07.20.12

The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , July 20, 2012

Preparing an army to protect life at all stages

Bishop thanks faithful for bounding generosity

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

NORTH EASTON, Mass — The campus of Stonehill College in North Easton will come alive this weekend as faith-filled youth from across the diocese gather for the second annual Pro-Life Boot Camp.

Sponsored by the Pro-Life Apostolate of the Fall River Diocese, the three-day event will offer attendees a slew of activities that include a Saturday morning prayer vigil outside the abortion clinic in Attleboro.

“This year our theme is the ‘Dignity of the Human Person,’” explained co-planner, Cassandra Borges. “We’re going to be focusing on the part of Ephesians 4:1, where St. Paul urges us to ‘Lead a life worthy of His calling.’ Our dignity is intrinsic but what does that mean and where do we go from there? What does it matter? How is it being attacked? We hope to answer those questions for everyone throughout the weekend.”

And thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus, there will be presentations on the dignity of human life by exceptional speakers.

DISCERNING DECISION — Father John J. Oliveira, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. John the Baptist parishes in New Bedford, talks with some of the 28 young men who attended the third annual diocesan-sponsored Quo Vadis Days event held recently at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham. (Photo by Father Jay Mello)

Third Quo Vadis Days draws highest turnout to date

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

WAREHAM — Teen-ager James Dellamorte of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich wasn’t quite sure what to expect when he decided to embark on the recent weeklong Quo Vadis Days experience at

the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham.

“Honestly, I expected it to be a lot less fun, but it was a lot better than I expected,” Dellamorte said. “I thought we’d just be sitting in the chapel all week and praying a lot; but there were plenty of sports and

activities and there was still time to pray.”

As a first-time attendee at the diocesan-sponsored vocational retreat, Dellamorte said he was particularly taken with the evening prayers each night that he said were quite “beautiTurn to page 18

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

Turn to page 12

Bishop of Fall River

Taunton casino opponents hold out hope

Appeal closes at more than $4 million

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

TAUNTON — In a move many have described as chasing after “fool’s gold,” a majority of voters in Taunton approved a bid for a resort casino in their city last month in a referendum.

Days after the non-binding vote, Gov. Deval Patrick made an agreement with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe that would send 21.5 percent of any gaming revenue from Taunton back to the state. He submitted the agreement to the state legislature, which must approve it

by July 31 in order for the tribe to gain exclusive rights to develop a casino in the southeast region.

Turn to page seven

Dear Friends in Christ, As bishop of Fall River, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the priests, deacons, religious, and lay faithful of this diocese who have contributed to or in any way supported the 2012 Catholic Charities Appeal. I am especially pleased and thankful for the extraordinary commitment shown by a great number of people, parishes, and businesses in the Diocese of Fall River.

During this continuing time of economic lassitude, many still found the means to increase substantially their donation amounts over last year. On behalf of the parishioners and those who will be assisted by the Catholic Charities Appeal, to those who worked very hard to make this year’s collection a success, I express my sincerest appreciation.

May God bless all our donors for their generosity in helping make a difference in their neighbors’ lives.

With deep appreciation and gratitude, I am

first nations pilgrims — Members of the Cree and Métis tribes traveled more than 2,000 miles from Saskatchewan in mid-western Canada to Fonda, N.Y. to attend the Mass on the feast day of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, three months before she will be canoninzed in Rome this October. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

First Nations draw inspiration, joy from upcoming Blessed Kateri canonization B y D ave J olivet , E ditor

FONDA, N.Y. — When their pilgrimage concluded last week, a group of Catholic pilgrims from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada traveled nearly 5,000 miles. The pilgrims,

from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon, are members of First Nations, aboriginal peoples including the Cree and Métis tribes in North America, traveled east to visit the sacred Turn to page 11

FALL RIVER — Once again, the generosity of the faithful of the Diocese of Fall River has lived up to the hopes and prayers of those ministering to the everincreasing number of individuals and families seeking assistance.

The $4,205,208.12 represented the second highest total of parishioner donations in the 71year history of the diocesan Catholic Charities Appeal. This total was only eight-tenths of a percent below last year’s record number of parishioner donations.

Although figures for the number of donors in each of the 90 parishes were not yet complete, it appeared that once again in Turn to page five

News From the Vatican

2

July 20, 2012

Head of Vatican court describes ‘VatiLeaks’ as ‘most grave crimes’

CORK, Ireland (CNS) — The head of the Vatican’s highest court described the spate of leaks of confidential Vatican documents as “most grave crimes” and warned that those responsible must be discovered and “appropriately sanctioned.”

Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature, said the confidentiality of Pope Benedict XVI’s communications must be respected in order for the pope to carry out his work in service of the Church.

“It is not a question of hiding anything but of respecting conscience,” the U.S.-born cardinal told reporters following his address to the Fifth Fota International Liturgy Conference.

He added that he was appalled by what had happened in the events dubbed “VatiLeaks” by the Italian media.

“I am trusting and praying that these people will be discovered and they will be properly sanctioned,” he said.

Speaking July 9, the final day of the three-day conference focusing on the theme “Celebrating the Eucharist: Sacrifice and Communion,” Cardinal Burke discussed the Eucharist as sacrifice in canonical history.

The cardinal particularly mentioned Canon 818, which safeguards against a priest during the celebration of Mass introducing his own wording, prayers or preaching according to his own judgment.

Asked about a priest in the Diocese of Belleville, Ill., who in June was removed as a pastor because he introduced new wording in the Liturgy to make it “more meaningful,” Cardinal Burke explained that any priest who took such liberties would have been warned by his bishop. Only if the priest persisted, he explained, would sanctions be imposed.

“The priest is the servant of the rite. Christ has given us the Sacred Liturgy in His Church and the priest serves. He is not the protagonist,” Cardinal Burke said.

The Anchor www.anchornews.org

“It is absolutely wrong for the priest to start making changes to make it more interesting because he wants to make the Liturgy better,” he added.

Cardinal Burke also warned against excessive use of the concelebration of Liturgy by priests and called for the practice to be reviewed where it is used repeatedly. He told the conference that excessive use of concelebration could result in priests losing sight of the fullness of their office and an understanding of the Eucharist as a sacrifice.

After his presentation the cardinal spoke with Catholic News Service about the U.S. bishops’ “Fortnight for Freedom,” commending the nationwide campaign to address what Church officials consider government infringements on religious freedom. Cardinal Burke criticized government actions and policies that, he said, were aimed at reducing freedom of conscience and the right to worship as one pleased.

“The thinking behind this is that religion has nothing to do with public life and that within your church or chapel you can worship as you please but that can’t have anything to do with your public life,” he said.

Cardinal Burke warned that such thinking was “absolutely contrary” to the Christian understanding of conscience. He stressed that sacred Liturgy, which was conference’s focus, had a direct impact on forming Catholics’ consciences and, as a consequence, had a direct impact on their public lives.

Commending the U.S. bishops for their stance on the federal contraceptive mandate under the health reform law recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the cardinal said he was “praying for them that they will be able to continue even in the face of persecution.”

He said what the bishops were attempting to achieve was “needed to save (the U.S.) from a sort of totalitarianism in which the state dictates what people are to think and do.”

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 56, No. 29

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

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 $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

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 Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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

music to his ears — The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra performs for Pope Benedict XVI and guests at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, recently. The orchestra’s members are young musicians from Israel, the Palestinian territories and other Arab countries. (CNS photo/ Tony Gentile, Reuters)

As pope’s vacation begins, taking stock of his work year

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Every year about this time, American legal journalists review the recently ended Supreme Court term, trying to identify trends and themes that cut across the court’s most important rulings.

As it happens, the court’s October-through-June term coincides almost exactly with the papal year, which starts when the pope returns to the Vatican each fall and ends when he leaves for the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo (where he relocated this year July 3). Almost all of the Vatican’s important business gets done in this span, making it the most relevant unit of time to use when analyzing the papacy’s activity and its implications for the Church as a whole.

So what can the 2011-12 papal “term” tell us about where Pope Benedict XVI is leading the Church?

If there was one message that the Vatican’s agenda and statements this year seemed designed to convey, it was that the world needs the Catholic Church’s help to solve its most urgent social and economic problems.

In five speeches over the course of six months to U.S. bishops on their “ad limina” visits to Rome, Pope Benedict said that the health and prosperity of American society as a whole require the engagement of its Catholic citizens, in fidelity to the Church’s teaching on contentious matters, including marriage, abortion, euthanasia, immigration and education.

On a November visit to the West African country of Benin, the pope said that a “Church reconciled within itself can become a prophetic sign of reconciliation in society,” on a continent divided by often violent ethnic and religious conflicts.

Conceding no realm of human activity as beyond the Church’s

scope, the Vatican delved into the highly technical field of international finance with a controversial October document blaming the world’s economic crisis on a “liberalism that spurns rules and controls” and proposing global regulation of the financial industry and international money supply.

Pope Benedict made it clear that the Church’s appeals to secular society should be made not in terms of faith but in terms of the “natural moral law” accessible to all through the use of reason. He notably included prominent agnostic “seekers of the truth” alongside religious leaders at an October meeting to promote peace and justice in Assisi, Italy.

Yet the pope also insisted that the Church’s commitment to social justice must never be separated from a faith that transcends this world. During a trip to Mexico and Cuba in March, the pope said that the “Church is not a political power, it is not a party,” and told a crowd of more than 600,000 at an outdoor Mass that “human strategies will not suffice to save us” from war and injustice.

The following month, the Vatican published a “doctrinal assessment” of the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious. The document, which had been expressly approved by Pope Benedict, recognized the LCWR’s adherence to Catholic teaching in its promotion of social justice, but concluded that the group’s neglect of the Church’s doctrine on a number of important moral issues, including abortion and euthanasia, reflected a crisis “characterized by a diminution of the fundamental Christological center and focus of religious consecration.”

Pope Benedict also emphasized a link between the Church’s contributions to so-

ciety and its right to freedom of religion, which he championed against varying degrees of restriction in communist Cuba, Mexico with its legacy of anti-clericalism, and the U.S., where the Obama Administration seeks to make private Catholic institutions provide insurance covering sterilizations and contraception, in violation of the Church’s moral teaching.

The Vatican made some of its biggest news this year in ways that it had not planned at all.

The biggest such story was undoubtedly the so-called “VatiLeaks” affair, the publication of dozens of confidential correspondence and reports, including letters to Pope Benedict himself, and the subsequent arrest of the pope’s butler on charges of “aggravated theft.”

While the documents themselves fuel an image of the Vatican as plagued by infighting, Pope Benedict has said that he expects his collaborators to work together as a family.

In October, the pope removed Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, author of several leaked letters accusing specific Vatican officials of corruption and incompetence, from his job as secretary-general of the governor’s office of Vatican City. In an apparent sign of esteem for the archbishop’s ability and integrity, however, the pope appointed him to the key post of nuncio to the U.S. After months of furor over the leaks, in July, Pope Benedict defended Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, against “unjust criticism” in the Italian media, thus showing his appreciation for his longtime lieutenant, who had served under the future pope as secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, when thenCardinal Joseph Ratzinger was the congregation’s prefect.

July 20, 2012

The International Church

3

Majority of bishops’ conferences, except Africa, draft abuse policies

uneasy times — A Catholic woman sings during Mass at a church in the northern town of Garissa, Kenya. Christian and Muslim leaders appealed for calm and prayer a week after attacks on two Christian churches in Garissa left at least 17 dead. (CNS photo/Goran Tomasevic, Reuters)

Pope establishes Australian ordinariate for former Anglicans

Melbourne, Australia, (CNA/EWTN News) — On June 15 Pope Benedict officially erected the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross for Anglican groups and individuals who want to enter full communion with the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Dennis J. Hart of Melbourne, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, assured former Anglicans of “a warm welcome in the Catholic Church throughout Australia,” and offered his “respect and admiration” for the “gifts” that Anglicans bring.

“For them and for us, this is a very special moment on which we pray the blessings of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of Our Lady of the Southern Cross,” he said.

In an interesting twist, Pope Benedict named former Anglican bishop Harry Entwistle as the first ordinary of the group, making his appointment effective as soon as he was ordained a Catholic priest, which happened on June 15.

Archbishop Hart welcomed Father Entwistle, saying he and his people have “made a long journey.”

The ordinariate is a special Church jurisdiction similar to a diocese. Pope Benedict XVI announced the ordinariates for former Anglicans in his November 2009 apostolic constitution “Anglicanorum Coetibus.”

They allow Anglicans to join the Catholic Church while retaining aspects of their Liturgy and customs.

The decree establishing the new ordinariate came from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

“The supreme law of the Church is the salvation of souls,” the decree said. “As such, throughout history, the Church has always found the pastoral and juridical means to care for the good of the faithful.”

Father Entwistle said that membership is open to former Anglicans who accept what the Catholic Church believes and teachers, as well as to former Anglicans who have previously joined the Catholic Church.

Those who have close family members in the ordinariate may also join.

The pope has also created ordinariates in England and Wales and the U.S. Their leaders welcomed the Australian ordinariate.

Msgr. Keith Newton, the ordinary of the England and Wales Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, said he is “very pleased” to hear of Father Entwistle’s “encouraging” appointment.

“Father Entwistle has a wealth of experience from his Anglican ministry in England and in Australia, and I look forward to working with him closely as we seek to articulate the vision of ‘Anglicanorum Coetibus,’” he said June 15.

Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson, the head of the U.S. Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, also welcomed the news.

He offered support for Father Entwistle’s “important work” in making a home for Anglicans in Australia who have been “called

by God to full communion with the Catholic Church and the rock from which we were hewn.”

“May God bless Father Entwistle as he launches this new endeavor in the vast lands of ‘down under,’” Father Steenson said.

Father Entwistle was born in Lancashire in England on May 31, 1940.

He studied at the University of Durham and was ordained for the Anglican Diocese of Blackburn in 1964. He emigrated to Australia in 1988. He has served as a parish priest and a prison chaplain.

In 2006 he joined the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia, which is part of the Traditional Anglican Communion. He was ordained a bishop for that church body in November 2006.

He married Jean Barrett Bolts in 1967 and has a married son and a single daughter.

Father Entwistle said Pope Benedict has made it “very clear” that Christian unity is not achieved by agreeing on “the lowest common denominator.”

Those who join an ordinariate “accept the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’ as the authoritative expression of the Catholic faith,” he said.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The majority of bishops’ conferences in the Americas, Europe and Asia have complied with a Vatican mandate to draw up anti-abuse guidelines, said the Vatican’s top investigator of clerical sex abuse.

Without counting Africa, “more than half of the conferences responded” by the May deadline, Msgr. Charles Scicluna of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said in an interview with the Italian monthly Catholic magazine Jesus.

Those who did not send in their proposed guidelines would be getting “a letter of reminder,” he added.

The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, quoted from the interview and said that the congregation received an encouraging number of responses from Anglo-Saxon countries, “but also Europe, Asia and Latin America have high percentages of responses.”

While the result is gratifying, Msgr. Scicluna said, Africa “has a particular situation with great difficulty in Church structures,” presumably referring to the lack of needed communications and other infrastructure that help a nation’s bishops draw up national policies.

Evaluating each country’s pro-

posed policies and guidelines for dealing with cases of clerical sexual abuse of minors will take “at least a year,” and that process will not begin until after the summer, he said.

More than 4,000 cases of sexual abuse have been reported to the doctrinal office the past decade, the office reported earlier this year. Those cases revealed that an exclusively canonical response to the crisis had been inadequate and that a multifaceted and more proactive approach by all bishops and religious orders was needed, said the former prefect of the congregation, U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada.

Countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany are among those with the most comprehensive and binding guidelines or norms, but in many cases, those norms came only in the wake of revelations in the media of abuse, the cardinal said.

Bishops’ conferences have been encouraged to develop “effective, quick, articulated, complete and decisive plans for the protection of children,” bringing perpetrators to justice and assisting victims, “including in countries where the problem has not manifested itself in as dramatic a way as in others,” the Vatican said in November 2010.

July 20, 2012 The Church in the U.S. Some military chaplains feel religious freedom challenged, says bishop

4

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNS) — While they work to defend the U.S. Constitution, some Catholic military chaplains feel that their First Amendment right to the “free exercise” of religion has been called into question.

“Many have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms, and of course among the first and the founding freedoms of our country was that of religious liberty,” said Auxiliary Bishop Neal J. Buckon of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services.

“Does a service member have to forfeit their constitutional right when they put on the uniform?” he asked during an interview with the Catholic Anchor, newspaper of the Anchorage Archdiocese.

Bishop Buckon was in Alaska recently to visit Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage.

Two recent incidents have prompted concerns among Catholic chaplains and those of other faiths.

In late January, a directive was issued — and later rescinded — by the U.S. Army chief of chaplains that said a letter from Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the military archdiocese, which opposed the Obama Administration’s contraceptive health care mandate, could not be read from the pulpit by Catholic military chaplains.

Last October, the Pentagon issued a memo allowing military chaplains to participate in or officiate at same-sex marriages on or off military installations. The memo stated no chaplain would be required to do so if it “would be in variance with the tenets of his or her religion,” but religious leaders say questions remain over conscience protections for military members and chaplains.

About 24 percent of military men and women are Catholic, and priest chaplains long have been by their sides on battlefields and in field hospitals, celebrating Mass and administering the Sacrament of the Sick to the dying.

“They’re very brave, they’re very heroic. They go where the service members go, and that is oftentimes, in harm’s way,” explained Bishop Buckon, who is himself a retired, decorated career Army officer and former field chaplain.

The bishop is the military archdiocese’s episcopal vicar for the western half of the United States — including Alaska. The archdiocese, based in Washington, provides pastoral care and spiritual services to military members and their families, veterans and federal employees around the globe.

The military archdiocese does not ordain priests but utilizes priests on loan from their home dioceses or religious orders. The military commissions the priests — along with chaplains of other denominations — as officers in the chaplain corps.

There are 230 Catholic priest chaplains and 1.5 million Catholics in the military. So each priest chaplain is “oftentimes doing the work of three,” Bishop Buckon noted.

In January, when the Army’s chaplains chief initially prohibited Catholic chaplains from reading Archbishop Broglio’s letter against the contraceptive mandate to their Catholic congregants, the move was widely seen as an infringement of the religious freedom of military bishops and chaplains to teach the faithful.

Like his fellow bishops across the country, Archbishop Broglio urged Catholics in his archdio-

Shrine of The Little Flower of Jesus

JUBILEE CHURCH & SHRINE

19th Annual Feast Day Celebration

First Shrine To St. Theresa In America

Sunday, August 19, 2012 Rain or Shine

10:30 AM ~ Prayers at Holy Stairs 11:15 AM ~ Stations of the Cross 12:00 PM ~ Lunch & Concert 1:30 PM ~ Outdoor Living Rosary 2:45 PM ~ Procession with St. Theresa 3:00 PM ~ Chaplet of Divine Mercy Solemn Feast Day Mass - Main Celebrant and Homilist: Father Dean Perri (Administrator of St. Casimir Church, Providence, R.I.) Blessing with St. Theresa’s Relic ~ Continuous video showing of St. Theresa’s life ~

• Gift Shop • Food & Refreshments • Canopy - Covered benches at Outdoor Altar • Bus Groups welcome • Priests are invited to concelebrate the Feast Mass • Bring Chairs &s Umbrellas for the sun

For information please call (401) 568-0575 • (401) 568-8280 E-mail: shiirl@cox.net www.SaintTheresaShrine.com

Shrine is located at intersection of Rt. 102 and Rt. 7 in Nasonville (Burrillville), R.I. (near Wright’s Farm Restaurant)

cese to oppose the federal mandate forcing private employers — including most Catholic organizations — to provide free coverage of contraceptives, sterilizations and abortion-causing drugs in employee health plans even though that contravenes Catholic moral teaching.

“We cannot — we will not — comply with this unjust law,” Archbishop Broglio wrote of the mandate. “People of faith cannot be made second-class citizens.”

The letter urged Catholics to pray and fast “that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored,” and to contact their congressional representatives to support legislation to reverse the mandate.

According to the bishops, the issue of silencing military chaplains should have been resolved years ago. In 1997 a federal court ruled that such a “gag order” interferes with the rights of military chaplains to religious freedom and speech, as well as those of their congregants.

The situation was quickly resolved after Archbishop Broglio met with Army Secretary John McHugh. Both leaders agreed it was a mistake to stop the reading of the letter, and the directive was rescinded. Before the letter was redistributed, though, they also agreed the reference to noncompliance “with this unjust law” had to be removed lest it be seen as promoting civil disobedience.

But concerns remain over the Department of Defense memo allowing military chaplains to officiate at same-sex unions on or off military installations.

In response, lawmakers in Washington added a provision to the bill that authorizes defense expenditures for next year that specifically states that officers

serving those who serve — Lt. Col. Father Eric Albertson, an Army chaplain, gives the final blessing to soldiers attending Mass at Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, in this file photo. There are 230 Catholic priest chaplains and 1.5 million Catholics in the military. (CNS photo/Erik De Castro, Reuters)

may not order military chaplains to perform same-sex “marriages” or punish them for declining to do so. Another section aims to reverse the Pentagon rule allowing same-sex “marriage” ceremonies on military bases.

But the Obama Administration issued a statement in May saying it opposes the conscience-protecting measures, calling them “unnecessary and ill-advised.”

The House passed its version of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act May 18; the full Senate has yet to act on its version.

“It’s a clash of values,” said Bishop Buckon, who suggested the Obama Administration is ad-

vancing certain secularist values.

“And we find some of these values to be at odds with our Christian faith.”

Since U.S. servicemen and women face spiritual dangers every day, military chaplains need to be free to care for them, Bishop Buckon believes.

“People that find themselves going into combat are thinking of the eternal verities,” he said.

Recalling his time in Iraq, the bishop continued: “The guys — they’d be on their Humvees, behind their guns and they’re ready to go out the gate — and I’ll ask them, ‘How’s your prayer life?’ And their response would be, ‘Chaplain, I’m praying every day’ — because they are in harm’s way and they know this is a dangerous situation and they have the difficult decisions to make that could mean the difference between life and death.”

He stressed that military men and women are professionals who strive to make the right decisions in battle. But that’s not always easy, he said, because “war is just not a clean thing.”

“If they make a decision that results in someone’s death or physical harm or wounding, they don’t take that lightly. They wrestle with it,” he explained.

“So we’re there to help them in trying to keep their spirits strong and their spirituality good and wholesome,” he said, “and because you know the battlefield can be a place where there is a spiritual danger, a grave spiritual danger.”

The Church in the U.S. New proposal would remove mandate’s penalties for religious employers

5

July 20, 2012

WASHINGTON (CNS) — could face penalties of up to Mercy Sister Mary Ann Walsh, Saying that the U.S. Supreme $36,500 per employee per year, USCCB director of media relaCourt’s June 28 decision on or more than $1.8 million per tions. the Patient Protection and Af- year, he said.

But the leaders of a lay-led fordable Care Act “leaves in“Obviously, if these taxes are organization called the Cathotact a grave assault to religious levied and they are enforced, lic Association said in a news freedoms,” Rep. Jim Sensen- there will be no religious-af- release that they would “fully brenner, R-Wis., announced that filiated institutions left in this engage the Catholic grass-roots he would introduce the Reli- country,” said Sensenbrenner, to support this legislation to gious Freedom Tax Repeal Act. former chairman of the House preserve religious freedom and The bill, which has 57 co- Judiciary Committee. restore the long-standing biparsponsors, would allow em“Religious-affiliated institu- tisan consensus on conscience ployers who have religious or tions, I think, have been one of protections.” moral objections “The president to covering certain is attempting to reeligious-affiliated institutions, I preventive services shape religion in think, have been one of the ways this country by forcmandated by the health reform law to that there has been diversity provided in edu- ing religious organidecline to provide cation, in health care and in various types zations like Cathothem through their of social services and relief services. I don’t lic Charities USA, health insurance which alone serves plans without facing think they should be taxed out of business, more than nine miltaxes, penalties or and neither do my cosponsors.” lion people each enforcement actions year, to pay milfor their noncomplilions to the governthe ways that there has been di- ment for simply practicing their ance.

The Supreme Court ruled versity provided in education, in faith,” said Maureen Ferguson June 28 that it was constitution- health care and in various types and Ashley McGuire, senior al for Congress to require indi- of social services and relief ser- policy adviser and senior fellow, viduals to purchase health insur- vices,” he added. “I don’t think respectively, of the new organithey should be taxed out of busi- zation. ance under its authority to tax.

Sensenbrenner said the health ness, and neither do my cosponThe Catholic Association dereform law “gives the federal sors.” scribes itself as a group “dediTo be exempt from the man- cated to being a faithful Cathogovernment the tools to tax religiously-affiliated schools, date, a religious organization lic voice in the public square hospitals, universities and soup must have “the inculcation of and the public arena.” kitchens right out of existence” religious values as its purpose”; A new interfaith organization by imposing penalties of up to primarily employ “persons called Conscience Cause also $100 per employee per day on who share its religious tenets”; pledged to support the legislation. employers who fail to provide primarily serve “persons who “People of all faiths are services mandated by the De- share its religious tenets”; and looking to Congress to repeal partment of Health and Human be a nonprofit organization un- this mandate, which forces reServices, which include steril- der specific sections of the In- ligious institutions to pay for izations and contraceptives, in- ternal Revenue Code. services that violate their faith The U.S. Conference of and which redefines the very cluding some abortion-causing Catholic Bishops has not taken a definition of a religious orgadrugs.

A religious institution with stand on the Religious Freedom nization,” the group said in a 50 employees, for example, Tax Repeal Act, according to statement.

“R

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

Appeal totals more than $4 million continued from page one

excess of 30,000 individuals and businesses found the focus of the Appeal to be compelling enough to sacrifice and contribute once again. “When you consider the state of the economy nationally, and especially in southeastern Massachusetts with our two largest cities of Fall River and New Bedford continuing to experience some of the highest unemployment rates in the state, it is truly an amazing testament to the faith of those who contribute and to the credibility of the Appeal and the agencies it sponsors,” said Mike Donly of the Appeal office.

The results of the Appeal revealed some amazing accomplishments from across the diocese. A dozen parishes, evenly distributed geographically, had double-digit increases over last year’s Appeal total, with three parishes exceeding 30 percent increases, and five at more than 24 percent. Fifty of the 90 parishes in the diocese had increases over their 2011 total.

“I think there are two main

things that always stand out to those who are asked to contribute annually,” continued Donly.

“First, that this is the only time during the year the Diocese of Fall River asks its parishioners and friends to come together to assist it in meeting the needs of those it ministers to through its various agencies and apostolates, and secondly, that 94 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to these agencies and apostolates to lessen the suffering of those who turn to them for assistance during their time of need. We are very proud of the sound stewardship which has always been a benchmark of the Appeal.”

Bishop George W. Coleman, commented on the great diocesan response: “During this time when so many of our brothers and sisters find themselves in situations of unemployment and underemployment, the response of a great number of people, parishes, and businesses in the Diocese of Fall River to our annual Appeal reflects a remarkably unselfish generosity.”

6

The Anchor The mixed reality of the Church

There may be a new Bishop Stang coming soon to North America. This is not a reference to the high school bearing that name in North Dartmouth, which is undergoing capital improvements at the moment. Rather, Pope Benedict XVI this past Monday named Father William Stang, O.M.I. as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Les Pas in Canada.

An apostolic administrator is not the same as a diocesan administrator. When thenMsgr. George W. Coleman served the Diocese of Fall River as diocesan administrator after Bishop Sean P. O’Malley was transferred (temporarily, it turned out) to the Diocese of Palm Beach, he was selected by the College of Consultors (a group of priests who are given the task to advise the bishop). Canon Law gives them the power to select a diocesan administrator, but their selection must be approved by the Holy See (“the Vatican,” in other words). If the Holy See were not to approve a selection, the pope could name an apostolic administrator, who would have more power than a diocesan administrator (since a diocesan administrator cannot make changes to the diocese, while an apostolic administrator can).

The Keewatin-Les Pas Archdiocese is large geographically, “covering a land mass of 430,000 square kilometers in northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and a small corner of North-West Ontario,” according to its website. The total Catholic population is around 44,000 people. This would make it a little larger than a tenth of the Fall River Diocese.

Pope Benedict appointed Father Stang as apostolic administrator at the same time in which he was accepting the resignation of Keewatin-Les Pas Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, O.M.I. according to Canon 401, §2 of the Code of Canon Law. In his blog, the archbishop of the Canadian capital, Terrence Prendergast, S.J., wrote, “While no grounds for resignation were given, the canonical reference mentioned is to a bishop who, because of ill health or some other grave cause ‘has become less able to fulfill his office.’ Let us keep Archbishop Lavoie, Father Stang and the people of this remote northern archdiocese in our prayers as they cope with this change in leadership and await the appointment of a successor as their chief shepherd.”

Over the last two years Pope Benedict has moved four bishops from their posts — two for alleged financial corruption, one for doctrinal issues, while reasons have not been given for the removal of Archbishop Róbert Bezák of Trnava, Slovakia, earlier this month. As Archbishop Prendergast wrote above, it is not known whether Archbishop Lavoie resigned due to illness or because he was less than “able to fulfill his office.”

The Holy Father has responsibility for guiding the Church throughout the world, helping her to fulfill her mission to spread the Gospel effectively to people everywhere.

Apparently, Pope Benedict has seen that there was a need for “regime change” in certain dioceses so as to make more effective the Church’s service in those places.

As we pray for Father Stang (we really do not know if he might ever become Bishop Stang) and the people of his diocese and the other dioceses which recently experienced unexpected changes of leadership, we are mindful of the maxim from the ancient Greek writer Heraclitus, “Change is the only constant.” We pray that these changes will help in the spread of and the living out of the Gospel, so as to help make it more and more credible to a skeptical world.

Father Stang is taking over an archdiocese in which a very significant part of the population is from the “First Nations,” which is the term used in Canada (and now more and more in the United States) to refer to Native Americans. Our news coverage in this issue of The Anchor discusses these brothers and sisters of ours in varied contexts — in the joy over the upcoming canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha and in the controversy in Taunton over the possible building of a casino owned by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe in that city.

These stories reflect the mixed reality which is the Church. We are called from “every nation, race, people, and tongue” (Rev 7:9). Sometimes we rejoice together in our diversity, as witnessed in the celebrations in Fonda, N.Y. of Blessed Kateri or in the welcome that the Native Hawaiians have given to Father William Petrie, SS.CC., as he has come to serve them as pastor. However, at times there are conflicts, such as in the legal and electoral battles over casino gambling. These conflicts of opinion should not be translated into hatred between ethnic groups. That would be fighting one evil (that of the scourge of gambling) with another (hatred) and the only winner in that battle would be the devil.

Accountability is a common theme in the above-mentioned situations — the changes of bishops, the relationship between Native Americans and those of immigrant backgrounds, and the debate over casinos. In the first two situations, the Church has had to work at growing in accountability. We know that we will all be judged by Christ at the end of our lives, but the Church’s leadership also has the task of helping her to be true to her calling — both on the clerical level and on the lay level. For that reason, the Holy Fathers have reminded everyone over the years of how we are to live out the Gospel, how we all are brothers and sisters with equal dignity, that there is no “master race” in the Church. Even though at times this message is not widely distributed or if it is, it is ignored, that does not mean that an attempt has not been made by the pope to remind us of our Christian duties.

In regards to the casino issue, the Church fears (due to what she has seen happen in other states) that there will be no real accountability once “the cat is out of the bag,” once the societal harms (which we are warning will occur) begin to afflict our area. The state will be too addicted to the income it is receiving from the casinos to be able to help human beings with their addictions to slots and other money-eating games.

May the Lord guide all people in administration — in the Church, in government, in business, etc. — and remind them that they will have to give an account of their stewardship to Him at the end of their lives. May they not just presume upon God’s mercy, but ask God for help so as to truly serve the people over whom they have been given authority.

G

July 20, 2012

My final word ...

audet Mater Ecclesia! Truly, the States during his 1987 pastoral visit, John Church rejoices in the fact that the Paul II concluded by saying that he was Spirit of Christ that came upon her first confident that America will be ever more at Pentecost continues to remain with the conscious of her responsibility for justice Church in every generation and continues and peace in the world. As a nation that has to renew her and guide her in carrying out received so much, she is called to continued the mission of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ generosity and service towards others. If her Lord. the Church’s mission to evangelize is going The Second Vatican Council doctrinally to be successful in the United States, the defined the Church and her mission, but members of the Church must work together during the years following this council, as is to clearly develop a practical vision that common with all councils, the Church was includes more diocesan and parish level left in a state of disillusion. The ongoing personnel who are properly trained for implementation of the council requires, like evangelization. everything else delicate in the Church, fidelThe basic task for which Our Lord sends ity to what the Church says and teaches. out His disciples is the proclamation of The work of evangelization and the the Gospel, that is, evangelization. Conwork implementing the vision of the Secsequently, to evangelize is the grace and ond Vatican Council is primarily the work vocation proper to the Church and her most of the Holy Spirit working within each profound identity. parish and diocese around the world. Every The new and unique situation in which member of the Body of Christ, is responthe world and the Church find themselves sible for this work as well. at the beginning of the third millennium, This precise and the urgent fact could be needs which the greatest result, mean contribution Putting Into that the of the council, mission of the Deep namely that the evangelization mission of the today calls for Church is not to a new vision

By Father be carried out that can be Jay Mello solely by the defined overall ordained, but as a New that each member is called to a full and acEvangelization. tive participation in the life of the Church.

The renewal of the Church, so proviThe Church exists in order to evangelize, dentially called for, set forth and initiated that is the carrying forth of the Good News by the Second Vatican Council is a renewal to every sector of the human race so that that must be an updating and a strengthenby its strength it may enter into the hearts ing of what is eternal and constitutive of the of men and women and renew the human Church’s identity and mission. race.

The Church does many things, but the Every task and every ministry within Church really only exists for one reason, the Church, from parishes and schools to to continue the work of Jesus Christ! The hospitals, soup kitchens and universities, Church exists so as to be the means by everything points to this continuing of which we stay in communion with Him and Jesus’ mission and ministry among us. achieve that which He came to bring about, Evangelization is an ongoing process our salvation. of having a two-fold dimension which inThis is my last article on evangelization volves becoming and sharing, communion and also my last article for The Anchor. and mission. This whole process continues When Father Roger Landry asked me to today under the influence of the Holy Spirit take over this column, it was for a two-year Who is both the principal agent of evangeli- commitment that I have completed to the zation and the goal of salvation. best of my ability and of which I am grateParticularly in the United States of ful to him for the opportunity.

America, the renewed ecclesiology articuIt has been a great opportunity and joy lated by the council and the New Evangeli- for me to share the beauty of our Roman zation called for by Blessed Pope John Paul Catholic faith with you each week. I hope II is continually developing and coming to that perhaps something about which I have fruition. written has provided either clarity or a The Church must continue the prayer greater appreciation of some aspect of our of Blessed Pope John XXIII who prayed faith. It has been a rewarding experience for for a “New Pentecost,” that the Holy Spirit me and I am grateful to those throughout would renew the Church in its effort to the diocese who took the time to read it guard and teach the deposit of faith with the each week. same zeal and courage as the first Apostles When I took over this column in August did. of 2010, it was my intention to shift gears a The nearly 50 years that have followed bit and not focus on the extraordinary lives the council have provided many challenges of the saints, but to focus more on the things in the United States as well as in the Church that make us Catholic: the Sacraments, the throughout the world. American culture and Mass, the Rosary, devotion and piety, etc. society reflect the diversity of the individuI pray that each of you will grow in a als who compromise them, each of whom greater love for Jesus Christ, His Church has the inalienable right to life, liberty and and all these many things that make us the pursuit of happiness.

Catholic! I leave you with the words of Our pluralistic society is exemplified in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, “Do not religious freedom, ethnic and cultural diver- conform yourselves to this age but be transsity and the expression of a wide variety of formed by the renewal of your mind, that social and moral choices. It is also, howevyou may discern what is the will of God, er, a contributing factor to the privatization what is good and pleasing and perfect.” of religion and a growing sense of moral God bless you! relativism in the United States.

Father Mello is a parochial vicar at St. In his farewell address to the United Mary’s Parish in Mansfield.

I

7

The Anchor

July 20, 2012

My view on the Supreme Court’s decision

n 2010, Congress enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in order to increase the number of Americans covered by health insurance, also to decrease the cost of health care and to expand Medicare as we now know it. Despite much opposition, the Supreme Court has now declared that act constitutional by a 5-4 decision. This is as close as one can come to have a congressional statute declared invalid. The dissenters (four) only needed one more vote to nullify the act altogether.

The majority decision was written by the Chief Justice John G. Roberts who assigned himself to write the decision.

The act is among the most disputed legislative mandate in our history. It has effectively changed the word “penalty” in the Congressional Act to “tax” which is an extreme departure from the normal functions of the judiciary. Chief Justice Roberts is a brilliant jurist ‘whom we should all appreciate as Chief of this

Casino opponents hold out continued from page one

This casino deal would still face significant hurdles. The tribe needs federal approval to put the Taunton land in trust, which may be difficult since the U.S. Supreme Court previously ruled that tribes recognized after 1934 are ineligible. The Mashpee were recognized in 2007.

Kristian Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, told The Anchor, “We are disappointed that the citizens of Taunton are chasing after this fool’s gold.

The only people that make money out of casinos are the casino operators and the Las Vegas entities that finance them.”

Mineau added that casinos “fleece” the communities they inhabit. Rather than creating revenue, they take away business from local restaurants, stores and hotels.

Casinos create economic blight, tear families apart and increase rates of divorce, bankruptcy and suicide. A federal study shows that gambling addiction rates double within 50 miles of a casino. Putting three casinos in three different regions of the state would put nearly every Massachusetts resident within 50 miles of a casino, he said.

Staunchly opposed to all expanded gambling in the Commonwealth, the four bishops of Massachusetts say the gaming industry depends on addicted gamblers. Casinos gain the highest profits from the few who visit most frequently. Somewhere between 70-90 percent of casinos’ profits come from 10 percent of gamblers.

Supporters of expanding gambling in the Bay State claim three casinos and one slots parlor will create thousands of jobs and bring in hundreds of millions of new tax dollars.

The law appropriates 25 percent of casino revenue and 40 percent of slots revenue to go back to the state and local communities. In the short term, each casino license bid starts at $85 million.

The costs of the legislation have not been properly studied and opponents say they will far outweigh any benefits.

Several Commonwealth towns have voted down casino proposals. In June, resi-

Court. He is a genius in the law who has been prompted by too many political been able to bring all of the outstandconsiderations to give meaningful vaing issues to lidity to this a conclusion, congressional whether one law. agrees with Roberts him or not. dug deep into It is a terrific the workings challenge for of Congress a judge to in reaching

By Judge assemble, unhis deciWilliam H. Carey derstand, and sion. Such digest all of should not the problems be the funcconnected with this health law, together tion of a judge of the U.S. Supreme with other insurance and constitutional Court. A judge should not go deep law, and in the end, assemble at least into the congressional background of four other judges to agree to his conclu- a law to attempt to save it. If the law sion. He has addressed all the problems is unconstitutional, a judge must have in this law and brought them to an end the courage to say so and not have an in this decision. overriding motive to save it It is my Despite the above and with due opinion that the motivation behind this respect to the decision he wrote for Supreme Court decision was to save the majority, I am respectfully of the Medicare and extend its provisions at opinion that he is wrong and that he has all costs. The fear of losing Medicare or its extension provisions exceeded the consideration of simply judging the hope in Taunton act’s constitutionality. This should not be the function of the court. This decidents in Freetown and Lakeville said no to sion could easily have gone either way expanded gaming at the polls. Foxborough in light of the very strong dissenting residents said the same when they elected opinions. In the end, the Medicare and anti-casino candidates to the Board of Se- insurance interests became paramount. lectmen in May. The constitutionality of a congressioMineau said, “We are thrilled that the resi- nal law should be given prime considerdents in Lakeville, Freetown and Foxboro ation regardless of consequences. have seen casinos for what they really are and There is no way for one to accuhave absolutely said, ‘We do not want to ruin rately summarize this decision of 187 our communities with a casino.’” pages and 59,000 words or to speculate The next community to have their vote as to how the justices arrived at their will likely be East Boston with a proposal for 5-4 decision. I have, however, read the a casino at Suffolk Downs. decision fully.

John Ribeiro of Repeal the Casino Deal The bottom line is that it saved told The Anchor that neighboring towns Medicare and extensions thereof by should also be allowed to vote. Some resi- changing the word “penalty” for what is dents of Winthrop live closer to the proposed really “a tax.” Following the generally casino site than others in East Boston. The accepted theory of the smell test — if two roads that lead in and out of Winthrop go right past Suffolk Downs.

“The crime isn’t going to know the boundary of the town, the impact on small businesses isn’t going to stop at the town’s boundaries,” he said.

He said that concerned citizens in East Boston must vote “no.”

“When you think about it in the abstract, a casino sounds like a fun place and a nice idea. But when you scratch the surface just a little bit, people recognize that living off of the strip near a casino is not where they want to be,” he said.

Ribeiro stressed there is still hope that casinos will never come to Massachusetts.

Residents in individual towns have the power to vote expanded gambling down, proposals could be defeated during the lengthy approval process, legal challenges may succeed and opponents are seeking to repeal the entire law through a petition that would be on the 2014 ballot.

There is still hope for casino opponents in Taunton too. Since the vote was non-binding, another could be held. He said of those who are concerned, “They need to talk to their friends, their neighbors and people they meet on the street.”

“This is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination,” he added.

Guest Columnist

it smells like a rose, it really is a rose.

This provision has always smelled like a “tax!”

The case was a victory for Medicaid and Insurance Law over Constitutional Law. Congress has been given a long rope to make the Affordable Health Care Act available for qualified Americans.

A 5-to-4 decision made it all possible. I suggest that at some point in our jurisprudence perhaps decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court should be unanimous In this case the credibility of the decision (and the court) is arguably at stake. In recent years all too often the court has arrived at historically significant 5-4 decisions. A unanimous decision would require more discussion, more research and arguments and ultimately more persuasion. (I confess that I personally experienced a 5-to-4 loss in a case before the Supreme Court 40 years ago.)

Ironically, criminal juries in state and federal cases, where ordinary laymen and ladies preside over decisions day after day, are required to come to a unanimous verdict. Why not the same standard for decisions of the highest court of our land?

On July 4, 2012, as this article is written, we are reminded that on July 4, 1776, there was a unanimous Congressional declaration of the 13 United States of America, our Declaration of Independence. It should not be beyond hope to gain a unanimous vote of nine justices of the United States Supreme Court when passing upon the Constitutionality of an Act of Congress, and to have the unanimous support of the entire nine justices rather than invite political, rather than legal, debate among the justices.

Judge Carey is a retired justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. He is also a Knight of St. Gregory.

8

July 20, 2012

The Anchor

T

he need to share our experiences as the Apostles did is something that we can find difficult. It is possible to imagine just what the Apostles were sharing. The great miracles God has accomplished through them, their own amazement, the crowd’s reaction — and I’m sure that as they heard each other’s stories their excitement grew.

The Apostles acted in the name of God, they were the instruments that God used to heal the people that needed healing, free the people from demons, and call the people to repentance. In order to be those instruments, they relied on the graces that God bestowed upon them. They did not cease being God’s instruments the moment they returned to Jesus, but rather they continued to act as such, strengthening each other’s resolve and trust in God as they witnessed to His power.

Every one of us acts, in our own way, as an instrument of God’s grace: when we live the life that God has called us to live; when we come together to worship God on Sundays; when we share our joys and sorrows. These are all means in which we are able to witness to what God has done

Resting with God

not only in our own life, but in the Virgin Mother of God with the world. We share our stories; particular veneration, and to use we share our accomplishments other common and particular not to pat ourselves on the back, means of sanctification” (Canon but to provide encouragement 276 of the Code of Canon Law). and strengthen the faith, hope, All of these are a means to taking and love of those people God has placed in our life.

Homily of the Week The second thing to note is that Jesus told Sixteenth Sunday them to take a step back, in Ordinary Time to be alone and rest a

By Father while. This is difficult Peter Fournier for us. We can get so caught up in what we are doing, and many of us are doing great things, that a step back and resting with God. it can be difficult to stop. We This encouragement is to help become fearful that if we stop us grow not only in our list of we might lose momentum or fear accomplishments or duties, but that something will get overto also grow and strengthen our looked. Yet Jesus tells us to stop own relationship with God. and rest. It is not just a rest that This call to rest and witness is entails sleeping, but rather a rest not only for Apostles and priests, that entails spending time with but to all who serve and follow God, one-on-one. We are invited God’s will: parents, teachers, to spend time in prayer and doctors and many others who to receive His love and grace. help their brothers and sisters.

Priests are obliged to make time Though accomplished differfor a spiritual retreat at least once ently, this difference does not a year, and are also, “urged to diminish its importance. Though engage in mental prayer reguwe can try to justify not taking larly, to approach the Sacrament the time to rest with God, the of Penance frequently, to honor truth is that it is only when we

do, so will we gain the grace necessary to overcome any obstacle. There are many small ways in which we can do this: showing up 15 minutes before Mass or staying a little bit after to prepare our hearts and give thanks for the mystery celebrated, to spend time in adoration (even if it is only 15 minutes), to pray a family Rosary, or even go on a retreat for a weekend. Though there is an element of sacrifice to allow for this, God’s graciousness cannot be outdone, and we receive more than what we sacrifice. There are retreats that are available that allow for this witnessing of our faith as well as allow for time to spend in quiet prayer to allow this resting with God. There are retreats geared towards men, women, married couples, and even professionals.

There are retreats geared towards High School students, like the ECHO retreat.

These two things, our witness and prayer, allow us to grow in holiness. One allows us to share the gifts that God has given us and the other allows us to grow

more intimate with God. There are many men and women who live this out in their life. Those whom we sit with at Mass, by their very presence, witness to the importance of God as the center of their lives. Men and women who sacrifice to give to others by leading retreats, helping the poor, or serving their community, continue the example set by Christ — to witness and pray.

The temptation to not take time in silent prayer and the difficultly that arises in our willingness to share our faith should be a warning sign about the importance of these two parts of our faith. Without these two elements we run the risk of going astray and losing focus.

Our focus is God. Our focus is to follow His example and one day to sit with Him and each other at the Wedding Banquet. We need to pray for each other, pray for parents, pray for priests, and pray for all who serve God that each of us may follow God’s advice — to witness and pray.

Father John Fournier is parochial vicar of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth and assistant chaplain of Falmouth Hospital.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. July 21, Mi ­­ 2:1-5; Ps 10:1-4,7-8,14; Mt 12:14-21. Sun. July 22, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:16; Eph 2:13-18; Mk 6:30-34. Mon. July 23, Mi 6:1-4,6-8; Ps 50:5-6,8-9,16-17,21,23; Mt 12:38-42. Tues. July 24, Mi 7:14-15,18-20; Ps 85:2-8; Mt 12:46-50.

Wed. July 25, 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1-6; Mt 20:20-28. Thurs. July 26, Jer 2:1-3,7-8,12-13; Ps 36:6-11; Mt 13:10-17. Fri. July 27, Jer 3:14-17; (Ps) Jer 31:10-13; Mt 13:18-23. Sat. July 28, ­­Jer 7:1-11; Ps 84:3-6,8,11; Mt 13:24-30. Sun. July 29, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2 Kgs 4:42-44; Ps 145:10-11,1516,17-18; Eph 4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15. Mon. July 30, Jer 13:1-11; (Ps) Dt 32:18-21; Mt 13:31-35. Tues. July 31, Jer 14:17-22; Ps 79:8-9,11,13; Mt 13:36-43. Wed. Aug. 1, Jer 15:10,16-21; Ps 59:2-4,10-11,17-18; Mt 13:44-46. Thurs. Aug. 2, Jer 18:1-6, Ps 146:1-6; Mt 13:47-53. Fri. Aug. 3, Jer 26:1-9; Ps 69:5,8-10,14; Mt 13:54-58.

Sat. Aug 4, Jer ­­ 26:11-16,24; Ps 69:15-16,20-21; Mt 14:1-12. Sun. Aug. 5, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Ex 16:2-4,12-15; Ps 78:3-4,23-25,54; Eph 4:17,20-24; Jn 6:24-35. Mon. Aug. 6, Dn 7:9-10,13-14; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mk 9:2-10. Tues. Aug. 7, Jer 30:1-2,12-15, 18-22; Ps 102:16-23,29; Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2,10-14. Wed. Aug. 8, Jer 31:1-7; (Ps) Jer 31:10-13; Mt 15:21-28. Thurs. Aug. 9, Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:12-15,18-19; Mt 16:13-23. Fri. Aug. 10, 2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112:1-2,5-9; Jn 12:24-26.

T

The war on (little) women and other insanities

he Supreme Court’s minor mistakes have few systemic consequences. But when the Supremes make a big mistake, the error tends to seep throughout the entire political process, poisoning everything in its path.

That was what happened with the Court’s 1857 Dred Scott decision, which intensified the passions and accelerated the dynamics that led to the Civil War — and to 600,000 Americans killing each other. That was what happened when the Court got it wrong again in Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 decision that declared segregated public facilities constitutional: three-and-a-half generations of American politics were distorted by a fierce struggle between segregationists and integrationists, with the Democratic Party held hostage to its fever-swamp wing.

And that is what happened with Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion on demand across the country. Ever since, the abortion issue has been the most bitterly contested in our public life, and Roe has distorted every-

thing from free speech to religious are estimates of some 160 million freedom to health care legislation “missing” females), is not, yet, (dental insurers are being queried widespread in the United States. by federal regulators as to whether But one sex-selection abortion is their coverage includes abortion — one too many, and the attitude to dental insurers!). Those distortions this war on little women within confirm that the Court got it fundamentally wrong in 1973.

The forces that defend Roe v. Wade know the fragility of that “exercise in raw judicial power” (as Justice Byron White, dissenting from the Roe

By George Weigel majority, put it). That is why they defend it with such fury — and with arguments that are increasingly the billion dollar abortion industry absurd. Those absurdities were is chilling: a Planned Parenthood on full display in late May when representative told the Huffington the U.S. House of Representatives Post, prior to the House vote on took up the Prenatal NondiscrimiPRENDA, that “No Planned Parnation Act. PRENDA’s purpose enthood clinic will deny a woman is to ban sex-selection abortions in an abortion based on her reasons the United States — which almost for wanting one, except in states always means aborting unborn that explicitly prohibit sex-selecgirls for the simple reason that they tion abortions.” As Congressman are girls.

Chris Smith (R-NJ) put it in an opThis odious practice, a comed piece in the Washington Post, monplace in Asia (where there “In other words, Planned Parent-

The Catholic Difference

hood is OK with exterminating a child in its huge network of clinics simply because she’s a girl.”

The arguments against PRENDA in the House were ludicrous.

The proponents of Roe’s unlimited abortion license, which they had long defended on the grounds that ready access to abortion is essential to women’s equality, argued that lethal discrimination against (little) women just because they are girls must be legally permissible. Radical feminism is now consuming its own future, literally.

And why? To defend Roe v. Wade — and, ultimately, the sexual revolution for which Roe v.

Wade was and is the ultimate technological buttress. Were PRENDA to become law, and were the Supreme Court to find that PRENDA passed constitutional muster, a thread would be pulled: and that thread might unravel the entire warped tapestry woven out of Roe v. Wade. The pro-Roe forces

understand that. And if saving Roe, that alleged foundation of gender equality, requires the manifest absurdity of self-described feminists (female and male) defending lethal discrimination against the littlest of little girls, well, so be it.

The same take-no-prisoners dynamic was at work earlier this year in Planned Parenthood’s assault on Susan G. Komen For the Cure, which had dared to hold Planned Parenthood accountable for not offering the mammograms the Komen Foundation’s money was supposed to help provide. But rather than admitting its failure and promising to offer genuine preventive health services to women, Planned Parenthood, and its cultural and political allies, crushed Komen — the cleanest of squeakyclean charities — like a grape.

And some wonder why these same forces are now arrayed against the Church for daring to defend religious freedom?

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

July 20, 2012

Village life

Friday 20 July 2012 — July, summer mornings can be Falmouth Inner Harbor cool enough for a light jacket. he first moon landing The town is quiet for the took place on this date time being. Automobiles pass in 1969. It was an extraordiinfrequently. An occasional nary experience for the hubicyclist peddles by. There man race. It opened up brand new vistas.

The world was never again the same. With Reflections of a all the routine trips Parish Priest into outer space we now make, I wonder

By Father Tim how many people Goldrick today will even think of that first moon landing. Although I have never been to the moon may be a lone pedestrian, or and have no intention of ever maybe not. A handful of staff going there, Main Street in members from the nursing Falmouth Village is a brand home next door are sitting on new world for me. the retaining wall enjoying a I rise early on a fine sumcup of coffee before reporting mer morning to take my dog for duty. They wave and call Transit for his first walk of out “Good morning, Father. the day. Even in the month of Nice dog you’ve got there.”

T

The Ship’s Log

A

9

The Anchor Somehow they already know me. Falmouth is friendly.

That reminds me that I, too, need my morning coffee.

Off I go to the local Dippin’ Doughnuts. It’s conveniently located just down the street. There’s already a line of three or four cars, but it’s so early in the day you don’t have to stop first to place your order before proceeding; you drive directly up to the service window. On my first visit, I didn’t realize this and there I was sitting in my car ordering coffee over a dead microphone and expecting a response. The folks in the car behind me were patient with this newcomer and uttered no word of complaint.

A man going about his busi-

Bringing the Church to others

rally — nourishing, healing, s families shift into praying, reconciling, feeding, summer mode, their teaching, and consoling those parish priests remind them around her. Each is called to gently that vacation from share what wisdom she has school doesn’t justify vacacome by in her life with those tion from God. Surely, the she meets in the course of her usual pews are a little less day — whether in the family, full these days and one would at work, in school, or where hope that somewhere else she lives — and summer of(near beaches and lakes) they ten provides unique opportuare more crowded, but we must admit that with the regular routines gone, Sunday Mass is often negatively impacted.

Along with summer’s more relaxed schedules come

By Genevieve Kineke visits with distant relations, weddings that provide a chance to see old friends nities through which to share and new vistas, and a chance these treasures. to engage in more leisurely The call is not to be obconversations by the pool. trusive or overbearing; just This is all as it should be, for as the Church is there — the the pace of life the rest of the parish on the corner, the soup year often forces us to forego kitchen downtown, the school such encounters through through which so many which a deeper communion pass, the sanctuary lamp that is built. welcomes all who visit — In consideration of this our vocation is to be there as opportunity, women would do well. While the institution well to remember the foundamay require bricks and mortion of their feminine vocatar, our vocation is rooted in tion: to live as icons of Holy the heart — a heart disposed Mother Church. The essence to love, guiding others to God of our call is to give flesh to the Father. the Bride for whom Christ Meditating on the Saclaid down His life, and Who raments will provide one in our midst provides the key, for there we find the surest refuge for the children essential work on which to of God. model our own lives. Our How do we do this? Each domestic churches should women does it in her own imitate the parish work, our way, using her God-given tables providing sustenance gifts to do naturally what and fellowship, our domestic the Church does supernatu-

The Feminine Genius

altars a source of forgiveness and healing. Family life can be difficult, but if our lives are grounded in prayer, we will find ways to deflect the discord so that peace is possible. It’s not always easy, but the grave trials of the Church over the centuries have shown us that as well.

Ultimately, though the piety of some may slacken over the summer months, ours cannot.

If we are true to our calling and immerse ourselves in imitating Holy Mother Church, we will have a heart for these dear souls that transcends the transgressions borne of human weakness.

If we can see our way to living the feminine vocation in such a way that Christ is paramount and that His wounds mark the path to wholeness, then we can absorb a great deal on His behalf.

With this focus — loving with the mind of the Church, forbearing with the grace of God, and drawing all into a communion built on the promise given to Peter — we trust that our encounters this summer can provide a deeper meaning than the trifles with which most are absorbed.

And if we do our work well, even those who neglect God will have found something of value, because we will have brought the Church to them.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” and can be found online at feminine-genius.com.

ness cleaning the grounds of litter approached and kindly informed me of the proper procedure. I felt foolish, but now I know the routine.

Routines are a necessary part of life.

The village may wake slowly, but not so the crows.

They begin their cawing at first light but soon get it over and done with. By 6 a.m., they have fallen silent. Some people dislike crows, for one reason or another. I, on the other hand, am rather fond of them. They are certainly not on anybody’s list of songbirds, but I consider them to be sleek and beautiful. Every creature in God’s creation, even crows, has its own place in the Divine plan. Each creature must be seen and appreciated on its own terms.

The hydrangeas are everywhere. These, it seems, are a favorite shrub on Cape Cod. It has to do with the sandy, acidic soil they prefer. There are few flowers of which I am aware that are so clearly blue.

Before long, a constant flow of traffic develops on Main Street. Folks in these parts are saying it’s the heaviest traffic they’ve ever seen in the village. I have to take their word for it. The local residents know the ebb and flow of the traffic as well as they know the tide charts.

They know where the shortcuts are and when to take them. They know what time to venture out and when to just stay home. These things I will eventually learn.

Then there are the bicycles.

Many have their own. They are also available for rent at several locations in town

and, it seems, people take advantage of the opportunity.

There is a sign you often see elsewhere, “motorcycles are everywhere.” Here, a more appropriate warning would be “bicycles are everywhere,” for so indeed they are.

I’m surprised by the amount of pedestrian traffic as well. In the village, there are so many shops and eateries within walking distance that if you can get there on foot, you do.

And so a busy day passes and, in late evening, there are bound to be one or two rabbits waiting patiently for Transit and I to emerge from the front door of the rectory for the final walk of the day. I’ve never encountered so many rabbits as I have in Falmouth. I wonder if this may just be the rabbit capital of the world. Transit, being a greyhound, is constantly scanning the horizon, on the watch for critters. But he’s an old greyhound now and does nothing more than snap to attention. He may go so far as to give a little yelp, but gone are the days of racing after rabbits at 40 miles an hour. This is a good thing for otherwise I might end up with severe whiplash. The rabbits are wise to his false bravado and just saunter off to hide under the nearest bush.

So passes another day in the village. Life goes on.

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

CATHOLIC WEBSITE www.pamphletstoinspire.com

10

The Anchor

July 20, 2012

Father Petrie becomes pastor of St. Damien’s Parish

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FAIRHAVEN — Despite being located on the opposite ends of the United States, Father William Petrie, SS.CC., suggests there is a special bond between the Fall River Diocese and the Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii.

“The literal translation of the word ‘Honolulu’ is ‘Fair Haven,’” he said.

The longtime provincial of the eastern province of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary based in Fairhaven, Father Petrie recently vacated his post to take on a new ministry as pastor of St. Damien’s Parish on the island of Molokai in Hawaii. The parish is comprised of four churches on the island — two of which were originally built by St. Damien himself.

“It’s that point in life when it was time to receive a new assignment,” Father Petrie told The Anchor. “It’s something I didn’t think would ever happen, but I feel very blessed.”

While he had mixed emotions about leaving Fairhaven and the Diocese of Fall River, Father Petrie was elated to have been called to walk in the footsteps of the saint who first inspired him to enter the priesthood.

“I received my vocation in Phoenix, Ariz.,” he said. “I was attending a Jesuit high school there and during a retreat I read the life story of Father Damien and that’s

what inspired me to enter the congregation and what first brought me to Fairhaven.”

Recent changes in the hierarchy of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts — including a merger of the former eastern province based in Fairhaven with the Hawaiian province — led to Father Petrie’s change of assignment.

“This is how the Holy Spirit works,” he said. “There was an election of the new provincial and the new provincial council requested that I go to Molokai. Well, I’m sure a smile came across my face when they asked me. When I first read about Father Damien, I never thought I’d be working where he was — I never connected the dots.”

Father Petrie joins his colleague, Father Patrick Killilea, SS.CC., former pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Fairhaven, in serving the Catholic people on the island of Molokai.

“One side of the island has a peninsula where the leprosy settlement used to be — Kalaupapa, which is where Father Pat is,” Father Petrie said. “The church that St. Damien built before he died, St. Philomena’s, is still there. Less than two miles away is St. Francis Church, which they use now for Kalaupapa patients and the workers.”

Father Petrie noted that St. Damien also built four churches on the other side of the island — an area they call “topside” — of which two still stand. That’s where he has been assigned as pastor of

St. Damien Parish, which was renamed after its founder was canonized.

“I am pastor of St. Damien Parish, which has two mission stations,” Father Petrie said. “I go from one end of the island to the other every Sunday, starting with a 7 a.m. Mass on the east end, then a 9 a.m. Mass in the middle of the island where St. Damien’s Church is, and then an 11 a.m. Mass on the west side of the island. There’s also a vigil Mass on Saturday evening at St. Damien’s Church.”

Despite the small Catholic population on the island, Father Petrie said they have about 300 people attending Masses on Sunday, which is “a good turnout.”

“I’m now working closely with Father Pat,” he said. “We’re in regular contact with each other and we’ll get together frequently.”

Bishop Clarence (Larry) Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii recently celebrated an official installation Mass for Father Petrie at St. Damien’s Church on July 10, even though he assumed his new pastoral assignment on July 1.

The following day he joined the bishop for a Mass celebrating Father Killilea’s installation as pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa.

“It’s a tradition that the bishop comes to install the pastors,” he said. “He combined it with a pilgrimage — five priests and 10 seminarians accompanied him — and we had a nice celebration which

IN DAMIEN’S FOOTSTEPS — Bishop Clarence (Larry) Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii, welcomes Father William Petrie, SS.CC., as the new pastor of St. Damien’s Parish on the island of Molokai. The parish is comprised of four churches, two of which were originally built by St. Damien himself. (Photo by Catherine Cluett / The Molokai Dispatch)

was followed by a wonderful potluck dinner.”

Calling his new assignment “a blessing from Heaven,” Father Petrie said it was a natural fit for him at this point in his ministry.

“Molokai has always been a spiritual and sacred place for me,” he said. “All the people who come here feel that. Unlike the other Hawaiian islands that are very much tourist destinations, more than 50 percent of the people who live on Molokai are native Hawaiians and they’ve kept it without development. There are no big hotels, no movie theaters, and no fast food restaurants. It is a place that attracts pilgrims who come for a couple of days and then leave.”

He’s also anxious to begin working with the parishioners there, all of whom he described as being very involved in the parish.

“They all have a deep love for St. Damien,” Father Petrie said. “I have a little rectory at one of the churches — St. Joseph’s — that is like a third-class relic for me. To think that Damien built it with his own hands makes it a sacred place.”

Father Petrie is also looking forward to representing Molokai at the canonization of Mother Marianne Cope in Rome in October.

“It’s like joining her with St. Damien,” he said. “To think that this little island has now produced two saints.”

This is not the first time that Father Petrie’s ministry has taken him outside the Fall River Diocese.

After his ordination in 1965, Father Petrie was assigned to minister to Our Lady of Assumption Parish in New Bedford, but his desire to work with lepers remained. After reading about Mother Teresa’s work with leprosy patients in a magazine article that same year, he decided to offer his help.

She graciously accepted, and for the next 25 years he would work alongside Blessed Mother Teresa in India, serving as the Missionary of Charity’s personal priest and con-

fessor while helping the “poorest of the poor.”

“Mother Teresa always had a great love for Father Damien and Molokai was a spiritual icon for her as well, so it’s nice that one saint could appreciate another,” Father Petrie said.

After fulfilling his missionary work in India, Father Petrie once again returned to the diocese and his congregation’s house in Fairhaven, to serve two terms as the eastern provincial.

“When I came back it was like I was just continuing where I left off,” he said. “I remembered people, people remembered me, and that association will always be there.”

It’s for this reason that Father Petrie doesn’t see this latest change of venue as warranting a formal farewell to Fairhaven.

“I wouldn’t really want to offer parting words, because the separation really isn’t there,” he said. “Fairhaven has always been a source of spiritual empowerment for my religious vocation as a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and my preparation for ministerial, sacramental and missionary work. Now that we are one province — Fairhaven connected with Hawaii — there is a spiritual connection, too. There will always be a sense of gratitude for me that it was from Fairhaven that all of this has taken place in my life.”

He also expressed deep appreciation to Bishop George W. Coleman and the all the priests and lay people of the diocese for their past hospitality.

“I extend an invitation to all to make a pilgrimage to the ‘land of St. Damien,’” he said.

“If I were to say anything, it would be to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for being in Fairhaven. It’s a prayer of thanksgiving for all the people that I’ve been blessed to minister to and live with. I’m glad to have been a part of their lives.”

FEAST DAY MASS — Franciscan Father Mark Steed, director of the National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in Fonda, N.Y., celebrated a Mass on her feast day attended by people from all over the U.S. and Canada, including members of several tribes making up First Nations in North America. In the foreground is a relic of Blessed Kateri, and in the back is a statue of the saint-to-be. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

First Nations inspired by Blessed Kateri continued from page one

11

The Anchor

July 20, 2012

sites where Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha was born, raised, baptized and died in the 17th century.

The epic pilgrimage brought the group of Native Americans to the Mass on Blessed Kateri’s feast day celebrated at the National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in Fonda, N.Y., where she was baptized at age 18.

“Blessed Kateri’s canonization in October is very important to us in First Nations,” Jules Caisse, one of the pilgrims, told The Anchor.

“She’s the first aboriginal to be recognized as a saint. It’s very inspirational to us. Many

of us attend the annual Kateri conferences in our diocese.”

In addition to the feast day Mass in Fonda, the pilgrims from Saskatoon also visited nearby Auriesville, N.Y., the site of the Shrine of the North American Martyrs, where Blessed Kateri was born; Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada, where she died in 1680 at the age of 24; and several other sacred sites in upstate, N.Y. and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

“I’ve been praying for Blessed Kateri’s canonization since 1978,” said Gayle Weenie, also a member of the Saskatoon pilgrims. “We’re

Vacation Time Please note that The Anchor will not publish July 27 and August 3. It will return to your mailbox on August 10. The office will be closed July 20 through July 27.

Photo by Emilie Jolivet

very honored to have her canonized.”

“It’s about time,” quipped fellow pilgrim Yvonne Lariviere with a broad smile.

The feast day Mass was held on July 14 in a pavilion at the Fonda shrine, celebrated

by Franciscan Father Mark Steed, the shrine director.

Catholics with a strong devotion to Blessed Kateri came from all over the U.S. and Canada. Among the many at the Mass were members of the Algonquin and Mohawk tribes.

Just prior to the Liturgy of the Word, the congregation faced east, where the sun rises, as a Native American chant, “Blessings in the Four Directions,” was begun, invoking God’s blessing on the land, the animals and the people. At the start of each verse of the prayer, the congregation faced north, south, and ended facing west, the site of the setting sun.

All of the Mass hymns were incorporated into Native American chants.

During his homily, Father Steed told the congregation, “We are here today to worship God. To share in the good God

has given to all of us. When tomorrow arrives, our Christian mission is to apply our Mass experience.

“The question we should ask is not ‘What will I do to fulfill my role?’ but ‘Who will I be today?’ We’re not here to hear a history lesson in the Gospel, but to go out and make history.”

Father Steed continued by saying that recognizing Blessed Kateri is not just a devotion. “It’s not a fairy story.

We see in Blessed Kateri what part she played in bringing God and Jesus into her world,” he continued. “This young maiden of Jesus took her part in the ongoing proclamation of the Word of God. “We cannot recreate her relationship with God. That was hers. She was a person filled with the love of Jesus. We, too, must step into our world of ministry. We celebrate today this role model of holiness and we strive to see that we are holy too.”

At the conclusion of the Mass, Father Steed blessed the congregation with a relic of Blessed Kateri.

Despite temperatures in the 90s and an even higher heat

index, the outdoor pavilion where the Mass took place was filled.

That evening, a healing service took place at the shrine, invoking the intercession of its patroness.

“There is a First Nations group from Saskatchewan that will be attending the canonization in Rome this October,” said Caisse. “I wish I was going,” he smiled.

Larry Chaplinski, a Northville, N.Y. resident, told The Anchor that his mother, a full-blooded Mohawk, lived to be 105 years old and had a great devotion to Blessed Kateri. “She passed away last August, but she would be so pleased that Blessed Kateri is going to be canonized. It’s an inspiration for all Native Americans of all tribes how one of our race could live a truly holy life with love and kindness.”

On June 24, 1980 Blessed John Paul II addressed Native Americans and reminded them of Blessed Kateri’s example of faith and urged them “to see in her a model of purity and of love” and encouraged them to seek her intercession.

12

July 20, 2012

The Anchor

IT’S EXPENSIVE!!

The Post Office charges The Anchor 70 cents for notification of a subscriber’s change of address. Please help us reduce these expenses by notifying us immediately when you plan to move.

Please Print Your New Address Below

NAME:

STREET ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: NEW PARISH: MOVING DATE: Please attach your Anchor address label so we can update your record immediately.

Clip and mail form to: The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722

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

Celebrant is Father Maurice O. Gauvin, Pastor of St. George’s Parish in Westport

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, July 29, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father David C. Deston, Chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River and Technical Assistant at St. Michael’s Parish in Fall River

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, August 5, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Jeffrey Cabral, a Judge for the Diocesan Tribunal, and a Technical Assistant at Good Shepherd and St. Stanilaus parishes in Fall River

Preparing an army to defend life at all stages continued from page one

“We will be joined for the weekend by three of the Sisters of Life, which is a contemplative/active religious community of women founded in 1991 by the late John Cardinal O’Connor for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life,” said Marian Desrosiers, director of the Pro-Life Apostolate of the Fall River Diocese.

“The Sisters, inspired by the love of Christ, desire to pour out all their gifts of nature and grace in the apostolate so that nothing of the gift of life, and no one to whom it has been given, should be lost,” Desrosiers continued. “Their mission is carried out with the heart of the Church and, with the hope of revealing to those they serve, the inherent goodness and beauty of their own lives so that each person may see and experience the truth — that they are the unrepeatable creation of the Master.”

In addition, Desrosiers said that Cornell University graduate Gloria Purvis would be speaking at the event. Purvis has served on the National Black Catholic Congress’ Leadership Commission on Social Justice and as an advisory board member on the Maryland Catholic Conference’s Respect for Life Department and on the Archdiocese of Washington’s Pastoral Council.

A proponent of Natural Family Planning, Purvis has helped prepare engaged couples for marriage as a member of a pre-Cana team in the Archdiocese of Washing.

She has appeared on “Catholic Answers Live,” “The Drew Mariano Show,” EWTN’s “Life on the Rock” and “EWTN Live,” and is the creator and host of an upcoming new EWTN series, “Authentically Free at Last,” that deals with the modern challenges to the expression and understanding of authentic human freedom.

The boot camp was co-planned with Jocelyn Trindade and Borges, members of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford. Both young women were instrumental in bringing the Boot Camp to the Fall River Diocese after attending a Pro-Life Boot Camp in Texas a few years ago.

“The idea of having a Pro-Lifecentered camp for youth started late 2009 and early 2010. Originally it was meant to be a parishbased event but Marian really felt that God wanted this to be diocesan-wide. After much prayer, Cassandra and I were sent to ‘learn the ropes’ and see how their diocese runs a Pro-Life Boot Camp with the intention of bringing it back to Fall River,” explained Trindade.

“Jocelyn and Cassandra, because of their deep love of Christ, live the message of the Gospel of Life,” said Desrosiers. “By their

witness and commitment to uphold and defend the sacredness and dignity of all human life, they inspire other young people to be the Pro-Life generation of our day. Because of them, many young people have taken the Gospel of Life message to heart and are making a lasting impact on their families, friends, schools, and their communities. Through prayer, witness and works, these young people will one day defeat the culture of death and bring about a new generation built on truth and the love of Christ.”

A goal of the Pro-Life Boot Camp is to bring the message in an engaging and intellectual way that will be understood, appreciated and embraced by those participating.

“This was always intended not so much to be a retreat or a conference — though there are elements of these — but more of a boot camp in the sense that they’re going to be pushed to go deeper in their faith,” explained Trindade. “We want to train them, prepare them and equip them with the proper weapons needed in order to fight the ‘culture of death.’ Pro-Life Boot Camp is different every year; the essentials will be there — Mass, prayer, Confession, talks, discussions, etc. — but this year there are a lot of new activities.”

And thanks to the positive energy that Trindade and Borges brought during last year’s event, not only is there is an increased interest in this year’s boot camp but participants from last year’s camp are already making an impact in his or her parish.

“Quite a few of them have already initiated events in their local

schools or parishes that promote the dignity of the human person,” said Borges. “Truth is in high demand from young people today.

They’re fed up with the lies and garbage that they’re fed on a daily basis. They long for authentic joy and beauty. Understanding life in its fullness helps fulfills that desire.

The interest is growing.”

Last-year attendees are also looking forward to reconnecting with fellow faith-filled youth. Having prayed together for a weekend, especially outside of the abortion clinic in Attleboro, created an irreplaceable bonding experience, said Borges.

“Last year was the first time that many of the campers prayed outside of the abortion clinic. This experience opened up their hearts and minds to the reality of the abortion industry,” said Borges, adding that many boot campers are looking forward to placing themselves back on the front lines.

“Our Catholic faith always requires faith and reason,” added Borges. “We’re both corporal and spiritual beings and we want boot camp to be a combination of those two elements. We’re going to hopefully open their minds and show them how to place Christ at the center of their lives.

“We can never allow the energy, joy and love for life that teen-agers have to be distorted, discouraged or destroyed by the modern day culture of death,” said Desrosiers.

“Built upon a foundation of faith, the young people experience and live the Gospel of Life throughout the weekend; this message of hope, life and love must be carried by them to the next generation.”

July 20, 2012

13

The Anchor

A long, hard road ahead, people of Joplin know they are not alone

Kansas City, Mo. (CNA) — As tough as they are, the people of Joplin learned two lessons.

First, they can’t rebuild their town alone. Second, they aren’t alone.

“Sometimes, we say we don’t know if God is in the miracle business,” said Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean. “Well, look at our city. God is still in the miracle business.”

Joplin is still a city of vacant lots, one year after the most powerful tornado that can be measured cut a swath through the middle third of the city of 50,000, from the southwest city limits to the northeast city limits.

Gone in the 30 minutes or so in the late afternoon of May 22, 2011, that it took the slow-moving EF-5 twister — actually three tornadoes that spun themselves into a single mile-wide monster — were some 7,500 homes in the poorest part of the town, and some 2,500 commercial businesses that provided thousands of jobs.

Maura Taylor, director of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri which serves the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, said 65 percent of the destroyed homes were rental properties, and nearly half of those were government Section 8 properties for the low income.

But then, almost as soon as the tornado left, the miracles began.

A regional disaster plan, spearheaded and funded by federal and state government, kicked in, first responders — police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians — arrived from as far away as Tulsa, Wichita and Kansas City as fast as their emergency vehicles could take them there.

Then the volunteers came — from across the entire nation.

And they are still coming.

On June 6, one year and two weeks after the tornado, Mayor Colbert-Kean welcomed 136 more who came by chartered bus from Kansas City for a day of work, some of it backbreaking in the late spring southwest Missouri heat, on a day of service sponsored by Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

The Kansas City volunteers reorganized the Catholic Charities warehouse where basic supplies such as food, personal hygiene items, clothing, dishes and tools are still coming in.

They picked up trash, nails and glass still strewn along acres of empty lots that was once a neighborhood.

They provided landscaping at Cunningham Park, devastated a year ago, but where the names of each of the 161 people who died on May 22, 2011, have been immortalized on a bronze plaque, and where 161 trees have been planted around the memorial.

And with pick axes, shovels and the enthusiasm of youth, they cut through two feet of topsoil, clay and bedrock to prepare a retaining wall around a brand-new home built by “Help Joplin Rebuild,” an inter-faith consortium spearheaded by Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri that is turning empty lots back into neighborhoods, one home at a time.

That is the continuing miracle of Joplin, the mayor told the Kansas City volunteers at a hamburger and hot dog barbecue that ended the day of work.

“Everybody became a neighbor and helped everybody out,” Colbert-Kean said. “It will stretch to five to seven more years (before Joplin fully recovers) but we are on our way. And Catholic Charities was here on day one, and you are still here.”

On Sunday, May 22, 2011, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri was a two-person operation — interim director Kyle Schott and an administrative assistant. And on that day, Schott was on the other side of Missouri, helping the victims of a devastating Mississippi River flood.

That evening, Schott got a call that Joplin had been devastated.

Then he got a call from Mike Halterman, CEO of Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, with a four-word message: “Kyle, we’re coming in.”

The next day, Monday, Halterman assembled his team, who assembled and organized volunteers. On Tuesday morning, they arrived at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Joplin, the only one of the two Catholic parishes in Joplin left standing.

For the next five days, the volunteers from Kansas City organized a makeshift relief center in the gymnasium of adjacent McCauley Catholic High School, sorting through relief supplies that were coming, unsolicited, from coast to coast by the truck load.

The professional case managers from Kansas City began receiving people, many left with just the clothes they were wearing, as they put them in touch with services to get them through the next day, the next week, the next month, the next year.

No value could be put on that work, said Taylor, who began as Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri’s permanent director on May 13.

Abbie Young, Stacie Young, Maddie Young and Tara McGranaghan, in one day, helped reorganize the Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri warehouse where donations are still arriving for tornado victims and the poor of Joplin.

And the money, desperately needed money, poured in from parishes in each of the state’s four

Catholic dioceses, from Catholic Charities USA, from federal, state and local disaster relief plans, and from people who simply sent in checks.

“We had two employees,” Taylor said. “With the help of Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, St. Louis and Wichita, we were able to respond to needs immediately.”

Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri now has 35 employees, including nine case managers assigned to Joplin to help people get back on their feet.

“Many of them are hard-working people who were living paycheck to paycheck and were left acutely poor,” Taylor said. One year later, they are still coming.

“We have people coming in who haven’t asked for help before,” she said. “They thought that a year later, things would be better. Well, here it is a year later and now they realize they are not better.”

The more affluent neighborhoods have already been rebuilt through insurance settlements.

But the acres and miles of vacant lots were once the homes of people living in rental properties who didn’t carry renter’s insurance, Taylor said. Some vacant lots were once the homes of elderly on small fixed incomes who may have paid off their mortgages, but they let their homeowner’s insurance lapse in order to afford food and medicine.

Those are the people who still need help, if they have not already left Joplin to move in with friends or relatives.

“We will help them one person at a time,” Taylor said.

One such person is Don Atteberry. He and his two grown daughters were enjoying their usual Sunday dinner when the weather began to look threatening.

“We turned on the Weather Channel and they were saying it was going to pass us on the west and go toward Carl Junction,” he said.

Atteberry and his daughters huddled in a solid oak cabinet, clutching hands, and rode out the storm that lifted them off the floor.

They escaped with nothing but cuts, scrapes and bruises, some of them suffered as they tunneled through the rubble toward their front door, then outside to check on their neighbors.

Don Atteberry turned 90 years old last month.

He stood at his vacant lot at the corner of 24th and Pennsylvania streets and watched the Catholic Charities volunteers swing the pick axes and dig with the shovels for the retaining wall on the soonto-be completed Help Joplin Rebuild house.

He brought two homemade signs: “The tornado killed the

house that stood here, but not me” and “God bless and thanks to the volunteers.”

Atteberry carried insurance on the house he had lived in for half a century, but not enough to rebuild at today’s construction prices in excess of $100,000.

But Atteberry put his insurance settlement into the bank, and it will be enough to build the next Help Joplin Rebuild house in the neighborhood for him, and hopefully in time to invite his two grown daughters, one of whom he has lived with since the tornado, for Thanksgiving dinner.

“Without Catholic Charities’ help, I wouldn’t have gotten it,” he said. “I’m all for it.”

Gabe Tischler, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri disaster relief coordinator, and Steve Williams, construction project manager, said the coalition that formed under the banner of Help Rebuild Joplin has already completed six new homes, with more in process, and has done major repairs on another 100 or more.

They could do more and do it faster if someone would donate a pickup truck. Or three. Or five.

Both Williams and Tischler spend a good part of each day shuttling supplies back and forth from site to site and can take from the Catholic Charities warehouse only what they can carry in their personal cars.

Doesn’t have to be a brandnew, fancy pickup truck. In fact, old ugly will work just fine as long as it is in decent running condition and can haul lumber, paint, dry wall and tools.

And he still is getting volunteers raring to go. In fact, that is the reason that Help Rebuild Jo-

plin can build a $100,000, threebedroom, two-bath home for under $40,000.

“We couldn’t do it without the volunteer help, just couldn’t do it,” Tischler said.

“Since Day Three, we’ve had 23,000 volunteers come to Joplin to work just through Catholic Charities,” he said.

Through connections with the broad ecumenical network that sprang up, Tischler said, Help Joplin Rebuild has been able to get supplies such as siding, windows and roofing material donated.

A price tag can be put on that kind of material. The volunteer human labor is priceless, he said, pointing to the work on the retaining wall that the small army of Kansas City volunteers were preparing by hand.

“I don’t have to spend $700 to rent a backhoe,” he said.

Catholic Charities helped Carole get new glasses that were lost in the tornado, as well as a new set of dentures, also lost. “Now I can eat right,” she said.

With years of work left to do, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri is still in need of cash donations, as well as donations of used, working order work vehicles, as well as both unskilled volunteer labor and skilled labor, including dry wall hangers, electricians and plumbers. Cash donations can be sent to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, 601 S. Jefferson St., Springfield, MO 65806. Volunteer labor teams and those with work vehicles to donate can contact Gabe Tischler at the Joplin Donation and Distribution Center, 113 E. 9th St., Joplin, MO 64801; 417616-9314 or 417-499-2920.

14

I

t was one of those trips where you come home feeling a little bit different than when you left, and you really can’t explain why. But it’s a good feeling.

Last weekend, I traveled to upstate New York to cover the feast-day celebration and Mass of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha at her national shrine in Fonda. Denise and Emilie came along and that just made a delightful trip that much better, sharing it with them.

We had been to the shrine and the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in nearby Auriesville twice before, and enjoyed it very

The Anchor

July 20, 2012

Truly blessed on the feast day of a Blessed much, but this time was truly her soon becoming the first North blessed. The difference being the American aboriginal to become people we met. a saint. But she is everyone’s.

Folks from all over the U.S. The Jolivet clan has had a special and Canada converged on the shrine for the feastday Mass to celebrate Blessed Kateri’s upcoming canonization in Rome this October.

Welcoming the visitors

By Dave Jolivet were members of First Nations, aboriginal peoples from Canada and the U.S., even though they were visitors themselves. devotion to her for some time.

Blessed Kateri is theirs, with Emilie chose Kateri for her Confirmation name a few years back.

It was a thrill to meet some of the First Nations members, from self-proclaimed “Indian Larry,” whose full name is Larry Chaplinski, whose 105-year-old mother, a full-blooded Mohawk, who had a deep devotion to “The Lily of the Mohawks,” to the Crees and Métis Native Americans who came to Fonda all the way from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Larry was quick to share a story or answer any question tossed in his direction. He was also equally speedy in taking out his well-worn Hohner’s harmonica and belting out a tune beneath the pines at Blessed Kateri’s beautiful shrine.

Indian Larry made the blues harp sound like an orchestra, much to our delight and that of the couple we made friends with who were there from nearby Burrillville, R.I. It turned out they, too, were a Denise and Dave tandem. I must

My View From the Stands

admit I was relieved to learn that the teen they had in tow wasn’t named Emilie! That would have been just too weird.

I introduced myself to the Saskatoon pilgrims to interview some of them for the news story I was writing. Not only did I come away with what I was looking for, but had a great time doing it.

We shared some laughs, especially when I got them together for a group photo (seen on page one), and told them not to dare blink, and proceeded to try to take a picture with the camera off — much to their delight!

It felt so good to be with such wonderful Catholic people in such a beautiful and peaceful place.

Despite the 90-degree temperatures, the Mass was beautiful, complete with Native American chanting of some of the Mass parts.

At the end of the Mass we were all blessed with a relic of Blessed Kateri ... a special moment for the Jolivets and our fellow congregants.

We also took part in a smudging ceremony where a sagearomatic mixture was burned and the smoke dispersed over us by the waving of an eagle feather. It’s a ceremony to cleanse the body and the environment. A double blessing because I love the scent of sage — it’s smells like Thanksgiving.

scenes from a blessed kateri feast— Celebrations, ceremonies and a Mass marked the feast day of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha at several locations where the saint-elect was born, raised and baptized in upstate New York. Top left, a statue of Blessed Kateri at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, N.Y., where she was born in 1656; top right, a Smudging ceremony where sage and other aromatics are burned and the smoke dispersed over an individual with an eagle feather as a sign of cleansing the body and the environment, at the National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in Fonda, N.Y., where she was baptized and spent 10 years of her life; and self-proclaimed “Indian Larry” Chaplinski, of the Mohawk Tribe who lives in Northville, N.Y., playing the harmonica at the shrine prior to a Mass on her feast day there on July 14. (Photos by Dave Jolivet)

One of the most eye-opening occurrences last weekend was when I was talking to a curator of one of the museums at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs. I told her I thought it was overdue that Kateri be canonized. She said, “No, it’s in God’s time.”

She shared her opinion that God waited because this is a time when young people are being offered the so-called tranquility of new age views. She said that Kateri, too, valued nature, the environment, all creatures and the universe, but she “always kept her eyes on God.” This wise curator said Blessed Kateri is a great role model for young people searching for something, in that she knew the importance of “Mother Earth,” but also knew it was a gift from God, the Creator.

It was a weekend filled with great blessings, great people and a great environment. What else could one expect from a young Native American woman who was not born Catholic; secretly studied the faith; was baptized on Easter Sunday as a teen; made her First Communion on Christmas Day a couple of years later; vowed perpetual virginity on the feast of the Annunciation; often attended Mass twice a day; and spent her life teaching young people prayers and ministering to the sick and elderly, despite her own afflictions.

I guess I really can explain why I came home feeling so good after all.

July 20, 2012

The Anchor

Visit The Anchor online at http://www.anchornews.org St. John the Baptist

Parish Fair

945 Main Road, Westport, MA SAT. August 4th 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. SUN. August 5th 8 A.M. - 1 P.M. FEATURED EVENTS !!!!

Quilt Raffle, New England Auction, Country Kitchen, Silent Auction, Ethnic & Traditional Food, Crafts, Ice Cream, CARNIVAL, Pony Rides, Children’s Games, Face Painting, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Snow Cones Entertainment & MUCH MORE!!

CRAFTERS WANTED SATURDAY

Gramma’s Attic - opens at 8 AM CHICKEN BARBECUE 5:00 P.M. — 6:00 P.M. 1/2 CHICKEN, POTATO SALAD, CORN ON THE COB, PICKLES, CRANBERRY SAUCE, ROLLS & BEVERAGE ADVANCE RESERVATION REQUIRED Adults - $12.00 Children $8.00 - under 10 CALL 508-636-2251

SUNDAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST

8 AM until NOON -- IN THE CHURCH HALL

RAFFLE DRAWINGS WILL BE HELD AT NOON DONATIONS OF ALL TYPES ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL 508-636-2251

Stay informed and inspired!

Subscribe to The Anchor, or give one as a gift!

Subscribe to

The Anchor

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

State:

Zip:

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

City/State:

Parish to receive credit: Enclose check or money order and mail to: The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722 This Message Sponsored by the Following Business Concern in the Diocese of Fall River Gilbert C. Oliveira Insurance Agency

15

16

Youth Pages

let it rain — After reading a photojournalist’s non-fiction recount of his trip to the Amazon Rain Forest, the fifth-grade students at Holy Name School in Fall River painted a mural depicting the various flora and fauna in the area. The students also worked on a PowerPoint presentation of the animals and plants in the amazing habitat.

quarter masters — Shelley Gauthier’s third-grade class at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro organized a Quarter Raffle to benefit the order of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion.

More than $1,700 was raised through this school-wide service project. Donations of new and gently used items including toys, gift cards, games and books were collected. From left: Abigail Smith, Nicholas Roy, Seamus Sutula, Ryan Sullivan, Amanda Rego, and Tereze Gjoni.

July 20, 2012

off and running — Samuel Fellows, shown front and center, an incoming freshman at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River received this year’s Deacon Bernard G. Theroux scholarship, sponsored by St. Anne’s Credit Union. From left: Christopher Myron; principal, Deacon Theroux; Dr. Donna Boyle, diocesan assistant superintendent for Curriculum; Samuel’s father; Samuel; Rachel Fellows, his mother; Ross R. Upton; St. Anne’s Credit Union president/CEO; and William R. Bouchard, St. Anne’s chairman of the board.

keep on truckin’ — Prior to taking their summer vacation, students at St. Michael School in Fall River enjoyed a yummy sundae from Simcock Farms Mini Moo Ice Cream Truck, along with a delicious barbecue.

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

July 20, 2012

Youth Pages

17

The Church needs your youth

H

ere we are in the middle of summer! I’m sure everyone is quite busy with work, hanging out with friends, family vacations, sports camps, CLI, Quo Vadis, etc. Of course, collecting dust in a corner of your room: summer reading.

It is important to do that summer reading and to get a summer job, but be sure that you take time to enjoy the summer as well. This is a time to build relationships with family, friends and God. Be sure that “having fun” is accomplished with activities that are positive and give life. Even in our moments of celebration and joy, we learn about ourselves and how to relate to others. This learning (regardless of what age we are) helps us in all that we do: school, work, family, Church, etc.

Think of the song “We are Young”

by Fun. (Reuss et al., “Fueled by Ramen,” 2011): “Tonight we are young so let’s set the world on fire we can burn brighter than the sun.”

The problem is that the fun they are singing about doesn’t bring meaning or purpose to one’s life, and it actually will result in unhappiness. Often the type of living described by the song is

an attempt to hide or portray oneself as a youth rally at the Keil Center in St. someone different than you are. This Louis. During one of his talks he said, actually leads you away from happiness “This is the time of your ‘training,’ of and enjoying life. your physical, intellectual, emotional You have the gifts and talents to and spiritual development. But this change our world, and I don’t mean does not mean that you can put off until some day in the future, but now. You are later your meeting with Christ and your the light that sharing in this world so the Church’s desperately mission. Even needs. It may though you seem overare young, whelming or the time for you may be action is

By Father blocked by now! Jesus David C. Frederici others thinkdoes not have ing you are ‘contempt for too young to your youth.’ make a difference or you simply don’t He does not set you aside for a later know how to proceed. In addition, you time when you will be older and your may be struggling with knowing what training will be complete. Your trainthose gifts and talents are or why you ing will never be finished. Christians would want to be a part of the Church. are always in training. You are ready It may even seem that to be a part of the for what Christ wants of you now. He Church is depressing or not relevant in wants you — all of you — to be light our world or to having fun. to the world, as only young people Back in 1999 (I know you were can be light. It is time to let your light like three years old then!), John Paul shine!” (JPII Jan. 26, 1999).

II made a visit to the United States.

The Church needs your youth, your As part of his visit, he participated in energy and your love for life. We need

your skepticism and your interest and desire for a better world. When we accept ourselves as the person God has made us to be and take time for God in our lives, God’s light shines through us. We are able to accomplish things that the world declares to be naïve or impossible to accomplish.

This summer be sure to have fun, enjoy time with your friends and your family. Take time to recognize the blessings in your life and take some time for God: a short prayer to begin your day, some quiet meditation while you are at the beach, on a hike or listening to that song that you love. God communicates to us in all of this. This is a great time to train yourself in faith, to learn more about Who God is, to learn more about yourself as a child of God and to learn more about how God is active in your life each day.

This time with God will help you to be a bearer of a light much greater than the sun: the light of faith, hope and love which comes from God. Father Frederici’s column will appear in the regular Be Not Afraid rotation beginning with this edition.

He is chaplain at UMass-Dartmouth.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (CNA) — On the evening of July 13, thousands of young people flocked to Rio de Janeiro for the release of the official World Youth Day prayer as preparations for next year’s global youth event continue.

“The prayer was made so that, in a more intense and focused manner, people may pray for the intentions we have for this one-year countdown mark which is already drawing near,” said Father Leandro Lênin, of the Pastoral Preparation Sector within the Local WYD Organization Committee in Rio. The committee is overseen by Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro with the help of auxiliary bishops of Rio, priests and lay people of the Brazilian Archdiocese.

As the one year countdown approaches, thousands of young people gathered downtown on Friday night for the Mass with Archbishop Tempesta and to say the prayer for the first time.

After Mass, the youth went in procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the Perpetual Adoration Shrine of Sant’Anna, also located in Rio, where the traditional

pre-WYD monthly overnight vigil is currently taking place.

The prayer — released in Portuguese, English and several other languages — asks God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that “driven by their experience of World Youth Day,” young people may bring “to the four corners of the world faith, hope and charity, becoming great builders of a culture of life and peace and catalysts of a new world.”

Recalling Rio’s major religious symbol, the Christ the Redeemer statue, the prayer says that the image of its open arms on the top of Corcovado Mountain reminds the world that Jesus “welcomes all people.”

Father Leandro Lênin explained in an interview on the official WYD site that in preparing the text, the committee had to rely on the Holy Spirit in “true moments of prayer, in which we tried to meditate and put together all the characteristic elements of a World Youth Day.” “The prayer is essentially Trinitarian, and above all, it invokes the Holy Spirit to favor the formation of the new disciplemissionaries who will go to out to evan-

Son to save the world and chose men and women, through Him, with Him and in Him, to proclaim the Good News to all nations. Grant us the graces necessary so that joy may shine in the faces of all young people, the joy of being, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the evangelists the Church needs in the Third Millennium.

“Oh Christ, Redeemer of humanity, the image of Your open arms on the top of Corcovado welcomes all people. In Your paschal offering, You brought us by the Holy Spirit to an encounter of Sonship with the Father. Young people, who are fed by Eucharist, hear You in Your Word and meet You as their Brother, need your infinite mercy to run the paths of the world missionary-disciples of the New Evangelization.

“Oh Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and the Son, with the splendor of Your Truth and the fire of Your Love, send Your Light to all young people so that, driven by their experience of World Youth Day, they may bring to the four corners of the world faith, hope and charity, becoming great builders of a culture of life and peace and catalysts of a new world.”

Be Not Afraid

Young people flood Rio for launch of World Youth Day prayer gelize in the four corners of the planet,” he said.

“As we pray for WYD, we also want to pray for those who are donating their time in partnership with us. We pray for the volunteers, for all things about to happen on the path towards the event and most importantly, for the pilgrims who will be coming to Rio in July of 2013.”

According to Father Arnaldo Rodrigues, a young priest who was just ordained this year and runs the Pastoral Preparation Sector of WYD Rio 2013 along with Father Leandro, “a World Youth Day can’t be prepared without much prayer.”

“This prayer will be known all over the world,” he said, adding that “it will favor the spiritual communion of all those who pray for the preparation of World Youth Day and especially for those who will be coming to the Youth gathering in Rio next year.”

Pope Benedict is slated to attend the global youth event next summer, which will take place from July 23-July 28.

Below is the text for the official World Youth Day Rio 2013 prayer: “Oh, Father, You sent Your Eternal

18

The Anchor

Quo Vadis Days experiences best attendance to date continued from page one

ful.”

Now in its third year, the Fall River Diocese’s Quo Vadis Days, which is open to young men ages 14-18, was held July 9-13 and attracted its highest turnout to date.

“We had 28 boys at the beginning of the week, but there were two who couldn’t stay,” said Father Kevin A. Cook, assistant diocesan vocation director. “The encouraging thing is that we’ve had many guys come back and seeing they are at least still open to a calling. They talk about the struggles they have in trying to discern their vocation.”

“This is definitely the highest number of attendees we’ve had since we started three years ago, and also the greatest number of sending parishes,” agreed Father Karl Bissinger, diocesan vocation director and director of seminarians. “I think this group represents 13 different parishes in the diocese.

We’re also very happy that two of our seminarians currently studying for the priesthood have gone through the Quo Vadis program. We’re hoping it will help discern more vocations.”

The annual event is the continuation of an effort started by the diocesan Vocation Office two years ago to help

young men discern their vocation in life and perhaps answer a special calling to serve God as priests.

Quo Vadis Days — which takes its name from the Latin phrase meaning “Where are you going?” — consists of a team of priests, seminarians and adult advisors who provide guidance and advice to help high school-aged young men deepen their faith and better discern what God is calling them to do.

Aimed at young men ages 14 to 18 from the Fall River Diocese, the original Quo Vadis Days was cofounded by Father John Cihak of Portland, Ore. and Father William Dillard of San Diego, Calif., in the summer of 2000. Twentytwo young men attended that first camp and the idea has since spread to dioceses throughout the United States.

For Jonathan Hamel of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, Quo Vadis has become an annual highlight of his summer, having now returned for his third experience.

“I think this was the best year since I started coming,” Hamel said. “There were more guys this year, so the sports were a lot of fun because there were a lot of people participating. But there were also a lot of good talks, especially Father Michael Fitzpatrick and Father

Jay Mello. They gave great talks about discernment.”

Hamel said he sensed a real friendship and camaraderie growing among the group of boys this year and he said they all learned a lot about each other.

“Everyone became closer as the week progressed,” he said.

Andrew Tricker of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham said he was unable to take up an invitation from his parochial vicar, Father Ron Floyd, to attend last year, so he made good on his promise to experience Quo Vadis Days for the first time this year.

“It really wasn’t at all what I expected,” Tricker said. “We had a great time.”

While he equally enjoyed the quiet time for prayer, the outdoor sporting events, and the various talks and personal witnesses from diocesan priests and seminarians, Tricker said the mountain hiking trip in New Hampshire was probably the highlight of the week for him.

Other participants were impressed with a midweek visit from Bishop George W. Coleman, who not only celebrated Mass with the group but also shared his own reflections on his calling to the priesthood.

“Bishop Coleman was very relaxed as he was talking about his own discernment, and he began reflecting on it with them,” Father Cook said. “You could see a real sense of joy in his discernment and I thought the boys were all attentive to him and could really relate to what he was saying from personal experience. I think the bishop’s visit added a real special element to the whole week.”

“Bishop Coleman’s time here was certainly a highlight of the week,” agreed Father Bissinger.

Father Cook said another first-time Quo Vadis presenter, Father John J. Oliveira, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. John the Baptist parishes in New Bedford, was really able to connect with the young men.

“Father Oliveira has so many experi-

July 20, 2012 ences as a priest here in the diocese, he was able to talk to the boys about his ministry and I think it had an impact,” he said.

Now that they have three years of experience behind them, Father Bissinger said the diocesan Quo Vadis Days program has worked out all the kinks and is really coming into its own.

“The program is more settled now and we’re seeing what works best,” he said. “There’s a sense of continuity for the guys who have come all three years.

Some still aren’t sure if they have a vocation to the priesthood, but they just enjoy the experience. I think they see something good happening here.”

And whether the teen-agers leave Quo Vadis with a better understanding of their vocation or not, Father Cook said it’s an experience worth having.

“I think they’re more connected to their faith and it starts to have an impact because they see how joyful these young seminarians are … and it starts to make them think,” he said. “I think we’re really starting to see the program bear some fruit.”

Dellamorte, who said he’s always thought about a vocation to the priesthood, strongly suggested other boys his age consider attending next year’s event.

“Go with an open heart and open mind and know that it’s going to be a fun experience,” he said. “There will be time for prayer, but there’s also a lot of time for fun activities, too. It’s a great way to strengthen your discernment and your faith.”

Three-time veteran Hamel said he has no qualms about returning for a fourth time next year.

“I would come back,” he said. “It’s great to get together with other young men who have similar moral values as you. It really strengthens your faith.”

Likewise, Andrew Tricker said he’s gained some important skills during Quo Vadis to help him better discern what God wants him to do with his life.

“I think it will only help me in the long run,” he said.

CASUAL CONVERSATION — Bishop George W. Coleman spent a day with 28 young men at the third annual diocesan-sponsored Quo Vadis Days event held recently at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham. Bishop Coleman celebrated Mass with the group and also shared his own vocational discernment story with the teen-agers. (Photo by Father Jay Mello)

July 20, 2012

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

Acushnet — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

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

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

Brewster — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has eucharistic adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass until 6 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel. There is a bilingual Holy Hour in English and Portuguese from 5-6 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

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

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

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m.

Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of eucharistic adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic adoration 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.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds eucharistic adoration in the side chapel every Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

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

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

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has eucharistic adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508336-5549.

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

WAREHAM — Every First Friday, eucharistic adoration takes place from 8:30 a.m. through Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Morning prayer is prayed at 9; the Angelus at noon; the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m.; and Evening Prayer at 5 p.m.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All from other parishes are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

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

19

The Anchor

Please note Will not publish on July 27 and August 3. It will return to your mailboxes with the August 10 edition.

The office will be closed from July 20-July 27.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks July 22 Rev. Francis L. Mahoney, Retired Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 2007 July 23 Rev. Patrick F. Doyle, Founder, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1893 Rev. George B. McNamee, Founder, Holy Name, Fall River, 1938 July 25 Rev. Michael J. Cooke, Pastor, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1913 Rev. Raymond R. Mahoney, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of Assumption, New Bedford, 1984 July 26 Rev. Msgr. Alfred J.E. Bonneau, P.R., Retired Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1974 July 27 Rev. Damien Veary, SS.CC., Former Pastor, St. Anthony, Mattapoisett, 1981 July 29 Rev. Mathias McCabe, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1913 Rev. Charles P. Trainor, S.S., St. Edward Seminary, Seattle, Washington, 1947 July 30 Rev. Francis Kiernan, Pastor, Sandwich, New Bedford, Wareham, 1838 July 31 Rev. Daniel Hearne, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1865 Rev. Hugh J. Munro, Chaplain, Marian Manor, Taunton, 2003 Aug. 5 Rev. Martin J. Fox, Founder, St. Paul, Taunton, 1917 Rev. Thomas A. Kelly, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1934 Aug. 6 Rev. Joseph P. Lyons, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1961 Aug. 7 Rev. John F. Hogan, Pastor, St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth, 1986 Very Rev. Roger L. Gagne V.F., Pastor, St. Mark, Attleboro Falls, 1987 Aug. 8 Rev. William Bric, Founder, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1880

Around the Diocese 7/25

The Pro-Life prayer groups of Holy Trinity and Holy Redeemer parishes will sponsor their monthly holy hour on July 25 following the 9 a.m. Mass at Holy Trinity Church, West Harwich. The hour will entail recitation of the Rosary along with Pro-Life prayers and close with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Please come and pray for an end to abortion.

7/26

St. Anne’s Parish in Fall River, will celebrate its patronal feast-day, July 26 (SS. Anne & Joachim), with a Solemn Mass beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Ordinary of the Mass will be the “Missa de Angelis” (Mass VIII). Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of St. Anne’s relic will immediately follow. All are welcome to join the people of St. Anne’s in honoring the mother of the Immaculate Virgin and grandmother of Our Lord.

7/27

Courage, a welcoming support group for Catholics wounded by same-sex attraction who gather to seek God’s wisdom, mercy and love, will next meet on July 27 at 6 p.m. (Please note change of date to Friday.) For location information, contact Father Richard Wilson at 508-226-1115.

8/7

Good Shepherd Parish is offering a program on “Women of the Bible: Role Models for Men and Women Today.” The presentations will be held on three Tuesdays in August — 7, 14, and 21 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. All are invited to participate in these sessions of reading and discussing the stories of women of the Bible and discover kinship with them in their struggles, pain and joys. For more information call 508-693-1897.

8/12

Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street in Fall River, will be holding its annual feast on August 10 and 11 from 5 to 10 p.m. and August 12 from 12 to 8 p.m. There will be live entertainment all three days, along with Portuguese, Polish and American food, games for all ages, a flea market, Chinese auction and a Portuguese bazaar. Homemade malassadas will be available all three days. Visit www. gsfallriver.com for a complete list of music and activities.

8/17

A fund-raiser to benefit June and Don Chouinard will be held August 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Fall River.

Don Chouinard has been coaching baseball at Bishop Connolly High School for more than 30 years and his home was recently destroyed in a fire. All proceeds will benefit the Chouinard Family. The event will include dinner, a live band, and a large auction for prizes. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information call Michael Vieira at 508-4724763 or Derek Viveiros at 774-644-9178.

8/27

The fifth annual Golf Classic to benefit the Diocesan Health Facilities will be held August 27 at LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville. All proceeds will benefit the more than 900 individuals served in the skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in the Fall River Diocese. For details about the benefit, call 508-679-8154 or visit www.dhfo.org.

20

The Anchor

July 20, 2012

Tribute concert held for Catholic who saved Jewish children

Melbourne, Australia (CNA/EWTN News) — A concert was held recently at the Melbourne Recital Centre to remember Irena Sendler, the Polish Catholic who saved some 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of Warsaw’s ghetto.

The concert, titled “Irena’s Song: A Ray of Light through the Darkness,” featured acclaimed

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

2012-2013 Diocese of Fall River Catholic Directory ... Coming this summer!!

Published by The Anchor Publishing Company P.O. Box 7, Fall River, Massachusetts 02722 Please ship _____ directories x $18 each, including shipping and handling. Total Enclosed $_____ NAME ____________________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________________ CITY _____________________ STATE _______ ZIP _____ Please make checks payable to “Anchor Publishing” For more information, email theanchor@anchonews.org, call 508-675-7151, or order online at www.anchornews.org

Israeli composer and conductor Kobi Oshrat and Israeli vocalist Karin Shifrin. The pair collaborated with the Australian Orchestra Victoria to remember the heroine through music.

The 20-minute piece performed

by Oshrat, Shifrin and the orchestra, was written as a collage of the life of Sendler and a tribute to her courage.

The night featured guest speakers and the support of Israeli and Polish guests of honor, including the ambassadors of both countries.

Sendler’s daughter also appeared in a video address, adding personal experiences of her mother to the evening.

Sendler led an underground group of women who helped to smuggle Jewish children out of Warsaw’s ghetto and into the safety of homes and convents.

She often hid the children in trash cans, coffins, tool boxes or other creative locations to get them to safety.

In order to reunite the children with their families after the war, Sendler buried Irena Sendler coded records (CNA photo) of the children’s names, aliases and locations in jars under her neighbor’s apple trees. Rescuing Jews was punishable by death in Poland, however Sendler did not reveal the children’s locations, even after interrogation.

Although captured, imprisoned and tortured by the Gestapo, Sendler was rescued by her underground network “Zegota.” While imprisoned, she kept a Divine Mercy holy card that she presented 36 years later as a gift to John Paul II. She died in 2008 at the age of 98 after being recognized for her courageous acts during the war.

She was nominated for several Nobel Peace Prizes and recognized as Righteous Among Nations.

The guest speakers and musical performances highlighted virtues that Sendler lived by: love, humility and tolerance. The heroine will be remembered for her courage and sacrifice to save the lives of many Jewish children.