06.25.21

Annual Catholic Appeal at $3.7M, in home stretch

FALL RIVER — The 80th Annual Catholic Appeal has raised $3.7 million of its $4 million goal to date, with less than one week remaining in the campaign, which ends on Wednesday, June 30. There is still time to make a gift in support of the many agencies assisting those in need throughout the Diocese of Fall River.

Each year, the Appeal invites parishioners of the diocese and community supporters to bear witness to the good works their

gifts make possible. Since 1942, the Appeal has helped meet the Spiritual and Corporal needs of individuals and families throughout the diocese: from the Attleboros, Mansfield, Taunton, and the greater Fall River and New Bedford areas, to Cape Cod and the Islands.

Catholic Appeal testimonials: Ministry moments from across our diocese — “Whatever you did for one of these, the least of my brothers and 8 Turn to page three

Prison Ministry brings Christ’s love to the residents at the Bristol and Barnstable County Houses of Correction. (Photo by Peter Pereira; Photo taken prior to COVID pandemic)

Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, June 25, 2021

New Bedford held a Corpus Christi procession with faithful adoring the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady’s Chapel. Another procession and Adoration also took place in Fall River. (Photos and story on page seven.)

Diocesan schools celebrate a full year of in-person learning FALL RIVER — What a historic year it has been! The Diocese of Fall River Catholic schools wish to celebrate the fact that all 20 schools remained open during the 2020-21 school year! Truly an amazing accomplishment!

While it was challenging to bring students back in person, we are grateful for the dedication and commitment of our teachers, staff, students and families. This is what “community” is all about, and the 2020-21 academic year is a perfect example of the community of Catholic education.

Despite many restrictions, here are some of the accomplishments over the past 12 months: All Catholic schools completed

the 2019-20 school year in June with between 90-100 percent attendance rates.

All 20 Catholic schools opened for the 2020-21 academic year on time with in-person learning.

All 20 Catholic schools offered synchronous remote learning for families requesting distance learning due to medical concerns or quarantine for the entire 2020-21 school year.

All Catholic elementary schools continued to use the MAP Growth Testing tool to quickly identify learning gaps.

The positive impact of in-person education by our Catholic schools has yielded a high rate of 8 Turn to page seven

Forty-hour Eucharistic devotion set to begin across diocese

By Dave Jolivet Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

NEW BEDFORD — A core group of five diocesan faithful and others have been researching and planning for a diocesan-wide 40hour devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, something very near and dear to their collective hearts.

The prayers, hard work, and coordinating activities are about to produce blessed fruit with the ad-

vent of a new format of 40-hours of continuous exposition of the Blessed Sacrament which will allow for more churches and faithful to be part of the worship rite.

“Every second Thursday of the month, beginning on July 8, the devotion will begin with a Mass at 8 a.m. followed by 39 hours of Adoration, ending on Friday at midnight,” Martha McCormack of St. Joseph Parish in Fairhaven, and one of the core committee persons, told The

Anchor. “A different church participates holding three hours of Adoration rotating on a schedule through the diocese until 40 hours are completed. This is a unique way to practice the 40-Hour Devotion making it more accessible to all churches as each church only needs to commit for three hours.

Currently there are 24 churches across the diocese that will be taking part in this devotional practice.

McCormack told The Anchor

that the committee received permission to reach out to all of the churches in the diocese to invite them to take part.

“We have been contacting churches in the diocese, but the task is not complete,” said McCormack. “However, because we now 24 churches signed up, it is more than enough churches to begin the Devotion. We will continue to call churches until all churches have been June 25,8 2021 Turn† to page 11

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Falmouth Catholic churches unify to form one new parish; St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family FALMOUTH — Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., the Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River, has approved the recommendation of the Pastoral Council of the Catholic Community of Falmouth to unite St. Anthony, St. Patrick, and St. Elizabeth Seton parishes, and create a new parish: St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family.

“At this time, we plan to retain the present churches, including St. Thomas and St. Joseph chapels, maintaining historic names and identities,” said Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, who has been pastor of all three parishes in the

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Falmouth Collaborative since 2019 and has been appointed pastor of the new parish community.

The Collaborative was formed in November 2018, stemming from a study conducted by the Fall River Diocese. As part of the Collaborative’s Strategic Plan, the Pastoral Council, consisting of members of all three parishes, was charged to review the viability of the Falmouth Collaborative within a three-year time frame.

“This year, the Council agreed it was time to merge the parishes into one, since we have seen evidence that collabora-

† June 25, 2021

tion makes us a stronger and a more viable community,” said Msgr. Avila.

As a result, the Pasto-

ral Council, along with Parochial Vicar Father Ryan Healy, began the unification process earlier this year and presented

the proposal to Bishop da Cunha for his approval in April. After a review by the bishop’s Presbyteral Council at its May meeting, Bishop da Cunha endorsed the proposal.

“I am grateful to Msgr.

Avila, Father Healy, and the Pastoral Council of the Catholic Community of Falmouth for their dedicated work to offer a sound recommendation to unite the present parishes of Falmouth into one, new community of faith,” said Bishop da Cunha. “I am convinced that the plan offers the best way to move forward at this point not only on the administrative side but also as a way to rekindle the evangelization efforts and the services provided. The new parish begins well positioned under the patronage of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family, and I want to assure the clergy and Catholic faithful of Falmouth of my prayers as they become one united parish family.”

Bishop da Cunha also accepted the pastoral council’s recommendation to name the new parish, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family. “The name was the pastoral council’s first choice,” said Msgr.

Avila. “Not only is this year designated by the Catholic Church as the Year of St. Joseph, but the name was chosen because all of our churches and chapels in Falmouth were established from the first Catholic parish in Falmouth, which was St. Joseph in Woods Hole.

“There are many benefits to the unification of the three parishes. As

throughout the United States, the Fall River Diocese is experiencing a decrease in the number of priests. Unification will help address this shortage.

In addition, the unification of the parishes will help to develop a stronger sense of community among the Catholics in Falmouth, allow for a greater efficiency in human and financial resources, greatly assist in the development of an Evangelization Strategy as we reach out to the larger community and strengthen the many existing organizations and ministries associated with the churches.”

Bishop da Cunha has appointed Msgr. Avila as the pastor of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish and will be assisted by a newly ordained priest, Father Peter R. Scheffer Jr., who will serve as Parochial Vicar.

Father Healy, who has served with Msgr. Avila for two years, has been reassigned as administrator of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet. “I am very grateful to Father Ryan for his dedicated ministry these past two years”, said Msgr. Avila, “and I look forward to continuing to serve the wonderful people of our new parish along with Father Scheffer.”

The new parish will be formally established on July 1.

You may learn more about the unification and establishment of St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family Parish by visiting the website www. falmouthcatholic.org.

Catholic Appeal in home stretch continued from page one

sisters, you did for me” (Mt. 25:40).

“The past year has been unique in terms of what the world has dealt with. However, our diocesan community’s commitment to helping those most disadvantaged has remained unparalleled, as evidenced by the generosity of our donors. At Catholic Social Services, we have made significant efforts to mitigate exposure to COVID-19 for our shelter guests and staff. We expanded our operational capacity at the Solanus Casey food Pantry, and we shifted to a takeout model at the Sister Rose Soup Kitchen.

While we understand that every year brings its own set of challenges, we rely on donor support to be able to meet those challenges, and we are eternally grateful for that support.”

— Rui Rosa, chief financial officer, Catholic Social Services.

“Over the last few years, I have had the great pleasure of working with the chaplaincy team at the Barnstable County Prison. There’s a great group of people there who have

weekly prayer meetings; we have semi-annual retreats to bring the residents together to reflect on their faith in a deeper sense; I make weekly visits, along with a deacon who also makes weekly visits. All of this allows us to help the residents of the jail, who have lived sometimes very difficult backgrounds, to realize despite everything else that has happened in their life, God’s love is still there for them. I’d like to thank everyone who supports the Catholic Appeal because it is your support that allows us to do this.

God bless you for your support and thank you for your continued prayers for the Prison Ministry and for many other ministries around the diocese.”

— Father Riley Williams, Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet.

“When I think about the future for my children, I want them to have a Church that is flourishing, and I want the same for all 288,000 Catholics here in our diocese. Every donation to the Catholic Appeal helps our work: to reach families and young people

in parish Faith Formation programs, establishing youth ministries, helping with the Rite of Christian Initiation with Adults, and helping adults learn how Christ is calling them to a life of discipleship. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you.”

— David Carvalho, senior director for Youth, Young Adult, and Family Life Ministries.

“Because of your donations, we are able to help

those experiencing loss through our Office of Faith Formation’s Bereavement Program. Participants meet in regular weekly support groups. There is a great need in the community for this program and anything you can give makes a big difference.”

— Rosemary Saraiva, Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

There are many ways to support the Catholic Appeal during its home stretch.

Contributions to the Catholic Appeal may be made as a one-time donation or through monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual pledges.

Donations may be mailed directly to the Catholic Foundation office, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, 02720; made online at www.givefrdiocese.org/2021, or dropped off at any parish in the diocese. Contact the Catholic Foundation office at 508-675-1311 with any questions.

† Diocese of Fall River † OFFICIAL Appointments

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointment:

Reverend Craig A. Pregana, Chaplain to Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, while remaining Pastor of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul Parishes in Attleboro.

Effective: June 9, 2021 June 25, 2021 †

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Devotion to St. Joseph in the life of St. André Bessette

S

t. André Bessette was born on August 9, 1845 and died Dec. 31, 1936. He is known as having had one of the greatest devotions to St. Joseph.

From this ordinary man we can learn his extraordinary devotion and faith in St. Joseph. When people spoke of “Brother Andre” they knew him as the humble porter credited with the building of the majestic Oratory of St. Joseph on a mountain top in Montreal, Canada, to which he labored with such great zeal. Brother André is also remembered for the miracles wrought from his confident intercession of St. Joseph.

St. André can teach us what it means to have a living devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in that order of importance. By imitating some aspect of this saint’s life and praying for his intercession we are doing what all the saints in the Church Triumphant in Heaven did while they lived; depending on the Communion of Saints to which we are united in the Mystical Body of Christ.

As sinners striving to grow in grace we depend on the saints for their support to bring about God’s Kingdom “on earth as it is in Heaven,” and as members of the Church Militant to attain our eternal beatitude.

St. André was born Alfred, the eighth child of Isaac and Clothilde Bessette in a poor French Canadian family of 12 children. By their generous and devout example, the Bessettes taught Alfred the virtues of prayer and hard work which became a foundation to his Sanctity. After his father died in a tragic lumbering accident, his mother died soon afterward of tuberculosis leaving all the other children up for adoption except for frail 4

Alfred who she kept with her while living with the support of her sister. When his mother passed away, Alfred continued to live with his aunt and uncle but he lacked the physical health and stamina to work on the farm or learn a trade.

His physical weakness and problems with indigestion for most of his life made his life difficult but enabled him to embrace the will of God. So what made his ordinary life so extraordinary?

The answer has to do with his life of prayer and penance.

As a child, Alfred came under the direction of Father André Provençal, the Curé of St. Césaire. This holy parish priest instructed Alfred for his first Holy Communion and inspired in him a devotion to St. Joseph — pious practices that would put him on the path to a religious vocation until he became a religious of the Holy Cross Congregation and took habit as a religious brother taking the name Brother André.

When he was a child he would choose to spend his afternoons in church in prayerful conversation with God and the saints while other children his age chose to play. He also chose to practice severe penances for the love of Jesus Crucified. Often his aunt had to take from him the instruments of penance such as a leather belt pierced with tacks which he would wear around his waist or an iron chain and she would prevent him from sleeping on the floor. When he was told not to practice one penance he did not disobey, he just did another penance and these continued throughout his lifetime even as a

† June 25, 2021

religious.

However, penance and sacrifice, pain and suffering have no value without prayerful union with God. Brother André prayed continually throughout his sickness even though he was given the grace to intercede to St. Joseph for the healing of others. These sufferings were a path by

that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body” (3:19-21). Because he aligned his life according to the direction of his eternal destination, his humble, confident prayer in God and the saints had marvelous results. As the shrine’s guardian in 1909 he distributed St. Joseph’s oil, medals and Novenas for healing of the sick during the day, spending his nights in vigils of prayer. It is important to note that Brother André never claimed credit for working a single which he strove for greatmiracle. In humble truther Sanctity. When people fulness he gave all the credit inquired if he was in great to St. Joseph, in whose pain, he replied, “Indeed power he had boundless I am, but I thank God for faith and confidence. giving me the grace to Aside from his great suffer; I need it so much!”1 devotion to St. Joseph, his central devotion was to the Suffering for him was necPassion of Our Lord. He essary to unite with Jesus Crucified and to gain graces would often speak of Our Lord’s sufferings and his for others. He did not see suffering as something to be conversation would bring avoided but as permitted by himself and his audience God and so he embraced it to tears. He also led the Stations of the Cross every with gratefulness in union with the Passion of Jesus to Friday at the Oratory. In which he was most devoted. union with Our Lord’s Passion, Brother André joined During these early years he started his lifelong his devotion to Our Lady as Our Lady of Sorrows, formation of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sac- who is the Patroness of the Holy Cross Congregation rament at hours at a time or in lengthy conversations to which he belonged. He with St. Joseph. His conver- was often seen visiting the sick or raising funds sation was in Heaven. As St. Paul wrote in his Epistle for the Oratory with the Holy Rosary in hand and to the Philippians about prayed several Rosaries. In the difference between the his simplicity he spoke to children of the world and the children of God, “Their the virgin as a child would.

In like manner he had a end is destruction, their simple and childlike piety god is their belly, and their to St. Joseph. “When you glory is in their shame. invoke St. Joseph, you don’t Their minds are set on have to speak much. You earthly things. But our citknow your Father in Heavizenship is in Heaven, and en knows what you need; we eagerly await a Savior well, so does His friend St. from there, the Lord Jesus Joseph.” “Tell him, ‘If you Christ, Who, by the power

were in my place, St. Joseph, what would you do?

Well, pray for this in my behalf.’”2 Brother André encouraged confident and persevering prayer to St. Joseph which most often took the form of a Novena to the Patron of the Universal Church.

St. André in his childlike confidence exemplified Our Lord Jesus Who grew in His Sacred humanity under the authority of His foster father St. Joseph.

Even in reference to His Heavenly Father he lovingly called Him “Abba.” Scripture reminds us that this, too, must be our posture before God Our Father: “Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven’” (Mt 18:4). In all things, humble obedience, persevering and confident prayer, and childlike dependence on God, Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph was key to St. André’s Sanctity and so it must be ours. St. André would exhort those who came to him, “We must pray to St. Joseph, but always and in everything will nothing but what God wills.”3 Let us then with confidence “Go to Joseph” in this Year of St. Joseph to receive help and protection in our days.

1.”St. Andre Bessette: Montreal’s Miracle Worker.” Catholicism.org.

October 25, 2004. https://catholicism.org/ br-andre.html.

2. Ibid.

3. Bergeron, CSC, Henri-Paul.

Brother Andre: The Wonder Man of Mount Royal. Montreal: Saint Joseph Oratory, 1997.

Small and her husband Bill have made their solemn profession as Third Order Franciscans of the Immaculate, through the Franciscans of the Immaculate in New Bedford.

A pilgrimage of faith through the streets of Manhattan

O

ne of the things I love to do in New York City is leading walking pilgrimages to the most beautiful churches in Manhattan.

I take friends from out of town, interns and staff of the Holy See Mission, young adults associated with the Leonine Forum, and others interested on a workout of body and soul.

It’s a fun journey of faith, in which we see Christian truths beautifully displayed in so different styles of architecture, sculpture, painting and stained glass.

It’s an inspiring trek in which we discuss and witness in action the virtue of munificence — which many, even the brightest, can no longer define but which was considered during the Middle Ages one of the most important virtues: to do something lavishly generous out of love for God. It’s a Sacred excursion during which we not only pray at the stations along our path but are strengthened on the journey of life as the “pilgrim Church on earth.”

The route can vary, depending upon the interests and stamina of the participants, but normally I like to start at the beautiful nineton bronze doors opening to the nave of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, “America’s Parish Church,” where, with the help of sculptor John Angel, we are able to do a brief history of the Church in New York.

On the transom we see John the Baptist and Mary pointing out and inviting us to adore as we enter, the Lamb of God and the fully-grown Fruit of her womb, respectively. Jesus in turn is giving the Great Commission to the Apostles, sending them forth to preach the Gospel to all nations, representatives from most of which pass by every day on Fifth Avenue.

On the door itself are six beautiful sculptures. The top two are of St. Joseph, the pa-

tron of the Universal Church, and St. Patrick, the patron of the cathedral and the archdiocese.

Underneath them are four saints associated with New York: St. Isaac Jogues, the first priest ever to set foot in Manhattan in 1643, who was eventually martyred in Auriesville three years later; St. Kateri Tekakwitha, born 10 years after Jogues’ death in the very village sanctified by his blood; St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the Italian born missionary who arrived in New York City in 1889 and quickly became a mother for thousands of orphans, students, and hospital patients in the New World; and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Manhattan native, convert to Catholicism, and one of the most important figures in the history of Catholic schools.

Those four orient us to the Catholic history of New York and to the fact that along our path we will be following not only in their footsteps, but also those of St. John Neumann, ordained in New York in 1836, St. Francis Xavier Seelos, who arrived in New York in 1843, and many others — including, for example, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Paul VI, and St. John Paul II — who have spent time on the streets and in the churches of this city.

At the door of St. Patrick’s we can also consider a brief overview of the early history of the Church in New York: how from 17001784, Catholic priests were prohibited from entering the city; how in 1785, there were about 200 Catholics and one priest among 230,000 inhabitants, when the first Catholic church, St. Peter’s, was built; how Catholic New York grew so quickly that in 1808, the Diocese of New York, encompassing New York State and eastern New

Jersey, was established and the first cathedral, nowOld St. Patrick’s, built; and how the visionary and bold Archbishop John Hughes determined in 1858 that the population and geography of New York City would continue to grow exponentially and “foolishly” decided to build an enormous new cathedral — then, the largest church in the country and the nation’s second tallest building — three miles north of where most of the people lived, correctly presaging that the site of the cathedral would eventually occupy the heart of New York.

Visiting the recently renovated St. Patrick’s at the beginning of our odyssey allows us to orient ourselves in the living history of the Church in New York, putting on display its sources of vitality and showing the perennial attraction to the tens of thousands who enter every day to glimpse its beauty, say a prayer, attend Mass or Confession or adore Jesus exposed in the Chapel of Our Lady. Last Saturday, we witnessed a diaconal ordination, as many men were ordained in the image of Christ the servant and sent forth.

From St. Patrick’s, we normally journey three blocks north to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, an Anglo-Catholic Episcopal parish where the beauty of the world’s largest and most beautiful marble retablo, focused on St. Thomas’ declaration of Jesus as his Lord and God and featuring 60 sculptures, leaves pilgrims in awe.

Next we head to St. Vincent Ferrer, on 65th

and Lexington, where the neo-Gothic church’s extraordinary stained glass windows envelop you much like pilgrims experience in Paris’ Sainte Chapelle or Chartres Cathedral. Run by the Dominicans, this parish is thriving with young people and families and is one of the city’s most prayerful spots.

Ten blocks north is the Church of St. Jean Baptiste, run by the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and totally oriented — Sanctuary, stained glass, and church encompassing inscriptions — to celebrating the mind-blowing reality of Jesus’ real presence in the Holy Eucharist. This French-Canadian gem also features a shrine to St. Anne with half of the relics of the grandmother of God originally destined by Pope Leo XIII for the Church of St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec. Out of all of the churches in the city, it’s my favorite.

From there we walk another 10 blocks to the Church of St. Ignatius, run by the Jesuits, which is so rich in symbolism, materials and beauty that it’s overwhelming. My favorite element of all are two stunning bronze doors, one dedicated to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and another to the Beatitudes, featuring bas reliefs of saints who have enfleshed those gifts and paths to Christ-like happiness. Designed by Father Patrick O’Gorman, S.J,. pastor of St. Ignatius from 1924-29, these resplendent doors are the most powerful visual depiction of holiness I know.

After that, we make a long trek to the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest Gothic cathedral and sixth biggest church in the world. Like the great cathedrals in Europe, it’s taken centuries to build, only two-thirds completed since construction started in

1892. From an architectural point of view, it is extraordinary and a reminder of the soaring aspirations that built the Medieval cathedrals; from the perspective of faith, the church is sadly operated more as a museum, concert hall, and center of ecological spirituality than a house of prayer.

Next we journey from the top to the bottom of Central Park to visit the majestic St. Paul the Apostle, founded by Father Isaac Hecker and run by the Paulists. It’s inspired by elements of the early Christian basilicas in Ravenna and features the work of some of the greatest 19th-century American artists.

After that — for most groups with the help of the subway — we head to the Church of St. Francis Xavier, designed by the famous Patrick Keely, and filled with 50 stunning murals, several series of marble sculptures of saints, and breathtaking architecture. The huge paintings of the Stations of the Cross in the nave are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen adorn a church.

We conclude by heading to the Basilica of Old St. Patrick’s and, for those who are not exhausted, the Church of St. Peter, where, in New York’s first two churches, we are able to focus a little on the Lord’s parable of the Mustard Seed. From 200 Catholics and one priest in 1784, a great and munificent Catholic legacy was built where, in some sense, immigrants and visitors from the whole world have been able to take refuge.

Retracing and reliving that history, and following in the footsteps of saints celebrated and unknown, we are strengthened not only for the pilgrimage of life but also challenged and emboldened to recapitulate that parable.

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

June 25, 2021 †

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Editorial

Deacons today

On June 19, Pope Francis met with the permanent deacons of the Diocese of Rome, along with their families. His words are a good meditation for deacons and for all of us.

After greeting everyone, the pope said that he was “delighted that the Diocese of Rome has resumed the ancient custom of entrusting a church to a deacon to become a diaconate, as it did with you, dear Andrea [this is the Italian version of “Andrew”], in a working-class neighborhood of the city. I greet you and your wife Laura with affection. I hope you do not end up like St. Lawrence, but keep going!”

The Holy Father said, for the deacon, “the main path to follow is the one indicated by Vatican Council II, which understood the diaconate as a ‘proper and permanent rank of the hierarchy.’ Lumen Gentium illustrates the ministry of deacons, ‘upon whom,’ it says, ‘hands are imposed not unto the priesthood, but unto a ministry of service’ (LG 29). This difference [from the priesthood] is not insignificant. The diaconate, which in the previous conception was reduced to an order of passage to the priesthood, thus regains its place and its specificity. The mere fact of emphasizing this difference helps to overcome the scourge of clericalism, which places a caste of priests ‘above’ the People of God. Deacons, precisely because they are dedicated to the service of this People, remember that in the ecclesial body no one can elevate himself above others.”

Pope Francis said, “in the Church, the opposite logic must apply, the logic of lowering oneself. We are all called to lower ourselves, because Jesus stooped to us, He made Himself the servant of all. If there is one great person in the Church, it is the one who made him- or herself the smallest, and servant of all. Let us remember, please, that for the disciples of Jesus, to love is to serve and to serve is to reign.

Deacons are the custodians of service in the Church, so we can say that they are the custodians of true ‘power’ in the Church, so that no one goes beyond the power of service. Think about this.

“The diaconate,” the pope continued, “leads us to the center of the mystery of the Church. Just as I have spoken of a ‘constitutively missionary Church’ and a ‘constitutively synodal Church,’ so I add that we should speak of a ‘constitutively diaconal Church.’ Indeed, if we do not live this dimension of service, every ministry is emptied from within, it becomes sterile, it does not bear fruit. And little by little it becomes worldly. Deacons remind the Church that what St. Therese discovered is true: the Church has a heart enflamed by love. Yes, a humble heart throbbing with service. Deacons remind us of this when, like the deacon St. Francis, they bring God’s closeness to others without imposing themselves, serving with humility and joy. The generosity of a deacon who gives of himself without seeking the front ranks has about him the perfume of the Gospel, he tells of the greatness of God’s humility in taking the first step — always, God always takes the first step — to meet even those who have turned their backs on Him.” Discussing the decline in the number of priests, the pontiff mentioned that deacons have been filling in for priests in various ministries. He said that these “tasks, however important, do not constitute the specific nature of the diaconate. They are substitute tasks. The Council, after speaking of service to the People of God ‘in the diaconate of the Liturgy, of the word and of charity,’ emphasizes that deacons are OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 65, No. 13

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† June 25, 2021

above all — above all — ‘dedicated to duties of charity and of administration’ (LG 29). We can also draw on the roots of the Church of Rome. I am not only thinking of St. Lawrence, but also of the decision to give life to the diaconate. In the great imperial metropolis seven places were organized, distinct from the parishes and distributed throughout the city’s municipalities, in which deacons carried out grass-roots work on behalf of the entire Christian community, especially the ‘least of these,’ so that, as the Acts of the Apostles say, none among them would be in need (cf. 4:34).

“That is why in Rome we have tried to recover this ancient tradition with the diaconate in the church of St. Stanislaus [where Deacon Andrea Sartori lives with his wife and four children]. I know that you are also present in Caritas and in other bodies that are close to the poor. Deacons will not be ‘half-priests’ or second-rate priests, nor will they be ‘special altar boys,’ no, that is not the path to follow; they will be caring servants who do their best to ensure that no one is excluded and the love of the Lord touches people’s lives in a tangible way. One could summarize diaconal Spirituality [as] the Spirituality of service: Willingness on the inside, from the heart, ready to say ‘yes,’ docile, without making life revolve around one’s own agenda; and open on the outside, looking at everyone, especially those who are left out, those who feel excluded — those who have pain. Helping these people is important. I entrust this to you.” That is a tall order, but God is always ready to help.

Are we ready to help in His name?

The pope then added three other expectations for deacons. First, that they be humble. “It is sad to see a bishop and a priest showing off, but it is even sadder to see a deacon wanting to put himself at the center of the world, or at the center of the Liturgy, or at the center of the Church. Be humble. Let all the good you do be a secret between you and God. And so it will bear fruit.”

Next, the pope spoke of their family life. “I expect you to be good spouses and good fathers. And good grandparents. This will give hope and consolation to couples who are going through difficult times and who will find in your genuine simplicity an outstretched hand. They will be able to think: ‘Look at our deacon!

He is happy to be with the poor, but also with the parish priest and even with his children and his wife!’ Even with his mother-in-law, that’s very important! Doing everything with joy, without complaining: it is a testimony that is worth more than many sermons. And without complaints. ‘I had so much work, so much.’

Send these things away.”

“Finally, thirdly, I expect you to be sentinels: not only to know how to spot the poor and the distant — this is not so difficult — but to help the Christian community to recognize Jesus in the poor and the distant, as He knocks on our doors through them. It is also a catechetical and prophetic dimension of the sentinel-prophet-catechist who knows how to see beyond and help others to see beyond, and to see the poor who are far away. Make your own the beautiful image at the end of the Gospels when Jesus asks His disciples from afar: ‘Have you nothing to eat?’ And the beloved disciple recognizes Him and says: ‘It is the Lord!’ (Jn 21:5,7). Whatever the need, see the Lord. So you, too, recognize the Lord when, in so many of His smaller brothers and sisters, He asks to be fed, to be welcomed and loved. I would like this to be the profile of the deacons of Rome and of the whole world. Work on this.”

Daily Readings † July 3 - July 16

Sat. July 3, Eph 2:19-22 ; Ps 117: 1b-2 ; Jn 20:24-29. Sun. July 4, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Ez 2:2-5; Ps 123:1-4 ; 2 Cor 12:7-10 ; Mk 6:1-6a. Mon. July 5, Gn 28:10-22a ; Ps 91:1-4,14-15b; Mt 9:18-26. Tue. July 6, Gn 32:23-33 ; Ps 17:1b,2-3,6-8b,15; Mt 9:32-38. Wed. July 7, Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a,17-24a ; Ps 33:23,10-11,18-19; Mt 10:1-7. Thu. July 8, Gn 44:18-21,23b-29; 45:1-5; Ps 105:16-21; Mt 10:7-15. Fri. July 9, Gn 46:1-7,28-30; Ps 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40; Mt 10:1623.

Sat. July 10, Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a ; Ps 105:1-4,6-7; Mt 10:24-33. Sun. July 11, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Am 7:12-15 ; Ps 85:9-14; Eph 1:3-14 or Eph 1:3-10; Mk 6:7-13. Mon. July 12, Ex 1:8-14,22 ; Ps 124:1-8; Mt 10:34—11:1. Tue. July 13, Ex 2:1-15a; Ps 69:3,14,30-31,33-34; Mt 11:20-24. Wed. July 14, Ex 3:1-6,912; Ps 103:1b-4,6-7; Mt 11:25-27. Thu. July 15, Ex 3:13-20; Ps 105:1,5,8-9,24-27; Mt 11:28-30. Fri. July 16, Ex 11:10—12:14; Ps 116:12-13,15,16bc,17-18; Mt 12:1-8.

St. Anne Shrine celebrates Corpus Christi in Fall River FALL RIVER — Father Edward Murphy, Chaplain of St. Anne Shrine and Pastor of St. Andrew’s Parish in Taunton, celebrated the feast of Corpus Christi with a procession through the streets of Fall River on Sunday, June 1.

More than 150 pilgrims from the area braved warm temperatures and brilliant sunshine and joined the procession starting in the Shrine Crypt of St. Anne’s, with Exposition from a temporary altar on the front steps of the church, around the upper end of Kennedy Park, accompanied by the St. Cecelia’s Philharmonic Band providing the pace and music.

The procession ended back at the Shrine with the public recital of the Divine Praises, and retired to the lower church for the clos-

ing ceremonies.

Assisting Father Murphy were the members of the St. Anne Shrine Preservation society, with the president, Richard Affonso as crucifer; Michael Antaya, director of Liturgy and Devotions; and Bryan Boyle, O.P. (tertiary), Shrine sacristan, handling the planning and logistics.

Scott Lariviere, director of music, provided additional enrichment as the procession took its place in the lower church at the end of the day’s activities. Hospitality for participants and musicians was provided by the Preservation Society.

With the relaxing of public assembly restrictions and the improvement in the health and welfare of the city and diocese, this procession and praise of Our Lord is especially

important; giving thanks for His mercy and asking for continued guidance and protection as life in the Fall River Diocese returns to normal was thought a suitable and necessary step for the Society to take, and in keeping with traditions of the faith.

The next events at St. Anne’s will be on July 5 at 6:30 p.m, with the celebration Mass of the dedication of the Shrine, and the Novena to St. Anne from July 17-25 with daily Mass, Novena prayers, and Benediction; and the festival Mass on the feast of St. Area faithful worshiped the Blessed Sacrament on the Anne, July 26, celebrated by steps of St. Anne’s Shrine in Fall River on the feast of Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, Corpus Christi.

S.D.V., at 6 p.m. in the regarding St. Anne Shrine, or contact the shrine at lower church with the an508-678-1510 or via email nual procession of St. Anne you’re invited to visit the at info@st-annes-shrine. shrine website at https:// taking place after Mass. org. www.st-annes-shrine.org For more information

New Bedford held a Corpus Christi procession with faithful adoring the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady’s Chapel, and young girls, dressed as angels took part in the procession.

Schools note year of in-person learning continued from page one

re-enrollment for the 202122 school year, including families who joined us for the first time this year!

The Catholic Schools Office wants to publicly thank our Catholic school teachers, principals and staff members who have

gone above and beyond to provide our students with a safe, welcoming, and consistent environment under these extraordinary circumstances. Please join us in showing gratitude for our incredible team! catholicschoolsalliance.org.

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Sister Claudia Lorena Redondo, O.P., professes first vows in Dighton

DIGHTON — With great joy, Claudia Lorena Redondo professed her first vows as a Dominican Sister of the Presentation during a Eucharistic Liturgy on May 31, at the Chapel of the Dominican Sisters in Dighton. The Dominican Sisters of the Presentation were founded in 1696 in Sainville, France, by Blessed Marie Poussepin. The United States Vice-Province was founded in 1905 when Sisters arrived in Fall River for the foundation of Saint Anne’s Hospital.

Sister Claudia was born and brought up in Durango, Mexico and was the only girl with eight brothers. Her mother died when she was only 12 and Sister Claudia became responsible for helping care for her father and brothers.

As Sister Claudia expressed, a vocation is a mystery. At an early

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age, Sister Claudia experienced a calling and a longing and thirst for the Lord. She said for so many years she wanted to be a Sister. She had only met one religious Sister in Mexico. However, when she was 16, she expressed her desire to her father who told her that she had to finish her high school; that her education was very important.

Sister Claudia met a priest originally from her town, who used to go back for vacation, who helped her discern her vocation and she was able to share with him her intentions and motivations for wanting to enter religious life.

This priest wanted to start an institute of religious life and Sister Claudia joined them for a several years. She realized that the Lord was not calling her to join this institute. Her journey continued

Claudia Lorena Redondo professed her first vows as a Dominican Sister of the Presentation at the Chapel of the Dominican Sisters in Dighton. all the while with this yearning to would somehow show her His will. be a religious Sister. When she was Sister Claudia, inspired by the 20 years old Sister Claudia moved Holy Spirit, decided to search on to Denver, Colo. with a youngthe Internet and was directed to the er brother to join her father and webpage of the Dominican Sisters brothers already in Denver. of the Presentation and became Sister Claudia was working in interested in the community. She Denver and continued helping her was touched by the Sisters living father and brothers. She was always the Charism of Blessed Marie active in her Parish, St. Anthony of Poussepin in community and that Padua, in various ministries includ- the Dominican Community that ing music ministry.

Marie Poussepin wanted was to She was many years in Denver have charity as its soul. She also before she encountered a religious liked that the Sisters wore the habit.

Sister. When she was 34 years old, Sister Claudia said that she she met the Sisters of the Sacred called the contact number and the Heart of Jesus at Mother Cabrini’s Sister who answered the telephone Shrine in Denver. She went for a was so welcoming and happy to Come and See experience and lived answer her questions and concerns. with the Sisters in community and She was directed to the vocation ministered with immigrants. After director who invited her to come two years, she discerned that was to Dighton. She said that the Sister not the community that the Lord was kind, welcoming and able to was calling her to. listen to her and what she was lookMeanwhile, her heart contining for. Sister Claudia came and ued to experience the Lord’s call spent a week in Dighton and began to religious life and Sister Claudia her discernment with the Commucontinued praying that the Lord 8 Turn to page 13

Monthly 40-hour devotion set to start continued from page one

contacted.

“This effort is being made with the desire to build our faith, and the faith of others, in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. We pray it will bring abundant fruits to our diocese and to the faithful. It seems so little effort needed on our parts for such great need. Only three hours per church; but, simultaneously in one heart and mind giving praise and honor to God, we believe it is a very powerful prayer.”

The schedule for the July 8-9 Adoration is: Thursday, July 8: 8 a.m.: Mass at St. Andrew The Apostle, Taunton.

ADORATION 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.: — St. Andrew the Apostle, Taunton; — St .John Neumann, East Freetown; — St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, South Attleboro.

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.: — Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford; — Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, New Bedford.

3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Holy Family, East Taunton.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: — Espirito Santo, Fall River; — St. Anthony Padua, Fall River.

9 p.m. to 12 a.m.: — Corpus Christi, East Sandwich.

Friday, July 9: 12 a.m. to 3 a.m.: — Our Lady’s Chapel, New Bedford.

3 a.m. to 6 a.m.: — Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk.

6 a.m. to 9 a.m.: — St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth.

9 a.m. to 12 p.m.: — Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford; — Holy Trinity, West Harwich; — St. John of God, Somerset.

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.: — Our Lady of the Im-

maculate Conception, New Bedford; — Our Lady of Grace, Westport; — St. Joan of Arc, Orleans.

3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: — St. Anthony Padua, New Bedford; — St. Vincent de Paul, Attleboro.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: — St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet; — St. Joseph, Fairhaven.

9 p.m. to 12 a.m.: — Corpus Christi, East Sandwich.

As mentioned previously, the 40-hour devotion will begin at 8 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month and end at midnight the next day.

(The second Thursday of the month isn’t always followed by the second Friday of the month; depending on the calendar.)

Each month’s devotion will carry with it a special intention for which faithful are encouraged to pray.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has developed the following 2021 schedule: July: For an Increase of Vocations to the Priesthood, Consecrated Life and Ministries in the Church.

August: For Unity Among all Catholics, while celebrating our diversity.

September: For a recognition of the Dignity of every human person in every stage of life October: For the increase in awareness among all the Baptized of their vocation to be Missionary Disciples, imitating the fidelity of the Virgin Mary.

November: For renewed sense of Recognition and Gratitude for blessing we receive every day.

December: For an openness to welcome Jesus into our lives and allow Him to be born in our hearts each day.

The core committee is made up of Laurie Larsen-Silva, of Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich; Linda

Nason, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk; Mary Cardoza, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet; Paula Andrikopoulos, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Attleboro; and Martha McCormack, St. Joseph Church, Fairhaven.

Some of the committee has assisted in running Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration programs for more than 15 years, and some have devoted themselves to Adoration in their own parishes as coordinators.

“By visiting the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist which is Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, my faith has increased,” Nason told The Anchor. “I am becoming more thankful each day. I get to know Jesus each day more and more when I quiet my mind and read Scripture. Jesus is waiting for all of us to come and visit.”

“I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that we are beginning in the Year of St. Joseph,” Laurie Larsen-Silva

told The Anchor. “He spent many holy hours with his eyes and heart on Jesus. Our diocese will be blessed by uniting in prayer and sitting quietly before the Real Presence of Jesus, too. Instead of being distracted by what the world throws at us, we can learn to listen to Jesus more attentively, and follow St. Joseph as our model.”

“It is my hope that this devotion will bring awareness of the power of our prayers when prayed in the presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament,” added Paula Andrikopoulos.

In November of 1964, during the historic Vatican II Council at the Vatican, St. Pope Paul VI promulgated the council’s document, Lumen Gentium, meaning “Light of the Nations.” It is highly regarded as the Dogmatic Constitution of the Catholic Church.

In it, the Church strongly stresses the Sacredness and importance of the Eucharist in the lives of the faithful.

Vatican II encouraged people

to take part in Eucharistic Adoration in and outside the context of the Mass.

In April of 1980, St. John Paul II released the Apostolic Letter, Inaestimabile donum (On the Holy Eucharist). In that letter the then-pope reinforced the importance of Eucharistic Adoration saying, “Public and private devotion to the Holy Eucharist outside Mass is highly recommended: for the presence of Christ, Who is adored by the faithful in the Sacrament, derives from the sacrifice and is directed towards Sacramental and Spiritual Communion” (#20).

“We will continue to call churches until all churches have been contacted,” McCormack told The Anchor.

“This effort is being made with the desire to build our faith, and the faith of others, in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. We pray it will bring abundant fruits to our diocese and to the faithful. It seems so little effort needed on our parts for such great need. ”

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T he C hurch

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Y outh & Y oung A dults

Diocesan schools receive Special Education certification with S.E.A.L. Foundation

WESTPORT — On June 7, seven Catholic schools from the Diocese of Fall River received certification from the S.E.A.L. Foundation as Pathways Approach Schools.

The certification ceremony took part at White’s of Westport where Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan opened the event.

The following Catholic schools were awarded Pathways Approach certification banners: · Espirito Santo Parochial School, Fall River; · Holy Name School, Fall River; · Holy Trinity School, Fall River; · St. Michael School, Fall River; · St. Stanislaus School, Fall River; · Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford; · Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth.

Mayor Coogan offered the following remarks, “As a former educator, I know the importance of meeting each and every student where they are at. We must recognize the diverse needs and backgrounds that these students have if we want to give them the tools to succeed. I would like to thank the S.E.A.L. Foundation, the five participating schools and organizations, and the donors who make this possible. You have worked tirelessly to connect students to the resources they need and deserve. Together, this coalition has come together to invest in our next generation of residents.”

It can often be difficult for families to find a school where their student with learning differences is welcomed and given an optimal opportunity to thrive, especially during the pandemic.

The Diocese of Fall River 12

Catholic schools, in partnership with the S.E.A.L. Foundation, offers state-of-the-art special education programs through the implementation of the S.E.A.L. Foundation’s Pathways Approach Program which ensures students with learning differences can thrive, achieve and succeed.

Every day this year, through

room teacher, I witnessed first-hand the lack of school choice families encountered when trying to find the best fit for their children who had learning differences. It was disheartening to witness the closed doors so many parents faced if they simply wanted the culture a Catholic or non-public school

in the Church’s mission to serve a diverse population and the conviction that education should be accessible to all children. The Pathways Approach Program integrates and provides the necessary support for young people to flourish and thrive as they prepare to excel in learning and life as a people

Catholic school leaders with Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, fourth from left, accepting Pathways Approach Program certification. the Pathways Approach Program, students with learning differences had full access to an in-person Catholic education with the accommodations and modifications needed to support their unique learning profile.

Under the expertise and leadership of Katherine Gaudet, executive director of Programming for the S.E.A.L. Foundation, the implementation and certification of the Pathways Approach Program is a rigorous two-year process. Each Catholic school offering these educational services commits to the state-of-theart programming developed

by Gaudet and the S.E.A.L. Foundation team.

According to Kerry Peroni, founder and president of the S.E.A.L. Foundation, ”Having spent the early part of my career as a class-

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settings typically offers: including smaller class sizes, individualized instruction, an atmosphere that teaches the need for service and civic engagement, a college-preparatory curriculum, as well as the presence of passionate teachers and staff. That type of atmosphere, socialization, culture and family involvement can enrich both the lives of children and their families and should be available to any child, regardless of how they learn.”

“Students with learning differences and their families deserve access to a Catholic education with full support for their unique learning need,” said Peter Shaughnessy, president and principal of Bishop Stang High School. “The S.E.A.L. Foundation’s Pathways Approach Program at Bishop Stang High School is rooted

of faith, integrity, knowledge and service. It is exciting to know that this program is gaining traction in the broader community with the increase in inquiries and enrollment.”

Daniel S. Roy, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Fall River, added, “The partnership with the S.E.A.L. Foundation has been incredible. A key teaching of the Catholic faith is that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Part of our mission is to make our schools available to all families who desire a Catholic education for their children.”

“The professional development offered our faculty has resulted in teaching techniques that can benefit all students,” indicated Andrew Raposo, principal of Espirito Santo Parochial School in

Fall River. “There has been such positive feedback from my staff, including the fact that teachers believe they are better educators because they have a clearer understanding of the frustrations from children with learning differences. Knowing how these kids feel is an important part of being able to rethink how we educate and support them.”

Sandy, who indicates she is a grateful parent of a child with an IEP, stressed, “As a parent of a child with a learning difference, I spent many years fighting to make sure my daughter received her educational accommodations. We moved our daughter to Bishop Stang High School specifically for her to be part of the S.E.A.L. Foundation’s Pathways Approach Program. The special education teachers funded

by S.E.A.L. are amazing and work with my daughter and her teachers to make certain that she has all the necessary tools to succeed. My daughter has not only benefited academically, but has also blossomed into a very confident young woman.”

Families who are interested in this program can go to www. catholicschoolsalliance.org/ special-education-2/ for more information and an updated list of schools.

We encourage families to contact the Catholic school directly for more information about their specific abilities to support IEP/504 accommodation plans.

For more information about the Catholic Schools Alliance, go to www.catholicschoolsalliance.org/.

For more information about the S.E.A.L. Foundation, go to www. thesealfoundation.org.

Chattanooga Choo Choo “When you hear the whistle blowing eight to the bar, Then you know that Tennessee is not very far.

Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep rolling, Woo, Woo, Chattanooga, there you are.” hen you hear the whistle of a train, your thoughts may turn back in time to the voices of the Andrews Sisters or the strains of the Glenn Miller Band bringing back memories of the Chattanooga Choo Choo train. If the Chattanooga Choo Choo were to blow its whistle today, it might well toot its salute to a baby just born to Julia Aleszczyk and her husband, Ryan Poland, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

It was on Jan. 18, 2020 that we had gathered at Kalaupapa International Airport to bid a sad farewell to Julia and Ryan who were leaving us for their next adventure in Chatta-

W

nooga. They had been core members of our church and our community for several years.

Julia was the curator of Hale Malama, our National Park Museum, and Ryan volunteered for the National Park Service in a number of roles. Love will do that. As the song says, “Love will keep us together.”

Ryan also took care of my five cats any time I went gallivanting in Honolulu.

What a nice guy!

Now in their early 30s, it was time for them to make the big move. You see, here in Kalaupapa no children under the age of 16 are even permitted to visit at this time. This law derives from the fact that, when patients in the past had children, the babies were taken from the parents and given to relatives or others to care for them. This was more than heartbreaking for the

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Paul E. Canuel, retired priest of the Diocese of Fall River.

parents of these children.

We can only try to imagine

their anguish.

So, it was now time for Julia and Ryan, Lady and

Lord Antrim as I fondly referred to them, to leave us and begin a new life on the mainland. Julia had a job awaiting her as curator of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and soon thereafter Ryan took up his post as professor of anthropology at the University of Tennessee. I do not know whether

or not they hear the whistle of a train but we wish them well in their new home with their very first bambino. We miss their presence here in Kalaupapa and hope that the rules will change so that they can return here for a visit, bringing with them their little Choo Choo.

Aloha.

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

Next followed two years of novitiate in Dighton, which one year, the canonical year, was a more intense time of prayer and study of religious life and the charism of the Congregation. During her second year of Novitiate, Sister Claudia spent six months in the Novitiate in Mexico

where she experienced life in a community in Chiapas, Mexico.

While Sister Claudia was in Mexico, her father became very ill with COVID-19 and he passed away in Denver. Her brothers brought his body back to Mexico and Sister Claudia was able to be present at his funeral Mass with her family.

Sister Claudia returned to Dighton in April 2021 and began an intense preparation for her religious profession. She shared that it has been a long journey but one in which she chose freely and consciously to respond to the Lord within a Dominican Community for the service of charity.

At present, Sister Claudia is assigned to Brownsville, Texas where she will minister in Parish Ministry and with immigrant youth.

Sister Claudia Lorena Redondo, O.P. professes first vows in Dighton continued from page 10

nity.

After some time of discernment, Sister Claudia began the process to join the Congregation and when she was 38, she began the postulancy. While a postulant she spent some time with the order in Brownsville, Texas working with immigrants.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, June 27 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Santo Christo Church in Fall River

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, July 4 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Espirito Santo Church in Fall River

Sunday, May July 4 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Father Jeffrey Cabral, J.C.L., pastor of Santo Christo Parish in Fall River and Judicial Vicar.

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In Your Prayers

Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks: July 3 Rev. Thomas P. Doherty, Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1942 Rev. William G. Condon, C.S.C., Retired, St. Joseph Hall, North Dartmouth; Nativity Prep School, New Bedford; Assistant Superior, North Dartmouth, 2016 July 4 Rev. James A. Coyle, S.T.L., Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 1955 Rev. Pierre E. Lachance, O.P., Director, St. Anne’s Shrine, Fall River, 2006 July 5 Rev. J.F. LaBonte, Retired Assistant, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1943 Rev. Edward P. Versailles, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1985 Rev. Richard John Neilson, Retired, New York Archdiocese; Holy Redeemer, Chatham; Our Lady of Grace Chapel, South Chatham, 2016 July 6 Rev. Edmond Francis, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Mary, Fairhaven, 1963 Rev. Paul J. Price, SS.CC., 2006 July 7 Rev. James E. Lynch, Founder, St. Joan of Arc, Orleans, 1965 July 8 Rev. Edward J. Murphy, Pastor, St. Mary, Fall River, 1887 Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. O’Neill, Retired Pastor, St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth, 1995 July 10 Rev. Pie Marie Berard, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1938 Rev. Maurice E. Parent, Assistant, St. Michael, Swansea, 1972 Rev. John E. Morris, M.M., Retired Maryknoll Missioner, Former Assistant, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1987 Rev. Theodore M. Morin, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1987 Rev. Edward Keeney, SS.CC., 2004 July 12 Most Rev. Joseph P. Delaney, Bishop of Fort Worth, Texas, 2005 July 13 Rev. Arthur P. Deneault, M.S., La Salette Father, 1979 July 14 Rev. Nicholas Fett, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Boniface, New Bedford, 1938 Rev. Edmund J. Neenan, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1949 Rev. Vincent F. Diaferio, Pastor, Holy Rosary, Fall River, 1998 July 15 Rev. Fernando A. Veiga, C.M., 1993 July 16 Rev. Bernard Percot, O.P., Founder, St. Dominic, Swansea, 1937 Rev. Matthew F. Sullivan, SS.CC. Retired Chaplain, Bristol County House of Correction, Former Pastor, St. Mary, Fairhaven, 2002

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Permanent Deacon Robert William Alence

BUZZARDS BAY — Deacon Robert William Alence, 94, of Buzzards Bay (formerly of Wellesley, Mass.), passed away peacefully at home on June 13. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Richard Alence and Beatrice (Thienert) Alence. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Anne M. (Flynn) Alence.

He enlisted in the naval air gunnery school after high school and served in the Navy in World War II as a first class seaman in the Pacific. He was an Army first Lieutenant in the Korean War. He graduated from Boston College class of 1951. After the war, he worked as president of a contracting company until 1962 when he became

self-employed as a management consultant and licensed public accountant. From 1966-1987, he worked as general manager at Knollwood Memorial

Park in Canton, Mass. He enrolled in the Diaconate Formation program at St. John’s Seminary. He was ordained in 1976 and his diaconate ministry spanned 46 years. In 1976, he became parish deacon at St.

August ‘Gus’ Mathias, father of Father Gregory Mathias

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — August “Gus” Mathias, 88, of Seekonk, passed away June 15 at Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I. He was the husband of Maria (Machado) Mathias for 62 years.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late August F. and Loretta (Saial) Mathias. Gus was a transportation manager for I.T.T. Grinnell Company and several trucking companies before he retired. He also became an Interstate Commerce Commission Practitioner before the deregulation of trucking. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War era serving as a radio

operator on the destroyer Newman K. Perry. He was a good and loving provider for his family and he enjoyed the company of his children and grandchildren.

Besides his wife he leaves two children; Father Gregory A. Mathias, Pastor, St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown; and Lynn M. Rose and her husband Gary of Middlebury, Conn., and three grandchildren, Matthew, Jaclyn and Shelley Rose.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on June 21 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Seekonk. Burial was private.

Paul’s, serving there until 1984. In 1985-1995 Alence worked as a Catholic chaplain, ministering to prisoners in Bridgewater.

In 1996, he joined Corpus Christi Parish in Sandwich as parish deacon and served there for many years. He was instrumental in the design and construction of the new Corpus Christi Church. The Adoration Chapel was a place of peace for him. Being in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament gave him great strength and comfort.

He devoted his life to family and faith. He enjoyed time with his wonderful wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Retiring to Buzzards Bay allowed him to pursue his lifelong wish to spend time fishing.

Robert is survived by six children; Kimberly (Alence) Hardy and husband Maurice Hardy of Wareham; Kellie (Alence) Lucy and husband Paul Burgholzer of Needham;, Richard Alence and Massimo Valpa of Lakeworth, Fla.; Anne (Alence) Trubia of Norwell; Edward Alence of Hyannis,; and Katherine (Alence) Stevens of Portland, Ore. He was predeceased by a son, Robert Alence Jr. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 18 at Corpus Christi Parish. Burial was June 19 at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.

I

t seems like eons ago, and just yesterday, all at the same time — when Emilie graduated from high school. That’s where my pup blossomed as a student and a young woman. That was eight years ago.

During her four years of that period, she developed a friendship with another fine young lady, who quickly became an adopted daughter of Denise and me.

She was outgoing, happy and had that joie de vivre. She was one of those kids who came from two families, with her parents having divorced and remarried. She loved both her parents and her new siblings.

But I think she liked the stability of Emilie’s family life, and she was always welcome in the Jolivet home — an invitation she often utilized.

It did a father̕ s heart good She called Denise mom and me, dad. We got to know her real mom and dad and they were good people — they liked us, and we, them.

One summer we took Emilie and her amiga on a four-day trip to the Big Apple.

We hopped on an Amtrak and rode alongside Route 95 south to New York.

It was a great week of laughs, food, and fun — looking down over the metropolis from buildings that seemed to be a mile high, to simply people-watching in Times Square. It warms my heart to think of it now.

Shortly after the trip I got a phone call from our adopted daughter at 5:30 a.m. I knew that couldn’t be good. I answered and heard

her choke out, “Dad, my dad died.” I tried my best to comfort her and gave the phone to Emilie. After Em hung up, I hugged Emilie as she sobbed, heart-broken

for her best friend. The dad was a young man, at least 10 years younger than me.

It was a total shock in more ways than one.

It was the most difficult call I’ve ever taken. I talked to my then-executive editor, Father Roger Landry about it, and I just broke down.

He was there for me, as I had been for her just a few hours before.

Em and I were there for her during this difficult time. When we walked into the wake, she hugged me and said, ”Oh, dad.” There were more than one eyebrow raised at that, but she meant no disrespect to the man whom she loved and who raised her.

After the girls graduated, they stayed in touch, and we would invite her over anytime, and she spent a few Christmases with us.

Even when Em went to college, I would always shoot our third daughter an text for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and for Shark Week (she loves sharks) and she always cheerfully and gratefully responded.

Over the last four years or so, my texts went un-

answered. She was getting older and may have even left the area and changed numbers. I just hoped she was OK. I just kept sending the texts anyway — this past Christmas was no exception, but no response.

Last Sunday, Father’s Day, I got texts from my kids wishing me a great day, and I loved it and them.

Then one came in from my adopted daughter, saying how much she loved me and missed me, and Em and Denise.

I responded that she absolutely made my day. She said she often still thinks about us and will always love us.

I don’t know where she is. I didn’t ask. All I know is that she remembered me on Father’s Day. And that was the best Father’s Day gift I could have ever received. davejolivet@anchornews.org.

June 25, 2021 †

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Young adults invited to outdoor BBQ

Looking ahead ... with inspiration and hope; Summer Gala is August 5 FALMOUTH — We hope to see you at the 24th annual FACE Summer Gala “In-Person” Event.

Save the date for Thursday, August 5 at the Coonamessett Inn located in beautiful Falmouth.

This year’s emcee is crowd-favorite radio and TV personality, Billy Costa featured on NESN’s popular “Dining Playbook.”

Folks will be able to participate in the Exclusive Gift Raffle, Wine Wall, Live Auction and Fund A Mission all while raising critical scholarship dollars for students in need.

This year, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will be the recipient of the prestigious Al Makkay Sr. Award, given annually to recognize meritorious service to Catholic education on Cape Cod. For more details, or to make a reservation or donation, visit the FACE website, www.face-dfr.org.

FALL RIVER — Young adults (18 years and older) are invited to a free evening of barbecue, games, music, and time to reflect on the connection of love and responsibility. The Fall River Diocesan Office of Faith Formation and Pro-Life Apostolate are jointly sponsoring this summer social on Friday, July 9, beginning at 6 p.m. It will take place on the field of Bishop Connolly High School, 373 Elsbree Street in Fall River.

Taking part will be Sister Therese Maria Touma of the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light who will offer a talk, discussing love and responsibility as well as discernment and how one can know what God is calling them to do. Time will follow for questions and comments from those in attendance.

“What is love? St. John sums it up well: ‘God is love’ (1 Jn 4:8)”, said Irina DeLucca, who directs the Pro-Life Apostolate in the diocese.

“God created us to build and to experience the fullness of an authentic love that can lead us all back to Him.” She explained that this outdoor event is planned as an opportunity for young adults to hear an important message on love and what it means to be responsible when it comes to love as part of overall evening of food, entertainment, and friendship.

“We are extending this special invitation

to young people from throughout the diocese, come and join us, to gather together, to meet others, to make new friends, and to have fun,” DeLucca said.

Sister Therese Marie is a native of Sydney, Australia, where she grew up practicing her faith in the Maronite Catholic tradition. She has been part of the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light since 2010 and currently resides in the community’s convent in Dartmouth. She serves as the director of Youth & Young Adults for the Eparchy of St. Maron, Brooklyn, N.Y., whose territory includes most of the eastern part of the United States. She holds a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Boston College and is now enrolled in a Spiritual Direction program with the Marian Servants of Divine Providence in Clearwater, Fla. There is no charge to attend the July 9 event, and singles and couples are welcome. To reserve a place, visit www.familyrespectlife.org and click on the event listed within the Calendar section. Reservations are needed by July 6.

Please contact DeLucca at the Pro-Life Apostolate at 508-985-6509 or by email, idelucca@dioc-fr.org or David Carvalho at Faith Formation 508-675-1311 or dcarvalho@ dioc-fr.org

TEAM FACE taking part in Falmouth Road Race

FALMOUTH — The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) is excited to be part of the Falmouth Road Race Numbers For Non-Profits for the first time. FACE provides critical scholarship support to children in need of financial assistance to attend Catholic schools of the Diocese of Fall River.

To learn more about TEAM FACE, or to make a donation, visit raceroster.com.

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† June 25, 2021

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