Catholic liturgy. mitted it only, without positively Calvinist churches were houses desiring it. God desires to save of preaching, where the pulpit all, and so he denies the neceshad abolished the altar. True sary grace to none, though some, piety, said Calvin, is preserved perhaps many, will reject grace. only by inward obedience to Calvin matched the intellecGod’s Word, the Bible. Images tual achievement of his “Instiand statues, incense, the organ, tutes” with a working model of hymns (except the Psalms), vesta church and community, which ments, candles — anything that by 1600 was replicated as far to could interest the senses was cast the east as Hungary. From all aside. Even the church bells reover Europe, young Protestant mained silent in Geneva, for the enthusiasts went to Geneva to see true believer needn’t be reminded what the Scottish Reformer John of his duty by the clang of metal. Knox described as “the most With one stroke Calvin erased perfect school of Christ that ever saints’ days and feast-days from was on earth since the time of the the calendar, including Easter Apostles.” and Christmas. Calvin’s Geneva was in fact The international Reformed a puritanical theocracy. Church Churches inspired by Calvin attendance was enforced under maintained the principle of conpain of severe punishment. gregational election in choosing Taverns were abolished, and in the orders of ministers, teachers, the cafés set up in their stead, presbyters (elders), and deacons. stringent regulations banned An important share in Church bawdy songs. Innkeepers had government was accorded the to ensure their customers said grace before meals. To smile during a church service or sleep during a sermon was to risk imprisonment. It was forbidden to play dice, sing a secular song, or give a child a non-biblical name. Dancing, skating, and card playing were likewise prohibited. Every offense, even the most paltry, was carefully entered in the records of the Consistory. Between 1542 and 1546 there were 58 executions, among them the beheading of a child for striking its parents.
laity, but in practice the clergy exercised a strong control over their congregations in matters of belief and conduct. None were allowed in the pulpit unless publicly called, and ordination, which Calvin regarded almost as a sacrament, was conferred by the presbyters. While bitterly antipapal, Calvin was also fearful of the threat of anarchy from various groups on the Reformation’s “left wing.” These were the Radical Reformers who felt that official Protestantism — Lutheran, Zwinglian, Calvinist — wasn’t much better than medieval Catholicism. For in spite of all the talk about justification by faith alone, the Bible as the sole rule of faith, and the priesthood of all Christians, the established Protestant churches retained an ordained clergy who baptized infants and, in the case of the Lutherans, administered Communion with reverence for the Real Presence. These radicals were generally called “Anabaptists,” meaning persons who believed in “rebaptism,” which had been declared a heresy punishable by death ten centuries before. But they called themselves simply “Baptists,” meaning that they thought infant baptism unscriptural and thus no sacrament at all. The true Church, they insisted, is a voluntary association of disciples who have experienced spiritual rebirth, have been baptized into membership — as the early Christians were — as adults, and now live godly lives in obedience to the Scriptures. A strict sort of democracy applied within Anabaptist churches, as each community elected its own pastor. Fearing social and religious revolution from below, Luther and Calvin fought a brutal twofront war against the Catholics on the right and the Anabaptists on the left. From these internal divisions within the Reformation emerged the major families of Protestantism. Father Kocik is a parochial vicar at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River.
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The Anchor
Remembering military chaplains The article in the May 22 edition of The Anchor was a tribute to military chaplains. Bishop Roque has celebrated several Masses in honor of veterans on Cape Cod at which I have been lector. The veterans who are priests can speak from their experiences in the military on the importance of chaplains. However, I would have liked to have seen mentioned and interviewed a diocesan priest, Father Rodney Thibault, who was an Air Force Reserve chaplain. When Father Thibault was parochial vicar at Corpus Christi parish in Sandwich, he served as chaplain for the community Memorial Day ceremonies conducted by American Legion Post 188 of which he was a member. Barbara A. Knight Captain, U.S. Navy (ret.) Sandwich Looking for terror in all the wrong places The Anchor of May 8 carried a story of how shocked some were when the Homeland Security Department in a security release indicated that “anti-abortion” groups might be a terror concern. The Catholic Anti-Defamation League and others professed they were “Shocked! Shocked!” by such a scandalous charge, no doubt part of President Obama’s conspiracy against the unborn. Then when we look at the record, in the same issue of The Anchor,
Our readers respond
your paper reports that Archbishop George told a group in Florida that the antiabortionists were akin to the Abolitionists. We know that it took a Civil War to resolve the question of slavery and he said he did not know what it would take to resolve the abortion issue. Not reported in your paper is the fact that Bishop Doran of Rockford, Ill., recently stated, referring to President Obama’s party, “No doubt, we shall soon outstrip the Nazis in putting human beings to death.” Then there is Bishop Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph who openly declares to antiabortion advocates, “we are at war,” meaning at war against even our fellow Catholics who oppose our efforts to make abortion illegal. With that record it is not surprising to me that someone at the Homeland Security Department was concerned that antiabortionists could create a terror concern. Donald Fleming Mattapoisett The future of vocations rest in renewed Church Your May 1 editorial reflection, Our Vocational Responsibility, is another excellent treatise on an important pastoral issue on your part, but I beg your forgiveness for pointing out an essential omission. How can the “vocations crisis” be resolved if we do not address and resolve the “vocation crisis” in marriage? Its path has paralleled and preceded the celibate crisis
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June 12, 2009
Pilgrimage to the Canadian Shrines - Celebrate the Feast of the Assumption in Canada. Call Joanie at 860-873-8767 by June 15 to reserve at the Early Bird rate of $829 for the tour and accommodations.
since the Council. As a Church, we have written and spoken eloquently since 1965 on marriage, family, fertility, sexuality, human life and dignity, and the common good. Yet have we seen any significant, effective reversal, of the marriage and family dissolution in our own communion? I would like to believe our bishops and pastors believe that this vocation deserves new strategic action, in effect, a renewal similar to that which is occurring for holy orders. The sex abuse crisis caused Church leaders to revisit the dignity of the priestly vocation, the criteria for seminarian screening and their ongoing formation. Dioceses now have educational programs for spotting child sex abuse. Resources designed, resources allotted. Doesn’t the vocation of marriage deserve as much? Having labored in the vineyard in a diocese and a parish for nearly 30 years, I well know the lack of attendance at marriage, parenting, and adult education enrichment offerings. However, I also know that the Church’s mission is to evangelize. Father Andrew Greeley’s protestations to the contrary, I fear we deliver cheap grace in our sacramental preparation programs — from engagement to confirmation — and miss so many opportunities. We need a gradual, prophetic, incremental restructuring of parish ministry to sanctify the domestic Church, and to form the thinking
* EVERY 1ST SUNDAY Catholic 12-STEP Healing Program with Fr. Bill (after the 1:30 Mass) & his team. Each Meeting will include teaching, 3:00-4:30 PM sharing & prayers for Healing; open to everyone (not just AA). WEEKLY HOLY SPIRIT BREAKFAST with Mass * EVERY THURSDAY at 11:30 and continuing the study of St. Paul with the 10:00 AM - 2 PM encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI includes lunch. * EVERY 1ST MONTHLY DISCIPLESHIP/PATRICIAN THURSDAY Meeting - MEN & WOMEN. Why not join us this 7:00-9:00 PM month? * EVERY 2ND ST. MONICA’S PRAYER GROUP to pray for our THURSDAY children, family, and loved ones before the 7:30-8:30 PM Blessed Sacrament. * EVERY 3RD HEALING MASS with Fr. Bill McCarthy and THURSDAY team, see our Website for exact date and 6:30 PM further details. * EVERY 4TH PRAYER CENACLE with OUR LADY, QUEEN OF TUESDAY the HOME — using the book of Our Lady’s Message 7:00 PM of Mercy to the World. Check out our website at www.myfathershouse.com for upcoming Parish Missions
Call us to have your family reunion here. Lodging & meals available.
Saints in the military In the “Pope creates five saints” article in the May 1 issue of The Anchor, the article quoted his remarks about St. Nuno de Santa Maria Alvares Pereira, a Portuguese army hero, as saying, he was “a person whose faith grew while in the military, a context generally viewed as unfavorable to holiness.” If the pope really said this, I strenuously object. Is this what the pope thinks of his Swiss Guard? My relatives have served in the military and I am proud to say that three brothers of my father-in-law were killed in World War II, my aunt served in World War II, my brother-in-law in Vietnam and my nephew in Iraq. Ruth Hanlon Seekonk Executive Editor replies: The pope actually said, “I am glad to
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and conscience of adult Catholics. I am very clear how difficult this would be, from presbyteral resistance to that of many laity. Pardon my frankness, but can we continue to issue documents and to try harder in our current structures and really believe something will change? Twelve step leaders have a word for that: insanity. I hope that at The Anchor, you will become an advocate for the renewal of marriage and family life. The future of both vocations surely depends on it. Charlie Balsam Austin, Texas
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point this exemplary figure out to the whole Church particularly because he exercised his life of faith and prayer in contexts apparently unfavorable to it, as proof that in any situation, even military or in war time, it is possible to act and to put into practice the values and principles of Christian life, especially if they are placed at the service of the common good and the glory of God.” He’s saying that it’s possible to be a saint even in war. Ideas do matter Wow. I just finished reading the editorial “Doubt, dialogue, and demonization.” This article precisely dissected and unraveled all of the flowery prose of President Obama’s Notre Dame speech. It was an excellent example of how to apply Catholic teaching and reason to examine the words and thought behind a speech rather than the simply the presentation style. Ideas matter. In our democracy, it is so important that we Catholics develop the skills to compare ideas to the yardstick of our faith. If we simply get drawn in by style, glamour and the pop culture, and refuse to think, we will soon find ourselves in a place where it will be extremely difficult to extricate ourselves from. John DellaMorte Sandwich News brave and bold Thank God for The Anchor printing the story of Obama’s cool reception at Notre Dame and Georgetown. The major papers had very little to say minimizing the cover up of the symbol of Jesus’ holy name (IHS). It was OK for Connie Rice and George Bush, but not for Obama? Is he controlling the news media now too? Be bold and brave and tell us all of it so we can defend and protect our faith. Sandra and Jim Bakun Dennis Civil talk doesn’t mean capitulation In your May 29 issue, under the heading “Our readers respond,” is a letter from a reader in Falmouth. In a scathingly sarcastic style, which he may have thought humorous, he managed to disrespect a university, our Church (“no guts, etc.”), and our President. He also asks God on our behalf to give us a sign of “what’s up?” Needless to say, this type of “take no prisoners” commentary on a very vexing issue for this nation is one of the reasons why we have atrocities committed by unbalanced people who act in the name of the unborn — see the news from Kansas, June 1. We can discuss anything civilly. Or we can throw gasoline on the fire. Civil comments and discussion does not constitute capitulation. Peter Conroy Onset
June 12, 2009
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The Anchor lieve God doesn’t want such a catastrophe to befall anyone.” On June 2 Brazilian military pilots spotted airplane debris 410
miles beyond Fernando de Noronha. The following day, French officials confirmed the debris was from Flight 447.
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Families, friends gather at Paris cathedral to pray for crash victims
PARIS (CNS) — Families and friends of the 228 victims of Air France Flight 447 processed into Notre Dame Cathedral carrying candles in memory of those who lost their lives in the Atlantic Ocean. Paris Cardinal Andre VingtTrois led an interfaith gathering that included Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim officials. The June 3 service was organized by the Archdiocese of Paris and Air France. Among those in attendance were French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former President Jacques Chirac. At a similar interfaith service at Candelaria Church in Rio de Janeiro June 4, Brazilians prayed for the victims during an interfaith service. Rio’s Auxiliary Bishop Antonio Dias Duarte and representatives of seven other religious denominations were at the service, which approximately 500 family members and friends of victims attended. Earlier, Pope Benedict XVI sent his condolences and apos-
tolic blessing to the families of passengers and all those affected when the flight, en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, disappeared from the radar between the Brazilian island of Fernando de Noronha and Cape Verde Islands, off the African coast. The plane was carrying 216 passengers and 12 crew members from 32 countries when Brazilian air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane at 10:30 p.m. May 31. The papal telegram, signed by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said Pope Benedict begged God to welcome those killed “into his peace and light.” The telegram was addressed to the apostolic nuncio to France, Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli. Cardinal Vingt-Trois announced the interfaith service June 2 and called on Catholics to pray for the victims and their families “and to surround them with their solidarity and friendship.” French officials, headed by Paul-Louis Arslanian, chief of the
civil aviation ministry’s bureau of investigation, said at a June 3 news conference that they hoped to complete an initial report on the disaster, the country’s worst, by the end of June. However, they added that there appeared to be no problems with the flight before takeoff and warned the investigation would “not be easy.” Earlier, the Catholic chief chaplain of Paris’ Charles de Gaulle International Airport, to which the plane was bound, said he had prepared a prayer brochure for bereaved families and promised clergy from all faiths would be available to conduct prayers and services for families at the airport or in nearby churches. “We are saying to them that we are here to survive this drama with them and try to ease their shock,” Father Francis Truptil told France’s Catholic daily La Croix June 2. “I never say ‘God willed’ this or that, since I be-
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Youth Pages
June 12, 2009
JP II High School announces free summer leadership and advanced Math academy
ALL FIRED UP — St. Mary’s School in Mansfield recently welcomed the Mansfield Fire Department. Firefighters gave tours of the trucks while answering questions from curious kindergarten and first-grade students.
HYANNIS — Pope John Paul II High School will conduct the first annual Leadership Development and Preparation for Advanced High School Mathematics Summer Success Academy. The Summer Success Academy, open to current seventhand eighth-grade private school and public school students, will run Mondays through Thursdays, June 29 through July 16, from 8 a.m. until noon. A light lunch will be provided. The Academy is tuitionfree thanks to a grant from the Bilezikian Family Foundation. The Academy’s focus will be in three areas: leadership development, preparation for high school math success, and exploration of scientific ap-
plications using math theory. School principal Christopher Keavy stated, “We are excited to be able to offer this program for families on Cape Cod. It will be a terrific opportunity for talented young men and women to continue their personal growth and develop their talents.” “We’re indebted to the Bilezikian Family Foundation for their generosity in helping to get this outstanding program off the ground,” added Keavy. Applications for the Summer Success Academy are available by calling 508-862-6336, sending an email to academy@ pjp2hs.org, or in the main office at JPII High School located at 120 High School Road in Hyannis.
NO COLONIAL BOLOGNA HERE — Students from Grade Five of St. Mary–Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro recently exhibited the tools of their trade. Students assumed the identity of a person as well as their occupation/trade living in the Colonial period. They were required to design a poster that explained and illustrated the process and products of their trade, write a letter as an apprentice describing the work and the working conditions, and present an oral report to explain the process and products of their trade. Front: Skye Welter. Middle row, from left: Matthew Foster, Corey Cote, Madison Gagnon, Mikayla Bedard, and Emily O’Neil. Back row: Sean Legg, Maggie Burchill, Teagan Sweet, and Molly Burgess. FAR EAST FUN — In accordance with the Diocesan Social Studies assessment policy, the students at Holy Name School in Fall River demonstrated their knowledge of Social Studies concepts in a variety of ways. Here fifth-grade students play games they developed for Early China.
THEY ROBOT — First-graders at St. Mary’s School in Taunton were lucky enough to be visited by local author Mary Toomey, a children’s author of the book “Jamari.” It is a story about a little robot that comes from outer space to meet and play with school-age children. Toomey explained to the children each illustration and how the book was written.
June 12, 2009
D
eath is a part of life. We know it. We understand it (sort of). And we try to accept it as best we can. Two weeks ago, the Christian Leadership Institute community suffered the loss of one of its own. The sudden death of this vibrant young woman came as a shock to everyone whose lives she touched. When news of her passing rippled its way through the community, I could not help but be moved by the number of young people who came together in loving support to mourn together but most importantly to celebrate her life. Frank Lucca, director of CLI, and I have been truly moved and inspired by the response of these extraordinary young men and women. When we heard of our young friend’s death, we embarked on a journey of community, love,
Youth Pages Blessed are those who mourn
remembrance, sorrow, pain and ing it would be difficult to attend even the joy of her life in a way the wake and funeral individuthat most adults may not be able ally, once again decided to share to comprehend. It began with a this journey as a community. prayer service two days before Gathering in the parking lot of the funeral, when much to our the funeral home and the church, surprise most of the 2006 CLI they would enter together as graduates and a few from previous years who knew our young friend appeared at the church. As with the passage of time and the transition from high school to college, By Crystal Medeiros some of the grads lost touch with each other while still others remain in close contact. But as they one body, sit together as one entered the church as a whole body, but most importantly pray group, united in faith, it was together as one body. What apparent that the bonds formed became so instinctive with them three years ago had never disapwas their desire for community peared. and their need to share this exLater that evening, these perience with one another. They young men and women, knowlifted their young friend and
Be Not Afraid
One thousand faithful gather to pray family rosary continued from page 11
that whenever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, “Mary is present. They can’t be separated, just as the Church can’t be separated from the Eucharist. Mary was the first tabernacle, and when Jesus was born, he was the first monstrance.” He implored people to “kneel at your Mother’s side and pray the rosary with her before the eucharistic presence. We are not praying to Mary, but Mary’s power of intercession with her Son is beyond human comprehension. Don’t be afraid to ask for miracles.” He continued saying families should pray the rosary together because “we are nothing if we don’t pray together.” Bishop Pean said, referring to a 1957 interview given by Sister Lucy, one of the Fatima visionaries, “Sister Lucy said that no matter what personal difficulties may be in a family, there is nothing that cannot be solved through praying the rosary together.” He added, “We must pray the rosary in cities, towns, villages, in the streets, on the roads while traveling, at home and at church. We must pray, pray always.” Silveria Furtado, a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford, spoke in Portuguese on “Witnessing to the Power of the Rosary.” “When I first got married, I prayed to the Blessed Mother for children,” said Furtado. “I wanted my children so I could teach them how to pray the rosary and tell them how powerful Mary’s prayer is.” In his homily, Bishop Coleman spoke of “two dedicated sons of Mary who have zealously spread devotion to Mary through the holy rosary,” referring to Father Peyton and Pope John Paul II. The bishop told of Father Peyton’s mission at a time early in his priesthood when “war was raging in Europe and starting to rage in the Pacific. Father Peyton’s message was simple and straightforward: The family that prays together, stays together. Father Peyton’s Rosary Rallies arose during a time of war and were intended to strengthen and defend through prayer to our Blessed Mother many thousands of families throughout the world. “Our time, also, is a time of war and con-
flict. The rosary is needed today to beg the Lord, through Mary’s intercession, for a just and lasting peace among the peoples on our earth.” Bishop Coleman told the gathering that Pope John Paul II saw a need for commitment and prayer in relation to the family. “The family is increasingly menaced by forces of disintegration so as to make us fear for the future of the family and the future of society as a whole,” said Bishop Coleman. “Mary is like a teacher who opens up for her pupils the way to Christ, her Son. Through Mary we learn how to contemplate the face of Christ as she did.” The Knights of Columbus led a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by Benediction. Bishop Coleman began recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary. Dressed in ethnic garb of the country they were representing, the prayer leaders prayed in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Swahili, Gaelic, Latvian, and several other languages. Children dressed in colored robes represented the beads of the rosary on the football field behind the bishop. As each decade was recited, the “human rosary beads” would stand. Several young people from Holy Name Parish in Fall River were part of the human rosary. Holy Family sent a bus with more than 60 people to the event. “We had many families attend,” said Father Harrison. “And just when the event began, the sun broke through the clouds. Our Lady was with us.” Manny Fernandes, a parishioner of Holy Name, was on the bus with his wife and three children. “It was a remarkable day,” he told The Anchor. “I was so astonished at the fact that when the father leads the family in prayer that 95 percent of the children carry on the faith. I’m going to make the rosary a regular event in my household.” Fernandes’ three children were part of the human beads. “It was so moving to see my children out there praying the rosary and being part of this tremendous event,” he said. “I think people need to revert back to the rosary, and when they do, things will fall into place
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each other in prayer and sought consolation and strength in their faith. Perhaps the most moving experience as I walked this journey with them came when they asked to return to Cathedral Camp where the bonds of friendship took root three years ago. When we arrived at the camp, we gathered at the pond and shared our stories of our young friend exclaiming things like, “Remember when she…” or, “How about the time we….” Standing by the water and sharing stories strengthened their friendships and helped them to understand that it is in fact OK to laugh and to celebrate the life of the one who died. Those moments by the pond were not about the sadness everyone was
feeling but it became about the joy and the gift of knowing this young woman and the memories we all shared. These young men and women are true disciples of their faith. Without realizing, they have provided me with an incredible witness, more so than if they stood in the front of a room and read a prepared talk about their faith. This truly was an experience of their faith. It is an inspiration. Blessed are all those who mourn the death of loved ones and take comfort in celebrating and remembering their lives. Let the experience and witness of these young men and women be an inspiration to all. Crystal is the assistant director for Youth & Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Fall River’s Office of Faith Formation. cmedeiros@dfrcec.com.
for them. For everyone there, I’m sure there were other places they could be. As a parent, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend time with my family than to be there listening to the talks and praying the rosary, and in so many languages. We were different, yet we were one. At the end of the day I considered myself very blessed.” Maria Ferreira, a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New Bedford, didn’t quite know what to expect from the event. “The day was such a blessing,” she said. “I came home very happy. It was beautiful to hear the prayers in the different languages, and to see the children on the field was beautiful. “I was especially moved when they brought out the Blessed Sacrament. I hope the diocese has more events like this. I will
bring more friends from my parish.” Radio show host, Dina Marie Hale, from KBVM Radio in Portland, Ore., was the emcee and also helped lead the recitation of the rosary. Also introduced at the event was the newly elected provincial superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers, Father Thomas P. Looney, CSC, ’82, the vice president for Mission at Stonehill. Stonehill president Father Mark T. Cregan expressed his thanks and asked for prayers for the 2,500 Stonehill College students and in particular for five recent graduates who have trekked to Agartala, Tripura State, India, to work with the Holy Cross Fathers there for one year.
FALL RIVER — Transitional deacons David C. Deston Jr. and Peter J. Fournier will be ordained priests for the Diocese of Fall River tomorrow at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption at 11 a.m. Bishop George W. Coleman will preside at the Mass. Rev. Mr. Deston, a Fall River native, will receive the priest’s vestments of stole and chasuble from Father George C. Bellenoit, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth. He will celebrate his first Mass Sunday at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas More Parish in Somerset, his home parish. Father Edward Correia
will be the homilist. Father Correia is pastor of St. Michael’s Parish in Fall River, where Deacon Deston ministered prior to the diaconate. Rev. Mr. Fournier, a native of Attleboro, will receive vestments at his ordination from Father Steven B. Salvador, pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Fall River. Deacon Fournier will celebrate his first Mass Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton. The homilist will be Father Michael Medas, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, a friend of Deacon Fournier since seminary days.
Two to be ordained priests tomorrow
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The Anchor
June 12, 2009
Borromeo Missionaries leaving Fall River Diocese continued from page one
“We have formed great friendships with members of St. Joseph’s Parish and we will certainly miss them, but will always remember them and keep them in our prayers,” he added. Succeeding Father Carvill as pastor, in his first pastorate, will be Father John M. Murray, who has been serving as a parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth. It is effective June 30. The missionaries, whose Priestly Fraternity is relatively new to the Church, having been founded in Rome in 1985, were also relatively new to the Fall River Diocese. When in July 1995, the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor left St. Louis Parish on Bradford Avenue in Fall River, which they had administered since September 1974, then-Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., invited the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo to come here and placed them in charge of the parish.
They remained until it closed in 2000, and were then sent to administer St. Joseph’s in Attleboro. However its members were also involved as chaplains at UMass-Dartmouth and at Bristol Community College, as well as in the ministry at Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro, Father Carvill noted. “We have been active and enjoyed our stay in the Fall River Diocese,” he added. St. Joseph’s, founded on Sept. 19, 1905, was one of the first parishes established by the Bishop William Stang, the first bishop of the Fall River Diocese during his second year in office. It was originally established to serve the needs of Franco-American Catholics in the Attleboro community. When the parish celebrated its centennial in September 2005, the priests of the fraternity helped lead the religious and social events. The Priestly Fraternity of St.
Two new pastors named; five relocated
Charles Borromeo was founded by Father Massimo Camisca, a priest of the Diocese of Milan in Italy on Sept. 14, 1985. Four years later it was recognized as an Institute of Diocesan Right, and in 1999 was recognized as an Institute of Pontifical Right by Pope John Paul II. “Those who know us know that our principal patron is St. Joseph, and all our houses are especially entrusted particularly to him,” Father Carvill explained. While St. Charles — a native of Arona in Italy, who lived from 1538 to 1584 and became Archbishop of Milan and a cardinal — is the name of the fraternity, it is linked to Father Camisca’s time spent on Lake Maggiore and the estate belonging to the Borromeo Family there. Another historic link to the saint is that Father Camisca was ordained on St. Charles’s feast day of Nov. 4, 1975. According to the history of the congregation, the charism of the Fraternity is that of Communion and Liberation that sparked Father Camisca’s venture. All the members of the Fraternity have met the Movement, belong to it, and have matured their vocation within it. Because the Fraternity is built upon the pillars of common life and mission, currently its 100 priest members reside in houses with at least three members. From a beginning of seven priests and 10 seminarians, the Priestly Fraternity currently has 100 priests. It is present in more than 20 countries such as the U.S. Canada, Portugal, Taiwan, Kenya and Russia. The missionaries are formed in their seminaries located in Rome and Mexico City.
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are all about and do what needs be done to serve all their spiritual needs and whatever must be done to strengthen the parish too,” he added. Father Chmurski noted that he has served as a parochial vicar at three parishes on Cape Cod and is anxious to serve in an inner-city parish, “which will offer a new experience, I’m sure.” Father John M. Murray, 37, a native of Brockton, will become pastor of Holy Ghost Parish as well as St. Joseph’s Parish in Attleboro effective June 24. He is the son of Mrs. Carol A. (Saba) Murray and the late Permanent Deacon Michael E. Murray, who died in March 2008. A 1990 graduate of Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton, he studied at St. John Seminary in Brighton, and was ordained a priest June 13, 1998 by Bishop O’Malley in St. Mary’s Cathedral. His first assignment following ordination was as a parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham. In July 1999, he was sent as a parochial vicar to St. Patrick’s in Fall River and appointed chaplain at Bishop Connolly High School in that city. In June 2000, he was transferred to Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich as a parochial vicar. In June 2005, following service as chaplain at Cape Cod Hospital, he was assigned to St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth. “While I will be taking over from a prior pastor, I don’t see myself as replacing anyone,” Father Murray said with a laugh. “But I’m looking to becoming a pastor along with a great sense of the responsibility that it brings as well as much joy.” When it was suggested he could be undergoing “a baptism of fire” as he takes on two parishes in his first pastorate, he laughed again and said, “But I probably won’t get burned.” He pointed out that the two par-
ishes he will be caring for “have a long and rich heritage in the history of the diocese. And their parishioners have contributed so much to its life of faith and spirituality. The faith of the people is crucial to what makes a parish.” “So it becomes the prime responsibility of pastors to guide and keep that faith alive and growing and I look forward to that,” Father Murray said. Transfers of pastors include: Father John A. Raposo, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Attleboro since 2002, will become chaplain at the Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River, effective June 24. He succeeds Father William P. Blottman, who has retired. Ordained in October 1977, Father Raposo served as pastor at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Provincetown. Father James W. Fahey, pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro since January 1998, will become pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in North Easton. Ordained in May 1970, he served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy chaplain before taking over the South Attleboro parish. Father Jon-Paul Gallant will become pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro, effective June 30. Ordained a priest in July 1978, his pastorates include Sacred Heart in Taunton, and Holy Redeemer in Chatham; Father Arnold R. Medeiros, pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham since May 1998, will become pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in North Falmouth, effective June 30. He succeeds Msgr. John F. Moore, who has retired. Father Medeiros also served as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Norton; Father John M. Sullivan, pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford since June 2001, will become pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham, effective June 30. He was ordained a priest in June 1990.
June 12, 2009
Around the Diocese Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration ACUSHNET — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mondays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m. BUZZARDS BAY — Eucharist adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass. EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place First Fridays at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m. NEW BEDFORD — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street, Mondays following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until 1:30 p.m. For more information call 508-995-2354. NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and confessions offered during the evening. NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the rosary, and the opportunity for confession. TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m. Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m. TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass. WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716. Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous ASSONET — A healing Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard’s Church June 22 at 7 p.m. Following the Mass, Frank Kelly, a renowned faith healer, will speak and pray individually over people. All are welcome. ATTLEBORO — St. Joseph’s Parish, 208 South Main Street, will host a free presentation tonight at 7 of Paul Claudel’s “The Tidings Brought to Mary.” Following the play, there will be a discussion led by Father Peter Cameron of Magnificat, Professor Paul Gondreau of Providence College, and Father Carvill of St. Joseph’s. For more information, call 508-995-6235 or email nb@crossroadsculturalcenter.org. BUZZARDS BAY — Bible Study takes place every first and third Sunday at 12:15 p.m. in St. Margaret’s School. The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction takes place every third Sunday at 3 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church. A Padre Pio prayer and healing service takes place at the church the fourth Sunday of the month at 3 p.m., and the Secular Franciscan Order meets every second Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall. FALL RIVER — To conclude the Year of St. Paul, a Bible study series on the Acts of the Apostles will be held Wednesdays at Holy Trinity Parish, 951 Stafford Road. The sessions continue June 17 and June 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the school library. FALL RIVER — A Healing Mass will be celebrated at St. Anne’s Church, 818 Middle Street, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. Rosary will precede at 6 p.m. with Benediction and healing prayers after the Mass. MANSFIELD — An all-night adoration in honor of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary will take place at St. Mary’s Parish, Route 106, June 19 beginning with Mass at 7 p.m. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at 7:15 a.m. June 20, with Mass following at 7:30 a.m. This event will kick off the Year for Priests. NEW BEDFORD — A Holy Hour is held every Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Kilian’s Church, 306 Ashley Boulevard. NEW BEDFORD — A solemn procession celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. from Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street. The procession will travel to three churches — Our Lady of Purgatory Church, St. Lawrence Church and back to Our Lady’s Chapel. Benediction will be held at each church. A potluck supper will end the celebration. For more information call 508-996-8274. NEW BEDFORD — The Men of the Sacred Hearts will celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, at St. Kilian Church, 306 Ashley Boulevard the week of June 15-21, with a different speaker each night, a holy hour, rosary and a parish reconsecration. All are welcome. For information call 508-998-9603. NORTH DARTMOUTH — A gathering of the New Bedford Deanery Young Adult Group will be held June 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Parish. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Tellier will speak on “Marriage as a Source and Sanctity.” Young adults 21-35 are welcome. For information contact Father Jay Mello at fatherjaymello@gmail.com. WALTHAM — The Northeast Catholic Family Conference will take place June 28 at St. Mary’s in Waltham, beginning at 1 p.m. The conference offers prayer, music and workshops for adults, children and teens. Cardinal O’Malley will celebrate Mass and join participants for a cookout. For more information or to register, go to www.schoolofnazareth.org or contact Father Michael Harrington at mharrington@rcab.org.
Support Groups NEW BEDFORD — The next meeting of Courage, a support group for people experiencing same-sex attraction who would like to live the Church’s teaching on chastity, takes place tomorrow at 7 p.m. Call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408 for location. NORTH DARTMOUTH — The Divorced and Separated Support Group will meet June 24 at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A video presentation on “Reconciliation” will be followed by refreshments. For information call 508-999-6420.
Pro-Life ATTLEBORO — Concerned faithful are needed to pray the rosary outside Four Women, Inc., an abortion clinic at 150 Emory Street, Thursdays from 3-4 p.m., or 4-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. For information call 508-238-5743.
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Charities Appeal in third week hits $3M mark; optimism high
FALL RIVER — As the 2009 Catholic Charities Appeal reached the $3 million level, there was “cautious optimism” within the ranks of those at the helm. Usually this comes on the heels of conversations with parish chairmen, pastors and secretaries who feel they are holding their own considering the poor economy and rampant unemployment with many parishioners currently working reduced hours, reported Mike Donly of the Appeal office. “The conversations we have with parish personnel is really how we get a feel for what is going on out there,” he said. “These people have the pulse of their parish and surrounding communities. For us not to pay attention to them would be foolhardy. It’s not terribly sophisticated I guess, but who can tell better than those in the midst of the action to be able to judge the attitudes of those we are asking to assist us.” Rick Dreyer, the parish cochairman for the Appeal at St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton, said, “I’m amazed at the energy and focus of the volunteers. It’s easy to be the chairman of an endeavor when Father Timothy Goldrick, our pastor, is so enthused, and so many parishioners are taking the leadership role and doing whatever they can to make this a success. I feel it is going very well thanks to those involved.” For many years, generosity and volunteerism have been the hall-
In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks
June 16 Rev. James McDermott, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1975 June 18 Most Rev. William B. Tyler, First Bishop of Hartford, Founder of the Sandwich Mission, 1849 Rev. James M. Coffey, P.R., Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1935 Rev. Declan Daly, SS.CC., Associate Pastor, St. Joseph, Fairhaven, 1984 Rev. Henri Laporte, O.P., Former Pastor, St. Anne, Fall River, 1992 June 19 Rev. Hormisdas Deslauriers, Founder, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1916 June 20 Rt. Rev. Msgr. James Coyle, P.R., LL.D., Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1931 June 21 Rev. Owen F. Clarke, Former Assistant, St. Mary, Fall River, 1918 Rev. Desire V. Delemarre, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1926 Rev. Francis D. Callahan, Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1948 Rev. George A. Meade, Chaplain, St. Mary’s Home, New Bedford, 1949 Rev. Clement Killgoar, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Anthony, Mattapoisett, 1964 Rev. David A. O’Brien, Retired Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1976
marks of the Appeal in the Fall River Diocese. This generosity is not only measured in the donations of money from the nearly 36,000 donors who gave to the Appeal in 2008, but also the donation of their time and talent. Literally hundreds of volunteers are involved with the actual carrying out of so many of the tasks necessary to make all of the ministries funded by the Appeal as successful as they are serving those in need. Whether it is food pantries, staffing the residences for the displaced and homeless, providing transportation for medical appointments, teaching ESL classes, or the like, the volunteers’ hours of service can be calculated in thousands of hours. “Quite honestly,” said Donly, “there is no way we could guarantee the scope of service we provide to the tens of thousands we
minister to, if we had to employ all those needed to cover the work of the volunteers. So much of the money collected would have to be spent on salaries and benefits, which would greatly diminish our ability to assist so many. It truly is a labor of love that is performed by these very generous parishioners from across the diocese. It is love that shows itself through sacrifices of time and talent as well as treasure.” Bishop George W. Coleman’s Catholic Charities Appeal AudioMessage and the Appeal Video may be heard and seen on the Website. Donations to the Appeal can be sent to the Catholic Charities Appeal Office, P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, MA 02722; dropped off any parish in the diocese; or made on the Appeal Website at www.frdioccatholiccharities.org.
Top Five Parishes in each area as of June 4, 2009: Attleboro: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk $ 86,616.00 St. Mary, Mansfield 67,700.00 St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro 52,417.00 St. Mary, Seekonk 49,528.00 St. Mark, Attleboro Falls 35,285.00 Cape Cod & the Islands St. Pius Tenth, South Yarmouth Our Lady of Victory, Centerville Christ the King, Mashpee Our Lady of the Cape, Brewster St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis
$136,980.61 87,057.00 83,905.00 83,645.00 70,369.00
Fall River: Holy Name, Fall River St. Thomas More, Somerset St. Louis de France, Swansea St. Patrick, Somerset St. Stanislaus, Fall River
$ 61,398.00 34,650.00 31,804.00 29,212.00 27,687.03
New Bedford: St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth $ 50,441.00 St. Mary, South Dartmouth 47,205.00 Immaculate Conception, New Bedford 42,193.00 Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford 38,352.50 St. Patrick, Wareham 38,192.00 Taunton: St. Ann, Raynham $ 73,834.00 St Anthony, Taunton 36,255.00 St. Andrew the Apostle, Taunton 33,711.00 Holy Family, East Taunton 28,015.85 Holy Rosary, Taunton 27,777.00
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The Anchor
I
Immaculée Ilibagiza
June 12, 2009
The heat was on
’m sure anyone who has woke up with a fever bordering ever served on a retreat team 104 degrees. We knew what we has experienced, at one time or had to do. I called and cancelled several, those outside “forces” our bus reservation and called trying to prevent you from going. my Holy Cross Family Ministry There’s the usual spat with the spouse, the awful day at work, or the nagging headache that just won’t go away. Still, you go, and you have the spiritual time of your life. By Dave Jolivet The phenomenon isn’t just for retreat experiences. For the last several weeks I had been so looking contact to advise we would not be forward to attending the Family attending. Instead it was a visit to Rosary Fest at Stonehill College. the outpatient. The plan was for Denise, Emilie Despite her being an obstacle and me to hop on a bus and spend to attending the Fest, we were conthe day with prayerful people. cerned for Emilie. We took her in I didn’t want to have to cover and found it was something a few the event for The Anchor. I just antibiotics would quickly remedy. wanted to go and enjoy, but since That was a relief, but what was that’s what I do for a living, I rethis? What usually takes several signed myself to taking notes and hours of wasting time in a waiting pictures — but I would still enjoy the day. Well, lo and behold on that Saturday morning, Miss Emilie
My View From the Stands
room, took only an hour and a half. There was still time for Denise and me to hit the road for Stonehill. With Emilie safely tucked away, two-thirds of us made it to the Fest with time to spare. The event was well worth the trouble we went through to get there. To hear and see people of different ethnicities reciting the rosary in a plethora of languages was a very moving experience. It brought the fact that Mary is the Mother of us all into great focus. People of all races praying and adoring the Blessed Sacrament felt natural. I took my pictures and made my notes, but still enjoyed the time well spent. And in prayer, I brought along my four children so they, too, could be part of our larger family.